Nintendo is coming out with three new titles for its Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games, and the selection of games is, to put it mildly, quirky. The new arrivals include Mario & Wario, Fatal Fury Special, and the infamous Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind. All three of them can be played by the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack club members, but the gamers’ responses have been quite different, especially in regard to one particular cat.
What exactly did Nintendo change? Mario & Wario is this rather obscure puzzle game where Wario swung a bucket at Mario and you guided him through the levels together with a fairy. It was not really launched globally at that time, so this is actually the first time the game is being offered in English officially which is a good thing for video games’ preservation. Then it’s time for the turn of Fatal Fury Special, an SNK fighting game which is a classic and still very playable nowadays. And finally, there is the case of Bubsy.
Gosh, Bubsy! That video game has an incredible story behind it. The tweet from Nintendo America announcing the news provoked very polarized reactions. One gamer immediately said, “Bubsy is one of the worst SNES games I’ve ever played,” while another one commented, “I am really amazed that there are people who are unironically looking forward to Bubsy.” On the flip side, there is nige who responded, “Yes. It was fun to play Bubsy back in the days,” proving that there are supporters for every game, even the most underrated ones.
Besides the fact that Mario & Wario was included Nintendo was given numerous good reviews, one overzealous gamer simply said, “MARIO & WARIO SWEEP” shouting in all capital letters. This kind of positivity is really quite infectious to be honest. On the contrary, Fatal Fury Special was slowly but surely getting recognized and highly appreciated, with one of the users saying, “I like how it sounds like someone is playing Fatal Fury in the room next to me.” And this is so true, the sound chip in the SNES was not that stellar, but that shortcoming gave a certain character to it.
Yet, what happened was that the discussions under the post immediately turned into a flood of requests for other games. “GIVE US DIDDY KONG RACING OR SMASH BROS” shouted one user, another one chimed in with “Where are Pokémon colosseum and xd….” The GameCube gems were demanded by the masses, and the responses were pouring in, pointing to the fact that it has been ages since Nintendo brought a GameCube title to the service. One player rightly pointed out, “It has been a long time since Nintendo added a gamecube title.”
Misinformation on which subscription tier is needed was very little, with one person seeking clarification, “All three games can be played by all regular Nintendo Switch Online users, there is no need for the Expansion Pack for SNES videogames.” If you’re trying to cut down on costs, it is good to know this.
The whole Bubsy saga is bewitching, though. This game has made a complete turnaround and now it is regarded as humorous in the gaming circles due to its super-hard difficulty, bizarre level design, and of course the quote “What could possibly go wrong?” that the game is associated with. However, Switch users still get to virtually partake of it. One gamer even called it “sonic clone” where the argument goes that they are somewhat right if one looks at the source of inspiration there.
But what is really quite amazing is Nintendo’s approach when it comes to the way it has been treating its classic library; they are going to pick deep in their catalog instead of just going for the obvious ones, and not only bring over titles that have never left Japan or those that despite their flaws have built a following, like Mario & Wario. A game which has been inaccessible to most of the Western players only through emulators or Youtube videos; now it is official.
And what about Fatal Fury Special? It is a very good fighting game that always comes second to Street Fighter II, but it has its own unique mechanics and character roster that are still loved by the fighting game community. The fact that they are releasing these less popular titles alongside the heavyweights is a sign that they are considering the diverse player types.
The reception to this drop reveals the expectations that people have with respect to these classic game services. Some players are more than happy to try any game that Nintendo throws at them while others have specific wish lists. One player expressed his need for Super Return of the Jedi, while another begged for GoldenEye 64. The demand is all over the place, which must mean that Nintendo has a tough time when it comes to making the selection of games.
On the other hand, the conflict between different generations of consoles continues. Although SNES games are great, the subscribers of the Expansion Pack did so mainly for the N64 and GameCube games, therefore, every addition of SNES feels like “okay, but what about other stuff?” One user said, “The games are awesome! But is the next release going to be N64 or GameCube?”
Ultimately, we should appreciate the fact that Nintendo still regularly adds new content to the service. The release of obscure titles such as Mario & Wario together with the controversial ones like Bubsy indicates that they are not taking the easy route and that it is nice to see this. Whether you are getting increasingly excited about finally trying Bubsy for yourself or you are just waiting for the next GameCube droplet, you will never run out of topics to discuss with Nintendo’s vintage gaming offerings, and in a way, that’s where the fun lies – in the discussion, in the debates, in the nostalgia that these games evoke. Even the so-called game about a bobcat who asks, “What could possibly go wrong?” is included in this context.
