Yes that is very true

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.

First of all, and I apologize for my rudeness, please edit (Spell-check, grammer-check, etc) what you write.

Anyway, what, you mean Galaxy? Galaxy wasn't abysmal. Galaxy was fun. At least, in my opinion (and the opinion of most people I've spoken to). Will Mario die? No, never. He makes to much money for Nintendo.

urprobablyright:

"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.

Um, the super paper Mario game isn't entirely 2d, and the two predecessors were entirely 3d, unless you forgot. I'll agree that the newest installment wasn't as good but it was a stab as inventive platforming, and while not working perfectly was relatively good for the first game I've seen do that.

As to the Zelda comment, the starkness of it was meant to reflect the bleakness of the world of that game, unless of course your talking about the beautiful portions of the game filled with color and happiness. I'm starting to wonder if you played either of the games you complain about.

Thanks for the grammar check and you do have a good point. I just wish that the series would evolve and become better. Not stay as the same story and mechanic for over 20 years.

black lincon:
I'm starting to wonder if you played either of the games you complain about.

*taps nose slyly*

Well, here in the UK, if you look at the multi-console charts at chart track this week:

http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p/software/uk/latest/index_test.jsp&ct=110015

Mario & Sonic Olympics at number 5
Mario Kart Wii at 8 (was 4th last week)
Mario Kart DS at 39

In the Wii charts...
Mario Galexy at 17
Smash Bros Brawl 15
Mario Party 8 at 24

And baring in mind these games have been out for ages, some even years. They're certainly selling well. It also helps that Nintendo make sure their games never go down in RRP. Even if you try to buy Mario Kart DS brand new now, it goes for about £34.99, and second hand around £29.99.

But as I expressed in another thread recently, I wish the franchise does just die in the near future. I'm doing my bit by no longer buying Nintendo products.

Phew, what is up with the Mario-bashing??

The Mario games aren't that bad. They aren't stagnant either, as some are saying.. The whole "random" gravity thing was quite inventive (although the cameraman still should be keelhauled). A lot of people just dislikes it since it's mainstream.. It would be far down on my personal favorites list, but not as much that it advocates to kill the franchise.. A lot of people seem to think that just because a franchise has gone on to long, and that the latest installment wasn't the very best game ever, should be put to sleep (ZP had some of this mentality in his Nintendo-bashing episode (Zelda? Mario? I forget..))

Consider the CEO (or whatever) of Coca-Cola Inc. making this statement:
"We have decided to discontinue the Coca-Cola soft drink. We know a lot of people regulary buys this product, and that it is well liked among a lot of target groups, and that this is the largest source of income to the corporation, and a pillar of who we are, however we believe the product has become stagnant. In addition, there are some fancy wine-connoisseurs that feel the product is low-class."

Yeah, not gonna happen.
There is a long way from best game ever, to bad. The Mario games are not bad, they may not be what I/You/Anyone, like best, but as long as they aren't outright bad, Nintendo has my endorsment to continue to make them. (And I'm sure they value that..)

I'm not sure whats wrong with Mario, I really enjoyed Galaxy sure it didn't blow the Mario formula apart but why would it need to? Sonic is proof that taking a classic loved formula that works and attempting to update it is not always a good idea. Games companies are sometimes put in a vice, they try innovation and people complain its gimmicky or doesn't work and betrays all that was liked about what it used to be where if they stick with a formula that people like and that works people complain its too samey and that they want to see innovation. If Mario started being innovative and changed the gameplay there would be a thread called "Is Mario Done For?" and people on it would talk about how they hated Mario's new game as Nintendo destroyed the classic formula and took away everything that made Mario great.

Sorry if my forum has offended you

If you mean me, no offence taken, I've just seen all too often a francise will be accused of not changing then people will then moan the changes don't work. Its just like how Sonic was great until they started adding gimmicks like Werehogs and Guns in a quest for innovation, the formula worked well when it was just running fast though levels of bad guys and across jumps and hoops. I'd prefer them to keep Mario more or less how it is (cutting down on the amount of spinoffs his in) but also work on more new franchises (The last new Nintendo innovative franchise I recall was Pikmin unless you count the Wii-Games line sports,music etc)

The Mario franchise seems stale to a lot of veteran gamers, it's true. However, the Wii is pulling in an unprecedented number of new gamers, and many of them have never played a Mario game before. Nintendo have to keep making Mario games to get these new gamers addicted, as well as pleasing die-hard fans of the series. As long as Nintendo continue to draw in new gamers, I see no reason for them to stop making these games.

Oh, and SMG was awesome ^_^

most of the hardcore Mario fans that I have spoken to and I have interviewed claim that it was in their opinion terrible

Yeah, red light there; no one who would talk about Nintendo and claim to be hardcore, especially in that combination, should be credible to be spoken to. I could hardly tolerate seeing a "hardcore" Zelda or Smash Bros. fan bitching about how they weren't as good as they used to be every time, let alone imagine a "hardcore" Mario fan.

darrinwright:

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

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

We need jackets!!

If he doesn't stop kicking soon, i'll be forced to take actions into my own hands.

Like all good selling franchises there is no reason to end something if it makes money and is still quite popular. This can be applied to games, books, movies, ect.. it doesn't matter. If it continues to draw new players in and entertain many there is no reason why it should end. The veteran players are simply being selfish the way i see it, just because it seems old and stale for them. They overlook the fact that in this industry you must draw in new players of all ages and of the sort. Yes some franchises should end before they over due it but others are simply too versatile that they can keep making more. Once something stops making money THEN there is no reason to continue it unless you practically reinvent it. I am really getting sick of people complaining about long and well established franchises just because they "grew out of them" while others still enjoy and it continues to bring in to fans.

He's dead on the inside. As long as he is profitable, though, they will continue to use the combination of plastic surgery, wigs, prosthetic bones and hackneyed material to keep him going. I actually heard they carved his tear ducts out so he can't cry anymore at night.

I personally think Mario is great, but as a mascot. As a platformer he should be retired and they should find someone new and just as lovable.
I doubt that he will retired anytime soon though

he`ll die when people stop buying his games so, he probably wont

Hopefully not. I love Mario

I just thought about this. Mario was one of the biggest hits in gaming history. EVER. I understand that the franchise is going down hill... I just realized this depresses me horribly. I will be really upset if my kids won't even know who Mario is.

Wow. I hope that day will never come. I agree totally that the newer games haven't been prime, or even remotely good. But I think he'll come out of that funk, he always does.

Ranooth:

darrinwright:

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

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

We need jackets!!

Hear here. And I'm willing to bet that half of the people in this thread who are clamoring for Mario's demise have never actually played Galaxy.

There is one of two solutions to this (possibly non-existant) problem.

First, a Mario/other Nintendo series (probably Zelda) crossover, Brawl notwithstanding.

Second, make the ULTIMATE Mario game, combining elements from every TRUE (read: non-spinoff) game Mario was involved in.

Imagine: Mario alongside Geno, Mallow, Goombella, the Pixls, and Luigi as they battle the nefarious evil eminating from the dark world that was Smithy's home world, as they are aided by Princess Peach, Yoshi, Rosalina, and Prof. E. Gadd and impeded by Bowser, Bowser Jr., Birdo, Wart, and the X-Nauts.

There should be platforming elements from the original games (SMB2 included), RPG elements from Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario, and 3D platforming from Super Mario 64 and SM Galaxy.

If that wouldn't have any Mario fans frothing at the mouth, nothing would.

Grimm91:
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?

Surely you aren't referring to Super Mario Galaxy.

Second, make the ULTIMATE Mario game, combining elements from every TRUE (read: non-spinoff) game Mario was involved in.

With the exception of Yoshi (rather, a better executed flying ability overall), wouldn't Mario Galaxy fit this very closely?

Has linear point A-to-B galaxies like the 2-D games, some more open world areas ala Mario 64/Sunshine, varieties of powerups (including the introduction to Fire Flower and Invincibility Star), and many enemies and objects that references every other Mario game (Airships, Dry Bones, Cataquacks, whatever you spell those stupid ducks).

I don't know about other people who have played it, but it just SCREAMED fanservice every turn and gravity pull you go.

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

Mario will always have fans. Even if the franchise goes on for 20 more years and every release is a giant ball of crap, there will be a devout following. I truly believe Mario is the one franchise that will never die. Just hope Miyamoto doesn't realize this and go the EA route and push them out year after year for the sake of making money. We'll see how many more releases he can go before just re-treading old ground.

I haven't care about the franchise since Mario64, the last truly great title (IMO). Not that the rest are bad games, I just don't care any more.

Grimm91:
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.

I have no Love for Galaxy either, but that opinion is unusual (using the game's critical and consumer appeal as indicated by set scores and unit sales to objectively measure). Just because you didn't find any great appeal in galaxy does not mean that Mario games over the years have been losing steam. Compare Mario titles to the Sonic franchise.

Also given that the Mario Line is a key mascot for Nintendo and that you find Mario in hugely successful puzzle, party, and sport titles (Mario Golf, Mario Strikers, Mario Party, etc.) So, no, Mario is not done for, and constantly accusing enjoyment of the franchise on warped "fan" perspective doesn't make you sound like you are making that intelligent an assessment of it all.

I will agree with many other posters who have made this observation, there are a lot of these "when is X going to end?" threads, I'm betting it is corresponding to ZP observations on Sonic.

eyes == roll.

I was never a massive fan of Mario when I was a kid but I absolutely adore Galaxy and it obviously isn't blind nostalgia making me say that. I can see it becoming my favourite game of all time. My only concern is where can they take the franchise now? I'm sure Nintendo has some sort of trick up its sleeve.

xitel:
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!

I was going to contribute something, but then I read this and I giggled the thought right out of my head.

Mario is relevant today as long as he still retains some elements of originality.

Super Mario Galaxy was an unbelievably good game. It is probably the only platformer to have evolved the genre since Super Mario 64 and for that we should thank Miyamoto. Very few franchises, if any, have tried to be as original this decade and successfully pulled it of.

If Miyamoto can use his genius to make another brilliant and original Mario, then more power to him and Nintendo. Otherwise, may he rest in peace.

Mario is amazing and still is amazing, and I don't think that anyone who has actually played the recent main franchise games will disagree. That game proved that there is still new ground to cover in the platform genre (not that there was any doubt, but nobody was willing to take a risk on it with the recent DarkNGritty garbage that's selling so well), and it also sold a damn huge number of copies as well. After all these years, Mario is still one of the best places to look for good game design.

However, I could definitely do without the spin-offs, fun as they are, and I think that's what most people object to.

Onmi:
Uhhh Ratchet and Clank?

You think that's a platform game? Seriously? Everything I've played has been "run around a flat plane shooting a bunch of dreary, repetitive enemies with generic weaponry that automatically attaches to everything in the vicinity, thus removing any skill from gameplay whatsoever.

Or maybe that was Jak. Either way, things have not been looking good for original platform games recently.

in this generation of fratboys, Yes. Mario is starting to become a dead goose with ribbons and googly eyes. Kids in my school and even in my old school think Mario is shit. I on the other hand had enough balls to come out and say, "Fuck Halo 3. Super Mario Galaxy is THE Game of the Year for 2007" People looked at me like i was a lunatic. And yes, that was possibly the dirtiest most treasonous thing I said to anyone in recent memory.