March 17th 2024.
Will F-Zero be compatible with the new Switch 2? A reader recently shared ideas on how Nintendo can revive some of their lesser-known franchises, such as Star Fox and Chibi-Robo! After reading the Reader's Feature, which discussed the games Nintendo should prioritize in the early stages of the Switch 2's launch, I found myself in agreement with most of the suggestions. However, I am uncertain if all of them will actually come to fruition.
This got me thinking about how Nintendo will handle their other franchises on the new console, especially considering the success they've had in rejuvenating their biggest titles like Zelda and Kirby. But what about those other franchises that seem to be fading into obscurity, with Nintendo unsure of what to do with them? While I'm sure they have their own plans, I couldn't resist coming up with some ideas of my own.
I purposely left out some obvious choices like Pokémon, Wario Land, and Paper Mario, and instead focused on the more challenging ones to revive.
Chibi-Robo! is a perfect example of a franchise that has been largely forgotten, despite having five entries. The main issue, in my opinion, is that it never had a clear concept. A tiny robot obsessed with cleaning? It's not exactly the most exciting premise. My suggestion would be to transform it into a fast-paced Metroidvania-style game, similar to Ōkami, where the player's goal is to clean up the world. Adding gameplay elements from PowerWash Simulator could give the game a unique twist and a stronger premise.
Donkey Kong is another franchise that has been around for decades but has yet to receive a new game worthy of its legacy. However, rumors suggest that it may be one of the first games for the Switch 2, similar to how Super Mario was a launch title for the original Switch. If this is true, I can't wait to see what Nintendo has in store. Perhaps they could take inspiration from the remake of Mario Vs. Donkey Kong and create a game where players control both Mario and Donkey Kong. Imagine building your own skyscrapers and scaffolding, and competing against each other to reach the top of the level. The potential for a competitive Super Mario game is endless.
Star Fox has been struggling since its N64 days, and I believe this is due to Nintendo's insistence on overcomplicating things. Instead, they should take a page from the popular Rogue Squadron games and stick with the original formula of a space shooter, but with the beloved Star Fox characters. To add more replayability, I would suggest incorporating a roguelike element to the game, similar to the first two games. This would give players a new experience each time they play, and keep the game from becoming too repetitive.
F-Zero is another franchise that has been dormant for too long. There are two approaches that Nintendo could take with this one. The first is to make it a serious racing simulation game, setting it apart from Mario Kart with a more mature tone and complex gameplay. With Sony's WipEout series seemingly out of the picture, this would be the perfect opportunity for F-Zero to shine. Alternatively, they could lean into the idea of Captain Falcon being a bounty hunter and create an open-world game where players race while also completing missions to catch criminals. This would add a new layer to the franchise and give players a deeper understanding of Captain Falcon's character.
Advance Wars is a personal favorite of mine, and I was disappointed by the reception of the recent remake. However, I believe the potential for a successful game is still there. Instead of trying to turn it into a real-time strategy game, which didn't work out well, Nintendo could take inspiration from games like Unicorn Overlord and create a hybrid game that combines grand strategy with traditional battles. A more complex story and 3D graphics could attract both old and new fans to the franchise.
Inbox letters and Reader's Features do not necessarily reflect the views of GameCentral or Metro. If you have any ideas or suggestions, you can submit your own 500 to 600-word feature through our Submit Stuff page. We'd love to hear from you!
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