In a recent issue of Nintendo Power Miyamoto was asked about his feelings on 3D games in the industry. He responded with this… “I don’t think everything needs to be 3D, or that just because we’re seeing more 2D games now, that everything’s going to shift back to 2D. I think that what’s going on […]
Will Thompson·November 22, 2009
In a recent issue of Nintendo Power Miyamoto was asked about his feelings on 3D games in the industry. He responded with this…
“I don’t think everything needs to be 3D, or that just because we’re seeing more 2D games now, that everything’s going to shift back to 2D. I think that what’s going on is that people are realizing the benefits of a 3D game, and at the same time, remembering what the benefits of 2D games were. When going to 2D, you need the courage to not be so attached to visual appearance of the games and to really pursue the gameplay experience.”
Very wise words from the father of Mario. Yet, the question still remains, do you guys prefer 2D games, or 3D games? Or does it really depend on the gameplay like Mr. Miyamoto says?
Share your perspective. Keep it thoughtful, welcoming and on topic.
I like both.
Miyamoto is smart. He just realized something I knew 10 years ago.
He's bob on, it all comes down to the gameplay. Sonic just fails as a 3D game, Zelda's amazing as 3D and Mario shines in both.
I'm glad developers are making new 2D games – and not just for the sake of it either, but because they believe it will benefit the gameplay. Good times.
It really depends on the title for me. If it enhances the gameplay and does a good job of presenting itself, I don't really care if its 2D or 3D.
@Phil Myth
I have to disagree about sonic failing as a 3D game. While I admit the original 2D sonic games were probably by far the best sonic games ever, I've played my fair share of 3D sonic games and a few of them were pretty good.
It all depends on the gameplay. For example I HATE Sonic and the Secert Rings for the Wii, but I love Sonic Adventure 2 Battle for the Cube. Both are 3D games, but the controls for Secret Rings are horrible, at least in my opinion.
I don't care, really.
As long as its a TRUE mario platformer we all know one thing. It will be GREAT.
@ Attilio
I seem to be in a minority and actually really enjoyed secret rings, once you played the game and unlocked some powerups the controls even got much better, however making a game that initially controls poor was a questionable decision.
back to the topic i guess i prefer 3d but there are certainly some games like last years order of ecclesia that make me very happy 2d is seeing a little more time in the limelight lately
I love both, but I think I lean a bit more towards 2D. There are plenty of merits to 2D gaming, and I'm glad that after over 10 years, Nintendo has finally realized that both have their place on a home console. I never got the chance to grow up on 2D games as a kid (my first console was an N64), and now that I finally get to see new home console 2D games, like New Super Mario Bros. Wii, its made me love Nintendo more than I have in a long time. Bring on the 2D Zeldas, DKs, and Kirbys Nintendo! You won't regret it. 😉
Same here, Mark. My first console was a N64, so I never really got to experience super mario world and zelda lttp (except some on VC), so its nice to see Nintendo go back to the classics. I still like 3D games, though. Both need to be made.
Jurassic park for the snes was both! Overhead 2d in outside enviroments and 3d fps action indoors. Was it anygood? I dunno. Everything was awsome when your a kid but i never played it as an adult. I wana keep the good memories 😀
i generally play 3d games with my time. not a preference for 3d; i think it's a preference for 3d but I do enjoy 2d games at times. world of goo and DEFCON and chess are great on my mac during trips.
meant to say i think it is a preference for 3d- left a fragment in there
2D games are better. I hands down…logic behind it is 3d only adds immersion and trick you into thinking it's better but, nope I'm not fooled like many people. I think 3d games on 2d planes equate and maybe even sin & punishment to 2d games. In reality, this is an opinion but, consider my observation. Honestly, it is personal but, I think I have had the best times on 2d games. Racers(immersion), FPS(immersion), Any simulation game(immersion), use 3 dimensions well. I love them but, take away the whoa 3d factor and get down to the things that are really going on (non cometic but, gameplay/honest game play fun) and pound for pound 2d stands to outweigh majorly!
PS. Zombies Ate My Neighbors (left4dead?), granted many will say immersion is key but, simple fun is what 2d is about. It's like fun as a child(innocent) versus fun as an adult(serious) no contest. 🙂
@ Attilio – perhaps saying Sonic fails as a 3D game was admittedly a little harsh, there have been one or two that I've enjoyed, but as you said yourself, it does work a hell of a lot better in 3D.
@ Manofgames – That's a bit of a bold (and daft) claim IMO. Dismissing immersion seems extrememly silly as it's that very thing that keeps people coming back to a title. If a game hasn't immersed me in it, whether it's an epic fictional world or just a straight out race then I won't be playing it for very long. 3D might make that immersion easier, but it doesn't make a bad game immersive.
@Greg in PA
You're right. Of course Sonic and the Secret Rings is very similar to Kingdom Hearts. It's just lacking star power. Go back and start any Kingdom Hearts game, you'll feel incredibly limited and frustrated. You could have a great Sonic by the time you actually start the real part of the story in Kingdom Hearts.
Both games use that ability points system to power the characters up. The boss battles are great, they do give off a Sonic 3 & Knuckles vibe at times. I do want another game like Secret Rings and Black Knight. Only difference is that I want it to have a Sonic 3 & Knuckles vibe. Similar setting, Sonic characters only, Robotnik as the main or major evil.
Didn't mean to get too far off base here, but it had to be said.
I chose Galaxy in the survey. I haven't played NSMBW yet and don't plan on doing so. I was excited for the game until I remembered how much I disliked the DS version. Won't try that until Nintendo puts it on Player's Choice at the end of the Wii's life cycle and even then I may still ignore it.
*work a hell of a lot better in 2D (is obviously what I meant to say)
@ Greg – thinking about it I didn't think Secret Rings was an awful game either, the controls seemed decent enough to me (certainly weren't as bad as the frankly cringeworthy voice acting), but I did get bored of it relatively quickly. Guess the immersion didn't help too much there XD.
But Malstrom said only 2D Mario games are any good. What is Miyamoto talking about? Oh. That's right. Malstrom is just another crackpot internet attention slut. Preach on Shiggy! Loving NSBMW and can't wait for Galaxy 2!
@ Phil Myth
Granted I almost completely agree with everything you said with regards to my comment. One thing to note which would require me writing this follow up comment is I think 3d immersion is different from 2d and "should" be better. 3 dimensional immersion is forced if not pushed into a high standard of graphical critique. While on the other hand 2 dimensional immersion obviously has a lower standard (granted the lesser dimension). One has less so he can master much qiucker than the one with more. Go with this analogy to help explain…
A man#1 (2d games) has $50 and $50 only he has to spend on whatever. The man#1 thinks of what he can buy (what he can do?).
A man#2 (3d games) has $200 and $200 only he has to spend on
whatever. The man#2 thinks of what he can buy (what he can do?).
Now, consider these two men to be in different tax classes, weight classes if the were boxers. We should compare things out of their class(weight classes if boxers) only with true proportions(ratios). This is not to disrespect the integrity of each persons worth ("helpless being"). So lets say the money each person spends is 20% of there weekly income. One person is thinking most likely way different from the other (a game as opposed to a pc monitor for purchase)…
you should start to see that because of obvious limitations there should be more good 2d games but, at the same time my argument has to asked for how long until the 3d market has been thoroughly mastered considering I think the 2d market hasn't. Sorry if I confused you on my analogy.
It depends on the game; I don't prefer one over the other. Both can be annoying if the design is faulty; but both can be great if the design is nailed down and the gameplay fun. Each has both strengths and weaknesses; just because something is 2D doesn't automatically make it classic and just because something is 3D doesn't automatically make it crap.
well, i agree with the whole, Gameplay vs Graphics thing, i really dont care how they look, what really matters is how much fun it is, i mean, you can go to school and say something about the wii, and they get all whiney about the graphics, I DONT CARE ABOUT GRAPHICS! most of the games on Xbox and PS3 are crap! the graphics look great, but they're missing the point, games are supposed to be fun to PLAY, not to look at
In a recent issue of Nintendo Power Miyamoto was asked about his feelings on 3D games in the industry. He responded with this…
I like both.
Miyamoto is smart. He just realized something I knew 10 years ago.
He's bob on, it all comes down to the gameplay. Sonic just fails as a 3D game, Zelda's amazing as 3D and Mario shines in both.
I'm glad developers are making new 2D games – and not just for the sake of it either, but because they believe it will benefit the gameplay. Good times.
It really depends on the title for me. If it enhances the gameplay and does a good job of presenting itself, I don't really care if its 2D or 3D.
@Phil Myth
I have to disagree about sonic failing as a 3D game. While I admit the original 2D sonic games were probably by far the best sonic games ever, I've played my fair share of 3D sonic games and a few of them were pretty good.
It all depends on the gameplay. For example I HATE Sonic and the Secert Rings for the Wii, but I love Sonic Adventure 2 Battle for the Cube. Both are 3D games, but the controls for Secret Rings are horrible, at least in my opinion.
I don't care, really.
As long as its a TRUE mario platformer we all know one thing. It will be GREAT.
@ Attilio
I seem to be in a minority and actually really enjoyed secret rings, once you played the game and unlocked some powerups the controls even got much better, however making a game that initially controls poor was a questionable decision.
back to the topic i guess i prefer 3d but there are certainly some games like last years order of ecclesia that make me very happy 2d is seeing a little more time in the limelight lately
I love both, but I think I lean a bit more towards 2D. There are plenty of merits to 2D gaming, and I'm glad that after over 10 years, Nintendo has finally realized that both have their place on a home console. I never got the chance to grow up on 2D games as a kid (my first console was an N64), and now that I finally get to see new home console 2D games, like New Super Mario Bros. Wii, its made me love Nintendo more than I have in a long time. Bring on the 2D Zeldas, DKs, and Kirbys Nintendo! You won't regret it. 😉
Same here, Mark. My first console was a N64, so I never really got to experience super mario world and zelda lttp (except some on VC), so its nice to see Nintendo go back to the classics. I still like 3D games, though. Both need to be made.
Jurassic park for the snes was both! Overhead 2d in outside enviroments and 3d fps action indoors. Was it anygood? I dunno. Everything was awsome when your a kid but i never played it as an adult. I wana keep the good memories 😀
i generally play 3d games with my time. not a preference for 3d; i think it's a preference for 3d but I do enjoy 2d games at times. world of goo and DEFCON and chess are great on my mac during trips.
meant to say i think it is a preference for 3d- left a fragment in there
2D games are better. I hands down…logic behind it is 3d only adds immersion and trick you into thinking it's better but, nope I'm not fooled like many people. I think 3d games on 2d planes equate and maybe even sin & punishment to 2d games. In reality, this is an opinion but, consider my observation. Honestly, it is personal but, I think I have had the best times on 2d games. Racers(immersion), FPS(immersion), Any simulation game(immersion), use 3 dimensions well. I love them but, take away the whoa 3d factor and get down to the things that are really going on (non cometic but, gameplay/honest game play fun) and pound for pound 2d stands to outweigh majorly!
PS. Zombies Ate My Neighbors (left4dead?), granted many will say immersion is key but, simple fun is what 2d is about. It's like fun as a child(innocent) versus fun as an adult(serious) no contest. 🙂
@ Attilio – perhaps saying Sonic fails as a 3D game was admittedly a little harsh, there have been one or two that I've enjoyed, but as you said yourself, it does work a hell of a lot better in 3D.
@ Manofgames – That's a bit of a bold (and daft) claim IMO. Dismissing immersion seems extrememly silly as it's that very thing that keeps people coming back to a title. If a game hasn't immersed me in it, whether it's an epic fictional world or just a straight out race then I won't be playing it for very long. 3D might make that immersion easier, but it doesn't make a bad game immersive.
@Greg in PA
You're right. Of course Sonic and the Secret Rings is very similar to Kingdom Hearts. It's just lacking star power. Go back and start any Kingdom Hearts game, you'll feel incredibly limited and frustrated. You could have a great Sonic by the time you actually start the real part of the story in Kingdom Hearts.
Both games use that ability points system to power the characters up. The boss battles are great, they do give off a Sonic 3 & Knuckles vibe at times. I do want another game like Secret Rings and Black Knight. Only difference is that I want it to have a Sonic 3 & Knuckles vibe. Similar setting, Sonic characters only, Robotnik as the main or major evil.
Didn't mean to get too far off base here, but it had to be said.
I chose Galaxy in the survey. I haven't played NSMBW yet and don't plan on doing so. I was excited for the game until I remembered how much I disliked the DS version. Won't try that until Nintendo puts it on Player's Choice at the end of the Wii's life cycle and even then I may still ignore it.
*work a hell of a lot better in 2D (is obviously what I meant to say)
@ Greg – thinking about it I didn't think Secret Rings was an awful game either, the controls seemed decent enough to me (certainly weren't as bad as the frankly cringeworthy voice acting), but I did get bored of it relatively quickly. Guess the immersion didn't help too much there XD.
But Malstrom said only 2D Mario games are any good. What is Miyamoto talking about? Oh. That's right. Malstrom is just another crackpot internet attention slut. Preach on Shiggy! Loving NSBMW and can't wait for Galaxy 2!
@ Phil Myth
Granted I almost completely agree with everything you said with regards to my comment. One thing to note which would require me writing this follow up comment is I think 3d immersion is different from 2d and "should" be better. 3 dimensional immersion is forced if not pushed into a high standard of graphical critique. While on the other hand 2 dimensional immersion obviously has a lower standard (granted the lesser dimension). One has less so he can master much qiucker than the one with more. Go with this analogy to help explain…
A man#1 (2d games) has $50 and $50 only he has to spend on whatever. The man#1 thinks of what he can buy (what he can do?).
A man#2 (3d games) has $200 and $200 only he has to spend on
whatever. The man#2 thinks of what he can buy (what he can do?).
Now, consider these two men to be in different tax classes, weight classes if the were boxers. We should compare things out of their class(weight classes if boxers) only with true proportions(ratios). This is not to disrespect the integrity of each persons worth ("helpless being"). So lets say the money each person spends is 20% of there weekly income. One person is thinking most likely way different from the other (a game as opposed to a pc monitor for purchase)…
you should start to see that because of obvious limitations there should be more good 2d games but, at the same time my argument has to asked for how long until the 3d market has been thoroughly mastered considering I think the 2d market hasn't. Sorry if I confused you on my analogy.
It depends on the game; I don't prefer one over the other. Both can be annoying if the design is faulty; but both can be great if the design is nailed down and the gameplay fun. Each has both strengths and weaknesses; just because something is 2D doesn't automatically make it classic and just because something is 3D doesn't automatically make it crap.
well, i agree with the whole, Gameplay vs Graphics thing, i really dont care how they look, what really matters is how much fun it is, i mean, you can go to school and say something about the wii, and they get all whiney about the graphics, I DONT CARE ABOUT GRAPHICS! most of the games on Xbox and PS3 are crap! the graphics look great, but they're missing the point, games are supposed to be fun to PLAY, not to look at