Sakurai is known in most circles as the game designer responsible for the Super Smash Bros. series in the first place. He's also known for his work on the Kirby series and, most recently, as the creative force behind Q Entertainment's Meteos for the DS.

This announcement comes as somewhat of a surprise, seeing as how Sakurai left Nintendo's HAL Labs in Fall of 2003. Sakurai reveals, though, that when leaving Nintendo, his former boss, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, suggested that he might be consulted in the case of a Super Smash Bros. sequel. The real surprise for Sakurai came at this past E3, when Nintendo announced that Super Smash Bros. was in development for the Revolution and would be Wi-Fi compatible. Sakura had apparently heard nothing of the title at that point, although he was in attendance at the Nintendo press conference.

But he was to become involved in a big way following the announcement. One day at E3, Sakurai reveals, he was called to Iwata's room on the top floor of a Los Angeles hotel, and told by Iwata, "We'd like you to be involved in the production of the new Smash Bros., if possible near the level of director."

Sakurai's comments suggest that Super Smash Bros. may not be as far along in development as some had initially thought. At E3, Nintendo raised Smash Bros. for Revolution as an example of the Wi-Fi connection program that would kick off with the DS later in the year. Actual production hadn't begun at the time.

Given the success of Super Smash Bros. Melee for the GameCube, many have been expecting a new entry to launch with the Revolution. Nintendo actually suggested as much in its announcement at E3. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Confirmation of Sakurai's involvement in the project has us even more excited about Super Smash Bros. Revolution, especially given his apparent enthusiasm for the Revolution controller. Let's hope this news bit signals the start of frequent revelations on games for Nintendo's new system.