It's more of a "what if?" scenario. What would it be like to see Nintendo offer it as well? What happens when you put Nintendo and more adult themes together, what explosive reaction do you get? The N64 era and the games of that era are testament to something great. Given the growth that market has taken in the past 2 gens, I believe it's time for Nintendo to tap into its old talent and bring back the awesome, and capture a big market in doing so. Granted, it would be the 2nd party studios doing it, but always under Nintendo's incredible creative supervision.

Also, Nintendo "mature" games == low quality? Not sure about that. What if they could offer something "mature" and of high quality? There's a question for you.

'Mature' doesn't necessarily equal 'good', so my answer would be 'no'.

But I'd be more than happy to see some more 'mature' 3rd party titles on a nintendo console. Would certainly decrease my likelihood of going multi plat which I've had to resort to since the n64 days

I don't have a problem with them going more realistic and less toonie. But the question is do we want for them to do it. I'm not sure that Nintendo could generate a good serious end product.  It's Nintendo's stylised look at a world which interests it's fans. I'm just not sure they have the right mentality to move into a more neutral look. Though I want to see games like this on Nintendo Platforms, it might be better suited to have someone else do it. It's almost like having Disney make a movie like "A Scanner Darkly".

I think they do this a little in Japan, but they are afraid to take much risk in the west especially in North America. They seem to only want to put out games here that will sell at least a million copies guarenteed.

You probably know this already, but I don't think it's about going one way or another. It's more about diversifying and filling in market gaps that aren't catered to yet.

In other words, it wouldn't be about Nintendo going realistic per se, but having a certain portion dedicated to that activity, and another dedicated to another, for maybe a different crowd.

Nintendo can stylize well, it's true, but they have also been, in the past, capable of directing 2nd party studios in making content for a different crowd (more neutral or serious at times). Maybe internally they may not have the strenght to achieve it, but in their 2nd parties, I believe at least with Retro that talent exists.

Yeah, it's not the right approach. Reason is, in the meantime, they are not tapping into a 120M consolebase market (HD twins). Catering to both, while ensuring the Mario Kart market is fully served, is the most business-sound way to go imho.

Touché

From past experiences, Nintendo knows that there is always a moment in their consoles life cycles that they need can only rely on their own software. And they've done it very well until now.

But now they also want to cater to the gamer audience. And, like it or not, they want mature games.

Retro could be a good candidate to take that role, but they should also involve more studios.

A other IP that attracts mature audience other than zelda and metroid and is Fire Emblem. I wish they could give that franchise some AAA treatment.

More? Has Nintendo even ever developed a Rated 'M' game?

I think they should, they got the studios to make some great M-rated games.

^Last I remember they said they weren't interested in making them internally. Just publishing ones made by 3rd and 2nd party developers.