At the risk of incurring the wrath of my friends and neighbors in this thread, I just want to share a few thoughts.
First, it's just a rumor at this point, so there's no need to sell your WiiU and burn down Retro's headquarters just yet.
Second, assuming the rumor is true, why is it such a bad decision? Retro is valuable to Nintendo because it's able to take dormant, dusty franchises and breathe new life into them. It did so with Metroid, it did so with Donkey Kong, and, hopefully, it will do so with another neglected series. I understand the fans clamoring for a new Metroid or an entirely new IP. Retro, after all, developed three of the very best Metroid games ever made, and it would be interesting to see what the studio could make from scratch. But, as I wrote above, a big part of Retro's value lies in its ability to understand and subsequently reinvent old Nintendo franchises.
Now, onto Diddy Kong Racing and the question of kart racers. I object to the assertion that all kart racers are created equal. Anyone saying all turn-based RPGs or third-person shooters are more or less the same would get laughed out of the room. So why are all kart racers lumped into the same pile? It's unfair and it does a disservice to Diddy Kong Racing, which has an identity all its own.
I've also seen comments lamenting the fact that WiiU will have yet another kart racer. I don't really get this. WiiU already has Darksiders, Assassin's Creed, Batman, and Wind Waker HD. Does that mean Nintendo should scrap the next Legend of Zelda to forestall a glut of action-adventure games on WiiU? Should it scrap future Metroid games too?
Finally, I'll just say this: a great game is a great game is a great game. Retro is one of the most talented studios in the industry. I trust it to make great games, regardless of platform, regardless of genre, regardless of size and scope. The designers and programmers at Retro need not make their next game in my favorite genre or with my favorite characters. They don't even need to invent a brand new IP. They just need to make a great game. And Diddy Kong Racing is as suitable a canvas as any for that lofty goal.
