"the same basic and linear design through eight worlds (a step down from 19-year old SMW)."
Multiplayer made that necessary.
"Some levels were quite innovative but a lot of them lacked what made 2D Marios great back in the 80's and 90's."
They hadn't been doing this for a while.
"The biggest trumph on NSMBWii is the nostalgic feeling, and that's it =/ "
So wrong. Just because you weren't impressed doesn't mean others just bought the game over nostalgia. That does not a sell a game as fast as this game is selling.
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