TSA:
There’s a common perception that the future of Nintendo relies on Splatoon being as successful as their other, more popular IPs. It’s their first attempt in a while at a game without the safety net of their usual cast of characters, after all, and therefore represents a significant moment in the company’s history. Can they replicate that Nintendo feeling without Mario’s distinctive red and blue outfit, and can they hit the nail on the head when it comes to online play?
Nintendo has recently restored Wii U Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon online after five months of being offline.
Game Rant Writes "Mar10 Day is a fun yearly celebration of the Super Mario series, and Splatoon may warrant a fan-designated day of celebration in its own right."
How, exactly, did Splatoon reach heights rivalled only by Pokémon in Japan? New IPs from the House of Mario appear as often as shiny Pocket Monsters, yet typically move comparatively mediocre numbers or fall into relative obscurity behind the premium marques of Mario, Animal Crossing, Zelda, and Pokémon. Take Pikmin and ARMS, for example, which we adore but struggle to compete with the tentpole franchises when it comes to sales numbers or mainstream mindshare.
So, again, how has Splatoon risen to become one of Nintendo's most important series in Japan?
