which character (besides mario) do you think represents nintendo?

mine would be link and zelda.....samus....donkey kong...kirby....maybe pokemon

i think pokemon came a little later

I think Link and Samus mainly

Pikachu IMO, mainly because of how well recognized it is next to Mario.hiphops_savior

I'd go with Pikachu. Samus and Link aren't really mascot material, and Kirby isn't nearly as well known.

This guys:

Zelda is not that popular

Link or Samus

I'd go with Pikachu. Samus and Link aren't really mascot material, and Kirby isn't nearly as well known.

Pixel-Perfect

for sure Link, Zelda and Donkey Kong

kirby has his own show ppl know 'it's' name link...... well he's just awesomezoraluv

probably Pikachu or Donkey Kong imho. Everyone knows of hte legend of zelda and Metroid, but notas many non gamers are familiar with Link and Samus specifically.

Pikachu. In terms of appeal and brand impact, the Pokemon franchise is the ONLY thing that comes close to what Mario does, and being the most popular Pokemon of all, Pikachu is the face of not only the series, but is also Nintendo's second biggest character when it comes to showcasing what Nintendo offers as a company.

Donkey Kong but what Pac Man?Skylanterns

link hands down

sincesamus is kinda Shamus to non--nintendo fans, i'd have to got with Link.

Donkey Kong

Luigi or Link. Not really Samus though, most casual gamers have no idea who that is.

Hmmm I would have to say Link. I don't know why people are saying zelda is not popular, as many old time players remember these games the most. the series is very well known, and is a revolutionary one at that, that many people play regardless of what console they prefer. Samus is more niche, kirby is not that well known, and donkey kong hasnt been around for awhile in a mascot way that is.

The Miis are representing the Wii more and better than any character

The Miis are representing the Wii more and better than any character

wiifan001

The topic was about which character best represents Nintendo, not the Wii. Furthermore, I don't think people see Miis as the face of Nintendo, but rather as the face of THEMSELVES in a Nintendo game. I actually thought about going with the Miis myself, until I realized those very things. The Mii concept is also still very fresh, so we don't know how appealing and important they will be down the line.

The topic was about which character best represents Nintendo, not the Wii.

Furthermore, I don't think people see Miis as the face of Nintendo, but rather as the face of THEMSELVES in a Nintendo game. I actually thought about going with the Miis myself, until I realized those very things. The Mii concept is also still very fresh, so we don't know how appealing and important they will be down the line.

Madmangamer364

Pokemon can be argued as therepresentofthe DS better than anything else. And I firmly believe Pokemon is bigger on the DS than Mario. Mario is the mascot of Nintendo still. The Miis are more appealing and more popular than Mario. Wii Party is not just a safe assumptionthat it's replacingMario Party 9, because that's exactly what it's doing. You see the Mii characters as icons in Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 on the title screen.The Miis are there as playable in Mario Kart Wii.Also in Mario Kart Wii, you see them as audience, as statues,posters, and much more.Both in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, and the Olympic Winter Games, the Miis are playable there as well.

The games that are selling more than any other for Nintendo use the Mii characters: Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus, Wii Play. You don't see Mariocjaracters making an appearance in "Wii ____" games. The Miis are invading many Mario games, and Mario in turn is not showing up in "Wii ___"

Obviously Pokemon is only going big on the DS. Mario is at the #2 spot for both Wii and DS, but he's still considered the mascot of Nintendo. However, theMiis are dominating the Wii, no question about it, but aren't even heard of on the DS. Having with the Miis being the most popular overall, I am going with the Miis. Now that NIntendo realizes the Miis are going be THE represent, Wii Party is going to sell better than any Mario Party game ever, and will outsell higher than Mario Party 9 ever could.

Pokemon can be argued as therepresentofthe DS better than anything else. And I firmly believe Pokemon is bigger on the DS than Mario. Mario is the mascot of Nintendo still. The Miis are more appealing and more popular than Mario. Wii Party is not just a safe assumptionthat it's replacingMario Party 9, because that's exactly what it's doing. You see the Mii characters as icons in Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 on the title screen.The Miis are there as playable in Mario Kart Wii.Also in Mario Kart Wii, you see them as audience, as statues,posters, and much more.Both in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, and the Olympic Winter Games, the Miis are playable there as well.

The games that are selling more than any other for Nintendo use the Mii characters: Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus, Wii Play. You don't see Mariocjaracters making an appearance in "Wii ____" games. The Miis are invading many Mario games, and Mario in turn is not showing up in "Wii ___"

Obviously Pokemon is only going big on the DS. Mario is at the #2 spot for both Wii and DS, but he's still considered the mascot of Nintendo. However, theMiis are dominating the Wii, no question about it, but aren't even heard of on the DS. Having with the Miis being the most popular overall, I am going with the Miis. Now that NIntendo realizes the Miis are going be THE represent, Wii Party is going to sell better than any Mario Party game ever, and will outsell higher than Mario Party 9 ever could.

wiifan001

While Pokemon games may be a staple on portable platforms, including the DS, the series' global impact in and outside of gaming has been unmatched since its original launch. Not only are we talking about a gaming series that has skyrocketed itself to being the second most successful series ever, which is saying a mouthful for a series much younger than the majority of the classic names it has now left in the dust, it was also able to spawn so success for Nintendo for things not directly gaming related. Anime, movies, card games, toys, food... you name it. The Miis, on the other hand, are just game-related avatars. :P

That's not to say that what the Miis have been featured in hasn't proved to be successful for Nintendo, but you have to wonder where their value truly lies. Have the likes of Wii Sports and Wii Fit been successful because of the Miis themselves or because of the gameplay ideas created by Nintendo and the activities they've been featured in? With Pokemon, you KNOW what makes it go, but as long as Nintendo's games are titled "Wii ____," and not "Mii ___," it remains to be seen just how representative the Miis really are. Sure, you can make claims that the Miis are replacing Mario as far as party games go, but couldn't the same be said about Mario Sports Mix becoming a new Wii Sports without Miis?

Once again, I just feel that the value of the Miis are more of a personal representation that that of a global and coporatate face. With Mario and Pikachu, on the other hand, you can place them anywhere and just about anyone will be able to instantly recognizable them. That, on top of the fact of being the faces of gaming's two biggest franchises, are what makes them above and beyond everything else, including Miis.

Luigi, Pikachu or the Miis.
Not sure if casual gamers can easily recognize Link/Zelda or Metroid. :|

Link and Donkey Kong, maybe Samus. I would say Luigi, but nobody cares about him :)

Link and Donkey Kong, maybe Samus. I would say Luigi, but nobody cares about him :)

AvatarMan96

[QUOTE="wiifan001"]

Pokemon can be argued as therepresentofthe DS better than anything else. And I firmly believe Pokemon is bigger on the DS than Mario. Mario is the mascot of Nintendo still. The Miis are more appealing and more popular than Mario. Wii Party is not just a safe assumptionthat it's replacingMario Party 9, because that's exactly what it's doing. You see the Mii characters as icons in Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 on the title screen.The Miis are there as playable in Mario Kart Wii.Also in Mario Kart Wii, you see them as audience, as statues,posters, and much more.Both in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, and the Olympic Winter Games, the Miis are playable there as well.

The games that are selling more than any other for Nintendo use the Mii characters: Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus, Wii Play. You don't see Mariocjaracters making an appearance in "Wii ____" games. The Miis are invading many Mario games, and Mario in turn is not showing up in "Wii ___"

Obviously Pokemon is only going big on the DS. Mario is at the #2 spot for both Wii and DS, but he's still considered the mascot of Nintendo. However, theMiis are dominating the Wii, no question about it, but aren't even heard of on the DS. Having with the Miis being the most popular overall, I am going with the Miis. Now that NIntendo realizes the Miis are going be THE represent, Wii Party is going to sell better than any Mario Party game ever, and will outsell higher than Mario Party 9 ever could.

While Pokemon games may be a staple on portable platforms, including the DS, the series' global impact in and outside of gaming has been unmatched since its original launch. Not only are we talking about a gaming series that has skyrocketed itself to being the second most successful series ever, which is saying a mouthful for a series much younger than the majority of the classic names it has now left in the dust, it was also able to spawn so success for Nintendo for things not directly gaming related. Anime, movies, card games, toys, food... you name it. The Miis, on the other hand, are just game-related avatars. :P

That's not to say that what the Miis have been featured in hasn't proved to be successful for Nintendo, but you have to wonder where their value truly lies. Have the likes of Wii Sports and Wii Fit been successful because of the Miis themselves or because of the gameplay ideas created by Nintendo and the activities they've been featured in? With Pokemon, you KNOW what makes it go, but as long as Nintendo's games are titled "Wii ____," and not "Mii ___," it remains to be seen just how representative the Miis really are. Sure, you can make claims that the Miis are replacing Mario as far as party games go, but couldn't the same be said about Mario Sports Mix becoming a new Wii Sports without Miis?

Once again, I just feel that the value of the Miis are more of a personal representation that that of a global and coporatate face. With Mario and Pikachu, on the other hand, you can place them anywhere and just about anyone will be able to instantly recognizable them. That, on top of the fact of being the faces of gaming's two biggest franchises, are what makes them above and beyond everything else, including Miis.

Pikachu is still just a mouse. Mario is just an Italian plumber. So, the Miis being "just game related avatars" is an understatement. Miis are being sold on T-shirts. They're at Six Flags, along with Mario, Link, and more (I have a Zelda Twilight Princess shirt I bought up there). They even had Wii booths up there last year, and last year they had access to Wii Sports Resort about 3 weeks before launch. Rather than simply selling merchandise, they've had Wii Sports Resort and Punch-Out actually playable. They're selling the games and the Wii's themselves as an ingenious form of advertising. Not Mario, but Wii Sports Resort.wiifan001

No, the REAL understatement would be calling Pikachu "just a mouse" or Mario "just an Italian plumber." It's like calling Mickey Mouse "just a mouse" or Superman "just a dude with a cape;" when it comes to such iconic figures, it comes off almost as an insult. To the millions of people around the world and over the years, the mere presence of the likes of Mario and Pikachu have spoken volumes, as one look at them, everyone expects greatness. It's a reputation that Miis alone don't have and probably never will. The greatest appeal Miis can have would be through user-based creativity, not stand-alone marketing prowess. I don't think I've ever seen a Mii mascot, food-related item, or toy, and even if they do exist, I doubt it would have the same effect on the average person as Mario or Pikachu would, especially if that Mii wasn't one that was created by the very person looking at it.

Nintendo's titles are referred as Wii ___ and not Mii ___ because in the end, the Wii is the real star, for its the console. It's kind of a gimmick just like how there were tons of titles with the "64" attachment (Super Mario 64, Donkey Kong 64, Star Fox 64, etc.) and "super" was added to so many freekin snes titles with "super" in front of the title (Super Castlevania 4, Super Mario World, Super Metroid, etc.)wiifan001

Well, at least we agree on the bolded part. When it comes to the likes of Wii Sports and Wii Fit, it's the Wii that makes the difference, not the Miis themselves. However, when it comes to the other franchises, rest assured that the series being mentioned is just as, if not more important than the system it's on. It's not just in the name, but also in the marketing and labeling. When you look at a Super Mario game, Mario gets the 'front and center' treatment each and every time. With the Wii ___ games, it's a logo and a montage of gameplay screenshots, with the focus being more on what's being done than who's doing them (the Miis). Heck, the Wii Fit games don't feature Miis at all on the front of the game box. That's the difference between the two concepts; Nintendo has yet to actually sell a "Mii," but won't hesistate for a second to sell Mario or Pokemon because they KNOW that just Mario and Pokemon alone will generate positive results.

We already have Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, both minigame / sports titles. With Mario, none of the power ups / characters could be applied. In Mario Sports Mix, basketball has already been introduced in wii sports resort. The other ones probably could be whole separate games, but Nintendo is just comiling it all into one. Wii Sports 3 wouldn't simply work just without adding on a new feature (motion controls, wii motion plus). Nothing for Wii Sports 3. And you know Nintendo's rule, there always has to be Mario game announced on its way. So while many are in the middle of Mario Galaxy 2 at the time, Mario Sports Mix is announced at E3. The two biggest icons- Mario and the Miis, are both are on their way. But guess which is coming out 2011, and which is coming holiday 2010? Exactly! Wii Party is expected to sell more units than Mario Sports Mix, and thus the bigger title naturally should get the best time of release: Holiday 2010. Another demonstration: Mario isn't as big as the Miis.wiifan001

Most of what you're saying here can easily be turned around in favor of Mario, as opposed to being in favor of the Miis. It's just a matter of saying that "Mario Party 8's already on the Wii, so a 9 wouldn't work." In the end, it doesn't make a lot of sense, and neither does the idea that a Wii Sports 3 wouldn't work. Nintendo has sold Wii ___ titles without accessories before, with Wii Music, Wii Fit Plus, and probably Wii Party being proof of that. The whole Mario/Mii Sports/Party thing should be seen as nothing more than a role-reversal, since both can fill both roles well in their own ways. That's it. Anyways, not once have I said that Wii Party won't outsell Mario Sports Mix, but that's not what indicates whether or not Mario or Miis is a better representative for Nintendo. It just means that Nintendo will probably promote Wii Party more and release it at a more consumer friendly time. Guess what? Last year, that was Mario, and even with the success of the games the Miis have been featured in (including last year's games), they STILL can't claim to be part of what is now the fastest selling single-console game ever.

Don't get me wrong; the Miis have proven to be popular, but they still have a niche. Do you honestly think that an RPG starring Miis or a Mii 3D platformer would be as successful as Pokemon or Super Mario Galaxy? I highly doubt that, and I think Nintendo knows the limits of the Miis, as well. We've seen what Mario can do in the majority of gaming genres that exist, and Pokemon has been THE premiere RPG franchise for over a decade now. On top of that, both have had reigns of global domination that extends beyond gaming, which only strengthens their ability to appeal and stand out as the faces of Nintendo. I don't feel like I'm going out on very much of a limb when I say that Miis alone will NEVER reach THAT level of appeal that Mario and Pikachu have as characters, trademarks, and whatever else you can think of that defines representation.

Link, Samus, Kirby, Pitt, and Pikachu.

Most of what you're saying here can easily be turned around in favor of Mario, as opposed to being in favor of the Miis. It's just a matter of saying that "Mario Party 8's already on the Wii, so a 9 wouldn't work." In the end, it doesn't make a lot of sense, and neither does the idea that a Wii Sports 3 wouldn't work. Madmangamer364

I didn't say it wouldn't work. I just said neither of them would work as well. Mario Party 9 would work, but Wii Party works better. Wii Sports 3 would also work, but would work better with some sort of...new accessory / bundle.

Nintendo has sold Wii ___ titles without accessories before, with Wii Music, Wii Fit Plus, and probably Wii Party being proof of that. The whole Mario/Mii Sports/Party thing should be seen as nothing more than a role-reversal, since both can fill both roles well in their own ways. That's it. Anyways, not once have I said that Wii Party won't outsell Mario Sports Mix, but that's not what indicates whether or not Mario or Miis is a better representative for Nintendo. It just means that Nintendo will probably promote Wii Party more and release it at a more consumer friendly time. Guess what? Last year, that was Mario, and even with the success of the games the Miis have been featured in (including last year's games), they STILL can't claim to be part of what is now the fastest selling single-console game ever. Madmangamer364

From last year, it took a TON of big gimmicks in order for Mario to do as well as it did. Red boxart and 4 player, and also the "Do-it-entirely-for-me" guide.It also had to be a sidescrolling 2d platformer (and no, I'm not accusing a genre as a form of a gimmick). And with Super Mario Galaxy 2, it barely sold 1 million units in 2 months time, whereas nsmb wii sold 10 million in 3 months time. smg2 is not selling nearly as well as it should be. It's selling worse than the first one and with 10s of millions of more wiis sold from now and back then 2 years ago. It's horrendous, looking at the scale ofMario.Meanwhile, Miis are only getting stronger while Mario is bumped down to #2 on the Wii console. The Wii ___ is for catering specifically to the most casual, while Mario is being used for bridge gaming. But since the Miis and the Wii ___ games aren't "bridging" that's what makes them #1 right now, Mario at #2.

Don't get me wrong; the Miis have proven to be popular, but they still have a niche. Do you honestly think that an RPG starring Miis or a Mii 3D platformer would be as successful as Pokemon or Super Mario Galaxy? I highly doubt that, and I think Nintendo knows the limits of the Miis, as well. We've seen what Mario can do in the majority of gaming genres that exist, and Pokemon has been THE premiere RPG franchise for over a decade now. On top of that, both have had reigns of global domination that extends beyond gaming, which only strengthens their ability to appeal and stand out as the faces of Nintendo. I don't feel like I'm going out on very much of a limb when I say that Miis alone will NEVER reach THAT level of appeal that Mario and Pikachu have as characters, trademarks, and whatever else you can think of that defines representation.

Madmangamer364

Again, Rpgs and 3d platforming:that's bridge gaming. No, the Miis don't aren't niche. They're everywhere: 3rd party games, 1st party games, inside wii remotes, kart racing, all the Wii ___ games, and audience, avatars on the title screens, within the channels like Check Mii Out and Everybody Votes, etc. Nintendo has been trying to maintain Mario at #1 all this time, but now they realize it's time for Mario to step down but still being an insanely huge mascot reputation having being known to video games and a reputation 30 years in the making, and Nintendo is shifting direction towards theMiis.Nintendo is only a branch of the worldwide Pokemon only focusing on themaking of games aspect, Miisare and will stayon the Wii, for they're not a branch off from something major like Pokemon.

No, the REAL understatement would be calling Pikachu "just a mouse" or Mario "just an Italian plumber." It's like calling Mickey Mouse "just a mouse" or Superman "just a dude with a cape;" when it comes to such iconic figures, it comes off almost as an insult. To the millions of people around the world and over the years, the mere presence of the likes of Mario and Pikachu have spoken volumes, as one look at them, everyone expects greatness. It's a reputation that Miis alone don't have and probably never will. The greatest appeal Miis can have would be through user-based creativity, not stand-alone marketing prowess. I don't think I've ever seen a Mii mascot, food-related item, or toy, and even if they do exist, I doubt it would have the same effect on the average person as Mario or Pikachu would, especially if that Mii wasn't one that was created by the very person looking at it. Madmangamer364

Uh-huh. That's exactly where I wanted to go with this. Like I intentionally severly understated them, you're severly understating the Miis. See where I was going with this? The reputation with the Miis is massively growing. There's 170+ million Miis created right now, and not slowing down. Mario has been an adventure for 30 years to get where he was. The Miis aren't even four years old. Even Mario took a few years just for him to the center of attention and get his name into the titles. (Donkey Kong > Jump Man for a few years).

Over at six flags, there is merchandise that can be sold involving the Miis. Last year at the Wii booths, Wii Sports Resort was being played, and the game was at Six Flags 3 weeks before launch. Not a Mario game: Wii Sports Resort. There were posters all over the park, and announced advertised on TVs. Nintendo is only a branch off from Pokemon. They do the games and nothing more. Pokemon goes over to Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network. The action figures, toys, cards, breakfast cereals are all done either in Japan or China, so they had extensive ties to them. Even to this day, Chimchars, Piplups, Pikachu's and many more Pokemon are available to purchasae and win as prizes as game stands. However, none of that has anything to do with Nintendo. Mario has a 30 year reputation under his belt. The Miis have become more iconic than Mario as of right now in less than 4 years time, and will continue to get even bigger. Thus, Mario is now at #2.

With the Wii ___ games, it's a logo and a montage of gameplay screenshots, with the focus being more on what's being done than who's doing them (the Miis). Madmangamer364

The Miis are the main package. Miis are in every screen shot for a reason. They're selling the availability of the Miis as well. The activities and the Miis are one.

Heck, the Wii Fit games don't feature Miis at all on the front of the game box. That's the difference between the two concepts; Nintendo has yet to actually sell a "Mii," but won't hesistate for a second to sell Mario or Pokemon because they KNOW that just Mario and Pokemon alone will generate positive results. Madmangamer364

Miis?! Please. You got athletic, sexy women (and Daisy Fuentes is damn fine :D) Real women, real bods, real attitudes (Let's just ignore the guy on the right on the wii fit plus cover). Positive results generating here. No video game girl, woman, any franchise would have a chance against THIS. The Miis have done nothing but generate positive results whether in the audience, up sword dueling, invading the various free channels on...I've said all this before in the post above.

The Miis being niche is...well, it's false. I'm proven that point over and over. The popularity will continue to expand. Nintendo is now aware to treat the Miis are the #1 spot. Naturally, they'll keep Mario around for good measure.

It's obviously Mario, Link and Samus.

Those franchises are the pinnacle of gaming, be it a really great game or a genre pushing one. They have won multiple GOTY awards..

Metroid Prime 1, Zelda WW/TP, Super Mario Galaxy 1+2.... OoT, AlttP, Super Metroid..holy crap the list hasn't even started.... SMB3, SMW, SMS, o_O.... Prime 2-3, Zelda MM... mooreee!!! ok! DS Zeldas, oracle of a/s, NSMB/W...

Yeah you get the point I hope. Ok so what I'm saying is that they represent the quality of Nintendo games, maybe not in terms of popularity, but really the pinnacle of gaming.

Uh-huh. That's exactly where I wanted to go with this. Like I intentionally severly understated them, you're severly understating the Miis. See where I was going with this? The reputation with the Miis is massively growing. There's 170+ million Miis created right now, and not slowing down. Mario has been an adventure for 30 years to get where he was. The Miis aren't even four years old. Even Mario took a few years just for him to the center of attention and get his name into the titles. (Donkey Kong > Jump Man for a few years). wiifan001

How did I understate the Miis in the same fashion you did Mario and Pikachu? I think it's pretty obvious that Miis haven't become iconic figures yet. The 170+ Million Mii thing comes to the point of their appeal being user-created characters, and many of them being inspired by other series and characters, such as Mario or Pokemon. I did touch on that in my previous point, but the main topic of this thread comes back to what represents Nintendo. As avatars, Miis do more to represent the persona and interests of a partcular player more than it does Nintendo, hence why there's no one official Mii 'representative' for the company, if you will. :P

Over at six flags, there is merchandise that can be sold involving the Miis. Last year at the Wii booths, Wii Sports Resort was being played, and the game was at Six Flags 3 weeks before launch. Not a Mario game: Wii Sports Resort. There were posters all over the park, and announced advertised on TVs. Nintendo is only a branch off from Pokemon. They do the games and nothing more. Pokemon goes over to Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network. The action figures, toys, cards, breakfast cereals are all done either in Japan or China, so they had extensive ties to them. Even to this day, Chimchars, Piplups, Pikachu's and many more Pokemon are available to purchasae and win as prizes as game stands. However, none of that has anything to do with Nintendo. Mario has a 30 year reputation under his belt. The Miis have become more iconic than Mario as of right now in less than 4 years time, and will continue to get even bigger. Thus, Mario is now at #2.wiifan001

As for the whole Six Flags thing, it's something I can't comment too much on, since I've never been to the theme park. Perhaps you're right in saying that Miis have been used as part of some of the merchandise being sold there, although I have no way of confirming or denying that myself. Still, I think it's VERY safe to say that even with that merchandise, Miis still have a WAYS to go before it reach the level of commercial appeal that Mario and Pokemon has had for decades now. When the day comes where Mii T-shirts, school items, and toys are the norm, that's when I'll get back to you on Miis being as appealing as Mario or Pikachu. When it comes to the Wii Sports Resort thing, isn't that a rather... off-the-wall point? Nintendo likely just wanted to get a hot game out there for people to play, and that game certainly wasn't going to be New Super Mario Bros. Wii months before its official release, and any other Mario game would had been VERY well established. It just so happened that Wii Sports Resort was being released at around that time, making it little more than a coincidence.

I don't know how you came to the conclusion that all of the things Pokemon has spawned has nothing to do with Nintendo, but I'm telling you that all of the (official) items has EVERYTHING to do with Nintendo. Pokemon, at its core, is a Nintendo game, meaning that Nintendo had to license the use of the property for everything that was created with it. Just because it didn't create all of these things directly doesn't mean that Nintendo has no affiliation with the items, hence why the items have Nintendo's official seal on them. As a brand, Pokemon belongs to Nintendo, so even if the likes of Warner Bros. and Wizards of the Coast may have had a part in creating some of the series-related products, it all represents Nintendo.

*shakes head at 'the Miis have become more iconic than Mario as of right now' comment* Again, I have to wonder however you came to that conclusion. Nothing the Miis themselves have done even put them even close to a status that Mario has. In the gaming industry, no one talks about what the next Mii game will play like, and outside of gaming, the odds of a Mii being more recognizable than Mario are extremely slim, even with the number of them that have been created. The only thing Mario finds himself being second to would be things not video game oriented, and even many of those things would have to put up one heck of a fight to contend with Mario's golden legacy. We don't even know if the Miis will survive to see next gen, and you're ALREADY giving it a better reputation than Mario.

The Miis are the main package. Miis are in every screen shot for a reason. They're selling the availability of the Miis as well. The activities and the Miis are one.wiifan001

Look at those images again and tell me the FIRST thing that you visualize when you see them. Chances are that it's not any particular Mii, but the logo, which is put on around the center of the box art. Now, compare those two box arts to these:

Now, there's CLEARLY a difference in focus here. The two images I presented are not just showcasing a bunch of in-game screenshots; the box arts I presented are selling the game's key characters and their personalities on top of selling the games themselves. Looking at Mario and Pikachu, their expressions and activity put consumers in the mood that they WANT to play and interact as THEM, and that 'front and center' treatment ensures a player that the game will be about that particular character, which is especially meaningful for Pikachu here, since it's just one of 150+ key characters in a sense, but is getting the sole star treatment on the cover. In the end, there's much less 'searching' for who or what exactly is the key focus with the above game box arts, since they're expressing themselves so profoundly.

Miis?! Please. You got athletic, sexy women (and Daisy Fuentes is damn fine :D) Real women, real bods, real attitudes (Let's just ignore the guy on the right on the wii fit plus cover). Positive results generating here. No video game girl, woman, any franchise would have a chance against THIS. The Miis have done nothing but generate positive results whether in the audience, up sword dueling, invading the various free channels on...I've said all this before in the post above.

The Miis being niche is...well, it's false. I'm proven that point over and over. The popularity will continue to expand. Nintendo is now aware to treat the Miis are the #1 spot. Naturally, they'll keep Mario around for good measure. wiifan001

But wait... couldn't the same had been done for Wii Sports/Wii Sports Resort, by using athletic people on the box art? Aren't the Miis the persona you use in Wii Fit/Wii Fit Plus, just like they are in the Wii Sports lineup and every other Wii ___ game out there? You see, this is where the contradiction REALLY starts to come into play. Out of all of the games (not counting Wii Sports, since it was sold with most systems), Wii Fit was the most successful of the Wii ___ games, and yet, when it comes to your point of Nintendo selling the Miis, there weren't to be found. Sure, other fitness games used real, athletic women to promote the titles, but not only could the very same thing be said about sports titles, Wii Fit had the advantage of being the first fitness game of its kind out of the gate. Nintendo could have set the tone with ANYTHING it wanted to under the circumstances, and STILL didn't use the Miis. Say what you will, but that means SOMETHING. ;)

THIS is what I mean by the Miis 'having a niche' (and not necessarly being a niche, which is a difference). Nintendo KNOWS it can't use Miis for each and every conceivable game concept, or otherwise, it probably would. Mario, on the other hand, is as universal as a figure as you can hope for in a video game character. Platformers, RPGs, Racing, Sports, Fighting, Puzzle... the genres extend to just about everything not named a First Person Shooter. Plus, Mario has been featured in so many roles, including hero, supporting character, character in captivity, and even villain. The Miis can't hope to match Mario in these regards. Pokemon, much like the Miis, also have something of a niche in the gaming industry, sticking mainly to RPGs, but what it has done outside of gaming surpasses just about anything you can think of, AND its still has the number two spot in overall gaming sales as a franchise. In the middle of all of that, it's likely you'll see a little yellow mouse's face trying to sell most of the stuff Pokemon has sold. As a brand and something that represents what Nintendo does best, I don't see how you could put the Miis over EITHER of these properties. Not only does it not have the time on the market, it doesn't have even close to the resume.

(Sorry I didn't see your previous reply, but I'll get to it in time. Kinda burned out at the moment. lol)

Mr Game & Watch... because thats all Nintendo requires its users to do anymore .... watch. The games play themselves (New Super Mario Brothers).ColdfireTrilogy

I think Link and Samus mainly

unrealtron

This

Samus

[QUOTE="ColdfireTrilogy"]Mr Game & Watch... because thats all Nintendo requires its users to do anymore .... watch. The games play themselves (New Super Mario Brothers).Litchie

Ya really, what are you talking about? Nintendo has the best games out there partially BECAUSE of their extensive gameplay.

Really? Zelda is not that popular? Pokemon isn't popular! If you play Pokemon, you'll be ridiculed for life as the nerdiest loser in the world. I got into Zelda 'cause of all the hype around Twilight Princess, and although my friends were all into Pokemon when they were, like, 5, I never even paid the slightest bit of attention. Zelda FTW.

Really? Zelda is not that popular? Pokemon isn't popular! If you play Pokemon, you'll be ridiculed for life as the nerdiest loser in the world. I got into Zelda 'cause of all the hype around Twilight Princess, and although my friends were all into Pokemon when they were, like, 5, I never even paid the slightest bit of attention. Zelda FTW.

ReallySmartGuy

Well that was rude... >__>

I guess you're one of those "cool kids" who think that pokemon is only for children... :roll:
"Nerdiest loser in the world?" It's just a game, for entertainment. You wouldn't like it if they said the same thing about Zelda. I wouldn't like it either because I'm a fan for both series. :P
Pokemon ISN'T popular?? Where have you been for the past 15 years?! O_O
It's the second best selling franchise, Mario comes first. If you think that Pokemon isn't popular, then what IS popular? :?