The good functioning of the film based on the Super Mario Bros. franchise. and all the fashion that is currently forming around adaptations of video games to television (such as those of The Witcher or Arcane) constitute the opportunity to imagine what Nintendo franchises would perhaps work better as a series. From sagas with a tradition of decades to titles that have not been on the market for many years, The Big N has a wide and varied catalog that could be transferred in a spectacular way to the small screen.
We review some of the most interesting Nintendo franchises that, due to their background or style, or because of their characters, could be successfully exported to television or streaming platforms.
1. The Legend of Zelda franchise series
Ideal Series Genre: Epic Fantasy/Adventure
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The Legend of Zelda saga is full of fantasy in which a new world is built with legendary creatures; The epic that emerges can be universal because it is the story of heroes who have to fight between good and evil. With each new installment, the saga has created a mythology that could become very extensive based on episodes.
Aspects that should be in the series:
– The triad that is built between Link, Zelda and Ganondorf.
– All the mysticism of the Triforce and the opportunity to travel through the different regions of Hyrule.
– The evolution of Link into the hero who does not speak (although in a series he would probably need dialogue or narrative methods to make up for his classic muteness).
2. Dark series about Metroid
Ideal genre: Science fiction / Thriller
Metroid's plots revolve around Samus Aran, a bounty hunter in space who fights alien threats in the form of Metroids and Space Pirates. The dark, lonely image of the saga and its mix of action and exploration are perfect for a very tense science fiction serial.
Key elements for the series:
– Samus's solitary appearance on large planets or hostile space stations.
– The tense atmosphere, influenced by the usual science fiction (Alien, Blade Runner).
– Great possibilities for cliffhangers at the end of each chapter that lead to the appearance of new creatures or regions to discover.
3. Fire Emblem political drama series
Ideal genre: War fantasy / Political drama
Why it would work: This franchise is based on political wars of relationships between characters, combined with tactical battles. The series proposes a large number of plots and kingdoms at war. Fire Emblem brings together a vast universe of intrigue, alliances, betrayals, and epic stages that could easily be consolidated into a serialized drama.
Key elements for the series:
– Character history developed in their own motivations (nobles, knights, magicians, etc.).
– Great strategic battles that would mix action and tactics on screen.
– The ability to delve into the emotional aspects and the bond between characterss, a very attractive factor for a serial with several seasons.
4. The Star Fox galaxy series
Ideal genre: Space adventure / Animation
Reasons for its success: The vast Star Fox universe is ideal for narratives full of intergalactic adventurescharacterized by intense aerial battles and cooperation dynamics between the team. Fox McCloud's charismatic personality and the uniqueness of his crew (Falco, Peppy, Slippy) allow for an engaging balance between exciting action and a touch of humor.
Essential elements for the series:
– Spectacular space combat scenes, highlighting iconic ships such as the Arwing.
– Anthropomorphic characters with clearly differentiated personality traits and their dynamics as a team.
– Multiple missions set on different planets, each providing their own unique aesthetics and challenges.
5. Kid Icarus
Ideal genre: Mythological fantasy / Adventures for young people
Reasons for its success: Kid Icarus tells the story of Pit, a warrior angel in the service of the goddess Palutena.set in a world inspired by Greco-Roman mythology. The fusion of mythological elements, a light comedic tone, and vibrant actions is a formula that would translate very well to an animated format, especially aimed at a youth audience.
Key elements for the series:
– A fun and uninhibited tone, balanced with extensive epic combat sequences against mythological creatures.
– The development of Pit, who evolves from an inexperienced warrior to a determined hero and protector of his kingdom.
– The interactions between gods, heroes and monsters, taking advantage of a reinterpretation of Greek folklore in Nintendo's distinctive style.
6. Animal Crossing series
Appropriate genre: Slice-of-life / Comedy of manners.
The franchise of Animal Crossing has a good part of the popularity it has achieved thanks to its wonderful calm and homely atmosphere; The player lives in a town where there are adorable animal neighbors. That calm and friendly tone would fit perfectly with a television series that is a comedy of manners full of anecdotes, with a constant message about friendship and mutual help.
The daily life of the inhabitants (pay Tom Nook's mortgage, collect fruit, fish and decorate the house) can give rise to many different and fun or even tender plotsshowing how each character evolves. Charismatic Characters: The neighbors, such as Canela (Isabelle), Totakeke (KK Slider), Buhu (Blathers) and other icons of the saga, allow very different personalities to be exposed. Their interactions, quirks and small rivalries would do the rest with white humor. The message of friendship and mutual help fits perfectly with a positive and family spirit, ideal for an audience looking for relaxed (and endearing) entertainment.
He ideal format would be Animation or hybrid (stop-motion style or animation with a lot of color, reflecting the charm of video games). 10-15 minute episodes to tell self-contained stories; 20-25 minute episodes if you want to go deeper into the subplot in each chapter. Episodic, as it explores the relationships between neighbors, the projects
community, the personal evolution of a protagonist (or several)
In short, an adaptation of Animal Crossing on the small screen would offer a cozy experience, a positive show full of humor and tenderness that would reflect the type of cozy and comforting narratives that exist in games, following in the wake of the video game series. The series could have a wide audience, both for the way the story is told and for the way it develops.
Honorable mentions
Kirby: Fantastic for an animated series made of short episodes, with a strong load of tenderness and humor.
EarthBound (Mother): An endearing story with a retro surrealist aesthetic, full of humor and an emotional background.
Splatoon: With its colorful aesthetic and urban background, an animation consisting of painting battles and competitions could be adapted.
The possibilities are almost endless when we consider Nintendo's vast catalog. Each of these franchises has found its place in the hearts of gamers and its adaptation to the small screen could return longtime fans to the screen and attract new viewers.. The future of video game adaptations is clearly booming, Nintendo is clear about this, and its memorable characters and worlds cannot be left behind. From animated series to live-action series, there are many universes that are worth seeing jump from the console to the screen, to continue surprising the audience. Do you agree?
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