A reader believes Nintendo is a far better industry leader than PlayStation, citing this week's two Nintendo Directs and a Sony meltdown as proof. Owning only a Switch 2 among current gen consoles, the reader says Sony's conduct throughout the generation makes Nintendo's issues seem minor by comparison.
Nintendo's priorities questioned
The biggest issue with Nintendo, as the reader sees it, is priorities. They note the company seems to be fast-tracking obscure B and C-list franchises, with a second Kirby game and second Metroid title due in two years, while no new Mario platformer (2D or 3D), Animal Crossing, Super Smash Bros., or Splatoon 4 has been announced. The reader questions why a Smash Bros. Ultimate Switch 2 Edition wasn't released early, suggesting extra characters would sweeten the deal.
Despite these odd priorities, the reader says they are generally satisfied with the Switch 2 so far. Nintendo's plan, they argue, is something other than 'release as few games as possible', which they claim Sony is pulling off perfectly. The reader was happy with the Direct on Wednesday, and the big news came the day before with the remake of The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time, which they call the best video game ever made.
Ocarina of Time remake debate
There has been controversy over the remake's reveal, and the reader admits to being conflicted. They think the backgrounds look great, but find Young Link overdesigned, with a distracting pattern on his hood. The reader describes Young Link as so overly cute he resembles a marzipan figurine on a wedding cake, though the other Kokiri characters are not so bad. They believe the reveal's mistake was only showing Young Link sections, which made it seem more twee than it probably is, and the voiceovers were cheesy.
The reader dismisses AI and Unreal Engine comparisons, suggesting the impression depends on what was shown rather than the remake itself. They note the trailer, which has relatively little Young Link, gives a different impression. Despite criticism for focusing on a remake as the big Christmas game, the reader is fine with it, noting it has been over a decade since a new Zelda using the original formula. They believe people are ready for nostalgia before the next mainline game is announced.
Nintendo's strengths vs Sony's failings
Looking at the mess PlayStation and Xbox are in, the reader appreciates Nintendo for what they are: committed to single-player games, almost everything they make is good, and they don't rip you off too much. Ocarina Of Time is actually cheaper than Breath Of The Wild and Tears Of The Kingdom. The reader concludes that being loyal to a company that wants your money is never a good idea, but Nintendo is a much better industry leader than Sony, or at least the Sony that exists now.
The reader recalls Sony used to do a pretty good job but says Xbox becoming a non-rival seems to have turned them mad with power, living to troll fans now. For now, the reader is more than happy with their Switch 2, but if they ever got another system, it would be a PC, not a PlayStation.
