Dear Nintendo: Enough Mario Already

Phil Stortzum of SuperPhillip Central writes, "The Wii U's November numbers according to the NPD were around 250,000. That is with a new 3D Mario game that just released, Super Mario 3D World. Now, one could argue that this was because the game wasn't a "true" 3D Mario like 64, Sunshine, or Galaxy. However, Super Mario 3D Land is the best selling 3D Mario anyway, so that argument falls short, as it does going off of the quality of World and it being a phenomenal game.

However, what Nintendo faces now is a system that is selling historically low, performing worse than SEGA's Dreamcast and much worse than the "failure" that was Nintendo's own GameCube (which at least the company turned a profit on, unlike the Wii U currently, which Nintendo takes a loss on with each system sold). While I've gone into the abundance of reasons why the Wii U was disastrously mismanaged, we can add another reason to the list-- there's just way too much Mario. He's not the system seller that Nintendo thought he was for the Wii U."

[lnvisibleMan]

Nintendo would be stupid not to continue to capitalise on the best selling franchise in video game history. With that being they should release new 1st party franchises to draw in new audience.

[Phil32]

We hope you looked at the article. I came up with the conclusion that I'd prefer to have Mario rest up a little before coming back. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that. Definitely agree about new franchises!

[LOL_WUT]

Agreed 3 Mario games in a 12 month lifespan is pushing it let Mario take a break. They should put all that focus on other ips ;)

[Kos-Mos]

Well kid, the heading is weak, actually really weak.

[UltimateMaster]

"That's not True! It had 2 Mario and 1 Luigi which played alike the first Mario."
As if it matters much.
BTW, Another Year of the Luigi coming next year.

[Beastforlifenoob]

Then why does everyone blame COD, using your argument they should bring out even MORE COD games.

[Shnazzyone]

As a Nintendo fan... even I admit. They need to give mario a break for a bit. Mario games used to be rare. Since NSMB it's been constant. They need to expand some of the great games in the backlogs for a bit. How about a 2d metroid done in hd? or a new starfox or f-zero.

[Are_The_MaDNess]

am i the only one that just want another Mario Galaxy or something like Mario 64?
the series still have a long way to go and alot of hearts to warm.
why stop when they are doing great every year?

[Ultimax]

I'm just gonna say this to Nintendo for these Illuminati references in all of their games
ENOUGH ILLUMINATI NINTENDO

[solid_snake3656]

Care to share them with us?

[mattomondo]

Any examples of Nintendo references you can point us to? I've always found that topic interesting.

[DA_SHREDDER]

the thing is, im tired of their visions of what mario is. Galaxies blows everything thats on the WiiU, Mario 64 is still the pinnacle in the series if you asked me, I wish they would bring back their old spirits like their nes, snes, and even gamecube games, and of course we all want next gen versions, just not the shovelware thats out now. The only thing I really see going for the WiiU is X.

[Reeze]

I've personally had more fun with the Wii U than I've ever had with any other console. It has really great games; you just need to play them. In all honesty, I find Super Mario 3D World to be much more fun than Galaxy- even in single player.

That's just my opinion, of course, but saying that 64 is the pinnacle is just holding on to nostalgia... Give the new games a change with an unbiased mind, and you'll realize that pretty much every 3D Mario game is unique and very fun.

[AJBACK2FRAG]

Super Mario 3d World is one of the most fun, beautiful games I've played in a long time. Wether it's sold well or not it's certainly not Nintendo's fault. 3d World exudes charm, innovation and good old fun! Excellent work guys you've created a masterpiece and have proved once again that video games can be art. Oh yeah and the music is great!!!!!!
I originally thought Super Mario 3d world could really use online multiplayer. After playing it I feel any lag would really hinder the experience. It does utilize the internet but in a really kind of interesting way. I can't wait for Mario Kart 8!

[mcstorm]

Have you played Mario 3d world? This is a great game and up there with Mario 64 n galaxy. I do think Mario need to look at some of the old ips though like star fox, fzero, metroid etc as well as bring in some new ips I also think Nintendo would be onto a winner by making a full console Pokemon game too.

[DrJones]

Of course Mario is a system seller.

[23478ueyur_938223]

I read your article and don't agree with a good portion of what you're saying. Please read on.

"Mario has turned into much more than an annualized series."

This depends on what you're speaking of. The character being overused is not the same as a series with annual release - this inherent logical flaw is this association with 'Mario the character' and what Mario is as a series. Sure, you could make the claim that Mario shows up in too many games, or there are too many Mario 'themed' games, if this bothers you.

But the Mario Bros "series" exists in two primary facets: New Super Mario Bros, and Super Mario (these being the 3D titles).

I will concede that NSMB could take a rest. It actually doesn't come out anywhere near as often as you make it sound, but all-in-all it lacks new ideas title for title.

The Super Mario series, however, is something you are undermining completely, and it would not be a good idea to put what is one of the only remaining 3D platformers on hiatus. Not only does it come out with around 3 years in between each title, but every title is incredibly innovative and game-changing. You can choose to not believe this, but it is clear that the Galaxy series was tied with GTA4/5 for the highest rated games of last generation, and also the winners of many GOTYs, and I guarantee you not every reviewer simply suffers from nostalgia. These are excellent platforming games, and they stand alone in their genre, unparalleled.

As for "spin off" games, Mario Kart and etc, those games are just Nintendo games like Smash is a Nintendo game. It borrow's Mario's namesake, so perhaps you're tired of this. But it's just Nintendo's racer, the same way Smash is their fighter. Similarly, many of those other games really have nothing to do with Mario - Luigi's Mansion? Really? It doesn't play like a Mario game and just happens to use a familiar character. Would you have considered Smash Brothers an "annual rehash" of the "Mario Series" were it called "Super Mario Smash Brothers"? Because that's fallacious at best.

I agree that Nintendo needs new IPs. Miyamoto is working on one at the moment, and I'm very excited about that. But putting a hold on one of your best selling franchises is just not a good idea.

Super Mario 3D World's sales aren't anywhere near as much of an issue as other problems surrounding the Wii U are. It will take *more* than just Mario to turn that around, we'll have to see what 2014 brings.

[InTheLab]

That's not what the author is saying and even if he was, you'd still be off.

Two Mario titles less than a year. That is ridiculous. It doesn't matter how fans have magically segregated the franchise. Those of us that have been playing since Atari no better.

As for the article, the author is saying Mario is overexposed and he's right. There should not be any more Mario titles at least for a year and they should cut way back on the spinoffs.

[Phil32]

Yes, there has been a mainline Mario game every year for a while now(Super Mario Galaxy 2 in 2010, Super Mario 3D Land in 2011, New Super Mario Bros. 2 AND U in 2012, and now Super Mario 3D World this year). Heck, was NSMBWii in 2009? That's just way too much!

[QuebecSuperstar]

I love the Mario franchise to death but yeah, for creativity and diversity's sakes, Nintendo needs to let Mario rest for a while, only to come back stronger. Imagine playing a new Mario game for the first time in 5 years! Nintendo would knock everybody on their ass.

[JohnnyTower]

Star Wars Rogue Squadron. Hell, I'll fund the kickstarter right now!

[skydragoonity]

Mario will be around for a long time

[blakstarz]

I think they rely too much on Mario, they need to come with something fresh, how many variations of Mario games are there!! What's next, Mario Eats Taco's Adventure?

I just looked at how many games Mario was in, holy crap!

LINK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[cyhm3112]

To be honest, Nintendo should just release a very powerful system three years down the road and grabs great third party exclusive games, along with the first party games they have, they will do great, no more gimmicks like Wii U.

[Klad]

Saying "Enough Mario Already" is like saying to Disney "Enough Micky Mouse already". Mario is the face of Nintendo!!! If Microsoft & Sony had an iconic money making character like Mario, i'm damn sure they would milk that too!!

[Beastforlifenoob]

SONY release many iconic characters, when someone asks for the face of gaming i think of sony characters (sackbocy, drake, etc etec)

[linkenski]

Yeah but we still all remember how awesome Crash Bandicoot is.

[ps4lifesucka]

dear media: "enough fake journalism"

[SaffronCurse]

I don't think it's Mario that's the problem. There just isn't an incentive for me personally to buy a Wii U. Lack of 3rd party support is a big one for me. Alot of devs could make use of the game pad; sadly most of them don't see a market for it.

[linkenski]

Consider that the second Disney decided to move on from Mickey Mouse they started hosting lame-ass sitcoms with actors who wear makeup like porn-actors.

I wouldn't wish for Nintendo to drop everything they were known for just yet, or anytime soon.

[Fringe_Agent13]

Let's not forget the fake crowds laughing at the corny jokes.

[thebudgetgamer]

That's like telling Porsche to stop selling 911s

[Ninjamonkey82]

May have been a few Mario game s off late but tell me where you will find other games you will play for longer and have more fun?. They are not broken they don't need a million patches to get working there not betas and they have what Nintendo have always promised quality.

I brought my wiiU for that and as long as they keep coming I'm happy. Hell I've had 3 mates round all us ion are thirties in buckets off tears playing Mario. Can't be said for any the games I've paid hand over fist for on PS4 so far. Are say that on PS3 are xbox.

Its about different experiences though and Nintendo just has that. Dreamcast had its own feel back in the day aswell and we are still at a loss without it. All the doom articles we see out there. Imagine a world without Nintendo.

Gaming would be a completely different landscape and a hell off alot less fun.

[Nodoze]

STAR FOX .... Make it happen Nintendo!

[GamersHeaven]

I agree :)

[Movieworld]

Aboslutely preposterous. New Super Mario Bros U and Mario 3D world were awesome games and great fun. If they'd have rested Mario they wouldn't exist and that would suck. The more Mario games the better cos they're consistently 9 or 10 out of 10

[Max-Zorin]

Mario is the Mickey Mouse of the industry. Good luck with telling Nintendo to give the character a break.

[lonelyplayer]

As a PlayStation fan who bought the ps4 on launch and all that... I must say I'm getting a wiiu soon just to play sm3dw.
I haven't played Mario games in a while thou.

[Samus HD]

There is no such thing as " too much Mario"

[Kos-Mos]

Enough "more articles, less depth" already.

[Phil32]

Enough calling people "kids" to try to talk down to who you're debating against. Did you learn that in the school of GameFAQs debating?

It would be nice if you said something with substance, but all you have to show me are one sentence "zings" that fail to amuse or even interest me. Please try harder, or if you aren't serious about debating (or actually reading the article instead of making a knee jerk reaction to the title), don't waste my time. Thanks.

Sorry, if that's harsh, but if more people would read before they made some lame one-liner (was that supposed to get a reaction from me other than pity for you?), then this site's comment sections would be so much more readable.

[Kos-Mos]

"fail to amuse or even interest me"

Got you there sonny!

My one-liner comment says everything about how bad the article is, that is, if you have an IQ above 50.

Sorry if the truth is harsh.

[Phil32]

So you still can't come up with an actual argument. I see. You sure you're not the one with the low IQ? I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if THAT was the truth... lol

[Kos-Mos]

Less is more in this case. You ask, and I answer.
You loose this round, I`m sorry that everything you say is debunked.

[otter26]

Booooo!

[iplay1up2]

Where is Shigeru Miyamoto's New IP he said he was working on A year ago?

[iplay1up2]

This link is the last one I could find with Miyamoto commenting on his new IP.....

http://www.gengame.net/2013...

[MasterCornholio]

As long as Nintendo is able to sell Mario I dont see any reason to get rid of him.

[for we are many]

If they somehow can keep the level of quality I just witnessed in SM3DW, then I say it's a Crime to tell them to stop making those games, except if you hate quality gaming masterpieces or, for one reason or another, just hate Nintendo.