Top 5: Where Do They Go Now?
by Kaes Delgrego 
{ Sep 8th 2008 at 12:48PM }
As someone who's been following Nintendo for quite awhile, they've almost never failed to surprise me. Though their origins are classic, Nintendo-developed games are continuously refined, retooled, and revitalized. Some may buy into that old standard line used mostly for musical artists that makes you sound cool: "their older stuff is better." Such broad generalizations are silly: to ignore Super Mario Galaxy because of a fetish for Super Mario Bros. would be dogmatic.
But for those of us growing long in the gaming tooth, we're led to wonder where all of these classic IPs are headed. It's hard to imagine a gaming world without Nintendo's current A-listers, but does anyone have a solid idea of what future iterations of our favorite franchises will be like? Now that just about every gangbuster franchise has been successfully embedded in 3D, we're at a loss as to the next big step for gaming.
Some of us have really good ideas, but I'm positively stumped as to where these franchises are going.
The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up. 
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bukizzle715 @ Sep 8th 2008 12:58PM
I don't care what they do as long as they leave Zelda alone. This business about making it first person, set in a contemporary World War II setting makes me nervous. Just leave it alone. And bring back the Triforce.
Sonic_13 @ Sep 8th 2008 3:09PM
I'm not sure where you heard that Link would be placed in the middle of World War II, but that certainly isn't going to happen.
I would like new Zelda games to be different from the usual formula, like Majora's Mask was. I think that is the way to go and based on what Miyamoto or Iwata said a few years ago, then that is what we should expect.
bukizzle715 @ Sep 8th 2008 3:14PM
It was in an interview with Shigeru about 3 months ago. It was one of the scariest things he's ever said, or one of the worst jokes ever.
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Sep 8th 2008 1:04PM
Nintendo would make bunch of people happy, if they would retire the franchises.
To me (to whom Wii is first console) the franchises all look and play like sentimental junk. Looking at who is playing: only SNES old-timers - and there are lots of them.
The point is: there more to the gaming than dumb jumping which bogs most of Nintendo games. (Zelda being an exception, though not without its retardism)
Dustin @ Sep 8th 2008 1:29PM
I disagree entirely.
Sonic_13 @ Sep 8th 2008 3:06PM
I disagree completely as well.
Retiring the franchises would effectively retire Nintendo as well.
I'm not even sure what grounds you have for making these statements seeing as Wii is your first console. If I had to make a guess, I would figure you to be a troll coming on these boards simply to make people angry.
SoshiKitai @ Sep 8th 2008 11:06PM
...you honestly need to actually play a game for what it is: a game.
You'll find it's not just sentimental value that keeps us playing these things.
Since the Wii's your first console, I'm not sure if you have any right to judge. Sentimental junk? Riiiiight... of course... Mario Galaxy SOOO reminds us of SMB3, and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is SOOO like Metroid 2! They play sooo much the same!
*rolls eyes*
It's also kind of weird that you defend Zelda, since Zelda's practically the only one in the franchise that keeps the same formula through the years.
... but seriously, you've got no right to talk about things you don't know about.
Play some old games. Play some new games.
2 completely different things.
...play some games without a "I know everything"-attitude and you'll realize something: THEY'RE FUN! AND THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS! OMG!
Sonic_13 @ Sep 8th 2008 11:23PM
"Mario Galaxy SOOO reminds us of SMB3, and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is SOOO like Metroid 2! They play sooo much the same!"
Not only that, but "Ihar `Philips` Filipau" also makes the excellent point that they look the same as their predecessors. I totally agree. Hold up screenshots of SMB3 and Super Mario Galaxy next to each other and I cannot tell the difference!
samfish @ Sep 8th 2008 1:09PM
Here's what I would do:
DKC:
There was a rumor, though I don't know how substantial it was, that DKC would be returning to Wii Ware. That sounds about perfect to me. Just so long as I can play as Donkey, I'll be happy. They should make DKC THE premier platformer series on Wii Ware, since I doubt we'll ever see NSMB 2 on Wii Ware.
Smash Bros:
I would make the next one a primarily single player affair with the fighting mode secondary. Maybe an RPG or a more focused beat em up or even 3D action/adventure game. It's not that I'd want to see the fighting mode go away, just that I want to see the basic concept expanded to other genres.
Metroid:
Make it behind the shoulder survival horror. Play RE4 on the Wii and tell me that wouldn't be perfect for Metroid. The feeling of loneliness, the atmosphere...it's perfect in my mind.
Zelda:
I'd keep the gameplay basically exactly how it is. No big or fundamental changes. Just change the damn plot.
Ever since LTTP, it's been 3 Dungeons> mid Boss fight> 7 Dungeons> Final Boss
They need to change the formula up. Make a totally new story that still involves Link, Zelda, Ganon and the Tri-Force that manages to feel epic and avoids the old formula.
Also, new 2D Zelda for Wii Ware, please!
Mario:
No clue. Hell, I'd be perfectly happy with a straight Galaxy sequel that more often got away from the planetoid aspects and gave us more of a SM64-esque game where you could do whichever missions you wanted.
...and remake 1-1 in 3D. That would potentially be awesome.
Kaes Delgrego @ Sep 8th 2008 1:29PM
Excellent ideas! I really like the Metroid one. It'd be nice if they could recreate the ominous atmosphere of coming back to a deserted SR-388 as a third-person exploration type of game.
Moose @ Sep 8th 2008 1:33PM
I really couldn't agree more with all of those suggestions. Hopefully someone at Nintendo will see them and write them down. I especially like the Metroid idea. I was never able to get into the FPS versions.
TheOverlord#2 (Playing: SMRPG, SMG, & Okami) @ Sep 8th 2008 6:54PM
Here's my plot:
Link would be an orphan who was strong and courageous(maybe like one of those parkour guys/girls where he has a job as a mail delivery worker instead of a farm rancher(think Mirror's Edge)) living on the streets in a New York-esqe city. Then all of the sudden weird creatures start attacking and Link finds a sword and shield and is set out to adventure. Maybe add guns to switch the bow-and-arrow out or have like a flashlight instead of a lantern that could use the motionplus and turn to first person when you used it, etc.
And I definetly agree on it stop being the same used formula that we all know. Make the bosses less formulaic and tougher and stuff like that. The Top 5 + my example made me think that there should be an open-world aspect where you could go to any dungeon in the beginning without having to get the Hookshot first(,etc.).
Antonio @ Sep 8th 2008 1:51PM
DKC: Incorporate motion controls for the WiiMotionPlus into the 3-D platforming. Swinging different ways makes DK perform acrobatic moves such as wall jumps, grabbing vines, etc.
Zelda: Agree with most of what Samfish wrote. I'd like to see Link take a more active role in moving along the story. He (and many other game heroes) is basically told what to do every game. Let the player make choices for Link that changes the direction of the story. Also 1:1 MotionControl for the sword and other items.
Mario: Also agree with Samfish. Super Mario Galaxy is an absolute masterpiece. More of the same is fine by me.
Kaes Delgrego @ Sep 8th 2008 1:56PM
That's a great idea about DKC. Something like that could definitely work: a Tony Hawk-ish stunt game blended with typical platforming challenges ... Donkey Kong Country meets Parkour. If done properly, that could be severely awesome.
hellhammer @ Sep 8th 2008 1:59PM
I feel like the majority of gamers are waiting for Nintendo to release their classic IPs in a Wiiware style, 2.5D or handdrawn 2D.
Look at all the attention WarioLand and Mega Man 9 have both received. The old school throw back games are so appreciated because there are just so damn few.
Imagine if Nintendo threw together a dev team specifically to create a new Donkey Kong Country, or a new side scrolling Metroid(was anyone not terribly upset that Nintendo canceled Metroid Dread?), maybe a classic Zelda in the Link to the Past/Minish Cap, over head style, or how about an actual sequel to Super Mario World for Wiiware?
These games would help Nintendo in every aspect. They're cheaper than regular games to develop. They help push the Wiiware service. They feed the hardcore and 'classic' gamers. And at the same time, it'd be a huge draw for the casual players as well.
Also, a Smash Bros on DS would sell an outrageous amount of copies. We've seen it done already, years ago with J.U.S...Now Nintendo needs to take a hint.
Timerider @ Sep 8th 2008 2:08PM
Smash Bros. on the DS is something I've been waiting for since the DS came out. They need to make it. And Project H.A.M.M.E.R.
Timerider @ Sep 8th 2008 2:08PM
Where do you get all this Mario art?
Kaes Delgrego @ Sep 8th 2008 2:17PM
Glad you asked! It's from the "I Am 8-Bit" art exhibition. You can see photos from this year's exhibit here:
http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/iam8bit-08/
And you can get a book of the exhibits here:
http://www.amazon.com/i-8-bit-Inspired-Classic-Videogames/dp/0811853195/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220897710&sr=8-1
j.howlett @ Sep 8th 2008 2:34PM
the art was excellent
Thanatos @ Sep 8th 2008 2:24PM
I would love to have a new 2D iteration of any of those games but then again thats probably just the nostalgia talking (regardless NSMB for the DS Rocked so hard)
For Zelda i think they need to have the balls to have a story that doesnt involve Ganon (and do it better than MM, good game but couldve been better) but still be as epic. When i first started TP i thought that they might actually leave Ganon out of it and have Zant be the Villain, which i think wouldve made a better story if they took it in a little different direction at the end, but no Zant is just a puppet to Ganon at least they couldve made Zant be Ganon which IMO wouldve still been better.
For Mario where do you go after Space? Bowser was quite successful in conquering the Galaxy what if he applied his strategy to taking over Sub-Con (Bowser Vs Wart! :D)or i dont know the Whole Mario World? (SMW2!)
Just like everyone else though i have to admit i was really excited to Wii ware to come out cause i envisioned Nintendo using it to give us some sweet games like SMB4 (i know technically SMW is SMB4) to build on older retro games like Capcom is doing with MegaMan 9.
CJLopez @ Sep 8th 2008 3:39PM
I couldn't agree with everyone else more, but, lets face a fact on Zelda
Zelda, Link and Ganon are the main central point of the game. But truly, a game where link decides what to do a la Fable would be awesome, either he sets to the evil (make it he want to posses the whole power or be under Ganon command) or keeps on being good.
Also, a good spinoff for the history would be that the history repeats itself, but this time there is no hero of time to rescue the day (mostly like what happened on TP but this time there is no one to stop Ganon) and Ganon controls it all. He finds a way to stop the loop and not let the gods bring the hero. So there is a resistance formed to confront Ganon and need to go to the temples to raise the seal and let a Hero be born. You can choose between a Goron, a Zora and a Hylian, each with unique abilities, weapons and styles...... mmmmmmm, now I know what 'll do once I recieve my degree on videogame developer!!!!!!
Don't know, something like this would be pretty awesome
CJLopez @ Sep 8th 2008 3:42PM
Or hell, make it a MMORPG with Zelda style, that would be the most awesome thing ever!!!!!!
With crossplatform support to play either on a Wii, a PC (yeah, let other Zelda fans who don't like Wii play it) and DS!!!!! (DS using old style, A link to past graphics)
Much like what Graal Online was once (man, that was my first MMORPG in 98 and I didn't know it was a MMO)
Kool_Kid_Joe @ Sep 8th 2008 3:44PM
I'm actually most concerned about the Pokemon franchise. There was a big jump from RBY to GSC, and a similar change of formula hasn't happened yet. I'd love to see a real-time main series game or even just a game that takes place between RBY and GSC's generations, as they're the only ones that have a definite prequel-sequel relationship.
Kaes Delgrego @ Sep 8th 2008 5:40PM
Yeah, I was considering touching on Pokemon. I just haven't played enough games in the series to confidently comment on where it's been and where it's going. Thanks for the suggestion!
zchry @ Sep 8th 2008 8:23PM
I honestly think Pokemon should remake Yellow on a larger scale. Think LeafGreen/FireRed meets Diamond/Pearl.
Of course, this would need to work out a lot of things. I don't like the new Pokemon much--the original 151 are the only ones that are truly iconic. There are a few fan-favorites, but the originals are so memorable that they crush the rest.
I'd like to see a game primarily focused on the originals, with all of them available without trading or whatever, and then add the rest after the first run-through--I want the first 151 to be readily available (save for Mew, perhaps), and then the rest be partially available.
SoshiKitai @ Sep 8th 2008 11:11PM
I'd just want a Pokemon in a 3D shoulder-view world.
That's all I've ever wanted since Pokemon got enough money to do so.
.........and er... nothing like Pokemon XD... where it's "kinda' 3D world". I want a full-on Pokemon games 3D world.
...that'd be awesome.
...problem is, I'm not sure if the Pokemon team CAN make a great 3D world.
aznstorm @ Sep 8th 2008 4:50PM
I hate to contradict the writer, because I'd love to see where Nintendo would go with most of these franchises, but to myself (and the competitive community) the three Smash Bros games are not actually all that similar. The competitive scene was salivating over the thought of Brawl for about a year, but after it was released, the reality sank in: it's not nearly as competitive. Everything they changed seems to be geared towards casual play - Sakurai admitted it himself in an interview. The "slow" feel of the game, the lack of combo-able moves... everything makes for a more boring match than Melee. I'd love to see the Smash team try something with more tournament potential.
Kaes Delgrego @ Sep 8th 2008 5:42PM
No worries, contradictions are always welcome!
debate > monologue
Wah-hah-ha! @ Sep 8th 2008 5:03PM
Very well presented. With the fumbling steps DK has taken since the departure of Rare, i would really like to see them do more in the vein of Jungle Beat. Non-traditional platforming in 2D, 3D, or 2.5D would work out well
They should do a proper Metroid V for DS, and then work on re-booting the series again for a post-Prime world. samfish's idea seemed neat
Smash Bros should stay Smash Bros, but they have a long way to go in terms of little jumps forward that need done. A functional online mode and a deeper story mode would make an adequate sequel easily.
Zelda should go first person, or at least over-the-shoulder, for its next big leap, if only to enable 1:1 play for the Wii version. The dungeon formula works, so stick with it, but ramp up the difficulty somewhat, and don't go for the "Dark and edgy" thing they tried with Twilight Princess. Zelda needs heart.
And i think Mario should go back to the mushroom kingdom. A semi-linear game like Mario 3, but fully 3D like Galaxy with the same set of moves he had in Super Mario World (spin, run, grab, jump). A game with more focus on being-score based, but still on the large, beautiful scale that they nailed with Galaxy. And i say regress because you're right. Unless they do Super Mario Universe, he can't really go anywhere. So they should do the unexpected: Go back
ESE CUCO @ Sep 8th 2008 5:04PM
Where's Kirby?? I miss that little fluff ball... Would be nice to hack away at Kirby in a 3D Miniature Golf game with awesome multiplayer ala Kirby's Dream Course...
Abe504 @ Sep 9th 2008 9:52AM
where the hell is Star Fox!!?? im still waitin on a freakin regular flying shooting start fox game, not that dinosaur crap on the gamecube.
zchry @ Sep 8th 2008 8:18PM
What IS beyond Mario? He's gone to space, through time, to the Underworld and back (I'm counting Paper Mario here)...
Dang. There's nothing left but disappointment.
As far as Zelda goes, I think that they need to put out a console game that breaks the story. A Majora's Mask or Link's Awakening of sorts. They've done the major Zelda game for this console--the one that follows the typical Zelda/Mario storyline (yeah, both of them are pretty much the same overall). Now they should do the deviant.
Of course, they just sort-of did that with Phantom Hourglass, but it was still a "Save Zelda from baddies!" at heart. I want something totally different. Let's have a non-oceanic game, though, please.
DeoWulf @ Sep 8th 2008 9:05PM
Analogies are no longer on the SAT, unfortunately. I'm actually good at them.
Facemask @ Sep 10th 2008 9:27AM
Iam new to the whole forum thing, but I just wont to say that in almost every form of gaming development it's mostly the fans who have most of the greatest ideas. Just look at some of the fan made games most recentlly the two Metroids.
Facemask @ Sep 10th 2008 9:27AM
I know I have no place, what so ever for making this suggestion. But I feel that if by any chance Nitendo do release a remake of metroid II. They should have a very clever story, that would convince the player as to why the main character would revisit this chapter in her life.
One of my Ideas was to create such a sinerio were Samus has finally been captrued by The Space Pirates, along with several other bounty hunters including at lease one from Metroid Prime Hunters. During Samus captivity she and the others are brought to a planet that is simiar in apperance to SR388. Seenig this cause Samus to remeber her first time to that fatfual planet, thus leading to the opening of the game. To Make things simple your playing a memory of samus. At the end of the game she wakes from her day-dream and thus setting the beginnig of Metroid Dread or some other futrue Metroid game, that is chronologiclly after Metroid II.
What do you think about that Idea? Perhaps it’s a little wierd right, but it’s worth a shot.
Kaes Delgrego @ Sep 10th 2008 9:36AM
That sounds like an awesome idea! I don't have much proof to back up this statement, but I think that many developers definitely check out message boards, columns (like mine, hopefully!), and fan-made games for ideas. Who knows, maybe Miyamoto is forwarding your idea to his development teams right now!
Ouji @ Nov 13th 2008 11:16AM
I think Pokemon is a lot more of a classic than Smash Bros ._.