Over the years, Nintendo has allowed Mario to evolve with the times yet still allow him to retain his original demeanor. From his 8 bit humble beginnings, to his career in the racing circuit, Mario has transitioned nicely to the new age of gaming. For the fans, he taught us to never give up, even if the Princess is in another Castle. Rarely are we let down by the release of a new installment in the Mario Bros. franchise, and even the less popular games have a great nostalgic feel to them.
With the impending release of Super Mario Bros. U, I am sure that we can expect another instant hit. What I am looking forward to most about the game is the classic side scroller game play. Nintendo producer Takashi Tezuka has stated that he believes that this game is exactly what the gamers want. He explained that Nintendo did not want to make changes to an already perfected gaming experience.
“We know that there are all types of Mario games. So for us, with the New Super Mario Bros series, we don’t really need to mess with it. This is what people want. Peach will be kidnapped by Bowser, and Mario will move from left to right. This is what people want.”
The formula is flawless, and Nintendo fans are sure to get that tickly feeling inside as they press the power button and breathe in the title screen. But I this really what the fans want, or are they playing it safe with their winning formula? I have seen many pleas from fans that they want to see Mario back in his roots with a classic side scroller. I have also seen many fans say that they want to see something new, one (far fetched?) example is a space themed Mario kart using vehicles such as Pod Racers, Land Speeders, etc… While I am not sure that a Star Wars crossover is the right thing to do, I am ecstatic to see that after all of these years just the mere thought of a new Mario game fosters creativity and excitement!
In my opinion, I would live to see a return to Subcon, and more focus on Wart, his back story and what he can bring to the series.
Sure, he was first introduced in Yume K?j?: Doki Doki Panic, but did any of you actually play the game? Then we saw a brief NPC appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (using his Japanese name “Mamu”), and then again in Super Mario All-Stars, and a few more including Comic books and a few other games. The problem is that he just wasn’t an integral part of any other story. I Loved Super Mario Bros. 2, but felt that Wart’s character was sort of forgotten afterwards. Sure, Boweser will always be the main antagonist, but what about a game where Wart and Bowser are battling each other over control, and Mario has to step in to stop the feud?
Well, that is what I would want to see in the Mario series, what would you like to see? Is the Original Formula (referring to Super Mario Bros. 1, not Mario Bros.), or is there something new and exciting that you would like to see happen in an upcoming storyline?
Ben
A new 3D Mario (a la SM64) would be awesome. A new antagonist would be neat as well (Wart and Fawful come to mind). And Bowser could…*gasp* side with Mario for once.
But what I’d like to see are MORE playable characters than just Mario & Luigi. Every character’s skills would have their advantages and disadvantages, so one must choose carefully which character would best get them through a mission.
Essel Pratt
Ben, I really like your idea! A Mario/Bowser Team up would be awkward, yet exciting!
Hitokiri_Ace
I understand what you mean, but for the NSMB series.. I think they’re doing ok. I’d rather have more power ups.. some throw backs (ie: the feather/cape) and such. Really though, it’s nice to have a fun, group Mario game. It’s like mario party platforming. I think it has it’s audience.
As for a new Mario though? Heck ya! Though, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Mario Galaxy 1/2.. Never beat either.. the round worlds, and inability to see what you were doing really bugged me. >.>
frstOne
Mario and Bowser already teamed up in Super Paper Mario
El Demonio
“This is what people want”? Really?
I want to buy the same game twice per generation now?
As I always say, for a company that focuses so much on “innovation”, Nintendo sure is stuck in the past. I was saving the princess 25 years ago, guys. Quite frankly, I’m sick and tired of it.
I won’t be buying a Wii U until these stubborn jerks step their game up.
Seriously, get some new writers!! The Wart idea is so simple and yet so much better than what they’re doing these days.
Hell, let Square Enix handle the next Paper Mario!
Essel Pratt
@El Demonio, The more I think about a return of Wart, the more excited I get. I think that he has been way under-utilized in the franchise! Not only that, a back story for Birdo and bring back the Shy Guys!
As for teh Square Enix Mario Bros, It would definitely be an interesting game, not completely sure what to expect but I would welcome a new Super Mario RPG!
Ageman20XX
Ugh, so it will be exactly like the game I already own on my Wii but with a very small amount of new power ups? Wow, so innovative. >_<
I mean, I love these types of Mario games to pieces, but I really wish we could see some kind of advancement with each sequel. The difference between Mario 1, 2 and 3 then World was so obvious and welcomed and felt like such gigantic leaps for the consoles they were on, but now? I feel like the people who make decisions at Nintendo are stuck in some kind of subspace loop these last 10 or so years.
Most of all, I want the process to stop being kidnapped and I want the four playable characters from SM2 to become staples in this "New" series. None of this two different coloured Toads crap – so lazy. I'm so sick of all the laziness on this otherwise fantastic series of games. 🙁
sam
ill take a new NSMB gave eery couple of years. i love the series
Owen
I think he’s half right. Yeah, I want to see more 2D Mario games, but I also want to see the same kind of innovation within the series that we saw before Mario 64.
NSMB DS and Wii were great as reboots for the series, but further entries should develop the way Super Mario Bros 3 did or Super Mario Land. Instead, they just feel like rehashes with cookie cutter worlds. Desert world, water world, ice world etc. What happened to Giant world, Dinosaur Island or, shock horror, some new worlds with new themes and ideas. It’s taken Nintendo over 15 years to realise there’s still a market for these games, I just wish they’d stop treating them like B-list titles.
Âlvärö
Yeah, Mario & Bowser already teamed up in Mario RPG and Paper Mario.
I like these 2D classical versions but I agree with comments above. It doesn’t feel innovative anymore. What I would like though is a sequel to Mario 64 with extensive “real” worlds or landscapes (not just rounded platforms like SMG)…can you imagine this in Wii U with HD graphics?
loganb
I feel like Nintendo went so over the top with Galaxy (which is a great game) that it will be hard for them to just go back to a 64 type of Mario, which is what I desperately want. And who else wants to be able to run around in that castle again?? I miss the 64/Sunshine gameplay with the vast worlds where you keep discovering things. Galaxy is vast, but you’re on a new planet every 4.5 seconds.
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