TL;DR
A former developer from Next Level Games has revealed that Link from The Legend of Zelda was actively considered for inclusion in the 2007 Wii title Mario Strikers Charged. This revelation matters now as it provides a rare, concrete glimpse into Nintendo's historically secretive cross-franchise decision-making process, surfacing just as the company's unified "Nintendo World" strategy makes such crossovers more common.
What Happened
A former developer from Next Level Games has pulled back the curtain on a tantalizing "what-if" from Nintendo's past. In a recent interview, the developer disclosed that during the production of the 2007 Wii sports title Mario Strikers Charged, the team seriously debated breaking the Mario-centric mold by including the legendary hero Link as a playable character. This revelation provides a rare, specific case study of the internal debates that shape Nintendo's famously guarded approach to its intellectual property.
Key Facts
- The Source: The information comes from a former developer at Next Level Games, the Canadian studio that developed Mario Strikers Charged for Nintendo.
- The Game: The subject is Mario Strikers Charged, a soccer-style sports game released for the Nintendo Wii in 2007.
- The Character: The character considered for inclusion was Link, the protagonist of Nintendo's critically acclaimed The Legend of Zelda franchise.
- The Outcome: The idea was ultimately rejected. The game shipped with a roster exclusively featuring characters from the Mario universe, such as Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and Wario.
- The Reason: According to the developer, the primary factor was the game's identity as a "Mario" title. The decision was made to stick with characters associated with that franchise for brand cohesion.
- The Studio: Next Level Games was acquired by Nintendo in January 2021, becoming a first-party studio. It has since developed Luigi’s Mansion 3.
Breaking It Down
The disclosure is significant not for its impact on a 17-year-old game, but for the light it sheds on Nintendo's historically rigid internal governance. For decades, Nintendo has treated its major franchises as distinct kingdoms, with crossovers being rare, carefully curated events typically reserved for the Super Smash Bros. series. The fact that Next Level Games, even as a trusted external partner, felt empowered to propose adding Link to a Mario sports game indicates a level of creative brainstorming that was more flexible than the company's public-facing conservatism suggested.
The proposal to include Link represents a direct challenge to the pre-2010s "siloed" Nintendo, where Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon existed in largely separate commercial and creative universes.
This internal debate at Next Level Games likely occurred around 2006-2007, a period just before Nintendo's philosophy began its slow, perceptible shift. The Wii era, defined by breakout casual hits, still largely kept core franchises apart. The rejection of Link underscores that, at that time, the brand integrity of a "Mario" sub-series was deemed more important than the potential fan excitement of a surprise crossover. This prioritization of franchise purity over cross-promotional spectacle was a hallmark of the era's strategy.
The revelation also reframes our understanding of Next Level Games' relationship with Nintendo. Their willingness to pitch such an audacious idea suggests they were seen as a creatively bold partner, not just a passive contractor. This dynamic may have contributed to Nintendo's decision to fully acquire the studio 14 years later. Their proven ability to handle Mario characters with a unique, edgy flair in Strikers Charged—and later in Luigi’s Mansion 3—demonstrated a deep understanding of the IP, making their earlier cross-franchise ambition a fascinating footnote in a successful partnership.
What Comes Next
This historical anecdote arrives at a moment when its underlying premise—cross-franchise cameos—is becoming standard operating procedure for Nintendo. The "what-if" of 2007 directly informs the "what is" and "what will be" of the current gaming landscape.
- The Next Mario Strikers Game: All eyes will be on the roster of any potential Mario Strikers sequel. Following the precedent set by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe adding Link, the Inklings, and Animal Crossing characters, the pressure is now on for a new Strikers to finally realize Next Level Games' old ambition. Will Link or another non-Mario Nintendo character finally make the cut?
- Nintendo's Next Crossover Moves: With the success of the Super Mario Bros. Movie introducing a unified "Nintendo World" to a global audience, expect more strategic cross-pollination. Watch for announcements in other sports/spin-off titles like Mario Golf, Mario Party, or even the next Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for further franchise-blurring inclusions.
- The Next Level Games Factor: Now as a first-party studio, Next Level Games has more direct access to Nintendo's full character library. Their next original project (beyond Luigi’s Mansion) will be scrutinized for any signs of the crossover creativity they proposed back in 2007. Could they be the studio to helm a new, broader crossover fighting or sports game?
- The "Nintendo World" Gaming Manifestation: The long-rumored successor to the Nintendo Switch will be the hardware platform for this expanded universe. The first wave of software for that system will critically indicate how deeply integrated the "Nintendo World" concept will become in core gaming experiences, moving beyond mobile (Mario Kart Tour) and film.
The Bigger Picture
This story intersects with two major, ongoing trends in the technology and entertainment sectors. First, it touches on the IP Universe Consolidation trend, where media companies are relentlessly breaking down walls between their owned properties to create deeper, more immersive commercial ecosystems. Nintendo was slower to this than Disney or Warner Bros., but the construction of Super Nintendo World theme parks and the cinematic universe clearly signals its full embrace. The 2007 debate over Link was a microcosm of this now-dominant corporate strategy.
Secondly, it reflects the Historical Transparency via Digital Archaeology trend. As game development cycles lengthen and historic studios are absorbed, former developers are increasingly sharing insights via social media, interviews, and documentaries. These revelations, like this one from Next Level Games, are building a public, granular history of the video game industry, challenging the official narratives and revealing the iterative, often debated path that even the most polished products take. This democratization of gaming history is reshaping fan understanding and appreciation of classic titles.
Key Takeaways
- A Historic "What-If": A key developer has confirmed Link was pitched for Mario Strikers Charged, providing a specific example of Nintendo's internal crossover debates during the Wii era.
- Evolving IP Strategy: The rejection then contrasts sharply with Nintendo's current strategy of deliberate cross-franchise promotion, highlighting a major shift in the company's approach to its character library.
- Studio Credibility: The pitch demonstrates Next Level Games' creative boldness as a partner, a trait that likely contributed to their eventual acquisition by Nintendo and informs expectations for their future projects.
- Fan Expectation Shift: This revelation will increase fan demand for crossovers in future Mario spin-offs, placing new pressure on Nintendo to deliver on the promises of its interconnected "Nintendo World."
