As you may have already seen, we've recently shared a video interview (and the full transcript if you prefer) with the one and only SUDA51, a hugely influential developer that recently brought us No More Heroes III on the Switch. We delve into the series, in terms of its history and future, and also ask the question plenty of fans have had for a while - how about Travis in Smash?
We also asked what Nintendo franchise, given the numerous choices, SUDA51 would like to work on. He shows some notable self awareness before identifying an IP that could actually be a rather good fit.
To be honest, I really want to say Zelda but I know that’s not okay. I know deep down inside me it’s not okay for me to make a Zelda game, ya know? That’s not alright.
There’s actually a game I’ve thought about before that if I could make any Nintendo IP in the way I wanted, it’s called Nazo no Murasame Jō (The Mysterious Murasame Castle). This was a game was from Human, the company I first started out at before Grasshopper. I’ve always kind of had a soft spot for this game and always felt like I’d love to go back and revisit it.
If you missed it in the past, Nazo no Murasame Jō attracted some renewed interest when it inspired a minigame in Wii U launch title Nintendo Land, with Nintendo eventually bringing the Famicom Disk System title to the 3DS eShop for all territories.
A game that utilised the same engine as The Legend of Zelda, we enjoyed it when we reviewed its Virtual Console release, and this summary of the story helps explain why it could be a good fit for SUDA51.
The Mysterious Murasame Castle, a literal translation of its original Japanese title Nazo no Murasame Jou, puts you in the shoes of Takamaru, a samurai apprentice who has to defeat both an alien creature that has taken over the titular castle, and the daimyos of the neighbouring castles that were corrupted by said alien's power.
When you combine close combat with ranged moves and unlockable abilities, it's easy to see why it could be intriguing if revived and reimagined with modern technology.
The odds may be rather long for this ever happening, but it's a fun thought. What Nintendo IP would you like to see SUDA51 work on?
Comments 34
I feel like a 3D hack n' slash Murasame Castle could actually kind of work. I can definitely see that series going for an Okami-like or even Nioh-like aesthetic and play more like the 3D Ninja Gaidens
I really hope someone at Nintendo sees this. A Murasame reboot could be incredibly cool
Never played it. I'm down.
Suda and Kamiya fighting it out for the right to make Murasame Castle when?
Could've been a cool feudal Japan Zelda-like game. But Nintendo hasn't done anything with the franchise for the last 35 years, so I don't expect them to change that anytime soon.
@TheFrenchiestFry I can really imagine a Zelda-like No More Heroes coming out of this one! I think Suda and The Mysterious Murasame Castle would be a perfect marriage! And it's not like Nintendo has not worked with more independent visionaries before so I don't think they'd restrict him either! Hope he pitches this idea to them!
Another classic Famicom Disk System game that I would like to see a sequel for is Doki Doki Panic.
But a Suda Zelda would be an awesome mess.
How many developers have we had who've wanted to give the series a shot? I know Kamiya was fond on the idea some years ago. Now SUDA wants to. I swear other people have shown interest.
I mean I wouldn't object to it..
@Don Well, a Doki Doki Panic follow-up would be a little more difficult. The main characters are owned by Fuji TV, and I believe they've also forgotten about them after the 80s.
On-topic: I didn't play it, but wasn't there a Murasame mode, complete with playable Takamaru, in a Samurai Warriors game for the Wii?
Yes please. In a similar style to the Link’s Awakening remake, with maybe a bit more polish. (If that even makes sense. Haven’t laid eyes on the original game, just assuming it’s top down.)
Anyone beat this game? Couldn't hack it on 3DS but it was pretty fun. Hope a reboot happens
@TheFrenchiestFry Well,it worked as a Musou game.I don't remember which one,but there's a musou game for Wii with a mode dedicated to Takamaru.So i can see it as full game.
Erm...why would he think he wouldn't be allowed to work on Zelda? Capcom, Koei Tecmo, Brace Yourself Games, and Phillips, of all companies, have all been allowed to make Zelda games throughout the years, so clearly Nintendo is willing to work with people to let them do stuff with the IP...
@TheFrenchiestFry @Randomname19 Samurai Warriors 3 is the title you are after. Had a full on Murasame side mode.
@kupocake Maybe they don't have to fight it out, and work together instead... And add a versus minigame in their game early on to fight whenever they have a difference of mind.
@EmmatheBest And Phillips is reason enough to think twice before handing over the Zelda IP. But yeah, recently Zelda, Mario (and co), and Starfox were handed over with great results. I also feel like Immortals Fenyx Rising was at some point intended as a Kid Icarus game, and Ubisoft had by then already used Mario and Starfox.
But I kind of understand that he just feels and accepts that Zelda isn't what he'd be best at, in a way both he, Nintendo, and the Zelda fans are fine with.
@Shambo I suspect such fairhandedness is not the Murasame Castle way.
Going by the review a new version could be either a spectacle fighter like Devil May Cry or a hard as nails souls-like.
That's good he recognises he shouldn't try Zelda. 😅
I have spent years holding on to this hope that an indie studio would develop a Faxanadu remake and their work would result in Nintendo asking them to do a Zelda II remake.
StarTropics!
Let Suda make a Tingle game
I say he should get to do it. His spin on that would be wild. I really enjoyed that game on 3DS. I wished it was brought to Switch or included on the Zelda Game and Watch. It would have been a nice touch.
@Poodlestargenerica I'd love for a Goemon revival. Too bad Konami doesn't want to do anything but pachinko now.
I want somebody to give Suda a big budget & some devs to support his big ideas with great performance and high quality graphics. Love the guy, his humor, writing style and gameplay for the most part but always feel his studio is held back big time in the tech dept. In any case, answer is yes, hope Nintendo can just throw him a fat wad of cash and 80 devs to help fulfill his dreams of making this game
Oh i would love for lesser known nintendo games to be revived.
"Ice Climber" needs an upgrade.
I never knew that he worked at Human for his first company. So he has a connection with that game. I think he should ask Nintendo if he hasn't already.
I'd actually love to see it.
If a niche series like Famicom Detective Club (thought the games were awesome) can get a remake then anything is possible at this point.
This would be so cool
Since the Wii U's launch and Takamaru being included in Nintendo Land, I wait for some news on a new Murasame Castle game.
Did the inclusion of Takamaru in Nintendo Land, Samurai Warriors 3, and his assist trophy in Smash, and the VC release on the 3DS ultimately lead to nothing?
Why was the original not on Wii or Wii U VC? Why is it not on Switch NES Online? Nintendo can be weird sometimes.
@EmmatheBest Well, besides the fact most of those companies are more reputable than Grashopper, I think the issue isn't about Nintendo letting them do it, but rather him being an ill fit. You're giving a cinamon roll like Link to someone whose most popular character is a psychopath after all :/
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