Nintendo Franchises That Deserve an Open-World Makeover

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The trailblazing games, Mario Kart World and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, have paved a way for other famous Nintendo series to venture down in the future. The plans for Mario Kart World are especially bold, as the upcoming game is venturing into uncharted territory with its open-world design. Despite the surprise, the game still has strong potential to thrive, and not just because of the popular Mario Kart name. A significant factor in its success might come from adopting the open-world approach that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild successfully employed earlier. Other Nintendo franchises could also reap benefits from such an open-world design.

In the expansive environment of Mario Kart World, not only can players race on multiple tracks, but they also have the freedom to roam freely around this world without any concern for laps or competing opponents. This mode, known as Free Roam, presents a number of questions regarding its appeal and engaging activities beyond racing. If successfully executed, this open-world gameplay could pave the way for numerous opportunities not only for Mario Kart but also for future projects.

Many Nintendo Franchises Could Explore New Territory With Open-World Gameplay

Metroid’s Samus Aran Would Thrive In an Open-World Adventure

Fans of Metroid are eagerly anticipating the new gameplay for Metroid Prime 4, but speculations about a potential open-world Metroid game have also sparked excitement. Given Samus’ extensive history of embarking on grand journeys across alien worlds, an expanded adventure could be a logical progression. Since exploration is a key aspect of Metroid games, allowing Samus to explore an open world while upgrading her suit seems like a natural evolution of the gameplay mechanics. This fresh perspective on the series’ gameplay could lead to some awe-inspiring discoveries. As an experienced space explorer, an open-world adventure should feel right at home for Samus.

Star Fox Could Make a Comeback With an Open-World Game

For quite some time now, there have been numerous whispers about upcoming “Star Fox” games; an open-world game might serve as a strong resurgence given its usual style of play. Since “Star Fox” games are typically space combat adventures, this potential title could offer a more expansive universe where the team can fly freely between planets and explore both the planets and the voids between them. Although the ground-based gameplay of “Star Fox Adventures” received mixed feedback, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a similar concept shouldn’t be revisited again. A fully-fledged open-world space adventure, complete with electrifying Arwing battles, could provide exactly what the series needs to make a triumphant return. After all, “Star Fox” has no reason to shy away from innovation.

Excluding the late arrival of Star Fox 2, it’s been almost a decade since we’ve had a new Star Fox title released.

Kirby’s Copy Abilities Are Perfect For an Open-World Sandbox

Another suitable character for an open-world action-adventure is Kirby, particularly following the unexpected unveiling of “Kirby Air Ride”. While the excitement surrounding this revelation has already ignited enthusiasm among fans of the fluffy pink hero, a full-fledged open-world Kirby game presents numerous possibilities. This potential lies primarily in Kirby’s extensive repertoire of copy abilities, which are perfectly suited for both combat and exploration. In an imaginatively crafted open-world setting, players would be encouraged to experiment with every copy ability in diverse locations, effectively transforming the game into a vast playground where exploration and discovery reign supreme. An open-world Kirby game could potentially solidify its place among Nintendo’s most innovative titles ever created.

Instead of stopping at Mario Kart World when it comes to open-world games, Nintendo should consider exploring this genre further. The Free Roam feature in Mario Kart World is an exciting addition, and it might take some time for fans to fully discover all its aspects upon release. However, given the success of Breath of the Wild, it’s clear that open-world adventures can be a hit for Nintendo. Many of their iconic characters could benefit from such a treatment. If Nintendo continues to dabble in open-world games post Mario Kart World, there are numerous potential options worth considering.

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2025-05-03 18:09