The Inane Idiocy of Saying "I've Outgrown Nintendo"

Phil of SuperPhillip Central writes, "One of the most overused and obnoxious sayings I see against Nintendo from their critics is that gamers have "outgrown Nintendo." This is pure lunacy, in my opinion. That's like me saying I've outgrown Disney, despite that company producing and manufacturing content for all ages. What gets me further agitated is some of these same people say they've outgrown Nintendo go on to play what I would consider to be totally immature, albeit very fun and well designed game series like Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty."

[PoSTedUP]

ive outgrown pokemon, and i didnt get the wii because of the hardware and i didnt like the mario games compared to the old ones. i liked nintendo when i could play their exclusives AND other third party exclusives as well as multiplats that Were All Up To Par With The Respected Generation. now nintendo are too far behind for me to consider them atm.

[klecser]

You appear to have outgrown the spelling and grammar instruction you got in school. Therein lays the irony of your post.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Well that wasn't off topic at all.

[UltimateMaster]

Well, there's casual games for all ages and then there's kids games for people under 14.
Nintendo markets to both.

[UltimateMaster]

I do wish there were more Teen/Mature games for the Wii U.

[Twisted-Trotty]

I agree mate, imagine if people had the same attitude when disney pixar bring out a new animated film! Its a fact nintendo release high quality titles that are fun and challenging, they retain their value longer and sell constantly throughout the console lifecycle, And remember everyone this so called kiddie sd wii that has outsold a hd ps3 and hd 360! Nintendo will be fine naysayers.

[Beastforlifenoob]

@Klecser
"You appear to have outgrown the spelling and grammar instruction you got in school. Therein lays the irony of your post."

It's INSTRUCTIONS not instruction.

WOW your spelling sucks/s

That's why judging people for bad spelling on the internet is stupid its not a cv/resume were talking about here and I'm sure you have made plenty bad spelling mistakes on N4G or other websites, so yeah shut it.

[klecser]

No its "instruction", not "instructions". I can see how you would get the two confused. Here, I'll help:

http://www.thefreedictionar...

I meant definitions one or two. You think I meant number four. But, I didn't.

In education, "instruction", is the series of lessons given to help a student understand a topic. So, "spelling and grammar instruction", is the series of lessons given to help someone to know how to do spelling and grammar properly.

EXCELLENT attempt at a "zing!" Yet, you misunderstood the word that I used, so it fell flat. Keep trying to sound like you know what you're talking about! You'll get there!

[klecser]

Not at all. How can you make a convincing argument when you can't even spit out the words properly? The article is about "outgrowing" things, yet this poster can't even comment like the adult he/she claims to be.

[PoSTedUP]

of course you cant be stupid enough to not understand my post, let alone combat my Opinion. im on the vita browser and i dont include any apostrophies bc its a pain in the ass to enter a seperate screen to do so. so i run-on sentence at times. i dont apply nor think about puncuation when i comment on a gaming article. and if anything is misspelled in any of my comments, its because i dont know how to spell every word in the dictionary like everyone else that uses spellcheck (the vita spellcheck is horrible). why not approach me like a mature human being? clearly im not the one acting immture LOL. you have a lot to learn.

clearly my comment has rubbed you the wrong way, or you may be someone ive owned in the past under a different name and are trying your hardest to try n make a fool out of me. either way, this personal attack says a lot about you.

[Hicken]

You'd be surprised how many adults can't spell or use proper grammar.

Does that make them less adult? Holding a 9-5 and taking care of a family and all that goes along with it isn't dependent upon how well you can spell. Taking care of your responsibilities isn't determined by your grammatical prowess.

Which is why, as KwietStorm says, your response was off-topic, at best.

[truechainz]

Pokemon is a bad choice to point out seeing as how there is more intellect necessary to really understand how to properly raise the stats and monitor breeding and trading of pokemon than there is to place most games that came out this generation.I'm willing to bet that you were too busy just picking which pokemon looks the coolest...

http://www.ign.com/articles...

[PoSTedUP]

replying to my comment with your comment on intellect was a bad choice seeing how intellect and what i personally consider myself to have out grown has nothing to do with the learning curve or complexity of the game. it appeals to kids, but adults can enjoy and play it. you dont see a lot of adults, if any, watching mickey mouse or playing micky videogames. 'know why? because outgrowing things like that amongst children to early adults is way more common than people who dont outgrow them. no one is saying its a bad thing or immature. pokemon obv had a lasting effect for some people, but ive personally outgrown the whole pokemon scenario.

[truechainz]

you have proven then by acknowledging the learning curve that you adults can enjoy it and therefore maturity is not a factor. Therefore you haven't outgrown pokemon because you lost taste for the easier attraction points of that game, you just dont care for it which is also fine. Claiming you have outgrown it is like saying you have outgrown statistics based strategy game which you can see why that doesn't make sense. So no need to make it a maturity thing when it is just a matter of taste.

[PoSTedUP]

therefore i Have outgrown pokemon Because i lost taste to the easier attraction points to the game... "easier attraction points" are the kiddy-like scenario.

almost anything has a learning curve, that doesnt make something mature or not mature. pokemon is directed towards kids, and mostly kids buy it, and most people outgrow it at a certain age. you dont even have to look at the statistics to put it together in your head.

i like that style of gameplay, just not the whole pokemon thing bc for some reason, like most others, i only liked it when i was a kid.

i didnt say anything about maturity. saying youve outgrown something doesnt describe a level of maturity. i think its the selfconscious mind of a pokemon fan that would think that. it being a thing more for kids doesnt mean its immature, and i said its not immature, but it doesnt mean i cannot outgrow it. by thoes standards you can only outgrow physical things pertaining to size, when in fact, that is not the only way the term can be used. your arguement can be said about everything that Can be outgrown (i.e. childrens cartoons, dora, mickey; pointing out some mature concepts etc.) by societys standards, and it says that the word "outgrown" cant be used when talking about a subject or matter and only pertain to maturity, by Your way of looking at it, which is incorrect, because that isnt the only way to use the word. it is an opinion and point of view as to what one has or has not outgrown.

now excuse me while i go watch some power puff girls while eating cheerios with a bib becuse that is Something that i have Not outgrown, whether it is mature or not, i could have or could not have outgrown it, and im not going to argue the Fact that i Havent Outgrown it because that is the correct term to use when talking about something i Personally liked as a kid and still like to do. you see?

[miyamoto]

another damage control flame bait article to outgrow

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

play nice kids

[hellzsupernova]

I've outgrown Nintendo. They don't make the kind of games I want to play.

[RTheRebel]

From the guy who plays Little Big Planet, Oh Jesus help me.

[Phil32]

I don't think he bothered to read the article anyway, as I went over what he just said.

[hellzsupernova]

I played little big planet but never got into it. I'm not saying Nintendo makes bad games just saying they don't make the games I want to play.

Yeah Pokemon was awesome when I was literally 12, I have moved on don't want to do that anymore I want a more mature experience.

At least I do not personally attack you for your opinion.

[PopRocks359]

So... wait, you've outgrown quality games?

[hellzsupernova]

I never said they make bad games, don't read into it like that

[_QQ_]

i guess he out grew this http://images4.wikia.nocook...

and this
http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn...

and this
http://bipolarpainter.files...

those oh so kiddy games

[truechainz]

There is a level of depth in Nintendo games that is exhibited by speedrunners, collectors, and especially the competitive gaming sectors of nintendo games. Most likely you just never made it past the first layer that makes Nintendo games accessible to everyone which is understandable. Therefore it would be more accurate to eliminate the first part of your statement and just leave the last one (which is just fine)

[Shnazzyone]

I've found most people who have "outgrown" nintendo games are typically between 11 and 19. This is not outgrowing nintendo. It's a feeling of inadequacy with your own maturity. At that age range you wanna do anything to make you seem more adult. this means no longer playing games for the fun of it.

It means, "My games can't be colorful, they must include guns and they must include over the top gore. Because that's what adults play, right?"

Meanwhile I am 30, all my 30 year old friends play nintendo games and love them. Once you get past the hump of not being sure you're mature or not and just play good games, regardless of who makes them. You'll realize you weren't ignoring nintendo games because you outgrew them, you ignored nintendo games because you were afraid someone would judge you immature for playing them. It's a symptom of puberty and has a presence that's more than evident on n4g.

[hellzsupernova]

I'm well past 17

I had the original gameboy, it was great. Nintendo had nothing for me now.

[Chrischi1988]

So you simply dont like their games. ok, but whats up with this outgrown?

[hellzsupernova]

I use to enjoy Nintendo as a child as time passed I grew older my tastes went from pokemon to uncharted and the last of us and heavy rain and metal gear solid that's what I mean

[Shnazzyone]

Gameboy + pokemon as earliest gaming memory... roughly born in 1994. He's probably about 20 and hasn't quite figured himself out yet. My theory stands.

Also that comment perfectly illustrates the mindset too. note: "I grew older" then lists off violent movieesque games that are M rated. I should write a paper on this.

"Phenomena of adolescents gravitating to M rated games explained"

[chrissx]

I still enjoy mario games till this day. Looking forward to zelda wiiu and metroid too.love ninty

[klecser]

I've outgrown Microsoft and Sony. I'm sorry, but blood, gore, shooting guns and over-sexualized mysogynistic pseudo-women no longer appeal to me as a working male. I don't like sports games or car racing games. What's left?

People are quick to knock Nintendo and act like Sony and Microsoft are the "adult" systems. But all I see are games that appeal to 17 year olds. If you're 17, great. If you're older, don't act like Xbox and PS offer more "mature" content than Nintendo. Its completely immature.

That'll ruffle a few feathers here, but gamers have never been interested in looking at their hobbies honestly.

[FanMan]

Oh please, you act like Sony and Microsoft do not cater to young ages at all. Last time I checked, there has been a good amount of games aimed at younger generations that are exclusive to both Microsoft or Sony. That's why I prefer them over Nintendo. I get a good range of games that I cant from Nintendo. Nintendo generally sticks to what it has done best and what it does best is colorful, kid friendly platformers.

[Phil32]

There are great alternatives from Sony and Microsoft to Nintendo. It's just Nintendo has more IPs that are for everyone-- not just what you say "colorful, kid friendly platformers" either. They also have plenty of other series they do, such as Fire Emblem, Kid Icarus, Smash Bros., Pikmin, etc.

[No9]

Fanman, you're just as bad acting like Nintendo don't do other things besides 'platformers'.
Did you read the article?

[FanMan]

@ no9
I did in fact read the article. I realize that Nintendo has more than platformers. However, Sony and Microsoft offer more than shooters even though some Nintendo fans claim that that this is not the case. Each side is greatly over exaggerated. I just personally believe that Sony has the most diverse exclusives.

[No9]

I'm with you on Sony being more diverse, but this isn't the point to this article, to totally over-look Nintendo and use the word 'outgrown' is the issue the author has.
I'm for owning all 3 systems, or at least a combo of Nintendo and either PS or XB.

[FanMan]

@No9
I know it's not the point of the article. My response was to klecser and his statement that Sony and Microsoft are nothing more than shooting, gore and sex.

And I agree that owning a Nintendo console and at least an Xbox or PS will pretty much cover all genres quite well.

[Hicken]

So your comment is an intentionally gross, inaccurate generalization, and have the nerve to question someone else's maturity?

What's the difference between what you're doing, and others generalizing everything Nintendo as "kiddie" and "childish?"

You're not likely to find emotionally engaging titles like Journey on a Nintendo console. It's not just about the blood and gore, the guns and women; it's also about the stories and characters. And, frankly, you're just not as likely to get those that have more mature themes- actually mature THEMES, not content- on Nintendo hardware, especially from Nintendo developers.

But there's nothing wrong with that.

Nintendo's focus is very family-friendly overall. I don't have a problem with that. But I don't expect to run into a character like Kaim very often. There's a TWEWY every now and then, but those are few and far between.

That doesn't mean I don't enjoy what Nintendo has to offer, but what Nintendo has to offer doesn't cater to me as much as what I get elsewhere. I don't NOT enjoy their games, but I don't get the same enjoyment out of them that I used to when I was younger.

In other words: I've outgrown them.

It happens. Get over it.

That you would complain about others and then do the same is both immature and hypocritical.

[PopRocks359]

"So your comment is an intentionally gross, inaccurate generalization, and have the nerve to question someone else's maturity?"

While I don't agree with his use of "Microsoft and Sony," being able to look at ultra popular M rated dudebro games like Gears of War, Bulletstorm and Call of Duty and saying "I've outgrown this" is completely appropriate.

"What's the difference between what you're doing, and others generalizing everything Nintendo as "kiddie" and "childish?"

You know it's funny how you will criticize one side but not the other.

"You're not likely to find emotionally engaging titles like Journey on a Nintendo console."

Except for Eternal Darkness, Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story. Those all have deep, emotional stories and they are all Nintendo exclusive.

"It happens. Get over it."

Given what your entire reply was about, don't you think this applies to you and this little rant of yours as well?

[Hicken]

... that was kinda my whole point: that he was being hypocritical.

I don't mind people's personal preferences for one manufacturer or another. But it's extremely hypocritical to generalize MS and Sony's libraries as immature and something you can grow out of, but people can't do the same for Nintendo's franchises?

I'm not saying do either one. I'm saying it's hypocritical to call one side out and at the same time do the same damn thing.

[Twisted-Trotty]

Very true, sometimes i feel we have forgotten what gaming is about(fun). Its sometimes interesting to see how realistic a game can be but for a adult who drives on a daily basis, a realistic racer loses its appeal. Nintendo make fictionous titles that take us away from reality that are fun. Gta 5 is a good game but sometimes i feel its probaly more fun for an immature audience who arent actually old enough to play it, the gore and swearing having a large appeal to them. As we get older and mature we play games as an escape from reality, its not always fun to play realistic games.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Idiocy? Lunacy? This is not how you get your point across, and it doesn't make your own preferences any more "legit." Yes, Nintendo games are not a genre, but that doesn't mean I'm obligated to like what they produce either. I grew up in the "true golden age" too, whatever that means, but Nintendo just doesn't appeal to me now in the same way they did when I was a kid, and there is nothing wrong with that. There is a difference between someone who trolls any Nintendo article on the net vs someone who just doesn't game on Nintendo consoles. I have no problem with Nintendo gamers, as you shouldn't have a problem with _______ gamers. I love Metal Gear Solid 4. But to say it felt more like a movie, is to say the entire series feels like a movie. That's the game it is, and it's good that we have the variety of other games to distinguish themselves apart. To that point, there is a great selection of games that do not "try to mimic Hollywood," in the digital front, with many great throwbacks in the indie scene. So yes, I've outgrown Nintendo, quite a while ago, and there is no lunacy involved. They just do not offer what I want that I cannot get elsewhere, certainly not enough to actually buy a whole console. That doesn't mean I have to justify the consoles I do purchase, and it certainly doesn't mean I have any less respect for Nintendo fans as gamers themselves.

[PopRocks359]

I don't agree with much of the comment, but this is the part I appreciate.

"That doesn't mean I have to justify the consoles I do purchase, and it certainly doesn't mean I have any less respect for Nintendo fans as gamers themselves."

In a community running rampant with people insulting each other over the trivial matter of liking different things, it's nice to see SOMEONE come to one of these articles with something subjective but respectful. So you know what? I respectfully disagree; I don't agree with the concept of outgrowing a company's content, but if that's your opinion then to each his own.

[Phil32]

Hi there. No, I did not mean you were obligated to like Nintendo or their games, or it's lunacy that a given person doesn't like Nintendo games. I thought I made that clear. It IS lunacy, however, to say you've outgrown an entire company's entire output of games when it is so vast and varied.

Sorry if there was any confusion.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Yes it was clear. And it should be clear that I said it is not lunacy. That is completely the wrong word to use, and it wildly exaggerates something as simple as personal preference to go so far as to call it lunacy.

[No9]

I keep hearing Nintendo don't offer what I want, what is it you do want?

Also, the 'Golden Age of video games' means, the era where more risks were taken and a lot of major franchises were established, created by an industry that was less corporate in thinking. Kind of like the teenage years of a persons life. I'm guessing you're much younger than that of the author.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

I'm 31 years old, and my first gaming console was Intellivision. I've firsthand experienced the changes in the industry from generation to generation.

[No9]

Born in '82 and your first system was Intellivision? What year did you get this system? I think you need to be around 40 to have witnessed each generation.

[fonger08]

Welcome to COD bro-gamer generation, where any 14 yr old with a ps3 or 360 controller in their hands feels like a "mature" gamer...

[Ratty]

I've outgrown flamebait articles.

[Jagsrock]

It's whatever, if people feel like they are too old for nintendo or if their tastes have changed that good for them. Personally I've found that if you take a group of college kids and bust out 3 different consoles, the Nintendo system typically ends up getting played the most. The fun factor of nintendo's games is undeniable and you'll find most of their games stand the test of time better than most. But everyone has their own tastes and reasons for playing what they play, if nintendo games don't tickle their fancy anymore then there is really nothing more to say. I'm sure some people feel they have "out grown" or at least gotten tired of FPS's like COD. It's really just a matter of changing taste and typically the same could be said for many things Bands,Tv shows, Movies etc.

[andrewer]

I'M 18 AND I PLAY ANIMAL CROSSING!

Age means shat, I still play Nintendo games as they are awesome, as well as other games like Assassin's Creed, Batman: Arkham series, Minecraft, BF3, whatever. They are all games and I gotta catch'em all.

[LOL_WUT]

What Nintendo needs is something to combat their friendly image and I don't necessarily mean a FPS but more of a big open world adventure game or something along those lines. One good example would be to use the 'non specific action figure' in a game but make it dark, gritty and bloody. And can we please drop this whole cartoony look its gets very tiresome.

As for this article I just feel like Nintendo's best days are long gone so I can understand why a lot of people have outgrown it. ;)

[live2play]

That...is the...stupidest Thing I have ever read.

they need to get away from their "friendly" image?

u want the non specific action figure in a dark gritty bloody game...!? I hope you're trolling, I do.

the non specific action figure would be better suited on a wonderful 101, veautiful Joe type of game that's not serious dark nor gritty

and what does getting rid of their friendly image even mean? Do u want them to start being jerks, charging for season passes, locking context on the disc and make u pay 15 dollars to get it, over charge in micro transactions...?

I think you meant kid friendly image, in that case if you're gonna troll. Try a little better

[lilbroRx]

He's always trolling when it comes to Nintendo. I think the only positive article about Nintendo I've never seen him troll was the one where SEGA said Nintendo consoles were the best for Sonic games.

There was nothing there he could spin.

[Misaka_x_Touma]

then play Xenoblade and it upcoming successor
Zelda console games are most open world
Metroid games are big

[live2play]

25 years old
beautiful wife
adorable baby girl

will be playing super Mario 3d world day one with the wifey
if I haven't outgrown them yet I never will

[CanadianTurtle]

Maybe people are fed up with the fact that they can't keep up in terms of hardware? And people want to experience games that are using the latest cutting edge tech? Herp Derp

[Phil32]

If you read the article instead of coming up with a kneejerk response, you would have read this part:

"Another reason as to why some folks say they've outgrown Nintendo has nothing to do with their games and more to do with company's policies. In a generation where $400 and $500 systems will be the norm with their beastly power, the Wii U, in comparison, has all the power of a kitty cat. These critics who have "aged out of Nintendo" have possibly grown weary of the company utilizing underpowered consoles when compared to the competition. In this regard, they've outgrown Nintendo due to their weak hardware, which is one position I can actually understand."

I singled it out, so you wouldn't have an excuse not to read it.

Not to be rude, but maybe if you actually read what you were responding to instead of typing up a response for someone you clearly weren't ready to respond to, you wouldn't have someone like me make you look silly...

(Herp Derp)

[AKR]

Specs have never made a system. The games have always been the heart and core of console-gaming, as that's what it's all about (or at least should be, going by today's terms).

But if specs did make a system, the why have for the last 5 full generations, the weakest consoles have won?

NES > Master System
SNES > Neo Geo
PSX > N64
PS2 > XBOX
Wii > PS3
DS > PSP

If you insist that the most important thing is the tech, then you (and any other graphics-junkie) should be flying to PC-gaming, as that's where all the "latest, bleeding edge tech" is.

Software sells hardware. Not tech. That works for PCs, not consoles.

[thebudgetgamer]

I'm with you on everything except

NES > Master System

Boo that.
:)

[AKR]

@thebudgetgamer

The SEGA Master System was a faster machine than the NES, so technically, it was a few notches more powerful.

[will313]

Exclusives....thats it. With the exception of wii exclusives have won console wars. The wii with a combination of price point and gimmicks. Sony and MS proved that when they copied tje gimmick.

[Xof]

I outgrew Nintendo around 10 or 12 years ago. By which I mean the Gamecube came out, and Nintendo stopped offering the kinds of games I was interested in on their platforms.

Then the NDS came, and a few years later, wouldn't you know it, I outgrew outgrowing Nintendo.

[Misaka_x_Touma]

i bet you never knew what IP they owned

[Xof]

??? What are you even talking about?

[imXify]

I like Zelda, Super Smash and that's it.

Mario this and Mario that just cut it out ! Spend the money on something better like F-Zero, Star Fox or even new IPs.

[PopRocks359]

Maybe if you and everyone else who has made that complaint actually supported those games, Nintendo would be inclined to make more of them. No company would knowingly avoid any of its franchises if they are consciously aware there is money to be made off of them.

[millzy102]

They have been, wonderful 101 is a new Nintendo ip and guess what hardly anyone is buying it so this Nintendo needs New ips is BS and yes I know platinum makes it but they also make bayonetta which is a Sega ip, they also have x coming out which is a new ip (even if it is a sequal to xenoblade its still relatively new, and even though f zero and starfox are really good games there not massive sellers, there the kind of game that Nintendo needs to make once they have established a user base and nothing does that like Mario (looks at 3ds).

[Misaka_x_Touma]

Bayonetta not owned by Sega. The first game is but not IP. PG owns it. Seeks publishers to published it for them.

[millzy102]

The ip is owned by Sega I've actually looked it up. its joint owned by platimun and Seg(Sega has more control) like wonderful 101 is joint owned by Nintendo and platinum. Nintendo had to get permission of Sega to make bayonetta 2 and Segas logo is on bayonetta 2 promotional material.

[thomasmiller]

I totally agree with this article, when I worked at circuit city, adults in their 20's came in and bought zelda, metroid and mario and donkey kong, for the wii, and Parents would come and buy Garnd theft auto 4, call of duty and mortal kombat for the 360 and ps3 for their 13 and 15 year old kids, yeah out grown nintendo, only the stupid trolls on this sight think like that, an M rating does not make a game Mature!!!

[morpha]

It's fine to outgrow Nintendo's own style of game. Just as its okay to only watch action movies or listen to rap. Nothing wrong with that.

I myself find that I'm bored with Pokemon and Mario, though still thoroughly enjoying Metroid, Fire Emblem and (some) Zelda's. I enjoy the other games that are on the wii/U/ 3/DS. Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, Pandora's Tower were all amazing titles. I am really looking forward to Bravely Default.