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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!
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!
