So did Ian not read Khush's post or was that some kind of ironic thing?
I don't even think he read the article. Next Level Games worked on a Metroid prototype and Nintendo had them make Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon instead, meaning Nintendo themselves passed on that art direction. The end. I doubt their prototype even got very far. Ian's post was a waste even by Ian standards.
Plus, these are just drawings. I mean, Retro Studios will have unlockable art in their games like Metroid and Donkey Kong where they show off some of the behind the scenes sketches that were developed when making the game. A lot of times, that artwork is very different to the finished product or quite a different style. It's just there to give ideas. Just because this artwork is cartoonish, there's no indication in the article that the prototype was made looking cartoonish also.
However, knowing what Ian Sane would post means I already have an argument ready. (I really didn't think he would post what I predicted. Even I was shocked by that.)
What we're going to toon shade Metroid too?
Those of you who like cutesy graphics you already have Mario, Pokémon, Kirby, etc. Why can't we have some variety from Nintendo franchises? Why does every series of theirs have to be cutesy particularly when some of them weren't originally. Somehow Nintendo was seen as kid friendly for years without Zelda and Metroid being as cartoony as Mario and yet Nintendo feels like they need to go further? Assuming we discount Other M because it's embarrassing trash, right now the Metroid series is a great stylistic alternative to the more typical Nintendo style. Why get rid of that? And if you prefer a cutesy style are you already not significantly catered to? Why take away a "mature" franchise from those that like it?
If the shoe was on the other foot, if they were making Mario all serious and "mature", there would be massive backlash. But if it goes the other way those that don't like that something that is decades old being changed are just being insecure. Give me a break.
Let me use your avatar for a moment, Batman. What kind of atmosphere and world do you think of if you have to picture or describe Batman to someone? It's probably darker stuff. Heavy and serious. And yet your avatar shows a Batman written at a time when he could be goofy and comical. There's the Adam West Batman full of laughs and jokes. The version of Batman in the Lego Movie created humour out of him being the dark and serious night. Sure, the majority of Batman comics today are of a serious tone and yet there are still a couple done with a comedic slant and cartoonish illustrations for kids. Has this ruined Batman? Far from it. In fact, many people like the comedic and cartoonish stuff since it represents a break and change from all the heavy and over serious nature of the other stories being produced. Sometimes that less mature stuff is even higher rated than the very mature world it is often set in. You see, different variations of a character or series can work. A change in tone and atmosphere isn't always something to treat with hostility.
Is one game suddenly going to change everyone's perception of Metroid when there are 10 other games in its natural style? Frankly, if Nintendo were to make a mature and gritty Mario or Kirby, you could be right. There could be a backlash. Of course, there might not be. It really depends on what the product contains both in gameplay and its actual aesthetic look. Then it can be properly judged. I never knew about the Wind Waker controversy. I just went into the game wanting to play another Zelda title after A Link to the Past and the theme of sailing appealed to me along with the colorful world. Since then, I've played many other Zelda games. It really got me into the series. But Wind Waker is the only one I've played multiple times all the way through. The art direction did nothing to harm the series as far as I'm concerned.
Likewise, a different style for Metroid may help bring in other gamers to try it out and if it grabs them like it should, they'll then want to play more and seek out those other realistic titles. If the mature type graphics are better, then they should like those games even more and suddenly you have more fans of the franchise than you did by sticking to the same style. It's common knowledge that the Metroid franchise does not sell as highly as others in the Nintendo line-up. Your commitment to sticking with something you like as it currently is done is understandable but it means that the franchise stays niche and sales stay low. Refusing to experiment or find a way to make it more appealing to others also seems like a stupid course. If it is still done well and has the normal Metroid style gameplay and conventions, isn't that most important? Other M had the "right" artstyle yet how many people praise that game? Get the priorities right.
But if it goes the other way those that don't like that something that is decades old being changed are just being insecure. Give me a break.
As for this comment, you are so right. Movies were made for decades without sound. I'm happy with the way silent pictures are being made. Movies have been made for decades without color. I'm happy with the way black and white pictures are being made. Movies have been made for decades without a widescreen picture. I'm happy with the way pictures are being made at a 4:3 resolution. Metroid games have been 2D for a decade. We don't need in 3D. This will ruin the franchise. Oh wait. Sometimes change is positive. So many examples one could use to counter this statement.
Feel free to now use your WWE and RAW examples of how bad change is I guess.