Nintendo Life Mailbox: The End of GameCube, Mario Party Matchups, and Tariff Talks

As we make our way through the latter part of November, it’s time once again to delve into the latest round of letters from the Nintendo Life Mailbox.

Got a gaming gripe or something sitting heavy on your mind? Send it our way—we’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Each month, we pick a standout letter, and the writer gets a month’s subscription to our ad-free Supporter scheme. Interested in how to submit? Check out our guidelines at the bottom.

So, settle in with your favorite beverage as we explore this month’s intriguing correspondence.

Nintendo Life Mailbox – November 2024

"compelled to ask" (**STAR LETTER)**

Dear NL,

The recent electoral shifts have prompted me to ask the NL team their take on the situation. Do you think Nintendo will consider moving all its manufacturing out of China? If they do, how might that affect the pricing for the Switch or future models? I fear this shift could hurt Nintendo’s profits when they release new consoles in the US. With tariffs hitting almost everything, discretionary income is shrinking. It’s hard to get excited about Mario and Metroid when basic needs are a concern. In a more optimistic view, perhaps Nintendo’s hefty financial reserves will see it through the next four years, albeit with a few bumps. The US, after all, isn’t their only audience.

MegaMari0

MegaMari0 raises valid concerns. While this is speculative, the next administration has proposed tariffs on Chinese imports that could shake up the gaming market, boosting prices for consumers who are still feeling the financial pinch.

Reflecting on past events, remember how in 2019, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft penned a joint letter to the US government highlighting potential issues from similar proposed tariffs? That correspondence remains quite relevant today.

With this administration’s unpredictability, it’s hard to forecast the outcome. I hope we’ll look back in three years without $700 PS5s being a norm. – Ed.

"different queues"

Like many others, I’ve been enjoying Super Mario Party Jamboree. However, I have reservations about its long-term success, notably the matchmaking system. Previously in Superstars, you picked your board preference and were matched with others randomly, though it might not always land on your pick. It was quick and efficient. In Jamboree, you choose board, rules, and motion settings separately, creating 28 different queues! Without enough players, bots fill in, disguised with names; yet, they miss key traits like player cards. Two weeks post-launch, I struggle to find more than one real opponent in matches. What happens when servers quiet down?

Munchlax

It’s disappointing to hear about the matchmaking issues just after launch. Jamboree seems to address past complaints about unwanted boards, something I get with Mario Kart too.

But I just can’t wrap my head around the Super Mario Party Jamboree craze. At NL Towers, it’s a running joke, watching people dive into what I see as a time trap. Each to their own, but I was promised a party, not… whatever this is! – Ed.

"museum-bound"

The GameCube is dead?

You mentioned Xenoblade marked the end of the Wii U. With all the remakes and new releases, what would render the GameCube obsolete? For me, it would take remakes or new releases of Wind Waker, NFL Street 2, and F-Zero.

Juan

I follow the ‘Rule of Three (or Four)’, where any console boasting three or four exclusives is worth the space it takes up. Despite being ‘dead’, Wii U’s gems like Nintendo Land and Splatoon give it life.

For the GameCube, its death was upon the Wii’s backward compatibility arrival—it’s a museum piece now. But speaking to a man with six of them, F-Zero, Rogue Leader, Eternal Darkness, and others mean it’s never truly gone. – Ed.

"more than just a video and a few articles/polls"

Dear NL,

With the new Nintendo console’s reveal approaching, are there grand plans for the website? It feels like the PS2 reveal at E3!

P.S.: If not, that’s fine. But it deserves more than just a video and some articles/polls.

Tanookduke

Oh, I imagine we can manage two videos. Maybe even a list!

If by ‘big’ you mean ‘an exhaustive Switch-2 blowout with comprehensive coverage for Nintendo fans on the web,’ then yes, count on it.

But if you’re talking about renaming the site and having a launch party with Shigsy in a Waluigi-shaped hot-air balloon… I’ll need to chat with the finance folks. – Ed.

"a flop"

If you could choose any Nintendo series to receive a new game—perfect, yet destined to flop and end the series—what would it be? Mine’s F-Zero. One great game wouldn’t change much from the current scenario.

CaleBoi25

A masterpiece flop, you say? A dilemma indeed. If an almost-perfect game ends a series, let’s consider… Smash? Wave Race? Kid Icarus?

It’s one for the comments. Which series would you allow one final blaze of glory? – Ed.

Bonus Letters

"Hello. We want more remasters of 3D Sonic games like the Adventure games, unleashed, heroes and 06, but redubbed by Studiopolis." – Scottdevine53

Sonic fans desire many marvelous and peculiar things. – Ed.

"I want to thank the game publisher who truly dedicates itself to 3rd party kids games, Outright Games." – Anti-Matter

Outright? More like Allright Games, right? They even released the lone Star Trek game on Switch. Good on them. – Ed.

"Please add Cars Race-o-Rama on the Wii to your database. It’s ironically great and needs mention." – YunoboCo

I’ll add it, but you’ll have to spread the word. – Ed.

"I remember early Sonic Adventure boss fights, gliding as Knuckles, and playing as Big, the character. (Does Big still exist?)" – Richardthedragon

"Pretty cool, at the time." That sums up Sonic Adventure. Big once worked at Billingsgate Market, got into a bit of trouble, and last I heard, he’s stationed at an ESSO in Chelmsford. – Ed.

That’s it for this month! Thanks to everyone who reached out, whether or not your letter was featured.

Got something to share? Burning to ask? Or a correction to make? Follow the instructions below; we eagerly await your insights.

Nintendo Life Mailbox Submission Advice and Guidelines

Keep it brief—Bear in mind your letter might appear on the site, and essays won’t make the cut. Short and to the point is best. A 100-200 word range should suffice for most topics.

Limit yourself—One letter per month, please!

Don’t be disheartened if your letter isn’t featured—With many submissions, only a few get highlighted. So, if yours doesn’t make it, don’t lose heart!

How to Send a Letter to the Nintendo Life Mailbox

Head to Nintendo Life’s Contact page, choose "Reader Letters" from the drop-down menu, enter your details and letter in the respective fields, hit send, and you’re done!