I was thinking about that, and maybe you're right, but making a Star Fox movie would be like putting him in Smash. He's being represented, but it doesn't mean he has any games in the pipeline.

No it's not. You're looking at this business wrong if you think an entry in the franchise needs to release along side it. The movies aren't being made to boost one game. This isn't Ratchet and Clank movie tie in bullshit. It's supposed to build a brand independant of the games. The Avengers aren't being released to increase comic sales. They're being released to increase the number of people who care and know about Iron Man, Captain A, Thor, Ant Man, Hulk, etc.

Honestly, I know I said that sales don't matter for these movies, but your dreaming if you think Xenoblade is getting a movie ever, let alone XCX. Definitely not over Star Fox. You need to lower your expectations way down if you think Nintendo's going to waste money on a plot that won't appeal to anyone. The great thing about Metroid, Zelda, and Star Fox is that their stories are so shallow that they can basically do whatever they want with the movies. They can't do that with Xenoblade.

Also, I don't think (at least if the movie isn't bad) they'll be introducing a lot of characters in a Smash movie. Under my rubric, they'd be introducing Mario characters who need little introduction, Donkey Kong, Kirby, Captain Falcon, maybe Pikachu and Jiggly-Puff, and that's likely it. Thinking Smash 4 roster is thinking way too big for any movie. Think Smash 64, and even that is a bit much. I talked about Zelda and Falco, but I doubt those guys would be in the first Smash movie simply because there'd be way too many characters.

I wouldn't be suprised if the first Smash movie was only: Mario and Luigi (new), Samus (from Metroid movie), Link (from Zelda movie), Fox (from Star Fox movie), Donkey Kong (new), Kirby (new), Captain Falcon (new), Pikachu and Jigglypuff (new), and that's it. From that list, only three of the seven new characters can talk, meaning only three out of the seven characters need to have a real focus on them to introduce their characters. Anymore, and you're really stretching the amount actual plot you can fit into the narrative that doesn't revolve around building new characters.

What about Final Fantasy XV? Or Star Fox with its little Nintendo Direct video? Or Fatal Frame (in Japan)? Or Xenosaga (which series started a year before episode 3 released)? There are probably TONS of examples not being brought up. 

This isn't new.

Those aren't related to this. Nintendo has been clear about this. The films are made to proliferate their IP, not to sell individual games.

They go hand and hand. Why release a Zelda film in 2018 when a game isn't coming out until 2022? It makes no business sense.

No they don't. The movie aren't being made to sell individual games. They are being made to make their franchises household names again. You're looking at this whole thing with a tunnel vision Nintendo isn't suffering from. This isn't about their games. It's about their IP. It doesn't matter if a new Zelda doesn't come our for 20 years. They'll make a Zelda movie whenever they need to because it's about the Zelda brand. The movie is what they're selling at that point. That's the main Zelda product of that year. This stuff isn't secondary to the games just because they are supplementary to them.

You don't need to have complete creative control. Maybe just creative approval. Even then, just don't pick some hack writers/directors on the cheap. In my opinion a Mario movie made by Pixar or Dreamworks would be a huge commercial and critical success. If Nintendo wants to do this right they would license their IP to a reputable Hollywood studio like those. This would ensure that it is a success in the biggest markets like the US and Europe. 

For other Nintendo IPs Zelda, could be done well as either an animated or live action movie, with the right studio, writers, directors, and actors. Donkey Kong could also be successful with a Pixar/Dreamworks studio however it doesn't have quite the mainstream appeal/recognition as Mario and Zelda. The other Nintendo IPs like Kirby and Metroid would likely not have any natural mainstream appeal. They could be successful if done well but it would be because of the quality of the movie and not necessarily the appeal/popularity of the franchise. Like soundswave said about xenoblade, get the hell out of here. That's an adult swim mini series at best.