Nintendo has been handling its franchises very well, especially in the case of Nintendo Switch because there are new games available in the Splatoon, Super Mario, and Legend of Zelda series this year itself. Besides Metroid is all set to get a fourth Prime game and the Samus Returns is coming on 3DS.
Various old IPs are going to make a comeback next year, and the company has huge plans for the future. Is it possible that Donkey Kong becomes a part of their upcoming offerings?
The giant ape hasn’t had a fresh game since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze came out on the Wii U. Therefore, a new game is very much due. As hinted by Nintendo president, Reggie Fils-Aime, the game might be on its way.
During a recent interview with Time Magazine, Reggie was questioned, “Two of the Switch’s biggest games, Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, are significant re-imaginings of those franchises. Both add aspects that were never possible before and revamp core gameplay elements. Why is now the right time to be rethinking those series?”
Reggie promptly replied. “I think what you highlight with Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey is certainly that the way those games have reimagined the intellectual property (IP) is different. I would say that Breath of the Wild is a dramatic departure from the conventions of a Zelda game. And the producer Mr. [Eiji] Aonuma said three years ago that was his vision. The fact that you could go anywhere [and] attack quests and shrines in any order you want, that was his vision.
With Odyssey, we have had other sandbox experiences for Mario in the past: Mario 64and Super Mario Sunshine. What’s different here is the breadth of kingdoms, the Cappy mechanic, and so yes a departure, but maybe not as radical. But with the mentality of creating an experience that the player says, ‘Wow, I’ve never done that before with a Mario game.’ That’s what we try to do. Whether it’s with a Metroid experience or a Donkey Kong experience, we’re constantly looking to push the envelope on the IP versus doing sequential small iterations with a particular franchise.”
The best part here is Reggie talking about the “Donkey Kong experience,” despite the interviewer not even asking about the Donkey Kong. We knew that a new Metroid game was coming, but, there has been no information about a new Donkey Kong. This might be just a coincidence as there is no official confirmation. However, a brand new Donkey Kong Country game for Switch might be coming up in 2018, and that’s great for the fans.
As of now, you can play Tropical Freeze on Wii U and also enjoy the original Donkey Kong Country on the SNES Classic Edition. The game is worth the nostalgia.
