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2015 Has been a year of solid releases all around for most publishers, but it would appear the same can't be said for our good friends at Nintendo.

NeoGAF member TI82 compiled Metacritic data from the last 10 years of Nintendo games, and 2015 is the worst one, with an average rating of 69.8. That includes all Nintendo games, both Wii U and 3DS games.

While the Wii U has had some great releases this year, such as Splatoon, Super Mario Maker, and Yoshi’s Woolly World, it also had some pretty bad ones. Like Mario Tennis Ultra Smash, which has a 60 rating on Metacritic.

As the chart below shows, the best years for Nintendo were 2009 and 2010, with Metacritic averages of 82 and 86, respectively.

For 2015, Nintendo’s average is just 69.8. By comparison, Sony’s average is 76.6, and Microsoft’s is 80. However, Nintendo has released more games this year than both Sony and Microsoft combined.

The chart breaks down as follows:

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Keep in mind that release of titles such as Xenoblade X do not contribute to these averages due to yearly cutoff around this time in November.

The fact that Star Fox and Zelda were delayed may also contribute to the much lower score, coupled with the recent releases of highly anticipated titles met with mediocre reception, such as Yo-kai Watch and Tri-Force Heroes.

What is your opinion of Nintendo's 2015 year of games? Do you agree it is as lackluster as it appears to be?

 

[RustInPeace]

Well last year had Super Smash Bros 4, Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, and I think Bayonetta 2. That same year was when I bought the 3DS and Wii U and experienced these new titles. ORAS, I played on launch day. Some of the most anticipated titles for me haven't been released yet, so that might be why it hasn't been a good year. Quantity over quality I guess. But I'd like to play Splatoon, Mario Maker, and Yoshi's Woolly World.

 

[ShadowOne333]

Metacritic can go suck monkey balls
I really don't care about their so called "reviews" and crap like that.

They even state this:

However, Nintendo has released more games this year than both Sony and Microsoft combined.

Nintendo is still holding up, and are holding up quite nicely even with the low sales of the Wii U.
It is actually quite nice to see them release new games for the Wii U in the upcoming year.

 

[Clydefrosch]

so nintendo's avarage is like, assassins creed unity level?
that's bad

 

[Yil]

Nintendo deserved this. Nintendo gets way too cocky after e3 2014, and this is the price for becoming a company with many low quality spinoffs. I am not surprised, just disappointed.
Hope NX still have the magic.
By the way I can cast a spell to bring Iwata back to life.

 

[vayanui8]

Nintendo still released some good titles this year, the average is just low because they released some rather poor ones as well

 

[Yil]

Nintendo still released some good titles this year, the average is just low because they released some rather poor ones as well

Like ultra smash and amiibo party. Way to go, nintendo, just keep f*****g us, we like it.

 

[vayanui8]

Like ultra smash and amiibo party. Way to go, nintendo, just keep f*****g us, we like it.

At least they shitty ones were easy to predict. I doubt they'll be making too much money off of those and hopefully they'll learn from their mistakes.

 

[Hells Malice]

Nintendo still released some good titles this year, the average is just low because they released some rather poor ones as well

I mean that's literally what an average is bro.
Pretty much the exact definition. Nintendo's shitty releases are outweighing the good in terms of their average score.

 

[Yil]

I do not need 3a graphic and budget to consider a game good, but recent releases just lack depth and solid quality

 

[Saiyan Lusitano]

Comes as no surprise because the Wii U titles have been mostly below average while a few of them between very good to great.

+ Splatoon
+ Yoshi's Woolly World
+ Mario Maker
+ Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water
+ Xenoblade X

- Kirby and the Rainbow Curse
- Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival
- Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars
- Mario Party 10
- Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash
- Devil's Third
- Rodea the Sky Soldier

Nintendo really dropped the ball on the ones that I have on my Negative List.

 

[vayanui8]

I mean that's literally what an average is bro.
Pretty much the exact definition. Nintendo's shitty releases are outweighing the good in terms of their average score.

Hopefully they'll learn from this. I only bought 2 of nintendo's first party games this year, and they were both remakes. Granted, I don't have a wii u so I missed out on a couple but it was still a weak year, especially after how well they did last year. Hopefully 2016 is better and they cut it out on games like amiibo party which are just shitty cash grabs.

 

[Yil]

Comes as no surprise because the Wii U titles have been mostly below average while a few of them between very good to great.

+ Splatoon
+ Yoshi's Woolly World
+ Mario Maker
+ Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water
+ Xenoblade X

- Kirby and the Rainbow Curse
- Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival
- Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars
- Mario Party 10
- Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash
- Devil's Third
- Rodea the Sky Soldier

Nintendo really dropped the ball on the ones that I have on my Negative List.

Remove kirby and mario vs donkey kong from - list and you had it.

 

[dpad_5678]

Let me settle all debutes.

Nintendo > Microsoft > Sony

Android > Apple (RIP Steve Jobs)

 

[Yil]

Let me settle all debutes.

Nintendo > Microsoft > Sony

Android > Apple (RIP Steve Jobs)

If 2014, yes, but not 2015. I guess without Iwata's death nintendo would have torn apart by enraged fans by now.
Actually have to give my first to win 10. Should I use a spell to bring Jobs back to life.

 

[dimmidice]

definitely agree with it. nintendo has been pumping out too many free to start games. if they're focusing on that it's no wonder their average goes down.

 

[Saiyan Lusitano]

Remove kirby and mario vs donkey kong from - list and you had it.

The Kirby (+ MvDK) game kind of boggles my mind because it's a handheld-type game on a home console which is played on the GamePad than the TV.

 

[Yil]

The Kirby (+ MvDK) game kind of boggles my mind because it's a handheld-type game on a home console which is played on the GamePad than the TV.

Okay, but all your + list are 3a with best in class graphic, which is very bias sometimes. Their quality is better though.

 

[Joe88]

Okay, but all your + list are 3a with best in class graphic, which is very bias sometimes. Their quality is better though.

nintendo hasnt been putting anything out quality wise lately on their handhelds

 

[Yil]

nintendo hasnt been putting anything out quality wise lately on their handhelds

What about pokemon super mystery dungeon? That is pretty sweet and way deeper than mainstream pokemon in a sense.