I will fully admit I only read about 1/3 your post.
Having said that, I bet I have heard nearly everything you said before. And going with that, I will just say this. Games that reviewers and 'bigwigs' in the gaming 'industry' (aka, people who 'critique' the gaming industry) keep calling 'game of the year' or 'must have' are not necessarily games which sell the best or are the most popular.
With that knowledge in mind, You now understand why Mario Galaxy didn't sell as well as something like Mario Kart Wii, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games or won't sell as well as New Super Mario Bros Wii.
Along with the simple fact that 3D Mario titles don't sell as well as 2D Mario titles.
But Nintendo still makes 3D Mario games because Mario needs diversity and some people prefer 3D Mario games over the 2D ones. Especially in America.
Six upcoming games you should look into:
