Blog Archives
Side Characters Who Got Their Own Games!
Side Characters Who Got Their Own Games!
The main character can make or break a video game. Sonic is one of the most simple, yet perfectly designed characters. His ability, attitude, everything about him helps set the tone for the level design. It helped him stand out against Mario. Compare that to Tails. Tails is good and all, but he doesn’t bring the same punch Sonic does. He’s clearly designed to be a side character. But what happens when those characters designed to be side characters get the spotlight? Today, let’s look at 4 times understudies got called up to the big stage.
We will start with Luigi. Perhaps the most iconic side character of all time. He started off as the player 2 option back in the day. He was just an off color Mario really. However, over time he got his own identity. He was taller and slender than Mario. That became symbolic with his movement, where he was better at jumping than Mario, but with less precision. He also was characterized as a little bit of a scaredy cat. This is what makes Luigi’s Mansion a perfect setting for Luigi to shine. Nintendo leaned into Luigi’s chicken demeanor. Luigi’s Mansion stars Luigi winning a Mansion filled with ghosts. He must overcome his fear in order to save his brother, Mario. It’s awesome to see Luigi develop as more than just a player 2 option. He’s really blossomed over the last few decades.
Daxter
Daxter was a wise guy, smart mouth punk through the Jak and Daxter franchise. It’s funny to me that the first game is titled Jak and Daxter. But the rest of the franchise drops the Daxter part. I feel like this is because of the complete tonal shift from Jak and Daxter to Jak 2. Daxter was the cute animal sidekick. Which was appropriate for a 3D platformer. When it shifted to a more dark, gritty adventure game, the emphasis moves from a lovable duo, to the titular hero. Well, Daxter would go on to get his own game. What’s interesting about this is they put him on the PSP. I assume this is because he’s a side character. It just fits more on Sony’s handheld. Now, Daxter is a really awesome 3D action platformer that I think does blend the two styles of games pretty well. Though, it does feel like a slightly darker version of Jak and Daxter. So I think it’s cool when Daxters name gets back on a game, it gives those classic PS2 vibes.
Shadow the Hedgehog
Shadow is an interesting one. I never played Sonic growing up. I was more of a Mario guy. However, I’ve always loved Sonic’s supporting cast. Knuckles and Shadow were so cool looking. I remember begging mom to rent Shadow the Hedgehog. And she let me. Boy, was I surprised. I was 11 when it came out. You’d think I’d be at the right age where a gritty, explosive, high octane adventure would be screaming my name. But this game did not click with me well at all. I really could not have played more than a level or two. Maybe this is because it’s still more or less a Sonic game? I still like Shadow as a character, but I just couldn’t get into the game. I don’t know if it was because of GTA3 or what, but it felt like every franchise around this era wanted this gritty mature vibe to them. It makes sense not wanting Sonic to be the lead in this title. It kinda goes against the lovable brand Sonic had spent the last decade building up, meaning Shadow was a perfect fit here.
Diddy Kong
Last today is Diddy Kong. He started off as Donkey Kong’s sidekick in Donkey Kong Country, a 2D side scrolling action platformer. He’s fun with an awesome design. Diddy Kong would get a chance to shine early in his gaming career. He became the main character in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong’s Quest. A sequel held in very high regards. Im sure it helped that Donkey Kong’s name was plastered on the box. A few years later, he would land his own title on Nintendo’s new console, the n64. Diddy Kong Racing stood out against Mario 64. It had an open world, boss fights, new characters. It was a fresh spin on Kart racers in the face of the titan that was Mario Kart 64. Impressively enough, a lot of people say they actually prefer Diddy Kong Racing over Mario Kart 64. Making it, in my opinion, a very successful spin-off. Diddy Kong has remained active in the gaming world. He’s a playable character in the Smash Brothers series. He’s still at DKs side in the Donkey Kong Country series. He was even a playable character in DK64. His Flagship racer even got ported over to DS. While he’s remained relevant in gaming, it is still hard to see a new Diddy Kong Racing game getting greenlit if even F-Zero can not get one. Not to mention, Rare, Diddy Kong’s creator, has gone on to live at the farm up north.
A fun part about doing this topic is seeing all the ways or reasons they try out the side characters. Luigi and Diddy Kong got completely different genres than their main protagonist counterparts. Daxter was used on Sony’s handheld, PSP. While Shadow was used to test out a more teenage centric edgy attitude. It’s neat to see some of these ideas played out. So guys that does it for part one. What’s your favorite game or character listed today? And which characters should be in part 2? Don’t forget to subscribe. We will see you in the next one.
My June 2024 Nintendo Direct Predictions!
June is rapidly approaching, which means we’re getting closer to the next Nintendo Direct. The general expectation is that 2024 is going to be filled out with ports and remakes. I actually agree with this for the most part. I’m not sure we’re going to get any super major releases between now and Christmas. We know Pokemon Legends will be a headliner going into 2025. But what does Nintendo have in store for 2024? So today we’re going to talk about the games I think Nintendo could roll out in the order of likeliness I think they’ll happen.
Remember, you can watch this in video form over on my channel Dahubbz: https://youtu.be/cILzndCDf-E
Let’s start with an Honorable mention. Fire Emblem. Keep in mind, I’m not the biggest Fire Emblem fan, so I’m not the best source of information for the series. However, it’s been over a year since the last release. Fire Emblem also seems to be on a tear through the Switch’s lifespan. If Nintendo is in need of one last home run for the holiday season, a Fire Emblem game could be that hit. Not to mention, Fire Emblem Genealogy of War has supposedly been rumored for a while. But again, it’s not a franchise I follow very closely.
Okay. Now time for #5. Super Mario Odyssey 2. This is wishful thinking at this point. I loved Odyssey. It’s one of my favorite games of all time. I really wanted it to get a sequel. The only mainline 3D Mario game to get a sequel is Super Mario Galaxy 2. Which was also released on the Wii like Galaxy 1 was. So my theory for almost a decade has been, if we’re getting Odyssey 2, it’s gonna be on the Switch. if we get to another console, it’ll be a completely new idea (like Sunshine to Galaxy or Galaxy to Odyssey). It’ll sting a little more considering we never got DLC either. I just really wanted a new adventure in the Odyssey game engine.
However, with the Mario 3D collection out, I think finally getting Galaxy 2 on the Switch is a very real possibility.
#4 Kirby Planet Robobot- I am a huge Kirby fan. However, this game has always escaped me for one reason or another. I’d love to see it get brought over to the Switch. I’m not sure if there’s any mechanics that would be exclusive to the 3DS that couldn’t be brought over. That’s one reason I’m not buying into Star Fox Zero or Kirby and the Rainbow Curse being brought to the Switch. Kirby is another franchise that has had a great showing on the Switch. Be it new releases, remakes or eShop exclusives, Kirby is a very active franchise and I think it could do well this holiday season.
#3 Xenoblade Chronicles X. I think it is likely that we will get a Wii U port. There’s plenty of games getting tossed out at this point, but I think Xenoblade Chronicles X makes a lot of sense. For starters, the name. Xenoblade Chronicles means something to a lot of Nintendo’s die hard RPG fans. I also think the rest of the Xenoblade Chronicles series is playable on Switch, so it’d make sense to have it on the console as well. I really don’t think this is a bad option to have for a Christmas- like release. Maybe this would compliment a bigger Pokémon/Zelda/Metroid like release. Either way, I think this is a solid option.
#2 Twilight Princess/Wind Waker HD. Feels like I’ve been skeptical of this rumor for 5 years now. And I still kind of am. Before I disregarded it saying Skyward Sword needed to be brought over to the Switch first. We’ll, that has now happened. I’d still prefer Ocarina of Time coming to the Switch first, but that’s a personal preference. Honestly, I’m reaaaalllly rooting for Oracle of Ages and Season to get released in a single cart. I feel like that game needs the port more than both Ocarina of Time and TPWW combo. But here’s an idea no one is talking about, A Link to the Past. I get it, it’s a 2D classic. How do you go about porting this sucker over. Keep it 2D? Then can you really get away with charging $60? Give it the Link’s Awakening treatment? Then risk the potential backlash from purists who hate the art style? Yeah, I think the Twilight Princess, Wind Waker HD will probably be the safest option as it won’t be polarizing or feel like a betrayal of the classics. With Nintendo saying no DLC for Tears of the Kingdom, I’m really interested to see what Nintendo does with Zelda moving forward.
#1 Metroid 2 and 3 combo pack- This is my sure fire bet for the Switch this year. I saw someone say it would be weird for Metroid 1 to get a standalone release and then combo 2 and 3. I’m going to reference Pikmin for why I actually think it makes sense. Nintendo released Pikmin 3 as a hold over until Pikmin 4 was ready. Then as we approached Pikmin 4, we got 1+2 as a combo. It’s this line of work that makes me think a combo pack is absolutely possible. Not to mention if you want Metroid Prime 4 as your Switch launch title or big holiday release next year, we’ve got to get these Prime remakes on the road. I just think it makes all the sense in the world. However, is a Metroid Prime 2&3 combo pack enough to carry them through the holidays? I’m not sure.
I think it’s very likely we also see another Gamecube game get ported over- Luigi’s Mansion 1. Luigi’s Mansion 2 and 3 are available to play on Switch, so we really need to get the first one on the console before we move on to the Switch’s successor.
There you have it. You think Nintendo could announce anything spicy? Any new games, remakes we won’t see coming, or DLC? Mario Wonder and Pikmin 4 could be strong candidates to get DLC as well. Let me know what you think Nintendo will do! Thanks for watching. Have a great day.
Da_Hubbz 