Nintendo Franchises That Are Unlikely To Make A Comeback

Key Takeaways

Duck Hunt is a nostalgic classic, but may not have much of an audience nowadays.
The Mysterious Murasame Castle struggles with obscurity.
Punch-Out!! has been overshadowed by ARMS, leaving fans wondering about its future.

As a long-time gamer who’s seen it all, from Atari to Xbox One, I can tell you that these Nintendo franchises hold a special place in my heart. Each one, in its own unique way, has left an indelible mark on the gaming world and, more importantly, on me as a player.

Without a doubt, Nintendo is one of the most recognized and impactful video game companies globally. This isn’t surprising given that many of its franchises are some of the most iconic in the gaming industry. However, not every franchise can achieve the same level of fame and success as Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, or Fire Emblem.

As a dedicated Nintendo enthusiast, I’ve come across numerous cherished series that, despite their exceptional quality, have largely evaded recognition by the gaming community and the company itself. Although it’s natural for some fan-favorites like Star Fox or F-Zero to resurface eventually, there are other franchises that might not get a second chance.

1 Duck Hunt

An Iconic Game From Another Time

Nintendo Franchises That Are Unlikely To Make A Comeback

Platform(s): NES
Released: April 21, 1984
Developer(s): Nintendo
Genre(s): Light Gun Shooter

The classic game “Duck Hunt” is renowned for its enduring popularity and affection among gamers. This fame stems from its initial release in a pack with the original “Super Mario Bros” in North America. Its gameplay mechanics, though straightforward, were highly effective, particularly when used with the NES Zapper. Additionally, the character known as the “Duck Hunt Dog” has become an iconic figure in video games, achieving such recognition that it was included as a playable character in the “Super Smash Bros” series, alongside one of the ducks.

It’s clear that the retro game Duck Hunt provided entertainment back then, but it might not appeal to today’s gamers, especially Nintendo enthusiasts. The style of gimmicky shooting games like this one has largely disappeared, and the topic of hunting is now much more debated. It seems more fitting for Duck Hunt to appear as cameos in future titles rather than being a standalone game.

2 The Mysterious Murasame Castle

A High-Octane Action About A Samurai

Platform(s): Family Computer Disk System
Released: April 14, 1986
Developer(s): Nintendo R&D4
Genre(s): Action, Adventure

First introduced in 1986, “The Mysterious Murasame Castle” is a Famicom action-adventure game that shares similarities with the initial “Legend of Zelda,” but it emphasizes combat, power-ups, and bosses more. Regrettably, this excellent game was only released in Japan initially, yet fans worldwide were able to enjoy Takamaru’s thrilling journey due to later re-releases on the 3DS and Switch platforms.

Although only one version of the game, “The Mysterious Murasame Castle,” has been released multiple times, it has created an enduring legacy and garnered a devoted fanbase who eagerly await Takamaru’s return in a fresh, updated adventure. Regrettably, the series’ limited popularity and its original release being exclusive to Japan pose significant challenges for a successful revival. Perhaps one day, Suda51 will be able to bring his vision of remaking the classic game to life.

3 Punch-Out!!

A Nintendo Staple That Is Currently Overshadowed By ARMS

Back in the day, Punch-Out!! held a significant position for Nintendo. The initial arcade version from 1984 was groundbreaking and left a lasting impression, especially with the exceptionally challenging NES game starring Mike Tyson. Over time, Nintendo continued to produce various sequels, including the fantastic Punch-Out!! game developed by Next Level Games for the Wii.

Regrettably, it’s been quite some time since Little Mac had his own game, leaving many fans curious about his absence. This uncertainty is heightened given Nintendo’s ongoing collaboration with Next Level Games. Some theories propose that the company might be more inclined to develop ARMS, a recently introduced fighting game series featuring comparable visuals and controls. The possibility exists that having both franchises active simultaneously could seem redundant due to these striking similarities.

4 Custom Robo

An Obscure Franchise With A Lot Of Potential

Platform(s): Nintendo GameCube
Released: May 10, 2004
Developer(s): Noise
Genre(s): Action, RPG

Custom Robo, though less known among Nintendo’s lineup, stands out as one of their most imaginative franchises. Initially only available in Japan, the series didn’t gain widespread recognition until the release of Custom Robo: Battle Revolution on the GameCube in North America. This game won over fans with its engaging action, extensive customization options, rewarding gameplay mechanics, and polished visuals.

This unique Nintendo franchise hasn’t found a peer since its heyday, yet it seems to have been neglected post-2006 with the launch of Custom Robo Arena. Although there isn’t an official explanation for the series’ halt, fans presume that the tepid response and unsatisfactory sales of Arena significantly influenced Nintendo’s decision. Moreover, the developer Noise now concentrates on developing mobile games for different companies instead.

5 Eternal Darkness

One Of The Best Horror Games That Never Got A Sequel

There’s no denying that Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem is one of the greatest horror games ever made, mostly thanks to its innovative Sanity Effects that would often try to both trick and disturb the player. However, its dark atmosphere and engaging story should also never be underestimated. Nintendo doesn’t usually make violent, M-rated video games like this one, but Eternal Darkness was so well-received that fans have been begging for a sequel for a long time.

It’s regrettable to say that a continuation or remake of the franchise seems highly unlikely. This is because Nintendo stopped working with Silicon Knights, their former collaborator, many years ago. To make matters worse, Silicon Knights shut down in 2014 due to various controversial reasons. Interestingly, Nintendo retains the rights to the franchise and has consistently renewed them, but they don’t appear eager to create a sequel or remake.

6 Nintendogs

A Cute Pet Simulation Game With Many Competitors Now

Nintendogs proved to be one of the most popular games for the Nintendo DS, as its engaging pet simulation format sparked interest in many people to purchase the handheld console. It offered a unique blend of fun, education, and social interaction, making players feel like they were caring for their own virtual dog. This game, which was so impactful, was ingeniously developed by Shigeru Miyamoto, a renowned figure in the gaming industry.

Initially, the initial game was incredibly successful, both critically and financially, leading to a sequel called Nintendogs + Cats for the 3DS. Regrettably, since then, no further installments have been released, as the franchise has essentially been put on hold for some time. This is because, while Nintendogs and the DS were quite pioneering back in their day, there are now countless similar games available to play on smartphones without charge. Consequently, it’s probably safe to assume that Nintendo believes there’s no point in spending resources on creating a new version since the market is already saturated with alternatives.

7 Chibi-Robo!

A Fascinating Franchise, Doomed By Questionable Decisions

The 2005 game titled Chibi-Robo!, while not as widely recognized among GameCube games, has a dedicated fanbase who can vouch for its charm. It offered an enjoyable, unique journey confined within a house, and the endearing protagonist quickly won over players’ hearts.

Despite the charm and appeal of the Chibi-Robo series, it’s unfortunate that this franchise hasn’t been able to gain traction within the gaming industry. Following its initial success, subsequent games were often marred by controversial business decisions such as being exclusive to certain retailers or only releasing in Japan. The final blow for the franchise was Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash, a game that received poor reviews and sales, causing Nintendo to lose interest in creating more sequels. However, there’s hope on the horizon as the spirit of Chibi-Robo lives on in koROBO, an upcoming video game being developed by ex-members of Skip Ltd.

8 Earthbound / Mother

A Unique Piece Of Art That Can’t Be Replicated

Shigesato Itoi is a renowned Japanese writer and actor, who teamed up with Nintendo to develop the Earthbound series (known as Mother in Japan). These offbeat role-playing games featuring psychic children are not only imaginative but also deeply emotional, earning them a reputation for being some of the most creative and artistic titles within the gaming industry.

Although Earthbound has been widely acclaimed and enjoyed by many, no new installments have emerged since Mother 3 in 2006. This is primarily due to Shigesato Itoi’s disinterest in creating more games within this series, as he partially owns the rights. While Itoi was never officially employed by Nintendo, he is a renowned collaborator with the company. Consequently, if Itoi chooses not to develop additional Earthbound titles, Nintendo has limited options. However, this is acceptable because these games wouldn’t carry the same unique charm without his creative input.

2024-09-01 10:34