Platformers have been essentially replaced by Adventure style titles. I think in large it has to do with game size and presentation. Prince of Persia is hybrid and that "hybridization" kept the game fresh and fluid. It was chalenging in the old days to pretty much do run and jump style things. Despite the fact Hybrids like Castlevania were explored, it could often be difficult, espessially if the action countered the physics, like in Double Dragon and Astyanax. Nowadays unless you have the capacity to be really creative, a full-scale retail game would be really bland and akward (and probably really short too) without an added battle/fighting system tacked on. Probably why the werehog in Sonic, the fighting controls in Mirrors Edge, and Zelda was always a hybrid as well. IN 3D just jumping around an area isn't going to get much better than Mario64. I think thats one if not the main reason why Nintendo has taken many strides to add new things to their favorite plumber nad his games.
I dunno, what do yu all think about that.
"Let justice be done though the heavens fall." - Jim Garrison
"Ask not your horse, if ye should ride into battle" - myself
