Will Link become the new face of Nintendo?

[superwesleybros]

I think the quality of the games in any of the mainstream franchises of Nintendo gets better after enough time has passed. After Mario Galaxy 2, It just seemed like They had to pump out crappy Mario games to keep up the attention. IMHO SM: 3D land was used as another quick cash in. I think it's fun but I found it boring after the 3rd World. If they focused on the Main series rather than the useless sports titles the Mario games would be a lot better.

As for Link being made the new face of Nintendo...Unlikely.

If it does happen I won't care. It's Nintendo the only face on it I see is the red (NINTENDO.)

[1upmushroom]

If you guys have noticed, the quality of the Zelda games have been getting better in gameplay and story quality while the Mario games have been getting worse and worse, its like Nintendo does not give a damn about the SMB franchise this time around. What do you guys think?

Says the guy who only likes dark interpretations. I'm sorry but this is just a phase. Dark Reimaginings will not last forever. Besides, Mario's target audience is kids, it's supposed to be light hearted, if you can't take it then you should have stopped at Sunshine. As for me, the series has gotten only better, especially with 3D Land, which I put at the Top 5 of my favorite Mario games.

[Redstar]

If you guys have noticed, the quality of the Zelda games have been getting better in gameplay and story quality while the Mario games have been getting worse and worse, its like Nintendo does not give a damn about the SMB franchise this time around. What do you guys think?

I'm not sure where you've gotten that impression since each main series Super Mario Bros. game has been praised for not only innovating the series but also remaining true to its roots. Each one is generally considered more critically successful than the last.

According to Metacritic, the last six games in the series have all received scores upwards of 90, with only New Super Mario Bros. Wii receiving less:

Super Mario 64 - 94 out of 100

Super Mario Sunshine - 92 out of 100

New Super Mario Bros. Wii - 87 out of 100

Super Mario Galaxy - 97 out of 100

Super Mario Galaxy - 97 out of 100

Super Mario 3D Land - 90 out of 100


This, compared to the last three games of the Legend of Zelda series:

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker - 96 out of 100

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - 95 out of 100

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - 93 out of 100


I'd say the two series are fairly comparable and doing very well for such long-lasting franchises. People don't play Mario games for their story; they play them to make leaps and stomp Goombas. Nintendo has no reason to replace Mario as their mascot, especially considering that companies like Sega have chosen to stick with Sonic despite his decline.

[Wesr]

In the 80s when you said Nintendo you'd think of both of them, they even shared the cover of the Nintendo cereal box. I think they can both be good reps of the company and for more mature gamers Samus would work too.