After over 20 years as Nintendo's poster boy is it the end for Mario? In recent years I have noted a grand drop in both ingenuity and entertainment of the franchise. The most recent entree to the series was noted as abysmal so is the beloved plumber dieing? Personally I think so due to the fact that even the most beloved characters in video game history have either have died or is cast to the wayside and if nintendo doesn't clean up it's act the plumber should be forced into retirement.

Hopefully it'll end soon, but I doubt it.

Whether I think so or not:

I hope so.

I swear Im the only one who still enjoys Mario games... Galaxy was kickass.

Watch the ZP of Super Mario Galaxy and he sort of answers this question. On the other hand, Mario has got quite branched out, with lots of different spinoffs keeping it going. Still, I think Mario should be finished, and a new franchise should take his place.

Maybe they'll make a game in which you have to run around collecting coins to play the game, and then during the night you turn into a were-plumber with stretchy wrenches!

It's dying, all games die. Zelda isn't going all that strong either.

You know a game's dying when they have to make it 2d to innovate with it.

Is Mario done for? Hopefully.
It's been 20 years, and I'm pretty sure he deserves retirement. He made you a household name Nintendo, now bloody well do something with it.

No Mario isn't done for, as the best selling game franchise I doubt anything short of Nintendo's collapse will cause him to disappear. Good thing to in my opinion.

Mario may die... but then it's gonna be Luigi's turn to avenge him...

RAWKSTAR:
I swear Im the only one who still enjoys Mario games... Galaxy was kickass.

You're not alone. Stand firm. Galaxy rocked.

Considering that we are talking about video games which are toys I really think that Nintendo needs its mascot. Say what you will about Nintendo but they are the traditionalists and respect their past. I really cannot see a Nintendo without its Mario nor do I want to just know a company by its name. There has to be something to associate with especially if you are a kid and do not want to bother remembering the company's name.

Do really see a kid saying "I love microsoft" or "I love sony"? the child is most likely to say they love a mascot's name be it Mario, Master Chief, or Sackboy.

It will be a dark day if Nintendo buries the axe on old Mario and Luigi without creating a successor to the throne.

Grimm91:
After over 20 years as Nintendo's poster boy is it the end for Mario? In recent years I have noted a grand drop in both ingenuity and entertainment of the franchise. The most recent entree to the series was noted as abysmal so is the beloved plumber dieing? Personally I think so due to the fact that even the most beloved characters in video game history have either have died or is cast to the wayside and if nintendo doesn't clean up it's act the plumber should be forced into retirement.

Wait, what?

Fightgarr:
He makes too much money. He's not going down yet. When Mario stops selling, Nintendo will stop making. Plain and simple.

Exactly and I hope to god that nintendo does not get greedy and retires the franchise soon before the legacy that has been established is ruined.

Even though critics have given the game good reviews most of the hardcore Mario fans that I have spoken to and I have interviewed claim that it was in their opinion terrible due to the simple fact that Mario games have not differed in story or mechanic in the last 20 years.

urprobablyright:
It's dying, all games die. Zelda isn't going all that strong either.

You know a game's dying when they have to make it 2d to innovate with it.

Question; when was the last horrible or generally bad Zelda games that in some way diminished its popularity? They don't make more than two or three original Zelda games for each console and the only reason the DS has more than that is because it's been around longer. As the the 2d comment, do you realize how bad a 3d Zelda game on the DS would be?

Grimm91:
Even though critics have given the game good reviews most of the hardcore Mario fans that I have spoken to and I have interviewed claim that it was in their opinion terrible due to the simple fact that Mario games have not differed in story or mechanic in the last 20 years.

First off, I'm *way* more inclined to trust the culmination of 73 professional reviews than two of your buddies from high school. No offense.

Secondly, why don't you try playing it yourself and see what you think? It's crazy fun.

- J

They should just let him die in peace...

I don't think Mario is going anywhere for two reasons:

1. His games sell really well.

2. His games are really good. (I'm talking about core games, not spinoffs)

You really don't know much about Nintendo if you think they would retire such a huge cash cow on any sort of artistic principle.

Besides since after Jason went into space and his next film had him on screen with Freddy, you know the next logical step in the progression is a Mario/Zelda crossover.

That sound you just heard was millions of Nintendo fanboys losing bowel control at that very idea.

Jursa:
Mario may die... but then it's gonna be Luigi's turn to avenge him...

that would actually make quite a good game

None taken, but it shows how some fan feel and the fans make a franchise not the critics. I have played Galaxy and I just didn't like it.

Grimm91:
None taken, but it shows how some fan feel and the fans make a franchise not the critics

I would put forward that it's a safe bet that many video game critics were fans of the original Mario platformers.

I would also put forward that I've met no one who played the game who didn't say it wasn't clever and fun to play.

- J

black lincon:

urprobablyright:
It's dying, all games die. Zelda isn't going all that strong either.

You know a game's dying when they have to make it 2d to innovate with it.

Question; when was the last horrible or generally bad Zelda games that in some way diminished its popularity? They don't make more than two or three original Zelda games for each console and the only reason the DS has more than that is because it's been around longer. As the the 2d comment, do you realize how bad a 3d Zelda game on the DS would be?

"2d comment" = I was referring to paper mario

In my opinion zelda should have stuck with the wind waker look; much more attractive, looked better for longer, and was much more unique. Twilight Princess was fine but the graphics were just a lame attempt to attract some sony/xbox fans with something that compared to PS3 and 360 graphics. They failed at that.

All that said, i like zelda, and i hope they can revive it, hopefully with cell-shading

tiredinnuendo:
- J

Off topic maybe, but i want to congratulate you on the awesome avatar.

RAWKSTAR:
I swear Im the only one who still enjoys Mario games... Galaxy was kickass.

No I enjoy them too.

And I find it hard to swallow the notion that Galaxy was somehow not ingenious.

Grimm91:
Even though critics have given the game good reviews most of the hardcore Mario fans that I have spoken to and I have interviewed claim that it was in their opinion terrible due to the simple fact that Mario games have not differed in story or mechanic in the last 20 years.

So because you outgrow him, you want Mario to die?

Librarian Mike:
I don't think Mario is going anywhere for two reasons:

1. His games sell really well.

2. His games are really good. (I'm talking about core games, not spinoffs)

Frankly, I've thought some of the spinoffs were better than some of the regular games. I was always a fan of Mario Golf from the GameCube, and the Wii Strikers game was quite unique and fun to me.

Since I'm not into those hardcore sports games, these are the ones that do it for me.

Galaxy was decent in my opinion though, but yes, something new either IPwise or gameplaywise would be nice.

Mario is possibly one of the oldest and still going strong people in any form of media ( I realize some actors are old but that's hardly fair at 60 something there not still going to be jumping 20 ft in the air and stomping on head are they?) Mario has potential to be shoved under the bed for a few years and possibly be brought out again with a whole new attitude and gaming stlye (Zombie Apocalypse head jumping anyone?)

I do agree that most critics have been fans of Mario, but that's not to say that they have not moved on and put aside their childhood memories to do their job. I did not like galaxy that's not to say it was not cleaver just I got bored with the same basic formula that I've been playing for my whole life.

Mario shouldn't die but I want to see a Nintendo console without a Mario game then Mario can suck wherever he wants and I wouldn't care. Of course this will never happen.

Are you kidding? Mario is only in a slight slump, which he MAY or may not recover from. Sonic has sucked for the past DECADE and that fucking blue rat won't die

I love all mario games and a lot of people feel the same way....he'll never die out...

No but after a while enough is enough and I think hes simply slowly becoming the next Megaman

For all we know, he died long ago, and Nintendo made him a zombie and forced him to dance around anyway. Because that's what they do.