Nintendo Games That could Save the Wii U

Nintendo Lowers Sales Expectations. Is There a Solution?

Last Friday, Nintendo announced a drop in expected Wii U sales from 9 million to a meager 2.8 million, representing an almost 70% drop. Even before this announcement, however, journalists and fans alike have been debating on how Nintendo can turn their current console around. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Nintendo fans were treated to a number of quality games, both for the casual and hardcore fan. It could be argued that this changed after the released of the N64.

While the Gamecube boasted a number of strong first party titles, it never received the same success as the N64. Some who called the Gamecube a failure may have been surprised to see the demand for Nintendo’s next console, the Wii. However, the Wii’s success hinged on a unique control system that lent itself well to a number of casual games, but ultimately resulted in a few high quality titles buried in mounds of mediocre games. The Wii’s successor, the Wii U, has suffered from brand issues, and the new game pad peripheral has not attracted the same mass appeal that the Wiimote and Nunchuck had. So what exactly could turn Nintendo’s latest console around? I would argue it is a return to popular pre-Wii nintendo titles and ideas.

A franchise that Nintendo has done well with is Mario Kart. Each game, whether on console or hand held, has provided the same quality game play that was introduced in Super Mario Kart. Like always, you race through a number of themed race tracks collecting weapons and power-ups that can be used to propel yourself to victory. Mario Kart has evolved over time, but has held onto the core game play that makes it a Nintendo console staple. Mario Kart 8, expected to launch sometime this year, should help put Wii U’s in the home instead of stuck on store shelves. This is an example of Nintendo sticking with what has worked, and not making too many fundamental changes.

A game that many hoped would receive a sequel was Donkey Kong 64. Although the rights to the game for a HD remake have been debated (can Nintendo republish a game developed by Rare, a Microsoft company?), it is surprising that Nintendo has not attempted to create another 3D, open environment game. Nintendo instead chose to return to the game play that made the Donkey Kong Country series a hit on the Super Nintendo and the Gameboy. Nintendo deserves a fair amount of credit here: Donkey Kong on the Wii and 3DS have been successful, and this success will more then likely carry over to Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze in February. The games have been well developed, and are incredibly satisfying. However, one can only hope a return to DK64 will make its way to the Wii U in the coming years. Perhaps a game based on a N64 fan favorite could move systems for Nintendo.

The Mario Party series has hit the shelves a total of nine times on console. Mario Party 1 and 2 on the N64 were wonderful games, making the N64 accessible to a wider audience. Unlike Super Mario 64, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Zelda: Majoras Mask, games like Mario Party and Mario Kart gave casual gamers hours of enjoyment. However, in my humble opinion, the franchise has slowly deteriorated, straying away from the old system of purchasing stars and trekking around a looping board to a more linear and less enjoyable experience. In fact, in Mario Party 9, players traveled around the board together, rather than individually. A return to the early Mario Party system would do wonders for the Wii U.

This article has been about nostalgia. Nintendo can sell systems to 20 and 30 year old gamers who grew up with Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, and Nintendo Gamecube. There is that nostalgic itch that needs to be catered to. Many are still waiting for even a hint at HD remakes of popular Gamecube titles, or even the inclusion of Gamecube games on the virtual console. Going back to what has worked for Nintendo in the past may help push more Wii U’s out the door. As the virtual console has demonstrated, there is a huge demand for old Nintendo games in the present day.