Dorayaki
Smash Journeyman
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2019
- Messages
- 376
Not sure if this topic fits in this forum since most topics are about supporting a specific character. Hope that it fits in and would bring in some interesting discussion. So the topic begins with this sentence;
"No, not another ordinary swordman!!"
This is a typical opinion how some of the Smash fans don't like the next character being from the same cataegory of game franchise that already exists in Smash bros game lineup. So, what if Nintendo try to focus on the game genres that haven't been brought to Smash bros?
But I see there is some kind of dilemma.
First, Nintendo's game lineup do not cover up all known game genres. Some of them might have to be from 3rd parties. Nintendo would have to go out and search those games as they don't have these genres.
But then secondly, when it comes to 3rd parties, NIntendo still has to pick the popular ones that sell as DLCs. Which is why the "another ordinary swordmen" such as Cloud and DQ heroes are chosen despite similair genres already exists in Nintendo lineups.
The overall real obstacle is that fighting game genres still dominate the game industry, so it would be difficult to bring in a non-fighting game from 3rd parties that don't interest most game fans.
And we don't really discuss franchises with its spinoffs of a different game genre, such as Mario knows sports and parties.
Sports
It should be noted that Punch-Out!! is already about a professional sport subject-- boxing. While Boxing can be considered a sport, my idea is that it is too relevant with the idea of "fighting" in Smash bros, so what if we could get a sport that doesn't directly reflect on fights, but has the nature of competition and profession?
I honestly think Miis could had been portrayed as professional athletes based on Wii Sports, just in Smash bros they're portrayed as prfessional fighters.
However, many professional sport games are rarely based on fictional characters and original stories, more difficult to tell which ones are really classic and wellknown. Such as Electronic Arts works are based on realworld athletes, so it is unable to give a fictional character to enter Smash bros (unless Smash bros breaks into the 4th wall and brings in a realworld athlete like Danica in Sonic Racing).
The sport gameteam that relates to Nintendo most is Camelot, who is the maker of Mario Tennis and Golf. Unfortunately they don't have own strong sport characters to fit in Smash bros, as I don't think the "WE LOVE GOLF!" characters are strong enough to be Capcom reps at this point.
Konami actually has a very longterm sport game series "Power Pros", however it strongly relates to Japanese baseball culture, so it has very big problem to push it to Smash bros as western gamers can hardly relate to this franchise.
There is also an anime-based fictional soccer game series Inazuma Eleven maed by Level 5 in Japan and had huge popularity, but I'm not sure how Smash fans react if Endou Mamoru (Mark Evans in English version) makes it into Smash bros?
Music, Dance and Rhythm games
I do think this is kinda a good genre that brings its own special features different from other genres. Just not sure how Smash gamers react to any of the following choices.
We had Barbara of Band Brothers back in Smash 3 as an assist, but her absence until today shows that NIntendo don't really want to promote her as the face of NIntendo music games, so sadly her chance is not too big for now.
Konami has some great music/rhythm arcade game franchise, Dance Dance Revolution and Pop'n Music. It would be interesting to see Nyami/Mimi as a rep. However Konami hasn't got rhythm game releases on Nintendo conslose for years, so not sure if Nintendo think it's a good pick.
Just Dance of Ubisoft is a very popular franchise that also works with NIntendo consoles, and I think they have very unique art designs. A Just Dance Coach seems to be an interesting addition.
Taiko Master is another popular rhythm arcade game series under BANDAI Namco. also is a regular in all NIntendo consoles. I personally really like Don but not sure if he can appeal western gamers.
Mystery solving
Professor Layton of Level 5 and Ace Attorney of Capcom are both very popular choices by now.
Survival games
Not too many good picks, but Minecraft of Microsoft is definitely a hot cake on the table.
Crime dealing games
Several games like Empire of Sin and L.A. Noire are released on Switch, SEGA also have a longterm Yakuza. But this genre has many problems, including lacking iconic characters that appeals Smash games, not approriate for CERO et.
Party games
The cloests 3rd party choice is pretty much Raving Rabbids of Ubisoft.
Idol Simulation
This is pretty much a popular genre influenced by Japanese ACG culture and definitely not seen in Smash bros so far. The problem is, we don't really have an idol character that is also wellknown to common western gamers. Any of them could be obscure in the end.
Romance simulation / visual novels
(not a game cover, just showing several romance games new releases on Switch, the characters are playing Switch)
Well, this genre is the literal opposite of fighting game genre. It sure is a game genre influenced majorly by Japanese ACG culture again, but not fitting in Smash bros for many reasons, despite NIntendo Switch does have tons of them:
1) Hard to find an iconic character that appeals western gamers. And most of their games don't even have English translations in games.
2) Hard to find fighting refrences from the games
Ocassionally, some of the games would have love interests with great fighting potental (for example of 100 Sleeping Princes, not Switch tho, all are great wizards and swordmen... wait did I mention swordmen?) But point 1 is still a very big obstacle for them to be inserted in Smash bros.
Non-videogame properties
Which we're refering to past examples like R.O.B. (mascot) and Wifi Trainer of Wifi Fitness which do not originate from "games". While it sure adds diversity to games, it's not quite sure if they're all well acceptable to gamers.
In the current Smash 5, it seems Nikki of Swapnote is totally such kind of character. Not sure if she can receive greater popularity in the future (or just another Barbara)?
"No, not another ordinary swordman!!"
This is a typical opinion how some of the Smash fans don't like the next character being from the same cataegory of game franchise that already exists in Smash bros game lineup. So, what if Nintendo try to focus on the game genres that haven't been brought to Smash bros?
But I see there is some kind of dilemma.
First, Nintendo's game lineup do not cover up all known game genres. Some of them might have to be from 3rd parties. Nintendo would have to go out and search those games as they don't have these genres.
But then secondly, when it comes to 3rd parties, NIntendo still has to pick the popular ones that sell as DLCs. Which is why the "another ordinary swordmen" such as Cloud and DQ heroes are chosen despite similair genres already exists in Nintendo lineups.
The overall real obstacle is that fighting game genres still dominate the game industry, so it would be difficult to bring in a non-fighting game from 3rd parties that don't interest most game fans.
And we don't really discuss franchises with its spinoffs of a different game genre, such as Mario knows sports and parties.
Sports
It should be noted that Punch-Out!! is already about a professional sport subject-- boxing. While Boxing can be considered a sport, my idea is that it is too relevant with the idea of "fighting" in Smash bros, so what if we could get a sport that doesn't directly reflect on fights, but has the nature of competition and profession?
Music, Dance and Rhythm games
I do think this is kinda a good genre that brings its own special features different from other genres. Just not sure how Smash gamers react to any of the following choices.
Mystery solving
Survival games
Crime dealing games
Party games
Idol Simulation
Romance simulation / visual novels
Well, this genre is the literal opposite of fighting game genre. It sure is a game genre influenced majorly by Japanese ACG culture again, but not fitting in Smash bros for many reasons, despite NIntendo Switch does have tons of them:
1) Hard to find an iconic character that appeals western gamers. And most of their games don't even have English translations in games.
2) Hard to find fighting refrences from the games
Ocassionally, some of the games would have love interests with great fighting potental (for example of 100 Sleeping Princes, not Switch tho, all are great wizards and swordmen... wait did I mention swordmen?) But point 1 is still a very big obstacle for them to be inserted in Smash bros.
Non-videogame properties
Which we're refering to past examples like R.O.B. (mascot) and Wifi Trainer of Wifi Fitness which do not originate from "games". While it sure adds diversity to games, it's not quite sure if they're all well acceptable to gamers.
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