That's where i'm pessimistic (or realistic) about the state and popularity of nintendo ips.
Things have changed. Zelda is a core gamer ip, for nintendo fans. hey, if i read all the messages above, you would think zelda alone is such a killer app, then why did Gamecube and WiiU tanked ?
I think you have a group of people (that can be large, but they already know) that play all zeldas. And i think you have an other group who think zelda is a dated ip that never evolves.
No, Zelda isn't a massive system seller, but that isn't what I meant. You argue that Nintendo's IPs aren't as big as they used to be yet there is SO much evidence to the contrary: Pokemon GO and the subsequent success of S/M, Nintendo's move into theme parks, the extreme prevalence of Zelda merchandise in stereotypical 'geek' stores and Nintendo being at the goddamn Olympics. Zelda, after Pokemon and Mario, is one of Nintendo's biggest IPs, to suggest that there are only die-hard fans left is ridiculous.