As a platformer, Mario's Save the Princess Storyline works fine. No need for one to really pop. They sort of started adding more story to Sunshine and Galaxy and it didn't do anything to improve the game. Sunshine was ok, but Galaxy was amazing. And that is were Mario platformers always shine...in the gameplay.
But that isn't to say Mario doesn't have story. The Mario and Luigi games are brilliant and always full of funny and charming dialog and tales. They are great in story.
Paper Mario games have too a great story line and the games build on a pretty deep basis.
Then of course Mario RPG...which is just a classic.
Exactly. Platformers don't really need stories in fact I prefer my platforming to not have much in the way of a story, if anything it should be subliminal. Look at some of the best platformers of recent memory.. Outland, Splosion man/Ms Splosion Man, Rayman Origins, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Meatboy... none of those games have particularly deep storylines nor do they need them. Platformers are first and foremost about fun, imaginative gameplay and environments with pinpoint perfect controls.
If you want story with a Mario game look no further than any of the RPG Mario games. RPGs absolutely need to be story driven and Nintendo doesn't slouch with either the Paper Mario or M&L games' stories. Some of the most humorous dialogue and outlandish story elements in Mario's illustrious history have been from these series.
Short answer: No, it depends on the type of game you're playing and Mario games are traditionally light, jump in and play pieces of fun, I can't ever see a reason why the core Mario games at least would need a deep, absorbing storyline.
Mario meets a silver colored doppelganger from another time period who believes he is the "Iblis Trigger." In the midst of all of this, instead of Peach, he falls in love with a hedgehog princess.
You can see where I'm going with this. Intensifying the story doesn't always lead to good results. Another example of this is Kingdom Hearts' spinoff games.
That said the other side can technically work and there is a number of Mario RPG games (Paper Mario, Mario & Luigi) that prove it.
Yes, a better story would give the game more impact on the player. At very least the series could better writing, maybe give the characters in the platformers some personality.
Mario's original NES theme song had more of an impact than Bioshock's modern writing. I'd like to mention I love both games, but honestly, who would the average Joe have a greater chance of recognizing? The Mario theme or the story in Bioshock?
"...and then, Mario jumped the big mountain. The biggest one, with the red lava and flyng fire fish. And then, looked up and saw that his old best friend, were the one who have been putting the mushroom kingdom under the pressure of the sacred seven demons.
They were yoshi's abandoned color friends..."
No, I dont see why we would want a deep story in a mario game.
They should keep their main Mario games as they are now, and try a new series. One with a story and with new ideas and see whether or not people like it
Mario in terms of platforming gaming, no. I'm happy with just a simple plot, with awesome gameplay, like they've been doing. : )
The only time story would make a difference in the Mario universe is an RPG Mario like Paper Mario. Speaking of which, we're long overdue for a SMRPG port to a handheld system. Make it happen Nintendo!
Ah, but that's not what the op/ed is asking for, exactly:
"I don’t think anyone would be happy if Nintendo brought in some well-known writer to work on a sophisticated and complex plot involving parallel universes and a philosophical subtext of Man’s fight against religion.
"The story would obviously have to be kept light, humorous, and whimsical." =========================
The real question, IMO, is can you do that and keep the same sort of absurd/awesome level design?
People always complain how Nintendo just recycles their own IP's. Having a unique and fresh storyline for a game where consumers don't expect a good storyline might breath new life into the series.
But that isn't to say Mario doesn't have story. The Mario and Luigi games are brilliant and always full of funny and charming dialog and tales. They are great in story.
Paper Mario games have too a great story line and the games build on a pretty deep basis.
Then of course Mario RPG...which is just a classic.
If you want story with a Mario game look no further than any of the RPG Mario games. RPGs absolutely need to be story driven and Nintendo doesn't slouch with either the Paper Mario or M&L games' stories. Some of the most humorous dialogue and outlandish story elements in Mario's illustrious history have been from these series.
Mario meets a silver colored doppelganger from another time period who believes he is the "Iblis Trigger." In the midst of all of this, instead of Peach, he falls in love with a hedgehog princess.
You can see where I'm going with this. Intensifying the story doesn't always lead to good results. Another example of this is Kingdom Hearts' spinoff games.
That said the other side can technically work and there is a number of Mario RPG games (Paper Mario, Mario & Luigi) that prove it.
They were yoshi's abandoned color friends..."
No, I dont see why we would want a deep story in a mario game.
The only time story would make a difference in the Mario universe is an RPG Mario like Paper Mario. Speaking of which, we're long overdue for a SMRPG port to a handheld system. Make it happen Nintendo!
"I don’t think anyone would be happy if Nintendo brought in some well-known writer to work on a sophisticated and complex plot involving parallel universes and a philosophical subtext of Man’s fight against religion.
"The story would obviously have to be kept light, humorous, and whimsical."
=========================
The real question, IMO, is can you do that and keep the same sort of absurd/awesome level design?
Mario games do not need a better storyline because the simple story of saving the princess is part of the charm.
I don't know anyone that plays Mario games for the story.
The story is simple, the game is simple and yet complex and deep, please keep it that way.
It'll still work without it though.