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Is this one of Nintendo's best years?
- Thread starter dragonyeuw
- Start date
Probably. Let's look at the new things they're putting out/doing this year.
- Switch
- BotW
- Fire Emblem Heroes
- Arms (Updates have been like popping a pimple. Very infrequent)
- Splatoon 2 (although very disappointing me right now)
- Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
- Samus Returns
- Mario Odyssey
- Fire Emblem Warriors
- SNES Classic
- Xenoblade 2
- Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
- New 2DS XL
- Nintendo World Championships
They need to bounce this off into other areas besides video gaming though, in order to keep up momentum/growth. TV, comics, movies, merchandise, etc.
- Switch
- BotW
- Fire Emblem Heroes
- Arms (Updates have been like popping a pimple. Very infrequent)
- Splatoon 2 (although very disappointing me right now)
- Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
- Samus Returns
- Mario Odyssey
- Fire Emblem Warriors
- SNES Classic
- Xenoblade 2
- Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
- New 2DS XL
- Nintendo World Championships
They need to bounce this off into other areas besides video gaming though, in order to keep up momentum/growth. TV, comics, movies, merchandise, etc.
Pretty sure that is F-Zero
paragonpro
Banned
Yep, i still cant belive were getting botw and mario in the same year, plus we have a new metroid prime to look forward to.
No way, I refuse to believe it. Just like I refused to believe in Nintendo making another great Metroid game.
PhilipDoesMatter
Member
Nintendo is shining in 2017 more than anyone else. And it's even more brilliant due to the fact that it is also Sony's best year in a long time.
pretty done
Member
Poor Metroid and Superstar Saga
It's a pretty good year for them I guess. Still don't make more than 2-4 games I'm interested in per year with all the Switch multiplayer focus but w/e 3D Mario is coming.
SciencePilot
Member
If Xenoblade 2 releases this year, that could totally seal the deal. I'm going to wait for that to be out, and for me to be playing it, before I can declare this is Nintendo's best year.
I think there's a good chance of a decent 2018 for releases(although many not for my tastes).
Yoshi,
Kirby,
Mario Maker Deluxe/2,
Pikmin 4,
Pokemon Switch,
Smash Bros,
Fire Emblem,
Bayonetta 1 & 2, Wonderful 101,Tropical Freeze ports.
Mario Party,
Mario Sports (of some sort)
Retro Studios game
Next Level game?( assuming they weren't just wasting all their time on Federation Force)
Absolutely. I mean we got a main home console 3D Zelda and 3D Mario on the same year. Just with that alone it makes automatically the best year. What a turnaround from last year when the only exciting thing we were looking forward with Nintendo was Super Mario Run, a damn Smarthphone game...
Skittzo0413
Member
Hmmm this is a useful post to use in response:
I've bolded the games that are actually developed by Nintendo EPD (or Monolithsoft), and it's only 5. Yet they have way more teams than that. I think next year will be surprisingly packed... Nintendo's starting to seriously reap the benefits of developing for a single platform.
FlaygletheBagel
Banned
Absolutely, that is what I'm curious about too. I'm thinking they can pull it off. Nintendo has outsourced a lot of their 3DS stuff lately to external teams, which tells me their internal teams are all probably moved off the 3DS and onto the Switch.
We're starting to see the fruit of that decision with Pokemon, Kirby, and Fire Emblem on the horizon, and I bet there's plenty more coming.
for first party output, certainly.
but i'm not sure i'd call the third party support it's receiving "encouraging" just yet. it's all largely old games from last gen (or the wii-u) being ported across at little to no risk or effort from the developer. i think this third party support needs to branch out into more current titles released day and date with the other platforms before i'd consider it an encouraging sign. otherwise though, it seems to be a good year to be a nintendo fan.
but i'm not sure i'd call the third party support it's receiving "encouraging" just yet. it's all largely old games from last gen (or the wii-u) being ported across at little to no risk or effort from the developer. i think this third party support needs to branch out into more current titles released day and date with the other platforms before i'd consider it an encouraging sign. otherwise though, it seems to be a good year to be a nintendo fan.
dragonyeuw
Member
Splatoon 2, Metroid Samus returns, ARMS, Snipperclips, Fast RMX, Mario and Rabbids aren't ports. That's a good first party lineup on its own merits without the ports. Puyo Tetris isn't a port, Bomberman isn't a port. Ultra Street Fighter 2, while certainly nothing new, is an evergreen title and we have a fully competent remade version that you can take to your office and fire off a few rounds with coworkers. There has to be some value in that( subjective, I know). There's a good cross section of games available NOW that don't fall under ports or 'coming'. BUT, it's as much about the momentum around the system and Nintendo in general as it is a laundrylist of games that are out or soon to come, or as said above, mindshare.
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Am I crazy for expecting a top-down Zelda like A Link Between Worlds to hit late next year?
Animal Crossing, Smash Bros, and Pokemon have yet to be announced or are months/years away from release. Lots of heavy hitters left.
Animal Crossing, Smash Bros, and Pokemon have yet to be announced or are months/years away from release. Lots of heavy hitters left.
QuixoticNeutral
Member
As far as the front-loaded heavy-hitters are concerned: I actually think this creates ideal conditions for the revival of old IPs, just like how the rollicking, hideously front-loaded start for the Wii set the table for Punch-Out!!, Sin and Punishment, and DKC, not to mention new IPs like Xenoblade.
It's true that we should be wary of how the Wii collapsed late in its life—I think a lot of people, including Nintendo-centric players like myself, pulled it out for Galaxy 2 and Skyward Sword in its last years and overlooked everything else as the air had been sucked out of the room—but that was just as much due to a unique set of unfavourable winds in the industry, between the rapid ascension of HD, the bursting of the casual bubble, and the general reputation of the Wii as a party/fitness box. The Switch, meanwhile, seems to be cultivating the kind of audience and reputation that makes an excellent case for testing the waters with F-Zero, Ice Climber, Mysterious Murasame Castle, Doshin the Giant, etc. once the A-listers have had their say.
If it's ever going to happen, sitting on a platform with a healthy and active install base coming off a strong launch that clears the field is when to make it happen. Not everyone will get their wish lists ticked, but I think prospects are good for something long presumed dead to make a return, something quite unexpected—the Switch's answer to Kid Icarus or S&P.
This is the direction for Zelda I really want. ALBW was kind of an NSMB moment for the series, and taking 2D Zelda back to a full home console where it belongs ought to be the next step. I can't wait to see what top-down Zelda looks like in a post-BotW software environment. But I doubt we'll receive it that soon.
It's true that we should be wary of how the Wii collapsed late in its life—I think a lot of people, including Nintendo-centric players like myself, pulled it out for Galaxy 2 and Skyward Sword in its last years and overlooked everything else as the air had been sucked out of the room—but that was just as much due to a unique set of unfavourable winds in the industry, between the rapid ascension of HD, the bursting of the casual bubble, and the general reputation of the Wii as a party/fitness box. The Switch, meanwhile, seems to be cultivating the kind of audience and reputation that makes an excellent case for testing the waters with F-Zero, Ice Climber, Mysterious Murasame Castle, Doshin the Giant, etc. once the A-listers have had their say.
If it's ever going to happen, sitting on a platform with a healthy and active install base coming off a strong launch that clears the field is when to make it happen. Not everyone will get their wish lists ticked, but I think prospects are good for something long presumed dead to make a return, something quite unexpected—the Switch's answer to Kid Icarus or S&P.
This is the direction for Zelda I really want. ALBW was kind of an NSMB moment for the series, and taking 2D Zelda back to a full home console where it belongs ought to be the next step. I can't wait to see what top-down Zelda looks like in a post-BotW software environment. But I doubt we'll receive it that soon.
rochellepaws
Member
I liked 2013 much more personally with:
Pokemon X/Y
Fire Emblem Awakening
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Luigis Mansion: Dark Moon
Legend of Zelda: Link between worlds
Mario & Luigi Dream Team
Pikmin 3
Wind Waker HD
Super Mario 3D World
What an insane year for first party games that was!
Pokemon X/Y
Fire Emblem Awakening
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Luigis Mansion: Dark Moon
Legend of Zelda: Link between worlds
Mario & Luigi Dream Team
Pikmin 3
Wind Waker HD
Super Mario 3D World
What an insane year for first party games that was!
Absolutely, I'm having a hard time thinking of a better one in recent years.
Even if there's a lot of reliance on ports (which honestly given the context, I'm fine with), Zelda, 3D Mario, new IP (Arms), Splatoon 2, Xenoblade 2 and a new 2D Metroid "alone" make it an amazing year.
Even if there's a lot of reliance on ports (which honestly given the context, I'm fine with), Zelda, 3D Mario, new IP (Arms), Splatoon 2, Xenoblade 2 and a new 2D Metroid "alone" make it an amazing year.
Wandering Robot
Member
It's been a great year for themÂ…but I'm hoping 2018 keeps/up the momentum.
Crazyorloco
Member
Yup and they have a bunch of heavy hitters left... like Pokémon.
And if third parties ever bring anything out. That'll be nice too.
CloudStrife_ca
Member
Nintendo has seemed to capitalize on almost on a modernized 90's momentum. Think back to the era of Mario 3, the release of the SNES and huge titles like Street Fighter II, Final Fantasy III, Super Mario World. Then that followed up with the release of the N64, the Mario64 days, the Goldeneye local multiplayer matches with friends. Think about how at that point in time Nintendo basically created magic with the momentum they had.
If you think about it they're doing everything now from Amiibo's, classic mini consoles, hosting another World Championships, the Switch which has blown up, none of these products seem to last more than a day on shelves. They've put themselves in a position where they're leading through innovation. 5 years ago if we'd heard about any of this stuff, nobody probably would have believed the hype. Its all happened at the right place and time and it makes me excited to see what Nintendo branded entertainment will look like in another 20 years.
If you think about it they're doing everything now from Amiibo's, classic mini consoles, hosting another World Championships, the Switch which has blown up, none of these products seem to last more than a day on shelves. They've put themselves in a position where they're leading through innovation. 5 years ago if we'd heard about any of this stuff, nobody probably would have believed the hype. Its all happened at the right place and time and it makes me excited to see what Nintendo branded entertainment will look like in another 20 years.
kitchenmotors
Banned
Really all that needs to be said. Nintendo bounced back beautifully from the Wii U through many avenues, such as the Switch, NES/SNES classic nostalgia factor, app developement, and expanded use of their IPs for more exposure.
I know people still like to give them shit and say theyÂ’re completely clueless, but these people are armchair analyists who canÂ’t manage to wash their own butthole, answer the door or go to the hospital without the help of GAF.
QuixoticNeutral
Member
The discordance isn't surprising when enthusiasts in communities like this one get so wrapped up in the year-to-year hype cycle, and Nintendo's whole gambit here was to effectively take 2016 off and plead for patience. Setting all of E3 2016 aside for BotW was a big play, the kind of tactic that only works if the game is actually able to carry the company on its shoulders—which this one did. Replying to the madhouse over Federation Force by sending Reggie out to tell us to hang on for another year—that looks canny in hindsight, but just goes to show what a chasm in perception there is between the software planning calendar and the consumer hype cycle calendar.
But results are results. Now I'm just hoping that Nintendo will have the gumption to move forward with Iwata's QoL business expansion plan, because I actually am in the market for gamified sleep therapy devices and remain curious about what Iwata had in mind.
I'd say yes.
Though it's odd because I had every system up to the Gamecube - and loved every singe one, but since the Wii (3DS aside) I just haven't been able to get excited about their systems anymore. Not sure why. I'd like to say it's because that's the point they felt gimmicky - but I loved the 3DS and that's basically the poster child for gimmick.
Though it's odd because I had every system up to the Gamecube - and loved every singe one, but since the Wii (3DS aside) I just haven't been able to get excited about their systems anymore. Not sure why. I'd like to say it's because that's the point they felt gimmicky - but I loved the 3DS and that's basically the poster child for gimmick.
KratosEnergyDrink
Member
No. The next year will be even better!
Some negatives to give this thread a bit of perspective:
Appear to have lost Monster Hunter as a key 3rd party exclusive.
Can't get a comparable online service off the ground still.
Still no Virtual Console.
2017 lineup currently built on delaying a Wii U game (Zelda), porting a Wii U game (MK8), and doing an iterative sequel to a Wii U game a la COD/BF (Splatoon).
Was too hesitant on the Switch initially, under-contracted hardware manufacturing need and greenlit Metroid and Pokemon Stars on old hardware to play it safe to their detriment.
Failing to adequately service indie developer interest in the Switch, resulting in a weaker eShop offering that largely appears to stem from Nintendo's delay on approval process/devkit support/etc.. This for a system built on a Tegra, i.e. something most indies could port to relatively easily.
Failing to control 3rd party price gouging with their flash cards being used as a scapegoat.
More hardware defects out of the gate than Nintendo is historically known for (poor joycon signal needing service, screen scratching, overheating and warping, weak wifi, HDMI wake issues).
Failure to adequately service peripheral market needs that were obvious from day one (joycon d-pad variant).
Its a good year but acting like it's something special ignores that in 2015 they released XCX, Yoshi's Woolly World, Splatoon, and Super Mario Maker all in the same year.
In 2014 they released Bayo2 (they deserve credit for that even though it's a Platinum game) MK8, Smash 4, DK: Tropical Freeze, and NES Remix 2.
In 2013 they released 3D World, FE: Awakening, Pokemon X & Y, Wonderful 101, Pikmin 3, Animal Crossing a New Leaf, and the first NES Remix.
What ya'll are getting excited about are:
1. Zelda and Mario are releasing in the same year, but that was a constructed overlap to support the Switch, otherwise Zelda should and would have been out in 2016 on the Wii U.
2. New hardware that despite it's issues is technologically more worthwhile for MSRP than any platform Nintendo has put out post-Gamecube.
Thats all. Nintendo has been putting up very strong front line titles on a consistent basis for a very long time, people just notice now because of brand hype.
Appear to have lost Monster Hunter as a key 3rd party exclusive.
Can't get a comparable online service off the ground still.
Still no Virtual Console.
2017 lineup currently built on delaying a Wii U game (Zelda), porting a Wii U game (MK8), and doing an iterative sequel to a Wii U game a la COD/BF (Splatoon).
Was too hesitant on the Switch initially, under-contracted hardware manufacturing need and greenlit Metroid and Pokemon Stars on old hardware to play it safe to their detriment.
Failing to adequately service indie developer interest in the Switch, resulting in a weaker eShop offering that largely appears to stem from Nintendo's delay on approval process/devkit support/etc.. This for a system built on a Tegra, i.e. something most indies could port to relatively easily.
Failing to control 3rd party price gouging with their flash cards being used as a scapegoat.
More hardware defects out of the gate than Nintendo is historically known for (poor joycon signal needing service, screen scratching, overheating and warping, weak wifi, HDMI wake issues).
Failure to adequately service peripheral market needs that were obvious from day one (joycon d-pad variant).
Its a good year but acting like it's something special ignores that in 2015 they released XCX, Yoshi's Woolly World, Splatoon, and Super Mario Maker all in the same year.
In 2014 they released Bayo2 (they deserve credit for that even though it's a Platinum game) MK8, Smash 4, DK: Tropical Freeze, and NES Remix 2.
In 2013 they released 3D World, FE: Awakening, Pokemon X & Y, Wonderful 101, Pikmin 3, Animal Crossing a New Leaf, and the first NES Remix.
What ya'll are getting excited about are:
1. Zelda and Mario are releasing in the same year, but that was a constructed overlap to support the Switch, otherwise Zelda should and would have been out in 2016 on the Wii U.
2. New hardware that despite it's issues is technologically more worthwhile for MSRP than any platform Nintendo has put out post-Gamecube.
Thats all. Nintendo has been putting up very strong front line titles on a consistent basis for a very long time, people just notice now because of brand hype.
This year is amazing on paper but there are a couple of details that leave me with slight concerns, such as the change in map design philosophy in Splatoon is honestly disappointing considering it's supposed to be my go to online game and the abundance of games that are either online competitive centric OR feature open world exploration (although Odyssey seems to be more sandbox-y with tight level design than anything else which is an awesome compromise)
More traditional single player content like Kingdom Battle going forward plz
More traditional single player content like Kingdom Battle going forward plz
The year of Luigi was pretty epic.
CharminUltra
Member
And Pokemon isn't even out yet. Cray.
Next year has the potential to be strong as well.
Next year has the potential to be strong as well.
ZedLeppelin006
Banned
A complete resurgence from the depths of the Wii U days. It's been great to see and the future seems bright.
To be fair, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have shown nothing exciting so far. The reaction to those has been pretty tepid.
FlaygletheBagel
Banned
It's hardly going to be "to their detriment" to release Ultra Sun/Moon and Metroid on a system with a larger install base. Especially not when Metroid and Pokemon US/UM require very little of Nintendo's own dev resources and will still make them a lot of money. I do agree the manufacturing issues are a valid criticism, but when you have a console that performs as well as the Wii and another that performs as poorly as the Wii U, I don't blame them for playing it conservatively.
Is this really that big of a deal? The Pro Controller exists for people who want the d-pad, and the joy-con d-pad is at minimum serviceable. I don't see too many people clamoring for this and I certainly wouldn't chalk it up as evidence that Nintendo has had a worse overall year.
Zelda and Mario releasing in the same year is definitely a "constructed overlap," but the fact that it was constructed doesn't change anything in regards to 2017's strength as a year. We're also talking about 2 potentially GOAT-quality games coming out in the same year, from the same publisher. And padding out the rest of the year is a good lineup of other first-party non-Wii U games people would add to the conversation: Splatoon 2 (iterative or not, it's a strong game), Xenoblade 2 and ARMS. Not even bringing up 3DS games.
I will agree with you that the perception of Nintendo's year has been influenced by overall excitement about the Nintendo brand. But I think hardware and software play a role in that, not just software. The hardware is a novel, well-executed concept, something we haven't seen from Nintendo since the Wii/DS, and Breath of the Wild is an absolutely exceptional achievement. There are lots of reasons, hardware and software-wise, to consider this one of Nintendo's best years.
I will say, the voice chat / mobile app thing... yeah that's pretty indefensible. The worst quality of the Switch by far.
OrbitalBeard
Member
Zelda and Mario may be the two biggest Nintendo games of 2017, but they aren't the only reasons people are calling this one of Nintendo's best years in terms of its software output. Not even close, in fact.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
It has been, and will continue to be, a great first year for Switch. I am honestly concerned with what they'll have next year. Hope they didn't fully blow their load on this year.
I believe this is why they haven't announced the Smash 4 port yet. They are waiting to release it as their big title next year.
Pancakes R Us
Member
SNES mini is just gonna be the icing on the cake.
The question is, can Nintendo keep up the momentum next year? One would hope they have a few decent titles in Q1 along with one big hitter by March. Don't rest, just keep them coming.
The question is, can Nintendo keep up the momentum next year? One would hope they have a few decent titles in Q1 along with one big hitter by March. Don't rest, just keep them coming.
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