Nintendo Can Imitate Astro Bot’s Success With One of its Own Characters

Nintendo Can Imitate Astro Bot's Success With One of its Own Characters

As a lifelong Nintendo enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of gaming from the days of the humble NES, I can’t help but feel that it’s high time for R.O.B. to step into the spotlight. The little robot that could was instrumental in Nintendo’s rise from the ashes of the video game crash, and yet, he’s been relegated to cameos and supporting roles ever since.


I’ve been absolutely thrilled by PlayStation’s latest gem, Astro Bot, during its debut week! Drawing heavily on the classic platforming style of Nintendo, Astro Bot manages to be both smartly innovative and heartwarmingly endearing as a game. At the same time, it serves as an exceptional homage to the esteemed history and legacy of the PlayStation console. It’s one of Sony’s most creative and adorable titles in years, and Team Asobi should be truly proud of their remarkable work on this project.

Given the title’s strong resemblance to platformer classics like Super Mario, it’s logical that Nintendo would be closely monitoring its performance. This game, which effectively employs many of Nintendo’s development strategies, has undeniably set a high standard for contemporary platformers. With such potential, Nintendo could benefit greatly from this success, but they might want to consider using an established character to maximize their advantage.

Nintendo Should Give R.O.B. His Own Chance In A Game

R.O.B. Is Secretly Important To Nintendo

Nintendo might leverage the popularity of Astro Bot by creating a game featuring the iconic Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.) character. Despite often being overlooked, R.O.B. was integral to Nintendo’s past and significantly contributed to the company’s success with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). In an era when the gaming industry was in decline and games were perceived as a temporary trend, Nintendo marketed the R.O.B. accessory alongside the NES to present the console as a toy-like device.

In a roundabout way, R.O.B., though somewhat cumbersome and limited in its compatibility with games on the NES, served its purpose brilliantly when it was used as a stealthy Trojan horse. This device played a pivotal role in rejuvenating the gaming market and laying the groundwork for the Nintendo brand we recognize today. Despite R.O.B.’s obscurity in modern times, it remains an essential piece of Nintendo’s rich history.

R.O.B. Has Only Appeared In A Few Nintendo Games

Regardless of R.O.B.’s significant role in Nintendo’s past, it hasn’t left a large mark in contemporary games. Generally speaking, its appearances have been limited to minor roles scattered throughout Nintendo’s collection. Although R.O.B. has had some playable roles, these have been confined mainly to the game Mario Kart DS, and the latest iterations of the Super Smash Bros. series.

It’s worth mentioning that R.O.B., remarkably, played a significant part in the story mode of “Super Smash Bros. Brawl”, specifically in “The Subspace Emissary”. In this narrative, a group of R.O.B. units appear to aid what initially seems like the game’s primary villain, the Ancient Minister. Since Nintendo has previously incorporated R.O.B. into a game’s main storyline, it wouldn’t be unusual for the character to headline its own game.

Regardless of R.O.B.’s significant role in Nintendo’s past, the character hasn’t left a substantial mark on their more recent titles.

Nintendo’s Library Is Screaming For An Astro Bot-Esque Game

It’s quite plausible that Nintendo would excel in developing a game similar to “Astro Bot”. With their exceptional prowess in 3D platformers and an extensive collection of intellectual properties (IPs), Nintendo stands out as a company with an unparalleled wealth of content to draw from. This wealth includes their vast library of games, coupled with the products they had already developed before entering the gaming industry. Consequently, creating a platformer game in line with “Astro Bot” would be a smart move for Nintendo.

In addition, if Nintendo were to create a game that pays tribute to its past in such a significant way, it’s almost certain that they would choose R.B.O., their renowned toy that played a pivotal role in the success of their first console, as the main character for this new title. Given R.B.O.’s undervalued position in Nintendo’s rich heritage and his crucial role in a previous game’s narrative, it’s high time he got his own game. Here’s hoping that Nintendo is inspired by the success of Astro Bot and is considering developing a similar game, focusing on the NES’s robot companion instead.

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2024-09-16 19:13