Many of Nintendo's iconic franchises started out as 2D games that eventually made the jump to 3D. Gamers often debate which series made the best transition to the 3D era.

However many of these series also returned to their 2D roots many years later, usually with 2.5D presentation.

My question is which Nintendo franchise do you think had the best 2.5D revival?

Some examples are:

New Super Mario Bros (DS) - The first 2D Mario game in over a decade. Led to a series of four games.

The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Words (3DS) - This is tricky because Nintendo released a bunch of 2D Zelda games even after the series went 3D with Ocarina of Time. But I think this is the most appropriate game for the topic because its presentation was a deliberate throwback to the 2D Zelda games namely A Link to the Past.

Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii) - Retro revived the dormant Donkey Kong Country series after Rare was sold to MS and the DK IP went through a long identity crisis. Many people love Donkey Kong Country Returns and its sequel Tropical Freeze, calling them among the best 2D platformers ever.

Metroid Dread (Switch) - Metroid Fusion and Samus Returns (3DS) both released after the Prime series brought the franchise into 3D. But Dread was the first original game to marry 2D gameplay with 3D visuals.

Thoughts?

Close one between Donkey Kong Country Returns and Metroid Dread.

Both are great games, marrying phenomenal gameplay and level design with a great mix of classic and modern.

If I had to choose, I'd probably go for Dread, but only by the narrowest of margins.

My interpretation of a 2.5D game is essentially using 3D models with a fixed camera. I would argue for Zelda the DS games would be first. In a way this would also include some Kirby and Yoshi games.

I think Metroid Dread used it really well, especially with the EMMI set pieces and boss fights.

As much as I love NSMBDS, it is nothing notable in comparison to Yoshi’s Island nor Mario World. DKCR is a masterpiece, despite taking a very different route from the OG trilogy’s design. Metroid Dread brings 2D Metroid to new highs. Cannot comment on Zelda (ironically), as I have never played a 2D Zelda other than EoW.

So…my pick is DK.

NSBM games are factory-stamped bland and awful. They don't hold a candle to World or SMB3. ALBW is really good tho. However it's Metroid Dread. Dread is a special game that I think is even better than Super Metroid and Fusion. That's no small feat. It's one weakness is the OST. Super takes it on that. I still think Prime 1 is the best Metroid game but Dead is the new king of 2D Metroid IMO. DK was fine but tbh I could not get into them. Great music tho.

Tropical Freeze is the best, but that's a sequel... So since we're looking at the actual revival games themselves, I'd say Link Between Worlds.

I'm honestly shocked people like Dread as much as they do. I think it's okay at best and I doubt I'll ever replay it, had way too many frustrating design decisions and lack of music (when atmosphere is like the most important thing for Metroid) for me.

Metroid. The rest arent even in competition here.

I hope we get A Link Between Worlds port for the Switch/Switch 2 one day. I don't own the 3DS, and would love to play it one day. Metroid Dread is my favorite of the two games I've played but I really enjoyed DKC Returns as well.

I mean Dread is best but it feels a bit like cheating when it came after Samus Returns which I'd put more or less on par with A Link Between Worlds (probably slightly lower).