Well, at least, Nintendo tries to reach many groups. It's not true that they target only one demographic, and even in Wii days, they kept trying to reach core gamers with titles such as The Last Story, Pandora's Tower or Xenoblade.
I don't think people would be upset by a 2D Metroid. It would depend on the art direction though. But you can bet that if the game was 2.5D with impressive graphics and atmosphere, or if it was a beautiful 2D, people would be really happy. Of course... if we had the same direction as NSMB serie or to a lesser extent, A Link Between Worlds, people would be upset for sure at reveal.
But would you agree that a lot of what they have put out regardless of who plays it is targeted for certain age groups? Like the way they use color, and make family friendly games seems to be where their primary focus is. Especially in how they design, market them with bright colored character's and box art.
Splatoon is a great example especially when you watch the TV commercial. It's something I would see on Nickelodeon.
There are experiments for broader demographic age groups like MARIO Kart, Mario Maker, maybe splatoon.
And there are the rare ones that are for more mature older demographics, but they seem to be few and outshined by the ones above.
I honestly do not understand what you are arguing in this post.
It's pretty simple, go look at how many mature rated games from franchises are on 3DS compared to Wii U. And how they are treated/promoted.
And I don't believe that to be the case. Nintendo makes games for everyone; there is no denying that other devices are eating away at dedicated gaming, but I refuse to step into the very confined discussion of "well, Nintendo's most important group are kids" because there is data telling us otherwise. Everybody loves to dismiss the Wii, DS and even 3DS which tell us that Nintendo is able to sell their games to multiple demographics.
I never did. Nintendo is a platformholder and so are the others. Whats salty about it?
At this point I feel that ever since the Wii U came out (and continued to fall on it's face) everyone started to over analyze everything and arguments all over the place. Honestly, it's pretty simple: the Wii U as a console was never an attractive proposition for the massmarket. And no amount of software, even if Nintendo would diversify in aesthetics would have helped them. I don't believe a mix-up in their franchises (targeting a specific older demographic) will help the NX out from Nintendo themselves. And honestly, if you believe making colourful games is just for a younger demographic is extremely shortsighted. Agree to disagree.
Obviously not in the case of Wii U. As sales would show you, and sales on games like Skyword sword for the wii. I feel your right on Wii U's failings having to be the killer for any buzz on their games. But to say that everyone will buy or enjoy the next mario, donkey kong, or whatever is reaching.
Only people who actually still like Nintendo, or are into those kind of games are going to gravitate towards them. And them making a Pikmin 4 is like "well 4th time's a charm, right guys". The reason Nintendo's IP's were so great mostly in Wii days was because of the console, not because MARIO was the biggest thing again.
I think when NX is launched unless they communicate their console to a lot of new buyers, I don't see lot's of sales for whatever Mario game is released. Especially since there's a lot of competition in 2016.
And them relying on DEYNA mobile games they are making would be a huge mistake for a console. SO in my eye's it's a sink or swim scenario one that can be righted by taking more chances in different genre's.
Why does Smash have to be the only game worth a damn for fighters on their system? Why does Mario Kart have to be the only good Nintendo racing game, why not something oldschool arcadey like in sega's day?
There are so many thing's outside of "Mature"games they could be doing. ANd these games I'm just spit balling, could reach the older demographic if done correctly. Look at rocket league.
Imagine a Nintendo created arcade soccer game? There's so much wasted and left on the table, that is why my whole spiel along with Ghost Trick has been they are playing really safe, and if they continue to do that may make them look stale.