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Nintendo should retire Mario, Zelda and Metroid
- Thread starter capslock
- Start date
This. I'm 34 but Nintendo has fans 25 years younger than me, why should they ditch characters that have been popular for 25 years just because I've played the previous dozen games? Not everyone buys everything, I have no interest in the Mario sports games but the platformers always keep my interest.
Nintendo have a dozen franchises that get sales most other companies dream of. To suggest they should ditch the best sellers and just make new IP makes absolutely zero business sense at all, it's all risk and no common sense. The idea of throwing caution to the wind might sound good to you, demanding new, popular AAA stuff, but that stuff doesn't appear overnight- how many new franchises failed this gen?
When 5,000 people's jobs rest on you not losing money, you might be a little conservative too. They are already constantly trying new stuff in addition to the old stuff bringing in the funds, and that's the way to keep a healthy company- the games that sell gain a fan base over time, and create an allowance to try new ideas that aren't sure things, like Steel Diver or Dillons Rolling Western, giving them a safety net. If those new ideas gain traction, they get a better budget and push next time around.
There was a time when Mario Kart was an untested idea too, nobody back then had any idea how popular it would be, and the idea of not making another Mario platformer because they had just released 5 in 5 years (including Mario Land) would have been silly.
Nintendo get a lot of stuff wrong- their account system, online and motion control stuff all don't seem particularly well thought-out to me- but what they do have is a stable business model that creates good games, has worked for a long time and built reams of the most valuable IP in the industry.
Team Filler
Member
Remove the DS duh!!! just because!!!!
True but using the same analogy....what if Disney only released Mickey Mouse cartoons since its inception....
Nintendo should still keep the characters around...but god damn...they really need some new IPs to be put at the forefront along side their old go tos... Im thinking of characters in Brawl and maybe only 3-4 characters came from anything after 2000...and only one of those characters is from an IP made after 2000 (Olimar)
Obviously they should move it to comparing them to the massive number of new IPs Nintendo put out in both the 80's and 90's.
Their IP output over the past decade is still larger than the 90's by far and probably the 90's too :V
SolidSnakesMyStepDad
Member
If they make a great new IP then... Maybe. Fact is Mario, Zelda and Metroid make a lot of money so they will continue making them until they don't.
Retiring these characters for at least a few years will challenge Nintendo ̶c̶r̶e̶a̶t̶i̶v̶e̶l̶y̶ financially. That's what ̶I̶ Nintendo's shareholders would ̶l̶i̶k̶e̶ hate to see.
There's definitely a very good argument to be made that Nintendo should work to expand their lineup of popular IP, but shelving their core franchises right now would be suicide.
TalesOfWin
Banned
where are all those new movies with mickey again?
But Nintendo hasn't only made Mario games since its inception, which is what your analogy is saying.
Using Brawl as a barometer means little, it just means that the characters that came after aren't considered "big enough". They are easily represented in some form in the game. The next Smash will have characters from the Wii/DS and possibly Wii U/3DS games.
They only just started localizing games like Advance Wars (2001) and Fire Emblem (2003) in that time frame as well.
PreyingShark
Member
Kersploosh!'s objects for SSB4! I think the rock would be the best one, but the plate looks like a very reasonable alternative.
Are we not just talking about brand over-saturation? When it comes to Disney, Mickey is everywhere. Whether it's at their park, their logo, and they still do produce Mickey games/cartoons.
Version 3.0
Member
This has got to be the worst idea in the history of business, backed up by incorrect data, no less.
A far better argument would be that Nintendo should actually put some effort into promoting their many other franchises. I would agree with that. Honestly, I don't know why they make other games if they're just going to let them bomb.
A far better argument would be that Nintendo should actually put some effort into promoting their many other franchises. I would agree with that. Honestly, I don't know why they make other games if they're just going to let them bomb.
Dude, fuck no.
This x10000.
I meant the Mickey mouse Universe (Goofy, Donald, etc.)...
I just wish Nintendo would bring out a new character mascot that can stand along the IPs developed in the 80s
Aquamarine
Member
What about "the Mii"?
Aquamarine
Member
Why does the IP need to be from a "first-party studio"? If Nintendo funds the game, it's a Nintendo IP.
Decent is undercutting this game: Xenoblade. If you're flexible with the meaning of IP: Kid Icarus Uprising. If you don't move goalposts, then IMO it would be Pushmo. And what seems to be good that is coming up: The Wonderful 101
Look at the huge list above. '1st party' doesn't mean EAD only.
megabytecr
Member
This. Very good point. The new IP is our Miis. But yeah more new IPs would be great. These Wii Party, etc etc I play with the family, but they were a great success with the casuals.
2 Big IPs in 13 years is not great, but I will agree with the Miis...was really a great idea
Anticitizen One
Banned
I kinda agree with OP. After watching Nintendo's presentation today I kept thinking "Does Iwata know they have more franchises beyond Mario and Zelda?" I mean where the fuck is Star Fox, Donkey Kong, Kid Icarus (console game pls), etc. Also how about some new IP's for once.
I would like something surprising from Nintendo....conferences arent predictable per say....but you can guarantee there is going to be a Mario/Zelda/DK etc. at the forefront of every conference with new IPs pushed to the side
TreasureHunterG
Banned
He knows, but his "play it safe for big profits" stand can't guarantee that old franchises or new ones will bring him money in the easy way he wants.
These games all kick ass and i can't wait for Platinum's games for WiiU, but I'm still pretty firmly in the camp that Nintendo relies way, way too much on their established franchises nowadays and I'd rather see them create new games/worlds.
I think there's still places to go with Metroid as a series. 2D Mario is dead to me, unfortunately. 3D Mario is consistently great, doesn't feel "new" to me anymore. Zelda needs a serious shot in the ass or it'll rest with 2D Mario in the beloved Nintendo franchise morgue for me.
So I think I was right. IMO, the last good IP Nintendo created was Pikmin, two generations ago.
I hope you just mean on Wii U...
megabytecr
Member
Yes I agree with the new IPs needed or to bring back other IPs.
But hell no to the give Mario, Zelda and Metroid a rest.
But hell no to the give Mario, Zelda and Metroid a rest.
Aquamarine
Member
"Samus needs a proper new game."
"I want to see what they are doing in the new 3D Mario."
"I want the New Zelda back to basics."
"I want a dark Zelda."
" Nintendo should retire Mario, Zelda and Metroid."
Repeat this three times and you have the typical Nintendo discussion circle.
I understand where are the complaints are coming from. Yes, Nintendo is delivering new IPs like Nintendogs, Art Academy, the Wii _ series, The Last Story, Xenoblade... Nintendo is delivering plenty of new, big and small IPs. What people actually want or atleast talking about demanding are new mascots. And well.. look at PSABR. Its pretty difficult to establish them. And Nintendo has especially the problem that many are not even realising which IPs belong them. W101 or Fire Emblem for example.
"I want to see what they are doing in the new 3D Mario."
"I want the New Zelda back to basics."
"I want a dark Zelda."
" Nintendo should retire Mario, Zelda and Metroid."
Repeat this three times and you have the typical Nintendo discussion circle.
I understand where are the complaints are coming from. Yes, Nintendo is delivering new IPs like Nintendogs, Art Academy, the Wii _ series, The Last Story, Xenoblade... Nintendo is delivering plenty of new, big and small IPs. What people actually want or atleast talking about demanding are new mascots. And well.. look at PSABR. Its pretty difficult to establish them. And Nintendo has especially the problem that many are not even realising which IPs belong them. W101 or Fire Emblem for example.
Goldenroad
Member
Yeah, and Valve should retire Half Life/DOTA/Portal/TF, Activision should retire Call of Duty, EA needs to retire Madden, Battlefield and FIFA and Sony should quit it already with MLB games, God of War, Uncharted, and let's not forget Microsoft milking Halo, Gears and all of it's best selling franchises.
In fact video game developers should just quit making games. That would improve this industry overall.
In fact video game developers should just quit making games. That would improve this industry overall.
Even during the weak GameCube era, Mario and Mario Kart each sold as well as even some of the most popular third-party franchises out now. Zelda sells on that level as well. Metroid doesn't, but then it never did sell on that level. Nintendo's big money makers are Mario, Pokemon, Zelda, Donkey Kong, and Kirby, especially the first two. Third-parties, Sony, and Microsoft wished they had money makers as big as them. That is why they will never be retired.
RealDeadOne
Member
Saying that Mario and Zelda are a "crutch" to Nintendo is like saying burgers and fries are a "crutch" to McDonald's. It's a business, they're giving people what they want.
This I can get behind !
RETIRE MARIO and make more awesome Luigi platformers ! xD
Retire Zelda and make Sheik centric games !
Holy Order Sol
Member
But that's what's going on, with Mario and Pokémon anyway.
BadAss2961
Member
You know what? I'd actually support this idea, but only to an extent...
Retire Mario, Zelda, and Metroid for one generation. Force Nintendo to replace them with new IPs.
Retire Mario, Zelda, and Metroid for one generation. Force Nintendo to replace them with new IPs.
Literally the worst idea I've ever heard in my entire life.
Chie Satonaka
Member
Even if this happened, the goalposts would just be moved again and they "wouldn't count".
With that said, wow. Why hasn't there been a Shiek action game yet? This seems like a missed opportunity.
peanutbutterlatte
Member
They haven't been on a declining curve at all, where's your fucking data? I mean, are you categorically insane? They should just give up on the Mickey Mouse of gaming?
And you won't make any friends here claiming they should give up Metroid when nobody's really attempted to make a decent game for it in years.
And you won't make any friends here claiming they should give up Metroid when nobody's really attempted to make a decent game for it in years.
Uncle Rupee
Banned
SEGA already tried this with the Saturn.
It resulted in lots of cool new IPs but nobody cared.
It was pretty much the beginning of the end for them, and I suspect the same would happen if Nintendo followed suit.
It resulted in lots of cool new IPs but nobody cared.
It was pretty much the beginning of the end for them, and I suspect the same would happen if Nintendo followed suit.
It's funny; Nintendo needs to get rid of their best IPs.....the once a generation IPs that continue to make new fans and are fundamental to Nintendo as a company. Hey, guys, let's chop Windows off Microsoft! Teach 'em to make a NEW OPEN SOURCE OS if they want success! Yes, it may not be their style, but they need to appeal to a wider audience, like the Linux crowd! Never mind the fact that the Linux enthusiasts avoid MS if they can help it, they need to deliver!
...Did that sound stupid? Yes? How some people in this thread are appearing. I'm sure I'm also not the best example.
...Did that sound stupid? Yes? How some people in this thread are appearing. I'm sure I'm also not the best example.