Why is Wario Land a less popular series than Kirby or Yoshi's Island?
- Thread starter CM30
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Because Nintendo doesn't want it to. And let us not forget that neither Yoshi or even Kirby are as popular as the NSMB series. They're always making a big deal of it, so it boils down to what Nintendo prefers (their most famous series) and thinks will sell the most (because it's the most famous).
For some reason, Wario was never that big to begin with. Even when Wario games were selling at it's best, they were only selling a fraction of what Mario games sell at their worst.
I think it has to do with Wario himself. I went to the Toys R Us for some Christmas shopping. I came to the aisle that has all the video game character toys and figures. A bunch of Marios, Sonics, Luigis, Yoshis, and more were gone. All sold out. What was left? Wario and Diddy Kong. Plenty were left.
I think it has to do with Wario himself. I went to the Toys R Us for some Christmas shopping. I came to the aisle that has all the video game character toys and figures. A bunch of Marios, Sonics, Luigis, Yoshis, and more were gone. All sold out. What was left? Wario and Diddy Kong. Plenty were left.
That brings up an interesting point actually, could it be that Wario just plain lacks in the "Kid appeal" factor?
Most people probably learnt of Wario trought Marios games, but let's compare him to the other 7 of the "Mario Big 8" :
These are the first characters that come to most peoples minds when you ask them about Mario, but what makes each of thrm interesting from a kids perspective:
-Mario: Iconic and instandly reconicable.
-Luigi: Lovable coward and buttmonkey, almost as iconic as his bro.
-Peach: Pretty Princess.
-Toad & Yoshi: Adorable and friendly.
-Donkey Kong: Doopy friendly (outside of Mario VS DK) cartoon animal.
I don't really know how kids think of Bowser, althought kids are more likely to gravitate towards the heroes rather than the villains.
Wario falls in to a similar nieche as Bowser, while not a Villain per say, he isnt really a good guy either and most kids probably don't like him for beeing more mean than others.
His games also have a similar issue, that's not to say that kids can't enjoy the wacky nature of them, heck, I was 4 years old when my older sister introduced me to Wario's Woods and the first 2 Land games, but I remember playing Land 4 during breaks in elementary school and some of my classmates beeing scared of Spoiled Rotten when his health goes low and that's only the first Boss! God forbit if they knew about Rudy or Land 2's very final level...
Most people probably learnt of Wario trought Marios games, but let's compare him to the other 7 of the "Mario Big 8" :
These are the first characters that come to most peoples minds when you ask them about Mario, but what makes each of thrm interesting from a kids perspective:
-Mario: Iconic and instandly reconicable.
-Luigi: Lovable coward and buttmonkey, almost as iconic as his bro.
-Peach: Pretty Princess.
-Toad & Yoshi: Adorable and friendly.
-Donkey Kong: Doopy friendly (outside of Mario VS DK) cartoon animal.
I don't really know how kids think of Bowser, althought kids are more likely to gravitate towards the heroes rather than the villains.
Wario falls in to a similar nieche as Bowser, while not a Villain per say, he isnt really a good guy either and most kids probably don't like him for beeing more mean than others.
His games also have a similar issue, that's not to say that kids can't enjoy the wacky nature of them, heck, I was 4 years old when my older sister introduced me to Wario's Woods and the first 2 Land games, but I remember playing Land 4 during breaks in elementary school and some of my classmates beeing scared of Spoiled Rotten when his health goes low and that's only the first Boss! God forbit if they knew about Rudy or Land 2's very final level...
It could be that kids like Wario less, but they could still like his games a lot. When I was one, I didn't appreciate Wario as a character as much as I do today, but I loved playing the Wario Land games on the Game Boy/Color. Also, kids like funny things, so they may enjoy laughing at Wario, which means those silly transformations may be a key to more sales.
True, but they would have to pick up the games first in order to find out about the sfuff they would like.
That's true for every age group thought, if I had to choose between Captain Toad Tresure Tracker and let's say.... Rosalina's Galaxy boogaloo, I would pick Treasure Tracker, even if Galaxy boogaloo was considert a masterpiece because I love (Captain) Toad and despise Rosalina.
Same with your average kid, if they see something about a character they like they will be crazy for it, while things with characters they dislike/don't care for are left in the dust, it's a natural instinct, most would rather play it safe, then to experiment.
I'd compare Wario Land to the 2D Metroid games. Besides the fact that the same team worked on both series they are also on the same level of quality and polish. But for some reason Metroid still has way more fans...
Could it really just be that people are biased against Wario because of his looks and don't even want to try his games because of it?
Could it really just be that people are biased against Wario because of his looks and don't even want to try his games because of it?
Wario has a cult following with adults, I think Nintendo knows this. They just don't think Wario appeals to their mass intended demographic so it won't be as profitable.
Yoshi and Kirby are more kid friendly, while Wario and Waluigi always look like they're up to no good.
It's why they've turned Wario into their mini-games guy, because it's a bit more kid friendly.
Yoshi and Kirby are more kid friendly, while Wario and Waluigi always look like they're up to no good.
It's why they've turned Wario into their mini-games guy, because it's a bit more kid friendly.
That's actually a really good point. It appeals to a big enough demographic, but they're not Nintendo's 'intended' demographic and hence get ignored.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PeripheryDemographic
It's the same reason Freakazoid, Tiny Toon Adventures and Gargoyles got screwed over. They appealed to an older, college age demographic (and older adults) rather than the kids their channels were trying to market them to.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PeripheryDemographic
It's the same reason Freakazoid, Tiny Toon Adventures and Gargoyles got screwed over. They appealed to an older, college age demographic (and older adults) rather than the kids their channels were trying to market them to.
You guys have summed it up: it's sad that we have to keep of thinking about ways to bring more kids to the series, but sadly adults are too busy playing boring FPS crap to help Wario get as many sales as Mario does. Still, it's possible to bring in the kids if Nintendo markets it right. I dunno, have him pair up with Mona, Young Cricket or create some helpful Toad-like partner to attract them.
Welcome to the world of today, ShyGuyXXL, where kids just have no taste whatsoever. In this day and age, if it even looks cartoony, it's automatically deemed as crap without actually experiencing it. If they're not Mario, some Skylanders-type game, a licensed game and a few other things I'm probably forgetting, they're lucky if they can get in the top 40.
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I don't think they're "subhuman," "cancer," or what have you...but now that I look at it, I can see why one would interpret it that way. Sorry about that.
BooDestroyer
Treasure Collector Extraordinaire
"The right advertising" would only be there if Nintendo didn't hate everything that isn't from EAD (or anything like Smash Bros.).
Also, what the hell makes an "AAA game" anyway? It just sounds to me like adventure games with stories and characters is all anyone wants these days anymore. Is that how unpleaseable gamers have become these days?
Also, what the hell makes an "AAA game" anyway? It just sounds to me like adventure games with stories and characters is all anyone wants these days anymore. Is that how unpleaseable gamers have become these days?
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