Speaking in Japanese weekly multiformat magazine Famitsu, famed Nintendo producer Shigeru Miyamoto has made some bold claims about the future of the Mario series, naming the target platform but refusing to give any launch window indications.
“The next Mario, which we still are calling Mario 128, will be released for the Nintendo GameCube when it is complete,” he said, “Though at this time, I cannot comment on when you will see this game launch.”
As you will be aware, speculation, in part fuelled by the chattering lips of various NOA staffers, had pointed to the GameCube version being scrapped in favour of beefing up the mysterious Revolution’s launch roster. Apparently, this isn’t happening, though this will leave Nintendo with something of a quandary to overcome. Essentially, in order to provide Revolution with a Mario launch title, two teams will be required to work on two separate projects, further disassembling the franchise which is still recovering form the knock of confidence caused by Mario Sunshine.
Of course, Miyamoto might well be lying, that’s not outside the realms of possibility. To say right now that Mario 128, the only game of substance for the GameCube aside from the frenziedly-anticipated new Zelda, has been scrapped and shifted to a new platform would be akin to giving up on the current generation of hardware – simply not acceptable at this phase in its lifecycle.
“The next Mario, which we still are calling Mario 128, will be released for the Nintendo GameCube when it is complete,” he said, “Though at this time, I cannot comment on when you will see this game launch.”
As you will be aware, speculation, in part fuelled by the chattering lips of various NOA staffers, had pointed to the GameCube version being scrapped in favour of beefing up the mysterious Revolution’s launch roster. Apparently, this isn’t happening, though this will leave Nintendo with something of a quandary to overcome. Essentially, in order to provide Revolution with a Mario launch title, two teams will be required to work on two separate projects, further disassembling the franchise which is still recovering form the knock of confidence caused by Mario Sunshine.
Of course, Miyamoto might well be lying, that’s not outside the realms of possibility. To say right now that Mario 128, the only game of substance for the GameCube aside from the frenziedly-anticipated new Zelda, has been scrapped and shifted to a new platform would be akin to giving up on the current generation of hardware – simply not acceptable at this phase in its lifecycle.
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Comments
Ditto 25 Nov 2004 15:28
1/6
"further disassembling the franchise which is still recovering form the knock of confidence caused by Mario Sunshine."
What? Many people, such as myself, thought the variety in Sunshine was excellent. Several other people and mysqlf who were playing Sunshine at the same time thought that the supposably "traditional" bits were the worst. This "jump of faith" fests are no-where near as fun as the rest of Sunshine or Super Mario World.
Another Mario 64 would be bad for Nintendo. It wanted to make Sunshine a new style of game but repositioned it to be more like 64. It didn't do as well as could have been expected.
I personally think that 128 should be prosponed to Revolution. There's no need for another Mario game now, especially with all the Tennis, Baseball, Gold etc etc coming out for the system. The 'Cube has its excellent Mario games in Sunshine and Paper Maz 2. A high-quality innovative title would be better on Revolution rather than Cube.
What? Many people, such as myself, thought the variety in Sunshine was excellent. Several other people and mysqlf who were playing Sunshine at the same time thought that the supposably "traditional" bits were the worst. This "jump of faith" fests are no-where near as fun as the rest of Sunshine or Super Mario World.
Another Mario 64 would be bad for Nintendo. It wanted to make Sunshine a new style of game but repositioned it to be more like 64. It didn't do as well as could have been expected.
I personally think that 128 should be prosponed to Revolution. There's no need for another Mario game now, especially with all the Tennis, Baseball, Gold etc etc coming out for the system. The 'Cube has its excellent Mario games in Sunshine and Paper Maz 2. A high-quality innovative title would be better on Revolution rather than Cube.
datamonkey 25 Nov 2004 17:21
2/6
Mario 128, the only game of substance for the GameCube aside from the frenziedly-anticipated new Zelda
Er... RESI 4, Baiton Kaitos, Killer 7, Starfox 2, Animal Crossing 2, Unity, Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, Timesplitters 3 to name a few others.
Er... RESI 4, Baiton Kaitos, Killer 7, Starfox 2, Animal Crossing 2, Unity, Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, Timesplitters 3 to name a few others.
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Joji 25 Nov 2004 17:24
3/6
I agree with ya, Adam. With all the games that GC is gonna get from Nintendo and third parties over the next year, there is enough to see the GC through to the launch of the Revolution in 2006, surely.
Even if Zelda is held back I don't mind because I know they could put it out as a hot Revolution launch title next to Mario 128.
I'm still want some new, fresh games from Nintendo though, but they seem content to reinvent the same wheel somewhat. This has to change, and though I've said it before I can't stress it enough until they hear me and act. Nintendo will need some new ammo because a lot of people are tired of MArio and friends, and need something more.
Whatever happens with Mario 128, Nintendo must be careful not to tread the same path of overkill, that almost killed the Sonic and Tomb Raider series. I like Mario Sunshine, but more was needed than what it gave us.
Even if Zelda is held back I don't mind because I know they could put it out as a hot Revolution launch title next to Mario 128.
I'm still want some new, fresh games from Nintendo though, but they seem content to reinvent the same wheel somewhat. This has to change, and though I've said it before I can't stress it enough until they hear me and act. Nintendo will need some new ammo because a lot of people are tired of MArio and friends, and need something more.
Whatever happens with Mario 128, Nintendo must be careful not to tread the same path of overkill, that almost killed the Sonic and Tomb Raider series. I like Mario Sunshine, but more was needed than what it gave us.
Ditto 25 Nov 2004 17:38
4/6
[Reply to Datamonkey]
Yeah they're wrong. I think there's a lot of excellent games on Cube, and a lot in future, but only two excellent Mario games. The rest are money-making spinoffs. The Cube has the best games.
[Reply to Joji]
Yup. Me and you are starting to get very repetitive!!
Yeah they're wrong. I think there's a lot of excellent games on Cube, and a lot in future, but only two excellent Mario games. The rest are money-making spinoffs. The Cube has the best games.
[Reply to Joji]
Yup. Me and you are starting to get very repetitive!!
fluffstardx 25 Nov 2004 22:04
5/6
I personally prefer the Xbox's roster at the mo, but hey. I used to have all 3 consoles, and then got rid of the 2 others.
Now, my wife's re-bought a Cube (we got rid of the first due to debt, which frankly is no longer an issue...), Harvest Moon, Tales of Symphonia (a frankly amazing game), Mario Kart and Wario Ware. And it's nice to have it back, because it means i can re-get Eternal Darkness and Bomberman Generations.
Unfortunately, i have found most of the "big titles" disappointing; Resident Evil REmake just didn't feel right, Sunshine got dull, and Wind Waker was just... *shudder* i don't want to think about it. I'm so glad to own the Zelda Collector's Edition, that's all i'm saying.
I just hope that, in future, i don't have to deal with another "game drought"; Xbox seems to have a nicely-paced game roster, whereas the other two have been a little... slow on the "killer apps".
Now, my wife's re-bought a Cube (we got rid of the first due to debt, which frankly is no longer an issue...), Harvest Moon, Tales of Symphonia (a frankly amazing game), Mario Kart and Wario Ware. And it's nice to have it back, because it means i can re-get Eternal Darkness and Bomberman Generations.
Unfortunately, i have found most of the "big titles" disappointing; Resident Evil REmake just didn't feel right, Sunshine got dull, and Wind Waker was just... *shudder* i don't want to think about it. I'm so glad to own the Zelda Collector's Edition, that's all i'm saying.
I just hope that, in future, i don't have to deal with another "game drought"; Xbox seems to have a nicely-paced game roster, whereas the other two have been a little... slow on the "killer apps".
Ditto 25 Nov 2004 22:19
6/6
I really didn't think much of the N64 Zeldas. Wind Waker's the best 3D in my mind.
To be honest the Xbox doesn't have any games on it at all that appeal to me. I think Halo is boring and uninnovative and I don't like the racing or FPS genres. The Cube seems to have most of the 'alternative' games on it.
At the moment, the Cube has more killer titles than the other two: Paper Mario, Prime 2, Geist, Jungle Beat etc.
You're right about Tales - I think that has to be one of my favourite games of the entire generation.
To be honest the Xbox doesn't have any games on it at all that appeal to me. I think Halo is boring and uninnovative and I don't like the racing or FPS genres. The Cube seems to have most of the 'alternative' games on it.
At the moment, the Cube has more killer titles than the other two: Paper Mario, Prime 2, Geist, Jungle Beat etc.
You're right about Tales - I think that has to be one of my favourite games of the entire generation.