Where Does Mario Go Next?

[Toddifer]

Metallicube said:
In my view there are two options:

Either, go back to the Mushroom Kingdom, only in 3D, and make the gameplay similar to 2D Mario games in 3D envrinments, while further exploring exsiting worlds within the Mushroom Kingdom.. OR

Be creative and make entirely new obsure worlds outside the Mushroom Kingdom. As I mentioned in another topic, the worlds could be endless if you be creative. Glass world where you slide around and can crack the floor and walls, toxic world where Mario could be hindered by exposure to radiation or killed by toxic sludge. Mabye a mechanised world with machines and escalators. Or moon world where you dodge asteroids and can jump higher.

Nintendo needs to create all new environments to keep the Mario games fresh, instead of sticking with the smae old water worlds, desert worlds, lava worlds, etc.. Galaxy is a great game and all, and Galaxy 2 looks to be even better, but after this, Nintendo should really go back to the drawing board and make an all new setting for the next Mario game.

You pretty much nailed the point of this thread. I was trying to say (and failed), that I feel Nintendo is going to have to go back and really revolutionize the Mario franchise again because if they do another Galaxy people will say 'been there, done that'. Meanwhile, if they go back and do another 2D they'll be criticized for resting on their laurels and not being innovative. The idea of the glass world, etc is interesting. I guess I'm just wondering what the boys at Nintendo are thinking right now, realizing they have to top these two incredible games (and NSMBWii) and deliver something fresh again...