8 Most Disappointing Nintendo Game Cancellations

There’s nothing extra disappointing than when an anticipated recreation will get canceled.

To be honest, a recreation’s cancellation is often a sign of its high quality, or somewhat, lack thereof. That doesn’t imply it hurts any much less, although.

In terms of Nintendo video games, in addition to their cancellations, there’s one thing about them that stings much more. Few builders are on the extent of Nintendo in terms of crafting unforgettable video video games. This can be a firm that has been capable of ship even when expectations are nonexistent.

More often than not, it appears like they will make it work, so to know that these video games won’t ever see the sunshine of day is extremely disappointing.

8

Donkey Kong Racing

Slipped On A Banana Peel

I bear in mind this recreation being on the again of the Nintendo GameCube field.

On paper, it was an apparent choice: comply with the success of Diddy Kong Racing to ship one other Nintendo arcade racer within the vein of Mario Kart. We even noticed a tech demo for the sport in 2001, and it seemed promising.

Nonetheless, behind the scenes, as everyone knows now, Uncommon was within the strategy of eager to be purchased out. When Nintendo handed on buying the studio, Microsoft stepped as much as the plate in 2002, and Uncommon was now a first-party Xbox developer.

As was anticipated, any recreation with a Nintendo IP was going to be canceled or modified, together with Donkey Kong Racing. For now, Diddy Kong Racing stays the one viable various to Mario Kart in Nintendo’s historical past.

7

Icarus

Flew Too Shut To The Solar

Pit is extra than simply the dude who confirmed up in Tremendous Smash Bros. Brawl. He first appeared in 1986’s Kid Icarus for the NES, a sequence that was on ice for over 20 years.

That doesn’t imply Nintendo wasn’t trying to discover methods to convey it again. Probably the most notable was the deliberate Nintendo Wii recreation from developer Issue 5. In the event that they sound acquainted, they need to: they’re those behind the unimaginable Star Wars Rogue Squadron sequence.

There’s only one downside: that Issue 5 didn’t exist anymore. On the time, their most up-to-date recreation was 2007’s Lair for the PlayStation 3. It was a infamous flop that, regardless of spectacular visuals, bombed as a result of reliance on the PS3 Sixaxis movement controls.

Satirically, Nintendo didn’t cancel Icarus attributable to high quality requirements, however as a result of the sport was deemed to be too mature. If you happen to ask me, that’s a very good factor; the Nintendo Wii may have used a extra mature expertise, in addition to a Child Icarus recreation that didn’t have the awkward management scheme featured within the Nintendo 3DS recreation.

6

Untitled Legend of Zelda Sport

One Of Many Deliberate Zelda Titles From Retro

Retro Studios arguably did too good a job with Metroid Prime, as a result of their success led to the cancellation of a few of their different anticipated initiatives. So let’s take a while and provides the popularity these video games deserve.

First up is their untitled Legend of Zelda recreation, which was reportedly deliberate to have a darkish theme set within the “unhealthy ending” of the Zelda timeline. It could have additionally featured Sheik as the principle protagonist, not Hyperlink.

Given the extra mature route of Twilight Princess, you’d assume that Nintendo could be okay with a darker spin-off, however then once more, they canceled Icarus as a result of it was “too mature.”

Sammy Corridor, a former contract artist for Retro Studios, posted some concept art for the game just a few years again and commented on the sport’s premise.

5

Raven Blade

Canceled For Metroid Prime

Earlier than the discharge of Metroid Prime, Retro Studios had a complete of 4 video games in growth, two of which had been canceled so they may deal with their extra promising titles: Metroid Prime and Raven Blade.

It was speculated to be a high-profile authentic motion RPG, a style that wasn’t precisely well-liked on the Nintendo GameCube. Whereas the GameCube would finally characteristic some high-quality JRPGs with Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos, the western RPG style was nonetheless lacking in motion.

Sadly, Raven Blade would even be canceled, so Retro may solely deal with Metroid Prime. Michael Kelbaugh, former President of Retro Studios, added that the sport wasn’t coming collectively as deliberate, to be honest.

I imply, all of it labored out ultimately, however man, are you able to think about if another person was able to making a very good Metroid Prime recreation so Retro may give this each other shot?

4

Heroes of Hyrule

You Acquired Zelda In My Ways!

What when you mixed the puzzle-solving and exploration of Legend of Zelda with the turn-based grid battles of Final Fantasy Tactics?

What you’d get could be Heroes of Hyrule, a deliberate idea from Retro Studios that looks like a match made in heaven, particularly because it was deliberate for the Nintendo DS.

But right here we’re, over twenty years later, and the sport is so obscure that information of it didn’t seem till 2022 from a video from Did You Know Gaming, which Nintendo hit with a copyright strike.

I don’t get it; this looks like a incredible thought, and with the character of the Nintendo Change being a console/handheld hybrid, why is not this a factor being developed? It appears like nobody however Retro is ready to make a very good Metroid Prime recreation, however why not let one other studio strive the idea?

3

Concord

Did Donkey Kong Bananza Borrow Parts From This?

I actually sighed as I started to sort about Concord, not a lot concerning the recreation itself, however simply questioning “What if?” when it got here to Retro Studios.

You see, Concord wasn’t a deliberate idea from the 2000s; this was a deliberate Wii U recreation. Right here’s the entire variety of video games Retro launched for the Wii U. Let’s throw within the Nintendo Change as effectively for enjoyable:

• Donkey Kong Nation: Tropical Freeze
• Metroid Prime Remastered

Don’t get me fallacious: Tropical Freeze is nice, and I firmly consider Metroid Prime Remastered is an ideal recreation, however there wasn’t any room for one thing else in between these video games?

Concord was deliberate as a “singing RPG” the place Fon, a Spirit Charmer, would use her voice as a vital gameplay mechanic. I wouldn’t be stunned if Nintendo used this idea to assist form Donkey Kong Bananza’s gameplay.

2

Star Fox Armada

Nonetheless Ready For A New Star Fox Sport…

That wasn’t the one potential Wii U recreation from Retro that was canceled.

Following their success with Metroid and Donkey Kong, Retro Studios needed to take a shot at one other iconic Nintendo franchise: Star Fox. Their thought was to basically reboot the sequence, retconning something that occurred after Star Fox 64.

Gameplay sensible, gamers would be capable to discover the Lylat system, together with varied planets, sectors, and extra, improve their automobiles, discover your complete Nice Fox, and have a deal with on-line multiplayer. Sure, it considerably feels like No Man’s Sky, however within the Star Fox universe.

As an enormous Star Fox fan who nonetheless performs Star Fox 64 usually, this one hurts a lot. I’m unsure how it might have in the end labored out, however man, we actually want a brand new Star Fox recreation.

1

Earthbound 64

Oh, What Might Have Been

I’ll by no means perceive why the one recreation within the Mom sequence to be launched for Western audiences is Earthbound.

The characters are well-liked due to their inclusion in Tremendous Smash Bros. The SNES JRPG is a beloved traditional. The demand for Mom 3 stays at a fever pitch. But, for some purpose, Nintendo refuses to cooperate.

In an alternate actuality, although, that isn’t the case, and Earthbound 64 was launched. Right here was the unique plan for the sport: impressed by Tremendous Mario 64, the sport would happen in a 3D open world. It was even playable at Area World 1999. There was one downside, although: the Nintendo 64 {hardware} couldn’t deal with the sport, and Nintendo was beginning to focus extra on the upcoming GameCube system.

Whereas some deliberate Nintendo 64 video games would make the soar to the GameCube, Earthbound 64 wasn’t one among them. It could finally be launched on the Sport Boy Advance as Mom 3, however solely in Japan.