"Nintendo spent the last decade trying to fix 3D Mario, while gamers simply didn't like 3D Mario, they wanted 2D Mario; Nintendo was following preconceived notions that 3D was better, or at least as good as 2D, and that 3D Mario had to be better than 2D Mario."
My solution, make the 3D games play like the 2D games. If there is a field, you don't have Mario spend 30 seconds to get to the other side. The 2D games didn't work that way. You put pits, blocks, and plenty of enemies as obstacles to the other side. And it's about getting from point A to point B, with only a few secrets to find. You don't replay the level multiple times from the MacGuffins.
In essence, treat 3D as just an extra dimension to the 2D gaming.
A flashy-first game is awesome when it comes out. A great-first game is awesome forever.
Plus, just for the hell of it: Kelly Brook at the 2008 BAFTAs
