Has Nintendo Ever Used Unity?
Nintendo, the iconic Japanese video game company behind franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon, is known for developing games with their own proprietary engines. However, it’s fascinating to explore instances where Nintendo might have employed other engines, including Unity. Let’s dive into the facts!
A Surprising Twist: Nintendo’s Early Embrace of Unity
One of the most fascinating instances of Nintendo using Unity was during the development of Wii U, a home video game console released in 2012. In 2014, Unity’s CEO, David Helgason, revealed in an interview that Nintendo used Unity as the default engine for Wii U game development, providing free licenses for the engine with each game developer license.
Did You Know?
Here’s a fascinating fact:
Nintendo’s collaboration with Unity helped create several notable titles for the Wii U console, including Pikmin 3, Rayman Legends, and Trine 2. This strategic partnership opened the door for indie game developers to create content for Nintendo’s platform.
So, Did Nintendo Still Use Unity Later On?
While Nintendo did venture into Unity’s world initially, it seems they went back to their proprietary ways, focusing on developing engines and tools specifically designed for their own hardware and IPs.
Some Interesting Details
Here’s a bullet point summary:
• Unity wasn’t widely used after Wii U; Nintendo resumed focus on in-house development, creating proprietary engines.
• Mario Kart 8 and Mario 3D World, launched in 2014 for Wii U, weren’t developed with Unity. Nintendo’s internal engines handled their development.
• Even today, Nintendo relies primarily on their in-house development kits and proprietary engines to create games, rather than leveraging Unity.
An Exceptions: Unreal Engine, not Unity, in Certain Circumstances
On occasion, Nintendo has dipped their toes into using Unreal Engine, another popular game engine, particularly when partnering with developers who needed Unreal Engine for specific project requirements.
The Only Game That Counts: Yoshi’s Crafted World
One example where Nintendo did use Unreal Engine is Yoshi’s Crafted World (2019), developed in collaboration with Good-Feel, a Japanese video game development company. As Unreal Engine’s features provided a fitting framework for this unique 3D platformer, the game utilized Unreal Engine.
Key Takeaways:
- Nintendo, on rare occasions, partners with developers using Unreal Engine (not Unity) when it suits the project.
- Unity wasn’t used in most of Nintendo’s titles, even during their partnership with the engine; proprietary engines dominated development efforts.
Table: List of Nintendo Games Using Unreal Engine
| Game | Unreal Engine Version | Released | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoshi’s Crafted World | 4.22 | 2019 | Nintendo Switch |
Comparison with Unity
| Category | Unity | Unreal Engine | Nintendo’s Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Widespread cross-platform support | High-profile support, including PS5, Xbox Series X | Proprietary in-house engines, occasional exceptions (Unreal Engine) |
Conclusion
Has Nintendo ever used Unity? Yes, briefly during the development of Wii U games. Although Unity had a strong showing in this partnership, Nintendo ultimately reverted to relying on their proprietary engines, developing tools, and kits designed for their unique hardware and intellectual properties.
Remember: Unreal Engine made an appearance in Yoshi’s Crafted World, not Unity. Keep in mind these exceptions are rare instances and don’t change Nintendo’s overall commitment to using proprietary engines.