We could do a Metroid Vs any jrpg that isn't FF and I think you'd come out with the same results...

Both are elite studios. Retro's Tropical Freeze is one of the best designed platformer of all time, and Xenoblade's scope and grandeur is just extraordinary. We are blessed to have those two.

At the end of the day, true. Here's hoping for great things from both of them soon.

What exactly are you getting at ? Are you even arguing anymore ?

Monolith also did the Baten Kaitos RPGs on GameCube (in collab with Tri-Crescendo), and they were wonderful.

I don't think we need to choose, though. Both are excellent studios.

I was never arguing to begin with.

They are both excellent studios. The only difference here is that Retro Studios has not represented much for this current generation. They are either going to release some sort of swan song for the Wii U that will be an excellent showcase for the hardware, otherwise, their efforts are going towards whatever new home console Nintendo has in store. That game, theoretically, should put Retro Studios back on the forefront.

I think we need to see what Retro is currently working on before we can even entertain the idea that Monolith have now surpassed Retro. However I'm not sure either is the best non EAD studio that Nintendo has.

I think Monolith Soft has the right to be in the conversation with Retro, and even, Intelligent Studios for being an elite Nintendo studio outside of the EADs. Game Freak and HAL could also be considered as well considering their legendary franchises. I think Retro's track record is still great, even though consumers may have thought Tropical Freeze was too safe as their first HD project. Monolith Soft provided an overwhelming game in Xenoglade Chronicles X that, at least, met most of the expectations. Tough call, considering how much I appreciate how both studios have taken chances and have succeed. Nevertheless, Nintendo is lucky to have both of them, along with their other studios, in order to be where they are.

Not even close.