Nintendo Really Needs to Stop Making Open World Games

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Nintendo has built its reputation on creating consistently fun and well-made games, like the classic platforming of *Super Mario Bros.* and the detailed dungeons of *The Legend of Zelda*. For years, fans have loved these carefully designed experiences. But recently, Nintendo seems to be following a popular industry trend and prioritizing large, open-world games. In doing so, they appear to have moved away from the precision, focus, and unique charm that traditionally defined their success.

With *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*, Nintendo pioneered a new approach to game design, and it worked brilliantly. However, their subsequent efforts to recreate that success haven’t gone well. *Pokemon Scarlet* and *Pokemon Violet* were plagued with glitches, and *Mario Kart World’s* open world feels pointless and doesn’t encourage players to explore. Even the upcoming *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*, which showed promise with open areas, disappointed fans. To maintain its reputation, Nintendo needs to move away from this trend and focus on what it excels at.

Open Worlds Dilute Nintendo’s Magic

Nintendo has always prioritized fun and engaging gameplay, which is a big reason for their success. However, some recent games haven’t been as strong in this area, particularly those that include open-world elements. While *Breath of the Wild* did open-world exceptionally well, as it was designed that way from the start, other games feel like they’ve added it as an afterthought, and it doesn’t quite work.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are prime examples of how open-world games can fall short. While players were expecting a large, exciting world full of Pokémon, they received a game plagued by bugs, performance problems, and Pokémon appearing suddenly on screen. The game also features vast, empty spaces and very few buildings you can actually enter. Ultimately, these games feel unfinished and demonstrate the challenges of adapting a classic, story-driven RPG format to an open-world design.

The Free Roam mode in *Mario Kart World* is a recent example of a promising idea that didn’t quite deliver. While an open world seemed perfect for the game, it actually highlighted how limited the concept was. *Mario Kart* is famous for its carefully crafted tracks, and Free Roam lacks that key feature. Despite offering missions and co-op options, the experience feels empty and uninteresting. Without the excitement of racing or the fun of finding hidden items, Free Roam just doesn’t capture the same *Mario Kart* charm that fans enjoy.

Nintendo might be facing a similar problem with *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*. While the recent trailer announced a December 4th release date and introduced a new motorcycle feature, fans reacted with worry rather than excitement. The wide-open areas in the trailer appeared barren, and viewers felt the gameplay and graphics weren’t up to par. This is concerning for a series known for its intricate and carefully designed levels, as these expansive areas seem to stray from what makes *Metroid Prime* special.

Linear Adventures Are Where Nintendo Truly Shines

Nintendo consistently excels at creating games with clear goals and well-designed, step-by-step experiences. While some, like *Super Mario Odyssey*, offer larger areas to explore, they still lead players through carefully planned challenges. Classic 2D platformers such as *Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze* showcase Nintendo’s skill in building focused levels. Even games with branching storylines, like *Fire Emblem: Three Houses*, maintain a solid structure with defined paths and battles.

Nintendo excels at games where meticulous attention to detail creates a seamless experience. Every element feels carefully crafted and works exactly as intended. This level of polish is difficult to achieve in large, open-world games which often include unnecessary content like empty areas, repetitive chores, and half-baked ideas. Collecting minor items like Gimmeghoul coins feels out of character for a company known for its delightful and refined games.

As a huge Nintendo fan, I really think they need to stick to what makes them special. They’re amazing at creating games that are just *fun* in a really thoughtful way, and letting you be creative with clear rules. Lately, it feels like they’re trying to copy other companies by making these huge, open-world games, and honestly, it’s not working. Those games just don’t *feel* like Nintendo. What I love about their classic games is that they’re so well-designed and satisfying, and I worry that these new open worlds are losing that magic and disrespecting everything that made Nintendo great in the first place.

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2025-09-18 21:38