I've seen quite a few comments recently since potentially in 2010 we will see the release of Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid: Other M, and Zelda Wii, that Nintendo's Big 3 core franchises will all release this year. But I'm wondering why people consider these 3 to be Nintendo's biggest. Mario and Zelda make quite a bit of sense, but I think Metroid's inclusion in the list is debatable. Nintendo has other franchises like Donkey Kong, Star Fox, and Kirby, which have been around for around about as long, and ususally generate similar or better sales. Something like Animal Crossing, is a newer franchise but has obviouslly been more of a retail success than Metroid. I guess franchises like Smash Bros, Mario Kart, and Pokemon aren't considered because of using characters from other franchises or being mainly a handheld franchise?

So my main question is do you agree with the 3 franchises typically considered to be the big 3? If so why?

If not which 3 franchises do you think are Nintendo's Big 3 "core" franchises?

I guess they are the 3 big in terms of quality, not sales wise...

That all depends. Generally, people like to say it's Mario, Zelda and Metroid even though Metroid-games have never had a particularly big fanbase, just a very strong fanbase among the fans it actually has.

Back in the day (like SNES) it would've been Mario, Donkey Kong and Zelda. Nowadays it's Mario, Pokémon and Zelda.

Zelda.
3D Mario.
Metroid.

And one more, Pokemon.

Donkey Kong has been around longer than even Zelda. Hell, Mario was a spinoff of Donkey Kong, some people forget that.

Pokemon is a handheld IP (no big console games) so when talking about the "big 3" coming to Wii, it would atuomatically exclude Pokemon. The OP is right on the money for why people ignore some of the bigger sellers.

As for Metroid over DK or StarFox, I don't know maybe because both of those games went down the crapper, while Metroid maintained its quality.

well, if they can actually forget it, then DK's not one of Nintendo's biggest franchises is it?

Kirby has been selling more than Metroid as well. And its still getting games. Only on handhelds these days though

edit: Kirby Wii is coming! B_E_L_I_E_V_E!

Son1x said: Kirby has been selling more than Metroid as well. And its still getting games. Only on handhelds these days though

Kirby can't be big as he often fits in your pocket.

I hate these types of threads, it's like choosing which son or daughter you love more.

Oh, I didn't know we weren't counting handhelds. Thing is, sure, Metroid is probably the biggest not counting Mario and Zelda, but there's such a gigantic difference that it feels unfair to count it (in sales - not in quality). Quality-wise all three of them are fantastic.