I read him mostly to form my own opinion on what Nintendo should be doing. Same reason I check Fox News.

He has the same philosophy as me then. And hopefully many others.

I kinda find it strange that Nintendo doesn't expand the universe now that you describe how repetitive the worlds have been, historically. In game design one of the easiest things is to change the setting and just allow the artists to create.

I bet if NSMB2 was selling on par with NSMB this would have been a "I told ya so" post by Malstrom.

He says they needed 2D Mario. Now all the make is 2D Mario after 2D Mario and he complains.

I think he just likes to complain.

I go back and forth as to whether or not Malstrom is a savant or a squirrel (as in even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then).

However, one point being missed herein is that it is a classic game for a DIFFERENT platform. While some people buy it who have the old one, not everyone does or still does.

Mike from Morgantown

Rol, with a launch NSMB game on WiiU, it's hard to see just one 2D mario game on the WiiU. Expect a second one near the end of the gen, a bit like Zelda's two entries on the Wii (imho).

Why is it strange?? Putting a less effort as possible and getting max profits isnt that uncommon in the video game world, hell in the world period. Why rake their brains and time on trying to up NSMB themes and what not when they know its going to do gangbusters anyway? Im not saying i like it this way, but its just the way it is

He can't even write a good rant.
Anyway, japanese Nsmb2 sales are mediocre to regular. The numbers posted today was a surprise, a bad one. Some games are having their best performances or some of the best (FE, 3D Mario, RF4, Harvest Moon) and 2D Mario is just ok.

I believe the U iteration will chart better numbers, in the context of a launch console.

People are waiting for the Wii U version. It's 4-player, has HD graphics, and looks like more of an upgrade.

After a lot of people already bought SM 3D Land less than a year ago, they're not going to buy another 2 Mario games this year. So I think a lot of people are picking one or the other, which is the risk Nintendo always ran having two new Mario games within 4-5 months of each other. 

That said, for a "B-Team" game developed in 9 months or whatever, NSMB2 is pretty damn good. I knew going in the graphics/music weren't going to be much different, but I think honestly this is the best NSMB game so far. The graphics are quite nice on a 3DS XL (3D snow + ash particles are awesome, not enough of that). The level design is terrific. Maybe I'm just off but I'm liking it a touch more than SM 3D Land even. I'm happy with my purchase, even though yes, I wish Nintendo had hired some extra music staff for new music (c'mon Ninty), and a few other artists to maybe create new level graphics (rain levels on the 3D screen would be awesome). 

They need to add some DLC to give people who get the million coins something significant, but otherwise I'm cool with this game.

The real problem with Nintendo is they don't trust their other core IP anymore and they haven't bothered to develop any other character based IP. So once the Brain Training/Wii Fit/etc. crazes died down a bit, basically Nintendo has been banking on Mario to do all the heavy lifting.

Need to get 3DS sales back on track? Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7.

Need to launch the Wii U, must have a bankable title? NSMB U.

Uh oh, 3DS sales in the West are poor and we need to launch something big with the 3DS XL. Quick lets get NSMB2 out.

I think NSMB2 is the best of the bunch, and i like the coin thing too. Whether it sells more than the others i dont know. But seeing as this game is supposed to be a rush job, it is still of the highest quality.

Wow. I feel more compelled to buy NSMB2 because I realize now that SMB2J is the actual epitome of stagnation.