Wait, did this topic really become list wars?
I'm lambasting Nintendo because they've failed to see to the needs of the fans that have supported them for quite awhile, and are instead focusing on Mii-related games, such as Wii Sports, Wii Fit, and now Wii Party. Nothing wrong with making money. My only problem is that Nintendo has some of the most hardcore fans of the entire gaming industry. (not me BTW) That have stood by it through thick and thin. And the way they're repaying them, seems very unsuitable, by switching to another audience completely. I'm sayiung they're failing to see to the needs of the fans. I love Nintendo games when they're well made. I bought a Wii specifically for this. But it saddens me when it's just a dust-catcher lately. Aside from Sin & Punishment 2, I haven't played anything on it for awhile. I am not system-bashing. I just think that the potencial of the system hasn't been used at all. I bought the Wii Motion Plus, and so far, I've used it for TWO games. Ad I've had it for nearly a year, with no upcoming games on the horizon that require it. This isn't good.
And yeah, franchises need evolving. The DS is pretty well-stocked with Kirby Superstar, so why not gamble on a 3D platforming Kirby? See what comes out of there? It would be interesting to take the platforming Kirby games to new places.
OK, I'll put my two cents in.
Consider this, with every new entry into the console generations since the days of the NES, while Nintendo's quality and quantity of output has remained at a semi-constant, their audience (the dedicated fanbase you've mentioned)
has been steadily dwindling. In the last generation, not only did they have the smallest sell through of console units (thus a more limited market to sell to), they now had to deal with a marring of their image thanks to gamer's perception of them (remember the Nintendo is kiddy lines?) and "the purple lunchkit". Nintendo saw this and through quite a bit of a thought process, they sought to move forward in a different way. Rather than go toe to toe with corporate juggernauts who had more than enough money from other venues to go the bigger better and more badass route, or deal specifically with the fickle needs of a easily flip-flopping bunch of gamers, they took a chance on a new market with the mindset of converting them into newer generation N fans and gaming fans in general.
Now I can talk business strategy and why this is such an amazing accomplishment all day, but as you said, it's all really about money in the end. Now strictly talking as gamers, Nintendo hasn't once done anything that shows an abandoning of the gamers who have been with them from the start. The Marios still get made (looks over at his shelf and sees New Super Mario Bros. Wii & Super Mario Galaxy near his Galaxy 2 preorder slip) and are out-Marioing most Mario games released in the past as well as most other games in the process (IMO), Zelda didn't become a secret to everybody with 4 games being released within the franchise alone this gen, 3 if you want to be extra specific. (Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks. Outlier - Crossbow Training.) Then there's also EAD who have basically gone on record to say that if they can't do something amazing with the next Wii Zelda, then they've complete failed. Hell,
Metroid the dark horse of Nintendo got a direct series sequel in Prime 3, a compilation box set nearing Super Mario Allstars levels of good, and a new adventure with a different and more dynamic play style. Then we have tons of different smaller scale games, revivals of old franchises (Punch Out AND Sin & Punishment 2? In one gen? What act of God got us that?
), and numerous (yes that's right) 3rd party games that don't get the glamour and glitz debuts of big shots on the other consoles, but offer their own brand of quality and surprise entertainment.
Now, while I did put out some bits to try and get you to see things differently, I will agree with you on two things, namely the underutlilization of Motion Plus and how Nintendo has not been giving their IPs an equal time to shine. The former issue has more to do with the fact that at this point, Nintendo seems to have had too many resources being used in different ventures to make content requiring M+ for the past few months/years. They have however gone on to mention that their biggest future project involving M+ would be Zelda Wii. On top of this, they have also had a hand in Red Steel 2 as they willingly sent over a good group of folks from Retro Studios to oversee the development. There is also the upcoming Flingsmash. Sure you look at this and think 3 games, big whoop, but remember this, these things take time, and when it seems like Nintendo themselves have to dip their toes into the water before any worthwhile movements start, it's going to take a while when they are stretched thin enough as is.
The latter issue is also a byproduct of the limited wiggle room Nintendo has thanks to all it's resources being used at full without breather time. Since all of these groups are focused on creating entries into the IP of choice they have to get out at a certain time, they are also forced to put others on the backburner. It's all about priorities in that regard.
I'd love to continue this train of thought, but I feel that as it stands I'm wildly off topic in a thread devoted to Kirby.