Daily Debate: Would Future Zelda Titles Benefit From Demos?

Warning: Above Footage Contains Spoilers for Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS

Yesterday, during Nintendo’s Live at the Treehouse event, they announced a number of new things regarding Super Smash Bros., not the least exciting of which being the news that a demo would be coming to the West – that very day. Admittedly non-Platinum members will have to wait until next Friday to get a taste of the brawler, but the news of a widespread demo in and of itself, particularly for a series as important to Nintendo as Super Smash Bros., could signal a new approach for the company. I would be remiss, however, if I neglected mention that Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire are also receiving demos in territories around the world: yet another sign of changes to come.

Nintendo has a reputation for being very tight lipped about its projects, even as they near release. While this does maintain the “surprise factor” (usually) for their big releases, it can also put off fans to a certain extent; it’s hard to believe that they’re even paying attention at times. While this has been rather intelligently amended through the use of user-focused and -friendly Nintendo Directs, this aloof air has shifted noticeably with the production and marketing of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and for Wii U. From the huge tournament at E3 this year, to demos at Best Buy, to (finally) a demo for all to enjoy while we anxiously await the release in just a few short weeks, Nintendo is letting the fans in on the fun. But is there a limit to how far it’ll go?

For those unaware, the Smash Bros. demo released to Platinum Club Nintendo members yesterday was actually the second one released in such a format. Back in early June of this year, Nintendo gave an early access demo code for the simulation game Tomadachi Life to Platinum members who had registered the somewhat similar Animal Crossing: New Leaf. I was one of these lucky recipients, and it both delighted and shocked me; this was completely unexpected. My reaction to the news about the Smash Bros. demo coming stateside was very similar, albeit much more enthused, as is my current hope for the Pokémon demo. These games, however, all have a key defining component: they are all on the 3DS.

This detail seems to put all of these new demos in perspective, as it makes sense that Nintendo would try to capitalize on the significantly larger (in relation to the Wii U) install base of the 3DS family of systems. Need more people to learn and become interested in your game? Go the extra mile and release a handful of codes to each member instead of one, creating a pseudo-viral sensation among the fans. While it seems like an odd comparison to make, the Tomodachi Life demo very much seems like it was intended as the test run for Smash‘s demo, as I imagine it will be for Pokémon. There remains the issue, however, of the Wii U.

Where was the demo for Mario Kart 8 which we would have so adored? Why not reward Platinum Club Nintendo members who own a Wii U? Heck, given the small install base, why not reward anyone with a Wii U (especially prior to the release of Mario Kart 8). While the attach rate of games is already very high for the home console, I’m hard pressed to believe it wouldn’t rise with the opportunity afforded by demos of titles with particular strong potential to impact sales. Who here would mind a Hyrule Warriors demo, even if we could only play as Link on a stage or two? Not me.

It is my sincere hope that Nintendo embraces this accepting approach to game demos and brings it to Wii U. While Smash Bros. 3DS is essentially the demo for the Wii U version, a sample of the beauty that is all our favorite fighters in HD might seal the deal for skeptics. Beyond this, however, there is much potential regarding the next big game for all of us here at ZI: Zelda U.

Could Zelda U get a demo? Would Nintendo be willing to let even a few select fans into that world before it comes to the fanbase at large? While major gaming publications, and the public at events such as E3, get this opportunity fairly often, the potential of a downloadable demo available to all is obvious. Imagine playing through part of a dungeon, having the opportunity to try out a control scheme of which you know nothing, and fighting a boss that brings it all together and really “sells” the concept of this game to you. Not only is this an intriguing option, but one which I believe is necessary for the good of the future of this fandom.

While all of us here are clearly lovers of the franchise and all which it represents, Zelda has never been particularly good as of recent at bringing in fans by the boatloads. Sure, everyone has heard of Zelda – it’s simply that iconic – but the percentage of gamers who play and/or (more importantly for Nintendo and the series’s future) buy Zelda games is greatly overshadowed for those who don’t. And it makes sense; this can be a very intimidating franchise. Unlike lesser established games, it’s hard to simply pick up a Zelda title as an outsider when you’ve got 28 years’ worth of games to “catch up” on.

Simply put, Zelda U and the games to follow it in this wonderful series would greatly benefit from demos – but that’s just my opinion! What is your take on the matter? Would a demo really help at all? Is there something else about the franchise that would more drastically improve sales/fanbase size? Am I the only one here who prefers Mega Man over Link in the Smash demo and is willing to admit it?