2D Mario at launch would have been a big fail all around because the big selling point of all the 32 and 64 bit consoles was 3D games. Not just platformers, but 3D fighters, racers and sports games were big hits that helped launch all three consoles. At that point traditional 2D games like Rayman were considered novelties.
Everyone would have bashed the N64 as not being able to deliver 3D games in an era where 3D gaming was the next big thing. And in all honestly it probably would have played horribly because the N64 control pad wasn't suited for 2D games. Yoshi's Story and Kirby 64 were exceptions because they were more 2-1/2D games, and weren't as precision jumping heavy as traditional Mario games were.
On 2/24/13, MB1025 said:
You know I was always wondering why no one ever used the dollar sign for $ony, but then I realized they have no money so it would be pointless.
