Mario 3DS is one of Nintendo's big holiday titles for their new handheld this year. There is has been quite a bit of debate here on VGChartz about why Nintendo seems to prioritize 3D Mario titles over 2D Mario games, when the 2D Mario games have sold much better this generation.

Super Mario 3DS seems to be an interesting combination of 2D and 3D Mario games. Obviously, the game is still in 3D perspective and is using the 3D feature of the 3DS. However; the gameplay seems to be heavily influenced by 2D Mario games, levels have set end goals, the flag poles, like in the original Super Mario Bros., and the two New Super Mario Bros. games. The reports from E3 all seemed to say that the levels were very short and linear like in 2D Mario games, with little of the exploration that the 3D Mario games are known for.

So with that combination how will this new Mario game sell? Is it the linear, and faster paced gameplay of the 2D Mario games that make them so popular, which means that Mario 3DS could sell like a 2D Mario game (20 million +)? Or do 2D Mario games sell better because people simply prefer the 2D perspective of the games, which means Mario 3DS will sell in line with previous 3D Mario games (6-10 million)?

No, If the Galaxy games can't do it then why will super mario 3ds will? People should remember that

If it's advertised correctly, possibly.

Because this game is different than the Galaxy games.  I should know--I played it at the show and wrote GamrReview's hands-on.

It's much more similar to New Super Mario Bros Wii than the Galaxy games, despite the 3D movement.  No complex goals to consider.  The objective is very simple--navigate an obstacle course and get to the end.  It is kind of like the Crash Bandicoot games in that way (when those games were actually good).

I say it has the potential to sell over 12 million, with these three heavy qualifiers:

1. The entire game (or most of it) plays like the levels shown at E3.

2. They advertise it the way they advertise the 2D ones, rather than how they advertise Galaxy.

3. A hardware bundle (possibly with an accompanying 3DS price drop) would do wonders.

Due to the smaller install base and lower popularity of the 3DS compared to Wii and DS, though, I don't expect it to outsell either of the previous NSMB games.

Great idea for a topic, by the way :)

It's Mario, why wouldn't it sell a ton?

I sad 12-18 million, but I believe a nicer range would be 10-15 million. However it will be based on how Nintendo advertises the game, like someone already said. 

Yes, the fast-paced gameplay is part of what makes 2D Mario more popular. But looking at the E3 trailer, none of that is present in this game. In fact, the core gameplay looks slower than the Galaxy games'.

I voted for option #3. Nintendo's previous attempts to make the 2D Mario audience buy 3D Mario (Adding 2D segments and linearizing the levels, streamlining the hub world, and even including a god damn DVD telling how to play the game.) have been met with no success; I doubt they'll eat this up either. I think most will just wait for the proper 2D Mario. (I do think it'll outperform the Galaxy games.)

Also, I... I just know the game will have awkward camera angles aplenty just to show off the amazing, magical 3D effects. I mean, the game's working title is Super Mario 3D, for Pete's sake.

But who knows. Maybe Nintendo will finally manage to make a traditional Super Mario Bros. game properly in 3D. (Though I can't understand why they're so hellbent on not just making a 2D Mario.)

The poll results are interesting so far, with not many people thinking it can do 2D Mario numbers.

I'm also curious for the people who mentioned the marketing of the game, how do you think the marketing of 2D and 3D Mario games differ?

I voted for 6-12 million.

LOLOLOLOLOL. I don't think so.