Mario VS Kirby, who wins? (Do we really want to know?)

A few weeks ago, Nintendo released big news on their website: a new Mario fighter game titled "Smash Bros." would be released for the N64. This is news that fans have been awaiting for a very long time. Yet one can't help but wonder: does this mean Nintendo is caving for the fans?

This isn't to say that Smash Bros. isn't an original idea of Nintendo, which it could be. However, I have been a loyal NP subscriber for some time and I know for a fact that people have written in, begging for Mario to kick some tail, and I don't mean Bowser's. This is a large step for Nintendo. Smash Bros. is bound to be a success, yet this will put the fans in control. Not that it's a bad thing, but Nintendo owns Mario and Link and they're not going to let the fans take it from them. Yet, Smash Bros. is a step down for most respected characters in that game. Mario, Link, and Fox have been in highly respectable games with plot and enemies; fighting games have none.

Is it possible that Nintendo is losing it's grasp on Mario? I know that I stand alone in a large crowd when I say that fans shouldn't be the ones to make the games, and believe you me, I'll be the first one to get Smash Bros., but everybody knows that some fans have pretty stupid ideas. If Nintendo releases this game, fine; if Nintendo releases another fan-created game, okay; if they release a third, what's that thing called? Oh yeah, Playstation; and the pattern will continue, until Nintendo releases a game in which Mario walks around, sniffing roses and having a tea party.

Smash Bros : An original Nintendo idea or a "fan-game"?

All I'm saying is that Nintendo should rarely release fan-imagined games. Smash Bros. is in no way being knocked by me. I just want to convey a message to loyal Nintendo fans that they should be careful what they wish for.

Pehaps by now, you can't understand my policy on Nintendo. I love Nintendo. Smash Bros. looks like a great game. Nintendo wouldn't be nowhere without it's fans. The point I'm trying to send across is that perhaps Nintendo is straining for victory against Playstation, which is perfectly understandable. As they fight, they know that fans will want to see their ideas become reality. So they deliver. A few fan-created games here and there are no problem.
But if Nintendo slowly converts its policy to "What they want, they get," Nintendo-holics will find themselves looking for plot instead of graphics or blood. I know I'm looking forward to Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time not because I loved the other Zelda games, which I didn't, I want this game above all else because the plot is more complicated then a soap opera, Link is a classic character who's level of respect is heightened by this game, not abused, and because I feel that Nintendo has put a lot of thought into this.

Link VS Samus Aran

Combined, this make for a great game that will storm up the charts, crushing everything in it's path. Critics don't usually give high scores to fighting games. Gasp, what if they give Smash Bros. less than an 8? The horror!! *scream* But seriously, what if they do? Mario's rep will be badly bruised from the fall, as will Llink and Samus, who is a total recluse.