I don't know if
you recognized this but Nintendo has been around for quite a long
time. And with everyone looking forward to the Switch I thought that
it's time to look back in order to look forward.
Well that sounded
needlessly complicated, but at least it made me look smart. Right?
Anyways as you
probably already guessed from the title of this Post the Topic of
todays Toplist is five Nintendo Franchises which deserve a new
installment.
The Rules are
simple. Only games which didn't get a mainline entry in at least six
years are allowed to appear on this list. Also the franchise should
have had at least some success and/or belong to a genre not often
seen on Nintendo platforms.
With the Switch on
the Horizon and the immense Hype it's receiving now is also the best
time to reintroduce those classic franchises. Coupled together with
the iconic and well known Nintendo series this could be a second
chance for these characters and their games.
But now let's not
waste anymore time and jump right into the list. Here are my Top 5
Games Series, which deserve a new entry.
5: 1080° Snowboarding
I know it's hard
to believe nowadays, but there was a time when Snowboard Games like
SSX, where quite successful. It was around that time when people
still anticipated a new Need for Speed game. And while the
aforementioned SSX series focused on flashy tricks, Nintendo produced
their own game with a different focus. First released on the Nintendo
64 1080° Snowboarding set the focus on racing downhill. Of course
there where also modes focusing on tricks, but the center piece was
definitely the racing modes. Especially in the second installment
1080° Avalanche, which released on the GameCube roughly five years
after the first game debuted on the N64 in 1998.
The Games received
an overall positive reception with the second installment rating
lower than the first. Still sales of Avalanche fell short of
expectations, even though 1080° Snowboarding sold over one million
copies.
But now I think is
a good time to reinvigorate the franchise with a new release for the
Nintendo Switch. If Nintendo intends to follow with their promises
from the trailer 1080° would be a great fit. Being able to have two
player races anytime and anywhere could be a lot of fun. With the
JoyCons and the Nintendo Switch this becomes a possibility.
There is also not
a lot of competition for that kind of game.
Bringing 1080°
back as a budget or download title could work well. Make it a
Multiplayer focused title with cool Online and Offline Modes. Add a
Singleplayer mode where your character climbs the ladder. I'm sure
people would give it a try.
4: Punch Out!!
Let's got back two
and a half years and take a look at the Little Mac reveal trailer for
Smash Bros. People were beyond hyped for the character. He was just
the perfect fit for the franchise. Another cool thing about his
integration in Smash was the fact that it did shine some light on his
excellent game for the Nintendo Wii.
Released in 2009
it was the triumphant return of Little Mac... but it was pretty much
ignored by the public even though it sold over one million copies. An
that is a true shame, because Punch Out is one of the most enjoyable
Arcade Experiences one can have on any console.
The Nintendo
Switch could prove to be the perfect home for a new Punch Out!!
Installment. The portability of the Switch and the arcade gameplay of
Punch Out!! are perfect fits. It is the perfect game to enjoy in
short bursts. As with 1080° it would work best as a smaller download
title. Taking on one or two fighters or maybe even a whole circuit on
the go. This can probably fit into a bus or train ride.
And at home you
can enjoy impressive Boxing Battles on the big screen. A great fusion
of arcade and home console feeling. I'm sure Punch Out!! could pull
this off and that is why it deserves a new installment on the
Nintendo Switch.
3: Wave Race
Just like 1080°
Snowboarding Wave Race was quite the successful franchise on the N64
and fell short of expectations with the Gamecube. After a very modest
start on the GameBoy the series got huge critical acclaim with the
entry on the N64. Especially the accurate water physics where quite
impressive. Even by today’s standards they still hold up.
The Waves were
influenced by other players, yourself and the weather, which resulted
in every race being unique. Weather could even affect and change the
course layout.
Wave Race received
very positive reactions from press and gamers alike.
Just like with the
two games before I think a new Wave Race game would work best as a
smaller down loadable title. A realistic racing game, which isn't
about cars, is quite unique.
A rebirth of this
franchise could satisfy the need for some realistic racing games on
Nintendo Platforms. Just like with 1080° Snowboarding a multiplayer
focus and a career mode would be enough to warrant the purchase of
this game. Also it would help to diversify the Line-up of the Switch
outside of the standard Nintendo series.
2: F-Zero
It's if fucking
time. And I don't want to hear any excuses like they need some new
ideas to warrant a sequel. It has been thirteen years since the
release of F-Zero GX. Today Captain Falcon is more known for his
Smash Bros. appearance than for his actual day job. And if Nintendo
doesn't have the vacancies to develop the game outsource it. It
worked for GX, which was developed by Sega and I'm sure it would work
for F-Zero Switch. Shin'en showed with Fast Racing Neo that they are
more than capable of developing an F-Zero title.
I'm sure F-Zero
would become quite the success, if they keep their expectations in
check. The long awaited return of Captain Falcon would create quite a
lot of buzz. If handled right it could create an incentive for more
hardcore oriented gamers to buy the Switch.
A gain a focus on
multiplayer is a must.
As a blueprint for
a hypothetical F-Zero Switch you don't need to look any further than
Fast Racing Neo on the Wii-U.
With the proper
tools and support at hand Shin'en could create an awesome experience
on the Switch.
1: Metroid
Yeah I know I'm
predictable, but Metroid is one of my favorite gaming franchises of
all time. Especially the groundbreaking Prime games. And no I'm not
counting Federation Force among them, even though I don't hate the
game like the rest of the Internet. It's a fine game, but enough of
that already.
A new Metroid
would be a perfect title for the Switch because of several reasons.
Samus Aran is one
of the most beloved and well known women in video games. Even the
catastrophic Other M representation of her couldn't damage that fact.
Her return to form would send a positive message in regards to the
representation of Women in Video Games. But that is only the most
minor point.
Much more
important is the fact that Metroid is, A a franchise for Hardcore
Gamers, and B universally acclaimed. A new title in the series may
not become a huge multimillion Dollar seller, but it would surely
attract a lot of dedicated fans. Fans which would then go on to buy
other more Hardcore oriented games.
From all the games
I mentioned on this list Metroid is without a doubt the one most
suited for becoming a system seller. It would create a huge incentive
amongst more mature oriented hardcore Fans to buy the Nintendo
Switch.
It is definitely
time for Samus Aran to return to Glory.
What are your
thoughts about that? Which long forgotten Nintendo Series should get
the Kid Icarus Treatment next? Let me know.
And as always
thanks for reading
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