Modern Nintendo Replacements

[TheSoulWalker TheSoulWalker]

If you're like me and have been following Nintendo for the longest time, it's natural to feel burned or disenchanted. But this might pose opportunity to explore your options outside the publisher, especially if you're in the PC Space. Here's what I've found so far to replace Nintendo-only IPs

Wario Land > AntonBlast

AntonBlast Steam Page

Now while Pizza Tower is definitely a contender, I think AntonBlast scratches the Wario Land itch slightly better because the controls are a lot tighter, I think Pizza Tower's controls are a bit too loose to really compare to Wario Land. Both function like Wario Land where you go through a level, get key items, hit the detonation and then b-line it right to the entrance you came in from.

Mario Kart > Sonic Racing

Sonic Racing Crossworlds Steam Page
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Steam Page

This is probably the best real alternative to Mario Kart and I would honestly put Sonic All Stars Racing Transformed as the best one out there but if you want one that's brand new, Crossworlds also fits the bill pretty well.

Fire Emblem > Rise Eterna 2

Rise Eterna 2 Steam Page

Rise Eterna 1 is really rough around the edges but it set to do what Fire Emblem was working on. This I feel is more down to roots comparatively and Rise Eterna 2 fixes a lot of problems that 1 had with mechanics people came to expect from a Fire Emblem Game.

F-Zero > Aero GPX or Star Racer

Aero GPX Steam Page
Star Racer Steam Page

So F-Zero could go one of two ways. You can either go the N64 route or the SNES route. Luckily we have options for both. Aero GPX fits the more N64 era of F-Zero with a nice cel shaded comic book inspired look. Star Racer is more down to SNES F-Zero where the ships have real weight to them and you have to really be careful on those tracks.

Star Fox > Panzer Dragoon: Remake or Ex-Zodiac

Panzer Dragoon: Remake Steam Page
Ex-Zodiac Steam Page

I will say I'm cheating just a tad because I personally feel like Panzer Dragoon was Sega's answer to Star Fox back on the Saturn and I would argue it holds up to this day. However if you want a beat for beat Star Fox alternative, Ex-Zodiac is your game.

Paper Mario > Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling Steam Page

This is beat for beat a Paper Mario game, except now you have 3 party members at a time! A very cartoony artstyle, back to roots Paper Mario Style game.

Pokemon > Cassette Beasts

Cassette Beasts Steam Page

Cassette Beasts plays like Pokemon with an almost limit break type system where you can fuse beasts together mid fight to take down your opponents. It also tries to do a whole 2.5D art style. You can also capture monsters as well in the process using Cassette Tapes.

Animal Crossing > Critter Cove

Critter Cove Steam Page

Unfortunately there's nothing that is beat for beat an Animal Crossing game but I would put Critter Cove as the closest option we have to a Cozy game compared to say Cult of the Lamb.

Metroid > Axiom Verge

Axiom Verge Steam Page

As much as I search most Metroidvania titles are closer to Castlevania than Metroid and Axiom Verge still hasn't met a proper match for comparison. in terms of 3D metroid, there really is no replacement sadly. I heard Journey to the Savage Planet hits more Metroid Prime but I've never played it so I can't give opinion there.

Punch-Out > Baki Hanma: Blood Arena

Baki Hanma: Blood Arena Steam Page

This game comes from the devs behind Thunder Ray with a solid anime IP to go behind it. This is a beat for beat Punch-Out game.

Mario Party > Pummel Party or LEGO Party!

Pummel Party Steam Page
LEGO Party Steam Page

Pummel Party is Mario Party with plenty of Cartoony Blood and Violence tossed in the mix. You can also play with up to 8 people at once! If you want something more kid friendly, then LEGO Party is your game.

Donkey Kong Country > Nikoderiko: The Magical World or Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair

Nikoderiko: The Magical World Steam Page
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair Steam Page

Both of these games fit the bill pretty well for DKC, I would argue Nikoderiko is more on the safe bet for 1 to 1 but Yooka-Laylee offers more innovation on what a DKC style platformer can really do!

Donkey Kong 64/Banjo-Kazooie > Yooka-Replayee

Yooka-Replayee Steam Page

This is more tongue & cheek that they made a remaster of a kickstarter title that was hit or miss depending on who you asked but they treat the game as if they were just retelling the story and added new content in the process. I liked Yooka-Laylee to begin with and would have still recommended this even if there was no remaster.

Super Smash Bros. > Rivals of Aether or Nickolodeon All-Star Brawl 2

Rivals of Aether Steam Page
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 Steam Page

For these games I would argue you have two avenues, you have Rivals of Aether for the more Melee centered players, and if you are the more casual player for Smash like myself, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 fits that bill much better


That's about everything I could find that I wanted to just showcase a little! Feel free to put your own game suggestions and opinions as well!

 

[What's His Face]

Just waiting for nintendo to start chucking lawsuits like live grenades, especially to the games 10+ years old.

 

[Elwiwi]

I get that people want a wario land and mitigate that hunger with Anton blast but Mario kart? That ip is alive and kicking

 

[bjork]

The Hello Kitty Island Adventure game is a more opt Animal Crossing parallel, no?

 

[RanmyakuIchi's icon RanmyakuIchi RanmyakuIchi]

Fire Emblem has a massive fan mod community if you're looking for GBA-era type stuff.

 

[LiberoVulpesLiberoVulpes's icon]

Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga, manages a miracle, it makes fire emblem not suck.

Yellow Taxi goes Vroom, is your best modern improvement upon Banjo Kazooie.

Animal Crossing has always been inferior to Harvest Moon, just go and play any Story of Seasons, maybe try My Time At Sandrock if you like busywork.

For Pokemon, play Palworld, even if you don't care about pokemans, do it to spite Nintendo.

 

[bjork]

Animal Crossing has always been inferior to Harvest Moon

whoa whoa
slow down there, little sailor

 

[TheSoulWalker TheSoulWalker]

I get that people want a wario land and mitigate that hunger with Anton blast but Mario kart? That ip is alive and kicking

Alive and Kicking doesn't mean that you want to keep supporting Modern Nintendo but want something to scratch that same itch, especially if you aren't on a Nintendo Platform.

 

[PhaseJump]

There is literally a Fire Emblem replacement by the creator of the franchise. Shouzou Kaga.
Nintendo have cast him out and now he is out there making SRPG Maker low budget stuff, while they try to forget him.

Vestaria Saga I: War of the Scions on Steam

A prince in flight, charged with defending the last of the royal family, determined to secure a future for his kingdom, unaware he would be fighting for stakes greater still.

store.steampowered.com

Vestaria Saga II: The Sacred Sword of Silvanister on Steam

Vestaria Saga II continues the adventures of Zade, bringing the tales of him and his companions to a thrilling, satisfying end. They will encounter allies both new and old while uncovering more mysteries behind the vile Margulites and their plan to plunge Vestaria into a new age of darkness.

store.steampowered.com

 

[NeonKnights]

There is one small caveat with the list, "Sonic All Stars Racing Transformed" can't be the best one as it's missing Hatsune Miku.

 

[dkpopman]

i think its kind of a bummer to consider a game as a replacement for something instead of enjoying it on its own merits