EBWOP:
@OP. Let's get back to the meat.
1) So, how much did SMB2(j) sell anyways? I'll listen to this, but you do realize it takes nothing away from the legitimacy of the metric I provided. Goes to show how little importance you give to evidence when it's not fitting your POV.
2) Ultimately my point stands high and tall. An N64 at 300$ with Mario bundled would have certainly sold more N64+M64's, leading to more 64s sold, more Mario 64s sold (via bundling), more Mario 64s played, and a better future for the Mario's natural evolution to the world of 3D.
Oh, you continuously mentioned how other series had failed at 3D, hence why it is not unusual for it to have happened for Nintendo's Mario. I just read this phenomenally interesting piece of VG History (one I am not unfamiliar with).
http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=231
Notice, in one section of the articles it mentioned that Nintendo shied away from CD since NEC and Sega CD had failed at it. Then, Sony pwned Nintendo with it with the PlayStation. Goes to show in certain cases it's only when something is done right that the technology works. I believe 3D was a perfect fit for Mario, and Mario 64 did it more than justice, it glorified it being a piece of excellent gaming quality. The circumstancial outcome is sad given mario 3D's potential.
Ultimately what all this means, given VG History, solid hypothesis and actual sales data, there is very little Mario could have done to offset the MASSIVE JUGGERNAUGHT that was Sony in its unrelenting and determined entry into the video game market.
Say what you will, I'm fairly convinced you're very off the mark on this issue.
