Former Microsoft executive says Xbox should consider Nintendo before dismissing exclusive games
Xbox President Sarah Bond’s recent statement that exclusive games are “antiquated” has reignited a debate. Bond believes that gamers now anticipate popular titles will be available on multiple platforms. However, Mike Ybarra, who served in several executive roles at Microsoft, has a different view. He highlighted Nintendo games as examples of how first-party releases can still thrive on one system.
Ybarra often comments on his former company on social media. In his latest criticism, he said, “Someone go tell Nintendo that exclusives are antiquated.” The Japanese gaming giant continues to rely on Switch 2 exclusives to boost console sales. The handheld supports a wider selection of third-party offerings. Even so, popular titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza remain confined to the system.
The ex-Blizzard President isn’t saying Microsoft shouldn’t abandon Xbox exclusive games. In his past statements, he warned that a cross-platform strategy would threaten the success of a new Xbox console. Without titles that are unique to the system, there is less reason to purchase the hardware. Instead, he recommends that the company focus on publishing and subscription services like Game Pass.
Why Nintendo games never lose their appeal
A gamer who enjoys the accessibility of Xbox and PS5 games argued that Nintendo is a prime example of “old school traditionalism”. Still, Ybarra doesn’t believe that the company avoids taking risks. He pointed to the Zelda games to show how Nintendo constantly reinvents its favorite franchises. Providing fans with the content they desire is always a savvy business plan.
The one-time Nintendo developer Ken Watanabe would agree with Ybarra’s assessment. Involved with titles like New Super Mario Bros., in a Bloomberg interview, he described Nintendo’s unique form of innovation. While it reuses the same characters, players see them in new gameplay experiences. In one example, developers added 3D open-world settings to Zelda. They then found Donkey Kong Bananza ideal for showcasing destructible physics.
With Halo: Combat Evolved, the latest former Xbox exclusive to jump ship to the PS5, Microsoft remains committed to its approach. Still, any new Xbox console may struggle to find buyers without more incentives.
