Nintendo and its spin-offs: when experimentation surpasses the classic

In 1992, Nintendo released Mario Paint for the Super Nintendo with the Super NES Mouse peripheral, allowing drawing, coloring, and music creation. It wasn't a traditional game, but a tool for creative expression .

Although it didn't have a direct continuation, it laid the foundations for phenomena like Super Mario Maker and WarioWare DIY , demonstrating that playing and creating could go hand in hand.

The Game Boy Advance spin-off F-Zero: Maximum Velocity featured futuristic high-speed racing, but lacked iconic protagonists like Captain Falcon. The gameplay was good, but it fell short of the fame of F-Zero X , becoming an example of experimentation with mixed results .

In 2004, Yoshi Topsy-Turvy incorporated a gyroscope into the Game Boy Advance that tilted the stage based on the player's movement. The idea was innovative and anticipated future motion controls on the Wii and Switch , although the execution was uneven.

Link's Crossbow Training (2007) took advantage of the Wii's Zapper gun to turn Link into a shooter of targets and enemies in recycled Twilight Princess scenarios. An unusual spin-off, but one that served as a tech demo and Nintendo curiosity.

In 1999, Pokémon Snap allowed you to capture photos of Pokémon instead of battling them. A strange concept that worked and showcased another side of video games: the quiet exploration and creativity of virtual photography. Its sequel, New Pokémon Snap (2021), reaffirmed its innovative vision.

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! (2003) was a laboratory of rapid-fire ideas, featuring absurd five-second microgames. It celebrated absurdity and allowed Nintendo to experiment with mechanics that would influence other titles.

DK Bongos and Donkey Konga proved that Nintendo could turn oddball peripherals into successful experiences. The music game expanded into Donkey Kong Jungle Beat , a platformer controlled entirely by the bongos.

These spin-offs, from Mario Paint to DK Bongos , reveal that Nintendo isn't afraid of experimentation. Even the failures provided valuable lessons, leaving their mark on iconic franchises and showing that creative risk is part of the company's DNA.