To say thatNintendochanged video games in 2017 would be an understatement. The launch of the Switch alongsideThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildwas the perfect combo. Anyone who had a Switch got that game although it was tough to find a system at first.
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Now, technically, theZeldaseries had been open-world before this but it was never as expansive. Areas were gated off too often to call anything truly open-world, although the sailing segments ofThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wakerdid come close. To reiterate,Nintendorevolutionized theZeldaseries in 2017. So, what series should they turn into an open-world experience next? Any one of these ideas could help launch the Switch 2.
8Animal Crossing
Animal Crossing: New Horizonswas a big step forward for theAnimal Crossingseries. There was the online functionality, the island gave players more to do, and it was supported by a healthy amount of updates. It wasn’t perfect though as even the friend aspect was a bit backward.
A truly open-world version of this series could be spectacular. Imagine a game wherein a map could randomly populate itself with your town and a few dozen others from friends online. Players could get in a car, drive to a friend’s town, explore open fields for materials, and so on.
7Donkey Kong Country
Forget about an open-world game.Donkey Kong Countrycould be the first open-jungle experience. The word “country” is literally in the title and yet every game feels small. An open-world game could truly show how large of a kingdom, or country, theKongs rule over.
The Super Mario Bros. Moviehad the right idea as it showcased a giant metropolitan area complete with homes, businesses, and even interconnected highways. Nintendo could turn that idea into a game, or they could go back to the roots of the series and make that open-jungle concept a reality.
6EarthBound
EarthBound, and theMotherseries as a whole, are technically all open-world games. Most retro RPGs from the 80s and 90s are to some degree but there are gates to progression. Since the series has never gone 3D before, a proper open-world adventure would be a great way to get fans excited for the series again.
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The combat could still be turn-based and be good as thePersonaseries has proven. Assuredly they would also be happy with an official translationofMother 3. Heck, even a new Amiibo figure may satiate the hungry fan base out there.
5Fire Emblem
Fire Emblemhas primarily been a tactical RPG series since it began on the NES. It has experimented with traditional turn-based RPGs accompanied by exploration like inFire Emblem Gaiden. Since the series is now almost as popular asThe Legend of Zelda, Nintendo should allow Intelligent Systems to experiment with the series.
They could make an open-world RPG like the olderFinal Fantasygames and use either action combat or turn-based combat. The experiment may fail with hardcore fans who prefer tactical battles, but it could also draw new fans in.
4Golden Sun
TheGolden Sunseries falls into the same range of open-world experiences asEarthBound. The first two games on GBA were in 2D but the third was in 3D albeit with simplified graphics. It has been over a decade since the last game on DS and the series has never left portable systems.
What would be more hype for longtime fans than to get a new game on a home console? An open-world reboot for the Switch 2’s launch could make that fan hype skyrocket to the moon.
3Kid Icarus
Kid Icarushas beenmore of a Metroidvaniaseries from the start or at least an early version of one. WithKid Icarus Uprisingon the 3DS, the tone changed to more of a cross betweenStar FoxandKingdom Hearts. And that was the last game in the series.
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A lot of fans thought thatImmortals: Fenyx Risingwas going to be aKid Icarusgame since Nintendo and Ubisoft were cozy at the time. It turned out to be an original title, but maybe Nintendo could learn fromImmortals: Fenyx Risingto create an open-worldKid Icarusgame now.
2Mario
ThevariousMariofranchiseshave teetered on the edge of open-world games before.Super Mario Odysseycame the closest as planets were like large open sandboxes to play around in. The game wasn’t a true seamless open-world adventure though.
TheMarioRPG gameslikeMario & LuigiorPaper Mariohave come even closer to a true open-world experience. Now, an open-worldGolden Sungame at the Switch 2’s launch would be cool, but an open-worldMariogame on the level ofThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildwould probably sell more consoles.
1Pikmin
ThePikminseries has always been segmented into small, level-based excursions.Pikmin 4changed that and allowed a lot more exploration chances in a smaller number of spaces. These areas were packed full of secrets to uncover and monsters to fight.
These open areas were a welcomed change to the gameplay, but likeSuper Mario Odyssey, they weren’t completely open-world. Would aPikmingame work in a large-scale area? Could it be like a more kid-friendly version ofFallout 3?
