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TheLastStarFighter on 13 November 2013
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Michael-5 said:
TheLastStarFighter said:
Michael, I both agree and disagree with what you're saying here.

First, I disagree with the idea that Miyamoto is holding back the game design or that Nintendo has failed in the new IP department since SNES. I think Miyamoto is still a wizard when it comes to game principles, and I think he's a great help to the dedicated team leaders that are making the games. I don't think he is the problem. Also, if you compare SNES (perhaps my favorite all-time system) and Wii, there are good new IP's on both. SNES had titles like F-Zero (an all-time favorite) and Pilotwings, but they weren't really a big deal. The game that really pushed boundaries and sold the system was Donkey Kong Country, which was a big new IP that captured the public's imagination. Wii of course had Wii Sports, Wii Fit and other Wii games which were new in theme, style and gameplay, and they of course were some of the biggest new IP's of all time. Wii also had Mario Galaxy - which although an existing character was an all-new style of game - and Xenoblade, an amazing new RPG IP. In terms of quality, quantity and impact, I think they are pretty close in terms of IPs, with SNES's greatest advantage being third party support.

But while I disagree with the idea that Nintendo has lacked new IP's since the SNES days or that its veterans are a bad influence, I do think in the very recent history there is an issue with Nintendo's software. Wii U (and to some extent 3DS) has relied far too much on existing and established brands to begin their life. I think Wii U desperately needs a new IP to grab public interest. I actually made a thread about it last week or the week before. Nintendo has done a great job in the past with NES(SMB, Zelda), SNES(DKC, MarioKart), N64(Goldeneye) and Wii (WiiSports, WiiFit) of making a new game that exploited the strengths of the system and pushed hardware. Wii U to date has lacked a title like that. If they want Wii U to be a market leader they need a new concept or a fresh take on an existing genre/franchise that will make people say "wow". I like my Wii U, but I haven't seen that title yet.

I agree with you about Miyamoto, he should still have a role in the development of Mario & Zelda games, just not final sale on everything.

Also if you include the Wii ___ titles, then yes Nintendo did make a lot of new IP's this gen. I just don't see them quite as games, not like Mario Kart of DKC. Plus stuff like Wii Party replaces Mario Party, and Wii Fit isn't the first of its kind. Wii Sports though, I can't not give that game credit, it make the Wii.....well sell as well as it did.

As for your disagree point.....it actually sounds like you agree, in bold is essentially my point, the only difference is I also think Wii lacked some gib name games. However you did point out Wii Sports/Wii Fit, which are big game names, and new experiences. I omitted them because of the shift in target audience, I feel Nintendo is less for the core now then it has ever been, but....you're still right about Wii Sports/Fit.

I think you I are in agreement, with the only disagreement being on when Nintendo published the most IP's. I still think it was during the SNES/N64 era, but you think otherwise. I'll agree to disagree, or at least agree that the new stuff Nintendo makes has been shifted away from the core gamers, and onto the casual ones.

Yes, we do agree.  The part you're calling my "disagree point" in bold is actually my agree part - the disagree part was above.  And I don't necessarily disagree that SNES was a prime time for new IP's - moreso than today - I was just saying that Wii was also a prime time for new IP's.  They were bold new experiences.  Even as a core gamer I was blown away by Wii Sports when I first played it.  It sold me on Wii instantly after I skipped GameCube.  The mix of that new experience with classic Nintendo games was unmatched.  DS also offered totally new experiences such as Brain Training and other titles, as well as a return to 2D Mario after a decade or more - stuff that was all new or away for so long it was fresh.

Wii U really needs that.  Nintendo has done a great job in the past of coming up with something that shakes up the industry, and the new home system really needs at least one major new IP that is totally fresh in concept and execution.  SM3DW looks outstanding to me, a brilliant execution of classic Mario mixed with modern 3D visuals.  It will sell, and probably sell quite a few Wii's.  But if Nintendo wants to be the market leader this gen they need to mix that classic awesomeness with something that contrasts it and is all-new.  Sequels to the Wii-games aren't it, and neither was NintendoLand.