I know games like Fire Emblem Awakening and Mario and Luigi Dream Team are telling us that Nintendo hasn't given up on Pixel art visuals but seeing as how Nintendo heavily relies on 3D models to compensate the visuals is more of a let down as 3D just isn't the same feeling as Pixel art and I don't know why........
@Turnip-Forest Yeah I guess I should be more open minded about this stuff.
So I'll say it again. What reason does Nintendo want to use more of 3D Models instead of using pixel art as well?
Like take Pokemon for example. X and Y has no reason to be in 3D because if the 3D effect is used, the game slows down a bit and there are at times where the visuals just aren't that great. When the game isn't in top perspective, movement feels a bit different than usual. And on top of that, there is some amount of slowdown that can be a bit annoying at times frankly. So why not just do the same thing with Pixel art and new features rather than making a whole new 3D thing with the same thing in mind with new features?
I guess the problem I have with 3D games is that it takes more power to run them, doesn't give much of visual details and that having things in 3D doesn't necessarily mean the visuals in the game will be better.
Take Yoshi's New Island for example. The original one was fantastic in every way.........
But in New Island........
New island trying to do all the art with 3d modelling just really isn't good enough to match the quality of the original one where the art style is very crisp and that can't be done in 3D modelling unless the game came up with super fx chip 2 or something to duplicate the same visuals as that of the original.
Pixel art animations are generally smooth and are very appealing to see. In terms of loading, Pixel art games are much faster than those of 3D but I could be wrong there as seeing it depends on the system's power.
Yes its very understandable for devs to use 3D models to make it easier to make games but the problem with 3d games is that it takes a lot of power and you really need to do it so that the game runs very smooth in the end.
But for Pixel art, while the animation is complex and hard, its much easier for the game to run smooth and for the visuals to be the quality of that of hand drawn.
When Miracle Mask started this pseudo 3d models, I really wasn't a fan of that because it just doesn't mesh well with the game and yet the game had hand drawn cutscenes.......so why did they do such a change that felt awkward? But luckily, its not that of an issue since the game still uses Pixel art at times.
But the way that Fire Emblem Awakening does is very well indeed. Basic unit movements were of pixel art of course while the battle combat animations were optional, it didn't ruin the game feel at all.
I'm now worried of how visually appealing the next Metroid can be without pixel art if Nintendo decides to use 3D modelling for a 2.5D game because if the visuals in Metroid Fusion, Super Metroid, Metroid and Zero mission were great, why make the visuals rather underwhelming in the next game?
Atleast Star Fox is understandable as that requires innovation to survive.
Now I don't have any issues with the Mario 3d visuals as they are very well done and I certainly love 3D land for the approach in 3D visuals but in the New series, there's really no reason for Nintendo to go 3D models here because of how redundant they look.
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@Turnip-Forest Indeed. 3D models often require less work for equally detailed animations. With a 3D model, you need to create the polygonal model itself, and a texture. Everything else is mostly number juggling to move parts of the model to certain coordinates within the game.
Sprites, while easier to position, have two problems. Every single frame of an individual animation has to be drawn/edited over and over again (with great attention to detail and imagination to make an animation look fluid) for every instance, which not only means more work in general, but also more space requirements.
The thing is, sprites don't require much processing power to work, while 3D models do.
So, to get to the topic: Gee, I hope so, bro!
In all honesty, I can understand Nintendo wanting to save time by using 3D models over sprites, but they must be aware how much style and unique charm sprites evoke! @Artwark has the best example with Yoshi's Island - the transition to 3D is sloppy, the visual style looks forcibly pixelated, and the whole playful chalk style gets lost in a Play-Doh! substitue.
I don't expect Nintendo to do a 180º turn on it, but a sprite-based entry from time to time really wouldn't hurt. Imagine a Metroid with good-old SNES-style visuals - people would collectively faint! Or a Yoshi's Island with chalk-art! Or a Mario Kart with Mode7 (yes, cancer-inducing visuals, but still great callback material)!
Yes its very understandable for devs to use 3D models to make it easier to make games but the problem with 3d games is that it takes a lot of power and you really need to do it so that the game runs very smooth in the end.
But for Pixel art, while the animation is complex and hard, its much easier for the game to run smooth and for the visuals to be the quality of that of hand drawn.
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Actually its way easier to program and animate pixel graphics and animation, once you have it done its done, you don't have to worry about your head moving forward while your body is stationary in 3d modeling (I've seen that before), there's just no market for those games anymore. its a niche.
That's not true at all. If it really was easy, then why 3D models are the thing now which is ten times harder to do than Pixel art?
Pixel art isn't a niche market because games still use it regardless of how frequently 3D models are used. The problem is that its very complex to do the animation in pixel art than it is in 3D.
The thing is if it only took 3 people to do Mario World. I don't see why they cannot spare the resources to just do some more like that (If only because it needs loads less resources and we need more games).
Also at the 3DS resolution 3D models look awful pixel art is totally fine.,
“30fps Is Not a Good Artistic Decision, It's a Failure”
Freedom of the press is for those who happen to own one.
@Artwark I think animating a 3D model is considered programming, while animating a sprite is counted as art/visual design. Artists are more expensive than programmers, and despite the (almost gross) abundance of sprite-based indie games, actual sprite artists are also kinda hard to find for hire.
@unrandomsam Makes me wonder, too. And even if it took over 10 people, that number should be readily available. Though I dunno how many people actually worked on Super Mario World back then...
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Topic: Will Nintendo ever get back to pixel art?
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