Topic: Yearning for the 'hype-Nintendo'

Now gaze upon this:

Now, hype is a very subjective thing: what works for me doesn't necessarily work for you. That being said I'm fairly confident in saying this: things have gotten way, way worse during the passing year. A lot of this can be chalked up to there being next to none Nintendo Directs; what's there to be thrilled about if there's no new trailers? However, that doesn't explain everything.

Nintendo doesn't excite me, because it doesn't make promises anymore. I'm inferring to the, at this point, tired mantra: 'Nintendo plays it safe'. It might be tired, but it certainly holds true, in my opinion. Same franchises year after year. Don't get me wrong, Nintendo did a great job on SM3DW and Mario Kart 8, but this won't work forever. They don't have all that much new stuff to show. Refer to the first video, to see what I want: blades to bleed, shields to shatter and all that jazz. Something bold and rousing.

At this point you might note that Nintendo never fulfilled the promises it made about Twilight Princess; very little shown in that trailer ended up in the final product. Trailers with all-computer generated material and no gameplay are also all the rage these days. So do I want Nintendo, too, take the road of empty pledges and meaningless gc-trailers? Nope, not that either.

For me, hype is excitement for something I never knew I even wanted. I'd like Nintendo to open its bag of tricks and merrily show something truly unexpected, and not be afraid of making brave promises. Just don't forget to fulfill them. To summarise: stop playing it safe. Also, they ought to get back to regular release schedule for broad Nintendo Directs, perhaps bimonthly to give them time to prepare meaningful content.

Okay, what do you guys think? Am I expecting too much? Are my expectations borderline delusional? Feel free to comment and/or criticise.

That's what happens when Nintendo decides to save a few bucks by giving up the live stage presentations and instead "hyping" their new games/hardware via YouTube streams.

I think it has gotten better. If dramatic music, a light show and smoky effects sell you a game.. Well, that would be your choice, but I prefer straight-up simple gameplay, no nonsense.

I'd rather get a game that I know will be good, based on what I have seen of it, than getting a game that was hyped, but doesn't live up to the expectations.

So, a bit more like this?

Or do you need a live audience with that? (Aren't they just cheering because it's Zelda though?)

Yup, they saved a few bucks by actually showing the games rather than cinematics

I don't know about you, but I think they've done a splendid job hyping Smash Bros. I haven't seen a developer so in-tune with his audience's desires as Sakurai. He is able to pull just the right strings to keep you excited while giving you information.

I think maybe the point wouldn't be so clear if your second link had been the Zelda WiiU trailer, because that one definitely got more hype.

@Wouwter
Splatoon is great example of what I'd like to see from Ninty. And no, live audience isn't necessary (though it does create a certain atmosphere streams can never quite achieve). The first video was just to exemplify the hype Nintendo used to create.

The more I think about this, the more I'm drawn to the conclusion that its about me and not Nintendo. Sure, they've changed their approach in ways I'm not quite comfortable with, but in the past even the slightest hints of, say Zelda Wii (later Skyward Sword) in 2010 were enough to get me going. The games are enjoyable, but not magical. Not anymore; just like Christmas, the Big N has lost of a bit of its shine over the years as I've grown older. C'est la vie. Still hoping to catch that amazing feeling of hype one day (Zelda U may be it).

And I'm off to pack for retirement home.