Nintendo blames... itsself???

[A Black Falcon]

Most of the areas that you claim to be drastically different are the ones that share the same exact textures with other levels. That means they share the same theme! You know that big and small level? Same thing!

How exactly do a castle and a field with dirt cliffs have the same textures?

Oh wait, they don't...

So the first two levels ... aren't a good example... of what you are trying to "prove". :)

And owned by Nintendo doesn't mean first party. Rare was 51% owned by Nintendo and was second party...

First party is Nintendo itsself and the developers it set up and owns wholly -- HAL, NST, etc... I'm not sure about Retro. Maybe they are first party... don't know for sure. Silicon Knights, also... I think they are second party, but don't know for sure...