What if Nintendo made new NES games?

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

So, the Famicom is about to turn 30 in three days.

And that got me thinking.

This is a perfect opportunity for a limited run of new Famicom and NES systems. Possibly even with NEW games. I don't think I need to ask if users here would buy such a thing.

Of course, the new games would also be available on the virtual console. There are plenty of young, hungry devs that would jump at the opportunity to make a brand new NES Mario or Zelda. How great would that be?

Alas, it doesn't seem like the kind of thing modern day Nintendo is interested in. But What If?

[Gameguy]

I doubt anyone who works at Nintendo now even knows how to program for the NES, or that the company still owns the equipment needed to produce NES cartridges.

Even if there are hobbyists who know how to program for the NES and are willing to work for Nintendo for free, Nintendo is pretty strict with who can make a new Mario or Zelda game. They won't let just anyone make whatever game they want using those licenses, not after the CD-i.


http://i41.tinypic.com/2i05f7d.jpg

[tom]

They've been making Mario and Zelda games for years, basically they're churning out NES games, just the hardware changed.

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

I doubt anyone who works at Nintendo now even knows how to program for the NES, or that the company still owns the equipment needed to produce NES cartridges.

Even if there are hobbyists who know how to program for the NES and are willing to work for Nintendo for free, Nintendo is pretty strict with who can make a new Mario or Zelda game. They won't let just anyone make whatever game they want using those licenses, not after the CD-i.



It would be a project for sure, and a vanity one at that. But I think between the Japanese homebrew community and the dev documents still archived they could easily pull it off.

The cartridges would be the easiest part.


They've been making Mario and Zelda games for years, basically they're churning out NES games, just the hardware changed.

Do you mean like the Gameboy and DS games? Those served as the spiritual successor to the NES style of game design.

[The Adventurer]

Do you mean like the Gameboy and DS games? Those served as the spiritual successor to the NES style of game design.

I think he's just making the 'Nintendo just keeps making the same games over and over again' joke.

[Atarileaf]

I think he's just making the 'Nintendo just keeps making the same games over and over again' joke.

Nintendo is making the joke, we just keep laughing.

[wiggyx]

I doubt anyone who works at Nintendo now even knows how to program for the NES, or that the company still owns the equipment needed to produce NES cartridges.

Even if there are hobbyists who know how to program for the NES and are willing to work for Nintendo for free, Nintendo is pretty strict with who can make a new Mario or Zelda game. They won't let just anyone make whatever game they want using those licenses, not after the CD-i.


http://i41.tinypic.com/2i05f7d.jpg

This.

Not only the hardware itself, but all the plastic parts for both the system and carts. Those molds have long since been recycled, so they'd have to start from scratch, and that would cost some serious $$$.

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

This.

Not only the hardware itself, but all the plastic parts for both the system and carts. Those molds have long since been recycled, so they'd have to start from scratch, and that would cost some serious $$$.

RetroUSB seems to have been able to make plastic carts, and I don't think they would have much of a budget. The PowerPak cart does seem rather cheap feeling, but Nintendo would able to do a lot better.

[Daltone]

I think the problem with the NES is that the games just don't look that good any more and I doubt enough people would buy it.

[ShinobiMan]

This is a great idea, and it's one I had when the 20th anniversary rolled around. My variation was to release a brand new version of the original Famicom with every 1st party Nintendo title built-in to the system. At the time I was working at Game Stop and the plug-in plays were extremely popular. It made sense... in my mind! Little did I know the virtual console was around the corner and Nintendo had more of a business savvy "let's milk the consumers for all they got" stance!

[zakthedodo]

If Nintendo decided to release a new series of games, I think they almost would have to release a new console.

Then again, a NES, SNES, GB, GBA, N64 console would likely make them money , but it would have to be a limited run and at a high price point.

That said, the Nintendo faithful would be thrilled, and a console by them that would accommodate all those platforms, I'd pay 200 for without thinking twice

[wiggyx]

RetroUSB seems to have been able to make plastic carts, and I don't think they would have much of a budget. The PowerPak cart does seem rather cheap feeling, but Nintendo would able to do a lot better.

That stuff is like the cheapest china-made crap there is though, and that's why.

Either way, I doubt nintendo has the interest in starting over with something like that when they can just keep usin their virtual console.

[Daltone]

That stuff is like the cheapest china-made crap there is though, and that's why.

Either way, I doubt nintendo has the interest in starting over with something like that when they can just keep usin their virtual console.

I look forward to Rose Coloured Publishing, trading as Rose Retro for splash screens!

[buzz_n64]

I would buy a new Mario NES game for sure, but I know it'll never happen. If they did anything like that, maybe they'd go the Capcom route and just release it as DLC on the new consoles like Mega Man 9 and 10.

[treismac]

I'd be insanely thrilled if Nintendo ever decided to re-release the Famicom/NES with some new games.


My variation was to release a brand new version of the original Famicom with every 1st party Nintendo title built-in to the system.

This. Both Atari and Sega do it. Why not Nintendo? I think the repeated rebirths of the Atari Flashback & Sega's Genesis clones proves that there is a market for non-virtual, plug-in-play systems. I am fairly confident that there are, generally speaking, by and large non-gamer consumers who stroll into a Walgreens or Wal-Mart who would buy the thing if it had an attractive enough box. Good heavens, throw in a Duck Hunt 2: Hunter's Revenge where you can shoot the dog (ala Duck Hunt vs.) and that would probably be enough to entice many a would-be buyer. I firmly believe there is money to be made in the non-virtual retro video game market beyond niche collectors and gamers like ourselves that Nintendo is missing.

99% sure this will never happen. This is the same Nintendo that just now decided to re-release Earthbound on the virtual console. They aren't exactly masters of handling their intellectual property.

[Polygon]

Not going to happen.

The equipment to manufacture those systems and games are long gone. With the virtual console there's no incentive, even if that equipment was still around. There's just no money in it. However, if they were to reproduce a modern front loader NES with HDMI output and at least stereo output, you're damn right I would buy it.

[Little Miss Gloom]

This, from a company that refuses to lift region lock or release custom 3DS XLs outside of Japan.

Won't ever happen. Too much of a financial risk.

[xelement5x]

This, from a company that refuses to lift region lock or release custom 3DS XLs outside of Japan.

Won't ever happen. Too much of a financial risk.

My domestic Pikachu 3DS XL I bought from Toys R Us disagrees with you.

[Little Miss Gloom]

Yes. A Pikachu 3DS and an ugly New Leaf 3DS

Out of a possible other dozen that haven't even seen our shores, and won't ever because of region locking.

[The Adventurer]

Nintendo is making the joke, we just keep laughing.

Its such a relief that the rest of the industry only makes wholly original games time and time again...

Oh...
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/6130/tr7y.jpg

Wait...
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/3587/w8u6.jpg

[retroman]

I am 34 and have had a NES since the mid 80s, but I would get one for sure..Why not have another NES...I have 3 toasters, a top loader, and a clone, but a new NES from Nintendo would be awsome, and some new games to go with it..I would be so on it..I dont like this digital download crap. Give me a hardcopy. I like to look at and hold what I buy.

[zakthedodo]

I think the problem with the NES is that the games just don't look that good any more and I doubt enough people would buy it.


I'm not so sure...8 bit games ended up looking pretty sweet for 8 bit games.
A lot of Sega Game Gear titles looked brilliant like Sonic Triple Trouble, PGA Tour '96 and even both Mortal Kombats which were surprisingly good given they were 8 bit.
I know The NES was an earlier system and even the Game Gear out did the Master system in terms of colors.
Some Master System games were given overhauls in terms of the color palette on screen.
A good example would be Physic World.

Just like Early 16 bit games, that looked very good at 1st, but Games Like Donkey Kong Country and Vectorman look almost a generation ahead of a game like ESWAT on the Mega Drive.

That said, yes, it would be a bad move for Nintendo to release a New NES, with more than the original under the hood.
It would have to be a limited run of a machine that could play NES, SNES, GB, GBA, N64 with as little region lockout as possible and online game rooms for good measure.
It would have to be something so impressive but if they pulled out all the stops and delivered something on that level and not a 3rd party item....It could be worth Nintendo thinking about.
They could release older titles with enhancements like Sega did when it ported over Master System games to the Game gear.

Eventually all these original consoles will break down, and if it wasn't something Nintendo was planning to make a killing on, it could be somewhat lucrative but it would have to be at a very high price point....maybe even 300 dollars. That said, hardcore gamers and nostalgia junkies would jump on it like a beast .

[JakeM]

I really wish that games would look exactly like NES and SNES games, and not modern 8 and 16 bit games. Yeah weird sentence but you know what im saying.

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

There's an interesting thing about making new NES, or SNES games these days. Because of the cartridge format, both systems may evolve with current technology.

The SNES is pretty much only limited to a small number things like resolution and audio channels. Other than that, the system can pretty much turn everything over to the cartridge and only handle input and audio/video. I've read some conversations in which it was speculated that PS2-quality 3d graphics wouldn't be an issue. It's all about what you can cram inside the plastic case.

The NES is a little more limited, but I'm sure a modern game with some special hardware inside the cart could make for some very interesting developments.

link: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?41663-What-are-the-ultimate-capabilities-of-the-FC-NES-and-SFC-SNES

[Atarileaf]

Its such a relief that the rest of the industry only makes wholly original games time and time again...

Oh...


Wait...


Its definitely an industry wide joke, to be sure.

[Griking]

What's really the difference between a new NES game and a retro themed Indy game on the Virtual Store?

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

What's really the difference between a new NES game and a retro themed Indy game on the Virtual Store?

Really, nothing.

But you can't put a retro Indy game on a cart and play it on you NES. So, everything.

[Immutable]

I would love this idea - especially if Nintendo released Famicom exclusives like "Joy Mech Fight" and "Famicom Wars"!