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Super Mario Coming To the 3DS

Posted by Soulskill on from the it's'a-me-in-three-dee dept.

RedEaredSlider writes with news that Nintendo is working on a Super Mario Bros. title for their 3DS handheld, bringing the classic franchise into the world of 3-D. The announcement came at the end of a lengthy conversation about the creation of the original Super Mario Bros. for the NES with four of the game's developers. They talk about various ideas that didn't make it into the game and show off some interesting conceptual drawings that evolved into one of the most recognizable games of all time.

83 comments

  1. Seriously... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Did anyone NOT see this coming? Maybe they'll have Zelda too!

    1. Re:Seriously... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh yes, they have Zelda as well.
      Same strategy as when the DS first came out; port old game that people loved with updates.
      So we had Mario 64x4 then, now it's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time!

      Creativity aplenty at Nintendo these days!

    2. Re:Seriously... by _KiTA_ · · Score: 2

      Did anyone NOT see this coming? Maybe they'll have Zelda too!

      Well, kinda obvious, but one of the major criticisms about the 3DS is that it doesn't have a Mario Launch title, so...

    3. Re:Seriously... by aliquis · · Score: 1

      Well, kinda obvious, but one of the major criticisms about the 3DS is that it doesn't have a Mario Launch title, so...

      Does it have ponies?

    4. Re:Seriously... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Isn't that a major criticism of every Nintendo console? ...Remember when Nintendo made new games and not remakes?

  2. 10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by assemblerex · · Score: 4, Funny

    I sure didn't see this coming!! Mario you say? Next you'll be telling me Zelda and Metroid will be appearing! Surely this is unprecedented!

    1. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by mvar · · Score: 1

      The gaming industry is turning into Hollywood very quickly. The end of originality?

    2. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by Ailure · · Score: 1

      The game industry always had sequelitis, nothing new. Look in the 80's and 90's you can see a quite few sequels to very popular games.

      Releasing a Metroid, Mario and Zelda game on each new Nintendo platform is more of a Nintendo tradition at this point. For both good and bad though, they aren't afraid to try something new while mixing in the old (Super Mario Galaxy comes in mind).

    3. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by starsky51 · · Score: 2

      Judging from the sales of Super Mario Bros. on Wii, this horse is far from dead.

      --
      There are 2 types of people in this world. Those who understand ternary and those who don't.
    4. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Next you'll be telling me Zelda and Metroid will be appearing!

      I work at Nintendo and am trying to figure out how this was leaked. We were told not to let anyone know that we were working on a Zelda and Metroid. At least nobody's leaked that we're also planning a Donkey Kong for the 3DS....

    5. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by mvar · · Score: 1

      I see your point but i was referring to the remakes not the sequels -- Hollywood has had movie sequels for decades. When you have already released a ton of games for a franchise, anything new you do seems more like a remake for the new platform rather than a sequel.

    6. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by Ailure · · Score: 1

      Game remakes are more faithful to the original than Hollywood is with it's movie remakes, usually just some bonus content and adaption for the device/handheld in question. In a way,a game remake is more like a directors cut of a movie with a couple of removed scenes added etc...

      Still, I do admit I remember being disappointed over SM64 DS being the launch game rather than a all new original Mario game (it was a good remake with a twist on the original gameplay, with trickier controls than the original).

    7. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It would be flogging a dead horse, if each Mario/Zelda/Metroid didn't bring something new to the table. Last year's Zelda Spirit Tracks was built on the same engine (and had basically the same gameplay) as Zelda Phantom Hourglass, but I found it to be highly enjoyable. The New Super Mario Bros was a hell of a lot of fun.

      As long as they keep turning out fun games, I don't care what IP they use.

    8. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nothing's original anymore, or did you miss the memo? It's all about presentation now. If you want "original," then you're going to be mighty disappointed for the rest of your life.

    9. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by noidentity · · Score: 1

      As long as they keep turning out fun games, I don't care what IP they use.

      Well, as long as it's IPv6. Wait, what were we talking about?

    10. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by Genrou · · Score: 1

      The game industry is in a point where remakes can add a lot to the fun factor. Square/Enix did a great job in the remakes of Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV. If they release a version of Final Fantasy VI and/or Final Fantasy VII for the 3DS, I will sleep on the line to buy one.

    11. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by aliquis · · Score: 1

      As long as it's good does it matter?

      Sure it may not be that fun to gain the same abilities in say Castlevania or Zelda again and again and again ...

      But atleast it's new maps, look at it as just more of the game / expansion if you want to =p

      Also Super mario has seen quite a lot of originality over the years. It's not like SMB is the same as SMB3 which is the same as SMB World which is the same as Mario64 which is the same as Mario Galaxy. Right?

      Platform games but quite different.

      And even if some of the weapons is the same in Zelda the puzzles and appearances of the games are different.

      So maybe more like saying "Oh no not Bruce Willis again!" even though the movies are different ..

    12. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

      If Metroid is confirmed then it would be a good thing if you ask me. That's the reason I never got a Nintendo 64: no Metroid.

    13. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by Belial6 · · Score: 0

      Pac-Man...Ms. Pac-Man...Supe Pac-Man, and even Baby Pac Man....

    14. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by DaVince21 · · Score: 1

      Square/Enix did a great job in the remakes of Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV.

      If you ask me, that's really up to opinion. Personally I hated especially what they did with III, even if they tried to take care to make it good neither game really is like the original.

      --
      I am not devoid of humor.
    15. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by Genrou · · Score: 1

      I agree that it is a matter of opinion. I just finished playing both versions of FFIV (Advance for the GameBoy and the remake for the DS) and the games are nearly identical. The DS version has a few additions that can be ignored if you don't want to deal with them, and while damages and powers have changed, I found both versions to be equally balanced. I had fun with both. While I couldn't play FFIII in paralel with the old version (I played it sometime ago, though), I thought that the DS version was fun, and a little stronger on the history side. Granted, the newer versions don't have the same impact that the older had -- they were new games at the time. So, this is an honest question, not flaming or trolling: why do you think they're bad games?

    16. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by DaVince21 · · Score: 1

      I don't really think the games are bad, just that I don't like them much. For several reasons, most of them arguably small, but they matter to me. And note that I couldn't get much further than about 3 hours into either of them.

      First off is the visual style. III's is fine, IV's makes me look up weird. I tried getting used to it but the tiny bodies are just... well, weird. I'm sure this has been a complaint with other people.

      Next up, very important, is the language. Everybody speaks as if they were in a Shakespeare play. They talk in written language, and worst of all, they even do this during parts that have voice acting. This really hurts the characters' credibility. I'm not sure if this keeps up with new characters later on in the games, but then again I only played them for so long. Plus, they made the same mistake in FF1/2 for GBA.

      Then comes the timing. I love how FFIII has this FFIX-style battle system, but it has a few flaws... most notably how excruciatingly long the battles take because of awkward pauses at the start and end of the battle and between each turn. It really doesn't flow well solely because of that, and it makes the experience more tedious in my opinion.

      Then there's the fact that I didn't like the characters or story progression in III. It felt awkward and unnatural, at least for the part that I played.

      And finally, nostalgia. I played and enjoyed FFIV a long time ago and so many "good old things" stuck in my head that are now gone or not done enough justice. I really miss Namingway, for example! :P

      I can definitely see that Square-Enix has been trying hard with these games, but they should have focused on making a few new games instead of a remake that I'm sure alienates at least a few other nostalgic fans. In contrast, the Chrono Trigger DS port is extremely good, and that's not a remake (just like FFV and FFVI for the GBA, which are also pretty good still).

      --
      I am not devoid of humor.
    17. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by Genrou · · Score: 1

      I can see your points, and I agree with some of them. Cecil's character really looks weird, but it gets a lot better when he turns into a paladin. The voice acting is horrible, I'd rather they remained silent. I agree that, if you can't get past the first three hours, you probably won't have fun playing the game. But, then again, these were not enough for me to put the game aside. I really liked to see characters in 3D, the remade cutscenes and scenarios. That's why I think I would like to see a remake of FFVI. Thanks for the nice chat, hope you have fun playing games (Square/Enix released recently an new old-school FF for the DS, 4 Warriors of Light. I couldn't play it yet, but I expect it to be good).

    18. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by DaVince21 · · Score: 1

      The feeling is mutual. Square-Enix still releases good games here and there (though it's become a bit more hit and miss), so I'll always be expecting something decent. Go have fun. :)

      --
      I am not devoid of humor.
    19. Re:10 INPUT "Flogging a dead horse: ", U$ by test_test_2345 · · Score: 1

      correct

  3. News! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    >news that Nintendo is working on a Super Mario Bros. title for their 3DS handheld,
    News, huh?

  4. 3DS gets Mario game. Also just in... by clickety6 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Breaking news: 3DS gets Mario game. Also just in... Pope found to be head of quite large religious group. Bears seen defecating in forested areas.

    --
    ----------------------------------- My Other Sig Is Hilarious -----------------------------------
    1. Re:3DS gets Mario game. Also just in... by Canazza · · Score: 1

      Bears found to be head of quite large religious group. Pope seen defecating in forested areas.

      fixed that for you

      --
      It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for being subtle.
    2. Re:3DS gets Mario game. Also just in... by aliquis · · Score: 1

      Bears found to be head of quite large religious group. Pope seen defecating in forested areas.

      That would be like a Sonic game on a Nintendo console.

    3. Re:3DS gets Mario game. Also just in... by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      Confirmed != presumed.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    4. Re:3DS gets Mario game. Also just in... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Holy shit!

  5. uhDUUUUHHHH by NoobixCube · · Score: 2

    Subject says it all really. Wow, Mario game on new Nintendo handheld? STOP THE FUCKING PRESSES!

    --
    Admit it. You post strawman arguments as AC so you get modded Insightful for refuting them, rather than Troll
    1. Re:uhDUUUUHHHH by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No kidding. What a fucking tired franchise. Get a new idea.

    2. Re:uhDUUUUHHHH by Canazza · · Score: 1

      I have one. We have a builder, called Aleksander, and his girlfriend has been kidnapped by a giant lizard who's hiding at the top of a very tall building, and is throwing barrels down at him.

      Alexi has to then build scaffolding in order to rescue her.

      --
      It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for being subtle.
  6. Everytime :) by Jimpqfly · · Score: 1

    Well, we could expect that: I don't think there is one Nintendo system on which there isn't a Super Mario game ;)

    1. Re:Everytime :) by frizzantik · · Score: 1

      The Virtual Boy didn't have a "proper" Mario platformer, though it had "Mario Clash" and "Mario Tennis". It had a Wario platform game though, which was probably the best game for the system. The game was primarily 2D as well and could have easily been a regular Game Boy game

    2. Re:Everytime :) by noidentity · · Score: 1

      It had a Wario platform game though, which was probably the best game for the system.

      Indeed, that's all I played on my VB until I sold it. Really slick game, albeit extremely tiring to play any length of time.

    3. Re:Everytime :) by frizzantik · · Score: 1

      Yeah it's impossible to get in a comfortable position to use the viewscreen and the 3D effects give me eye strain after a while.

    4. Re:Everytime :) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Personally I loved the Virtual Boy and played a good bit of Mario Clash and Metroid Pinball. The best way to play was laying on your back with it balanced on your face. It looked silly, but it was the most relaxing gaming I've ever had.

  7. Huh by ikkonoishi · · Score: 2

    bringing the classic franchise into the world of 3-D

    Err... Mario 64 did that a while back. Followed by several other titles.

    1. Re:Huh by SeaFox · · Score: 1

      Just wait till they make this announcement again when the HoloDS is released.

    2. Re:Huh by chrisG23 · · Score: 2

      The 3ds is a handheld console that does 3-dimensional displays (3-d like Avatar 3-D, or Tron 3-D) without the need for glasses. The mention of bringing mario to 3-d refers to bringing it to a console with a 3-dimensional display, not to having a game that takes place in a 3-d world/environment, like mario 64 and all the others.

    3. Re:Huh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What about Mario Clash? Everyone seems to forget about the Virtual Boy...

    4. Re:Huh by Bobfrankly1 · · Score: 1

      What about Mario Clash? Everyone seems to forget about the Virtual Boy...

      And despite our efforts to forget, some AC always has to remind us...

    5. Re:Huh by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      That wasn't a Mario game, it was a game with Mario in it. As I recall Mario Clash was more of a dodge ball sort of game.

      Wario Land is a better example of what you're trying to say. Even so, Mario != Wario.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    6. Re:Huh by humanifesto · · Score: 1

      In Super Mario Bros. 3, you could go behind the solid blocks by holding down while on a white one. By my calculation, that would be Mario being capable of moving in three dimensions: up-down, left right, and some motion (albeit very limited) in screen depth. That would make 1988 the first appearance of 3D motion in a Mario game. SMW also let you go on both sides of those metal grates. This is nothing new!

      --
      My account is a prime number.
      1337 is not a prime number.
  8. Iwata Asks by frizzantik · · Score: 3, Funny

    Iwata Asks is a great interview series for anyone who is a fan of old school Nintendo. I really love the talks with the developers and hearing how they came up with the ideas and the working conditions at the time. I taught myself assembly for 6502 so I could program the NES and after reading this series I know just how much easier to program NES games today than it was back then.

    1. Re:Iwata Asks by donscarletti · · Score: 1

      It's interesting interview in that it is conducted by Iwata san, interviewing the other guys and asking them all the questions, but it seems pretty clear that Iwata was pretty much the brains of the operation, gave the game its epic scale and knows much more than the other guys about what they did and why it was good. In my experience working in Asia, programmers will humor designers to quite surreal levels.

      --
      When Argumentum ad Hominem falls short, try Argumentum ad Matrem
  9. 3DS are smaller than the DSiXL by lmcgeoch · · Score: 1

    I was looking at the 3DS and was very surprised how it is smaller than a DSiXL. 3DS is the size of a DSi regular. The only new feature is that it has 3D without a glasses which in my mind means that it is blurry and you need to look at it carefully from one direction, maybe this is not the case but it is smaller than the current lastest greatest. I thought new models are supposed to be getting better not worst.

    Probably not going to run right out and get one of these.

    1. Re:3DS are smaller than the DSiXL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The DSi XL was not really marketed as the latest upgrade; I remember it being aimed at people with vision problems or who wanted onlookers to be able to see (e.g. in a family situation). The standard DSi and the DS Lite are both still in production. Given the low screen resolution I personally wouldn't want the screen size to be any bigger than it is on those models.

    2. Re:3DS are smaller than the DSiXL by tgibbs · · Score: 1

      3D sounds like a substantial improvement to me. I already have a pre-order in, as I expect them to sell out quickly. All of the reviews to date have said that the 3D effect works well. I'm not worried about having to watch from a fixed position, because that's how I hold a hand-held device anyway.

    3. Re:3DS are smaller than the DSiXL by Bobfrankly1 · · Score: 1

      I had a first gen Wii, and (I think) a first gen gamecube. Both had problems around the third year. My friend's first gen DS didn't last very long either. My DS lite still runs strong. Nintendo's 1st generation of a product last just long enough to make you forget the warranty. I'm gonna wait until they've made tweaks to the product, and until they have a game catalog worthy of spending the 250.

    4. Re:3DS are smaller than the DSiXL by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      The only new feature is that it has 3D without a glasses...

      Uh, no. It's a huge bump in graphical performance plus it has the iPhone'esque tilt controls. It also has the analog stick, which is pretty slick.

      ....which in my mind means that it is blurry and you need to look at it carefully from one direction....

      Sort of true. You're holding the console so you're already in charge of which direction you're holding it in. If you've been gaming for a while you've already been trained to do this back in the days of color LCDs not looking so hot from various angles not all that long ago. Stereo's not going to be for everybody, so you can just turn off the 3d mode and play the games in higher res.

      Probably not going to run right out and get one of these.

      You shouldn't. Yeah, I know, that's counter-intuitive to what I was just saying. But you're best off buying a game console when it already has stuff you want to play on it. There are people out there that keep treating these things like they're an investment and getting burned on them. If you're not sold, don't buy it.

      If you're curious, ask questions. It'll get you a lot farther than deciding your not interested and cooking up a list reasons why you won't like it.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    5. Re:3DS are smaller than the DSiXL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was looking at the 3DS and was very surprised how it is smaller than a DSiXL. 3DS is the size of a DSi regular. I thought new models are supposed to be getting better not worst.

      Ummm, yeah, because the MacBook Air is just so much worse than the 5-pound plastic white MacBook...

    6. Re:3DS are smaller than the DSiXL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why'd you think it would be the size the the DSi XL? I'm sure not everyone wants something that big, granted the extra size is nice when playing, but not so much when carrying it in your pocket. And of course there is always the option for them to do a 3DS XL when the platform starts to get established and the sales have started to die down.

  10. Bringing the franchise into the world of 3D? by flimflammer · · Score: 1

    So did this guy forget about Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and (technically) Super Mario Bros Wii?

    1. Re:Bringing the franchise into the world of 3D? by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      So did this guy forget about Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and (technically) Super Mario Bros Wii?

      How did you enable the stereo view on Super Mario 64?

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    2. Re:Bringing the franchise into the world of 3D? by metamatic · · Score: 1

      Well, if you're going to be pedantic, the original Super Mario Bros was in 3D, it's just that one of the dimensions was time...

      --
      GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
  11. Tiring by pokyo · · Score: 1

    I love Slashdot. The comments make comma inducing video game news tolerable.

    1. Re:Tiring by vodevil · · Score: 1

      The only comma inducing video game I can think of is Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. I'm also not sure that it's so much of a game.

    2. Re:Tiring by frizzantik · · Score: 1

      I think Mario Teaches Typing would be a better joke in this case ;)

  12. 3ds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wow I read that too fast the first time, I thought it said 3DO which took me back.

    1. Re:3ds by HelioWalton · · Score: 1

      Maybe we'll get a Shockwave remake while fresh games are coming to the 3DO!

  13. backwards compatable? by mcfatboy93 · · Score: 1

    Will i have to go and buy a 3DS or can i use it on my regular DSi. cuz i dont want to spend 200+ on a hand held system that i will only use for 1 game (and what ever Metroid/Zelda/other Nintendo classic here)

    --
    Its not my fault, someone put a wall in my way.
    1. Re:backwards compatable? by RogueyWon · · Score: 1

      Erm... no.

      Games developed for the 3DS will be designed to run on the 3DS's hardware, which, while still relatively low-powered, is substantially more powerful than the DS/DSi. In gaming terms, "backwards compatibility" generally refers to the ability of a newer console to run games that were designed for a previous generation (and the 3DS has this - it will run DS games).

      Of course, given that every Mario game since Mario 64 has basically been the same, you will probably be able to get away with just breaking out the Mario 64 DS cart and then pretending really hard that it's a new game. Same should work for Zelda.

    2. Re:backwards compatable? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You want to know if your DSi is going to support stereoscopic 3D games? Really?

    3. Re:backwards compatable? by braindrainbahrain · · Score: 1

      Nintendo is to be commended for doing a fantastic job on backwards compatibility across the Gameboy line. Just about every Gameboy game from the original Gameboy console would still run on the Gameboy Advance twenty years later (even if you needed a backup cartridge to get it into the newer console, cartridges which Nintendo frowns upon, to say the least). However, Nintendo has made it clear that the DS series are not Gameboys, and have made no commitments to backwards compatibility. So... simple answer: Not likely. If you want to play 3D games, get the 3DS. It may or may not play current DS games. The other simple answer: Bloody unlikely. I think you can be pretty sure that the DS will not be able to play 3DS games. I don't even expect there will be a non-3D mode for them to operate in an older DS.

    4. Re:backwards compatable? by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      You mean 'forwards' compatible, and no, the DS won't run 3DS games.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    5. Re:backwards compatable? by Tetsujin · · Score: 2

      Erm... no.

      Games developed for the 3DS will be designed to run on the 3DS's hardware, which, while still relatively low-powered, is substantially more powerful than the DS/DSi. In gaming terms, "backwards compatibility" generally refers to the ability of a newer console to run games that were designed for a previous generation (and the 3DS has this - it will run DS games).

      Actually, the 3DS game cartridges are being sold with an extra little plastic tab on them that prevents them from being slotted into a regular DS cartridge slot.

      So if you cut that tab off, you should be able to use the game with an older DS. :)

      --
      Bow-ties are cool.
    6. Re:backwards compatable? by RogueyWon · · Score: 1

      Which is a bit like saying that since both the PS2 and 360 have DVD drives, you should be able to put a PS2 game into a 360 and just run it.

      Check out the hardware specs for the 3DS; it's running on very different hardware to the original DS.

  14. Super Mario Bros. 2 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you must do a sequel, at least do it the Nintendo way. Do a sequel that takes a sharp turn from the original. It always puzzles me why some people seem down on the US SMB2, but like the Japan SMB2. The so called "Lost Levels" might be more challenging than the original, but it feels like it should be an add-on pack if it were released today, and not a full game. US SMB2 might have been "rip-off" of Doki Doki Panic, but it did and new gameplay mechanics that made it into pretty every other Mario game, like the ability to pick up objects and themed worlds.

    1. Re:Super Mario Bros. 2 by Tetsujin · · Score: 1

      If you must do a sequel, at least do it the Nintendo way. Do a sequel that takes a sharp turn from the original.

      You say this and then you immediately bring up SMB2... How odd. :)

      It always puzzles me why some people seem down on the US SMB2, but like the Japan SMB2. The so called "Lost Levels" might be more challenging than the original, but it feels like it should be an add-on pack if it were released today, and not a full game. US SMB2 might have been "rip-off" of Doki Doki Panic, but it did and new gameplay mechanics that made it into pretty every other Mario game, like the ability to pick up objects and themed worlds.

      I think it was a very fun game, actually. But the terminology is kind of awkward, that's the main thing.

      SMB2 (the original one) was a sequel in the truest sense of the word. One of the great things about it at this point is that lots of people are familiar with SMB and therefore know how the game works - but since most US players never played SMB2, they aren't familiar with the levels. It's like a chance to discover the old, familiar SMB all over again.

      I can really understand why they handled SMB2 the way they did in the US. They could have taken SMB2 and put it on a cartridge, but they didn't - and then SMB3 came out, and it was a huge success, and so obviously they needed to have a SMB2 to release in the USA... But consider how much NES games changed from 1985 to 1988. The games were becoming more extensive, more complete, more polished. In 1988 we'd already gotten two Mega Man games, Contra, Castlevania... It's hard to imagine, at that point, going back to a game from 1986 (or, rather, a game from 1985 with new levels and a few other changes)... At that point most NES players probably had SMB1, and had probably had their fill of it as well. Releasing SMB2 in the US at that point probably would have been a disaster.

      I do tend to think of SMB2 (the USA-released one) as "not the real SMB2" - but it's a great game in any case. The fact that they made it into a Mario game meant that it got a release in the US and that the release got attention... So, that's a good thing.

      --
      Bow-ties are cool.
  15. GBC games that ran on GB by tepples · · Score: 1

    You want to know if your DSi is going to support stereoscopic 3D games?

    Grandparent wanted to know if a DS or DSi would run 3DS games without stereoscopic effects, just as Super Game Boy games and early Game Boy Color games could run on Game Boy and Game Boy Pocket in black and white, and most iPhone 3GS/iPod touch 3 games can run on iPhone 3G/iPod touch 2 with some missing eye candy.

  16. In other news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Water found to be wet.

  17. Geez people... by Last_Available_Usern · · Score: 1

    Anyone who loves the franchise will be excited about this news and thus it's worth mentioning. Just because it's not unexpected doesn't mean it lacks relevance.

  18. just hope it has 2D game play by schlachter · · Score: 1

    the best marios were those with mostly 2D game play but 3D graphics

    --
    My God can beat up your God. Just kidding...don't take offense. I know there's no God.
  19. Not the first 3D version of Mario by chelberg · · Score: 1

    See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario's_Tennis

    "Mario's Tennis (, Mariozu Tenisu?) is a game for Nintendo's Virtual Boy video game console."

    The Virtual Boy video game console provided true 3D display for its games, although in monochrome. It did not require glasses either. It had two displays one for each eye, and you had to look through a neoprene coated eyepiece to see the displays. It didn't do very well, so is not well-known. It was one of the few flops for Nintendo.

  20. up button to jump?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    those guys had some crazy thoughts back then.

  21. wait for reviews by Aoet_325 · · Score: 1

    I'm guessing this game will cost $40-$60. That's a lot of money to risk on a hand held game. Not all Mario games have been gems.

  22. Commenters don't understand: Super Mario BROS. by traindirector · · Score: 1

    This is sort of a big deal, because Nintendo didn't release a Super Mario Bros. title for about 15 years (between Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros. for the DS). There are a lot of people who love Super Mario Bros. who really couldn't care less about the newest 3D Mario game or Mario spin-off series. And the gameplay of Super Mario Bros. is the reason most Mario fans started loving Mario.

    There's quite a difference between a new Mario title being announced (which is to be expected) and a new Super Mario Bros. title being announced (which Nintendo was reluctant to make because they were busy insisting on making only 3D Mario and spin-offs for 15 years, although they have probably reconsidered that after the rampant success of NSMB and NSMB Wii). This is a confirmation Nintendo is going to keep making games to please fans of the original Mario. Hopefully they do the same with Metroid after the atrocious Other M.

  23. Please dont have a jump-between-depths gimmick... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I hope this game is along the lines of the New Super Mario Bros. games (DS & Wii). I hope it does not use some sort of "jump-between-parralax depths" gimmick to shove the "OOOH Look! 3D" down our throats.

  24. Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That falls into the category of subject matter like "The sky is blue", or "Water is wet". I mean, all Nintendo does is create new platforms to flog old franchises on. Its a proven money maker and I don't see Nintendo changing that any time soon. So yes, I can save everyone having to read additional stupid headlines like"

    "Zelda comes to 3DS"
    "Metroid comes to 3DS"
    "Donkey Kong comes to 3DS"
    "[Insert crappy childish title] comes to 3DS"