So how is Super Mario series without handhelds?

[Dorayaki]

Well I just realize this topic should be valid now since Nintendo Switch has concluded the first phase of hybrid console era.

There are sure some visible differences in lineup before and after. But I'd like to begin with quality vs quantity part.

In terms of just quantity, despite technically Nintendo Switch is supposed to own all the budget that was for handheld projects, it feels like we're not really getting an ibvuously bigger amount of games because of that. Most of the NS1 game release pace is still very similiar to a typical home console, if we don't count re-releases or the virtual consoles.

Still, handhelds games used to have smaller rom size to fit in the console, but they might not fit in the criteria of home console games. It feels like the main reason why Nintendo feel relunctant to push more creative ideas or keep running minor series on Nintendo Switch, like Mario vs DK, that handhelds loved to explore.

Some other common Mario games used to have both handheld and home console version, like Mario Tennis and Mario Kart. I think it makes sense for them to do just one single game for Nintendo Switch since they have no need to do seperate versions. But still, I think these games should do more contents if they already absorbed the budget from handhelds. Taking Mario Golf for example, we used to have lots of original contents from handehelds version but the later NS games don't seem to expand vastly because of stopping the handhelds.

RPGs is another concern in my eyes. We used to have excellent additional RPGs from handhelds along with Paper Mario for home consoles. But after NS era we don't seem to see more new RPGs on hybrid platform after handhelds gone, and RPG isn't like party or kart because every single story is independent so they need the same amount of games to tell same amount of stories. I just think we should have at least three new RPGs on NS1 (doesn't have to be M&L or Paper, could be an original one like DKCRPG), and just two new Mario RPGs for NS1 is kinda insufficient for NS1 lineup. I know Mario RPGs aren't Nintendo's cup of tea but still.

In your opinion, did NS1 fall behind the past eras in either quality or quantity, or you think it managed to keep up both?

 

[Xiahou Ba]

To me, as a consumer, a dedicated game handheld is just another useless piece of electronic media with only one purpose that has practically been superceded by the likes of the Switch/Steam Deck. Even so, nowadays, dedicated game consoles have been a hard buy for me, because I don't even play all that much games on them these days, focused primarily on PC. I don't travel often, and if I wanted a special travel accessory, I'm better off investing in a gaming laptop. I much prefer using my smartphone for entertainment nowadays, browsing Reddit or watching YouTube videos to get my fix.

 

[Vlachya]

Its a bit sad that now we won't get two Mario Karts per console generation, a handheld and a home console version. There's the old adage of "quality over quantity", but it doesn't really qualify in this scenario since every Mario Kart has been worth playing.

I think the Switch 1 managed to provide an amazing Mario line-up, but we'll have to see how the Switch 2 fares.

 

[Princess Mint]

I feel like there will eventually be a wave of indie games that replicate the specific aesthetic limitations and constraints of the Nintendo DS and 3DS, like there has been for the PS1 and N64. I am kind of fond of some of the pick up and play nature and use of gimmicks like the touch screen found in the dedicated handheld consoles, but I don't see why those can't be reproduced for the Switch in most cases, since it can function as a handheld console.