Question about Nintendo game releases

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Why do game developers for Nintendo seem to only put out releases that are child friendly? It seems like the more mature adult themed games are left out. Why is that?

 

[RaymondG]

Young gamers is their target group. It would be a waste of resources for development companies to make adult games for a system meant for young families and children.

 

[Lord Give Me A Sign]

I wish Nintendo would put out more adult games and try to compete harder with Xbox and ps instead of all the gimmick systems

 

[Taodeching]

Back in the day on the Nintendo and Super Nintendo they marketed the systems to kids. Nintendo appears to still maybe take that approach though I don't have a switch. I am betting that maybe homebrews probably have more adult themes, though I don't know

 

[sunshineforJesus]

I dont know but so far have been really happy with the assortment of nintendo games they have.

 

[bekkilyn]

I love my Switch, but I've never been a big fan of Nintendo games in general. Never got into Mario. Tried playing one of the Zelda games and got so annoyed by that stupid fairy that I was easily distracted by other game. However I do LOVE Animal Crossing, so always seem to get whatever Nintendo system that game is on, and then the Switch has the advantage of making it possible to play portable Skyrim, and portable Diablo 3, and other non-Nintendo games.

Unfortunately, one of my joycons is conked out at the moment, so I'm primarily playing my XB1.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

If you mean Nintendo as a publisher produces games mostly for everyone, including children that's how they've always been. Though to pretend there aren't more mature titles like Bayonetta 3 or No more Heroes coming out is kind of odd. Also third party publishers have released plenty of mature games on the switch. Browse through the store to see the literal trash on it.

Personally if Nintendo ever became a clone of Sony/Microsoft and only released serious, dark, adult themed games they would loose what makes them a noticeable company. Nintendo doesn't want to directly compete with the above mentioned companies and to me, that's fine.

 

[Poco_Lypso]

I think hardware limitations are a thing too, not all ports are possible on switch. Developing a game only for switch comes with a high cost and the risk of financial failure is great.
Just my opinion.

I used to play mature games in the past and by happenstance got into nintendo gaming. Been a fan ever since.

 

[Daniel9v9]

I've worked on a few Nintendo titles (Art Academy series, with Pokémon and Disney crossovers) and our philosophy was not so much a focus on children, but a broad audience that includes children. Microsoft have a tendency to appeal to teens and young adults, whereas Sony is somewhere in the middle. They're really different business strategies and philosophies - and to some extent, shaped by cultural differences (eg. what's perceived in the west as childish may not be perceived in Japan as such) - but you can certainly find games for all demographics on all platforms.

Just to touch on the comment above, while hardware limitations have in some instances been a factor in how a game is styled, it's not really the case anymore. We don't really have the same limitations as we used to. All consoles are essentially different kinds of PCs, and it's become very easy to create multiplatform games. So it's more to do with cultural differences and marketing.

 

[RyCanadian]

Why do game developers for Nintendo seem to only put out releases that are child friendly? It seems like the more mature adult themed games are left out. Why is that?

If you want more adult type games maybe you should look into buying a PS4/PS5 or the Xbox console. Just a suggestion They have way more varieties of games you can buy and play. I myself have a PS4.

 

[DragonFox91]

I love Nintendo. It's b/c they are a Japanese company & those kinds of games are much bigger in Japan. War shooters just aren't popular in Japan. There's a reason Nintendo is king there & Xbox is a distant last.

I personally as well would much rather play any of Nintendo's games over a grittier war shooter. Games are a form of escape. I want to be happy when I play a game. Shooting & lots of blood isn't a form of escape. I don't view Nintendo's game as kiddy or childish at all. When I think of that, I think of easy, really simple, w/ an emphasis on being educational.

That being said, I'd like to see them have a more mature franchise. They flirt w/ it w/ Zelda & Metroid occasionally, & I'd like to see a bit more of that. Realistic tones & themes, at least.