One of the hottest titles slated for 2014, Super Smash Bros. 4 may be the best chance Nintendo has for a killer app for the Wii U to help keep the console relevant in the New Year. While there's been no confirmed releaste date for some time now, a Nintendo executive recently revealed the game may be ready quicker than many had hoped.

Bernd Fakesch, general manager of Nintendo of Germany, spoke to the German website Neckar-Chronik, and announced when fans of the series can expect to see Super Smash Bros. 4 (translation provided by NeoGAF):

"At Christmas we now want to inspire with titles like Wii Party U, Wii Sports Club, Wii Fit U and all of course Super Mario 3D World, the classic Nintendo Family for the new console. For next spring two bigger license games are also announced for our TV console with Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros."

If the release date is accurate, this would be huge news for gamers, especially those who have been waiting for the game ever since it was officially revealed at E3 2013.

Since then Nintendo has released screenshots from the game and announced new characters, assist trophies, and stages through the official website for the game. However, Nintendo has been very quiet about when the game will be released, so until the company officially confirms the release date, take Fakesch's words with a healthy dose of salt. Of course, considering the news comes from a high ranking official in the Nintendo hierarchy, this could very well be the launch window for the game. Fans might even have reason to expect the game sooner than Fakesch suggested; Europe traditionally receives a game after the United States and Japan.

Super Smash Bros. 4 is set to be released on the Wii U and the 3DS, and both versions of the game will have different features. For example, the stages found on the Wii U version of the game will reflect games found on that console such as Super Mario Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. On the 3DS, however, the stages will be based on handheld titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. This shift should encourage fans to buy both versions of the game, and there will be some exclusive content that can only be unlocked by linking the Wii U and 3DS versions of the game.