What was the last great Nintendo franchise/character created?
#1
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Thread Starter
What was the last great Nintendo franchise/character created?
Now first let me state that I love Nintendo. I think they make incredibly well balanced and fun games. So this isn't a hate thread.
The thing that is always said about Nintendo is that they have great 1st party games. I don't think this is wrong, however I also subscribe to the thought of them recycling characters over and over again. In any ancillary Mario game (Party/Tennis/Golf/Cart...) game you are going to see a lot of the same faces. Also a lot (most?) of their highly anticipated 1st party titles are new additions to franchises that were started in the 80's/90's (your Marios, Metroids, Zeldas).
So I was just curious what you think was the last great character and original franchise that Nintendo has created? For franchises please leave off the ancillary Mario type games and SMB - I'm looking for totally new and original franchises. These don't have to be overly popular and can be more of a "your humble opinion" type deals.
The thing that is always said about Nintendo is that they have great 1st party games. I don't think this is wrong, however I also subscribe to the thought of them recycling characters over and over again. In any ancillary Mario game (Party/Tennis/Golf/Cart...) game you are going to see a lot of the same faces. Also a lot (most?) of their highly anticipated 1st party titles are new additions to franchises that were started in the 80's/90's (your Marios, Metroids, Zeldas).
So I was just curious what you think was the last great character and original franchise that Nintendo has created? For franchises please leave off the ancillary Mario type games and SMB - I'm looking for totally new and original franchises. These don't have to be overly popular and can be more of a "your humble opinion" type deals.
#5
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Goldberg74
Would StarFox count?
Schloob1, that the first thing that came to mind for franchise.
#6
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I would go with Pikmin. Animal Crossing is certainly strong as well. Obviously Eternal Darkness was strong but now gone and not really "done" by Nintendo. Sin and Punishment on the n64 had/has a lot of potential for continuation. The one that makes the most money however is likely the new Warioware genre Nintendo has created for itself.
Nintendo gets knocked for using the same characters, but the reality is thats what gamers want. People associate Mario with quality gameplay. When Mario Golf (or whatever game type) sits next a no-name golf game you know the Mario game sells better. It can be annoying to see the same characters in all these games, I agree. However, there isn't much room to complain because these games are usually pretty good when compared to the competition in terms of gameplay IMO.
Nintendo gets knocked for using the same characters, but the reality is thats what gamers want. People associate Mario with quality gameplay. When Mario Golf (or whatever game type) sits next a no-name golf game you know the Mario game sells better. It can be annoying to see the same characters in all these games, I agree. However, there isn't much room to complain because these games are usually pretty good when compared to the competition in terms of gameplay IMO.
#7
DVD Talk Legend
This generation brought us Animal Crossing for the first time to the US and Pikmin is an excellent franchise.
Nintendo has to keep bringing us the old franchise characters, because gamers demand it.
Nintendo has to keep bringing us the old franchise characters, because gamers demand it.
#9
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by darkside
This generation brought us Animal Crossing for the first time to the US and Pikmin is an excellent franchise.
Nintendo has to keep bringing us the old franchise characters, because gamers demand it.
Nintendo has to keep bringing us the old franchise characters, because gamers demand it.
I'm surprised nobody's said the obvious yet: Pikachu!
#10
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by jeffdsmith
I would go with Pikmin. Animal Crossing is certainly strong as well. Obviously Eternal Darkness was strong but now gone and not really "done" by Nintendo. Sin and Punishment on the n64 had/has a lot of potential for continuation. The one that makes the most money however is likely the new Warioware genre Nintendo has created for itself.
Nintendo gets knocked for using the same characters, but the reality is thats what gamers want. People associate Mario with quality gameplay. When Mario Golf (or whatever game type) sits next a no-name golf game you know the Mario game sells better. It can be annoying to see the same characters in all these games, I agree. However, there isn't much room to complain because these games are usually pretty good when compared to the competition in terms of gameplay IMO.
Nintendo gets knocked for using the same characters, but the reality is thats what gamers want. People associate Mario with quality gameplay. When Mario Golf (or whatever game type) sits next a no-name golf game you know the Mario game sells better. It can be annoying to see the same characters in all these games, I agree. However, there isn't much room to complain because these games are usually pretty good when compared to the competition in terms of gameplay IMO.
As for recycling characters, I wish they would cross over more, ala Smash Bros. instead of it always being just the Mario 'gang.' I want to see Link & Samus on the golf course or tennis court going toe to toe. Or make one big cross over 'Party' game ala Mario Party and set the boards in different gameworlds(Hyrule and others). The 'party' is stale and something like this could rejuevenate it.
Oh and bring back Icarus!
#11
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Originally Posted by Michael Corvin
Oh and bring back Icarus!
3 consoles and still no Icarus at this point I would love to see just a straight port of the original NES game with updated graphics.
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Animal Crossing was a major addiction for over a year, e-cards and all. Nintendogs is looking like a new major franchise as well. As far as new characters go Prof. E. Gadd, Olimar and ALL Animal Crossing characters (K.K., Nook, Pete) are destined to be Nintendo classics in my book.
#14
DVD Talk Hero
Hmm... wonder if the next iteration of Smash brothers will have KK Slider or Nook. That'd be great...
Animal Crossing DS, where are you???
Animal Crossing DS, where are you???
#15
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by tsohg
LISTEN TO THIS MAN!!!!
3 consoles and still no Icarus at this point I would love to see just a straight port of the original NES game with updated graphics.
3 consoles and still no Icarus at this point I would love to see just a straight port of the original NES game with updated graphics.
#16
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by tsohg
LISTEN TO THIS MAN!!!!
3 consoles and still no Icarus at this point I would love to see just a straight port of the original NES game with updated graphics.
3 consoles and still no Icarus at this point I would love to see just a straight port of the original NES game with updated graphics.
#17
Moderator
I miss you, Commando / Bionic Commando.
#19
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Yup...
I got the first Nintendo on my block when I was a kid and kicked it old school with Link and the gang, but I never forgot Kid Icarus. The very idea that there's been a Rygar update, but not Icarus is crazy. And I liked the original Rygar! Dig that shield!!!
#21
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Pikmin 2 was a fantastic game, i loved every second of it. Also loved Fire Emblem, soooo glad they brought this stateside, couldn't put it down.
but the cast of characters doesn't even come close to Animal Crossing. I wonder what my town is doing right now....
I remember bionic commando but that was a capcom game (he's in Marvel VS Capcom I think).
don't forget about pilotwings and wave race . a sequel to one of those is coming (hopefully the former)
but the cast of characters doesn't even come close to Animal Crossing. I wonder what my town is doing right now....
I remember bionic commando but that was a capcom game (he's in Marvel VS Capcom I think).
don't forget about pilotwings and wave race . a sequel to one of those is coming (hopefully the former)
#22
Originally Posted by Michael Corvin
Rygar. Another classic. I'd like to play that again as well. Hopefully Nintendo comes through on some cheap pricing on these games for revolution.