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3DS

Nintendo Preparing New 2D Mario for 3DS

by Jared Rosenberg - January 26, 2012, 8:10 pm EST
Total comments: 41 Source: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/120...

A new 2D platformer starring Super Mario will debut before the next fiscal year is complete. 

A brand new Mario side-scroller for 3DS is in development and is set for release in the next fiscal year, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata announced at the company's third quarter earnings briefing.

Iwata explained that the new Mario game will be a key title for Nintendo in the upcoming fiscal year that begins in April. He divulged little information about the platformer, but did describe it as being "totally new."

Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming Mario adventure, which will arrive before Nintendo's next fiscal year concludes on March 31, 2013.

Talkback

noname2200January 26, 2012

I'm so excited! I hope it changes artstyle from the New Super Mario Bros. games, though; much as I liked the Wii game, the visuals should have been more attractive. Otherwise, yay!

TrueNerdJanuary 26, 2012

And what team, pray tell, is developing this? I'd prefer Tokyo EAD, but good Lord, they're gonna get burned out on Mario. Those two teams have cranked out 3 (admittedly amazing) Mario games in the last 4 years. Let's take it easy, yeah?

motangJanuary 26, 2012

Hmm interesting, one of the fist game I bought on the DS was New Super Mario Bros.  Picked it up with the DS Lite on it's launch day.  I will be looking forward to this game for sure.

broodwarsJanuary 26, 2012

*sigh*  I'm getting really sick of seeing new Mario games these past few years, but it is one of the few franchises that seems to sell regardless of...well...anything, so I guess I can't blame Nintendo for milking it.

Luigi DudeJanuary 27, 2012

Quote from: broodwars

*sigh*  I'm getting really sick of seeing new Mario games these past few years, but it is one of the few franchises that seems to sell regardless of...well...anything, so I guess I can't blame Nintendo for milking it.

Oh give me a break.  The last 2D Mario came out in 2009 and the one before that in 2006.  That makes it one new 2D Mario every 3 years.  How in the hell is a new game every 3 years milking?

TanookisuitJanuary 27, 2012

I'm with Luigi Dude.  It's been awhile.  And as long as the games are good, that's all that matters.  I also agree with noname, a different art syle would be nice.  The NSMB style can feel a little plasticy and stale. 

broodwarsJanuary 27, 2012

Quote from: Luigi

Quote from: broodwars

*sigh*  I'm getting really sick of seeing new Mario games these past few years, but it is one of the few franchises that seems to sell regardless of...well...anything, so I guess I can't blame Nintendo for milking it.

Oh give me a break.  The last 2D Mario came out in 2009 and the one before that in 2006.  That makes it one new 2D Mario every 3 years.  How in the hell is a new game every 3 years milking?

Do you even bother reading before you post?  I said "Mario" in general (including spinoffs), not 2D Mario specifically.  I'm sick of seeing games from that franchise every year (and since the 3DS just had a Mario platformer in Super Mario 3D Land, this announcement feels superfluous to me), and think it would be nice for Nintendo to take a break from it for a while and let me start missing these characters.  I'm sure saying this ruffles some feathers around here, but it's like Call of Duty in many ways: pure comfort food, especially the platformers (and especially among those the 2D platformers).  People buy them because they know exactly what they're going to get and little else.

Good for you if you still enjoy that, but I'd like to see Nintendo put their focus into something new, even a new 2D platforming franchise would be great.  I've been particularly underwhelmed by both of the New Super Mario Bros. games, so I don't feel particularly psyched about another 2D Mario game that probably won't be that different in the end.  But hey, Nintendo's posting losses; they need sure-fire hits; and Mario sells for some odd reason regardless of the situation, so I guess I can't blame them.

KDR_11kJanuary 27, 2012

Those may be the same franchise to you but the sales clearly show that they sell to different people.


I hope they take the 2D game seriously, the NSMB games weren't up to the standard of previous 2D Mario games. Seems they've been putting all their creative heads on the 3D Marios or simply been ordering the 2D teams to stay very close to the old formulas.

Quote from: KDR_11k

Those may be the same franchise to you but the sales clearly show that they sell to different people.

No they don't. Sales show numbers. Hard numbers. They don't show who bought what, just how many.

CericJanuary 27, 2012

Super Princess Peach 2: Umbrella's in 3D Land.

Believe.

TrueNerdJanuary 27, 2012

Quote from: broodwars

I'm sure saying this ruffles some feathers around here, but it's like Call of Duty in many ways: pure comfort food, especially the platformers (and especially among those the 2D platformers).  People buy them because they know exactly what they're going to get and little else.

I buy Mario games because Mario games are constantly pushing the boundaries of the platformer genre, if not just completely reinventing it. Tokyo EAD's recent output is no exception to that.

Ian SaneJanuary 27, 2012

Nintendo used to be quite good at avoiding the law of diminishing returns by simply not milking the hell out of their franchises.  Remember the five year gap between Link's Awakening and Ocarina of Time?  It was like Nintendo knew that doing too many sequels too fast will kill a series so they spaced things out to avoid that.

But that sure as hell is not the case anymore.  Mario, and I mean the "real" Mario, the platformer Mario, is going to be Mega Man within five years at the rate they're going.  They can't keep this series interesting or exceptional forever.  Eventually it will become stale and formulaic.  At one point they used to space these things out to keep it going forever but now they just crank them out and the end is going to come sooner than later.

Of course Nintendo also used to be a very creative and original developer and I now associate them as a cookie-cutter franchise assembly line (with less concern with quality to boot).  This is disappointing but totally expected.  Look at what is happening here.  Nintendo is announcing a new Mario platformer and I DON'T GIVE A SHIT!  This used to be a big deal but now it's routine and uninteresting.

And is this different than the New Super Mario Bros. game they demoed for the Wii U?  When is that coming out?  Are we getting TWO new Mario platformers in one year?

It will all be unessential product within five years just like Mega Man, Sonic, Bomberman and all the other videogame franchises that were driven into the ground by being over-milked.

King of TwitchJanuary 27, 2012

Quote from: Luigi

Oh give me a break.  The last 2D Mario came out in 2009 and the one before that in 2006.  That makes it one new 2D Mario every 3 years.  How in the hell is a new game every 3 years milking?

Quote:

Look at what is happening here.  Nintendo is announcing a new Mario platformer and I DON'T GIVE A ****!  This used to be a big deal but now it's routine and uninteresting.

Maybe it's because you're a cold, dead person inside.

There is one 2D Mario platformer per platform since the DS. They print money. Mario will get a break after the WiiU one hits.

AdrockJanuary 27, 2012

How can anyone turn this into a bad thing? If this new game is anywhere near as amazing as Super Mario 3D Land, Nintendo can keep "milking" the franchise as far as I'm concerned. It would only become a problem if Nintendo started making poorly made games.

AVJanuary 27, 2012

I'm worried that Nintendo of Japan refuses to accept 3D mario games as the way to go. 3D land and Galaxy are amazing games, and are more creative and inspired than either NEw Super Mario Brothers DS/Wii games.


That being said, I hope they include the e-reader levels  :cool;

Mop it upJanuary 27, 2012

This could be interesting. I wonder if the "totally new" thing means it'll be something radically different, rather than an homage to the past like NSMB. Nintendo folk usually choose their words carefully.

noname2200January 27, 2012

Quote from: Ian

Nintendo used to be quite good at avoiding the law of diminishing returns by simply not milking the hell out of their franchises.  Remember the five year gap between Link's Awakening and Ocarina of Time?  It was like Nintendo knew that doing too many sequels too fast will kill a series so they spaced things out to avoid that.

But that sure as hell is not the case anymore.  Mario, and I mean the "real" Mario, the platformer Mario, is going to be Mega Man within five years at the rate they're going.  They can't keep this series interesting or exceptional forever.  Eventually it will become stale and formulaic.  At one point they used to space these things out to keep it going forever but now they just crank them out and the end is going to come sooner than later.

I do remember that. I also remember them releasing six original Mario platformers in the span of seven years.*  Either you're young, or you're memory's just plain off.

Sorry you're not excited. Not sure why you're not, since your given reason's historically innaccurate. But fear not, I'm excited enough for both of us.

*Super Mario Bros. - 1985
Super Mario Bros. 2 - 1988
Super Mario Land - 1989
Super Mario Bros. 3 - 1990
Super Mario World - 1991
Super Mario Land 2 - 1992

Annual sequels oh no! Super Mario All-Stars also released the next year, in 1993, and the version that included Mario World came out in 1994. Two years later, Mario 64 came out.

Guitar SmasherJanuary 27, 2012

I will never say no to another 2d Mario.  They are simply fundamental to gaming.  Ideally each new console would launch with one.

That said, I hope a little more polish goes into these games, as opposed to the two NSMB games.  I didn't mind the backgrounds, but the character models looked like they could be dated to the N64 era.

Mr.NintendofanaticoJanuary 27, 2012

I'l have to say i'm with broodwars on this one, even tho i love mario games i think we can give him a little break and bring something new to the table.

SarailJanuary 27, 2012

I just want the next big Mario game to bring back world maps ala Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World (I prefer SMW's!). Please oh please oh please.

Mop it upJanuary 27, 2012

I imagine you like Super Mario World's map because everything was connected, there weren't really "worlds." But how are SMB3's world maps different from New Super Mario Brothers/Wii?

syrindigoJanuary 27, 2012

I don't know if we would actually get it because its REALLY 2D... But Id like to see a game done in the art style that Mario is drawn on the AR card! I think that would be fun!  :)

Chozo GhostJanuary 27, 2012

Quote from: Adrock

How can anyone turn this into a bad thing? If this new game is anywhere near as amazing as Super Mario 3D Land, Nintendo can keep "milking" the franchise as far as I'm concerned. It would only become a problem if Nintendo started making poorly made games.

Ian has a point in that the more of these Nintendo keeps pumping out the more people will take it for granted and the less impressed by it they will be. That's not to say these games are getting worse in quality by any means, it just means with less time in between releases we haven't really done without it long enough to hunger for it. Its like how if you eat a meal you look forward to it more if you were starving than you do if you had just eaten an hour ago. Its for Nintendo's own benefit really, because the sales of a Mario game will be higher if people have been suffering from withdrawal from the franchise for a long time.

To be fair though, this is the first 2D Mario platformer released on the 3DS (so far), so I don't think there is a problem. But if Nintendo releases a sequel year after year, then it will be a problem. That's what wrecked Mega Man and Guitar Hero.

SarailJanuary 28, 2012

Quote from: Mop

I imagine you like Super Mario World's map because everything was connected, there weren't really "worlds." But how are SMB3's world maps different from New Super Mario Brothers/Wii?

Oh, true. I keep forgetting that New Super Mario Bros. Wii had those. I guess it wasn't that memorable of a game for me then. :P But yeah, I do love the interconnectedness of Super Mario World's um.. world. I wanna see that again -- with branching paths on the map and stages with alternate exits. Keep me on my toes, Nintendo.

Luigi DudeJanuary 28, 2012

Quote from: Ian

But that sure as hell is not the case anymore.  Mario, and I mean the "real" Mario, the platformer Mario, is going to be Mega Man within five years at the rate they're going.  They can't keep this series interesting or exceptional forever.  Eventually it will become stale and formulaic.  At one point they used to space these things out to keep it going forever but now they just crank them out and the end is going to come sooner than later.

Of course Nintendo also used to be a very creative and original developer and I now associate them as a cookie-cutter franchise assembly line (with less concern with quality to boot).  This is disappointing but totally expected.  Look at what is happening here.  Nintendo is announcing a new Mario platformer and I DON'T GIVE A ****!  This used to be a big deal but now it's routine and uninteresting.

And is this different than the New Super Mario Bros. game they demoed for the Wii U?  When is that coming out?  Are we getting TWO new Mario platformers in one year?

It will all be unessential product within five years just like Mega Man, Sonic, Bomberman and all the other videogame franchises that were driven into the ground by being over-milked.

Once again

New Super Mario Bros DS - 2006

New Super Mario Bros Wii - 2009

New Super Mario Bros 3DS - 2012

How in the f*ck is this milking the series?  Really, your going to compare the 2D Mario games getting a sequel every 3 years to Mega Man and Sonic which got sequels every 1 year.  That is total bullsh!t and you know it.  And don't start bringing up the 3D games to try and justify your argument because while those are platformers, the gameplay is completely different from their 2D counterparts.  That's like complaining that they're milking Mario Tennis because they announced a new Paper Mario.

And the New Super Mario Bros Mii demo for the Wii U was just a tech demo, not a real game which Nintendo kept repeating a million times at E3 last year.  It might become a real game at this years E3, or it might become a real game at E3 2015, we just don't know.  Now if Nintendo does announce at this E3 it's been turned into a real game and they are going to release two 2D Mario in the same year then you'll have a point.  But right now the actual facts still stand that there's only been one 2D Mario every 3 f*cking years.

KDR_11kJanuary 28, 2012

Quote from: Mr.

I'm worried that Nintendo of Japan refuses to accept 3D mario games as the way to go. 3D land and Galaxy are amazing games, and are more creative and inspired than either NEw Super Mario Brothers DS/Wii games.

That's because the market is not accepting them as the way to go (the NSMBs VASTLY outsold the Galaxies). 3D Land may be the one to finally bring 3D Mario to the same level of success as 2D Mario but it did that by being Super Mario Bros in 3D, not by being Super Mario 64 3DS. 3D Land does a lot less to force the developer's creativity on you, whereas the Galaxies added variety with minigames like ball rolling or flying on a bird or dragging from star anchor point to anchor point the only change to the core mechanics in 3D Land are short timers and shadow Mario, the rest is based entirely on the Mario mechanics.

Chocobo_RiderJanuary 28, 2012

Hey alright. Should be a great compliment to 3D Land.

I'll stop getting excited about new Mario games when either ...
A) I'm disappointed with a flagship Mario game.
or
B) Nintendo starts "milking" their franchises with the frequency of certain *ahem* other companies.

Mop it upJanuary 28, 2012

Quote from: Rachtman

with branching paths on the map and stages with alternate exits.

The NSMB games had these too.

The three EAD Tokyo Mario games are all in my top 4 of the series, and NSMBWii isn't too far down that list. I'm with NinSage here Did I really just type that?; as long as they keep the quality as high as it's been recently I have no problem with them regularly going back to the series.

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Did I really just type that?

You did. At least it wasn't Kytim.

KDR_11kJanuary 28, 2012

All the other current gaming franchises are at least on their third iteration on this console generation.

We did get three Mario games on Wii, albeit in two very different styles. Not that I'm complaining, though; as platformers are by far my favorite style of games, I am absolutely loving this renaissance of the genre, both from Nintendo (and some other big name companies, to a much lesser extent) and the growing indie scene.

Chocobo_RiderJanuary 28, 2012

I just think many of us that grew up with gaming during that era when everything was a platformer (you know, just before everything was a fighting game, just before everything was an RPG, just before everything was a shooter) felt like even though there were many crappy ones, there was always room for more GOOD platformers.  And if anyone knows how to make those it's Nintendo.

PS - Tip o' the hat to InsanoLord.  Don't worry, sometimes I flat out agree with broodwars.  These things happen and it's pretty cool.  ;D

MataataJanuary 28, 2012

Regarding the artsyle, I think Mario would look interesting in sort of a colored pencil style like Yoshi's Island or Ivy the Kiwi.

KDR_11kJanuary 29, 2012

I think that stuff should be left to the spinoffs

Being too traditional is what held back the NSMB games.

ThomasOJanuary 29, 2012

This actually wasn't news to me. Miyamoto said back in 2010 that a 2D Mario for 3DS was in the works, alongside 3D Land.


http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2010/11/05/super-mario-3ds-games-on-the-way-in-2d-and-3d-says-shigeru-miyamoto.htm


Therefore, it is likely to show up at this year's E3.

tokimaru12January 29, 2012

I have to say, i agree with shaymin. once the WiiU 2D mario hits, we should get a break. im not particularly "sick" of the 2D mario games, but i could use a break from them. if to many games come out that i HAVE to get because NOA has brainwashed me to do so, ill end up like John-.-

StogiJanuary 29, 2012

You know you guys have the right to not buy mario games.

"Dude...McDonald's needs to chill out with the Big Mac. I'm getting sick of it."

*Blank stare*

Quote from: ThomasO

This actually wasn't news to me.

What's new is the release time frame.

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