Why does New Super Mario Bros. 2 look so bland?

by **gojiguy** » 28 May 2012 18:35

The 'New" games are very bland. Remember how different Mario Bros 1-World were? Remember how unique each game was?

Then look at NSMBDS, Wii and 2. They are all the same damn game with small differences in gameplay/powerups.

It's getting stale fast.

by **Hinph** » 28 May 2012 18:36

It is very annoying that they put such little money and effort into a series that sells 25 million copies with each release... yes.

I am hoping that NSMB Mii has been expanded into a proper Super Mario Bros 5 with higher production values and new concepts.

The games are still brilliant fun, however...

by **Hiltz** » 28 May 2012 18:38

Nintendodude92 basically summed up my thoughts.

Why should we be impressed by these games that not only look asthetically bland, but are recycling assests from previous games that goign to be put on more capable, new hardware ? That's just lazy and the only excuse Nintendo will use is because now you'll be able to play New SMB with the 3D effect for the 3DS version and in 1080p for the apparently seperate Wii U title. It's not a good enough of a selling point. We want these games to have a whimsical charm to their visuals just like the older 2D Mario games and it shouldn't be too much to ask of Nintendo.

by **KooPako** » 28 May 2012 18:50

just new super mario bros 2? the whole nsmb series is very bland,
it plays, looks and feels like a cheap clone or kinda like a "soulless" ( made just for the money, nothing more ) version of the actual mario games
the only thing i like about those series is how the wii version has finally brought back the koopalings

but those games are so uninspired that i remember when the nsmb wii came out someone asked miyamoto why wasn't peach one of the selectable characters instead of two toads, and he just said they didn't even think of that possibility.
i find that very sad :/

also maybe it's just me but the backgrounds are too ugly and use colors too bland and neutral, maybe even too serious for a super mario game. and the music is just annoying, the nsmb theme song is horrible and forgetable.

by **AndrewSP** » 28 May 2012 19:02

I'd love to see the same amount of detail that goes into level design go into the art style, especially after playing Rayman Origins and Muramasa lately. The 2D Super Mario games shouldn't be using the same polygonial models they use in the 3D Mario games, they should be given a distinct 2D style.

I'd love for them to adapt the official 2D Mario art style into a modern game. The closest we got to that was Super Mario Bros. 3 and World. And while playing 3D Land, I was happy they used that style again in the artwork shown between worlds.

Sadly, they really haven't used anything but the 3D version of Mario ever since Super Mario 64 came out.

by **smurphyzeke** » 28 May 2012 19:13

I really wasn't blown away with NSMB. Though loved NSMBW.

by **ridleyscott** » 28 May 2012 19:35

Because Nintendo doesn't like making 2D mario games and refuses to make AAA 2D Mario titles. They just cheaply throw them together. They are trashing every series they have.

by **FatFace83** » 28 May 2012 19:37

New Super Mario Bros. (26.88 million)
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (26.26 million)

This is exactly why Nintendo will NOT change the tempo on 2D Mario, this is why I adore the 3D series better, it takes risks even if it doesn't sell as much and the creativeness is just amazing. New Super Mario bros just plays it too safe and it will become stale, but as long as it sells in those huge numbers little is going to change.

by **bunny-cow** » 28 May 2012 19:42

motherbra1n wrote:the new super mario series in general is bland.

This.

It sort of breaks my heart when Mario games with a lot of artistic effort like Galaxy only sell like a quarter of what a New Super Mario game can do.

by **BigLord** » 28 May 2012 19:43

Well, there is a logical explanation for all this... isn't NSMB2 supposed to be a downloadable title?

by **Mirr0rR3flection** » 28 May 2012 19:43

It looks so bland cause Nintendo is barely putting any effort into it and it shows, plain as day.

by **Triforce of the Gods** » 28 May 2012 19:49

BigLord wrote:Well, there is a logical explanation for all this... isn't NSMB2 supposed to be a downloadable title?

It's going to be a full retail title, it's just getting both a physical and digital release. Nintendo is aiming for this to be their standard practice.

by **Spiderkid** » 28 May 2012 19:59

They share an aesthetic style, but it's not like they re-use assets, at all. Really compare screens of all three games to notice; The platforms, the ground, the skies, everything is actually pretty different from each other and obviously redone from scratch for each game.

by **ridleyscott** » 28 May 2012 20:05

bunny-cow wrote:
motherbra1n wrote:the new super mario series in general is bland.

This.

It sort of breaks my heart when Mario games with a lot of artistic effort like Galaxy only sell like a quarter of what a New Super Mario game can do.

That is because Galaxy is not what most people consider a mario game. It is completely different in how you play it. People expect a Mario game to play like the original Super Mario Bros. - doesn't mean that it has to be the exact same game but they expect the same "feel" - it just isn't possible to pull-off in 3D. Also, 3D mario games have a hub-world which slows the game down.

by **ayanami85** » 28 May 2012 20:22

super mario world looks better than any game of the "new" series

by **ridleysaria** » 28 May 2012 20:23

This is why I'm so concerned about New Super Mario Bros Mii. Take two of the blandest things Nintendo has done in recent years (NSMB and Miis), mix them together and serve it up as a dry, flavorless plate of blah. I expect more from Nintendo. I hope they prove me wrong.

by **8bit101** » 28 May 2012 20:35

Yep NSMB2 looks bland and boring. Actually, I stopped playing Mario platformer games since the 'new' series came out. Doesn't look inspiring or unique.

by **NeroSuferoth** » 28 May 2012 20:40

Why does New Super Mario Bros. 2 look so bland? Because the former one was bland and the one after that also.

And that's just the look, don't get me started on the music *shudders*

And yes, silly RMC, if you played SMB2, SMB3, SMW, and Yoshi's Island you should expect more of 2D Mario titles.

by **Veneficus** » 28 May 2012 20:46

@Spiderkid

^ This.

The digs at the NSMB series have always struck me as shallow and unreasonable. Using the same art style (NOT the same assets) within a series is not laziness. Far from it. Hell, there are plenty of series that DO re-use assets out there (like the Galaxy series, for example) that don't get the heat that NSMB does -- not that I'm saying there's anything wrong with re-using assets with sequels!!

In the end, the games are all different and emphasize major qualities all their own. Why not enjoy those instead of complaining about a Mario game looking like a Mario game?

by **Yesmania** » 28 May 2012 20:48

Spiderkid wrote:They share an aesthetic style, but it's not like they re-use assets, at all. Really compare screens of all three games to notice; The platforms, the ground, the skies, everything is actually pretty different from each other and obviously redone from scratch for each game.

You can try to explain this till your face turns blue but the people complaining will never budge.

People that have been calling these games rehashes need to look up the definition of the word. You can't call something a rehash when the level design differs between each game. I don't remember New SMB DS having levels where you rode atop giant manta rays or a flurry of beetles. Sure as hell didn't have a level where you rode on a roller coaster made of bones.

by **bound_for_earthbound** » 28 May 2012 21:16

NSMB was fine, but lacking in the Power Ups.

NSMB Wii was Amazing. Better than the first. But it re-used all the level themes, most the music, and the Koopalings felt tacked on compared to the first games bosses. Also they advertised Yoshi too much for something that only shows up in a few levels and you don't even get to keep it.

Bland is too harsh a word in my book. But they are going overboard with re-using level backdrops... an aesthetic. And the Music was never really good... Also an aesthetic.

The Gameplay is still as good as ever.

by **Blue_Falcon** » 28 May 2012 21:22

Yesmania wrote:levels where you rode atop giant manta rays or a flurry of beetles. Sure as hell didn't have a level where you rode on a roller coaster made of bones.

Incidentally, neither did Super Mario World.

by **MoldyClay** » 28 May 2012 21:50

@BigLord

No. It's retail too.

It's like an Xbox 360's GAMES ON DEMAND.

Retail and Digital.

by **HylianHeroLOZ** » 28 May 2012 22:34

I think part of why many (myself included) find it somewhat bland is because like others have said it looks identical aesthetically and designwise. Even as far as level themes go they look the same, snow world, poison swamp, etc. And personally im not going to be satisfied till we get some completely new world themes or at least until we see a return of the worlds from super mario bros 2.

by **intro94** » 28 May 2012 22:46

Shaanyboi wrote:After Rayman Origins, seeing the same stale toy-like aesthetic is just f***ing boring now. Not only that, but there's VERY little to distinguish one NSMB from another aside from pixel density.

while i do appreciate the looks of Rayman, i think Mario is designed with a deep market study in mind, hence they know players will enjoy it. I dont think Mario graphics will get dense or detailed heavily, as they never where. One of the features is to keep things very very clear-Mutant muds also takes this approach-.You might disagree with me on this but rayman can get a bit confusing visually at points, and similar games also do, wich might slow gameplay. I think one of the core features of a mario game is to have simpler and crisp visuals, that lay the action and platforms in a solid way. Is great for new players and does not alienate old ones. Bland is different from familiar, and since mario is part of a coherent universe(somewhat) we have to expect similar lands. I do not find the new graphics bland, particularly on NSMB ,they did their part and on DS was quite good-it was also appropiate ,colorful and bright on Wii. I would appreciate another aproach, but i would disagree on finding the graphics "bland". A bit stale, but not bland.