Article by Toby Jones, Illustration by Madeline Queripel

When New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2 were announced at E3 a little while back, a few different discussions about them arose throughout the "internet". The most interesting of these was definitely over Phantom Leap, where the merits of Galaxy 2's apparent "me too" nature was analyzed. Some found the decision to make direct sequel as opposed to the usual full evolution normally seen in the franchise to be a misstep, while others were simply glad for more of a game they really liked. Overall a terrific discussion that's well worth checking out.

There is also another attitude I saw that I found to be much more troubling. In a few deep, dark corners of the internet there are some crazy people (possibly lepers) who somehow have the belief that they're no big deal at all, that there is such a thing as "just another" Mario game, as though his main platformers are now an old hat. This is a really bizarre thought process because we had to wait SIX YEARS between the last three Mario games. Here is an example, from James Mielke, about SMG2:

"Super Mario Galaxy 2. Yes it will most likely feature the same fine-tuned high-octane game mechanics as the first game, and a Mario game is as dependably excellent as a new Pixar movie. But whereas Pixar usually brings us a brand new tale every time, Nintendo seems content to think a new Mario game is all they need to do to move the needle forward"

Huh. But... and please, if I'm missing something here, let me know- when was the point in time we've experienced where the market was over-saturated with main Mario platformers? I can't think of a time in history where the general gaming population thought, "I wish Nintendo would stop pumping out those damn Mario platformers". We're not talking about Guitar Hero/Rock Band, Tony Hawk, Mega Man, or any other game series with assured annual updates here. I understand that the perceived sameness of these two newly-announced games may contribute to this notion, but I still can't understand it. Why would people be such saddlesores about a new installment in a series whose biggest disappointment (Sunshine) was still among the best examples of its genre at the time? Maybe it has less to do with the quality of the games themselves, and more to do with a change in the attitude toward them.

Mielke again, this time about NSMBWii:

"No one gave a shit about four-player Super Mario Bros. I dunno about you. But I really don't care any more about jumping and hitting brick platforms with my skull to elicit coins and mushrooms. I've grown up. I'm not a Toys R' Us Kid any more."

Well, speak for yourself. Admittedly, this is a bit of an extreme example. Many people who are apprehensive about these new games are big fans of the originals who just don't want to be disappointed by "more of the same". I find it to be somewhat telling, though... I suppose there are some people who were raised on Mario games like all of us, but for some reason no longer find them exciting (I will avoid addressing the insulting "Toys R' Us Kid" statement, which I find perverse).

To those people, I'm sorry for your loss. To the worried fans, please try and have faith in one of the only series where Nintendo has yet to truly let gamers down. There is a chance that SMG2 and NSMBWii will end up being uninspired retreads, but for now I'm just grateful to see new installments in my favorite game series so soon. Then, hopefully, they'll finally give us Pikmin 3.

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