Nintendo defends Mario sequelitis
'We only create a New Super Mario Bros. Title one per platform,' says Iwata.
Nintendo has defended itself against accusations that its flagship Mario franchise – in particular New Super Mario Bros. 2 for 3DS – is suffering from sequelitis.
Many criticised the new 3DS platformer for being a by the numbers Mario game, offering none of the innovation the plumbers outing have thrived on in the past.
"We only create a New Super Mario Bros. title one per platform," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told Kotaku.
He added: "I think we'll probably go ahead and continue at that pace. That being said, that's probably [Mario creator Shigeru] Miyamoto's choice, so I can't give you a 100% guarantee that that's the pace we'll continue at."
And with New Super Mario Bros. Wii U only months away from release, there's even more pressure on delivering a new experience.
"They do share a name and there are some components that are similar," Iwata said. "That being said, these are two very unique and separate titles... We have a Mario you can play in the palm of your hand and a Mario you can play seated in front of your TV. I believe the two titles are unique enough that I wouldn't say that I'm super-worried that people are going to be confused."
Wii U is still without a firm release date.
User Comments
Wido
Endless@ pblive
I'll admit I had totally forgotten about 3D Land, but then it does seem to be flying well below the radar of anyone else on VG as well. I mean I'm obviously not reading every single thread and post, but I dont recall anyone talking about it in any great length or singing it's praises for any great length of time. Mario games dont ever come up in any conversation that isn't about Mario or Nintendo as far as I can see. Or perhaps I subconsciously filter them out lol
It's almost like Mario games have just become this colossal elephant in the room that no-one notices until someone mentions anything about Nintendo being lacking in anything, then gets pushed in your face to prove a point and forgotten about again until the next time Nintendo need their (apparently) cast-iron defence mechanism.
The biggest point for me is that no-one other than Nintendo are STILL re-releasing a version of a 27 year old game over and over and getting away with it because there are only subtle differences in historically winning formula. What makes them so above criticism for making slight alterations to the same thing for years on end? Everyone is so quick to jump on COD developers for their stale progression of their franchise, but woe betide anyone that suggests Nintendo are doing the same.
I'm sure it makes them money and that newer gamers that didn't play the original 2D games can appreciate them for what they are. If it's not broken, don't fix it right? But how does that excuse them for doing it?
bertwlqv
Click for Image
New Super Marios Bros 2 is actually the first title that doesn't interest me much, I'll admit that, but it's nothing to do with the frequency of releases. It just doesn't look as much fun.
pblive@ Endless
Super Mario Land 3D says hi!
And isnt it over a year since the 3DS launched now? So we have 2 Mario games, one a (fantastic) new 3D title and another a direct sequel to a previous game that has better graphics and sound and more costumes but not a lot else different, but then is based on a great formula anyway which makes it better than most other platformers.
Woffls@ Endless
We get tired of 2D Mario because some of us have been playing it for over 25 years, but there's a lot of new gamers that haven't. This game is for them as well, and if we're bored of the 2D Mario experience, what's wrong with moving on? I didn't buy NSMB1 or 2 and that's fine.
MJTH
Both NSMB 2 and U will come out this year and be will criticized for being more of the same. And then if one per system statement is true, there will be a huge gap till the next one with a (comparatively) bad reputation. If these to game hadn't come out in such close proximity of each and 3D land then they wouldn't probably get so much flak. The lack of creativity is a fair criticism but it will only be enhanced by the whole Mario milking thing Nintendo are doing.
EDIT: At endless I think your being to harsh calling NSMB 2 a clone, it's good it's just not as creative.
Endless
And at the risk of sounding intentionally antagonistic....where is this NEW mario game for 3DS? :P
I cant imagine Mario fans will be too hyped about this announcement tbh.