I was having an argument with someone about  Nintendo overusing  their characters in games, TV shows, movies, arcades, board games, trading cards, McDonalds toy deals, plush toys/dolls, and other types of product placement.

There is no argument that Mario and the others from the Mushroom Kingdom fall into this category, as well as Pokemon. But what about all of their other characters?, what about Fox, Kirby, Captain Falcon, Samus, Marth, Pit and all the other?

Even in games we haven't seen all of those characters, aside for their respective franchises and Smash Bros. and makes me wonder why people think they overused them. Heck some of those characters haven't been seen for a long time.

In terms of marketing, there have obviously been some occasional TV show (which most sucked), and a Nintendo Monopoly game (I actually own it), but nothing that I considered overused, at least not like Disney characters for example.

So do you think Nintendo overuses their beloved characters?   

It wouldn't be an issue if they followed the industry and also worked on new IPs in the vein of what the industry competes to offer.

Otherwise their current "overuse" of mario et al. would be fine.

I've never heard of this Nintendo Monopoly game, but I want it!

I don't think there's too much overuse from the franchises outside Mario and Pokemon. Judging from some of the posts on this site, it seems like many users think Nintendo underuses many of these franchises, at least when it comes to software. In terms of other media, Mario and friends get the most play, but since Mario is Mr. Nintendo, it's completely understandable. Is the Pokemon cartoon show still running? I remember it being big when I was younger. And I assume the cards are still popular?

They underutilize their other IPs if anything. A new Zelda comes out once every 4 years and I haven't seen a new Star Fox in a while or F-zero. When you have millions of fans eating out of the cusp of their hands with every NSMB, MK and Pokemon game, what reason do Nintendo have to innovate with new or older dormant IPs? I'd blame the consumer, not Nintendo. They probably saw the sales of Kid Icarus and thought bugger it.

Also I think the general consensus is that Mario is overused, not so much all their other IPs. Nintendo adhere to a 'if it aint broke don't fix it' mentality for their games so even if a game has been in development for many years, people will probably still call it a rehash and complain about Nintendo's overuse of characters.

My argument only applies to games of course. I don't think i've ever seen Nintendo merchandise other than what's available from Club Nintendo. Though the 90s was rife with Nintendo stuffs.

Yes in games, no in other forms of media.

Nintendo's ips are so well known because they are for kids. Adults too, but kids. There is nothing wrong with a ten year old playing Mario with grandma and the family watching. As a result the family talks about it until everyone knows who Mario is. However there is something wrong with playing an Uncharted sex scene with grandma. As a result Nathan Drake does not become a household name.

Uh, what? Did I miss something?

LOL this is based off personal experience. For my graduation party my grandma flew in who I only see like once a year. I was showing Heavy Rain to my friends and G-mom happened to come downstairs while a girl was strapped down in a guy's basement getting drilled in the vagina. By the time I realized my grandma was watching it was too late.

Why should they stop?

don't see anyone complain about new Fifa/madden/CoD etc etc every year..

I think they're actually underused to be honest.

Why isn't there a Kid Icarus animated series? How about a toy line?

How about a Star Fox anime?

How about a Nintendo Theme Park or even an attraction at Universal or Disney?

Zelda or Metroid movies?

Outside of Mario and Pokemon, Nintendo is pretty low key on the amount of marketing/merchandising they allow other IP (see: Pikmin, F-Zero, Star Fox, etc. etc.).

If Sony or MS had an IP like Mario Kart, lets be honest -- there'd be a new one out every year.

People who complain are just jealous of the miniscule sales number of their favourite games compared to Mario.