Myth: Nintendo is "kiddy"

One of the most interesting (and funny) counter arguments or backlash aimed towards Nintendo was that their games are too "kiddy".

Back in the days of NES, games were mainly aimed at smaller kids, so people didn't really bother with it. However, as soon as Sega released the Genesis, they advertised it as the "cool kid's" console. Back in those old days Nintendo also had a censorship policy which lasted untill the N64. One of the most famous incidents during that era was that Genesis' Mortal Kombat had blood (via a secret code) while the SNES version had no blood. But the SNES still enjoyed good 3rd party support with "adult" games like Mortal Kombat series and Doom. But the N64 already got some negative feedback because of too many "kiddy" games. While competitive 32-bit consoles like the Sega Saturn and PlayStation had many more "adult oriented" games like fighters, car racers, action adventures, survival horror, ect., Nintendo had many colorful platformers, cartoony kart racers and so on. Of course, N64 also had it's fair share of "adult" games like GoldenEye, Turok series and Perfect Dark. But that seeminly wasn't enough to change the reputation of the "kiddy console". And GameCube was even worse. Most of the "adult" N64 games were made by Rare and Rare was bought by Microsoft, so Nintendo had to hire groups like Silicon Knights (Eternal Darkness), Capcom (REmake, RE4) and Konami (MGS: Twin Snakes) to make games that would attract the older audience. But that wasn't enough. The cartoony Zelda and GameCube lacking the then very popular GTA games didn't help either. Fortunatley, Nintendo found the right market niche with the Wii (i.e. the family/casual market), but some gamers still complain that their games are too "kiddy".

Conclusion: yes, Nintendo is "kiddy", but it's NOT ONLY for kids.

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

My motto: Just because a game is rated 'E' doesn't mean only kids can play it. The game isn't rated 'K' for kids, its rated 'E' for everyone.

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

hd5870corei7

Well then enjoy missing great games like Super Mario series, Zelda series, Metroid series, ect. To each their own :P

See... now I have a problem here. Their games ARE in fact kiddie, many of them QUITE kiddie... but that doesn't make them bad games. I think that's where you are wrong with this argument.

Yeah, it used to be Nintendo was too kiddy. Now they're too casual. And some could say those are good things, but they're never meant in a good way. Personally I think people just want to hate on Nintendo for whatever reason. Just not sure why.

See... now I have a problem here. Their games ARE in fact kiddie, many of them QUITE kiddie... but that doesn't make them bad games. I think that's where you are wrong with this argument.

foxhound_fox

I actually countered this argument but I wanted to point out just how this affected their console sales. The Genesis, PlayStation and PS2 were the "cool consoles", while SNES, N64 and GameCube were not.

Conclusion: yes, Nintendo is "kiddy", but it's NOT ONLY for kids.

nameless12345

You're right, they're for kids and Nintendo fanboys ONLY ;)

On a serious note though, I enjoy games with a certain amount of realism the most, somost of thecartoony Nintendo games just can't excite me very much. They just don't seem to have any connection whatsoever to the real world.

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

hd5870corei7

So...Nintendo's games should be brown and grey?

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

hd5870corei7

[QUOTE="hd5870corei7"]

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

dotWithShoes

One of the most interesting (and funny) counter arguments or backlash aimed towards Nintendo was that their games are too "kiddy".

Back in the days of NES, games were mainly aimed at smaller kids, so people didn't really bother with it. However, as soon as Sega released the Genesis, they advertised it as the "cool kid's" console. Back in those old days Nintendo also had a censorship policy which lasted untill the N64. One of the most famous incidents during that era was that Genesis' Mortal Kombat had blood (via a secret code) while the SNES version had no blood. But the SNES still enjoyed good 3rd party support with "adult" games like Mortal Kombat series and Doom. But the N64 already got some negative feedback because of too many "kiddy" games. While competitive 32-bit consoles like the Sega Saturn and PlayStation had many more "adult oriented" games like fighters, car racers, action adventures, survival horror, ect., Nintendo had many colorful platformers, cartoony kart racers and so on. Of course, N64 also had it's fair share of "adult" games like GoldenEye, Turok series and Perfect Dark. But that seeminly wasn't enough to change the reputation of the "kiddy console". And GameCube was even worse. Most of the "adult" N64 games were made by Rare and Rare was bought by Microsoft, so Nintendo had to hire groups like Silicon Knights (Eternal Darkness), Capcom (REmake, RE4) and Konami (MGS: Twin Snakes) to make games that would attract the older audience. But that wasn't enough. The cartoony Zelda and GameCube lacking the then very popular GTA games didn't help either. Fortunatley, Nintendo found the right market niche with the Wii (i.e. the family/casual market), but some gamers still complain that their games are too "kiddy".

Conclusion: yes, Nintendo is "kiddy", but it's NOT ONLY for kids.

nameless12345

The misconception is that Nintendo games offer less than games that appeal to the largest gaming crowd--the teens. Somehow, this crowd tend to think that a game like Gears of War is more advanced than a game like Super Mario World. Not only is Super Mario World the better game, but it is also far more mature.

[QUOTE="dotWithShoes"][QUOTE="hd5870corei7"]

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

hd5870corei7

It seems that you care too much about what people think. I'll tell anyone I play Mario and if they think there is something wrong with that, I wouldn't care because I don't ever waste my time trying to look good to people.

[QUOTE="hd5870corei7"]

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

windsquid9000

Wow that trailer was god awful. I can't see how any one above the age of 10 would use one of those. Nintendo is for kids, period. I don't care if you're 35 and still playing mario in your mums cellar.

Now all the 'mature' games just flop on the Wii, like cowboy ninja game.

"

Conclusion: yes, Nintendo is "kiddy", but it's NOT ONLY for kids.

nameless12345

so its not exactly a myth then?

They're kiddy in the way that they can appeal to kids. I know a lot of kids who love to play Mario and Wii Sports.

But they're not kiddy in the idea that they only appeal to kids, it's universal appeal which is what's so great about Nintendo. They don't have to target a single age group, they just put out quality games everyone can enjoy.

[QUOTE="nameless12345"]"

Conclusion: yes, Nintendo is "kiddy", but it's NOT ONLY for kids.

Macutchi

so its not exactly a myth then?

[QUOTE="dotWithShoes"][QUOTE="hd5870corei7"]

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

hd5870corei7

A fitting song for this thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nghTrcPBp3s

:lol:

[QUOTE="Macutchi"]

[QUOTE="nameless12345"]"

Conclusion: yes, Nintendo is "kiddy", but it's NOT ONLY for kids.

oldkingallant

so its not exactly a myth then?

thats just a myth ;)

[QUOTE="oldkingallant"][QUOTE="Macutchi"]

so its not exactly a myth then?

Macutchi

thats just a myth ;)

Their first party games are definitely somewhat kiddie. Anyone denying that is very naive.

Their first party games are definitely somewhat kiddie. Anyone denying that is very naive.

Puckhog04

Kirby on the other hand, one of the most kid friendly games this gen, but it looks amazing. Another case of kiddy not being bad.

Honestly, considering the current fascination with hyper realism and extreme violence in gaming today, I'm starting to appreciate the occasional bright and cheery game more and more.

[QUOTE="windsquid9000"]

[QUOTE="hd5870corei7"]

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

hd5870corei7

Wow that trailer was god awful. I can't see how any one above the age of 10 would use one of those. Nintendo is for kids, period. I don't care if you're 35 and still playing mario in your mums cellar.

Now all the 'mature' games just flop on the Wii, like cowboy ninja game.

huh. guess i got you figured out. you're at that age that you don't want to be recognized as a kid anymore, even though you still are, so you look at everything that says "for adults only" and say you like it, regardless of how bad it is, and then proceed to call "stupid and shameful to even think of playing" any game that can also appeal to kids.

your loss, because if i remember well, nintendo's "kiddy games" are at the top of the best rated games ever, and Super Mario Galaxy 2 has a great chance to take this years Game of the Year award home.

Ofc course nintendo is kiddy.

Their games certainly cater towards both children and adults, but they are hardly children only or adults. Meaning their games are kid friendly but not to kiddy to the extent that adults cant enjoy them. Much like most of Disney's work.

With that said, they have made and published a few games that could be considered mature, an example would be Fire Emblem: Siesen no Keifu which might be their only mature first party game, but that never got released outside Japan.

*reads last paragraph*

huh. guess i got you figured out. you're at that age that you don't want to be recognized as a kid anymore, even though you still are, so you look at everything that says "for adults only" and say you like it, regardless of how bad it is, and then proceed to call "stupid and shameful to even think of playing" any game that can also appeal to kids.

BrunoBRS

You may want to edit that post slightly (just to make it a bit nicer). But I agree with your point, it is kinda ironic how the fear of doing something childish, is in fact the most immature thing of all.

The only thing I see here is a bunch of teenagers saying that "Nintendo is teh kiddies!!!" Seriously? Give a seven year old Mario Galaxy and I can assure you that they will fail and quite miserably too in some levels. Many of you are looking at the art style and having not played the game don't see the difficulty that many of these games have. I highly doubt many of you would call Zelda or Metroid "kiddie." What about Fire Emblem, Goldeneye, Xenoblade, Golden Sun, or Eternal Darkness? Sure, I'd be the first to say that Nintendo isn't about the mature games like Microsoft or Sony, but to say that they deliberately ignore that audiance is a misnomer. I know that many of you are still in high school and it's cool to play MW2 and Killzone and all that, but I believe that you're cheating yourselves of some great games with misconceptions.

My motto: Just because a game is rated 'E' doesn't mean only kids can play it. The game isn't rated 'K' for kids, its rated 'E' for everyone.

Crumblet

EC = Early Childhood = Kids.

[QUOTE="Crumblet"]

My motto: Just because a game is rated 'E' doesn't mean only kids can play it. The game isn't rated 'K' for kids, its rated 'E' for everyone.

Zanoh

EC = Early Childhood = Kids.

Seriously, if Nintendo's consoles are for kids, so are Sony's and MS'. They're all toys. That's why all three are at Toys R Us. I spend time playing on my er, my kid's Wii. If that's make me kiddie, oh well. Those who deride one console as more kiddie than the rest needs more maturity himself. I've been at that age before. There were things I thought were more "grown up" although not necessarily pertaining to consoles.

As for console gaming being cool......... One more time, the sight of someone with a controller on his hand and slumped lazily on a couch will never get you dates. At best, most people will think "slacker" or "kiddie" but not cool.

No myth. Most Nintendo games are aimed at teh kiddies. Does that mean theyre bad or that adults cant play them? Not at all.

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"]

*reads last paragraph*

huh. guess i got you figured out. you're at that age that you don't want to be recognized as a kid anymore, even though you still are, so you look at everything that says "for adults only" and say you like it, regardless of how bad it is, and then proceed to call "stupid and shameful to even think of playing" any game that can also appeal to kids.

Maroxad

You may want to edit that post slightly (just to make it a bit nicer). But I agree with your point, it is kinda ironic how the fear of doing something childish, is in fact the most immature thing of all.

i'm not editing the truth. i didn't try to offend him, i just described something that happens to most kids, if not all of them. hell, i remember my two best friends going "you still playing mario? LAWL" for years... until i showed one of them mario galaxy back in 2007. he finally stopped the mario hate :P

[QUOTE="windsquid9000"]

[QUOTE="hd5870corei7"]

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

hd5870corei7

Wow that trailer was god awful. I can't see how any one above the age of 10 would use one of those. Nintendo is for kids, period. I don't care if you're 35 and still playing mario in your mums cellar.

Now all the 'mature' games just flop on the Wii, like cowboy ninja game.

*Playing Metroid* Uhhh...what are you saying?

COD series, RE4, RE UC, HOTD 2 and 3 sold well on the Wii.

Red steel 2 failed because it was a short game with little to no replay value. Piracy as well.

Nintendo is kiddy. It's not a myth.

You don't buy a Wii or DS expecting to get your fill of more mature games.

Nintendo is kiddy. It's not a myth.

You don't buy a Wii or DS expecting to get your fill of more mature games.

Nintendo is kiddy. It's not a myth.

You don't buy a Wii or DS expecting to get your fill of more mature games.

A fitting song for this thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nghTrcPBp3s

:lol:

nameless12345

... :lol:

Anyway on topic. I don't give much of a damn about this subject, but I'll still make my point.

The other industries suffer of this as well, but I've never seen an industry that has such a significant community who gives that much of a damn about these kinds of labels, to a point where it actually affects their enjoyment of said product.

My two cents? Stop giving a damn about it and the industry might actually start growing more rapidly than it currently is. Want to falt lack of substance in game stories because of games like Nintendo? Go ahead, but don't just blame those, blame the games that are specifically made by developers to combat this kiddy image, games that present adult content but with very little substance, thought provoking and challenging themes or stories in the first place.

Stop giving such a big damn about the kiddy image and maybe I'll stop hearing developers such as Bioware present a game like Dragon Age with the phrase "Dark Fantasy" which seems to be aimed at nerdy 13 year olds, who actually give a damn about such labels. And this is coming from a company which is considered by many gamers of being one of the greatest storytellers the industry has today...

There was a very fitting saying by C.S. Lewis about this, but I don't have the patience right now to look for it.

My point? If you want to see the industry growing up, there's a catch... the gaming community will have to do the same.

[QUOTE="hd5870corei7"]

[QUOTE="windsquid9000"]While I'm not ashamed of owning Nintendo hardware/software, I definitely despise the company and their tactics. Look at this! It screams "we're targeting children, but you older folk can join the fun, too!" The music, styIe and in general, everything that was going on had me cringing the entire time. It all gives me a migraine. I guess it doesn't help that I also hate kids.

LastRambo341

Wow that trailer was god awful. I can't see how any one above the age of 10 would use one of those. Nintendo is for kids, period. I don't care if you're 35 and still playing mario in your mums cellar.

Now all the 'mature' games just flop on the Wii, like cowboy ninja game.

*Playing Metroid* Uhhh...what are you saying?

COD series, RE4, RE UC, HOTD 2 and 3 sold well on the Wii.

Red steel 2 failed because it was a short game with little to no replay value. Piracy as well.

I despise almost anything nintendo related. Definitely not something I'd like other people to know I'm playing/own/have.

hd5870corei7

i can see how that would be... um... humiliating?

im not sure about this argument.. , the games people in SW call kiddy appeal to a huge amount of people, while the games SW calls mature are full of 12 year olds. And im having an hard time choosing which games are really mature, is it the game that goes for a cartoony art-style but its full aware of what it is. Or the game that has forced mature content so it gets an M rating?

Regardless of whether or not Nintendo is kiddy or not, I don't think it honestly is relevant. They as a company have already created there image and create content that is decisive in who it is targeting and what its trying to avhieve. Nintendo are not trying to be epic story tellers, they aren't trying to attract the crowd that like soley mature themed games and they don't really care for violent natured products. That's not who they are as a company. So the question is if what they actually produce is soley for kids and if its childish. The answer to those questions is no, they don't make games soley for kids and the titles they put out are childish in nature. They are child friendly but they don't go out of there way to completely turn off anyone who is not 5 years old. There is a definite difference in appeal between dora the explorer and mario. But those who are trying to say Nintendo is not purposely avoiding appealing to the users of this board are crazy. They are absolutely not interested in the content this board adores, that's just obvious and you're kidding yourself if you think that Kirby's Epic Yarn or flingsmash are these super hardcore games that will attract everyone. Its not, its just family fun with gameplay elements meant for the majority to be able to grasp and like. Nintendo isn't kiddie nor are they hardcore/mature, they are litterally just about finding gameplay for everyone to have fun with.