Dr. Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and More Nintendo Games We Want on Mobile
Now that Super Mario Run is out, we look at some of the other Nintendo games we'd love to play on mobile.
With Super Mario Run, developers at Nintendo have something clever; they took a classic franchise and combined many of its elements with other aspects of games on mobile, making it a game more in the style of an endless runner than a traditionally-controlled platformer.
We already know Nintendo has plans to release Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem games on mobile in the near future, but their plans beyond that remain a mystery. For the fun of speculation, we’ve put together a wish list of Nintendo games that could potentially work on a smartphone or tablet. Tell us your picks over on Chatty!
Dr. Mario
A new Dr. Mario is a perfect fit for mobile. It’s brief and digestible, easy to sit down and play while on the go and also easy enough to grasp but with enough complexity to yield hours of play. Plus, it has the cache of the Mario brand, a wide appeal to all ages, and a striking visual design perfect for iOS or Android devices.
Mario Party
As a party game, Mario Party has been largely hit or miss for the past few years. But I do see it having an interesting shot as a party game on mobile.
Structure it sort of like the mobile game Spaceteam; everyone downloads the game, and then they are synchronized with each other in the same room. They’ll all play the game together, but on separate screens. Sure, the tech would probably limit the size and scope of the game itself, but using individual mobile devices might actually make for a neat party game.
F-Zero
F-Zero is one of those games that occasionally comes up in conversation as being one of the better Nintendo games we haven’t seen in years. Thankfully, there’s a case to be made for it being on mobile.
F-Zero is fast-paced, pretty, and sleek, all of which would be satisfying in their own right. But what if you coupled that while also taking advantage of using the tilt controls smartphones are capable of? It’s sort of like Ridiculous Fishing, in which players guide a fishing lure deep down into the ocean using tilt controls to move it slightly to the right and left. Make this F-Zero an over-the-shoulder perspective, and use tit controls to steer its movement on the screen.
NES Remix
NES Remix is not just a fun game, it’s a great way to expose people to the best elements of classic games through small challenges featuring key characters and locations from old games on the NES. It fit nicely on Wii U and 3DS, and it also has a lot of potential on mobile. Put a bite-sized version of it on smartphones with asynchronous competitive multiplayer and it could be a neat time killer, Nintendo-style.
Legend of Zelda Dungeon Maker
Mario Maker took off on the Wii U--and to a lesser degree, the 3DS--and it is a perfect template for many other Nintendo games. Especially on mobile, where touch is the main control mechanism, it’s easy to see the potential something like Mario Maker could have on there.
My dream? Zelda Dungeon Maker. Create dungeons on your smart device using drag and drop methods, beat them, then upload them to a server so other people can play it, much like they do in Mario Maker. The difference, of course, is that a Dungeon Maker will likely utilize more combat and puzzle-solving than platforming.
Wario Ware
Mobile is the perfect home for something as bizarre as Wario Ware. The different inputs and capabilities of a smartphone or tablet make it possible to accommodate Wario Ware’s weird mix of minigames and gives that string of games a new life and purpose on a completely new platform.
Picross
The mobile market is already flooded with puzzle games, but a proper Picross would stand out for its brilliant design and sleek, touch screen-friendly interface. Even if it’s just a port of the recent Picross 2 (it wouldn’t be), we’ll gladly take whatever Nintendo is willing to give for a Picross on mobile.
Pokemon Atsume
Borrowing the concept of Neko Atsume, the “kitty collector” game in which you construct a backyard filled with kitty toys and comforts in order to attract different cats to come and hang out, this game would be one where you are able to buy new items and upgrades to attract new Pokemon to visit your home. Ranging from something as small as a Caterpie to as big as a Snorlax, these pokemon would come in, hang out, and be adorable, much like the cats in the aforementioned game.
There’ also a chance to attract legendary or ultra-rare Pokemon by using very specific items and revisiting your backyard at different times of day. It’s a formula that worked magically for Neko Atsume, and having that same functionality with Pokemon might extend its appeal tenfold.
Nintendogs
Remember the virtual pet craze? It started ith Tamagotchi and Giga Pets, but later evolved into Nintendogs. A game in which players take care of and look after in-game dogs, Nintendogs was a cute, feel-good game where one could play with, care for, bathe, feed, and pet their own puppy. The same game would do wonders on mobile, so long as it gets a major overhaul and developes more systems than it had previously.It’s all the joys of dog ownership without the mess or vet bills.
Brain Training
The uber-popular game that even attracted the attention of adults and older peple, Brain Training is deserving of a comeback on a platform that reaches the hands of millions of people daily. It’s the perfect opportunity for it; quick, digestible lessons that are easy to grasp and take advantage of, a touch screen interface, and the fact that it sells itself as something intended to boost one’s cognitive ability, all in the same place where you send emails and hail an Uber ride. The convenience has never been better.
For more on Nintendo's mobile debut, check out our take on how it fulfulls the late Satoru Iwata's plans and our official Super Mario Run review on Modojo.
-
Cassidee Moser posted a new article, Dr. Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and More Nintendo Games We Want on Mobile