Poll: How Do You Feel About 'Limited-Time' Games From Nintendo?

"Wow, no comments... why not be the first?"

Don't mind if I do!

It will screw over many people, speedrunners who need official releases, people who want to bring all their games on vacations (have every game on Switch), collectors, and just generally consumers who might not know that much about video games, the type that picked up a mini-nes when they saw it on the shelf and remembered that they played those games when they were kids.

Limited edition retail games: Not ideal but reasonable in special cases such as anniversary celebrations
Limited edition digital games: Absolutely ridiculous

Cheeky... yeah, that's the word for it. Probably a brilliant but also frustrating move. I just hope Nintendo intends to produce 10 million copies. I want the scalpers to be unable to price gouge because there are more than enough copies available.

Why no 'I'm not buying it because I already have the games'?

I think it's pointless and stupid to be honest. It's like saying we only want to sell between 10 to 20 million copies but no more. We hate more money.

I'm fine with limited physical release, but limiting digital makes no sense.

The way I see it is the 3 pack is limited time and they’ll be out on the eshop individually for like -£20

I've always hated this practice this ever since the Zelda Four Swords remake was removed from the DSiWare shop. Nobody made a fuss back then, but now that it's happening to a more popular game on a much much more popular platform, people have definitely noticed this time.

I'm just not sure why any publisher would commit to a cutoff date, especially for a collection of landmark games. It feels as though Nintendo is over-committed to the idea of Mario All-Stars being a naturally limited product when it doesn't need to be.

So basically, the poll results are: "It's sneaky and dismaying, but I'm pre-ordering it anyway."

And we wonder how the industry got to the point it has when it comes to things like DLC and microtransactions.

Where's the option for 'Nope, I'm not buying it because I've played these games before'?

The issue for me is more price. I can't afford to buy most games at launch and wait for them to go on sale. This game is never going to go on sale, so I won't be able to afford it. Simple as that

It's an effective tactic (that I've unfortunately also contributed to by preordering), but also a manipulative one. I get why they're doing it, but nobody should be defending this.

@EarthboundBenjy
I cannot understand why Four Swords isn't available on 3DS as a paid purchse (or My Nintendo reward). That game should be available.

I dont see the issue. People who havent heard of it yet have months to do so, it's an anniversary title made to mark the occasion, the game are all playable on other systems. People seem to confuse limited run with limited time, Nintendo arent going to under produce anything that could make them a stack of money. Besides the limited time run on the Wii All Stars got another run at half the price years later no reason Nintendo might not do the same here.

@sketchturner So that's enough for what, 20% of the current Switch install base?

AC:NH sold over double that in a few months. Granted, many copies were purchased digitally, but 10 million for a first party Nintendo game would actually but it at the load end of the life-to-date sales spectrum.

I dont get why nintendo did it

But I also dont get why people complain

If you want it, buy it by March.

"I am absolutely disgusted by this exploitative.....wait let me just preorder then I'll explain the rest..."

Nintendo are just following the blue print of Disney.

I'll buy it, but it probably means I won't get Pikmin at launch after all.
Don't need Nintendo messing with my budgets!

Everyone: How dare Nintendo make this a limited release!

Also Everyone: So anyways, I started pre-ordering.

So about 70% of you are upset that it's limited but about 80% of you are going to buy it if you haven't already. Hmmm.

Pretty much already banking on having to get this digitally, as I'm sure I'm never going to see it in a store after launch day.

It's still too early to pass a judgment call. Considering each game in the collection is from a different platform, when March 31 rolls around, they could be split up and become the foundation of digital N64/GameCube/Wii releases on the Switch.

Then again, I just really want Nintendo to do something Eternal Darkness-related with the Switch, so I'm trying to see any hint of a silver lining.

Yep. It’s shady, shady practices. Unfortunately, this is the one crumb we’ve had from Nintendo in months so I’ll absolutely get it.

It’s extremely shady and anti-consumer to make the digital version limited time only, especially when there aren’t any licensing issues.

I have no issues with making the physical version limited.

Had to sacrifice getting pikmin 3 this year for this game just because it was limited thanks nintendo. Pikmin was my favorite too

I’m more annoyed that 35 is limited. The concept sounds like something I’d come back to again and again.

I wasn’t interested anyway, but if they start pulling this games I want to play I’ll be extremely disappointed.

I think it's impossible to judge Nintendo and this tactic right now, because nobody other than Nintendo knows what they're planning. What happens after the "time" is up, nobody knows. They may end up just releasing the game separately, in which case, why would it matter whether they were limited release as a bundle? There's companies that are devoted to limited physical releases of digital games, but nobody complains about them.

@Res462 3D Mario games don't have nearly the mass appeal of an Animal Crossing game.
Mario 64: 12 million
Sunshine: 6.28 million
Galaxy: 12.8 million

And plenty of Nintendo fans won't feel the need to buy games they still own or played to death. In a 6 month period, I think 10 million for this collection seems reasonable. But hey, I could be wrong.

Its stupid, nintendo games are for most of the time evergreen titles that keep on selling throughout the systems lifespan even without any advertising. Maybe they'll sell them separately after march ends who knows. I could see them asking $10 for 64 $20 for sunshine and $30 for galaxy

I'm fine with limited physical release. Makes it a bit more special. And so far it seems like it's not all that limited either. If you really want your physical copy, you can. I already ordered mine.

What I don't understand is the limited download version. I hope they at least provide each game individually later down the line.

It's an effective tactic to say the least as can be seen from the poll results.

I don't see the problem with it, is an anniversary limited edition, same thing happened when they released the master quest of Ocarina of Time for Game Cube. Hell, even when people used to buy music CD or DVD, there was always a limitd edition of something.
It will be available until March, is not like just a month or a week, so if you don't want to buy it digital, you have time to buy it, is not gonna dissapear just because some disgusting scalpers are trying to profit from it.

The recent Scott the Woz video on the Wii Super Mario All-Stars makes me feel like the limited release window doesn't matter. Also, the video makes it more apparent how half-baked the product is. Granted, I am still going to pick it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l57aCR2BlCE

Eh, mixed feelings.

On the one hand, they can do whatever they want with their games. I doubt it's the last time these classics will be available.

On the other hand, I'm not sure I like this business model based on nostalgia and artificially reduced availability of the medium's past. I do think old videogames should just be, you know, available. Not constantly being "re-released" and "remastered." You don't need to release Crime and Punishment every ten years, now with new adjectives. You don't need to remaster Casablanca, now with better ambient occlusion for the airport fog. I mean, yeah, you have reprints, new translations, and re-releases for new home media. But there's an understanding, when it comes to other artforms, that the past should be within reach. With videogames, playing a game older than five or ten years is often... a thing. A weird, unsettling nostalgic ritual, rather than, you know, just being interested in videogames, full stop.

Well, it makes Nintendo’s prerogative more clear than ever: they don’t want you keeping their games, no matter how much you pay.

Nintendo will never do something that allows you to play all your previous purchases on the newest device, like Xbox. They’ll never have an all-you-can-play service like Game Pass. Purchases will always be tied to the platform, and never roll into the next generation.

Its backwards, sad, and eventually will bite them in the ass when their competitors offer much better services

@Low I know, that actually looks like it will be a blast to play, maybe it will be a test for something they are planning?

The limited physical, I can somewhat understand. I mean I expect such a game to sell gangbusters so they could print more and still sell. But if they want to ensure to sell all copies at RRP we’ll then this would be the best way.

The limited digital however, they must have some plan to make the games available via some other method after the 6 months are up. Regardless it’s a sneaky method to entice purchases. If they were truly honest, they’d say what would happen after the 6 months (I.e. will become available on Switch Online Service); but I guess they want to maximise sales and avoid people waiting.

Already got the physical copy pre-order for preservation but will just download the digital version for play later on but yeah I'm not a fan of this limited practice.

Yeah, storm in a teacup. I seem to remember Luigi U was another limited run game (the year of Luigi - whatever that was). But they sold millions. Then it popped up again in the budget Select range. Then was ported to the Switch! Somehow, I think Super Mario 3D All-stars will be easy enough to get hold of, even after the limited time is up.

I will buy it but don't think it's fair for late time buyers. Not everyone can buy a game at launch, but that doesn't mean they won't want to buy it in the future.

@Moonlessky yeah right they wont got below 20 each and even that is a stretch if they did this later individually they would all be 30 dollars is my guess and maybe (just maybe) galaxy 2 with it or they will pretend there was no limited thing and just sell it a couple months later (what I think will happen)

For me it was a day 1 purchase so the limited run doesn't bother me. I understand people's frustrations but also feel Nintendo hasn't done anything wrong, they are celebrating the 35th Anniversary with a special bunch of items that will be limited in duration- it is part of the fanfare.

Whether scalpers ruin it for some remains to be seen as it depends on how much is produced before March. I also believe that after March the games may be available individually or in another format like online snes.

Lets wait and see before we burn Nintendo at the stake.

It’s a silly tactic they don’t need to engage in.

But I’m all preorder up on all stars and the watch.

All this does and call the bluff of everyone who said they would buy the game but would have sat on the fence for ages first.

@Agriculture "screw over".

Impossible in a purely discretionary good in a purely discretionary industry.

Blech, is move of witch craft. Crystal Ball no see this coming

@bluemage1989 this. I do not see the issue at all. It's an anniversary collection meant exclusively to be sold to celebrate said anniversary. Nintendo never said it was a limited print deal. It should be readily available for six months, which is a fairly long time. All this complaining about this, TO ME, can be compared to complaining of why we only celebrate people's birthdays once a year.

It's marketing genius. The next 18 months or so Nintendo is going to dominate. 6 months here for Mario. Likely complete with a 'You didn't really think we forgot Mario Galaxy 2 did you?' Release.

Then in Spring it's Zelda anniversary time. Zelda All Stars (Limited time release), some silly NSO game, then BotW 2 in the summer. Likely alongside the 4k Pro Switch.

Then in August its Metroid Time! Same deal. Metroid Prime Trilogy for Switch release (limited time), NSO and then finishing with Metroid Prime 4 in February 2022.

Calling it now. This is genius.

Really depends on how many units there are to go around. Generally I jump on these things early anyway, so I don't really care. I mind more when they aren't transparent about limited availability, and on launch day they're like "whoops we ran out!! We had no idea a mini nes console would be SO popular lol!!" Setting a date still kinda sucks, but if there's plenty of copies and it's available digitally, who cares

Nintendo have been the kings of selling us things over and over. But they have in the past been great in regards to backwards compatibility. Super Gameboy, Cube GBA player, Wii playing cube, Wii U playing Wii, GB in GBA, GBA in ds and ds in 3ds. I had all my digital Wii stuff transfer over to my Wii U. Digital stuff they have been well behind the times though. I got the 4 swords game for free and transferred over to my 3ds. I have the ambassador games still on my 3ds as well. Also got the Zelda GameCube collection as well as game and watch ds game from stars catalogue. Nintendo have been doing this limited stuff for ages and I bite every time...

I wouldn't be bothered by the limited digital windows if the games became individually available as digital releases after the fact. As long as my poor ass can eventually have the experience, once I have saved up the money I do so, then I don't worry about the fancy things rich people get for being rich.

@Yas Yeah, just try and buy a sealed copy of the original Luigi U in the green box.

@Ralizah effective but pointless i bet all copys on launch would sell out anyway and would still be in charts 12 months later

There should be a "nope! Because I already own them all and there isn't enough incentive to double dip" option

It's an interesting look into the demographics of the people on this site if 60% of you have already pre-ordered.

Doesn't make sense to me at all but if Nintendo wants 6 months of sales on their game, so be it🤷🏾‍♂️

Makes sense for online games, but I don't understand why Mario 3D is

This okay with me, I bring mud to whens I wanting to the buyings. I want the jumpings, get jumpings.

Weaklings say "oh noes, i am the havings no money". I say, on saving of 10 mud, the sixing of month bring you jumping man, yes?
Weaklings say "i am none the happies, why jump man come then goings away?". On this sayings, if you want jumping man then go receivings of the jumpy man.
Weaklings say "fight for little mens". Little mens no need fight. Bring mud, no bring mud, picture box string machine have words that no help little mens.
Jumpy man, he come into my shine box in hut with no draft nexting week. Bring great tears and belly noising, say "jump! jumpy mans!" This no part of weaklings. This my happy, yes?

I think it's premature to judge this. Nintendo does not have a significant history with this practice and has not given a reason for it in this instance. There may be a perfectly reasonable explanation awaiting when the release window closes, e.g., the games being split into individual sale units. As for why Mario 35 is limited, you've got me.

Can’t imagine why a bunch of collectors would have an issue with this. I definitely pre ordered physical so that I have plenty of time to play all three games before I have to give the card back to Nintendo in March.

80% of respondents have either ordered or will purchase the game.

This is exactly why Nintendo never changes. They could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and wouldn't lose a sale.

1. Did not care to buy any of this on the WiiU virtual console (I was also desperate for New games)

2. Never cared to get them on Dolphin (For Free)

Basically Nintendo doing whatever they can to milk Nintendo fans before FY 2020 ending March 31st 2021 numbers.

But lets frame it as a "Celebration" 😉

@status-204 It's not an option because, according to Nintendolife, everything Nintendo makes is pure gold.

It really doesn't bother me, as I always get games on launch. 😅

It only makes downloading them for free feel that much better 😉

While I like the idea of having three games from three different generations on Switch, I have no real desire to pick up the collection; I already have both Galaxy games on my still-hooked-up Wii, Sunshine never really did much for me, and Mario 64 is janky af.

Making a digital download limited is kinda ridiculous.

It's the same as the Wii all stars release or the gamecube Zelda collection it's not new. Special Anniversary games its fine.
Probably also reprint at some time like wii one or sell some of them separately on eshop.

You're right its not common to announce a big game is a limited time out of the gate and it's not ideal. I don't really know Nintendo's reasoning for this particular instance. I do know I don't find it as a egregious or offensive as some do. It's available for 6 months. So its enough time for those who want it to buy it. Again, not ideal. But it isn't like we are talking about two weeks or even a month

I think I can see what is going to happen a Country Mile away: the day after it expires they will release all the games to be purchased on an INDIVIDUAL basis on the eshop....it's a business, I get it.

It’s non sensical to take them off the ship completely. They’re probably going to get released separately after that window, and it won’t be known as 3D All Stars.

A limited retail release is one thing, but a limited digital release is just dumb.

Personally, when it comes to anything, I just don't like limited timed offers in general. Sometimes I'm unable to go out and buy something day of release when the store opens. I'd like to just walk into the store and buy it without the stress and worry of "I'm never going to get this."

I already pre-ordered Super Mario 3D All-Stars online, and hope it comes in the mail with no trouble. Just because I want to play a game, doesn't mean I should have to rush out to pick it up.

I like what Sonic Mania did, made a special version called Sonic Mania Plus with extras like a reverse cover and book, but still provide a standard edition afterwards for anyone who wants to buy the game.

I'm pretty confident that come 1st April 2021 you'll either:

• be able to buy the games individually on the eShop.
• Mario 64 will be available on an N64 Virtual Console within NSO.

So whilst I get the angst around physical, I do believe itll prove unfounded for anyone worried about not being able to play these games.

I don't see the issue, I also don't see how it is sneaky. Disney used to do it with limited releases of their classics. It keeps the franchises fresh and also keeps the value of the games high. Perhaps less so so with Mario 64, but certainly with Sunshine and Galaxy.

If you want the game you buy the game, if you don't you don't. If it encourages sales of the console in the meantime then great.

How about "I'm not buying because I've played them already" option for the second poll?

Don't care and don't know what the problem is.🤷‍♂️
Also, it's not like Nintendo couldn't make a second or third limited run due to high demand.

I’d personally rather each game have its own icon in my library rather than a 3 pack.. so I’m going to be so annoyed if they release them all separately digital next year and I have to have Galaxy 2 all in it’s lonesome.
Anyone else OCD like me ..

Considering it's literally 3 old game ROMs repackaged in an emulator that can run properly in 16:9 1080p (or just 720p for Mario 64) and then they want to charge $60 again, no thanks. It being a weird time-limited thing is also annoying and Disney-like of them.

From https://www.nintendolife.com/rules:

The following rules are designed to foster a welcome, friendly and diverse community and, to the majority, are mostly common sense.

1. Use of Language
Do not use profanity; Use of unsavoury language including profanity and swearing is not acceptable, please remember that this website has users of all ages.

2. General Behaviour
Do not post in full capitals; Or include an obscene amount of full-stops (periods) or exclamation marks, question marks etc.

4. Unacceptable Content
Do not discuss current gen emulators/homebrew ... We ask that you do not link to any resources for illegal copyrighted content such as ...

You ask how I feel while asking me to abide by these bloody rules?

(The rule about other languages is particularly galling - the best language for responding includes ample Québec profanity)

This comment section actually changed my mind for once.

I'm not even getting it somewhere down the line. I'm not getting it in principle!

It's dumb, but whatever. Buy it if you want it. Otherwise move on. No skin off your ass.

I guess it's understandable for physical release, but this literally makes no sense for digital release. They're deliberately limiting the current availability of these games on modern hardware and seem to be encouraging emulation this way. ''Oh, you missed your chance to buy our game officially? If only there was another, slightly less legal way to play it. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....''

Not sure why people are moaning about it. Nintendo aren’t the first company to offer something for a limited time, McDonald’s do it all the time with their burgers and no-one moans

I don't know if I'll get it. On one hand, I missed out on Super Mario All-Stars for the Wii, so that's got me thinking about it. Also, I never finished Sunshine...and it's cheaper to get this than a GameCube with the old disc.

On the other, All-Stars eventually got rereleased in the Wii's Nintendo Selects line (making "Limited Releases" tenuous), so All-Stars 35 could get rereleased at some point.

It will affect the sales of Pikmln, Hyrule Warriors and Super Mario 3d, not all gamers have deep pockets.

With Xbox priced and ready to go and PS almost there, Nintendo have to pull some sort of rabbit out of the proverbial hat and quickly.

My guess is that there is a new Switch on the way and the Limited Mario game will reappear in 4k or preloaded.

The big open world third party games that have appeared on the Switch over the last few years have given many of us a hunger to play more. But not necessarily the old ones that have taken a lot of punishment to get them to fit the Switch. New one, played as they were made to be played.

That little Xbox s looks quite affordable as a second console to play the new third party games on. If there is no new console then Nintendo is concerned about their next shareholders meeting. 🤑

It feels unnecessary. As consumers this tactic has no advantage for us.

As for the seconde question,I'm not sure why there's not a simple "No" answer. Personally I'm not buying it because I've already played all 3 games to death, so I don't see the point. It's not on principale and I don't think the games are rubbish

I will not buy over the principle that... I already own these 3 games and will not buy them again... a Zelda collection on the other hand I will buy at a high price.

@Mrd8202 and those who buy a Switch after March can get a copy of the game on eBay.😀

I understand the business reason for doing it, and like so many others, as an enthusiast I'm contributing to it. But it's also a special case I won't be contributing to frequently if they begin doing it often. It's "cheeky" the first time and I'll get suckered in, but if it becomes a regular pattern after a while you feel like an abused sucker and just become cynical toward the company in general and move on to greener pastures that don't make you feel like you're turning tricks for $60.

They can do it once and get away with it. If it becomes a business model based on the runaway success they've had, financially, shorting inventory on near everything they produce, eventually you get tired of it, feel like the company changed, and ignore them.

I am pretty sure they will release all 3 games separately once this all star limited time crap is over.

I played Mario 64 enough for a lifetime, sunshine isn't my cup of tea and galaxy is awesome but I still have a Wii if I want to play it. So I'll just wait and see if I was right about the game being released separately. If not, then it just means Nintendo sucks

I think the pole results spell it out clearly - people would have still bought this without the marketing B.S.
Nintendo should know by now that people trust their brand. At this point, I might wait until the deadline is almost up in case there’s rumors the deadline might be removed to make way for DLC or if they break up the All-Stars and sell them individually along with Galaxy 2.

Completely asinine practice and frankly manipulative and superficial as well. These sort of moves make me like Nintendo a bit less and less...

@Isaix I agree. I don't usually play a game more than once. I have not played the three Mario titles since the first time on the original consoles, (Apart from Mario 64 on the DS) so I have ordered the new copy. But I am wondering if I will be disappointed if they have not aged well.

We all know we pre-orderd right on mate!

Man, it's not about having some god given right to buy something lol. It's celebrating a birthday,. It''s an event. It's not manipulative. It's not sinister. So, if you are a Mario fan, you have 6 months to buy it and if you aren't...then what the heck are you babbling about lol. I don't get the hoohah. Ok, I do, but it's misplaced here I reckon. Nintendo (and other Japanese companies have done this since forever. Anyone quoting consumer rights etc etc are sucking the joy out of gaming. Go buy an XBox and Gamepass. It's more your thing!)

@HobbitGamer Nintentendo says "we're going to run out of the ability to copy bits over the wire in March, so you have to buy this right now!"

You have several paragraphs about bringing mud for jump mans.

You clearly speak the same language as the executives at Nintendo! Right on!

I have no problems with limited release games. If I want it, I'll get it day one. Not a issue for me.

BMan knowledge is best knowledge

@zool I actually have played Mario 64 recently on my Wii U and it is what is. Still a very fun, playable and charming game who's flaws are much more magnified because Nintendo has since improved upon its formula with subsequent titles in the series.

I can't speak for Sunshine or Galaxy. Like you, I haven't played either since owning both of their respective consoles. But if they're anything like they originally were, both are fun and playable as well with Sunshine being the slightly off-putting one of the bunch. Though again, its been almost 15, 16 years since I've played Sunshine and I might feel differently

@HazezonTamar “hey y’all... Scott here!” I love that guy and his videos.

Ive ordered the game so i dont give a ***** if others ether can't or refuse to buy it within 6 months time

It's obviously not at all consumer friendly but at least to their credit Nintendo was upfront about when it would be pulled. Better that than all of a sudden they stop making it

Already preordered it, I'll be honest and say the only way I'd be upset is if I don't get a copy. If I have the game I'm not bothered if its limited but its a bit weird

@sketchturner The sales numbers for AC as a series, prior to NH, disagrees. The numbers are similar to the 3D Mario ones.

@Ghostchip i was trying to get the price to match a total of 60 but youre right theyll probably go for way more than that

It's kind of stupid for digital releases

It is just unneeded. Why stop selling something you know people are gonna keep buying? Maybe you sell more in the short term, but I find it hard to believe that outweighs long term sales.

It's seeming impossible to find a physical copy in my region, pretty bummed. Poorly handled indeed, this is a joyous occasion turned sour.

People are acting like it's a Limited Run game or something. The physical game is still available on Amazon and plenty of other retailers when I checked earlier today. It seems like there's plenty of stock so anyone who wants a copy will no doubt have no issues picking up one over the next 6 months. I think limited editions during special circumstances, like an anniversary celebration, are ok.

The digital version being time limited is a lot more daft, but like most people, I strongly suspect all three games will be available to buy seperately after that...

Limited time edition is also ruining my shopping time plan as i have planned to buy certain games on specific months.
Recently, my shopping plan was targeting the old games that i didn't have yet so purchasing new games was not a very urgent priority as i will find right time to buy.

@Heavyarms55
I'm afraid it will be like Yokai Watch 3 3DS USA case.
It was like nowhere to be founded now.
It was priced quite insane on Ebay for the rarity.

Makes me wonder what shenanegins there gonna pull for zelda's 35th next year.

@Moonlessky hey nothing is wrong with optimism we can always hope

I disagree with the practice, if they really want to do a limited release, just have a special 35th anniversary game case for 6 months or w/e then have a standard, non limited case.

Since I'm a "glass half full" type guy, it isn't ALL that bad. If you really want this collection, 6 months is plenty of time. If stock runs out physically, you can still download it. If you can't afford $60 in 6 months, that's unfortunate, but gaming may not be the priority for you anyway, which is understandable.

As far as "hardcore" gamers go and people like us who frequent gaming sites go, I can't see how $60 for this is all that bad when I'm seeing people say they're willing to buy the PS5 day 1 + a game or two, no matter the cost(!)

I am firmly of the first option in the poll. I buy the games I want when they launch, I plan around it when they're first announced and that's that. I don't usually bother with games I'm ambivalent about or go out of my way to try something new during a sale. I may not have a wide variety of what I play, but I know what I like and am more than happy to stick to that.

Wheres the option for not buying the game because I have no need for it? Limited edition is the least of my issues with this.

@Anti-Matter It probably will be. But those are resale prices. Nintendo doesn't benefit from them at all.

@Archius9 The way I see it is the 3 pack is limited time and they’ll be out on the eshop individually for like -£20

Whatever it takes to make you feel better. I think you are just looking for a way to justify this anti-consumer behavior from Nintendo. After all, you have no evidence that these games will be released individually later.

@ItsOKToBeOK Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, DS, 3ds, Wii, Wii U: "Allow us to introduce ourselves"

Limited availability isn't slimy. What's slimy is the deliberate lack of information being given to consumers. If they said "Look, these will all be available individually down the line, but if you want them bundled for a better price, you have until ____", that'd be fine. But instead it's "Will they come back? Will they be gone until the next system? Guess you're gonna just have to risk it! Teehee!"

I just don't think it winds up doing the company any good. They shorted amiibo so that they got both genuine buyer and artificial scalper sales with the intent that the scarcity would increase the genuine buyer base (see: artificially shorted iPhone stock), sold through that, got complaints about scalpers, re-issued in response, the scalping died, did not increase the number of genuine buyers on account of all of the headache that it caused, so now they're back to Square One. Unless that $3 hike makes up for both the "lost" revenue and the minor improvement to paint jobs, they've botched this crooked marketing scheme.
And since the game will be available digitally, there's absolutely 0 reason to believe that "they'll get the crookedness right this time" for their software.

@electrolite77

That's fair. I'm not saying I'm surprised. Just saying it's interesting. It's confirming a widespread attitude among readers here that I thought was limited to the comments.

The combination of pre-ordering and rebuying old games doesn't make sense to me. I would repurchase old games, and I would pre-order something I can't wait to play, but I can wait to play a game a 20 year old port.

Even if it is consumer unfriendly, its a genius move from nintendo in order to counter attack the unnecessary “next gen upgrade” from the competition.

Companies have done this kind of thing since forever and honestly? It is absolutely their right to do this.
It is a special game and it is limited as special things sometimes are.
I just don't get how normal things like this are suddenly considered "anti consumer". I mean, I am not really surprised people think that way either, we can see people feeling entitled for things more and more for many years now. I feel like I have had this kind of discussion a million times already.

Anyway, I have preordered the game and with that, it being limited doesn't concern me at all.

What irks me is that they are doing this during a pandemic.
I can understand them limiting physical supplies but removing the digital version is just ***** to people who are stuggling right now.

Also, I can easily see EA, Activision and Ubisoft taking notes. I hate FOMO tactics! I always have ever since store exclusive pre-orders was a thing.

@LN3000 I think it's impossible to judge Nintendo and this tactic right now, because nobody other than Nintendo knows what they're planning.

I see, so if a company wants to avoid being judged they only need to withhold information? Brilliant!

Nintendo loves to create shortages. They also don’t lower prices to create the image that their games are too good to be discounted. They also way overcharge for ports. I don’t have a problem with a limited window as long as they meet demand.
I don’t like that you can’t buy the 2D version.

@WOLF13 I don’t have a problem with a limited window as long as they meet demand.

They won't meet the demand after March 2021.

I would have preferred if you could just buy it whenever you wanted, but whatever

@Crono1973 Withhold information?
I am not sure what you mean, it is entirely possible that they gave out all information.
Perhaps the games will not be released individually, in that case: Why specifically mention that?
Perhaps they have no plans to release them later, but want to keep the option to do so, depending on how things unfold. In that case, there is literally nothing to say.

They are all limited time games. One day they will turn the servers off, and / or your console will break and Nintendo won't have any interest in fixing it for you or transferring your account to a second hand console you had to buy on ebay...

To reiterate, they are all limited time games.

@Kirgo Did you read what I quoted? About how they shouldn't be judged because there is information we don't have?

@Subtle24 Assuming my console does break in 20-30 years, that's reasonable. Having only a 6 month buying window is a great way for Nintendo to artificially inflate the demand. It's a great sales tactic, but poor for the customer. You're literally comparing apples to oranges, bro!

@TG16_IS_BAE These people will say anything to defend Nintendo.

If Nintendo were coming to your house and taking away your SNES games these people would say 'well your SNES games would stop working someday anyway'.

@Crono1973 and you have none they wont

@nocdaes wrong ZELDAs 35th anniversary is in feb. and zelda always gets a bigger fanfare then mario even know mario is their flagship its like superman and batman

nintendo will not be shoving more mario except 3d world down peoples throat 2021. thats zeldas anniversary and pokemon sorry mario only makes so much

32% have probably never bought a disney movie in there entire lives and under the age of 17.

I'm not getting it cause I'm already most of the way through Mario 64 anyways, I'm not super into Mario Galaxy, and I think Mario Sunshine is the weakest 3D mario game. I just don't like it much, its too wierd, and it sucked being forced to get so many stars

Ubisoft had their “direct” over an hour ago. NLife not going talk about Immortals: Fenyx Rising and Scott Pilgrim coming to Switch? Oh and I guess there’s a NLife favourite article to be made about how Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake was not announced for Switch as well.

58% have already bought it so i dont understand all this arguing

Day 1. I’m only buying 1 copy and if I want another I have a 6 month window.

@NintendoPok this isnt anything new Disney does it all the time with there animated movies. Nintendo will release these games AGAIN.

It's not new so it's ok?

its also an anniversary they did it with the wii 25th

There were no digital downloads of retail games on the Wii so it's not really the same thing.

we all know ZELDA 35th is in 5 months theres no way they would keep selling the game once the anniversary is over

They have to stop selling one game before they can sell another? Why didn't they stop selling Breath of the Wild when Mario Odyssey came out?

theres no reason for nintendo to port these games except ANNIVERSARY

There's no reason for Nintendo to make games at all, except money.

dont like it dont be a nintendo fan

You heard it here folks, you either like everything Nintendo does or you hand in your 'Nintendo Fan' card.

@NintendoPok reporting you dude its my opinion go harass someone else

Reporting me for what, using capital letters?

@NintendoPok no your flaming my opinons like a blatant child you can disagree but you are being disrespectful

I think you don't want your opinion challenged. Well, that's too bad.

I guess it works from a temporary marketing standpoint...but still

I understand the limited Physical edition, but the digital version that is hosted on their own servers is just pennies on the dollar. That makes no sense to me.

Dumb, in the end, the fans just end up paying more money from scalpers.

@Crono1973 Exactly! It's amazing how many people are defending the big N right now, corporate loyalty is powerful on this website!

Don’t like it, but unfortunately it will bring them high sales and they’ll likely do it again.

Ummmm, not sure I really care. I think that they will ultimately sell more if they just put them out like any other game. Six months is long enough to get it for current owners... even new owners at Xmas get three months.

Assuming they make enough copies, I don't have a problem with it. I think people know if they want it or not, and six months is plenty of time to decide. Another thing that would affect my opinion is, are the games going to be available to download individually later? And as far as "What about they people who don't have a Switch yet?!" By the time this collection gets pulled from shelves, the Switch will have been out for four years. I'm pretty sure all the die-hard Mario fans have a Switch by that point.

Hadn't realised that the digital version was limited too, so guess I may have to consider picking it up digitally soon rather than waiting until I'm ready to play it.

Bloody daft though.

@TheFox And as far as "What about they people who don't have a Switch yet?!" By the time this collection gets pulled from shelves, the Switch will have been out for four years. I'm pretty sure all the die-hard Mario fans have a Switch by that point.

Fantastic logic, they should probably discontinue the Switch at the end of March 2021 too since most of the people who would buy one would have already done so, yeah?

If not the Switch itself then they should atleast discontinue all the Mario games available for the Switch, physical and digital since (like you say) all the die-hard Mario fans would have already bought a Switch and those Mario games.

They can just about get away with "limited time" for this one given it's an anniversary, can't they?

Yeah I’m not a fan of this hogwash. Like... it’s one of the best selling games of all time, right (Mario 64). So why do this when it can be a system seller for a long time. I can totally see it being a limited physical thing, but digital also? I can think of very few reasons why the limited thing is a good strategy, but far more reasons to keep it around as long as possible.
In any case, I have it preordered, but what the heck, Nintendo?!

I will buy this gaem in due time, yes? I support nintendo on this gaem. Is only way.

I don’t really care, I want it and as such I have it preordered... I just don’t get it 😅

Limiting the physical release makes sense, but limiting the digital release is not something I can find a reasonable explanation for.

I'm not buying it and for a few moments I thought that maybe I should because it is limited. I own every 3d mario game but sunshine so why would I or anyone in my situation buy this right away? That's why it's a limited release.

@Mountain_Man Because people are not in a rush to buy a games that are 20 years old would be my guess. Make it limited time only and then there will be a rush.

i understand small companies doing limited released because thier budget isn't the greatest past development unless your backed by a big company

but that's precisely why i dont understand someone like nintendo doing this, if this is about not having excess on store shelves then just limit the order that goes out but dont make an end date.

that said im going to buy it despite the hypocrisy

The limited run is ridiculous. I feel for anybody who buys Switch the next few years and doesn't have access to this game unless they get lucky and find it used at gamestop or something. The exclusion of Galaxy 2 is worse, but this 6 month stuff is bad too. I'll get it digitally but I'm sure tons of people will want the physical copy. So hopefully they ship at minimum 10 million copies of the game, with the vast majority of that this Fall, so that scalpers get screwed and people who want a physical copy arent forced to get it digital instead.

I'm not buying it because it isn't a decent remaster. Wish Nintendo had redone them using the Odyssey engine with improved textures and all.

I still have my n64 and Cube versions so, although I haven't played them in 20 years I can do it the old fashioned way. And having finally played and completed Galaxy 2 last year I have no desire to replay 1.

As for the limited time. It makes perfect sense as it is for the 35th Anniversary.
I'm not fussed if Nintendo do it more often. If I want a game I'll just buy it on release. Limited Time or not.

@Crono1973 Don't hyperventilate too much. People who pick up consoles late in their commercial lifespan tend to have more casual interest in games. There's still Odyssey, New Super Mario Bros, Paper Mario (if you're into that kind of thing). I don't think people wait five years to buy a console and then get all hung up on one specific title (that's ports anyway). They'll probably just walk into Walmart, buy Odyssey and Just Dance, and be happy.

@NintendoPok We are adapting — by calling them on their smelly bovine excrement and warning others not to step into it.
Although, as far as crooked measures go, this one sure seems toothless and baffling by the numbers.

It's a birthday celebration so no problem

It occurs to me that they might be limiting on account of the sets of enameled pins via My Nintendo, but, that'd be incredibly backwards.

@TheFox I was just pointing your fantastic logic. You said that the die hard Mario fans would already have this game by the end of March 2021 and so why would Nintendo not also discontinue (both physical and digital) all Mario games on the Switch?

I justified my outrage and pre-order like this:
I shall get this game, as I've been looking forward to it and want it. Regardless of Nintendo's practice here.
HOWEVER I shall protest against this by not purchasing any "on the fence" purchases of Nintendo games. So I'll be missing out on the new Hyrule Warriors and I won't be picking up The Origami King anytime soon either, so I still hit Nintendo's wallet for the ******* practice, but in an indirect way.

This new cookie notification on Nintendolife is really annoying.
You could do without until a couple of days ago. Why is this necessary? I hate it

I think it's stupid.

Where's the option for:
I don't care, I can get it before release or after it gets pulled?

@Crono1973 The late comers to the system may want a Mario game, but probably not ALL the Mario, or a specific port of an old game. Like I said before, they'll probably just go with Odyssey. I think most people would agree, that's a good place to start. You seem to really want to take extremes on this where people will want everything or nothing. I don't believe that's how most late adopters think.

Probably not much point in commenting after two hundred comments, but my take is this:

I'm over in the Godzilla fan community, and we we talk about how some of the movies can't be found at all anymore. Entire eras of Godzilla movies can only be found now in very expensive sets. There's one movie that goes for $150 or more. Because all those movies are out of print. And I'm like yeah, I bought that DVD for seven bucks. (It's Biollante, if you're curious.)

I buy limited printings of books. I buy limited edition CDs and DVD/BDs. I buy new clothes every year that will not be made forever and aren't even made to last forever. I buy Lego sets that are made to last forever, but will only be manufactured for about two years. I even buy physical copies of games that I know will not be around forever, like Gal Metal and SOR4 on the Switch and Atlus games on 3DS.

Why is this any different? Why is this bad, or sneaky, when it's totally accepted in every other medium?

I'm preordering and I'm not ashamed of it. I want this game. It's three freaking awesome Mario games in one cool set on my favorite gaming platform of the last four decades. I'll be there with bells on.

This happens all the time with other consumer products. Limited edition footwear is a thing, limited edition clothing is a thing, limited edition music is a thing, limited edition electronics is a thing. I've bought items in all of the above as you end up with a great little memento. It means you have something that's part of a moment in time that will never be repeated. There's not going to be another 35th anniversary of Mario games. They're going down that path. Be part of it or just cry in the comment section, it's up to you. I still reckon each part will be available individually after the event has passed, just not as this compilation.

@TheFox It's not really taking it to extremes to suggest that there will be people who want to buy THIS Mario game on the Switch after March 2021.

@JasmineDragon We pretty much said the same thing at the same time!

@JasmineDragon Why is this any different?

...because they also made the digital download limited.

Limited physical is fine, but I think it's really lame that digital is also limited

Obviously something is happening after March. The strange thing about this whole thing is that Nintendo announces one half of their plan, and remains tightlipped about the other half, and may end up leaving gamers in the dark for quite a while. It's plain to me that Nintendo won't simply take the games away from the eShop after the 6 months. Something else is happening. Seemingly, to know what that plan is right now would hurt the holiday profit margins.

I think it's total (BLEEP) and reminds me Nintendo is a business that ultimately prioritizes making the most money often times.

@Ulysses Obviously something is happening after March.

Why is it obvious?

Digital releases are limited too! It's just it takes years for them to drop off the store. Of course, that's after several years, not 6 or so months, so it makes no sense for this collection to have such a short life in the eshop.

As for the physical game, I'm not fussed about that there'll be millions available, and no doubt will sit on the shelves far beyond April, so the main thing it stops is people waiting for it to be discounted. Of course, Nintendo's own games notoriously take years to get cheap (usually around 5 years) and go on the "Select" line for that, so not too many wait so long. It's probably more about boosting sales in the tail cycle of a console.

I haven't pre-ordered the game. I plan to walk into a shop on release day and buy it, just as I always do with new releases.

I would have got this at some point but Mario games are not my thing really, and I have played these games before. I might get it if cheaper at retail, but if it is 60usd I'll skip. Mario 64 should be on the online service now, I'd be getting this for sunshine, if I bother. The limited release does make a discounted retail copy more appealing, but it is a sneaky move. I hope it is limited release because they plan on giving sunshine and 64 away on the online service next year, but with sunshine I doubt it.

@WiltonRoots Yeah, and you said some other things that I thought about saying as well!

@dartmonkey after 3d all-stars releases, take a poll on which game is their favorite of that package.(if you're into it). I'm curious to see how NL users rate the three.

I put Sunshine in the other day to see how it controlled, and I thought maybe it wasn't as good as I remembered. I'm curious to see what I think after I play them on the Switch, though.

Should have an option for would have bought if they fully remade the games to look as good as odyssey

I don’t care for the idea. It’s what Disney did with the “vault” causing limited availability just for the heck of it. I find it especially worse because some people can’t afford to spend money on games cause of Covid.

Lmao. Most disapprove but already have it preordered. Don’t complain then.

I don't know, at the end of the day they are selling me something I want and it's quite good value at £17 for each game all on one cartridge. I'm more than happy to join in with a celebration of a series of games that have brought me so much joy throughout my life.

Not leaving the games on the e-shop, even sold separately, is where things get a little sketchy. I don't buy digital generally anyway, but not giving people the opportunity to buy and play these games in a year or so is just a bit mean-spirited really.

Imagine someone who finally gets a switch Xmas 21 and they want to play one of these games. The only option will be to pay double the price which helps no one but the scalpers and Nintendo lose out on a sale too.

It is what is and the only logic I can find here is that Nintendo need a certified and controlled boost of cash to tide them over until the end of the fiscal year. If it helps them get through this awful year and keep the ship stable I'm happy to help them out.

What if they are doing it this way on purpose and after March 31st 2021, they release full on remakes of all 3 games. Plus they include galaxy 2 as well.

Why are they making Super Mario Bros 35 only to be played until the end of March 2021?

If I didn't own the original versions of all the games already I would still get this, but I don't think it is worthwhile when I already have them and the changes are minimal.

@hayesdude What if they are doing it this way on purpose and after March 31st 2021, they release full on remakes of all 3 games. Plus they include galaxy 2 as well.

What if this is just a way for you to justify Nintendo's actions?

I love Super Mario 64 as much as the next person. I played through this game countless times as a kid, but I refuse to support Nintendo's greedy marketing tactics. Looks like I'll be emulating this game until the day I die.

I’ve got all the originals so no need. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Oh no, I don't see the neccessity to talk about this yet, not until a bigger and newer release ever gets the limited-time treatment.

The 3D All-Stars Collection and SMB 35th make sense as they're mainly going to be avaliable to celebrate Mario's anniversary up until March 2021. After that, Nintendo will likely release the 3 games (and probably Galaxy 2) as separate releases on the eShop. So, we can refer to the collection as the way to play them on a single icon AND on retail.
The second one feels more like a good-approached experiment, and I bet Nintendo will explore ways to make a full-flat Mario Battle Royale game soon after.

I'm glad I bought Jump Rope Challenge first at least

I mostly get the limited physical thing, but why the digital?

@Crono1973 I'm not justifying their actions, im just hoping that this is the reason why they might do this. I dont like the way they are handling these games.

I think Nintendo generally has a history of not being fans of these multi game collections. After All Stars, there were very far and few like the Gamecube Zelda Collection (Only available through console bundles and a Redeemable reward. The OOT/Master Quest disc also being only with the first run of Wind Waker copies.), Mario 25th Collection (Just All Stars on a disc, and printed also for a limited time.), and the Kirby Anniversary Collection (Never saw a European release.) off the top of my head.

I guess they just prefer you pay for each game and while yes they are giving you NES/SNES games via the subscription service, those eras of games have been rereleased a good number of times and have probably lost their value. Probably why we won't see N64 being added as Nintendo probably considers those worthy of selling for money (That and not as easy to port.)

The Mario Bros 35 one is odd as its a brand new title but I'm almost confident that through fan pressure they'll either keep the game as it is and add DLC as a way to earn money from it, or update the game by accepting even more players like 50, 75, or even 100 (Hence Mario Bros 35 being replaced with Mario Bros 100.....or even 128 just to mess with us, haha.)

@B_Lindz I love Super Mario 64 as much as the next person. I played through this game countless times as a kid, but I refuse to support Nintendo's greedy marketing tactics. Looks like I'll be emulating this game until the day I die.

No worries, on the Switch it will be emulation too.

Im preordering as i would have regardless. At the same time it is completely unnecessary though. The numbers and availability in that period seem too generous for it to feel special. Its an odd stipulation that i presume is just meant to spike sales that little bit more.

Seems Nintendo are more open to that sort of thing at this point which is a bit of a shame. Ive always felt that Nintendo were pretty good at innovating and creating demand in the substance of their games rather than artificial hype or business tactics. In a way, given the amount of hype any layman would expect this release to attract, it feels rather uncharacteristic of them to throw this on top (IMO). But dare i say, i cant help but feel Nintendo tend to go above and beyond with re-releases; 64 with minor tweaks also seems a bit uncharacteristic of them tbh (especially for an anniversary release and not a VC thing)

We've seen it before.

They did that with the American version of Metroid Prime Trilogy, dropping it after five months in print. The only difference is that they didn't tell us an exact print cutoff before. (we'd expected at worst they'd still try to sell the first two games individually after that)

Fire Emblem Fates Special Edition: sold out forever after a week of preorders. (months before the game WAS EVEN RELEASED)

@Angelic_Lapras_King Though Nintendo EVENTUALLY rereleased Super Mario All-Stars Wii, it seems to have been only in America, and only over five years later (after they were barely even selling Wii U games anymore. Even after Rodea the Sky Soldier, one of the last non-Just Dance Wii games I can remember, was released.)

Yeah, five years, probably a few too late, Nintendo.
Maybe around that time we got Pikmin 2 Wii only as a "Nintendo Selects" game, was the latest good time.
Or even the time of those sneaky GameStop "used" reprints of MPT (2013, roughly?) and Xenoblade.

I find it frustrating. I have two kids who aren't ready to play games like the 3D All Star collection just yet, but I want to get it for them. This means I have to buy now and then let it sit for two years. I've played all the games and have them on my Wii still, so I don't need it.

F.O.M.O. That's all this is

I think the biggest problem with these remasters, is that the originals aren't playable in any form on the Switch at the moment. If we had the Virtual Console Library from the Wii U available on the Switch (+ Gamecube) at the moment, I don't think these remasters being available for a limited time would be that problematic (Instead, they'd probably be seen as a limited-time novelty like the rest of the anniversary stuff, just like how 2D All-Stars seems to be viewed today). However, because the Switch is so poor with legacy titles Pre-Wii U, it means that when this anniversary collection goes, so too does the ability to play these titles on the Switch.
So really, the problem isn't necessarily that Nintendo are making this collection limited, it's that they're doing it without making the originals playable beforehand, making this collection more valuable than it otherwise would be.

"We're convinced Nintendo will sell the 3D Mario games individually on the Switch eShop once this collection expires"
It's also entirely possible Nintendo will in fact just let these go, as not only is Nintendo not really in the business of releasing remakes (the first All-Stars and 64 DS are pretty much it for Mario), there was no attempt to do the same to the first All-Stars release (and in fact, it wasn't till 10 years later that the games in the collection became playable again via the Super Mario Advance series).

All it does is make it hold its value. In the long run used it will still be around 60$. And a very fun game.

"Ultimately, Nintendo is in the business of making money."

Actually they're in the business of making video games and consoles.

Saying they're in the business of making money is akin to a college student who says they're going to school to get a degree.

Definitely not going to help with their pirating problem if that eventually becomes the only way to get it.

@Rob_S College kids are trying to get a degree. Dumb analogy.

Wow. The point sure went right over your head.

Limited releases beat limited availability. That's just cruel to fans. But it's a lame tactic. Did it work on me? Yes. I would've bought this compilation whether or not it had a release window. But it punishes any fan of these games who don't already have a Switch or the financial means to pick this up right now. Given how many folks are out of work or flat out losing everything during the current pandemic crisis, a limited release feels like it's coming from a tone deaf company

@Cool_Squirtle Lol. Yep. I just think "why even complain if you're going to buy it anyway?" Human nature makes a lot of sense.

@Rob_S Yes, they are in the business of making video games and consoles, which makes them money. Regardless of how anyone sees it, it's making money.

@Zuljaras Exactly my thoughts. Physical release, it's not surprising but it boggles my mind why they'd remove it digitally. Yet another prime example why digital is worse than physical. At least after the digital game is taken off the eShop, people can still buy secondhand physical copies (albeit at a premium price)

@nocdaes Adding N64 games would make the Switch Online Membership more appealing.

Just a crazy thought.... what if lol... it’s a first print.... Easter egg limited editio... you 100% all 3 and unlock galaxy 2. That would be amazing I’d say. After that they will sell each one separate at a higher price with galaxy 2 never seeing a switch release ever... only as an unlockable if this collection is fully completed 🤯

@NintendoPok Being dismissive and not taking the company to task is as bad as approving or being straight up complacent about the issue. Ignored.

Lets face it: Nintendo didn't feel confident enough about sales of Mario 3d allstars, because they knew they did the bare minimum with those games (mario 64 really should have had a significant graphical update. And where's Mario galaxy 2?). Therefore they did this dirty trick, wich also makes them friends of the scalpers (scalpers should be kicked of ebay).

In all honesty I probably would have gotten it down the line anyway (maybe at a discount), because its nice to have those games on one cart. But fearing of missing out entirely or paying faaar to much I took action much earlier then expected (I could have waited at least untill 2021). So yeah, Nintendo has won.

Most people vote against this practices but then almost everyone voting already preordered it. Guess which one Nintendo is looking at.

I somehow missed the limited time availability during announcements and I already knew I wouldn't be buying it because I have no nostalgia for these games. But I have to admit the "limited time offer" part is poking me towards the "buy" decision. FOMO is a b****.

As if they are not gonna release each game in this collection full price

@Dethmunk It doesn't matter if it's 6 months, 9 months or a year – as soon as you put "limited time offer" in there our monkey brains go "quick, gotta get it before it runs out!". Gamers especially hate not being able to play something anymore, like Scott Pilgrim Game or P.T. And it makes zero sense to time limit something entirely digital. Especially when it's something the fans have been asking for years, that just makes it extra scummy. It's like Games Workshop only releasing new copies of Space Hulk every five years and in limited numbers, for a premium price (which they do), but if they also blocked selling Steam version of the game when there's no physical copies in stores – which is what that Mario thing feels like. You don't know if the games will be released later on separately. For all we know they won't be until 2025, when 40th anniversary hits.

Your defense of the practice sounds more like an excuse and wishful thinking than understanding what the issues is.

If you think about it, as I am a physical collector I always only have 2-3 weeks to order my games through Limited Run or a few days through Super Rare, so this doesnt phase me.
But it does show the greatness of physicals to me.

On top of my original comment.

When N64 comes to the online service next year it will launch with Mario 64 as one of the first games. And there might still be a 64 mini in the pipeline.

This is also why it is limited to Mario's 35th Anniversary.

No doubt everyone will complain then too that they were tricked by the evil corporation known as Nintendo.

The only thing that might be a shame is that Super Mario Bros 35 is also limited til March as it looks like fun to play online.

Love seeing these results! People hating on Nintendo while pre-ordering it! Ha internet, don't ever change.

People forget that, until Disney+, this was Disney's business model, especially for their animated classics - a limited home release and back in the "vault" for seven years (essentially the length of a console generation) and then rinse and repeat.

It's done to keep the prestige of the classic titles high - and with a system without a Virtual Console element, it gives them the perfect opportunity to follow this path.

I don't see the problem with it and don't really understand why people have a problem with it. As long as they release enough copies to fulfill demand in the time it is released, then it's just like buying many other things in life.

I see more of an issue with companies like 'limitedrungames' who clearly see profitability from a demand for a physical copy.

I must add that the answers to the first question are pathetic, either give a wider range or don't bother.

I remember being equally annoyed when Nintendo did same thing with Four Swords adventures rerelease on the DSi/3DS for a limited time only

@NintendoPok Zelda 35th wouldn't have any bearing on whether Nintendo sell an already released old Mario game in the eShop, or on whether they release N64 virtual console on NSO.

Zelda 35th is an interesting one... rumours of OoT and SS getting varying levels of remake alongside the obvious WW/TP Wii U ports feels like a Zelda overkill if they all come, landing somewhere inbetween the new Hyrule Warriors and BotW2 (whenever that arrives!) Whilst the Mario 3D All stars does at least give hope of something similar for Zelda's anniversary, I still think any kind of bundle is extremely unlikely versus individual releases.

Maybe they are limiting the availability because there might be a Nintendo 64 Classic Mini on its way releasing next year which could have Super Mario 64 on it as well?

I feel I'm not happy about it.

@Dethmunk Check top sellers lists, Mario Kart 8 and Minecraft are still in top 10.
It's worse than Games Workshop, because it's literally artificial shortage. You can't run out of digital stock. The whole thing is indefensible, you're just making wishful thinking excuses. There's no guarantee that the games will be released on the eShop at all. For all we know all NSO subscribers will get them for free, making people who bought those the dopes.
I think an even bigger problem is Mario35. An always online game like this relies on a consistent player base and without a way to get new players it will lose players and interest way sooner than an online game from a big publisher should. If Tetris99 wasn't still available it would have been dead by now.

To the people saying ‘6 months is plenty of time’ . Would you like to see this become the norm for every game? Imagine if every game was scratching that FOMO itch?

Absolute scalpers. Been paying for nintendo switch online for 2 years in hope of n64 and gamecube games. Despite that investment, getting them first requires another premium purchase. No thanks. What next? All zelda games in a "zelda all-stars" type premium package? Just get them on the switch online catalogue Nintendo!

@sketchturner I’m sure someone else replied already, but 10 million is not enough... (Well, it might be good enough.)

Any game that I'm already sold on I pre-order before launch anyway. This limited time thing just made it a worry about being able to secure a physical copy. But I don't like that they've done it, it seems pointless. This game will sell for as long as the Switch is an active console, why limit it to 6 months?

This package will probably be back in 4 years as a nintendo selects

...all of the 'buy it in this window' options for 'no' are based on principle. I'm not getting it, but that's not really the reason. I just don't have the cash.

How many people complaining about the cost/limited nature of this collection are going to go and buy every individually released Shantae game from Limited Run and Way Forward today?

I had to go for the cheeky option but really I find it unusual. They must know how well other limited runs by other publishers do and decided to try it themselves.

However, it's pre-ordered because I need a remastered version of Sunshine and I just discovered it has a soundtrack player. Fab.

Why no option to vote for preorder and flip it?
That's what a lot of people will do.

This is a stupid move, especially for digital and potential new customers.

I don’t mind the move as long as after March, within a year or so, they break the bundle up and offer the games individually on the eShop probably at a higher price point to collect all three. I wouldn’t like these games to be unavailable ‘new’ for another 10 years.

Yeah, I like it a lot actually. Having limited edition stuff is cool and Nintendo doesn't devalue their product with massive price cuts so it retains it's value better. Normally with Nintendo you can buy a game, play through the whole thing, and then sell it for about the same price you paid, but with stuff like this you can pick this up, play through all 3 games and sell it back on ebay for a good profit, in all likelihood.

For Limited Special Collector Editions? This tactic is fine. For a regular old game, both physical and digital? Its just plain scummy.

What terrible options for the second question. I'm not buying it because my copies of the original still work and I generally don't rebuy games. Not because "Mario is rubbish"...

I'm sure scalpers will buy extra switches to download this to and resell at a premium, similar to what happened with Scott Pilgrim PS3s or ambassador program 3DS systems.

For my part....I have all three of these games, and am in the middle of a playthrough on Wii. If there's nothing added, then I'm not sure portability is enough to swing me into purchasing. Definitively maybe. Achievements or leaderboards or anything added post-launch beyond graphics would prod me over the line, but having this be time-limited makes DLC feel unlikely.

I hate to say it but this is another shady and anti-competitive move by Nintendo.

I found out yesterday that my £44.95 pre-order at Base had been cancelled due to ‘under allocation’ by Nintendo. A similar thing has happened to pre orders at Shop-to who had the game for £42.85.

Minimum Retail Prices (MRP’s) are illegal in the UK (and most of Europe I believe) as they are seen as anti-competitive. Manufacturers are not allowed to control a market.

Yet by forcing consumers to use either the Nintendo UK store or Amazon, Nintendo are effectively trying to do just that.

It’s telling that I can still make a pre-order with Amazon at £49.99 isn’t it? No ‘under allocation’ issues there…

This is the second instance of Nintendo acting anti-competitively this year, with the removal of game download vouchers from retail stores also being an attempt to price fix in the UK market.

I was prepared to give Nintendo the benefit of the doubt regarding the limited time release of 3D All Stars but now see the move for what it really is.

I won’t be reordering the game on principle and for the first time in my life am considering using an emulator such as Dolphin to play these games.

It almost makes me hope that the Switches successor is a massive Wii U sized flop.

Correct if I am wrong, but they way I understood the announcement was that the collection/bundle is limited to march, meaning that the games will be available to purchase separately in the eshop after march.

@electrolite77 I've been with Nintendo since the release of the NES and have owned every console since except for the virtual boy so I believe I have earned my right to be here.

The polls:

"It's sneaky and I don't like it. I pre-ordered it."

@electrolite77 I say they should go third party because they should gonthird party. They have proven over and over that they can't produce enough content to maintain a console on first party alone and their lack of console power guarantees that they can't deliver enough third party content either. This, of course, will become much worse when the new Xbox and PS consoles launch.

I work with games all day so I couldn't escape Nintendo even if I wanted to, but I can add my 40 years of experience to the conversation and hope they improve in the future which I think is more productive than glossing over their shortcomings and praising everything they do.

Eh... Nintendo’s been doing this for a fair amount of their anniversary collections, I vaguely remember that Kirby’s Dream Collection (released on Kirby’s 20th anniversary) and the Wii rerelease of Super Mario All-Stars (released on Mario’s 25th anniversary) were released in limited numbers as well.

That said, I do feel that people are somewhat justified with their derision and distaste for this due to the NES Classic’s and SNES Classic’s scarcity and subsequent scalping being fairly recent memories. Combine that with scalping becoming more and more mainstream and companies not doing enough to curb it and it’s creating a serious PR issue that Nintendo seems to either just not get or understands but refuses to address.

Again, barring physically protesting at NoA’s HQ (because were still in pandemic mode) people should be taking this to social media sites like Twitter (get an “anti-limited release” hashtag trending along with Super Mario 3D All-Stars’) and Reddit if they want any sort of change.

I don’t like that decision much personally but it makes sense considering it’s a celebration. I don’t think it’s purely a business decision i think they just wanted to keep it special

What a time to be a scalper with a spare credit card and some free time to spend hoovering up every cart they can find three counties over. /s

If anything, announcing that digital access to this content will also be switched off sends the message this will be a safe investment.

This is nothing bew for me as someone who missed out on scott pilgrim the first time around

This will now become industry standard for all videogames going forward, I guarantee it