Upcoming Nintendo Switch gameSuper Mario Odysseyis designed for “core” gamers and people who “like action games” reveals famed game designer Shigeru Miyamoto.
One of the biggest (and most well-received) surprises of last night’sNintendo Switchreveal event was the announcement ofSuper Mario Odyssey. A brand new 3D Mario game,Super Mario Odysseyis an open-world sandbox that sees players navigate the bustling streets of New Donk City and even come into contact with some real-life people who aren’t just friendly cartoon humans like Princess Peach and Mario himself.
While the prospect of a newMariogame on a new Nintendo console is enough to get anyone excited, during theNintendo Treehouse eventtoday, Shigeru Miyamoto, who helped create theMariofranchise, revealed more about the game. According toAttack of the Fanboy, Miyamoto said that “In recent years we madeSuper Mario 3D World, and even though it is a 3D game, it is more accessible to everybody.” The developer further explained that “when we thought about making Mario for Switch we thought to make the game something more on the core side, something that people who like action games can really get into.”
Miyamoto also revealed that Nintendo sees the Mario franchise as having two paths – one for casual and one for hardcore players. While Mario games are accessible to everybody, Miyamoto said that sometimes the games feature more simplistic controls so that everyone can play the game without worrying about control schemes.
While many long-standing Mario fans will be glad to hear thatSuper Mario Odyssey is designed with them in mind and that the game could feature controls that will challenge them, others will question whether the core gamer focus is such a good idea. After all, Nintendo has already said that the Nintendo Switchwon’t lean towards core gamers, so the fact thatSuper Mario Odysseydoes, could potentially turn the system’s target audience away from one of the biggest first-party games announced for consoles.
The core-focus of the game will also do nothing to encourage investors, with Nintendostocks already having droppedsince the Switch reveal event. And although it’s true that there is plenty more to be shown off regardingSuper Mario Odysseybefore it releases later this year, and that additional trailers and previews could show how the game appeals to both core and casual players, for now Miyamoto’s comments are more likely to cause skepticism than confidence in the game and the Switch.
Super Mario Odysseywill be released on the Nintendo Switch in holiday 2017.
