Shouldn't Nintendo Be Looking for New Console Defining IPs For Wii U and 3DS? (3DS, Wii)

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3DS

When you think about NINTENDO, there are generally a few things that you think about. Mario, is usually the first that comes to most peoples minds, along with Zelda, Game Boy and Wii. The name that comes to mind when thinking of those that work at Nintendo is simply Shigeru Miyamoto and for good reason.

Miyamoto, unlike other corporate names at Nintendo, always takes the stage with a huge smile on his face. Let's face it, the guy really loves his job! Perhaps it's just the business nature of the job that others can seem to smile and look as happy as Miyamoto on stage but, Jack Tretton from Sony Computer Entertainment looks as though he's having a lot of fun on stage, once he gets past the nervousness of the large crowds he encounters every year. Even Don Mattrick from Microsoft as well as Phil Spencer seem at least happy to be there.

Miyamoto is clearly the staple for Nintendo in which they always seem to fall back on. Masahiro Sakurai is also known, but not really by name as he is father of the Super Smash Bros. series as well as Kirby. Together, these two developers practically define the Nintendo console. Other names synonymous with Nintendo and their key franchises are: StarFox, Donkey Kong and Metroid.

While these are all great franchises, StarFox for example hasn't seen a game since the Gamecube's launch practically. Its 3DS game was simply a port from the N64. Donkey Kong returned but didn't seem to catch on, possibly because it wasn't marketed nearly as well. I'd only heard of it for the first time at E3 and then before I knew it, it was on the store shelf and wasn't developed by its original parent company Rare. Metroid, was outsourced to Team Ninja of Ninja Gaiden fame.

The problem with this all is that Nintendo may be focusing too much on established franchises. Mario and Zelda are real money makers, but you can only do the same thing so many times. Miyomoto isn't going to be around for too many more years and gamers are growing up and moving on and finding a home on PlayStation and Xbox. Nintendo needs new and more original IP's on their consoles. (Microsoft does as well), but Nintendo can't become too reliant on third-party developers like they used too. They've got to keep their own IP's in mind. Nintendo caught a break this console generation when during the Gamecube and Nintendo 64 era's, they were dying as third-party developers had abandoned them to support Sony on the PSX and PlayStation 2. Nintendo then discovered their need for great first-party games and this Golden Eye 007 and Perfect Dark helped them along. They were games any age of gamer would play and enjoy. However, Rare is gone and now a first-party developer for Microsoft and 007 has gone to Activision.

As well, the Nintendo brand is very much so Japanese, which is great that the company chooses to represent their heritage as well with that unique look and style. Yet, so many developers as CEO's have stated that the Japanese style of games are becoming a dying breed and the need to focus on Western-style development is crucial. That the Japanese development community once owned the gaming market and are now struggling to maintain that grasp and are slowly loosing it to western developers. Thus, the gaming world is going through a transition. While we still see predominate Japanese characteristics in newer games, its clear those developers are working to align those games with western style.

I think Nintendo at this point needs to sit down and congratulate and thank Mr. Miyamoto, and if he still wants to develop games then let him, but Nintendo needs to start thinking about searching for new young blood talent and picking up new console defining IPs that go back to the core gamer. Zelda and Mario remain the same. Princess Peach has been abducted by Bowser, now you need to go save her again. Zelda has been captured by Gannondorf and Link needs to go save her, otherwise, Mario may become as Sonic one of these days.