6 Nintendo Franchises That Deserve a Donkey Kong Revival
If there’s one thing Donkey Kong Bananza taught us, it’s that with the right developer and a little Nintendo magic, even a dormant IP can become a modern classic. With the recent Donkey Kong buzz and a new entry, it begs the question: what other classic Nintendo franchises are ripe for a next-gen revival?
From flight sims to Greek mythology, here are six iconic (and sometimes overlooked) Nintendo franchises that could absolutely soar with the same care and creativity Nintendo is giving the big ape.
1. Pilotwings – Soaring into the Modern Era
Back in the SNES days, Pilotwings was a showcase of Mode 7 graphics and quirky fun. It wasn’t about dogfights or intense sim realism—it was a lighthearted, breezy flight experience. But what if Nintendo leaned into today’s tech and gave it a glow-up?
Imagine a modern Pilotwings with stunning landscapes, dynamic weather, and a sprinkle of Microsoft Flight Simulator fidelity. Add in online multiplayer, over-the-top arcade missions (skydiving onto the Eiffel Tower, anyone?), and that unmistakable Nintendo charm—and you’ve got a sleeper hit. A collaboration with Microsoft could even sweeten the deal, given their recent history of cross-platform love.
2. Contra – Run-and-Gun Reborn
Yes, Contra technically belongs to Konami, but given the history it shares with Nintendo hardware, it’s worth dreaming. Picture a modern Contra with co-op chaos, customizable loadouts, and destructible environments. Think Helldivers 2, but with pixelated nostalgia turned AAA spectacle.
A new Contra could deliver an intense, mature experience—a rarity on the Switch—and still keep its retro roots intact with wild bosses, non-stop action, and side-scrolling mayhem. It’s time the run-and-gun legend made its comeback.
3. Star Fox – A Space Epic in the Making
Let’s face it: Star Fox deserves better. The series has never quite reached its full potential since Star Fox 64, and that’s a shame because the universe is rich with possibility.
Now imagine a Star Fox reboot that combines slick dogfighting like Star Wars: Battlefront II, planet-side exploration a la No Man’s Sky, and a Mass Effect-lite storyline—complete with the camaraderie and chaos of Fox, Falco, and the gang. Add in modern controls (we're looking at you, Zero), and you’ve got a Nintendo space opera just waiting to happen
4. R.O.B. the Robot – Your AI Companion Reboot
Okay, this one’s wild—but hear us out.
The original ROB was more novelty than necessity, paired with the clunky Gyromite and Stack-Up. But with today’s AI advancements? ROB could be the next-gen Nintendo companion. Imagine a real, semi-intelligent AI robot that sits beside you, watches your gameplay, and offers hints—maybe even plays co-op with you via a controller or smart integration.
A ROB revival could be Nintendo’s answer to a smart home gaming assistant with personality. Not just a gimmick—an actual gaming buddy.
5. Yoshi’s Island – An Odyssey-Scale Platformer
It’s shocking that we haven’t seen a full-blown 3D Yoshi adventure on the scale of Mario Odyssey. Sure, we’ve had cute, crafty sidescrollers like Yoshi’s Woolly World and Crafted World, but what if Nintendo gave the dino a full next-gen makeover?
A modern Yoshi’s Island could feature lush environments, environmental destruction, upgraded egg-throwing mechanics, and deep puzzle-solving. Keep Baby Mario, upgrade the music (remix that iconic SNES soundtrack), and we’ve got a feel-good epic that could move Switch 2 consoles by the millions.
6. Kid Icarus – Mythology Meets Modern Combat
Kid Icarus: Uprising was a cult hit on the 3DS, and its fast-paced action, cheeky humor, and mythological flair proved the IP still has wings. But imagine what Pit and Palutena could do with modern hardware.
We're talking full 3D environments, cinematic combat against Greek monsters, and maybe even some RPG elements to deepen the experience. Think Bayonetta meets God of War, but Nintendo-fied. Flying battles, epic boss fights, and just the right amount of cheeky banter—Kid Icarus could be the breakout mythological adventure Nintendo never knew it needed.