Have Super Mario games taken a turn for the better or worse over the years?

This is a good topic of discussion and lucky all of you ( :roll: ) I have some opinions on this since I first started playing Mario when Mario first stared existing. I view Mario in two different fields: 2D and 3D

2D: Every 2D game from the original platformer was a refinement over the previous, leading to the pinnicle Super Mario World, IMHO - Super Mario Bros 3 was a bit better, but that's just preference...SMW was the most refined of the 2D Mario games. I don't see where the 2D game series went downhill, until NEW Super Mario Bros was released...I'm not saying it's a bad game - it's not - but it appeals to a new generation of players - it's essentially a refined version of the original...and doesn't appeal to me

3D: Super Mario 64 debuted at the top, then it IMHO the series went very mediocre, very fast...Sunshine is a horrible pathetic display of a Mario game. The sports game (while they may be good and are fun) are diluting the mascot to no ends. I no longer care for any Mario games that are being made - I have zero interest in Galaxy. I have zero interest in Mario, Nintendo has driven him throught he ground and back again enough for me to be completely sick of him and any new games he's in.

So overall - it's Nintendo that has tarnished his image for me, not the actual games and the gameplay...it's the continual force feed diet of Mario. The series IMHO should be shelved for a few years (period)

This is a good topic of discussion and lucky all of you ( :roll: ) I have some opinions on this since I first started playing Mario when Mario first stared existing. I view Mario in two different fields: 2D and 3D

2D: Every 2D game from the original platformer was a refinement over the previous, leading to the pinnicle Super Mario World, IMHO - Super Mario Bros 3 was a bit better, but that's just preference...SMW was the most refined of the 2D Mario games. I don't see where the 2D game series went downhill, until NEW Super Mario Bros was released...I'm not saying it's a bad game - it's not - but it appeals to a new generation of players - it's essentially a refined version of the original...and doesn't appeal to me

3D: Super Mario 64 debuted at the top, then it IMHO the series went very mediocre, very fast...Sunshine is a horrible pathetic display of a Mario game. The sports game (while they may be good and are fun) are diluting the mascot to no ends. I no longer care for any Mario games that are being made - I have zero interest in Galaxy. I have zero interest in Mario, Nintendo has driven him throught he ground and back again enough for me to be completely sick of him and any new games he's in.

So overall - it's Nintendo that has tarnished his image for me, not the actual games and the gameplay...it's the continual force feed diet of Mario. The series IMHO should be shelved for a few years (period)

wickerman2004

I've seen the videos, they don't interest me. I may rent the game when it comes out, but I don't care if it comes out this year. next year, the year after or ever really. :| I must be heartless.wickerman2004

I'm very impatiently waiting for Metroid Prime 3 and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles

Those are my two launch day (when the games launch) must haves for Wii so far.

If you ask me, the Mario series is still going strong. I mean, I agree Nintendo has pumped out a lot of sports titles, but Mario still seems to take the cake everytime (Mario Tennis=good). The same cannot be said, unfortunatley, for the Mario Party series. THAT series should be shelved for a while.

The 2D Mario's, well, they've had super-fantastic games, but they've had their share of crap too: Mario Brothers, Mario Is Missing, Mario's Time Machine... But then again, you really can't deny the quality of top titles like the SMB/SMW, Paper Mario, and Dr. Mario series.

Then you also have 3D games. Now, maybe I'm just weird, but I liked SMS. I think Mario 64 is, without doubt, the best 3D Mario. The Mario Kart series, SSB, and the soon-to-be-awesome SMG, come ON! The Mario games have been kickin' some serious rear and they always will be. Mario 4TW!
Squidward117

This is a good topic of discussion and lucky all of you ( :roll: ) I have some opinions on this since I first started playing Mario when Mario first stared existing. I view Mario in two different fields: 2D and 3D

2D: Every 2D game from the original platformer was a refinement over the previous, leading to the pinnicle Super Mario World, IMHO - Super Mario Bros 3 was a bit better, but that's just preference...SMW was the most refined of the 2D Mario games. I don't see where the 2D game series went downhill, until NEW Super Mario Bros was released...I'm not saying it's a bad game - it's not - but it appeals to a new generation of players - it's essentially a refined version of the original...and doesn't appeal to me

3D: Super Mario 64 debuted at the top, then it IMHO the series went very mediocre, very fast...Sunshine is a horrible pathetic display of a Mario game. The sports game (while they may be good and are fun) are diluting the mascot to no ends. I no longer care for any Mario games that are being made - I have zero interest in Galaxy. I have zero interest in Mario, Nintendo has driven him throught he ground and back again enough for me to be completely sick of him and any new games he's in.

So overall - it's Nintendo that has tarnished his image for me, not the actual games and the gameplay...it's the continual force feed diet of Mario. The series IMHO should be shelved for a few years (period)

wickerman2004

Dude I can't tell you how much I agree NSMB was defiantly a step down in the 2d world I just don't know what it is but like you said it feels very modern. On the #d mario games however I completely disagree and view them as masterpieces which I  enjoy from time to time. 64 was defiantly great and no one can deny that (seriously) but Sunshine was no joke either as it was and still is a game I like to mess around with, the games are just so fluid and refined that it feels I don't know like I'm gliding through and I actually like the camera call me crazy but it gives me great freedom and it can be used to help in tight spots in way many tend to overlook.

Now regarding the actual thread I think like some people mentioned earlier the sports games are just killing the name. I mean I know nintendo was in a crunch to make new games but don't take our beloved mario and stick him in baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis , golf I mean next time I go to pick up something I'm gonna be picking up Super Mario curling the plumbers anthem or some other weird incarnation. I remember a time when I'd eagerly await a new mario title cause I just new the quality was just gonna go through the roof however now I think a new game with mario included somewhere ona monthly basis. I mean honestly does a sports game become better with mario in it not really or at least in my case. In regard to SMG I hope it has a good story as that aspect of the game has been expired for just way way too long I mean cm-on how many times is bowser gonna kidnap peach and have it all foiled by yours truly. A cool idea I would love for Nintendo to do is make a Mario game which is a bit harder then they have become, you know one for the old school people whom are in their 20-ies looking for a real challenge. 

Mario has gotten worse over the years. New Super Mario Bros, while still a good game, wasn't as good as it could be. Really, I would prefer Nintendo to make a Super Mario World 2. World was the best Mario game ever. I don't care what you think, it was the best.

 And as for 3d Mario games they have gone downhill lately. Mario 64 was great but Sunshine was too much of the same. It wasn't a bad game, but it didn't bring anything really new to the table. But I'm looking forward to Galaxy. It is a beautiful looking game, and from hand-on previews it sounds like it plays great.bededog

Yoshi's island WAS the sequel to SMW. And then YIDS was the sequel to that. >.>

Actually Yoshi's Island was not a sequel seeing as it has nothing to do with the first one. A whole different game and if it is concidered part of the same franchise then it would be prequel right. Either way a great game abd the DS was better, I hope they make one for the Wii.sufian2

Funnilly enough I decided to check my SNES copy of the game right after my post. Rev has beat me to it but yes I stand corrected it is a sequel or actually a prequel. BTW I know some of you know that Nintendo actually has a timeline for Zelda which is top secret and stuff, but do you think they have one for Mario? Or better yet can they have one? your thoughts.

[QUOTE="sufian2"]Actually Yoshi's Island was not a sequel seeing as it has nothing to do with the first one. A whole different game and if it is concidered part of the same franchise then it would be prequel right. Either way a great game abd the DS was better, I hope they make one for the Wii.REVOLUTIONfreak

Funnilly enough I decided to check my SNES copy of the game right after my post. Rev has beat me to it but yes I stand corrected it is a sequel or actually a prequel. BTW I know some of you know that Nintendo actually has a timeline for Zelda which is top secret and stuff, but do you think they have one for Mario? Or better yet can they have one? your thoughts.

sufian2

I agree with most everyone that the series reached it's pinacle for me with Super Mario 64 which today is still one of my favorite games. But I think the reason why I disliked Super Mario Sunshine so much was the fact that I hated the island. It made the game feel more hubish. Yeah the Castle in Mario 64 was a hub but it was so big and had so many levels it made me forget about it being a hub.

I think the mario series would do better by having you explore a whole world and each level bledning in to each kinda like the Legend of Zelda series. As far as you have to collect x amount of stars to get to the next level I'm fine with that. I just think they should tell you (in the start menu) how many stars where in an area then you have to explore to figure out where they are.

I agree with most everyone that the series reached it's pinacle for me with Super Mario 64 which today is still one of my favorite games. But I think the reason why I disliked Super Mario Sunshine so much was the fact that I hated the island. It made the game feel more hubish. Yeah the Castle in Mario 64 was a hub but it was so big and had so many levels it made me forget about it being a hub.

I think the mario series would do better by having you explore a whole world and each level bledning in to each kinda like the Legend of Zelda series. As far as you have to collect x amount of stars to get to the next level I'm fine with that. I just think they should tell you (in the start menu) how many stars where in an area then you have to explore to figure out where they are.

Famicomman

I think what we are seeing here is a generation gap spanning three periods and upwards. I'm sure 5 years from now SMG will be hailed as the best in series by someone that just started playing around the time of release.

I started playing when the original came out - my first copy also had World Class Track Meet and Duck Hunt....I've watched the series evolve in real time...so for me the pinnicle was SM64 - so much I've purchased it for my DS and on the VC. I 'get' Sunshine, but it appealed to a differetn set of gamers than myself...IMHO.

While the sports games are where most squarly point the finger and say 'get the torches!!!'...the mario sports games i've played have been quite fun...that's the problem - once again it's Mario being forced on you (ok, not forced - but shoved in your face)...that turns people off to it sooner or later. As an example - eat hotdogs all the time - you can add different toppings and style buns - but eventually you'll realize 'Hey! I'm tired of eating hotdogs! Different buns and toppings don't make it taste any better!!'

One day you'll go to eat that hotdog and you'll barf...maybe just a bit in your mouth, maybe a full blown spewfest...and you won't want another hotdog for a LONG time.

Kinda what has happened to Mario for me, he's a videogame hotdog if you will and I've been eating him with various toppings and in different buns for years. I want something else - I don't hate Mario, but I think he's needs to go MIA for a bit...he's diluted the brand image way too much.

mario has taken a turn for the better he might of had some bad games but that dose not me he can not have trust in him so just u wait he will bring out a new game on some what consol and it will be great so have trust in nintendo