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App Army Answers: Which Nintendo franchises are best suited for mobile?

The troops take a look at Ninty's back catalogue to find the best fits for mobile

App Army Answers: Which Nintendo franchises are best suited for mobile?
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Earlier this year Nintendo have confirmed they plan to bring many of their franchises to mobile, and that any of them, no matter how obscure, might wing its way over to mobile soon.

We lit up the App Army beacon, summoning troops from all over the world to ponder which Nintendo classics might saunter across to Android and iOS platforms with the greatest of ease.

While many agreed on a few key franchises, some points resonated with everyone: get the controls right, and don't get too overzealous with the free-to-play model.

George P: I think a Mario game in the style of Rayman Jungle Run could work well as it wouldn't need as many buttons as an ordinary Mario platformer. What I think Nintendo should avoid are games with heavy free-to-play elements, as such games have the potential to harm Nintendo's intellectual properties. curtneedsaride: Personally, I feel the best fits to hit mobile first would be the staples: Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, and my all-time favorite, Metroid. I think those franchises would work best because they would sell well.

I'd love to see a remake of the first Metroid as a 3D FPS survival game. Although it would be great to see a new 2D Metroid too... perhaps even a turn-based Metroid RPG. Controls, if based on the better examples on the App Store, could work for either.

Pokémon and Zelda would work because Micromon and Oceanhorn do already. I guess they could make easy money with online mutiplayer Smash Bros. and Mario Kart. If 3G can handle that amount of awesome.

Joshua: I feel that the top three franchises that should be added to mobile devices are Pokémon, Mario, and Zelda. They'll bring fans across to the mobile world easily, unless they're ridden with abhorrent in-app purchases (IAPs). Alex_Gol: The WarioWare series would work since previous iterations have used different methods of control like accelerometer and gyro sensor.

Developers could also use the touch screen to their advantage, producing creative new mini-games in the process. It could bring so many new players to this franchise, and help them become acquainted to such lesser-known characters like Wario and his friends.

Danny: I always have WarioWare on me thanks to the 3DS Ambassador Programme, and WarioWare: Twisted! never leaves my Game Boy Micro slot!

Each version of WarioWare focuses on what each system can do, so I can't wait to see a version that takes advantage of gyro controls, camera function (perhaps augmented reality), and multi-touch!

Joshua: Pokémon would work because you could use a virtual d-pad to walk, and use touch controls for battling. Hopefully Nintendo won't add pay-to-win IAPs for items like Master Balls or Potions. That would ultimately ruin game in my opinion. Danny: I think it would be more like Pokémon Rumble World on 3DS, where you can continue after Pokémon are defeated by using in-game currency. I hope they also offer touch-target controls alongside a virtual d-pad option. Quincy: Kirby would be great on a tablet. Danny: If it was a continuation of the Kirby Paintbrush series, sure! I think a sequel to Kirby's Dream Course would work wonderfully on mobile too. Andrew: I think Nintendo have quite a few properties that could adapt to mobile easily.

As George mentioned, a Mario game in the style of the Rayman mobile games makes perfect sense. They're heaps of fun with some beautiful aesthetics.

However, I also think a Mario game built from the ground up for mobile would work too - just look at something like the Mikey Hooks series.

Pokémon could work very well, as we have already seen several games try to replicate the Pokémon formula, but none of them grab me in like Pokémon did.

Seabeard is a fun game in the style of Animal Crossing, but the IAPs are too intrusive and as such it sadly turned me off what was otherwise a great game. Building up a small village is something people like doing on mobile and Animal Crossing offers that.

Mario Kart could also work. I enjoy kart racers on my tablet like Angry Birds Go! With the sheer amount of great characters Nintendo have at their disposal, and the success of many kart games on mobile already, it seems like an obvious choice.

Ryan T: I agree that a true Pokémon game mobile would work. The control scheme isn't particularly complex, and the characters are still very popular too.

Pokémon on a mobile platform would be heaven for me as a decent amount of my childhood was consumed by watching the classic TV series on VHS, and playing the series on Game Boy and DS.

Marc: Yeah, WarioWare is a no-brainer for mobile. Star Fox's mission-based formula is also suits mobile to a tee. I too would loved to see Mario Kart and Animal Crossing on iOS and Android, then Nintendo can show the clones how it's really done. Andrew: The Brain Training games would be a match made in heaven for mobile devices.

It's a franchise popular with all kinds of players who are looking for a app that stimulates the mind. They don't even have to be interested in games per se.

It could capitalise on the social integration that's in nearly every mobile game these days too. It would be good fun seeing which of your friends have a "brain age" of 81 even though they're just 22.

George P: I love that idea Andrew. The problem I had with Brain Training was that I didn't always have my DS with me, so bringing the series over to mobile would make it much easier to do the daily exercises. Kym: I reckon Animal Crossing would be amazing on mobile, possibly even better than on console. It's the type of game that you keep pick up for a quick go, and mobile multiplayer would be brilliant for visiting other people's towns across the globe.

Professor Layton is another game that is made for gaming on the go. I absolutely love it, and having it on my mobile to solve a puzzle or two whenever I've got five minutes would make it so much more accessible than having to get my DS out to play it.

Any of the older style 2D platformer Mario games would work brilliantly on mobile, but I'm not sure the newer 3D games would be easy enough to control on phones and tablets. A new Mario Kart would be a blast - just imagine the online multiplayer!

I'm interested in seeing how Nintendo adapt the control schemes for their first few mobile games. So many of us have been playing with a gamepad for so long that I wonder if it'll feel comfortable playing without one.

Aaron: Asynchronous, turn-based strategy games seem like a perfect match for a touch screen, so I'd be interested to see a new Advance Wars. The idea of how they'd monetise it scares me though.

As Andrew said, a Mario, or perhaps even Donkey Kong, auto-runner would be fantastic!

Kym: I hope that Nintendo decides to go down the premium app route rather than free-to-play with IAPs. I'd much rather pay once than continually have gameplay interrupted with wait timers and other such nonsense! That goes for all games though, not just Nintendo ones! I'd happily pay premium prices for my favourite titles. Clint: Pokémon is the best fit, but I also think Fire Emblem would work well too. Turn-based strategy games work very well on touch screens. Although I didn't like the pay model of Seabeard, that game proves that Animal Crossing could work too. Sjoerd: A good mobile game requires only one or two buttons. I don't think virtual d-pads and buttons are best suited for mobile.

Yes, an endless runner Mario game makes sense for mobile, but there are already tons of endless runner games out there and it would be more interesting for Nintendo to come up with something new. Perhaps a puzzler like Dr. Mario?

Any DS game where you didn't have to use the buttons, only the screen, would transfer across to mobile just fine.

Danny: Yeah, Animal Crossing's a perfect fit as far as I'm concerned. The cosmetic nature of almost every item in the game lends itself to the F2P model, although hopefully Nintendo would just stick to using soft currency for daily Nook items (much like how play coins work in the 3DS version). Ian S: Apart from the obvious choices, I'd like to see a new Donkey Kong game. A 2D adventure in the style of Donkey Kong Country Returns. Even a DK music game like Jungle Beat or Elite Beat Agents - perhaps that would be more user-friendly for casual gamers. Conor: Mario Kart would be awesome to play on iOS, especially online with other people. It would be really fun to compete in online races. Daniel: I would do anything for a new Advance Wars. They would absolutely slay on an iPad screen with touch controls. Such a great series.

A new Zelda game could use a control scheme similar to Spirit Tracks, where you guide Link around with your finger.

curtneedsaride: Sword of Xolan proves that platformers can still work on iOS, and Mario or Metroid would work wonderfully with similar controls.

I think a 3D game with Mario or Metroid would work well with controls similar to Dragon Quest VIII or Deus Ex respectively. Portrait, landscape, or both. It'll all be make or break depending upon how easy Nintendo makes each game to control. It can be done.

Daniel: Actually, thinking about it, if Nintendo aren't making the game then perhaps I would rather not have any of their franchises on mobile. George P: I think Nintendo will be making the games, but have some help from DeNA who know the mobile platform better. Danny: Quite right George, Nintendo are making first title which has yet to be unveiled, and after that they will be choosing whichever developer is best suited for each game. DeNA are meant to be focusing on all the hidden backend bits and monetising. Alex_Gol: Premium • DeNA • Despair Newmanator: What I'd like to see most are Mario Kart and Pokémon. The free-to-play aspects could get ridiculous for Mario Kart, but it'd still be plenty of fun.

I fear Pokémon could be ruined by free-to-play. You'd proabably end up only getting one Poké Ball a day, or have to pay for more storage space. Or they'd make it a match-3 puzzler and ruin my life.

Luke: Custom Robo hasn't seen the light of day since the DS - a reboot on iOS with Bluetooth / wireless play would be brilliant. Maybe ditch the storyline and focus on collectible parts that can only be obtained by playing with others! Aaron: DeNA's track record in mobile is so poor (in terms of the games being fun to play, not in terms of profit) that I'm a tad worried about the whole thing! Danny: I dunno, I think I'm enjoying Final Fantasy Record Keeper, but it could just be the psychological manipulation of collecting characters, equipment, and abilities.

I think I'll end with a favourite of General Mark, benevolent Pocket Gamer editor: Picross! It might be a little fiddly on smaller screens, but would be ab fab for tablets.

The App Army have spoken! If you'd like to sign up, please have a gander at our App Army application article. Which franchises do you think would fit best on Android and iOS? Let us know in the comments below!
Danny Russell
Danny Russell
After spending years in Japan collecting game developers' business cards, Danny has returned to the UK to breed Pokemon. He spends his time championing elusive region-exclusive games while shaking his fist at the whole region-locking thing.