"Another Mario/Zelda Game" Rehash, Rehash, Rehash? Well Lets See About That...

[Super_Boom]

I think "New IP" and "Rehash" are essentially becoming pointless buzzwords, at least in this context. For story-based games, new IPs are a good thing for the sake of adding variety, but If a game doesn't have a well defined narrative, whether or not it takes place in an existing universe or not seems a bit irrelevant. For all intents and purposes, I consider Kid Icarus: Uprising a new IP, since the original titles had essentially no narrative outside of the instruction manual, and the gameplay was about as different as you can get from its platforming predecessors. I think if Takamara's Ninja Castle or Ice Climbers ever received a reboot, it'd be the same situation. If no one is familiar with the universe, why should it matter if the game is a new IP or a new entry under an existing IP?

Regarding that picture...it's a bit of hyperbole, but I think it illustrates a tired old opinion I see a lot regarding Nintendo...one that's been debunked over and over again. Ignoring that though, I think the big issue that causes it is simply that Nintendo has one of the widest collection of IPs out there. For every one fan that complains about how he wants new IPs, I think you'll find five that would prefer a new Mother, Metroid, Zelda, Fire Emblem, F-Zero, etc. title. I think the reception to Codename S.T.E.A.M. at the last E3 really demonstrated that. It was surprising how may fans were dissapointed that instead of a new Metroid or Zelda remake, they had a new IP instead. It really just ties into Nintendo having such a massive IP legacy, there will always be fans that expect their favorite game to receive a follow-up, and satisfying both these fans and the ones that want new narratives in story-based games can be a bit of a balancing act.

Also...bit of a quibble, but why is Fire Emblem listed as 12? Awakening was the 13th game in the franchise, 6th to leave Japan, and 11th that wasn't a remake...so I can't see where 12 comes from. Maybe 1 and 3 are being considered the same game?