Shadowlink said:

So we have two games across a period of six years and no new game for the last three. If under these circumstances he (or you) are 'sick' of the series, then there's something much deeper at play here, and nothing to do with the number of games being released.

You're right, it doesn't have anything to do with the number of games being released. It's the originality of those games. If NSMB2 feels exactly like NSMB1, couldn't you see how someone might not want to play it? They already played NSMB1; they got their fix. If they want more, go ahead, pick up NSMB2.

It's the level pack discussion all over again. Except this time, we're getting four games with the same art style and concept instead of two. Granted, NSMBW was a big step up from NSMB, and I'm sure the NSMBU will be great as well. I just don't see what's so crazy about someone being a little burnt out on the New Super Mario Bros. idea.

I hate to be "that guy" who comes into a game's discussion thread and hates on it, but I also don't think trying to change someone's opinion on a game by citing release dates is worth anyone's time either.

So, as a level pack, how is everyone enjoying the game? Normally I'd rent it, but what if the DLC turns out to be amazing and completely revamps Coin Rush mode? I would totally want to own that game! I'd play it forever! (I'm not holding my breath.)

@rebonack Honestly I think it comes down to Nintendo's recent Mario games look and sound way too similar. It's probably true that say... Uncharted games all look and sound pretty similar, but I'd also imagine that they at least have new environments and new songs and stuff in each game. Mario is just rehashing assets hardcore right now.

Besides, Nintendo never used to do this. I mean to say, a part of why Nintendo was actually better than the competition (in my eyes) is precisely because they didn't whore out their franchises. Sometimes the wait for a new Mario or whatever could get unbearable, but then it came and was well worth it except for maybe Sunshine, but even that at least was unique at the time. I haven't actually played NSMB 2 yet but it sort of sounds like the least "must play" Mario since I dunno... Super Mario Land. And I'm not sure if that counts, since a lot of handheld games were sort of halfassed back then.

Yeah I don't think people's fatigue for the game has anything to do with the amount of games, but more the fact that the game is so samey. Coins or no coins, NSMB2 reuses a lot of art assets, sound effects, and music compositions directly from NSMBW. If this game had a different art style, new music, new looking environments, etc, I don't think people would be complaining nearly as much.

For me, the game looks like a lot of fun, but I have to admit that its sameyness just moves it down the list of "gotta have it." When 3D Land came out, I felt compelled to actually get a 3DS. I'm not saying I expect that kind of monumental change every time a Mario game comes out, but I need to feel a little more reassured that the game I'm paying $40 for feels like it's worth $40. For now, I don't feel like NSMB2 is. Still looks like a hell of a lot of fun though. I mean, it IS Mario after all. There's a reason the game is so similar to its predecessors.

Shadowlink said:

@GelatinousEncore

Dude there's been like...two. (well three now.)

(also responding to @GameDadGrant)

I know, but here's the thing. First off I wasn't the biggest fan back in 2005, but I enjoyed it then. I enjoyed it a bit less on the Wii, but still enjoyed it. But after that I was done. Especially now with so many amazing modern 2D platformers, I dont care much for old school Mario. It's very fun to play, it's just not wowing me. As I type this I realize how IGN-y I'm sounding, but it's the truth. I don't wanna play anymore 2D Mario games unless they feel different. It's not the gameplay that turns me off, it's the feel. It feels so... familiar, un-daring and a bit lifeless. Tight controls and precise jumps are not doing it for me, I want more.

I swear to God I'm not trolling. The games are good. It's just I've had enough.

Well you probably expected the answer you got, then. Skip the game.

I'm really enjoying the game, but I won't lie: When the title music started up it actually turned my stomach.

I agree that different-looking tiles and some new music would have made this one shine brighter.
I'd also prefer different-looking maps and level themes, but that's secondary to the music and tiles. Especially the music.

The thing about Uncharted is that you get an entirely new story, completely new interactions with the characters, brand new environments, etc. NSMB2 has the Koopalings riding the Clown Car and gold flowers.

Even the final battle is very similar. It starts off EXACTLY the same on the bridge, then Bowser grows huge. The gameplay is a little different, but you beat him in exactly the same way. When I beat him and he went "HUH?!" and looked around, I rolled my eyes. This EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO YOU LAST TIME!

It is weird to have the Koopalings in the game and no Boswer Jr. though. I prefer all eight together, but if I have to choose, the Koopalings win by far.

TriforceBun said:

Right now, my best for Mushroom Cup is 9,552 coins.

VofEscaflowne said:

Tried the coin rush mode a few times and got 8462 coins in the Mushroom pack

Whoa whoa whoa you guys. You guys. Hang on.

COIN RUSH MODE.

Are you sure you're doing Coin Rush? It's a separate mode from the main game. We're trying to see who can get the most coins with random levels being chosen BY THE COMPUTER.

The number we're looking for is how many coins you've collected in that, not the amount of coins you've collected across the ENTIRE GAME.

I'd absolutely love it if they revamped the art style and had some new musical compositions, but I dunno, I'm still happy we're getting 2D Mario at all. If my choices are NSMB or nothing, I'd take NSMB in a heartbeat (fortunately, it's not NSMB or nothing; we still got two Galaxy games and 3D Land). Besides, in Mario, level design is king. I can't imagine that changing up the art style would make the games that much more fun. Great level design is still great, and poor level design is still poor. Is NSMB everything it could be? Nope. But is it a solid set of games that are really enjoyable to play? Absolutely (in my opinion, anyway).

As for Uncharted, I did find myself burnt out on the series by the time Uncharted 3 came out (and especially Golden Abyss). I enjoyed Uncharted 3, but I felt it was trying too hard to recreate the beats of Uncharted 2 (but kicked up a notch). I thought that was what I wanted, but while I liked it, it definitely didn't hook me the way Uncharted 2 did. While Uncharted 2 was something special, Uncharted 3 felt very by-the-numbers. I suppose NSMB is pretty by the numbers as well, especially in its presentation, but as long as the level designs are solid, I think I'll enjoy it, just like I enjoyed NSMB and NSMBWii. (And don't get me started on Uncharted: Golden Abyss; that game was just lousy.)

I enjoy NSMB for what it is, but some people are less apt to overlook the series' flaws, just as I was less apt to overlook the flaws of the more recent Uncharted games. Diff'rent strokes.

@GameDadGrant

lol .

Don't feel bad, my high score is only 3010. (I know I can improve on that but I still haven't quite nailed the timing for the triple jump.)

@GameDadGrant

It's possible to amass that many coins. I got 4,654 on the Mushroom Pack last night, and I missed the tops of one of the flagpoles. My score would have been close to TBun's if I would have hit both flagpoles correctly.

ARRRGH!

I had over 4200 coins in my last level of the mushroom pack when I got squished by floating blocks. BLARRRRGH!

Coin rush is evil.

Double post! YAY!

My new high score is 7812 on the mushroom pack. I can do better, I can do better....

I kinda wish you could coin rush individual levels at will, even if only for practice purposes.

@Shadowlink
I definitely agree with that. I just played Mushroom Pack again and the first level gained me 1.5x the coins I got from my previous run. Luck of the draw indeed.

Regardless, it's a tonne of fun and the big redeemer for this game.

@rebonack
Uncharted and Mario are apples and oranges, I have no idea what point you're trying to make with that one. Besides the story and the scenario changes dramatically from game to game with Uncharted, no one can accuse Naughty Dog of recycling content, all their games have all new levels and music and characters etc.

Now recycling gameplay mechanics... yeah Naughty Dog does that for sure, it's the same easy platforming, simple puzzles, and cover-based 3rd person shooting in every game, but honestly no one loves Uncharted for it's gameplay, it's all about the story and characters and the simple spectacle of it all.

Also people did complain about Uncharted 3 being more of the same, I heard that a lot on podcasts etc. It was still a great game and a lot of people played it, but even huge Sony fanboy's like Greg Miller said that the formula was getting tired and that they should give it a rest for a while. Obviously even the creators felt that way because they've moved on to doing The Last of Us.

I honestly don't feel like Mario is being held to unfair standards, I think any major series that released several games back to back that were all this incredibly similar would get criticized. And the thing is, almost everyone thinks NSMB2 is a great game and a lot of fun despite maybe having some criticisms concerning it's similarity to NSMB and NSMB Wii. Maybe Jim Sterling is freaking out and being a sensationalist bitch, but that's just the way he always is.

Mushroom Pack: 11,740 ... I can't format the OP properly right now because my laptop's enter button is stuck. If someone wants to update it go ahead, otherwise it will be tomorrow.

deathly_hallows said:

but honestly no one loves Uncharted for it's gameplay

I don't think that is true at all. I'd have never gotten into the series if it didn't have interesting gameplay.

@Zero Yeah I like its mobile take on cover-based shooting. Some pretty great shootouts in Uncharted 2.

@Shadowlink

I wasn't joking, I was serious! Are these guys actually getting that many coins? IN COIN RUSH MODE?!?

HOW. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE.
anon_mastermind said:

Mushroom Pack: 11,740 ... I can't format the OP properly right now because my laptop's enter button is stuck. If someone wants to update it go ahead, otherwise it will be tomorrow.

WHAT! Ridiculous. How is this happening?!? What sorcery is this? What stages are you getting? Over 10,000 coins? Really? REALLY?

@Zero
I don't mean to say the gameplay in Uncharted is bad, I just mean it's not it's standout feature, without the story and presentation it would be just an competent shooter in a world of shooters and it wouldn't be nearly as popular or praised.