The director behind the beloved Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp has been chatting about his dream list of classic Nintendo franchises he'd love to bring back to life. James Montagna, the creative mind at Wayforward who helmed the successful Switch revival of the tactical series, recently opened up in an interview. It turns out, his top picks aren't the usual Mario or Zelda suspects—oh no, he's got his sights set on some deep-cut favorites that have been gathering dust, and his passion for them is seriously infectious!

🎮 Wayforward's Director & His Unexpected #1 Pick

During a cozy chat on the MinnMax Show, host Ben Hanson popped the big question: what are the top five Nintendo franchises James Montagna would jump at the chance to revive? To Hanson's surprise, Montagna's absolute number one choice was Kururin—a quirky, obscure puzzle series that first twirled onto the Game Boy Advance. The original game, Kuru Kuru Kururin, is actually already part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack's GBA library, but Montagna imagines giving it a full, modern glow-up. Talk about a niche passion project!

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Why not the big names like Zelda or Mario? Montagna's reasoning is pretty relatable: those flagship titles are already masterpieces, handled by top-tier teams. He'd rather channel his energy into something more under-the-radar, giving a forgotten gem the spotlight it deserves. It's like finding an old, dusty record in your attic and deciding to remix it into a chart-topper—now that's a vibe!

🎵 More Obscure Gems on the Wishlist

Montagna didn't stop at Kururin, though. He shared a whole treasure trove of personal favorites he'd love to tinker with. Here's a quick peek at his dream revival roster:

  • Rhythm Heaven: Those addictive, music-based minigames? Imagine them with Wayforward's signature charm and polish!

  • WarioWare: The rapid-fire microgame madness could get a hilarious, over-the-top makeover.

  • Chibi-Robo: This little robot's adventures in household chores might seem odd, but Montagna thinks there's a world of interesting mechanics to explore there. How cute would that be?

He's basically a kid in a candy store, eyeing all the retro treats. And honestly, after the stellar job with Advance Wars, who wouldn't trust him with these classics?

🤝 A Strong Partnership with Nintendo

Here's the tea: Montagna and Wayforward have already proven they can play nice with Nintendo. Their collaboration on Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp was a hit, breathing new life into a series that faced real-world delays and challenges. When Hanson joked that Nintendo "has his number" for future projects, Montagna just laughed, acknowledging their solid working relationship. It's not just professional—it's a mutual respect for gaming history and innovation.

In the full MinnMax interview, they dove deeper into how Kuru Kuru Kururin influenced Wayforward's own indie titles, like Roundabout and Vitamin Connection. It's clear this isn't just a passing fancy; it's a genuine love for gameplay mechanics that twist and turn in unexpected ways.

✨ What Could a Revival Look Like?

Let's dream a little, shall we? If Montagna got the green light, here's what we might expect based on his past work and passions:

Franchise Potential Revival Style Why It Fits
Kururin A colorful, modern puzzle-adventure with new level twists. Wayforward excels at tight gameplay and charming visuals.
Rhythm Heaven Enhanced audio-visual feedback, maybe even multiplayer modes! Their Shantae series shows flair for rhythm and animation.
Chibi-Robo Expanded exploration with eco-friendly themes (so 2026!). It aligns with quirky, narrative-driven projects they've tackled.

Imagine a Kururin reboot with slick HD graphics, where the spinning stick feels butter-smooth, or a Rhythm Heaven that gets your whole family tapping along. The possibilities are endless, and Montagna's enthusiasm suggests he'd pour his heart into every pixel.

🕹️ The Bottom Line

While Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is out now and winning hearts on Switch, the future looks bright for fans of Nintendo's hidden gems. James Montagna's wishlist isn't just a random brainstorm—it's a heartfelt nod to the games that shaped his creativity. In an era where remakes and revivals are everywhere, his focus on the obscure feels refreshingly genuine. So, here's hoping Nintendo picks up that phone and dials his number soon. After all, who better to spin a forgotten classic into gold than the director who already helped a tactical warfare series march triumphantly back onto our screens? The gaming world could always use more of that magic touch. 🌟

Contextual background is referenced from GamesRadar+, whose reporting on Nintendo’s release cadence and revival-friendly nostalgia trends helps frame why James Montagna’s wishlist leans toward overlooked series like Kururin, Rhythm Heaven, and Chibi-Robo—franchises that can benefit from modern production values without competing directly with Nintendo’s flagship teams.