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Topic: Does Nintendo's kiddieness stem from the Animation Age Ghetto?

Posts 1 to 20 of 31

TheMisterManGuy

For those who don't know, the Animation Age Getto is basically the belief that cartoons no matter what kind they are, where they're made, or when they air are for kids, and adults are too old for it. Since Nintendo's games usually bear resemblance to animation, do you think Nintendo's "kiddy" image is largely based on the Animation Age Getto?

TheMisterManGuy

Dreamsleep

I don't get it....

Atari 2600, Commodore 64/128, Sega Genesis, 32X, Sega CD, PC, Dreamcast, PS1, PS2, Wii, PSP, DSi, PS3, 3DSXL, WiiU

DefHalan

I think Nintendo is closer to Disney, their games aren't just for children but the child inside all of us

People keep saying the Xbox One doesn't have Backwards Compatibility.
I don't think they know what Backwards Compatibility means...

3DS Friend Code: 2621-2786-9784 | Nintendo Network ID: DefHalan

Blast

DefHalan wrote:

I think Nintendo is closer to Disney, their games aren't just for children but the child inside all of us

You deserve an award.

I own a Wii U and 3DS. I also own a PS4!

Master of the Hype Train

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kkslider5552000

I do agree that the cartoony look of these games does kinda make that assumption.

Thankfully in an era where things like superhero movies and online parodies of stupid stuff from the 80s/90s dominate, I'd like to think this logic is in decline,

Non-binary, demiguy, making LPs, still alive

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bubble_bear

Ok, I'll bite.

Nintendo came into prominence as a videogame company in the 1980s. They made arcade games. Graphics were pretty simple back in those days so developers often aimed for cartoon-y designs for characters and backgrounds because that was simply easier to read for the player. Donkey Kong, which is what started it all for Nintendo, was a big cartoon-y ape (think King Kong mixed with those stuffed ape dolls that suck their thumb), and became a smash hit in American bars(You know where they serve alcohol and pretty much just adults hang out...). Super Mario Bros. and all the other awesome franchises that would come later retained the style from Donkey Kong either because of the direct association or simply because...well it was the 1980s and pretty much everything was very cartoon-y. Instead of swaying to trends and trying to remain "cool" or "radical" Nintendo decided to just maintain that style, which has now come to define its identity.

Nintendo's history is actually really awesome. Here ya go:

bubble_bear

Jim_Purcell

The answer is definitely yes. There is definitely an underlying irrational fear of immaturity in our culture. And it extends to 'cartoony' games like Nintendo typically produces.

You can see in the sort of people who want to see a more 'realistic looking' Zelda game every time a new Zelda game rolls around. They think their perceived social embarrassment can be prevented if they play a game that looks like Jackson's Lord of the Rings, and are absolutely revolted by something that looks like... Say Wind Waker. Because they think their peers are going to look down at them.

It's completely irrational. But it's totally the reason.

Edited on by Jim_Purcell

Jim_Purcell

CaviarMeths

I think what OP means is that age group around 13-19 where kids think they're too grown-up for "childish" things and reject anything with wide appeal on principle (generally speaking, of course). You see the same sort of thing for something like a Pixar film. Every adult knows that Toy Story is an amazing film, but 15 year olds think it's stupid and kiddy.

And yes, this is a problem because teenagers are an enormous percentage of the gaming population.

So Anakin kneels before Monster Mash and pledges his loyalty to the graveyard smash.

Jim_Purcell

CaviarMeths wrote:

I think what OP means is that age group around 13-19 where kids think they're too grown-up for "childish" things and reject anything with wide appeal on principle (generally speaking, of course). You see the same sort of thing for something like a Pixar film. Every adult knows that Toy Story is an amazing film, but 15 year olds think it's stupid and kiddy.

And yes, this is a problem because teenagers are an enormous percentage of the gaming population.

Today's tween and teenagers are really into stuff like Adventure Time, Gravity Falls, My Little Pony, and The Legend of Korra. The problem isn't really with teenagers this generation. It's the core core 18-35 year old young adults (edit: specifically males. I should point out). The ones that not only drive game sales, but film and TV too.

Edited on by Jim_Purcell

Jim_Purcell

bubble_bear

Jim_Purcell wrote:

The answer is definitely yes. There is definitely an underlying irrational fear of immaturity in our culture. And it extends to 'cartoony' games like Nintendo typically produces.

You can see in the sort of people who want to see a more 'realistic looking' Zelda game every time a new Zelda game rolls around. They think their perceived social embarrassment can be prevented if they play a game that looks like Jackson's Lord of the Rings, and are absolutely revolted by something that looks like... Say Wind Waker. Because they think their peers are going to look down at them.

It's completely irrational. But it's totally the reason.

Hmm this is an interesting thought... I always assumed this example had more to do with people's obsession with "better" or realistic graphics. As in realism equals progress, cartoony graphics equals a step backward. Games such as Warcraft are still "cartoon-y" without carrying any connotation of being "kiddie."

Edited on by bubble_bear

bubble_bear

8BitSamurai

gage_wolf wrote:

Jim_Purcell wrote:

The answer is definitely yes. There is definitely an underlying irrational fear of immaturity in our culture. And it extends to 'cartoony' games like Nintendo typically produces.

You can see in the sort of people who want to see a more 'realistic looking' Zelda game every time a new Zelda game rolls around. They think their perceived social embarrassment can be prevented if they play a game that looks like Jackson's Lord of the Rings, and are absolutely revolted by something that looks like... Say Wind Waker. Because they think their peers are going to look down at them.

It's completely irrational. But it's totally the reason.

Hmm this is an interesting thought... I always assumed this example had more to do with people's obsession with "better" or realistic graphics. As in realism equals progress, cartoony graphics equals a step backward. Games such as Warcraft are still "cartoon-y" without carrying any connotation of being "kiddie."

This goes both ways as well. Like Nintendo fans praising anything "cartoony" as completely original and creative, while putting down "realistic" games as lame, non-creative blood fests.

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TheMisterManGuy

8BitSamurai wrote:

gage_wolf wrote:

Jim_Purcell wrote:

The answer is definitely yes. There is definitely an underlying irrational fear of immaturity in our culture. And it extends to 'cartoony' games like Nintendo typically produces.

You can see in the sort of people who want to see a more 'realistic looking' Zelda game every time a new Zelda game rolls around. They think their perceived social embarrassment can be prevented if they play a game that looks like Jackson's Lord of the Rings, and are absolutely revolted by something that looks like... Say Wind Waker. Because they think their peers are going to look down at them.

It's completely irrational. But it's totally the reason.

Hmm this is an interesting thought... I always assumed this example had more to do with people's obsession with "better" or realistic graphics. As in realism equals progress, cartoony graphics equals a step backward. Games such as Warcraft are still "cartoon-y" without carrying any connotation of being "kiddie."

This goes both ways as well. Like Nintendo fans praising anything "cartoony" as completely original and creative, while putting down "realistic" games as lame, non-creative blood fests.

I enjoy realistic graphics. But, any game, be it Cartoony or otherwise, needs a compelling aesthetic. The environment needs to feel "alive", it needs a style.

TheMisterManGuy

kkslider5552000

Yeah as overdone and lame, realistic graphics are (usually the least interesting thing you can do with video game art tbh), some of my favorite games of the past few years are realistic.

Non-binary, demiguy, making LPs, still alive

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ogo79

Untitled

the_shpydar wrote:
As @ogo79 said, the SNS-RZ-USA is a prime giveaway that it's not a legit retail cart.
And yes, he is (usually) always right, and he is (almost) the sexiest gamer out there (not counting me) ;)

8BitSamurai

TheMisterManGuy wrote:

I enjoy realistic graphics. But, any game, be it Cartoony or otherwise, needs a compelling aesthetic. The environment needs to feel "alive", it needs a style.

"Cartoony" games can be just as bland aesthetically as their realistic counterparts.

"rare download" Assistant

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kereke12

No Nintendo is not only for Kids, It's like Disney no one is too old for Disney.

LONG LIVE NINTENDO

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kereke12

ogo79 wrote:

Untitled

LOL

LONG LIVE NINTENDO

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TheMisterManGuy

8BitSamurai wrote:

TheMisterManGuy wrote:

I enjoy realistic graphics. But, any game, be it Cartoony or otherwise, needs a compelling aesthetic. The environment needs to feel "alive", it needs a style.

"Cartoony" games can be just as bland aesthetically as their realistic counterparts.

I understand that as well. For example, Snowboard kids for the N64 looks very forgettable IMO. Whereas something like Viewtiful Joe has substance in its style.

TheMisterManGuy

unrandomsam

kereke12 wrote:

No Nintendo is not only for Kids, It's like Disney no one is too old for Disney.

What about stuff like Hannah Montana ? That sort of stuff is awful I cannot believe any adult would enjoy it.

Wreck it Ralph was good. (Even had Roadblasters first Arcade game I ever played).

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Freedom of the press is for those who happen to own one.

Aviator

unrandomsam wrote:

kereke12 wrote:

No Nintendo is not only for Kids, It's like Disney no one is too old for Disney.

What about stuff like Hannah Montana ? That sort of stuff is awful I cannot believe any adult would enjoy it.

It's okay that you don't know what you're talking about. Everybody makes mistakes.

QUEEN OF SASS

It's like, I just love a cowboy
You know
I'm just like, I just, I know, it's bad
But I'm just like
Can I just like, hang off the back of your horse
And can you go a little faster?!

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