I never understood that type of mentality either. :P What's the problem with Nintendo using their ips a lot?
It would really be that different if they used anthropomorphic elefants or something instead of Mario characters during the development of Super Mario Kart on the SNES? Or a nameless hero on that Zelda spin-off for the Wii, Link's crossbow training?
I don't think so. I much rather race with Mario and his friends though, personally.
(BTW, what a old thread! XD)