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Editorials 
Ninten-Debates: The Most Successful Game of 2002
- By Mike
Ryan [Senior Editor]
Welcome to another of our "Ninten-debates." Today's topic comes our way via a loyal reader, Thomas Larson. Which Nintendo game do we think will sell the most?
Travis:
For the Nintendo game that will sell the most this year, my money is on Mario. His name recognition is enough to sell a million copies off the bat, and I have no doubt that the game will be extremely enjoyable. I mean why not? Every other Mario game has been. I would have said Zelda, but there are some out there that put style over substance, so it may sell a thousand less that it would have were it like the original Spaceworld demo. Oh, and Metroid will do well also, but not even Samus herself is going to beat the portly plumber
Mike:
Hey Travis! Don't hate us haters! I personally can't stand the new Zelda look. But we'll save that for another debate.
Neal:
I would have to agree with Travis. Mario is Nintendo's title character. You can't have a Nintendo system and not own a Mario title. I'm sure we all had Mario 1, 2, and 3 for the NES, as well as Super Mario World 1 and 2 for SNES, and Mario 64 for the N64. Mario equals Nintendo. That's why it will sell the most. And Mike - don't start bashing Zelda. That's one fight you won't win.
Nathan:
I think we are all forgetting one important game - Final Fantasy. Let's face it - the FF games, good or not, have always made lots of money. Add that with the fact that it will be compatible with the Game Boy Advance version of the game, and I think we're looking at the real best seller here.
Travis:
That is true. The FF series have a huge user base, both in Japan and America. We could be looking at an interesting battle here.
Neal:
No way. Mario is going to take the crown, no doubt about it. This is why many people buy Nintendo systems - for the Mario games.
Travis:
You've been pretty quiet, Mike. What's your take?
Mike:
I actually think that it will be a close one between Eternal Darkness and Metroid. But I am actually putting my money on Metroid. Metroid has always been up there on the "popularity scale" with Mario and Zelda. Both Mario and Link have had numerous games for Nintendo systems. I think many gamers have had enough with the same old stuff. Metroid skipped entirely over the N64. We are in need of a good Metroid game.
Neal:
I could see ED being up there in sales, but coming out later in the year may handicap Metroid
Travis:
But since Mario has had so many sequels, it has created a larger fan base
Neal:
And the "E" rating for Mario allows it to be "parent friendly" beyond what ED and likely Metroid will be. Not that it only sells because it is "kiddie" (God I hate that word), but it will help that the young un's who ARE playing games will be able to get it from their parents. I'm not saying that 14 year olds won't get Metroid, but most 8-9 year olds won't, and they will get Mario
Nathan:
And we are all aware of the Big N's target age is
Mike:
I still say Metroid is going to be huge.
Monster huge.
Oprah huge.
Neal:
Oh, I have no doubt it will be huge, but the fact that it will likely push into a "T" rating makes it a little farther from the open audience it has had up to this point. It may even border on an "M" which would really cut the audience a bit, but I'm guessing it remains in the realm of a "T"
Travis:
When Mario Sunshine is released, Mike will have to apologize to all of us - so start groveling
Neal:
True, maybe he should even be fired for his heretic like behavior against our main man Mario
Mike:
Say what you want, the time has come for the plumber to hang up his plunger and pass the torch to the lovely Samus Aran
Neal:
Maybe on the GBA, but the Cube may be a stretch for the first installment of each series
Nathan:
But at least Final Fantasy will have both of those covered
Neal:
Either way, Nintendo will be raking in the dough, while a certain unnamed monopoly will have to keep slashing their unit prices to get people to buy them
Mike:
And giving them away at Taco Bell
Travis:
And in Doritos, and probably in the mail soon, with samples of Tide.
Mike:
Well, I think that come E3 we will have a better idea of what will be the next best seller
Neal:
True
Travis:
Definitely
Nathan: I still say Final Fantasy is going to kick butt.
Well, folks. There you have it. Looks like we're still not exactly sure what will sell the most copies this year. Regardless, there has never been a better time to own a 'Cube.
Comments on our Ninten-debates? Agree with someone? Disagree? Want to bash Mike for his criticism on the new Zelda? Feel free to drop us a line.
Got a possible topic for a future "Ninten-debate?" Let us know!
Agree with what I'm saying? Disagree? Let us know your thoughts on this issue in our mail bag. The views of Mike Ryan are not necessarily the views of NGenres.com or its affiliates.
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