Which do you think is part of Nintendo's "Triforce" of their IPs?

A while ago, I was in an argument of what games are part of something called "Nintendo's Triforce", where it's decided what Nintendo's most important IPs are (or something like that). And I ask this, which are the three that belong in this so called "Triforce".

Well, I think Mario and Zelda belong up there as those two franchises that still remain in their states of popularity (that and Mario is the main man of Nintendo gaming pretty much). But I think the third piece of the triforce belongs to Pokemon now. Many will probably argue it's Metroid due to the high scores the games get (saying Prime was the best game of it's generation because of Metacritic and Gamerankings) and there will also be arguments that Pokemon is mainly a handheld series, so it doesn't count. But I think due to Metroid's absence from the N64 and Pokemon gaining a massive amount of popularity (surpassing Metroid) since then.

That, and Nintendo didn't even bother to celebrate Metroid's anniversary, while they did Mario, Zelda, and Pokemon.

What do you think?

Personal bias goes for Donkey Kong.

but look at the bigger picture for Nintendo, it's definently Pokemon.

Depends. In terms of quality I would say Metroid. In terms of popularity its Pokemon.

Personally I´d go with Metroid.

It's on like Donkey kong.
But sadly, it isn't being as pushed anymore like it once was. They should make a Donkey kong 64 sequel, then I would be in heaven.

Yeah, I came here to say Mario/Zelda/Pokemon.

They're all:

1. Quality
2. Popular
3. Active on consoles
4. Active on handhelds

I don't think there's a better fit.

Slashkice

This, I like for it to be Metroid but Metroid isn't that popular. :(

I always tought that Nintendo's "holy trinity" were Mario, Zelda and Metroid. But if we're speaking popularity it's probably Pokemon, yea.

I don't get why you would pick Pokemon, it wasn't even Nintendo's idea.

Metroid was created during the same time period as TLoZ and SMB, and they have all just had their 25th anniversary. They all originally shared many similarities in gameplay mechanics. I would even go as far as to say that they are based on the same foundation, but each series puts focus on different aspects of it to varying degrees. Kid Icarus was a game that equally blended the main elements of these three games (platforming, shooting, exploration)

I think it's just more fitting to have Metroid.

in terms of money? pokemon. But actually? Metroid.

Mario, Zelda, Metroid. easily.

Pokemon as a franchise didnt yet get proper installation on any home console, thats why its out. Out of Donkey Kong and Metroid, I would say its Metroid.

I don't get why you would pick Pokemon, it wasn't even Nintendo's idea.

Metroid was created during the same time period as TLoZ and SMB, and they have all just had their 25th anniversary. They all originally shared many similarities in gameplay mechanics. I would even go as far as to say that they are based on the same foundation, but each series puts focus on different aspects of it to varying degrees. Kid Icarus was a game that equally blended the main elements of these three games (platforming, shooting, (dungeon) exploration)

I think it's just more fitting to have Metroid.

SuperFlakeman

You would think that, but in reality it's Pokemon.

Mario

Pokemon

Mario Kart

Those are the 3 franchises that make Nintendo the most money.

Mario

Zelda

Metroid

Those are the 3 fanboys love

Donkey Kong

Mario

Pokemon

Those are the most important

Personally it's Metroid. Metroid is up to the quality of Mario and Zelda.

Although, Pokemon is without a doubt one of Nintendo's most important IP's. Probably more so than Mario or Zelda.

You would think that, but in reality it's Pokemon.

LegatoSkyheart

I honestly didn't read the OP talking about popularity, obviously :P

If you read the thread title alone, I don't think sales and popularity are relevant factors.

[QUOTE="LegatoSkyheart"]

You would think that, but in reality it's Pokemon.

SuperFlakeman

I honestly didn't read the OP talking about popularity, obviously :P

If you read the thread title alone, I don't think sales and popularity are relevant factors.

everytime I think of Nintendo's "Triforce" I think of Mario, Zelda, and Metroid.

Pokemon. I'd prefer to say Metroid, but Pokemon is a beast.

Mario

Zelda

Metroid

Metroid because it has been there from the very start and is active on both home and handheld. Being a handheld focussed franchise should automatically disqualify Pokemon.

Quality wise: Metroid smokes Pokemon with ease

Popularity: Pokemon on handhelds is arguably more popular than even Mario and takes this with ease however on home consoles Metroid should take it since it actually has mainline games on home consoles unlike Pokemon that is known only for spinoffs on home consoles.

Activeness: This is clearly unfair to Metroid, the argument that Metroid wasn't on the N64 is incorrect since Metroid 64 was planned but due to lack of concrete ideas as well as Sakamoto's own qualms about Metroid, Movement and the N64 controller. He felt that the N64 was to early for a true 3D Metroid title and he was damm right, 1 gen wait for a more powerful system was the right move since we got the masterpiece that was Metroid Prime. Metroid was not shelved because of lack of popularity during the N64 era (Considering the success of Super Metroid) it was simply postponed for better hardware.

Pokemon was not active at all during the NES era and about 85 to 90% of the SNES era so if Metroid gets docked points for missing 1 era then Pokemon should definitely get docked points for missing nearly 2.

Home Console: Metroid without a doubt, home consoles are what Nintendo started with and on a home console Metroid clearly outshines Pokemon

Handheld Console: Pokemon takes this with ease due to it being a handheld focussed console.

A triforce piece must maintain it's quality across both home and handheld console. Metroid does that, Pokemon does not. The 2 series that showed what the Wii was capable of controlwise were Metroid and Zelda, Pokemon was not even a blip on the radar. Every Nintendo Home console's best game has come from either the Mario series (Wii), Zelda series (N64) or Metroid series (NES, SNES), Pokemon has not even come within spitting distance of the quality that these 3 titles consistently put out even with it's handheld mainline games.

Also before someone starts touting sales as the determining factor, when did we start sacrificing quality for sales power. If that's true then COD is clearly better than every other shooter available because it sells the most.

it's obviously Pokemon when it comes to the popularity and units sold

Active on consolesSlashkice

[QUOTE="Slashkice"]Active on consolesCherokee_Jack

My fav IP in that list is Metroid though I will answer with: Pokemon. Its a huge money maker and quite possibly their most important franchise apart from Mario.

[QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"][QUOTE="Slashkice"]Active on consolesnintendoboy16

Yeah, I came here to say Mario/Zelda/Pokemon.

They're all:

1. Quality
2. Popular
3. Active on consoles
4. Active on handhelds

I don't think there's a better fit.

Slashkice

[QUOTE="Slashkice"]Active on consolesCherokee_Jack

It's Pokemon. Nintendo doesn't even make Metroid games, they farm the ip out.mbrockway

[QUOTE="mbrockway"]It's Pokemon. Nintendo doesn't even make Metroid games, they farm the ip out.Cherokee_Jack

So which part of Other M did Nintendo develop? Submissive Samus or the gameplay?mbrockway

[QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"][QUOTE="mbrockway"]It's Pokemon. Nintendo doesn't even make Metroid games, they farm the ip out.BrunoBRS

nintendogs

wii fit

wii music

keep making those casual games nintendo. no one would beat you :)

Metroid. Haven't played the supposedly disappointing Other M, but Metroid Prime Trilogy is the single best thing available on the Wii, bar none.

[QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"][QUOTE="BrunoBRS"] those are still mostly in-house, done by second parties last i checkedBrunoBRS

Technically Nintendo doesn't own Next Level, they just partner with them a lot. That Captain America game that came out on 360 and PS3 was made by them.

But anyway, they farm out the baseball games for sure, to Namco. Much different from the situation with Metroid.

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"][QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"] Lately the only one Nintendo worked on was Mario Sports Mix. It's all been Namco, Square, Camelot, and Next Level (who they don't own, oddly enough)Cherokee_Jack

Technically Nintendo doesn't own Next Level, they just partner with them a lot. That Captain America game that came out on 360 and PS3 was made by them.

But anyway, they farm out the baseball games for sure, to Namco. Much different from the situation with Metroid.

Mario / Zelda /Metroid...do we really need to question this? I don't believe so.

Why do i get the feeling that if Samus was a guy this wouldn't even be up for discussion.

It's pretty much Metroid.