I don't really see a problem with making Samus a more vulnerable character. It is not a betrayal to the original vision. The original vision was that of a VERY simplistic 2D platformer. The medium today is much more capable, and this is why a greater level of emotions can be displayed on screen. This sort of stuff was not at all possible on the original format.

Also, comparing it to CDi Zelda; that's complete BS. The CDi Zelda games were broken by terrible gameplay elements that prevented the user from actually finishing the game without MUCH frustration; kind of like certain 2D marvel games (Fantastic 4 anyone?); and the CDi Zelda's were full of bugs and low production value. Metroid M looks like it has very nice production, and I haven't heard anything broken in the gameplay that prevents the user from actually finishing the game, or anything like that. 

If there's anything that would keep me from buying this game, it would be because it is a Metroid game. I played the first three (NES, GB, SNES) and Prime, and didn't like any of them; the idea of wandering around empty caves/ruins and shooting monsters for the entire game just does NOT appeal to me at all - I prefer RPGs where there are things to do and people to talk to, and the light of day (strangely, I love the original Castlevania trilogy: Castlevania, Dracula's Curse, and Super Castlevania). I do think that adding a story and character depth is something that would actually get me interested in the game.

Metroid: Other M takes place between Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion. Samus has defeated Ridley 2 times, 4 if we include the Prime games, and has arguably faced worse things than Ridley. Showing her being scared of Ridley now doesn't make sense.

This may be a ridiculously stupid question being that the only Metroid games I have played are the original and Super Metroid. But is it possible she was always scared of Ridley, and other similar boss monsters? Maybe the game as constructed couldnt properly show this emotion, so they didnt. Doesnt mean she wasnt scared, or any of these other emotions she seems to display in this game.

The problem people seem to have with Other M is that prior to this game, Samus was whatever we thought she was. For most, it was a kick ass female with a sick power suit and enough of an arsenal to save the planet. A few times. No one IMO perceived her as a whiny brat who deferred to anyone, or a bounty hunter with fear in her heart. So to see her portrayed as such just destroys the image most had for her. That's my theory anyway, and I have seen a few others share the same sentiment.

Good lord this guy doesn't shut up, I used to enjoy his sales articles, now he's a whiny jackass with entitlement problems.  "companies don't make games I want to play" arrogant much?  get a different hobby jackass.

She has defeated Ridley at least 2 times before Other M, what reason could be for her to be scared of him now?

It's his website he can post whatever he wants on it. And it's more "companies don't make the games the grand majority of people want to play".

No he literally said that before he talked about starcraft... 

"As a note, I will not be around for a while. This website is fueled by my ‘game time’. Since people do not make games I want to play, that game time turns into ‘website time’."

pure arrogance

and yes he can post whatever he wants, I could care less.  That doesn't mean that I don't want to scrape my eyes out after I read his miserable crap, and folks applaud it like he's some sort of gaming messiah.  I also have the right to complain about crap I read, that's the way forums work.  I should probably just ignore it, but I was once interested in his "blue ocean" articles before he decided to write "why current game X is worse than old game Y, and why I will write a 73 page rant about it."  He has also began to use ridicvulous strawman arguments like the Zelda CD-i one for Metroid, arguments that make him look like a total D-Bag especially since he has not played the game. 

So what do you think of Nintendo's decision of not making a 2D Mario platformer for their consoles until NSMB Wii?

And I have the right to have an opinion about your opinion.

And I understand Malstrom’s feelings, if one of my favorite franchises was getting a new game where I would not appreciate a good deal of the design choices I'd be angry.

And I would like to point out that you are using straw man arguments yourself, first about people "applaud it like he's some sort of gaming messiah", when it's possible that they just agree with some of the points he brings up, then simplifying his articles to "why current game X is worse than old game Y, and why I will write a 73 page rant about it.", and last with the comparison to the CD-i Zelda game, you take one of his arguments and state that this one somehow degrades him as a person.

I have a DS and a GBA, I've been playing 2D mario games for years as well as 3D ones. Warioland, Donkey Kong for the GB and GBA, NSMB, Warioland Shake (which was on the Wii but everyone forgets about it), super princess peach...etc...

I actually like 2D and 3D Mario games about equally.  Also, maybe Miyamoto didn't want to make another 2D mario until recently on a console, he seems to have VERY specific ideas on his games.  Nintendo is a sucessful company they can do what they want.  Just because I want Mario to drive around in a monster truck and shoot flaming chainsaws out of his ass, doesn't mean that it's the best choice for the company.  I don't go around and whine about what companies do.  Even games I used to love that took a wrong turn like Square-Enix don't piss me off, I just simply don't play their games anymore...I find games I do like and move on if need be.

That was me being facetious, I honestly think he's serious with his crap....

yeah, I think he's a tool, so be it.  I don't know the guy, so I can't comment on how he is in real life, but if he acts like the persona he has created in his writings I'd probably punch him in the crotch rather than talk to the dude. 

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. 3D Mario games have high sales, 2D Mario platformers have higher sales, so why hasn't Nintendo continued to make these games? They could have had other people making them instead of Miyamoto. For example, Miyamoto just supervised NSMB DS, he wasn't directly involved.

I can understand not wanting to make games similar to those made in the past from a designers point of view, however from a business point of view it is illogical.

You should focus on the message not the messenger. And you should not give this much power over your emotions to someone who just writes on a website.

Edit: typos.