Super Smash Bros. AI-generated PC port draws retro community backlash

5 articles · Updated · Time Extension · May 1

Creator TheWizWiki said the native port was built in just over 25 days using Opus 4.6, Opus 4.7 and GPT 5.5, with autonomous agents handling parts of development and testing.
Critics including indie developer @MorsGames, preservationist @RohanKarMooN and @UnderCoverToni said AI-generated code shortcuts hurt preservation, while the port is buggy, feature-light and inaccurate in engine behaviour and physics.
The dispute reflects wider gaming industry arguments over AI use, especially in retro projects such as fan translations, though some supporters say AI can help preserve and port older software.

AI can resurrect lost games, but does this create authentic preservation or just soulless, imperfect copies?

As AI builds games in days, is the 'human touch' that defines classic titles becoming a thing of the past?