So I hear people saying this isn't a "real" 3D Mario game, but I have no idea what they're talking about, so what specifically is it that doesn't make it a spiritual successor to Galaxy?  I think the game looks great and will be a lot of fun to play, I mean is it only because there's a flag at the end of a stage and not a star lol?  Anyway here's some pretty pics while you tell me:

freedom/exploration (meaning of real mario shifted after Mario64 was created)


It has a timer (useless just prevents you from exploring and does not really add difficulty. A second playthorugh can have a "hardcore"-timer but not the first one!) it is linear and lacks freedom

But its somewhat understandable  Nintendo is f*cking up all its franchises by making them more linear.   

Metroid Prime3 was the most linear one and had no connected world. 
Zelda Skyward Sword also lost the connected world/ exploration aspect because of the  "chose your level"-style world design.

its just because companies dont make games for gamers anymore but for mainstreamers  and mainstreamers can't handle exploration. Everything has to be fast and user friendly.... (foolproof)

P.S.
I will buy it because some Mario is better than no Mario  but I was really let down after I found out that the new WiiU Mario is basically a 3DS game.

It's a 2D/3D hybrid, and it's got an isometric camera angle. So, in comparison to 64, Sunshine, and the Galaxy games, it is more a cross between NSMB and 3D Land than it is a true 3D Mario game.

I think Super Mario 3D Land is more of a 3D Mario game and better than Mario 64, but my opinion on it is it could have been better. It's not as good as the NES and SNES games. Maybe no Mario game will be, but it was just too easy.

The reason I don't like 64 for those that are interested after seeing the above. I didn't like the whole return to the same stage multiple times to get a star then be warped all the way out. All the stages are small and warping you out every time you get one is a cheap was of artificially extending the game time.  I understand certain ones like race to the top or beat King Bobomb that they can't allow you to get those ones without going back, but the ones that don't have any special circumstance they could.

Haven't played Sunshine or either Galaxy so no opinion on those.

The lack of major leap forward.

Also you jump on flagpoles like in 2D games instead of collecting stars. It is a big deal since sometimes there were more than 1star hidden in a level, now it will only be a flagpole at the end of the level. + you are not collecting flagpoles, you reach them. I have all 242stars in Galaxy2.

Unplayable chaotic multiplayer.

A timer, I don't want to fell rushed in my 3D mario games.

Their is no life via coins. In all 3D mario games you colect coins to grab life backs, you usualy are allowed to be hit 3times before dying unless you collect coins. Now like the 2D games we are back to the old frustrating ''grab a mushroom you are big and have 2lifes, get hit and you are small with 1life'' mechanic.

People who complain dont understand this isnt a 3D Mario Game.

Its a 2D Mario Game but it renders in a 3D Enviroment. I mean SM3DL plays just like a 2D mario without being 2D. This isn't suppose to be the successor of Galaxies.

SM3DL+SM3DW= 2D Mario. Its there, timer/levels/etc!

I kno we all wanted a mario universe/galaxy 3 but we got another 2D mario but imo it'll be better NSMBU! Just like how SM3DL>>>NSMB2! Its Multiplayer and it looks like a Blast!

A True 3D Mario game will come, unfortunately not intill 2015-2017

it is an up port of a game meant to be short and portable.

after galaxy, I expected nothing else but excellence.

- gimped down gameplay from wiimote and nunchuk
- worse visual appeal. galaxy was much better in graphic style. And maybe polygon count too lol.

To be fair before the game was announced Nintendo promised a 3D mario game.  That is the main reason people thought this was supposed to be the successor of Galaxy.

Because it's a 2D Mario game in a 3D skin, and we hate 2D Mario for reasons. *shrug*

I think this is just another form of a 3D Mario.
I too would like another Mario 64 or Sunshine, but i have no doubts this will be as good as any other 3D Mario - or 2D Mario, btw.

I still think there´s a whole lot more than Nintendo is showing.