Ever since the days of the NES, Nintendo has been producing adored franchises. The Legend of ZeldaSuper Mario Bros. and Metroid all got their start there and have each evolved into glorious IPs. That's just to name a few, as PokémonAnimal Crossing and Kirby all came later. Nintendo has been very good about churning out new entries in the franchises their fans love most.

However, there are several key franchises from Nintendo's past that haven't received a new entry in years. Many of them are entirely deserving of a resurgence given the fan support behind them and how well they have been received critically. Here are five dormant Nintendo franchises that deserve a comeback.

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Mother

Earthbound's Lucas and Ness

Even though Ness has had a guaranteed roster spot since the beginning of Super Smash Bros., the franchise he comes from hasn't seen a release since 2006's Mother 3. The GBA title starred fellow Smash fighter Lucas, though it was only released in Japan. In fact, the only entry to release outside Japan is Mother 2, known as Earthbound in the West, for the SNES.

But despite releasing close to the end of the system's lifespan, Earthbound has a massive fan following. The story is packed with coming-of-age supernatural adventure. It follows Ness after a meteorite carrying a malevolent alien crashes in his town. The power of the alien turns most living things violent, and Ness sets out with a group of other interesting kids to make things right. It mostly utilized traditional RPG mechanics, but the small-town setting clashed fantastically with the otherworldly elements, similar to films like E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. If Nintendo ever decided to make another Mother game, the dedicated fanbase alone would make sure it was a hit.

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Golden Sun

Golden Sun

Mother isn't the only RPG series Nintendo has been sitting on. Golden Sun saw three entries across the Game Boy Advance and DS with the last game releasing in 2010. Each one is as gigantic a fantasy RPG as the handhelds could manage, so it's far past the time for a new installment.

The original followed a group of magical teens who traveled the world protecting citizens from dangerous alchemy. But this was actually just one half of the story, as the sequel focused on the antagonists. The story was certainly engaging though, it was the slight innovations made to the turn-based battle system that helped the first game stand out. Players could find supernatural creatures called Djinns which could be linked to different characters for different strategic results. Several RPG franchises previously only on Nintendo handhelds have transitioned to the Switch such as Pokémon and Bravely Default, so maybe one day Golden Sun will make the jump too.

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Punch-Out!!

The legacy of Punch-Out!! extends all the way back to the days of arcades before Nintendo began making home consoles. Entries on the NES and SNES established it as a prime sports franchise for Nintendo. The series then went quiet until a Wii release in 2009, but it's been quiet ever since. Of course, the franchise hasn't completely been forgotten, as Little Mac has appeared in the past two installments of Super Smash Bros. But Punch-Out!! features plenty of fun elements that could make a new game work.

Each fighter Little Mac faces is a cartoonish caricature with a unique pattern. Figuring out how to defend against each pattern and when to attack is the main appeal of each game. A Punch-Out!! for Switch could use the Joy-Con's motion controls similar to how ARMS does. With the reputation of the classic games, players would certainly be interested.

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Advance Wars

Advance Wars Official Artwork

Advance Wars grew out of a series of games released only in Japan, and it was one of the best franchises on the Game Boy Advance and DS. Unfortunately for fans of tactical turn-based RPGs everywhere, a new game hasn't been released since 2008's Advance Wars: Days of Ruin.

The original was incredibly accessible with mechanics that were easier to understand than others in the genre. That, along with the GBA's popularity, likely introduced many players to an entirely new type of game. Each new installment built on what came before it, with the military-based skirmishes providing tense matches whether battling the computer or another player. The success of Fire Emblem: Three Houses proves a tactical RPG can work wonders on Switch.

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F-Zero

F-Zero GX Box art featuring captain falcon

Sure, the Switch is already home to the fantastic Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and it's the system's best-selling title. However, there is plenty of room for the long-absent racer F-Zero to make a return. While Mario Kart can certainly be hectic, it's nothing compared to the lightning-speed chaos of F-Zero.

The last entry, F-Zero: GP Legend, was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004. The futuristic setting is perfect for a racing series with sleek vehicle designs and intriguing characters. But what the franchise is really famous for its difficulty. Cars speed across the tracks at insane speeds, and players need near-perfect hand-eye coordination not to crash into a wall or go careening off the edge. It may not be as user-friendly as Mario Kart, but a new game would undoubtedly bring in hardcore players.

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