190°

A single game could save the Wii U, but Mario Kart 8 is not it

Dealspwn: "Mario Kart has always been the second game you buy with any Nintendo console, but rarely the first. It's the game that everyone who has a Nintendo console buys -- because why the hell wouldn't you?! -- but it's not the game that you buy your console for."

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DanManDantheMan3627d ago

It's a good start though. If Nintendo really wants the big bucks, they're going to have to make the most wanted game idea a reality: Open World Pokemon

FuzzyPixels3627d ago

Couldn't agree more. Iwata insinuates that the Wii U is waiting for its Pokemon moment...

...SO GIVE THE WII U ITS POKEMON MOMENT, IWATA!

For a company that has survived off of rehashing its well-worn (but exceptional) back catalogue, why the hell Nintendo haven't made that move is beyond me.

mikeslemonade3627d ago

There's not a single game that can save it. You would need 2 or 3 real Pokemon games on the WiiU. When I mean real it has to be either a MMO or in the same format as Pokemon GB,GBA,DS, and 3DS games but in 3D.

SharnOfTheDEAD3627d ago

I'd love a AAA Pokemon game but the series has changed so much from when I enjoyed it (Original 150) Not too sure how they would execute it, but i'd imagine it would be one of the most Ambitious games to date if they went all in!

Retroman3626d ago (Edited 3626d ago )

Nintendo has boat load portfolio of SNES games, can't see why they not using it.

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Deadpoolio3627d ago

It's not going to happen the Pokemon developers have said over and over and over and over and over and over and over again, that they personally feel that Pokemon really only belongs on handhelds and therefor will not make any main line type pokemon game for consoles

DragonKnight3627d ago

Well, seeing as how Nintendo owns Pokemon, they don't need those specific developers to do it. They can just use other developers to do it.

Bobby Kotex3626d ago

You people in your bubble think pokemon is universally appealing to gamers. Trust me, it's not.

DanManDantheMan3626d ago

Some guy named bobby kotex definitely speaks for all gamers.

voodoochild3463626d ago

Shouldn't you be selling feminine hygiene products right now?

3-4-53626d ago

One game won't save it, but 6-7 will, and Mario Kart 8 starts that.

Sly-Lupin3626d ago

It's really not a good start at all.

A good start would be a unique experience you can't get anywhere else. Yeah, Mario Kart 8 looks great and all, but it's offering the same fundamental experience you can get on a Wii or 3DS.

Also, the whole premise of a single game "saving" a platform is fundamentally flawed. Japan is really the only market vulnerable to that kind of "killer app" thing, and even then, it's only with a handful of very specific, established titles.

DanManDantheMan3626d ago (Edited 3626d ago )

Yeah, because there haven't been countless moments in history where a single game turned around the fortunes of a system. Unless you were born last year, I'm sure you were around for the 3DS turn around. Only took 1-2 games and then a steady flow of software afterwards to maintain the sales.

You're misinterpreting what Iwata means by one game to save a system. If you really think he betting the entire future of Wii U on Mario Kart 8 then you need to expand your thought a bit.

Also, if you'd attribute the PS4 and X1's sales to having software you can't get elsewhere, it'd make you a grade A hypocrite.

Sly-Lupin3625d ago

*sigh*

I know it's futile to engage with fanboys, I do. So I'm only gonna reply this once:

1. Yes, you're right--there have NOT been countless, or even many, or even a couple of instances in history of a single game reversing a console's fortunes. Like you, yourself said, DanManDantheMan, the 3DS was able to turn around thanks to multiple games and a steady stream of releases.

If you look at platforms that floundered, only to manage to pick up steam later on--like the 3DS and PS3--you'll notice that they only did so after accumulating a large library. Alternatively, you can see that many of the platforms of the past that did not do so well--the Gamecube, the Xbox, the N64--did poorly despite having one or more big, "system-seller" games. Like I said, the idea of a "killer app" is a myth.

2. I'm not misinterpreting Iwata at all. He is hoping to duplicate the success the Wii had with Wii Fit, which appealed to a new casual demographic--a demographic which has long-since moved on. By focusing on trying to duplicate that "one-hit-wonder," he is effectively drawing resources away from what Nintendo should be doing to save the WiiU--focusing on delivering a steady stream of quality games.

And it's not like Nintendo doesn't know what to do. They were able to save the 3DS by very intentionally making sure the platform had at least 1 big release every month. The reason they haven't done this with the WiiU is because A) they're still chasing the specter of the Wii, and B) because development is more expensive and Nintendo was caught woefully unprepared.

3. You're the only one talking about the PS4 and Xbox3. But, since you brought it up, the success of those two platforms reinforces my point--they are selling well despite NOT having any "killer app" games. They're essentially selling because of the promise of one day having similar libraries to their successors.

4. Thanks for calling me a hypocrite. You really managed to nail the trifecta of fallacious arguments with that one.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3625d ago
andrewer3627d ago

Zelda! Or maybe Metroid...or even SSB. I would call it a 3-part plan xD

TheEnigma3133627d ago

Mario Kart is bigger than all those titles.

andrewer3627d ago

For some...for others like me they are all equally important, where ideally no Nintendo console should miss

crusf3627d ago (Edited 3627d ago )

Alternate title "Mario Kart 8 is getting great reviews.... BUT don't get your hopes up remember Nintendo is still screwed financially!" Let Nintendo have a good moment for once

Dchops3627d ago

I honestly don't think that the internet will allow for that anymore.

Vegamyster3627d ago

They plan on making a profit next year even with low expectations, wouldn't say they're not screwed financially.

caseh3627d ago

Its like Scrooge McDucks money bin out of Duck Tales over in Nintendo HQ. Iwata goes swimming in it every day.

https://img.4plebs.org/boar...

Chrischi19883626d ago

Funny, isnt it? I mean, Nintendo repeatedly brought a very very good game to the Wii U, a game many people love and even non nintendo fansite give it phenomenal reviews, but it still doesnt count, because of the power of the Wii U, even though the game runs at 1080p and 60fps. I know, that it is easy with this art style and with a racing game, but that doesnt change the fact, that it looks fantastic and that most people just have a 1080p TV and wouldnt be able to see much more than what this game is already offering, so maybe for once, people could stop hating and actually give cudos for Nintendo finally doing something right? Or is that impossible for haters to be neutral for once?

OtakuDJK1NG-Rory3627d ago

Oh more people trying to kill Mario Kart 8

Ck1x3626d ago

It's suicide if they jump in front of that train though!

Sincere01213627d ago

Haters are hoping that Mario kart 8 isn't it more like, well lets wait and see. Furthermore lets see what happens at e3.

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80°

Looking Ahead: The Lingering Questions About the Next Mario Kart

VGChartz's Mark Nielsen: "10 years. It’s been almost 10 years since the last mainline release in the Mario Kart series. Mario Kart 8 came out for the Wii U in 2014 and became the best-selling game for the system by a sizeable margin, and later pulled the same magic trick on the Nintendo Switch under the stage name Deluxe. All in all, it's sold nearly 70 million copies over the last decade and is still selling like hot cakes to this day, so it’s no wonder Nintendo has been in no rush to replace it. However, with rumors of a new system being just around the corner, and reports a few years back that a new Mario Kart is indeed under way, it seems the era of 8 might very well be drawing to a close. It’s an exciting prospect to be sure, but after two Nintendo systems with Mario Kart 8 at their heart, a lot of questions remain about how Nintendo will choose to follow it up."

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vgchartz.com
Yi-Long7d ago

I hope they just keep building on Mario Kart 8; Add a track-creation tool, and probably open it up to more Nintendo IPs with new tracks and characters, so Metroid, Punch Out, Starfox, Animal Crossing, etc etc.

gold_drake7d ago

there wont be a new one until the switch 2 comes out.

nintendo needs their bangers early on

80°

Wii U Versions of Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon's Online Play is Back

Nintendo has recently restored Wii U Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon online after five months of being offline.

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sirusgaming.com
100°

The Next Mario Kart Desperately Needs A Good Gimmick

Mario Kart 8 has been out for nine years now if you include the Wii U version. Despite the Switch port continuing to sell insane numbers since it came out in 2017, many people believed that a new installment was way past due. When the Booster Course Pass was announced instead, it was a bit controversial, with one side of people stating that it was time for a new game, and the other side believing that this was the best course of action and that there's nothing else Nintendo can do to innovate the franchise.

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dualshockers.com
Number1TailzFan305d ago

There's nothing wrong with the games, but after most of them being very samey, I got a bit bored. I liked MKDS because it added a mission mode, yeah it didn't have maybe as many as I'd like but it was decent for variety.

I really prefer the new Mario Party for the different types of games in it.

Mario Kart doesn't really feel fresh because you know what to expect for every new game pretty much. The single player mode of DKR was far more in depth a game vs Mario Kart IMO, MK is probably better for multiplayer though.

-Foxtrot305d ago

It needs a campaign mode like Crash Team Racing with open hubs, driving around the Mushroom Kingdom, selecting your races and the like. Have a system like the CTR tokens within the races that then unlock secret racing cups later on or the time relics to unlock other things.

There's nothing wrong with the games but when you've had the same set up for so many games it just gets a bit samey after a while.

They could even have something like a track creator like Modnation Racers or something.

Neonridr305d ago

I always enjoyed the single player aspect of Diddy Kong Racing myself.

Knushwood Butt305d ago

After starting with the first game on SNES, I think the last one I bought was on the DS.

Phlacky304d ago (Edited 304d ago )

I think the next gimmick should be interactive tracks with obstacles and traps such as maybe throwing a shell ahead to make something fall on another player Also have water and mud parts that effect handling more also fire parts that can cause you to over heat if you stay in it to long etc...

Yi-Long304d ago (Edited 304d ago )

I don’t think it needs ‘a gimmick’ so much, because gameplay is pretty much perfect right now, but I would like the next Mario Kart to do either a ‘track-builder’ thing, so you just get access to the tools and make your own tracks (think Modnation Racers or LBP Karting), and/or expand upon ‘Mario’ Kart and open it up to the rest of Nintendo IPs, and just do a ‘Nintendo Kart’, so we’d see more of Zelda, but also Starfox, Kirby, Metroid, Valkyria Chronicles*, etc.

* I know, technically not ‘Nintendo’.

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