Sure, they could have made an all new title for the Switch, but this is a series where the biggest change over the course of thirteen years was when they added multiplayer. It will probably be a very steady seller that will rank very high on the list of highest selling games on the system when the successor comes. It didn't drive people out in droves to buy a system on its own during the original release, but now that the Switch is a big hit that's still going, those people that bought it for something else (Smash, Zelda, Mario O, indie games, etc.) will gradually pick it up.
This series has sold wonders on systems that had the one thing that the Wii U didn't, a large install base. Good for those who are getting the chance to play these gems for the first time, but I do feel a little abandoned, as a loyal Nintendo supporter.Īside from MK8D, and technically BOTW, this was the most no brainer decision for a port. I know Nintendo doesn't "owe" anybody anything for loyalty, but it would be nice to get to see proper sequels for our beloved franchises each generation, regardless of how a generation's system performs. That was a concern of mine, with Nintendo integrating console & handheld with the Switch. I am relieved to see 2D Zelda live on, with the Link's Awakening remake.
I don't know if we'll see a proper 3D Zelda until Switch's successor, or not (I consider BotW a Wii U game), with the development time they take. However, I don't see a proper 2D Mario followup coming until next generation, with NSMBU Deluxe & Super Mario Maker 2 out here in the Switch's 3rd year. Since MK8 Deluxe came out so early in the Switch's life, I guess there's a chance of seeing MK9 this generation. While it's getting great numbers from enhanced Wii U ports, what reason does it have to possibly cannibalize sales by putting out proper sequels anytime soon? So, it kind of feels like those who skipped Wii U are being allowed the chance to catch up, while those of us who remained loyal to Nintendo might be punished for Wii U's lack of success, by missing out on proper sequels for this generation. MK8 Deluxe and NSMBU Deluxe (for example) are selling like proverbial hotcakes. However, since Nintendo didn't get the sales for Mario Kart 8 and NSMBU that it may've wanted due to Wii U's failures, now it's trying to get those sales from the Switch generation. We should be looking forward to Mario Kart 9 and New Super Mario Bros. Here's my problem with the Wii U ports, as someone who bought the Wii U, and buys every new generation of Nintendo console or handheld: Those of us who did support Nintendo during the Wii U days may pay for the console's lack of success, by not seeing proper sequels to some games until the Switch's successor.Ī lot of Nintendo's franchises see one entry per generation, like Mario Kart.