What is about Nintendo that allows them to create the largest library of high scoring/selling games?

Nintendo is pretty much the Studio Ghibli of videogames, in the sense they mostly get inspiration from life itself rather than previous successful videogames.

Most devs wants to create experiences as great as Doom, Chrono Trigger, Zelda, Bioshock etc. Nintendo's philosophy are about creating experiences as great as exploring the neighborhood the first time as a child, camping with friends or going to the beach.

Ugh too much hyperbole there TC.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=switch&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
Switch has 2 games over 95.
1 game between 90-94
11 games 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, Switch has 14 really good games.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=ps4&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
PS4 also has 2 games over 95, both of which are not on Switch and one is a full exclusive
PS4 has 13 games between 90-94
PS4 has 136 games between 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, PS4 has 151 really good games. PS4 has literally 10 times as many quality titles than Switch.


If we want to look at sales, Switch games have topped out at around 9 million for a big game like Mario Odyssey. PS4 has 6 games over that with GTAV at around 17 million just on PS4. Uncharted 4 has over 10 million.

So no matter how you slice it, you're just wrong TC about Nintendo being #1 in any metric. All that said, to answer your question, I think a few of their devs use unique development techniques to bring quality to their titles. Nintendo games are always impeccably polished too. They are definitely world class, and can win GotY awards or even GotG awards. But I hesitate calling them "the best". thats unfair to other human beings on earth working hard to make great games. You can call Nintendo your favorite dev all day long. They're my favorite dev. But other devs are very talented too and can make awesome games that sell really well.

Thatguy said:

Ugh too much hyperbole there TC.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=switch&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
Switch has 2 games over 95.
1 game between 90-94
11 games 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, Switch has 14 really good games.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=ps4&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
PS4 also has 2 games over 95, both of which are not on Switch and one is a full exclusive
PS4 has 13 games between 90-94
PS4 has 136 games between 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, PS4 has 151 really good games. PS4 has literally 10 times as many quality titles than Switch.


If we want to look at sales, Switch games have topped out at around 9 million for a big game like Mario Odyssey. PS4 has 6 games over that with GTAV at around 17 million just on PS4. Uncharted 4 has over 10 million.

So no matter how you slice it, you're just wrong TC about Nintendo being #1 in any metric. All that said, to answer your question, I think a few of their devs use unique development techniques to bring quality to their titles. Nintendo games are always impeccably polished too. They are definitely world class, and can win GotY awards or even GotG awards. But I hesitate calling them "the best". thats unfair to other human beings on earth working hard to make great games. You can call Nintendo your favorite dev all day long. They're my favorite dev. But other devs are very talented too and can make awesome games that sell really well.

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You realize PS4 launched three and a half years ahead of Switch?

Effort.

Standards.

Small teams.

Small and nimble company overall.

Prototyping.

Thatguy said:

Ugh too much hyperbole there TC.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=switch&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
Switch has 2 games over 95.
1 game between 90-94
11 games 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, Switch has 14 really good games.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=ps4&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
PS4 also has 2 games over 95, both of which are not on Switch and one is a full exclusive
PS4 has 13 games between 90-94
PS4 has 136 games between 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, PS4 has 151 really good games. PS4 has literally 10 times as many quality titles than Switch.


If we want to look at sales, Switch games have topped out at around 9 million for a big game like Mario Odyssey. PS4 has 6 games over that with GTAV at around 17 million just on PS4. Uncharted 4 has over 10 million.

So no matter how you slice it, you're just wrong TC about Nintendo being #1 in any metric. All that said, to answer your question, I think a few of their devs use unique development techniques to bring quality to their titles. Nintendo games are always impeccably polished too. They are definitely world class, and can win GotY awards or even GotG awards. But I hesitate calling them "the best". thats unfair to other human beings on earth working hard to make great games. You can call Nintendo your favorite dev all day long. They're my favorite dev. But other devs are very talented too and can make awesome games that sell really well.

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Well, we'll see where the number of games that score that high on the Switch is at when it too reaches ~5 years on the market.

Just great game play, no QTE's, or cinematic movie walking simulators

they've been some of the best developers in the industry consistently for decades

they also have a unique approach to game design

Their Dev teams are the best in the business.

They make games that appeal to most people. Most games can be played by kids and adults alike. See Mario Odyssey - it can be played by anyone. The core gameplay loop is simple and easy to get. You can complete games with relative ease. On the other hand you can master it and do a ton of crazy stuff with it. Same with BOTW.

I agree that nostalgia plays a factor here and there. But as someone stated even new IPs are selling in millions. They GET games. To me Nintendo is what gaming is about. And I play a lot of other games so not being a fanboy here.

Banamy said:

Nostalgia/Bias/great games

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Nailed it. It's all of these.

AxeVince said:

Nostalgia and (somewhat) good game design.

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This applies to some games, sure (Skyward Sword is a popular example). But I don't know if it's as much a factor when taking such a macro view, as OP is. So many of their games have stood the test of time, though I think time will have to tell if there is indeed bias in this generation.

Interestingly, Giles Goddard (formerly of Argonaut Software) recently said that inside Nintendo was so factory-like, he was surprised they were able to get so much creativity out of their designers.

They make prototypes first before adding story or design elements. They typically prototype gameplay first and design a world around it.

They made a deal with the spirits.
In return, everyone that plays a Nintendo game loses a little bit of their free will.

Jayson's Rage said:

They make good games. That's how. You're over complicating it

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This.

They found something that works for them.
Other factors help too but yeah, don't over complicate it.

They focus on gameplay first and have decades of experience.

They take risks and innovative. Leads to lots of imitators and also occasional failures.

Other devs focus on style over substance. Stories and concepts first, then mechanics. Nintendo applies designs to interesting mechanics. Other devs also play it relatively safe gameplay wise. Projects can be ambitious, but they follow tried and tested formulas.

Francokid1 said:

Their developers are probably happy and secure knowing that Nintendo won't fire them if a game fails.

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That is probably a good point.

It seems like people working for Nintendo only seem to leave the company out of free will or in a Coffin.
That kind of Job security probably helps Developers focus more on making the best games they can, whereas others might have to worry about their future with every game they make.

Nostalgia.

Japanese perfectionism.

Thatguy said:

Ugh too much hyperbole there TC.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=switch&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
Switch has 2 games over 95.
1 game between 90-94
11 games 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, Switch has 14 really good games.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=ps4&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
PS4 also has 2 games over 95, both of which are not on Switch and one is a full exclusive
PS4 has 13 games between 90-94
PS4 has 136 games between 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, PS4 has 151 really good games. PS4 has literally 10 times as many quality titles than Switch.


If we want to look at sales, Switch games have topped out at around 9 million for a big game like Mario Odyssey. PS4 has 6 games over that with GTAV at around 17 million just on PS4. Uncharted 4 has over 10 million.

So no matter how you slice it, you're just wrong TC about Nintendo being #1 in any metric. All that said, to answer your question, I think a few of their devs use unique development techniques to bring quality to their titles. Nintendo games are always impeccably polished too. They are definitely world class, and can win GotY awards or even GotG awards. But I hesitate calling them "the best". thats unfair to other human beings on earth working hard to make great games. You can call Nintendo your favorite dev all day long. They're my favorite dev. But other devs are very talented too and can make awesome games that sell really well.

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I'm not sure what you're responding to, but isn't this an unfair comparison? If TC is Tiny Chihuahueño, he (and the thread) is talking about Nintendo the dev and you're comparing it to the entire PS4 library.

Phunkydiabetic said:

Nostalgia.

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I missed Splatoon on NES too, that is why I bought the rehash

Thatguy said:

Ugh too much hyperbole there TC.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=switch&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
Switch has 2 games over 95.
1 game between 90-94
11 games 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, Switch has 14 really good games.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=ps4&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
PS4 also has 2 games over 95, both of which are not on Switch and one is a full exclusive
PS4 has 13 games between 90-94
PS4 has 136 games between 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, PS4 has 151 really good games. PS4 has literally 10 times as many quality titles than Switch.


If we want to look at sales, Switch games have topped out at around 9 million for a big game like Mario Odyssey. PS4 has 6 games over that with GTAV at around 17 million just on PS4. Uncharted 4 has over 10 million.

So no matter how you slice it, you're just wrong TC about Nintendo being #1 in any metric. All that said, to answer your question, I think a few of their devs use unique development techniques to bring quality to their titles. Nintendo games are always impeccably polished too. They are definitely world class, and can win GotY awards or even GotG awards. But I hesitate calling them "the best". thats unfair to other human beings on earth working hard to make great games. You can call Nintendo your favorite dev all day long. They're my favorite dev. But other devs are very talented too and can make awesome games that sell really well.

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...What?

OP is talking about Nintendo the developer, not Nintendo the console manufacturer. This comparison makes no sense.

The blood sacrifice needed to make their great games is paid for in the total lack of important console systems.

And friend codes.

joedick said:

I'm not sure what you're responding to, but isn't this an unfair comparison? If TC is Tiny Chihuahueño, he (and the thread) is talking about Nintendo the dev and you're comparing it to the entire PS4 library.

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TC is "Topic Creator." It's GameFAQs lingo.

violent said:

Not to take away from their quality, but there is surely more to it than just that.

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Their poorer games usually sell notably less. With the odd exception, like the original NSMB.

Quality and broad demographic appeal.

Nostalgia is a factor in sales. Especially when it comes to smaller spinoffs with Mario in them. But it's certainly not the only factor as Splatoon 2 has proven. Nintendo has nurtured as certain formula over the years which leads to success. They create compelling character designs, focus on gameplay that is fun, polish, and they push for originality.

They make excellent games and aren't afraid to break the mold.

Keldroc said:

TC is "Topic Creator." It's GameFAQs lingo.

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that explains a lot lol

Thatguy said:

Ugh too much hyperbole there TC.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=switch&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
Switch has 2 games over 95.
1 game between 90-94
11 games 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, Switch has 14 really good games.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=ps4&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
PS4 also has 2 games over 95, both of which are not on Switch and one is a full exclusive
PS4 has 13 games between 90-94
PS4 has 136 games between 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, PS4 has 151 really good games. PS4 has literally 10 times as many quality titles than Switch.


If we want to look at sales, Switch games have topped out at around 9 million for a big game like Mario Odyssey. PS4 has 6 games over that with GTAV at around 17 million just on PS4. Uncharted 4 has over 10 million.

So no matter how you slice it, you're just wrong TC about Nintendo being #1 in any metric. All that said, to answer your question, I think a few of their devs use unique development techniques to bring quality to their titles. Nintendo games are always impeccably polished too. They are definitely world class, and can win GotY awards or even GotG awards. But I hesitate calling them "the best". thats unfair to other human beings on earth working hard to make great games. You can call Nintendo your favorite dev all day long. They're my favorite dev. But other devs are very talented too and can make awesome games that sell really well.

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You're mixing up Nintendo as a platform holder and Nintendo as a developer.

Nevermind your disingenuous comparisons. Odyssey is over 10 million in 6 months, Zelda is approaching that number in a little over a year, and Splatoon 2 will probably be around 10 million by the end of the Switch's life cycle. Super Smash Bros will assuredly sell 10 million units minimum.

-Putting gameplay first.
-Polish. The Japanese mentality is to achieve very high quality standards before a product is launched. Japanese consumers traditionally want and expect flawless experiences.
-Decades of expertise.

Mark brown summarizes Nintendo in this video. He also has several other amazing videos explaining game design.

Other video game companies have only merely adopted good game design. Nintendo was born into it, molded by it. They didn't really start to realize how good they were at it until they were on the SNES, by then it was nothing to them but 2nd nature! In all seriousness they started off early enough and probably have more collective game design experience than most companies on the market. A lot of their philosophies come from the brilliant people who have worked at the company setting industry standards for everyone else back when gaming was lesser excepted as a viable hobby. Probably that, good marketing and being smart with their money. Oh and good branding. There is always a new generation of kids that grew up playing Nintendo that will pass that knowledge down to their kids and so forth.

rochellepaws said:

I'd be interested to know why several of their Switch ports are scored so much better on metacritic than the exact same game released years ago on Wii U.

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In the case of MK8, the Switch version is actually way better because it features all of the DLC and has an actually good battle mode.

For Tropical Freeze, the game was really unfairly hampered on for being fucking Donkey Kong in the Wii U days instead of something western and more ambitious from Retro. Now it seems more people see it for the masterpiece it is

neon_dream said:

Nintendo is one of the largest development houses in the industry. They're also, not coincidentally, the longest continuously running developer in video game history. They have been in the industry since the mid 1970s, from its very beginnings. Their software efforts have created genres and game mechanics standards.

With that kind of history, they have groomed and maintained their staffing. Many of the people at Nintendo remember the entire history of video gaming, almost 50 years of it. These veterans have trained several generations of subsequent staff. They have also continued to analyze their corporate and engineering structure, as evidenced by several reorganizations such as the massive late Iwata-era restructuring and modernization.

That's not something you find many, if any, other places. There's a reason people like Gabe Newell and other software engineers/designers continue to pay homage to Nintendo. They deserve their reputation, and not because of "nostalgia." Last year's BotW and Mario Odyssey are continued proof of Nintendo's ability to produce smart, sophisticated, high quality games.

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Good post!

Also to add, that Nintendo still focussed on "fun" before they started video games in the 70's as they were a prominent Japanese toy maker, plus their playing cards and Yakuman Mahjong sets. They were focussed on fun decades before.

Plus Love Hotels.

Thatguy said:

Ugh too much hyperbole there TC.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=switch&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
Switch has 2 games over 95.
1 game between 90-94
11 games 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, Switch has 14 really good games.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=ps4&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
PS4 also has 2 games over 95, both of which are not on Switch and one is a full exclusive
PS4 has 13 games between 90-94
PS4 has 136 games between 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, PS4 has 151 really good games. PS4 has literally 10 times as many quality titles than Switch.


If we want to look at sales, Switch games have topped out at around 9 million for a big game like Mario Odyssey. PS4 has 6 games over that with GTAV at around 17 million just on PS4. Uncharted 4 has over 10 million.

So no matter how you slice it, you're just wrong TC about Nintendo being #1 in any metric. All that said, to answer your question, I think a few of their devs use unique development techniques to bring quality to their titles. Nintendo games are always impeccably polished too. They are definitely world class, and can win GotY awards or even GotG awards. But I hesitate calling them "the best". thats unfair to other human beings on earth working hard to make great games. You can call Nintendo your favorite dev all day long. They're my favorite dev. But other devs are very talented too and can make awesome games that sell really well.

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This list is incomplete, It's missing stuff like Bayonetta 2. fairly sure it's missing a bunch on PS4 too, game rankings isn't updated as much as metacritic is.

rochellepaws said:

I'd be interested to know why several of their Switch ports are scored so much better on metacritic than the exact same game released years ago on Wii U.

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Huh

What games are you talking about? Pretty sure that's not a thing...

rochellepaws said:

I'd be interested to know why several of their Switch ports are scored so much better on metacritic than the exact same game released years ago on Wii U.

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Donkey Kong's Wii U review scores were an absolute travesty.

skittzo0413 said:

This logic sorta breaks down when it comes to the new Zelda. BotW is a massive, massive departure from the established IP's formula, and it was done internally. It was a huge risk that paid off big time.

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yeah that's why i said generally. there's exceptions, but i couldn't recall any that didn't pay off for them. i guess mario sunshine is the most divisive one i can think of

rochellepaws said:

I'd be interested to know why several of their Switch ports are scored so much better on metacritic than the exact same game released years ago on Wii U.

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Games ahead of their time.

I think there are structural reasons that result in Nintendo games getting high scores - their games are reviewed as Nintendo games and thus things that might otherwise be criticised by some portion of the audience are accepted as part of the formula.

Though I acknowledge that they also do exceptionally well at making great games - that's how they earned this position - and also that this is an unproven and unprovable theory.

rochellepaws said:

I'd be interested to know why several of their Switch ports are scored so much better on metacritic than the exact same game released years ago on Wii U.

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Is there an example of a game getting a much higher (aggregate) score on Switch than Wii U? I just checked out Donkey Kong, Bayonetta, Pokkén and Mario Kart — Mario Kart had the biggest difference getting 4 points more on Switch. It's a bit silly, but doesn't seem completely unthinkable.

Mayo.

They put mayo on everything.

Saucer said:

Switch just launched so the comparison in huh? But, I was clearly talking about Nintendo since their inception. Not Switch the past year vs. PS4 since it launched and third parties?

I can't even....

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console wars is serious bidness yall

Thatguy said:

Ugh too much hyperbole there TC.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=switch&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
Switch has 2 games over 95.
1 game between 90-94
11 games 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, Switch has 14 really good games.

https://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=ps4&cat=0&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=
PS4 also has 2 games over 95, both of which are not on Switch and one is a full exclusive
PS4 has 13 games between 90-94
PS4 has 136 games between 80-89

So if 80+ is a really good game, PS4 has 151 really good games. PS4 has literally 10 times as many quality titles than Switch.


If we want to look at sales, Switch games have topped out at around 9 million for a big game like Mario Odyssey. PS4 has 6 games over that with GTAV at around 17 million just on PS4. Uncharted 4 has over 10 million.

So no matter how you slice it, you're just wrong TC about Nintendo being #1 in any metric. All that said, to answer your question, I think a few of their devs use unique development techniques to bring quality to their titles. Nintendo games are always impeccably polished too. They are definitely world class, and can win GotY awards or even GotG awards. But I hesitate calling them "the best". thats unfair to other human beings on earth working hard to make great games. You can call Nintendo your favorite dev all day long. They're my favorite dev. But other devs are very talented too and can make awesome games that sell really well.

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You're completely missing the point. The OP is talking about Nintendo-made games. A fairer comparison would be Sony-made games and even then the PS4 launched almost 4 years ago. The Switch is just over a year old.

NaCL is building FAST in this thread.

Nintendo makes high quality games that are fun to play, thats the secret sauce.

They make games that are actually fun, and not games that have mediocre gameplay combined with mediocre stories dressed up as "cinematic"

First positive Nintendo thread this week!? :D

they make focused games that allow them to polish everything more than other devs who try to do so much more with their games.

Naner said:

Is there an example of a game getting a much higher (aggregate) score on Switch than Wii U? I just checked out Donkey Kong, Bayonetta, Pokkén and Mario Kart — Mario Kart had the biggest difference getting 4 points more on Switch. It's a bit silly, but doesn't seem completely unthinkable.

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Yeah this guy is wrong. I think he was looking at ONE review that was notably different for dk (GameSpot?)