I wanted to bring this up, because both these franchises/fandoms have been in similar spots. Both franchises are connected to Mario and fans want more from their respective franchises.
Wario Series
Gets frequent entries with WarioWare, latest in 2023.
Wario platformers like Wario Land haven't appeared since 2008.
Donkey Kong Series
Mario vs Donkey Remake released in 2024, but is more of a Mario game.
Donkey Kong gets expansion in Mario + Rabbids
Upcoming DK game is an HD port
Last new mainline DK game released in 2014
Donkey Kong is getting a dedicated section in Universal Studios and a movie.
It's nice that the Wario series gets more new games even though its only WarioWare, but it feels the Wario franchise still downplayed by Nintendo.
Not counting remakes/rereleases, the Donkey Kong series hasn't had a new mainline game since 2014.
Despite this, I think the Donkey Kong Franchise currently has the brighter future, because the theme park and movie shows that Nintendo investing a lot in DK. They probably want to release new DK games to coincide with the DK stuff in other media and entertainment.
Which do you think has the brighter future? Don't take this too seriously, this is just for fun.
At least WarioWare has quite a few senior staff that care for it; that seems to be the most important factor to a series survival (c.f. no one clamouring for a new Ice Climbers). I can't imagine anyone at Retro Studios being as committed to Donkey Kong Country as Goro Abe is to WarioWare, sadly.
Donky Kong series has a brighter future.
However, Wario series has a portal on the Japanese Nintendo site. For now, the future of Wario series is secure.
Honestly, I almost feel like Nintendo are just releasing WarioWare games to keep the franchise alive more than anything really. I don't really see being pushed forward that much. I remember always seeing ads for Donkey Country Returns : Tropical Freeze in the TV but nothing ever Wario related. So I guess I'd say Donkey Kong has a brighter future unless Nintendo decides to do something like make a brand new Wario Land game or something. But you never know, it seems like Nintendo wants to stray away a bit from the usual New Super Mario Bros games so I'd say it has its chances.
I feel like both have a future at least. It's not like F-Zero or Star Fox where games are once in a blue moon, or Chibi Robo where it's deader than dead.
But DK probably has more of a future simply because of the movies and theme parks and what not. I sadly don't see Wario getting that kind of attention anytime soon.
WarioWare is doing good, I'd assume. It gets consistent releases. Unfortunately, Wario Land probably won't get shit for a long time!! That aside, I agree with CM30, both seem to have a future.
