It's an evolution of the 2D Mario games, not the 3D Mario games. It's played in a very similar way, and the feeling of it is extremely similar. As for a true successor of the Galaxy series, I don't think this one is it. They usually try something completely new to succeed the previous major 3D Mario games, and this game is basically a sequel to the 3DS game. 3D World is part of the Super Mario 3D ____ series, where it incorporates everything we love about 2D Mario platforming, but in three dimensions. The true "next-generation" of 3D Mario will probably not arrive until a few years from now.

I think people need to quit with the "this is the true next -gen 3D Mario game" because it's not. It shares waaaayyyy too much with 3D Land to be the "next" one. The title, the art style, the mechanics of playing, I'm sorry but if you refer to a game that's that similar to 3D Land as the "true next-gen 3D Mario" then I have some bad news for you....

I don't understand the belief that a combination of 2D and 3D Mario only benefits the design choices that come from the 2D series.

If this is the new face of 3D Mario, I'm pretty much done buying Mario games. They had something great going on the 3DS, but when this style jumped to Wii U they lost me. Worth a borrow/rent, but not a buy.

I just can't believe that this is their vision for 3D Mario. Got to be a placeholder. The graphics are lazy, and really just unimpressive. It looks like NSMB put in 3D. Minimal effort. Music is not orchestrated, and it just isn't anywhere near galaxy. Sure it looks like a relatively fun time, but if this is the future.....yikes.

I like the 3D Land/World branch over the 64 style mario. I don't think it is a placeholder at all - this shit is the real deal

Idk how you could say the graphics are lazy, tbh I don't see many ways Mario could look better than this.

This wont take over as 3D Mario, we will get our galaxy 3/Universe in a couple years imo. This game will be tons of fun, i see Super Mario 3D as a 2D platformer in awesome 3D environment. I mean both 3DS/WiiU titles have nothing in common with SMG expect being in 3D. They share everything a 2D Mario has.

1.Health (you lose power up, then get smaller) in 3D mario we have a health bar

2.Timer (only 2D marios hav this)

3.No revisits to same world

4. Not collecting Stars(like 3D marios) but instead collect 3 hidden coin stars/green stars in each course

There should be plenty more like it feels and plays like 2D mario! Lets just hope a 3D mario comes around 2015-2016! I'll be enjoying this SM3DW with family and friends.

Galaxy on Dolphin looks better than this. Really it's some of the laziest artwork I've seen. Retreads of 3D Land and NSMB at pretty every shown level.

What does that mean?

Well it looks like a good game and I enjoyed the 3ds game as much as any 'galaxy style' game or mario 64 (sunshine I'd rather forget)...so I don't care if it really is this gensintended 3d mario console game...

But I'm pretty sure a few months back Miyamoto did say (or at least heavily implied) they would work on a galaxy style game next...can't remember where but I remember quite a few people commenting on it at the time...unless Im crazy and imagined it... (Iwould be LESS surprised if this style of game went on to replace the 'NEW SUPER MARIO BROS' series, rather than the Galaxy/64 style of games, if it is successful enough. that would make more sense in a way)