Is Nintendo Trapped By Its Legacy?

GS:Tom Mc Shea explains why Nintendo's latest game announcements fail to muster much excitement.

[NYC_Gamer]

I don't understand why Nintendo won't create new[meaningful] characters/franchises...It' ;s time for Ninty to step outside the box and build up new software instead of just playing it safe with established brands...

[Root]

I agree but how can they when they aren't given the push to do that. Most hardcore Nintendo fans would rather live in denial and pretend like everything is fine....like they don't mind the same franchises over and over.

If everyone could admit it and push Nintendo to create new characters to join Mario and co then we all would win.

Your never going to get anything if you don't ask, it's the same with Microsoft fans and exclusives....Microsoft isn't bothered because they see that their hardcore fans are fine with the same old franchises over and over.

It's saddening because nobody wins thinking like that....couldn't we all just agree so all of us can get new franchises and characters for each console.

[WiiUsauce]

come on, don't act stupid guys. You guys clearly have never played Nintendo games if that is the way you talk about them. They are not the same games over and over again. Anyone who has played Ocarina of Time, and then gone to play Wind Waker can plainly see the two games are drastically different from one another.

They use the same well established core mechanics that work well, and they change everything else and only keep around a few core characters. In the case of Link though, you're never playing as the same Link you played as in previous game. Same thing with Mario Kart for example. No 2 Mario Kart games control the same. there are always different tweaks to the control that make every game in the franchise feel different and unique.

I'd point you to the difference in weight and feel Master Chief controls in Halo CE vs Halo 3 as an example. They are games of the same franchise, but control completely different from one another, and include completely new stories, characters, weapons, ect.

Anyway, it's not like Nintendo is not trying create new IP's because, in case you haven't heard, they've already announced that they ARE working on brand new IP's, but it's just that they haven't showed them off yet. Just wait til E3, I guarantee you you'll see stuff from Nintendo you've never seen before. I'll bet anyone on that.

[Root]

Mate don't tell me what I've played and what I havent played....please it just comes off really big headed and ignorant.

I had a SNES, N64, Gamecube, the Wii and all of the handhelds which came out. Lately though I'll admit I've slipped I didn't buy a Wii U and I haven't bought a 3DS yet.

They are the same games though most of the time, look at the New Super Mario games, even the Wii one and the Wii U one have been the same with minor improvements.

[SilentNegotiator]

Ps3/Xbox-oriented developers that sell fine even where there's controversy are much more often kicked into taking action on issues than Nintendo. It's not about success or "voting with your wallet", it's about the community.

If the Nintendo community stopped saying "What we get is enough" and start shouting "That's ENOUGH!!", Nintendo, a company in a great position to try some new games here and there, might give them something unique.

And new types of controllers simply aren't enough to not be status quo. Mario Kart on a dual stick controller, a wiimote, with a touchscreen....they're all just Mario Kart to me.

[Ezz2013]

@wiiusauce

"""come on, don't act stupid guys, You guys clearly have never played Nintendo games"""

soo any one who disagree with you is stupid and never owned a WII ...right ?!!

i gotta respect someone with logic and commensense like you /s

[MasterCratosKong66]

i know miyamoto has already said he is working on a new ip. i will most likely buy it if it looks good. i know everyone complaining about not enough new ips better buy it cuz if they dont then they have no reason to wonder why nintendo plays conservatively

[ElectricKaibutsu]

In the comments on the article itself, someone named augmira said this:

"I've already posted here but after a little reflection time I think I can better articulate to those who agree with Tom's opinion why it comes across to so many others as an affront, and I think it has to do with the style and dress of this type of journalism.

I truly enjoy IGN and check in ever day because I trust their reviews and news updates. Their editorial pieces are a mixed bunch, which should be no surprise to anyone familiar with journalism, but speculative articles like this one require a certain grace in order to both stir the pot of conversation and motivate healthy rethinking of accepted norms. In this case, the title gives the impression that there is some existing concern or public problem with Nintendo and its legacy IPs. It's a provocative choice of words and a potentially intelligence-insulting statement passively posed as a question. There is no question in this article. Statements like, "Nintendo has a knack for catering to its excitable fan base" clearly make assumptions about "Nintendo fans" (as though they are any different from the usual gamer gamut) and Nintendo's modus operandi. Nintendo is in this to make money (*duh!*) but they don't sell out. At least, not in my reviewing of the historical facts. To imply that Nintendo is somehow pandering to the fans or resting on their laurels by returning to their IP staples is poor journalism because it is poor logic. EA is moving to microtransactions in Dead Space 3. That's horse doody. MS and SONY have both been rumoured to be incorporating anti-used-game technology into their next consoles. That's pig squirt. Call of Duty is on its 8th reincarnation, Halo is on its 7th game, Assassin's Creed is pushing ten clones and the Need for Speed franchise is pushing 17. Who's pandering? Does Nintendo release $60 games with day-one DLC at a premium? Will there be a Nintendoland Online Pass for $20 granting access to five new character costumes, a new weapon and a level that does little to enhance the original game? Will Mario Kart U have in-game purchases for engine improvements that make online play unfair or uncompetitive? The point is that NIntendo is loyal to its supporters and its supporters want to see their favourite characters come back. Its a lineage that I think is worthy of respect rather than the pessimistic bile of a bored journalist. Heaven forbid our lives be darkened by a slightly unoriginal roster of first-year titles by a company responsible for carrying this industry through two dark ages. But maybe I am just an "excitable fan". Thank goodness."

[PS3and4_HAS_GAMES]

thats why i love sony, they take chances and have the best exclusives out. I dont care what anybody says.

Nintendo just recycles old levels and charicters and mixes them up and has the nerve to name these titles "NEW" SUPER MARIO BROS. Should be called "recycled super mario bros.

Microsofts problem is they're stuck on halo and the sad part is 360 owners are fine with that

[iamnsuperman]

That is my main issue with Nintendo. I will love them to take risks but they are too stubborn to do so. They are not the same company they used to be when they started out

edit: I would just like them to make new franchises that goes outside their norm

[Root]

I like to think they changed when the Wii came out

Even then the whole "mainstream" / "casual" thing started around then which changed gaming for the worst in my opinion...developers started screwing over their loyal fans to gain a bigger audience, franchises were ruined to appeal to more people and we had nearly everyone that played on crappy shovel ware saying they were a gamer...I mean it wasn't all on Nintendo...COD didn't help either but you get my point

I'd rather take the Nintendo who released the N64 and the Game cube then the ones now. They just seem to stubborn, arrogant and big headed these days.

They just need to take more risks....how about a huge open world Mario game. Drive around in unlockable Mario Karts, find a easter egg horse named Epona or even get on Latikus cloud and fly around the Mushroom Kingdom etc

[doogiebear]

Nintendo is not the same because of Iwata. Nintendo started milking franchises and becoming kiddy ever since the Gamecube. THAT is exactly when Iwata became president Coincidence? Nope.

[xursz]

I found myself thinking about this when the "New" Zelda was announced. I can't for the life of me figure out why Nintendo purists don't want new things. I thought it was embarassing seeing how many were chomping at the bit for and old zelda in hd when it's a given that a real game is in the works.

We ALREADY KNOW what franchises Nintendo is going to throw at us, then they announce "HD REMAKE TO HOLD YOU OVER!" and fans go bananas. This is why they give us the same thing over and over again!

[N4GDgAPc]

@Root
"They just need to take more risks....how about a huge open world Mario game. Drive around in unlockable Mario Karts, find a easter egg horse named Epona or even get on Latikus cloud and fly around the Mushroom Kingdom etc"

Hehe that sounds like stupid fun. I probly would purchase that.

[Thatguy-310]

Exactly lol its funny how ppl always say Nintendo innovates but I always have trouble seeing in what way. They stick to the same franchises in every generation consoles and handheld and bring no "innovative" changes to it.

[Zhipp]

Mario Galaxy, Skyward Sword, Kirby's Epic Yarn, Other M, and Super Paper Mario all brought some significant changes to their respective series, so I'm not sure what you mean.

[Riderz1337]

@Zhipp, I think he meant that Nintendo keeps focusing on those games which you listed and doesn't try to create brand new franchises. Every console generation we get Mario games Zelda games etc. It's sort of hard to be surprised by what games Nintendo announces nowadays because it's an ongoing trend of them making new iterations of their previous franchises.

[Zhipp]

@Riderz1337
That's what the article is saying, and I agree with that, but dboyc310 seems to be saying that they don't innovate with their recurring franchises, which is blatantly untrue.

Anyway, I am still looking forward to a fresh franchise from Nintendo (besides Xenoblade, that is). Something entirely new, like Pikmin was, back in the GameCube days. I'm sure they have something up their sleeves, even if it's just a downloadable game. Maybe it'll be a Retro game. All I know is that new consoles always bring new IPs.

[kesvalk]

yet no one mentions their new series, like disaster, another trace memory, xenoblade and battalion wars.

even pikmin started on the GC, yet ppl just ignore this series and keep saying nintendo don't try to make new ones...

i am sure 90% of the ppl who bash nintendo for being "stale" never played magical starsign, hotel dusk: room 215 or starfy.

[EddieNX]

Wii sports , Rythm Heaven , Xenoblade chronicles , Excite truck/Excite bots , Batallion Wars , Nintendogs , Pushmo/crashmo , Dillons rolling western , Sakura samurai , Ketzals corridors , Nintendo Land , Art academy , Freaky Forms , Steel diver and many many others on Wii , DS , 3DS are all new Nintedo IP.

And you have Old school revivals like Pilot wings Resort , Kid icarus uprising , Punchout .

Nintendo have so many IP that they don't even need to make new ones they just need to rotate the ones they have at an even and fair rate.

Just think how many IP's Nintendo actually have .... there is about 100.

[Tales RPG addict]

about 100 franchises YES but more than 1/2 of them are handheld Mostly. I love Nintendo Handhelds but most of their series is portable. Nintendogs is on DS,3DS.

SONY also Owns a buncha frachises at least 100 or more, and Innovates too. look at Littlebig Planet that took Platformers like Mario and put in the Play Create Share idea which was groundbreaking. Dark Cloud was Innovative as you could recreate the destroyed World any way you wanted.

Heavy Rain, Uncharted,InFAMOUS,and many more.

[LOL_WUT]

Yea but they always stick to Mario and Zelda, just like others mentioned playing it safe.

Wouldn't you as a hardcore Nintendo fan wan't some new refreshing IP's? Something that can distinguish the console from all the Mario and Zelda sequels? And I don't mean old classics that have been long forgotten i'm talking about new games. ;)

This article may be hard to take if you're an obsessed/hardcore fan but it does make some valid points.

[live2play]

i think its harder to keep the same franchises and mascots that have been here for decades
still relevant and fun today

[miyamoto]

Nintendo is always waiting for the next generation of young kids (or their parents) to play (or pay) their games - their tried and true customer base since the NES. That is a constant.

This is why they do not change their strategy and identity. Just look at their first party Wii U games. They will never get their hands dirty with mature games like God of War. They have a family image to maintain.

Metroid is as far as they can go.
They will let 2nd or 3rd party devs do the dirty work for them and deliver the promise of mature games.

This is very obvious since NES.

Even if its new IP it will still be the same formula and business practice.

Sony avoided this practice since PSOne to break the stigma that video games are only for young kids and show the world that video games are legitimate forms of mainstream adult entertainment. And they were right to the point that PlayStation caught the eye of Microsoft.

As long as there are young kid gamers Nintendo will always target that market. Its the bottom line of their operation and they tend to build up on that up to the Rated Teens games like Zelda but that's it. They wont go beyond that.

PS. Anyone notice that Kirby and Yoshi's Epic Yarn looks awfully familiar to Little Big Planet's craft work premise?

I saw what they did there Nintendo XD

[Picnic]

It sounds like a nobile aim for Nintendo to always be family oriented. But their mascot is a fat plumber with no personality and his weird sidekicks. He might as well be Ronald McDonald and cohorts. At least Disney had the grace to realise that Mickey may be a good figurehead but he isn't always all that as a film star and he rarely features in any of their major feature films. Nintendo should have taken a leaf out of Luigi's Mansion - people loved that game. It's a Nintendo game that has ATMOSPHERE
and that's sadly not always a frequent thing with Nintendo. The lesson that some Nintendo games teach children is the importance of milking a sure and easy thing like Mario Party.

[SerodD]

I don't understand all this bashing on Nintendo, Sony does the exact same thing, and microsoft aswell, with their franchises but no one complaines, just look at this:

There are 7 God of War games across 4 platforms ( ps2, psp, ps4 and 1 for mobile), everyone wants a new god of war.

There are 6 Zelda Games across 4 Nintendo Platforms( 1.5 Gc, 1.5 wii (twilight princess is on both) 2 for the ds and 1 for the 3ds).

There are more God of war games then zelda games across the same number of platforms but nintendo won't create new franchises, sony is the good guy.

There are 5 Gran Turismo titles across the ps, ps2 and ps3, everyone is expecting a 6th Gt for the ps4.

4 Mario Karts ( N64, GC, Wii and Wii u in the future)

3 Uncharted on the ps3, everyone is expecting a 4th on the ps4, if they make 3 more they'll sell aswell as the first 3, and no one will complain!

5 Jak and Daxter games, 4 Sly cooper games, 11 Ratchet and Clank games (all across the ps, ps2 and ps3)

Nitendo has 5 mario games across the (n64,wii and wii u) (mario 64, 2 mario galaxys, and 2 NBSM)

There are 7 Halo entries across the xbox and xbox360, with at least 2 more to come, no one is complaining.

4 Metroid games across the Gc and Wii

3 Kill zones across the ps2 and ps3

5 Forza Motorsporto across the xbox and xbox360

4 Fables again across xbox and xbox360

And I won't go on with this, I don't own a 360 so I really have know ideia if there are other microsoft franchises.

Anyway the point of this is, all of the 3 Big companys keeps milking they're franchises but it seems people around here only see Nintendo doing it, and I understand you're a fan of Sony/Microsoft you complain about Nintendo milking franchises, you're a fan of Nintendo/Microsoft you complain about Sony doing it and so on.
But come one grow up, every company does this, they'll keep doing it because we keep buying this games, and i'm sure i'll keep buying them, i'll buy the next 3 uncharteds, the next 3 zeldas, the next 3 Gt's, the next 3 God of war games,the next 3 metroids, cause in the end they will be good games and that's all that matters.

[G20WLY]

With respect, you're being ridiculous by choosing games carefully...

Why pick Zelda to compare to GOW? Why not pick the obvious one that people are referring to as over used - Mario? Oh yeah...it's because that doesn't make your point look very good at all, isn't it - now I get it lol

On a more serious note, what the defensive types seem to forget is that it's not really about how many games there are from the same franchise, it's more the lack accompanying diversity available outside of that franchise and the frequency of worthwhile new IPs being introduced that people have a problem with.

To illustrate; I don't care if there were 15 versions of Halo/Uncharted/Mario/whatever on a console as long as there's plenty of DIFFERENT choices of the same caliber and there are regularly NEW IPs coming too. It's this approach that further stops your "Sony 7: Nintendo 6" argument holding any weight, as it focuses on one element instead of recognising the problem as a whole.

Best case scenario: satiate the fans of existing franchises with more versions AND introduce quality new IPs as well for those that are bored of them.

Both are necessary; one won't do...and that's the point.

[CBaoth]

Mario64 N64
Mario Sunshine GC
Mario Galaxy Wii
Mario Galaxy2 Wii
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
New Super Mario Bros. DS
Super Mario64 DS
Mario 3DS Land 3DS
Super Mario Bros.2 3DS
New Super Mario Bros. U WiiU
A confirmed new 3D Mario WiiU

I'll refrain from listing all the party, sluggers, strikers, and tennis games Nintendo slapped Mario on the cover to sell to the masses.

You're right. All companies milk. But G20WLY is right too. It's what you do besides relying on existing IPs that matters.

[SerodD]

@G20WLY I chosed God of War to compare with Zelda because those are games that are launched with a simular frequence, they take about the same time to make, and have similar quality standarts, if I did pick mario I could compare it to Ranchet and Clark or Jak that has about the same quantity of games as marios couting with the ones in portable consoles,and simular quality, the point would be the same.

I really not mean this in a bad way, those are all great games that I enjoy playing.

I understand your point and nintendo has quite changed they're main franchises across they're history, look at mario for a second, mario 64, sunshine, galaxy, are all really inovative games, look at Zelda different art styles, and they're now working on changing the formula for Zeldas, the game has been inovative, the same can be said for Metroid, prime is it's own trilogy, other M and the other metroids are something completely diferent from that.

The list could go on, but there's no point in that.

As for new franchises they are there aswell, there was a lack of those on the wii, I can see that, but myamoto is working on 2 new Ip's, and there's wonderful 101, xenoblade, pikmin is farly new, kid icarus just had a reboot, there's bayoneta which right now looks like is going to be an exlusive for nintendo, and maybe it will cotinue to be in the future with other titles.´

And I really don't mean to defend Nintendo, they milk they're franchises aswell, and probably a bit more than the others, but as I said previously the quality is there, and that's what matters.

People don't see it because they don't want to see it, most of them don't even try the games before saying "new game from the same franchise= crap game", if you want to be a fanboy be a fanboy I don't care, but this is the way the gamming industry works, you establish a quality franchise, and keep making quality games for the same franchise, you create a standart quality for those games that garantee a purchase from fans through the whole series. (look at fifa, pes, call of duty, mario, god of war, zelda, metroid, gran turismo, etc. They all work this way)

@ Darukian:I was talking about home consoles marios, and i did forget about marion sunshine.

As for Mario I do agree with Nintendo not inovating on the NSBM series, but you should really take a look to the evolution from Mario 64, to Sunshine, to Galaxy, and beyond. The main Mario series is quite innovative in terms of gameplay, and that's what makes it worth buying after all this years of Mario, as for NSBM if it's not worth it for you, don't buy it, the games has been almost the same for years.

It is true Nintendo uses Mario for a lot of spin-off games, sports games, dr.mario, party games,etc. But you really should look at those as diferente games, apart from having the same characters they are truly diferent games.

[Darukain]

They do have new IP's though:
e.g. xenoblade
wonderful 101,
yoshi yarn,
and more TBA.
The WiiU is 2-3 month old give it some time to conjure more IPs. It's seems it's fanboyism to a single console that is trapping the Nintendo.

[Denethor_II]

"I don't understand why Nintendo won't create new[meaningful] characters/franchises."

I call it the Call of Duty effect. When people settle for the same games, then that's what they'll continue to get.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

You mean the same characters. Many of the games are vastly different. It's like the N4g hivemind cannot differentiate between what a game is and what a character is.

[Denethor_II]

I would never describe one COD game to the next "vastly different". And as for Nintendo, for example, Zelda has used the same gameplay format for nearly thirty years. Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, being newer examples, are very similar. I could go on. And yes you're right, they have also lacked in new character development as well.

[chronoforce]

the problem is not Nintendo, the problem is their fan-base,money talks and nintendo fans buy zelda and mario games etc so why on earth would Nintendo stretch their resources to make all these new IPs if the fan-base will just go out and buy mario and Zelda. That is not to say they should abandon the games that helped form the industry, still all The nintendo fans out there BUY SOME NEW GAMES DAMMIT!

[jakmckratos]

Finally a well written , intelligent article that doesn't necessitate flame wars but actually looks at the fact Nintendo hasn't done anything super original in years. You can't just rely on side scrollers, mini games and old faithfuls like Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart and expect to be respected. The wii suffered from a lot of apathy. I see the Wii U repeating this if Nintendo doesnt get off their ass and do some original/unexpected. Pikmin 3 was a nice sentiment but there's gotta be MOAR!

[tigertron]

I think it's great that the Wii U is getting more of what we love, but I think Nintendo should get back to the drawing board and make some new IPs. As much as I love the likes of Mario, Nintendo should be doing what Sony is doing and investing lots of dough in new franchises.

[Yodagamer]

Well they tend to put them on the eshop, they made quite a few new ips on the 3ds eshop and i don't mind nintendo using old ips, i just wish they would use some of the ips they haven't used in a while. Ex. Geist, F-zero, Wario Land, External Darkness, Baten Katos, among others.

[thaimasker]

Isn't miyamoto confirmed to be working on a new IP? Any way the wii has only been out for 2 months
Nintendo has created some new IP's for the 3DS...Lets at least wait until its first post release E3...

[wishingW3L]

Mc Shea looks like a nice guy but he's actually a ninja troll.

[Yodagamer]

Yea tom mcshea is someone i don't trust, especially since his review of skyward sword when he assumed that ar is used to aim items and recalibrated it as such screwing up the controls, then blamed the game. He has good meaning, but he seems to make mistakes.

[ElectricKaibutsu]

He's that guy? If I were reviewing a high profile game I probably wouldn't have skipped the tutorial.

[Ezz2013]

if nintendo fans have no problem with that...then more power to them

it all just preferences

[Summons75]

Can say that about Sony or MS too. How many God of War games....and rehashed collections, how many Halos? If people like and care about those games why kill them off? Plus new generations of kids fall in love with mario or pokemon just like we did as kids.

[iamnsuperman]

That is true we do get a lot of GOW...games but at least Sony has made an effort this generation to try something new and release new ips. Sony has done some questionable things this generation but they have done what gamers have be crying for this generation and that is new ips. You have to give them that

[Minato-Namikaze]

Sony also has 3 new IP's (last of us, beyond, puppeteer) coming out this year. Nobody is talking about killing off any franchises. Just make new ones to compliment your old ones.

[Tales RPG addict]

I love Nintendo but I agree with what your saying about SONY. they aren't killing old franchises just making new ones. I'm buying all 3 titles this year.

[doogiebear]

Yeah, but GoW has only been around 2 generations. For every GoW, we got new franchises this gen from Sony like Uncharted, Heavy Rain, The last of us, Starhawk, Journey, etc. The list is ridiculously long. What has Nintendo done that is new? Were not saying they cant still milk stuff, but they wont win-over those of us who are bored of old franchises, if they neglect to make new ones TOO.

[ziggurcat]

what a silly question.

[Picnic]

The main problem with Nintendo, creatively, is that they're not Sega. They rarely strive to being sometimes ultra cool nor being ultra arty like some Sony indie-type games.

But sometimes they do do something very surprising. Paper Mario on the N64 and Luigi's Mansion on the Gamecube were very novel ideas. And, with Wave Race, they could do arcade style games like Sega. But many of their best games series originated with the N64. And even then Rare were arguably the best studio on the console. They need to get some of that 'what on earth?' kookiness that made the Gamecube (and its early adverts) a bit interesting.
Because they've kind of squandered their Gamecube kudos with the hardcore and are now seen as being as safe as washing powder while anyone who likes Nintendo but wants to evolve a bit from it will be playing the likes of The Unfinished Swan on the PSN.

[kirbyu]

Yoshi's Epic Yarn is more surprising than everyone's acting like it is. I for one wasn't expected a Yoshi game and definitely wasn't expecting it to be yarn.

[ShinraE5]

I don't blame nintendo, sony, ms, activision, ANY company for milking their franchises.

It is a business gents and ladies. And regarding the big N, their franchises succeed time and time again. Wouldn't you keep issuing a new entry and collect the cash?

Yes, I would love to see some fresh air, I haven't actively played a nintnedo system for awhile now. But I dont blame them at all. Do what is smart so you and your company succeed

[HeroReborn]

But the article, I can understand his point of view, I still think that Nintendo was in a weird transition along with other developers as far as waiting to see what the next PlayStation and Xbox have in store.

I do believe though that there is room in the market for the wii u, is just a matter of the developers wanted to take the time to learn to use its architecture to the benefits. Along with Nintendo being more in touch with its western culture fan base

[medziarz]

"Nintendo has the talent and expertise to forge a glorious future. It just has to trust that it can fly without the safety net of nostalgia underneath it."

Nice.
But anyway, they still seem to have a lot of new ideas for their good ole' franchises, so it's better to develop them into what will be part of this civilization's greatest heritage, instead of experimenting with games just for the sake of it, in order to look cool to dorks

[Killzoner99]

Exactly , this article is spot on. Tom Mc Shea is one of the most talented game journalist in the industry. I highly recommend you checkout his work and follow him . He's going to be HUGE. Nintendo should have dropped out of the hardware market ten years ago. They are not relevant anymore. Most gamers have grown up and want mature games and you won't find anything mature in a Pokemon game lol.

[thaimasker]

Ah another gamer who thinks his opinion represents where the whole industry should go. why would they drop out of the hardware market 10 years ago when they sold 152 Million DS'S, 100 Million Wii's, so far 22+ mil 3DS's and the wii u launch sales wise was better than the ps3's and 360's. Get real

and to make it seem like every's adult just wants mature games and there are no younger gamers today? Lmao

[ElectricKaibutsu]

The problem with this article, besides being strangely long for a point that could be summed up in one sentence, is that Nintendo already has an audience and that audience wants Nintendo franchises. Nintendo has many skilled developers but not an infinite amount. New ips would inevitably equal neglect for the old ones. As everyone knows, people buy Nintendo systems for Nintendo games. How would NOT making the games fans want help them?

I agree a new ip would be nice, but they already have 30 years worth. They've reached capacity.

It's strange that giving fans what they ask for is considered a mistake, especially when it makes them billions.

[sitharrefus]

So its ok to have Call of Duty 7? and Halo 5?

[Tales RPG addict]

On the SONY side of things. Games I want for PS4
Dark Cloud 3
Rogue Galaxy 2
New Sucker Punch title
Killzone 4
New Santa Monica title
Kingdom Hearts 3
New Wipeout
and more.

[Darukain]

Remove all sequels and potentially you have 2 new IPs from that list.

[jivah]

Still alot more then the new ips nintendo had since forever.. But in his respect he never mentioned new IPs in there. Possible Agent and then you got possibly The Last Guardian as well as David Cages new game. if it goes to the ps4. There's quite a few actually that might be on the 4

[Darukain]

@jivah
However, he didn't name any specific titles that are new IPs. "Beyond" looks really intersting but the "Agent" game seems to be a dropped title.
P.S Him commenting on an article about IPs automatically makes it related to them hence making him susceptible to critism on his misinformed answer

[Kevlar009]

I really hope Miyamoto ends his career with a new IP (would be sad to see him ending his days with another Mario/Zelda, despite how good it would be). Nintendo has relied on their 1st party titles for long enough, 3rd party is where Nintendo is going to gain their new flair.

I would urge Nintendo to do more with like what they're doing with Bayonetta 2 and Xenoblade, take franchises that aren't necessarily their own but support them like they are their new franchises (which they very well may be). Be on the lookout for series or games that other publishers may overlook and take them under their wing.

2013 will be a very big year for them, to show us, the gamers of the world they are here to standoff against the guns of MS and Sony. They need to create a portfolio of 2nd and 3rd party games they can show to other 3rd party developers that they can say "It would be a big mistake not to invest in our system". It's their hand, their bet, let's see if it will run the tables

[chadboban]

Xenoblade is their franchise though, Monolithsoft are 100% owned by Nintendo. You can just take at that look here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

"As of May 6, 2007, Nintendo owns controlling interest in the company after Namco Bandai sold 80% of its 96% stake in Monolith Soft to Nintendo. This went into effect May 1, 2007. Later Namco sold the remaining 16%, making Monolith Soft a first-party developer for Nintendo.

[chadboban]

Well once again it only takes all of two seconds to forget anything new Nintendo announced. Apparently once Zelda and Mario get mentioned games nice looking games like The Wonderful 101 and Monolith's new game (we still don't know for sure if it's Xenoblade 2 like everyone says) don't exist.

It's pretty clear from the comments I'm reading that even if Nintendo does try and support new IPs their efforts are ignored as once Zelda or Mario are there people will still continue to say that's all Nintendo does.

There's nothing wrong with not liking Nintendo games or their systems, it's just that a lot of folks say that they want Nintendo to do new things and when they actually do new things, they ignore it then proceed to complain again that they want new things. Something tells me those folks weren't interested in Nintendo stuff in the first place.

[CouldHaveYelledUiiW]

Thank you Chadboban, "Intelligent" Bubble-up.

I thought yesterday never happened or something.

Nintendo announced and many new IPs.

And "Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem" is new like formed Voltron.

[ZeekQuattro]

Well said. Nintendo reveals new IP's and collaborations all the time but many people ignore them and instead continue to complain about Mario and Zelda and how Nintendo lacks vision and innovation. There is nothing Nintendo can do to please people like that.

Nintendo has always focused on family oriented gaming and that hasn't changed since the Famicom aka the Family Computer was first released. So why 30 years later people are still crying about Nintendo's business model is beyond me. If Nintendo sickens some of you that much there are plenty of other choices out there with more on the way. Meanwhile I'm content with Nintendo and Sony and if Sega still made consoles I'd buy theirs too.

Again well said Chadboban.

[AdvanceWarsSgt]

You don't know how right you are about people complaining about Nintendo not even being interested in Nintendo products in the first place.

Here's the kicker: A LOT of the loud, vocal complainers HAVE NEVER even owned nor played a single Nintendo product. Just keep that in mind the next time you hear/see someone spew the same tried-and-true complaints against Nintendo.

[N4GDgAPc]

I think u guys don't understand that we don't mind rehash of new games. Its the lack of new ips. N64, gamecube, and wii was horrible with that. Its a good start showing 3 new games but that doesn't really cut it. This is the first time I can think of where nintendo revealed games like this at once.

Its a good start showing there tring. But they need to continue this in the long run. I think they realize they need to get 3rd party support to win over people to wii u. They can't rely on just 1st party games like they did in the past.

I don't think your going to see the casual market go crazy over this like the wii. If they don't figure out how to win people over, the wii u can fail in sales like the 64 and gamecube did. Lets face it minus the casual market the sales would probly be the same as 64 and gamecube.

[TongkatAli]

Play what you want.

[PopRocks359]

And call people fanboys when they don't appreciate what you like. /s

[DivineAssault]

The yarn!

[Jadedz]

There's always a freakin' critic.

The other day; we were talking about how the Wii U has no games. After the Nintendo direct, it's more of the same now?

Blow it out your ***.

[TruthbeTold]

These announcements 'failed to muster much excitement'? In what alternate Universe is this?

[axisofweevils]

LOL

Article completely ignores New IPs like The Wonderful 101
Says Nintendo doesn't announce New IPs.

Moans about lack of third party games.
Ignores the fact that a Third Party Wii U Nintendo Direct is coming soon and this one concentrated on First Party games only.

[ElectricKaibutsu]

I have a feeling Mr. Tom Mc Shea has an ADD problem. He couldn't concentrate on the Nintendo Direct enough to hear Iwata say it was for first party games, and he couldn't concentrate on the directions in Skyward Sword on how to use the motion controls properly (ie, it doesn't use the sensor bar so stop pointing your remote at the sensor bar like an idiot). I don't follow gamespot so I'm not too familiar with this guy's work besides those two articles, but in both he missed big obvious things and then complained about those very things. Things that aren't subtle, where you have to read between the lines, but information plainly said directly to him. I don't really get this guy.

[wiiulee]

nintendo legacy is to keep being nintendo and thats great enough and invite and court third parties like they've been doing since unveiling wiiu....the problem is haters have simple vision...they dont understand that its innovation that open doors..they just want the same games but with shinier graphics...so if ps4 offers nothing new but a new coat of paint..they are plenty satisfied.

[metroidfusion2]

I like how few people know what they are talking about and a lot of people are stupid and assume this and that and nintendo is not doing or never will do anything lol have you dumbasses played every new nintendo ip I don't think so but keep being stupid and not doing research and looking for the new ips of course they wont be as big as nintys 1st party titles but who knows they can still sell enough and also stop thinking you dumbasses know the future and sit the fuck back and shut the fuck up and keep crying like little babies and your tears are scrumptious or do research and fuckin wait and just like every other time ninty is doomed I'm sure they will be successful ha ha and I will laugh at the stupid ass shits again and again

[skyrimer]

I couldn't agree more with this article.

The thing is that if you have a Nintendo console, you're probably playing new iterations of yet the same games you were already playing in snes, N64 or gamecube.

Sony and MS have created lots of new franchises in the last two generations, some where more successful than others, while many are currently well known AAA efforts. Yet Nintendo seems to be completely trapped in the same franchises from several generations past with rare exceptions.

As it is, it has become increasingly difficult to get any excitement on any Nintendo announcements for anyone but Nintendo's faithful.

Last generation, Nintendo succeeded not due to their gaming efforts, but thanks to motion control novelty, and their last console that relied exclusively on games, the Gamecube, was a failure. With the tablet not attracting sales like motion controlling did, Nintendo must relay in games more than ever, the big question is if this time it will be enough, and it's not looking good right now.

[AdvanceWarsSgt]

Sony I agree with, but what the hell has MS created in the last 6-7 years?

[1upgamer99]

Shiger Miymoto, himself is working on a brand new IP. I don't think a new Zelda or Mario 3D platformer every 3 years or so is a rehash. The next Zelda for Wii U is said to be the biggest, most expensive, detailed Zelda game ever, with more people working on it than any other game in Nintendo's history. Also here is a list of New IPs since 2000. Some have Mario, Wario, etc in the title, but MOST do not. http://www.ign.com/boards/t...
Other systems take their popular franchises and run with them too. Look at Halo for gosh sake.

[mt]

yes they are trapped by their legacy, but they are doing good with those legacy.

[Bronxs15]

"Is Nintendo Trapped By Its Legacy?"

short answer - no.

there was so much wrong with that article, and so many fallacies in this comment section i wouldn't know where to start address them. it's too daunting a task.

the best i can say is: People play the games you enjoy and have fun. if you like nintendo games play them, if you find them stale and boring don't.