This is a very well thought out post. Golden Sun was impressive for its time yes, but having development being started on N64 then getting moved to the GBA made it more time consuming. It is a cult favorite, but has not made much of a return as Nintendo would like.
Had Golden Sun come out on the Gamecube (and development time not wasted on the N64) I believe it would have done remarkably better, considering that the Gamecube was not too big on having RPG series since it did not get that much compared to the PS2.
Our only silver lining this time is:
- Nintendo has released/announced all of their major hit titles. Meaning they have more incentive to dig deeper into their IP barrel to keep up momentum.
- Their development teams have free time to work on new projects after games get released/meet the deadline.
- Face it, even if Isaac did not get into Smash as a playable character Nintendo has bound to notice fan demand. Even if the Grinch Leak was fake it helped to draw more fan outcry when Isaac was not shown as playable. This shows to Nintendo that Golden Sun has a bigger audience than they initially thought.
- As shown with Diablo 3, Nintendo is not afraid to take risks.
Golden Sun may not have been revived through Smash as we would have hoped, but we do have a good opportunity at this time to push the series forward.
Isaac and Golden Sun is still fresh in the eyes of many; especially, after the Smash Direct. Golden Sun can only keep on reaching to people who get curious about Nintendo's lesser known titles.
Our best plan is to make a fan made Golden Sun with upgraded graphics, improved gameplay (ironing out all the no points of return) and knows the lore behind the story that made it so engaging in the first place. This will signify that Nintendo could make some potential money with a Golden Sun remake.
If there is one good thing to come from this generation's Nintendo, it is that they do not mind taking risks and want to dig deeper into their IPs.
We have good sets of Djinns to put together the Water of Life that Golden Sun itself needs, it just needs the proper direction and the original games are the perfect instructions on how to do it.
Note: If Golden Sun did not sell all too well because of the lack of marketing, then reviving Golden Sun has just gotten way easier.