The Big Issue: What's Nintendo got up its sleeve?

vashivihan · 03-17-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

When Nintendo US boss Reggie Fils-Aime told Gametrailers.com last week that Wii-owners can expect "a big game for the holiday" the Internet blew up. And why not? When Nintendo does take the time to make games tailored towards its more hardcore fans, they usually turn out stupendously well. So, with speculation hitting critical levels VideoGamer.com asks what exactly has Nintendo got up its sleeve?

Let's back up a bit and examine what Reggie said in more detail. "I'll tell you this," he said. "We're going to have great new content maximising all of our key franchises. It's going to be a great second half.

"There's going to be a big game for the holiday that gamers will want. All I can tell you is what we announce during E3 is going to be fantastic. The gamers are going to be excited and the expanded audience is going to be excited. We're gonna have great content."

Food for thought, eh? So, what can we glean from Reggie's comments? He mentions "great new content maximising all of our key franchises". Let's have a think about what Nintendo's key franchises are.
Could a new Zelda game be on the cards?Could a new Zelda game be on the cards?

The obvious ones are The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Metroid, Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. But Nintendo also has some extremely popular franchises that haven't seen big releases in recent times, including Donkey Kong, Wave Race, Star Fox, F-Zero, Pokemon and Pilotwings. And let's not forget, Nintendo has established some key new franchises that have been extremely popular with, as Reggie puts it, the expanded audience, including Nintendogs, Wii Sports, Brain Training and Animal Crossing.

So let's go through them one by one. How about a new The Legend of Zelda game, announced at E3 this July, for the Wii this Christmas? We here at VideoGamer.com certainly think this is possible, although we would find it odd that Nintendo would reveal such a blockbuster title only four or five months before release. There have been Internet rumours however, that Retro Studios, of Metroid Prime fame, is working on a Legend of Zelda spin-off, and that it will be announced at E3, which correlated with Reggie's comments. Could Reggie be talking about a Zelda FPS for Christmas 2008? Perhaps. We're certainly pumped for a new Zelda game, in whatever form it comes. Despite hugely positive reviews, we felt that Twilight Princess wasn't the best title in the illustrious series. This Christmas will be exactly two years after Twilight Princess came out as a Wii launch title. We reckon that's just enough time for the bods at Nintendo HQ to have concocted a stellar new Link adventure.

We seriously doubt Reggie's talking about a completely new and proper Super Mario title since Galaxy was only released in November 2007. Nintendo is surely not going to have such a game ready so soon. What about a new Metroid game? The Metroid Prime series was brought to an end with Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, released in November last year. Because of this, we think a brand new Metroid game is also unlikely. And if Retro Studios is hard at work on a new Zelda title, we doubt it's got a new Metroid title up its sleeve.

While the Mario Kart series is extremely popular, it's highly unlikely a new game is planned for a Christmas release. Mario Kart Wii is, of course, coming out in the UK on April 11. And despite the fact that Super Smash Bros. Brawl still hasn't received a UK release date, it's surely going to come out this summer. Another SSB title so soon would be ridiculous.
We doubt Nintendo has a new Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros. game in line for Christmas 08.We doubt Nintendo has a new Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros. game in line for Christmas 08.

We think a completely new, proper Donkey Kong game is a good shout for Christmas 08. There hasn't been a proper Donkey Kong game since Rare's 1999 Donkey Kong 64 on the Nintendo 64, so the series is ripe for an update. Rare, of course, won't be developing it, since it is now owned by Microsoft. But that doesn't mean it can't happen!

There hasn't been a new Wave Race game since 2001's Wave Race: Blue Storm on the Game Cube, which received on the whole positive reviews. Again, there's no reason why a fresh Wave Race on Wii can't be in the works. We'll apply the same theory to Wii versions of Star Fox (Star Fox: Assault, Game Cube, 2005), F-Zero (F-Zero GX, Game Cube, 2003), Pokemon (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, NDS, 2007) and Pilotwings (Pilotwings 64, Nintendo 64, 1997), too. All these titles are ripe for a full, home console Wii release. All would be more than welcome by Nintendo fans.

Let's not discount the new breed of Nintendo casual games. We reckon Wii Sports 2 is more than likely for Christmas 08, with new sports as well as revamped versions of the old ones (better not mess too much with bowling though). And how about Nintendogs for Wii, and another animal type for DS, let's say Nintencats? You'll of course be able to wirelessly transfer your pet from Wii to DS, taking it on the move. You better believe there'll be more Brain Training titles. Fingers crossed, too, for Wii Animal Crossing.

Reggie specifically says that one big game in particular is sure to please Nintendo's more hardcore fans. We'll go out on a limb here and say it's going to be a new Zelda game. It may not be a Zelda game in the traditional sense, but we reckon it will be a Zelda game nonetheless. But Reggie also talks about Nintendo's entire second half of 08 line-up maximising its key franchises, pleasing both gamers and the expanded audience. Based on this, we reckon Nintendo will announce Donkey Kong Wii at E3, and could also be ready to reveal Wii versions of Wave Race, Star Fox, F-Zero, Pokemon and Pilotwings. And we expect Nintendo to shock the world with a Wii Sports 2 announcement, Wii versions of Nintendogs and Animal Crossing and, most likely of all, even more Brain Training.

What we do not expect, however, is a completely new IP from Nintendo specifically for hardcore gamers. That's not really Nintendo's style these days. Ah well. Only four months to go till we find out what exactly Nintendo has up its sleeve.

i hope nintendo are palning to reveal an actual alien from space.

i dont know, there are many possibilities. linkage

Budo · 03-17-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

"There's going to be a big game for the holiday that gamers will want. All I can tell you is what we announce during E3 is going to be fantastic. The gamers are going to be excited and the expanded audience is going to be excited. We're gonna have great content."

If that whole paragraph is talking specifically about the new game, and not trailing off into general Nintendo announcements at the end, I can say with 95% certainty, it will be the next Zelda game. Zelda, IMO is the only big Nintendo franchise left - this gen. - that can appeal to both casual gamers and, uh, gamer gamers? I really don't see it being any sort of flight, or racing game if it's going to be for a majority of casual players.

Again, that's depending on how you interpret that paragraph.

Skippy · 03-17-2008, 09:13 AM

A Zelda game would not be appealing to casual gamers in the "expanded audience". It's pretty much the opposite of a casual game. It's a long, continuing story with character upgrades (weapons, gadgets, etc.) and extensive quests. You can't just pop in and play for a few minutes, leave it for a few days or weeks even, and then pop back in for a few more minutes.

Budo · 03-17-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

A Zelda game would not be appealing to casual gamers in the "expanded audience". It's pretty much the opposite of a casual game. It's a long, continuing story with character upgrades (weapons, gadgets, etc.) and extensive quests. You can't just pop in and play for a few minutes, leave it for a few days or weeks even, and then pop back in for a few more minutes.

It's the least game-like game, and the most movie-like game ip they have left (story, character development), so I stand by my reasoning

. As far as upgrading equipment, you know they can just simplify that, just like they've been doing with other games this gen. - auto-equip/auto-upgrade.

EDIT: I know where you're coming from, but Zelda really is RPG-lite when compared to others.

manred · 03-17-2008, 11:03 AM

I'm just hoping it's either a sequel or a remake of a good classic Nintendo game.

komio · 03-17-2008, 11:51 AM

*crosses fingers for animal crossing Wii !!! **

ally_uk · 03-17-2008, 12:31 PM

Kid Icuarus

Or Animal Crossing with Mii Support would be great

Or No More Heroes 2 , Zack and Wiki 2

God exciting times for nintendo lol

CocoSSBB · 03-17-2008, 03:42 PM

A sequel to Kid Icarus would be pretty cool, and it would be running off of SSBB's momentum because it has Pit.

LeWaffles · 03-17-2008, 03:51 PM

starfox fps makes more sense to me, interesting

DAVIDV99 · 03-17-2008, 04:08 PM

Startropics... PLEASEE That would be pretty randomness and awesome.

daviduk200 · 03-17-2008, 04:17 PM

onm said something about animal crossing wii in there magazine this month, maybe.

but Sony guy also said they have huge announcements that will win them the war, so whos really got the bigger news lol

Douten · 03-17-2008, 04:36 PM

The appeal to the casual crowd is gonna be Wii Fit.
Other than that I don't know what the other games are. Could be Zelda, that'd be nice or Animal Crossing, both are great~ : )

ally_uk · 03-17-2008, 04:55 PM

Punch Out Wii!
Kabuki Quantum Fighter sequel

( anyone remember this?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3RMKE8JeqU

The music was awesome in that game

Skies Of Arcadia 2
Square to make a decent rpg? mario rpg 2?
New Zelda is a must!

minto · 03-17-2008, 04:59 PM

luigis mansion2 or pikmin3 plz

thas · 03-17-2008, 06:41 PM

If its a zelda game then i wont be excited but I will try it out. Im really hoping for a traditional starfox game with online or some new IP.

KTIGZ · 03-17-2008, 06:47 PM

_A NEW METRIOD!! WITH ONLINE WOULD BE GREAT. IT'D BE SOO COOL SOMETHING SORTA/OR EXACLTY LIKE HALO BUT BETTER.

C1audio · 03-17-2008, 07:09 PM

Probably there gonna have an online FPS with headset support or something like that. That be good, but hopefully its a DK game or Sonic game.

VidyaVince · 03-17-2008, 07:28 PM

How about a new, original franchise/game series? Or more third party support?

Do you guys really want a new Mario/Zelda/Donkey Kong?

Backwards Man · 03-17-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douten

The appeal to the casual crowd is gonna be Wii Fit.
Other than that I don't know what the other games are. Could be Zelda, that'd be nice or Animal Crossing, both are great~ : )

Seeing as Wii Fit will be released before E3, that would be very lame on Nintendo's front. Like what was suggested it may be Wii Sports 2...or some other casual title that uses the balance board.

CantGetAWii · 03-17-2008, 09:48 PM

A new Zelda would be great, it does sort of make sense for it being such a huge series and all. I wouldn't have thought before that Nintendo's holiday hit would be a Zelda game.

Headset support will most likely launch with Animal Crossing, I think thats a safe bet, whenever it is released in North America.

03-17-2008, 11:03 AM	#5
manred Animal Collective Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wherever Fate Takes Me Posts: 1,376 Friends: 9 0000-0000-0000-0000	I'm just hoping it's either a sequel or a remake of a good classic Nintendo game. __________________ Old Signature "I don't mean to seem like I care about material things, like a social status."

03-17-2008, 11:51 AM	#6
komio Komio-Wii Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: hemet, CA Posts: 706 Friends: 0 5990-7343-4893-9015	crosses fingers for animal crossing Wii !!! * __________________

03-17-2008, 03:42 PM	#8
CocoSSBB Pikachu Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 313 Friends: 0	A sequel to Kid Icarus would be pretty cool, and it would be running off of SSBB's momentum because it has Pit. __________________ MoHH2 Account name: CocoSnipe Games: Super Mario Galaxy, LoZ: Twilight Princess, Warioware, Mario Strikers Charged, Medal of Honor Heroes 2, Wii Sports, Madden 08 Getting: Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Rock Band (PS2)

03-17-2008, 03:51 PM	#9
LeWaffles CUSTOM Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Around Chicago Posts: 1,042 Friends: 7	starfox fps makes more sense to me, interesting __________________ formerly known as wii-fi

03-17-2008, 04:08 PM	#10
DAVIDV99 WiiChat Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 207 Friends: 0	Startropics... PLEASEE That would be pretty randomness and awesome. __________________ MSC FC - 524093 098845 PM me if you add me and see if you can beat me Brawl FC : 4425 1138 7831 If you add me, PM, and il give you gold!


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03-17-2008, 09:13 AM	#3
Skippy WiiChat Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,013 Friends: 1	A Zelda game would not be appealing to casual gamers in the "expanded audience". It's pretty much the opposite of a casual game. It's a long, continuing story with character upgrades (weapons, gadgets, etc.) and extensive quests. You can't just pop in and play for a few minutes, leave it for a few days or weeks even, and then pop back in for a few more minutes.

03-17-2008, 12:31 PM	#7
ally_uk WiiChat Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 270 Friends: 0	Kid Icuarus Or Animal Crossing with Mii Support would be great Or No More Heroes 2 , Zack and Wiki 2 God exciting times for nintendo lol

03-17-2008, 04:17 PM	#11
daviduk200 The XBOX 360 Guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: BRITAIN/UK/ (temporarily unavailable) Posts: 1,763 Friends: 6 7544-8308-5173-1071	onm said something about animal crossing wii in there magazine this month, maybe. but Sony guy also said they have huge announcements that will win them the war, so whos really got the bigger news lol __________________ PSN daviduk2000 Gamertag daviduk2000 The new WIICHAT MEMBERS ELIMINATION GAME, COMING SOON!!, sign up now under board games

03-17-2008, 04:36 PM	#12
Douten WiiChat Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: FL Posts: 308 Friends: 0 8244-2285-2713-6668	The appeal to the casual crowd is gonna be Wii Fit. Other than that I don't know what the other games are. Could be Zelda, that'd be nice or Animal Crossing, both are great~ : ) __________________

03-17-2008, 04:55 PM	#13
ally_uk WiiChat Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 270 Friends: 0	Punch Out Wii! Kabuki Quantum Fighter sequel ( anyone remember this?) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3RMKE8JeqU The music was awesome in that game Skies Of Arcadia 2 Square to make a decent rpg? mario rpg 2? New Zelda is a must!

03-17-2008, 04:59 PM	#14
minto RED wants to battle! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,274 Friends: 2 0505-6993-9515-7982	luigis mansion2 or pikmin3 plz __________________ Steam ID:mintoisking Xbox live GT:mintoisgod PSN ID:mintoisgod

03-17-2008, 06:41 PM	#15
thas Canadian/Gamer for life Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 1,113 Friends: 6 4614-1471-6665-4276	If its a zelda game then i wont be excited but I will try it out. Im really hoping for a traditional starfox game with online or some new IP.

03-17-2008, 06:47 PM	#16
KTIGZ Dirty Jerz. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Jersey (201), USA Posts: 322 Friends: 0 0795-8922-4951-2684	_A NEW METRIOD!! WITH ONLINE WOULD BE GREAT. IT'D BE SOO COOL SOMETHING SORTA/OR EXACLTY LIKE HALO BUT BETTER. __________________ NEW JERSEY SSBB PLAYERS COME HERE HTML Code: http://www.wiichat.com/atlantic-north/55414-new-jersey-ssbb-players-post-here.html

03-17-2008, 07:09 PM	#17
C1audio Corruptied Wii Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario. Posts: 134 Friends: 0 2975-1046-6635-6662	Probably there gonna have an online FPS with headset support or something like that. That be good, but hopefully its a DK game or Sonic game. __________________

03-17-2008, 07:28 PM	#18
VidyaVince vidya gaems Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 444 Friends: 0 8294-6630-1949-8016	How about a new, original franchise/game series? Or more third party support? Do you guys really want a new Mario/Zelda/Donkey Kong? __________________ Brawl FC: 2707-1283-4208 If you're online frequently, send me a PM that you added me.

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