The Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door Remake Decision Sucks For Gamers
Nintendo's "New" Paper Mario: An Opportunity Missed?
Nintendo's recent announcement during their Nintendo Direct of a remake of "Paper Mario and the Thousand-Year Door" for the Nintendo Switch has fans buzzing. This classic, which was originally released for the Nintendo GameCube, has held a special place in many gamers' hearts. Its unique art style, compelling story, and innovative gameplay mechanics made it a standout title in the GameCube era. To many, the news of its return is cause for jubilation.
However, let's take a step back and consider a different perspective.
The Glory Days of Virtual Console
There's no denying the fact that Nintendo's Virtual Console service was an absolute gem. It provided players with access to a vast library of retro titles across various consoles. From the NES to the N64, classics were a mere purchase away. However, with the advent of the Nintendo Switch, the company made the controversial decision to discontinue the Virtual Console, replacing it instead with the more limited Nintendo Online service.
The Issue with the Remake
While there's no arguing that a "Paper Mario and the Thousand-Year Door" remake will bring updated graphics, widescreen support, additional characters, and perhaps even story enhancements, one cannot help but wonder if this is what fans truly needed. The original game, with its already impressive modern graphics, had aged well. Would the time and resources used for this remake have been better spent revamping a game that genuinely needed a facelift?
Furthermore, Nintendo's capability to introduce GameCube games to the Nintendo Online service, yet choosing not to, feels like a missed opportunity.
If "Paper Mario and the Thousand-Year Door" could be remade, surely it could've been added to the online service in its original form?
Accepting a Limited Selection
Nintendo's strategic shift has programmed its fanbase to accept the restricted assortment of games provided via their online service. The vast treasure trove of titles from past consoles remains locked away, with no clear indication if they will ever see the light of day on the Switch. With no Virtual Console and no legitimate means to purchase ROMs of these retro classics, fans are cornered into settling for whatever Nintendo offers.
End Result
There's no doubt that any addition to the Nintendo Switch library, especially one as beloved as "Paper Mario and the Thousand-Year Door," is a boon for gamers. However, the broader picture reveals a possibly concerning trend. Fans should always welcome updates and new content, but they should also remember the value of access to the classics in their original form.
Being excited about this game unfortunately only emboldens Nintendo to continue down this path of ignorance. As Nintendo continues to navigate the modern gaming landscape, one can only hope they will recognize the true desires of their fanbase and act accordingly... But the fans need to speak up for that to happen.
~Smash
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