Welcome again to The Nintendo Report, the place we’re looking at Nintendo’s mental properties and seeing how they’re doing. With the ABCs lined, it’s time to maneuver onto the letter D! And I can already inform that is going to be a irritating one. Nintendo has numerous IP right here that haven’t seen any new iterations in WAY too lengthy, particularly contemplating simply how large these names are. Nicely, let’s rip off the ol’ Band-aid and see how Nintendo’s D video games are doing in The Nintendo Report. 

Detective Membership

Again within the outdated days, Nintendo had a lot of properties that they by no means localized. That’s largely modified right now, as Nintendo tends to suppose way more globally after they make video games. However of all of the properties that didn’t make it to the West, Famicom Detective Membership most likely makes probably the most sense. These are very closely text-driven adventures that will have taken a ton of effort to make it wherever exterior of Japan. They had been apparently decently well-liked of their dwelling nation although, and received remade for the Tremendous Famicom and even noticed some model new chapters broadcast on the BS Satellaview! 

Well being ranking: Good

In a stunning flip of occasions, the Famicom Detective Membership model is doing surprisingly nicely within the modern-day. Nintendo noticed match to remake each of the unique video games on the Change, the place they carried out admirably contemplating how extremely area of interest they’re. The originals have been re-released a few occasions through the years too on the GBA and Wii Digital console in Japan, however these Change remakes received the royal remedy, which is nice to see. For now not less than, the Detective Membership is doing alright. 

Satan’s Third

I’m not 100% certain Nintendo truly owns this IP. It was developed by Valhalla Studios and ultimately received a Home windows port, however Nintendo was the one firm keen to publish the sport in its unique type, and I appear to recall one thing about them proudly owning not less than a portion of the model. Which I can’t think about they really care a lot about today since its Wii U launch was a stinker that no one preferred. It’s a third individual on-line shooter that’s umm… nicely, let’s simply say individuals stayed away from it for a motive. 

Well being ranking: Mainly lifeless

Although its free-to-play Home windows port was reviewed higher than its critically panned Wii U iteration, it didn’t final lengthy, with its on-line performance being shuttered in 2017. And it actually does appear that exterior of Valhalla Studios, no one appears to thoughts. This recreation’s solely notable function within the US is being a comparatively uncommon and onerous to seek out Wii U recreation. Actually, the few copies that existed in retail had been scooped up by collectors and scalpers, with only a few individuals truly buying it to play it. Satan’s Third is as successfully lifeless as an IP may be. 

Dillon’s Rolling Western

Originating on the 3DS eShop, Dillon’s Rolling Western is mainly Nintendo’s tackle the tower protection style. It stars a brilliant cool armadillo named Dillon and has a neat Western motif. It was comparatively profitable, inspiring a few sequels, and Dillon himself even made it into Smash Bros. as an help trophy. 

Well being ranking: Might be higher

The Dillon video games had been developed by Vanpool, which was sadly dissolved in Might 2023. The final launch within the collection was 2018’s Dillon’s Useless-Warmth Breakers. So yeah, it’s been just a bit too lengthy for this franchise to be thought of in any type of fine condition. That stated, it’s nonetheless a very cool thought with some nice character designs, which isn’t one thing Nintendo is prone to ignore. Issues could seem grim now, however I’d be shocked if this collection stayed buried within the desert endlessly. 

Catastrophe

You most likely know Monolith Comfortable for his or her Xenoblade Chronicles collection, however do you know they made a totally unhinged Wii recreation about pure disasters terrorizing a metropolis? Nicely, they DID! And it’s AMAZING. Discover I didn’t say it was good, simply superb. There’s bear assault, flaming tornadoes, and an especially melodramatic story to accompany the Wii’s movement controls. IT’s a large number, however in a great way.  

Well being ranking: Mainly lifeless

This recreation was famously turned down for North America launch by Reggie Fils-Aime, which I feel was a mistake. Sure, it’s fairly silly, however in a very enjoyable means! It’s additionally a moderately handsome recreation by Wii requirements. Regardless, Monolith Comfortable appears to have discovered their area of interest in making video games which can be very a lot not this. Irrespective of how a lot I might have preferred to see this recreation flip right into a collection although, I appear to be the one one. Neither Nintendo Nor Monolith appear to have any curiosity in bringing this one again from the lifeless. 

Donkey Kong

And right here’s the place we meet the aforementioned frustration. Donkey Kong is certainly one of Nintendo’s premiere manufacturers. It’s the sport that Mario got here from, and its unique iteration is an all-time arcade basic. It’s actually onerous to nail down precisely what the gameplay of Donkey Kong actually is although, as every sequel within the unique collection tends to alter fairly a bit. The primary two video games had been all about making it via impediment programs to succeed in the highest of the display, whereas Donkey Kong 3 was mainly a shooter the place it’s important to spray insect repellent at Donkey Kong’s monumental butt. There was a Donkey Kong Hockey Sport & Watch recreation, and a metric ton of extra trendy Mario vs. Donkey Kong video games that developed out of the unique video games’ gameplay type. It’s as various as it’s traditionally vital. 

Well being ranking: Okay

The primary Mario vs. Donkey Kong simply received a full-blown remake on Change, which is fairly neat, but it surely doesn’t actually change the truth that there hasn’t been a brand new Donkey Kong recreation since 2016’s Mini Mario & Mates: amiibo Problem. And calling {that a} Donkey Kong recreation is fairly beneficiant. Arguably, this collection reached its peak in 1994 with Donkey Kong for Sport Boy, and whereas the Mario vs. Donkey Kong video games are good, they’ve by no means efficiently developed the method set in that recreation. There’s a ton of potential for this type of recreation, and never even essentially regarding Mario. In spite of everything, as soon as Mario spun off to do Mario Bros. along with his brother Luigi, Donkey Kong confronted off in opposition to his personal unique protagonist named Stanley in DK3. The place’s that man? Why aren’t we making new DK video games the place he’s pitted in opposition to Stanley doing all types of enjoyable puzzles and whatnot? That this model isn’t usually churning out titles is against the law. 

Donkey Kong Nation

However wait, there’s extra! See, Donkey Kong actually has two distinct flavors of existence. There’s the stuff that’s an evolution of the unique arcade video games, after which there’s the significantly extra profitable Donkey Kong Nation collection. These are Mario-style platformers the place you management Kong himself (normally) to do battle with varied nefarious forces who really need Donkey Kong’s bananas for some motive. It’s received its personal model of spinoffs from racing to rhythm video games, and it’s an especially nicely liked franchise to today. 

Well being ranking: Might be higher

Significantly although, the place the heck is the following Donkey Kong Nation recreation? Donkey Kong Nation: Tropical Freeze was launched on Wii U OVER A DECADE AGO!  Positive, it received a re-release on Change, however that hardly looks like correct remedy for certainly one of Nintendo’s most vital manufacturers. Donkey Kong is a real icon on the planet of video video games, and it has been means too quiet for means too lengthy. He had a task within the massively profitable Tremendous Mario Bros. film, however on the planet of video video games themselves, he stays depressingly dormant. Donkey Kong Deserves higher. 

Doshin the Big

This Is one other property I’m not 100% certain Nintendo owns, however I really feel assured they not less than have a stake in it. In keeping with the sport’s creator, it may be described as “Populous meets Mario” and if that sounds insane, that’s as a result of it’s. This recreation initially got here out on the Japan unique 64DD add on for the Nintendo 64 in 1999, and even noticed an enlargement pack launched for it just some months later! It’s received fairly a cult following today too. Their numbers aren’t massive, however they’re passionate. 

Well being ranking: Mainly lifeless

Doshin the Big received ported to the GameCube and launched in each Japan and Europe, but it surely by no means made its solution to the US. Which is very odd contemplating Cubivore made it out over right here, and that recreation’s arguably even weirder than this one! However exterior of some compulsory Smash Bros. references, issues have been extraordinarily quiet on the Doshin the Big entrance. As all the time, I by no means say by no means relating to Nintendo and reviving outdated manufacturers, however I might be shocked if we ever noticed a brand new Doshin venture. 

Dragalia Misplaced

Dragalia Misplaced has the distinctive distinction of being the one Nintendo property to by no means seem on a Nintendo platform. It is a purely cellular enterprise, and from what I’m instructed, it’s a reasonably first rate one. It’s a touchscreen managed motion RPG that launched on iOS and Android and apparently made Nintendo an entire bunch of cash earlier than being shut down in November 2022.

Well being ranking: Okay

Actually, I’ve completely no thought methods to price this one. The cellular recreation being discontinued appears fairly dangerous, but it surely additionally made Nintendo a tidy revenue, so possibly a sequel might be within the works? I actually don’t understand how the cellular market features. I’d like to see this recreation make its solution to a Nintendo platform sometime although. It seems to be kinda neat. 

Drill Dozer

Any time Sport Freak will get to make a recreation that isn’t Pokemon it’s normally a fairly good time, and Drill Dozer isn’t any exception. As soon as once more, I’m not 100% certain Nintendo owns this one, however given the principle character’s look as an help trophy in Smash Bros, I’m moderately assured it’s theirs. It is a 2D platformer the place you management a lady named Jill who, nicely, drills stuff. It’s brilliant, colourful, and an excellent time. 

Well being ranking: Mainly lifeless

And there’s one other irritating one. It is a cool recreation! However like nearly all the pieces Sport Freak does that isn’t Pokemon, it’s a one and achieved property. Drill Dozer launched on Sport Boy Advance in 2006 within the US, and out of doors of being referenced in Smash Bros., that’s the whole thing of its historical past. It did get re-released on the Wii U Digital Console, which isn’t nothing, however this one smells fairly lifeless to me. 

Duck Hunt

Ahh, Duck Hunt. Probably the most iconic video video games ever launched within the US. It’s the sport that offered hundreds of thousands of children on the Zapper peripheral, and annoyed hundreds of thousands extra with the lack to shoot that darn canine. In case you’re unaware of its premise, it’s important to shoot geese that fly across the display. That’s it. But in some way it’s extremely enjoyable, difficult, and charming. Nintendo at its most interesting. 

Well being ranking: Mainly lifeless

So why, within the title of sanity, has there by no means been a correct observe up? It’s been referenced in Wii Play, and even impressed a playable character in Smash Bros. however there’s nonetheless just one Duck Hunt recreation. Until you depend Nintendo’s pre-video recreation days, however that’s type of a distinct ball of wax. This recreation’s a real icon within the retro gaming area, and it’s truthfully baffling that there’s by no means been a followup of any variety. A minimum of you could possibly shoot the canine within the arcade model. 

Nicely, there you will have it. Not a fantastic letter this time round. Donkey Kong specifically has been uncared for for means too lengthy, however clearly he’s in good firm. Who is aware of, although? Possibly Nintendo might mud a couple of of those off on their subsequent era console. We’ll see. 

Be a part of us subsequent time as we sort out the letter E which has a shocking variety of entries, together with the last word cult hit, some wacky rhythm video games, and the spookiest title Nintendo’s ever been concerned in.