Did you have Mario Kart 8 on Wii U?
Considering Nintendo’s non-gatcha mobile games all underperformed, it’s defensible for the company to lean in to what was most profitable in the mobile sector. I don’t like it, but I also don’t have to and won’t play it. I can live with Nintendo going this route as long as it stays on mobile. The second that nonsense bleeds into Switch, I’ll see myself out.
Yup! I loved playing Mario Kart 8 on Wii U. I'm waiting for a proper Mario Kart 9 on the Switch. That, or some massive expansions to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
The point that seems to not be brought up often enough around Nintendo's mobile ventures is that, I assume in my heart, they are begrudgingly doing them. At least for their established game series, the mobile games are an advertisement for the console games and an extra source of revenue. I haven't done the credits digging myself, but going on how Syrenne talked about Dragalia Lost on RFN, I assume that Nintendo staff are majorly involved in the development of all the mobile games. So, this isn't a case of an uncaring Nintendo hiring other companies to do contract work for inferior mobile apps.
The other critical angle to why Nintendo's mobile games are the way they are is that the Switch exists. Of all of Nintendos franchises, people remark how Animal Crossing would be the best fit to have smartphone version. And they expressed disappointment and dismay in how Pocket Camp turned out and later monetized. The realization I don't hear often enough is that any great version of Animal Crossing on mobile that you can think would have Nintendo's effort be better spent in an Animal Crossing for Switch; where Nintendo can be more sure of selling US60 copies. So goes with Nintendo's other game series.
I'm just glad that Nintendo and Cygames' Dragalia Lost has been so generous to me as the game heads to its first anniversary. The Mega Man collaboration coming in November has me excited!