By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Nintendo Discussion - Nintendo's game output is improving but still pathetic compared to Wii/DS era

sethnintendo said:

I'm talking developed by their internal teams not third party games.

You will be surprised to know that a big chunk of Wii/DS "first party" titles were outsourced.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_products#Toys_and_cards



When the herd loses its way, the shepard must kill the bull that leads them astray.

Around the Network
zorg1000 said:

sethnintendo said:

I'm talking developed by their internal teams not third party games.

You will be surprised to know that a big chunk of Wii/DS "first party" titles were outsourced.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_products#Toys_and_cards

Yes. Nintendo's in-house games have only ever comprised a fraction of their yearly output. 



The one thing I think Nintendo has lacked on Switch so far is a great new IP, like Wii had Xenoblade and Wii U Splatoon. Still, the system isn't even 3 years old yet so there's plenty of time for that still.

That should be kept in mind too, it's a bit unfair to compare the entire lifespan of the Wii to just the first 2 and half years of the Switch.

Last edited by curl-6 - on 06 October 2019

Since people have asked for numbers, this is what I wrote about the subject years ago. Keep in mind it includes Intelligent Systems and some of the Grezzo remakes
https://www.sourcegaming.info/2016/07/15/the-nx-will-have-how-many-games/

In short, Nintendo has made on average 8 games a year



Visit my site for more

Known as Smashchu in a former life

curl-6 said:

The one thing I think Nintendo has lacked on Switch so far is a truly great new IP, like Wii had Xenoblade and Wii U Splatoon. Still, the system isn't even 3 years old yet so there's plenty of time for that still.

That should be kept in mind too, it's a bit unfair to compare the entire lifespan of the Wii to just the first 2 and half years of the Switch.

ARMS could be that with its inevitable sequel. So long as a sequel builds on the original, it could become a staple for Nintendo in the future.



Around the Network
TheMisterManGuy said:
curl-6 said:

The one thing I think Nintendo has lacked on Switch so far is a truly great new IP, like Wii had Xenoblade and Wii U Splatoon. Still, the system isn't even 3 years old yet so there's plenty of time for that still.

That should be kept in mind too, it's a bit unfair to compare the entire lifespan of the Wii to just the first 2 and half years of the Switch.

ARMS could be that with its inevitable sequel. So long as a sequel builds on the original, it could become a staple for Nintendo in the future.

ARMS isn't a great game, it wasn't even a particularly good one, that's why it was forgotten within a year.



curl-6 said:
TheMisterManGuy said:

ARMS could be that with its inevitable sequel. So long as a sequel builds on the original, it could become a staple for Nintendo in the future.

ARMS isn't a great game, it wasn't even a particularly good one, that's why it was forgotten within a year.

A lot of people will disagree with you on that.



TheMisterManGuy said:
curl-6 said:

ARMS isn't a great game, it wasn't even a particularly good one, that's why it was forgotten within a year.

A lot of people will disagree with you on that.

And I don't care about their opinions.



Kai_Mao said:
I think the concerns are unfounded. Let's look at Nintendo's output from the Switch's launch to now:

- Zelda BotW (cross-gen)
- Snipperclips 
- 1-2 Switch
- ARMS
- Splatoon 2
- Fire Emblem Warriors
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2
- Bayonetta 1 & 2 (ports)
- DKC: Tropical Freeze (port)
- Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (port)
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (port)
- Kirby Star Allies
- Sushi Striker (cross-gen)
- Nintendo Labo and the various kits
- Super Mario Party
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (port)
- Tetris 99
- Yoshi's Crafted World
- Super Mario Maker 2
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- Astral Chain
- Zelda: Link's Awakening Remake
- Super Kirby Clash
- Ring Fit Adventure
- Luigi's Mansion 3

Not to mention the various other games that Nintendo publishes on Switch and 3DS during these past few years (i.e., Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, anything Pokemon, Daemon x Machina (disappointment), Dragon Quest (ports), Octopath Traveler, Mario & Sonic at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (mediocre sports series), etc.). Then you got upcoming games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore (port), Zelda BotW 2, Bayonetta 3, Brain Age, and Metroid Prime 4 (whenever that releases).

If you ask me, that's a lot of games to get involved in for one company in such a short timespan. How many games does every other developer get involved in?

HD development, expectations, indies, and change in the gaming landscape are key factors in how Nintendo has to approach game development. People want a new F-Zero, but in this new day and age, does it warrant being $60 if it wants to be a B-tier franchise again? How about Star Fox? Is an on-rail shooter able to release at $50-60, or even $40 and be successful? Plus, it also depends on whether or not Nintendo and the dev teams are interested in reconnecting with some of these dormant series. Sure, they can also hire more people, but that takes months of orientation and getting acquainted with not only with the veteran staff members, but also with the development philosophies of Nintendo. I don't expect a Western developer to just get added into a team and do whatever he/she wants, no matter the prestige.

Just under half of what you listed are literally ports and that can be used as an argument against you but you're also arguably even including less than "mid-tier" games as well contrary to the OP's original subject at hand ... 

The slow down in output of new content isn't unique to Nintendo anyways so it's hard for the OP to just solely attribute this them when consumers keep having have higher expectations ... 



fatslob-:O said:

Just under half of what you listed are literally ports and that can be used as an argument against you but you're also arguably even including less than "mid-tier" games as well contrary to the OP's original subject at hand ... 

The slow down in output of new content isn't unique to Nintendo anyways so it's hard for the OP to just solely attribute this them when consumers keep having have higher expectations ... 

Still that's 6 ports vs 30+ original titles and 2 cross gen games. The fact Nintendo managed to get that much out not even 2 years into the Switch's life is something that should be commended.