Igarashi: DS the only platform in which it’s acceptable to publish 2-D games

In a recent issue of Nintendo Power (249), the magazine interviewed famous members of the gaming industry in honor of the DS’s fifth anniversary. Koji Igarashi, producer of numerous Castlevania games, had this to say about the system: 

 “If [you want] to have the sharp gameplay that only 2-D games can provide…Then I think DS is the only hardware [for which it is] acceptable to publish such a game.”

I don't agree, he seems oblivious to the fact there's a renaissance of 2D games right now, and that they've featured on all platforms successfully. This is a classic case of  Japanese developer not having a clue about what's happening elsewhere in the industry. 

I don't know. Phantasy Star Online, Mario 64, Mario Kart, FF4, the Call of Duty games, Moon, Dementium and whole bunch of 3D games that are great on the DS disagree.
 
But it is cheaper and easier to make a 2D game.

I think it can work on home consoles, but only successful as downloadable games. I'm holding out for a new 2D castlevania game done in HDremix style on PSN and xboxlive.

" I don't agree, he seems oblivious to the fact there's a renaissance of 2D games right now, and that they've featured on all platforms successfully. This is a classic case of  Japanese developer not having a clue what's happening elsewhere in the industry.  "

" I don't agree, he seems oblivious to the fact there's a renaissance of 2D games right now, and that they've featured on all platforms successfully. This is a classic case of  Japanese developer not having a clue what's happening elsewhere in the industry.  "

" @Linkyshinks said:

" I don't agree, he seems oblivious to the fact there's a renaissance of 2D games right now, and that they've featured on all platforms successfully. This is a classic case of  Japanese developer not having a clue what's happening elsewhere in the industry.  "

There has indeed been a renaissance of 2D games... downloadable 2D games. My guess is the was thinking of full retail releases when making that statement, and full retail 2D games are very rarely seen. "

I miss 2D RPGs...
 
This is probably why I spend so much time playing old consoles.

Another Nintendo executive completely out of touch with the rest of the gaming world...*sigh*

" Another Nintendo executive completely out of touch with the rest of the gaming world...*sigh* "

You could make the arguement that yes, SPRITE BASED 2d games can really only work on the DS. But Machinarium and Odin Sphere don't really use sprites. They use full animated frames, like in a modern 2d fighting game or a animated movie. And hey, 2d fighting games absolutely have better outlets than the DS.

" Another Nintendo executive completely out of touch with the rest of the gaming world...*sigh* "

Something is definitely being lost in translation, especially because there's been talk for forever that IGA's wanted to do a 2.5D Castlevania for PSN/XBLA in the vein of Dracula X Chronicles.  Sounds like he's bitter about not being able to get a budget or a team for that (and that the series has pretty much been pried out of his hands).

" @Milkman said:

" Another Nintendo executive completely out of touch with the rest of the gaming world...*sigh* "

 Nintendo, ? "

Pretty stupid comment really.  True that a 2D game (with 2D art) pretty much needs to be downloadable to be a business success, but in terms of potential game quality pretty much every platform is superior to the DS.  Obviously you can sell a game with 2D gameplay, say Street Fighter IV, with 3D graphics really well.  If Konami put more development effort into their stuff like their Wiiware remakes, they'd have better results.
 
I've even been wondering what the hell Konami is doing lately.  Outsourcing most of their games development (Silent Hill, the horrible looking new Rocket Knight downloadable game...).  Why not try a new high quality 2D Castlevania?  HD sprites would be amazing...

" @Milkman said:

" Another Nintendo executive completely out of touch with the rest of the gaming world...*sigh* "

 Nintendo, ? "

2D has been entirely viable on the DS. The same cannot be said about full consoles or the PSP.

I think what he's trying to say is that the DS handles 2D games the best out of all consoles, not that the DS is the only console that plays 2D games well. Or that's what he should be saying.

Bioware made a DS game one time, so the ridiculous Subject Zero is just another sign of a Nintendo company out of touch lesigh.

" I don't know. Phantasy Star Online, Mario 64, Mario Kart, FF4, the Call of Duty games, Moon, Dementium and whole bunch of 3D games that are great on the DS disagree.  But it is cheaper and easier to make a 2D game. "

I would say that "acceptable" is being equated to "successful" in this case, as 2D games really only sell well on the DS unlike any other current day platform. Look at New Super Mario Bros., Castlevania and Kirby Canvas Curse for instance. As Icemael said as well, there really has only been a downloadable resurgence of 2D games. That is a key factor in differentiating the two here.

" @Milkman said:

" Another Nintendo executive completely out of touch with the rest of the gaming world...*sigh* "

Sight I guess he only has his huge success to go off of, how out of touch sigh. "

" @Linkyshinks said:

" @Milkman said:

" Another Nintendo executive completely out of touch with the rest of the gaming world...*sigh* "

 Nintendo, ? "

Another Nintendo hater completely out of touch with the rest of the gaming world  ^-^ "

That's my bad. Kinda of jumped to conclusion here and didn't thoroughly read the post.  Don't kill me, please.  My comment still stands. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about. "

" @Willy105 said:

" I don't know. Phantasy Star Online, Mario 64, Mario Kart, FF4, the Call of Duty games, Moon, Dementium and whole bunch of 3D games that are great on the DS disagree.  But it is cheaper and easier to make a 2D game. "

No no, he's not saying that the DS can't do 3D. He's saying that the other consoles aren't good platforms for 2D gaming "

  If Konami put more development effort into their stuff like their Wiiware remakes, they'd have better results.   

" @Linkyshinks said:

" @Milkman said:

" Another Nintendo executive completely out of touch with the rest of the gaming world...*sigh* "

 Nintendo, ? "

That's my bad. Kinda of jumped to conclusion here and didn't thoroughly read the post.  Don't kill me, please.  My comment still stands. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about. "

" I would say that "acceptable" is being equated to "successful" in this case, as 2D games really only sell well on the DS unlike any other current day platform. Look at New Super Mario Bros., Castlevania and Kirby Canvas Curse for instance."

My thoughts exactly. I've bought a few and I can tell you they are lifeless in comparison to the original games. I'm most pissed off about Contra and Gradius.

I was looking forward to the PS3 game that was initially planned, it's a shame that got canned.

The Silent Hill move is a good one in my eyes, for gamers and for Konami and the franchise.

 
@Linkyshinks said: 

I was looking forward to the PS3 game that was initially planned, it's a shame that got canned. 

There wasn't much info about that one right?  Just that it was going to be developed by Konami of Japan and there was a character that looked like Alucard, then they dumped it for that Spanish developed 'Castlevania'. 
 

More or less correct if he's talking about full price titles considering whenever you get a big 2D release on something like the Wii every fanboy raves that it should be a $10 XBLA title instead. The mainstream reallly considers 2D inferior so you only get full price 2D titles accepted on the DS where 2D dominates still. Sure there are plenty 2D games (he's actually talking 2D, not 3D visuals with 2D gameplay like Klonoa, SFIV or NSMB) still but they don't sell much and since production for masterpieces like Muramasa is quite expensive for the few companies that still put that much effort in it I guess we may not be seeing many more, just cheap downloadable or budget titles instead. That's better than nothing but not ideal at all.

" More or less correct if he's talking about full price titles considering whenever you get a big 2D release on something like the Wii every fanboy raves that it should be a $10 XBLA title instead. The mainstream reallly considers 2D inferior so you only get full price 2D titles accepted on the DS where 2D dominates still. Sure there are plenty 2D games (he's actually talking 2D, not 3D visuals with 2D gameplay like Klonoa, SFIV or NSMB) still but they don't sell much and since production for masterpieces like Muramasa is quite expensive for the few companies that still put that much effort in it I guess we may not be seeing many more, just cheap downloadable or budget titles instead. That's better than nothing but not ideal at all. "

" @Al3xand3r said:

" More or less correct if he's talking about full price titles considering whenever you get a big 2D release on something like the Wii every fanboy raves that it should be a $10 XBLA title instead. The mainstream reallly considers 2D inferior so you only get full price 2D titles accepted on the DS where 2D dominates still. Sure there are plenty 2D games (he's actually talking 2D, not 3D visuals with 2D gameplay like Klonoa, SFIV or NSMB) still but they don't sell much and since production for masterpieces like Muramasa is quite expensive for the few companies that still put that much effort in it I guess we may not be seeing many more, just cheap downloadable or budget titles instead. That's better than nothing but not ideal at all. "

The fact that 2D is much loved on the DS only leads to the questions about 2D viability on the next generation of handheld, specifically DS2 (or a new GBA).  They will have at least Gamecube quality graphics, so will 2D graphic styled games still be acceptable?  I hope so.  Maybe it is more about the screen size than the power? "