Is Nintendo Trapped By Its Legacy?

[F0X]

pokoko said:

F0X said:

My main problem with this article is the exceptation that these announcements do not reflect Nintendo trying something new. Understandable to an extent, since we have yet to be shown what sets the new 3D Mario, Mario Kart, Zelda, and Smash Bros. games apart from the rest. However, I think Nintendo deserves the benefit of the doubt, because the past one or two entries in each series display some remarkable changes, if not innovations. And Nintendo, unlike many others, appears to believe that new hardware is the best reason to create a sequel, as it can bring forth new possibilities.

Most importantly, we also see Nintendo taking some huge gambles. A bizarre (yet cool) Fire Emblem/SMT crossover? Super Smash Bros. developed by Namco? And do I see Nintendo pushing a relatively fresh, triple-A console JRPG? Madness.

Yep. Nintendo is putting faith (and money) in third-party developers and franchises, and getting serious about a first-party IP for "core gamers", and not necessarily the typical Nintendo fan. If this is all just a huge bomb, at least I'm happy knowing that it will explode in a glorious fashion.

Speaking as someone who has little interest in platformers and almost no interest in Mario or anything involving yarn, I came away from that Nintendo Direct wanting a Wii U only because of the X project.  The Shin Megami Tensei project is interesting, too, but I'll need to be sold on it.  Beyond that, it was for people who are already Nintendo fans, people who buy everything branded with the Mario name.  Truthfully, my guess is that a lot of the people excited by that Nintendo Direct already have a Wii U or were just waiting until the expected franchises were announced.

As it stands, I want a Wii U for Monolith, possibly Zombie U, possibly the 101 game, and not a lot else.  It's kind of the same with every Nintendo console.  I wait to see if there will be anything different and ultimately end up skipping it.  I didn't want a Wii until Project Rainfall but by that point it seemed kind of a waste of money.  

I have nothing against Nintendo but I'm not going to buy their console just because it has the expected games.  At this point, a lot of the hype about Nintendo having more core games just seems to be lip service.  If Nintendo wants me back, they're going to have to bring some fresh experiences to the table.

I think Nintendo is trying to have it both ways. We're getting sequels to massive multi-million selling franchises (surprise!), but we're also seeing Nintendo push a triple-A game unlike anything else they've done recently. Factoring in the collaborations with Platinum Games and Atlus, I see a Nintendo trying very hard to expand and diversify their game library, but is either unable or unwilling to do so on their own. Gives me some mixed feelings, but ultimately I do believe in applauding them for making more of an effort this time around. Because I will gladly take Nintendo returning to its fanbase and occasionally trying something fresh and cool over Nintendo swimming in pits of money from selling peripherals I have no interest in.