Top 5 Nintendo Franchises Perfect for Roguelike Revivals

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Summary

  • Fire Emblem could easily make a successful roguelike due to its diverse characters and strategic gameplay.
  • Kirby, known for versatility, could thrive in a roguelike setting by utilizing his Copy abilities.
  • Super Smash Bros as a roguelike would give fans a chance to play with characters from various franchises in an action-packed setting.

Nintendo boasts a variety of popular franchises, and two of them have been adapted into roguelike games. Initially, this was done with Pokemon through Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, followed by numerous sequels. Later on, the Zelda franchise joined the bandwagon with Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer, a roguelike game that also features The Legend of Zelda.

Considering the current trend of the “roguelike” genre, it’s intriguing to ponder which established Nintendo franchise might be suitable for a revival in this format. However, it’s also worth considering popular franchises that could benefit from a fresh perspective. Could Nintendo potentially innovate within this genre? Let’s delve further and explore the possibilities.

6. Fire Emblem

More Swords Than Lords

Transforming the Fire Emblem series into a roguelike game would be quite straightforward, given its rich history and expansive character roster. Originating on the NES in 1990, the franchise has seen over a dozen main installments, not to mention numerous spin-offs. With at least twenty playable heroes in each of these games, plus the addition of villains for a more balanced gameplay experience, there’s no shortage of characters to choose from.

Instead of primarily swords, many supporting characters in this game could wield bows, lances, axes, and even magical texts. A natural choice for success, Nintendo could effortlessly strike a home run with such a diverse roster. The closest precedent might be the Warriors: Abyss series. With Nintendo, it would be intriguing if Koei Tecmo/Omega Force collaborated on a project similar to their partnership for Fire Emblem Warriors and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes.

5. Kirby

Putting The Copy Abilities To Good Use

Among Nintendo’s characters, Kirby stands out for his versatility, having appeared in various genres such as racing games, pinball, golf, and more. The only genre he hasn’t explored is roguelike games, a fitting choice given his Copy ability.

As I delved into the whimsical world of Kirby’s Dream Land for the first time, I found myself unable to harness his iconic Copy abilities. It wasn’t until Kirby’s Adventure that this game-changing mechanic was introduced, and since then, it’s been a part of the franchise’s history. In a potential new installment, I could find myself starting with a Copy ability like Sword or Bomb, only to choose another when I restarted, much like in Rogue Legacy.

4. NES Remix

The Return Of Captain N

Initially, NES Remix originated as a trial on the Wii U platform, where players engaged in brief sessions playing mini-games derived from classic NES games like Donkey Kong, Excitebike, The Legend of Zelda, and more. The objective shifted from one challenge to another, making it an exciting concept to obtain an official collection of rom hacks directly from Nintendo.

As a gaming enthusiast, it’s been quite some time since we’ve seen new installments of my beloved Nintendo series since 2014, with the Wii U sequel and the 3DS collection being the last drops. However, the idea of merging the NES Remix concept with a roguelike game is nothing short of genius. Imagine stepping into a new room and being transported into an entirely different NES game each time!

To add more excitement, they could randomly assign characters for each run, making every playthrough unique. And here’s a thought: why not feature Captain N from the classic 80s cartoon Captain N: The Game Master? In this isekai-style scenario, he’d be re-living his favorite NES games – it would truly be a dream come true!

3. Pikmin

Can’t Cut These Plants Down

In different games within the Pikmin franchise, the protagonist varies, but the games predominantly revolve around explorers collecting resources with plant-like creatures known as Pikmin. Over time, numerous types of Pikmin have emerged, such as those made of stone or ones that emit light in dark environments. The gameplay mechanics resemble those found in Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games.

A Pikmin-style roguelike might involve venturing into subterranean dungeons, where players collect Pikmin to aid them in their descent onto a fresh planet. They can retrieve resources that enhance their suit and tools for the next playthrough. Upon defeat, the gathered Pikmin are lost but reclaimable in a new run. This gameplay concept is reminiscent of the main games, with the twist being an underworld focus; however, this is merely one proposal among many possibilities.

2. Super Smash Bros.

Could There Be A Better Move?

Among the Nintendo series, it’s likely that fans would be most eager to see Super Smash Bros. transformed into a roguelike game. This is because Nintendo could leverage characters from their extensive library of major franchises for this adaptation. Characters could be acquired or purchased in a manner similar to Fire Emblem, where the focus of this roguelike would primarily be on fast-paced action.

Nintendo might propose their external partners to share characters for potential use. Imagine experiencing gameplay with Sora from Kingdom Hearts or Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid in a roguelike environment. This could possibly be a narrative mode connected to the upcoming Super Smash Bros., expected on the Switch 2 at some point.

1. Wario Land

Is It Time For Waluigi To Rise?

Mario, as a character, might not fit the role of a hero in a roguelike game. Although players are accustomed to seeing him perish frequently and then resurrect with a 1-Up, his resilience doesn’t align well with the challenging, permadeath structure of a roguelike. Wario, however, seems more suitable for such an environment due to his notorious reputation as a trickster and his ability to handle tough situations.

In essence, the “Wario Land” series primarily revolves around the main character, Wario, who is an anti-hero, exploring caves or other stages in search of treasure. This setup appears tailor-made for a roguelike game style, similar to that of “Spelunky”. By incorporating additional villains like Waluigi, Bowser, Captain Syrup, and others, the game could offer diverse playstyles among characters. Essentially, this would create a rogues gallery of Mario villains for an exciting, unconventional adventure.

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2025-02-21 09:37