But, Mario sucks.
The 2D platformer s are slippery messes that haven’t had a new idea in over a decade. And 3D Mario lacks any sort of real personality. And both lack an interesting narrative. I will admit Odyssey is a step in the right direction, even if it’s still a little too clean and polished a world for me. I still prefer my Crash and my Jak and my Sly and my Banjo. Heck, Donkey Kong Country is better than 2D Mario. Same goes for Kirby.
Zelda doesn’t fair much better for me. The combat always feels lacking and restrictive. And I’m not much for puzzle solving. If there were more of a story to keep me invested than that would be great, but the plot is always so baren. Zelda just doesn’t do anything to hook me.
Splatoon was alright, but I haven’t gone back and played it sense the single player mode was beaten.
I like the idea of Punch-Out, but i’ve never played it.
I’d like Metroid more if it wasn’t trying to scare me and could just be a fun action game in space, but that’s just not what it is.
I don’t like RPGs so FE and XBC are out. Even Pokémon and EarthBound. I like the world but I hate the gameplay.
Star Fox looks cool but it hasn’t had a single good game sense the N64.
Mario Kart is fun but I will always prefer “clones” that feature other casts of characters I actually like.
I don’t know, what am I missing?
"mario sucks" is a very blanket statement to make about a series with hundreds of games. Yes, 2D mario became mindless and ****ty after a while. You won't get any argument from me on that. And tbh, I really don't like mario 3D world. I also completely agree on your point about Kirby.
However
To say Mario Odyssey is a "step in the right direction" is greatly underselling how well designed and creative that game is. There is precisely 1 3D mario game lacking in personality. The rest of the games are full of it. I have no clue how you drew this conclusion.
Zelda not being your cup of tea is understandable, but once again, these games are designed very uniquely compared to other games, and when the formula got stale, they completely switched it up.
I don't really understand where you got the idea that Metroid games are trying to scare you. It literally is a fun action game in space.
As for the rest of your points, I agree on Star Fox and Earthbound, but I recommend Punch Out for the Wii. It's a phenomenal game.
I feel as if you're simply understating what Nintendo has innovated in comparison to other companies.
