Galaxy has motion controls?

Spherical Gravity isn't a big deal, the gameplay is still largely identical.

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On a side note, I do think Skyward Sword is the funnest Zelda. Maybe not best because OoT had a better art style, dungeons, and overall story arc, but I do appreciate the advancements in the games engine. In Galaxy, I don't (but the Yoshi levels in 2 are interesting).

What about exploring the outside of a planetoid to see what lies on the far side? Or the gravity switching segments where you'll jump into a different "zone" and walk along the wall or ceiling instead of the floor? 64 had nothing like that.

I'd rank the 3D Marios like this.

1. Super Mario 64.
2. Super Mario Galaxy
3. Super Mario 3D World
4. Super Mario Sunshine

Me and my brothers are just in World 3 of Super Mario 3D World. I didn't realize that it could be considered to be on the same level as the Mario Galaxy games. I'm going to pick Mario Galaxy in this poll simply because Galaxy 2 feels like Galaxy DLC (a lot of DLC) and because I haven't beaten Super Mario 3D World yet. Galaxy is up there with Ocarina of Time for me as the best single player games I've ever played.

Yea, but in 12 years is that a big upgrade? It's still the same platforming Mario, walking on the ceiling.

I mean I didn't love Super Mario 64 for the Big/Small World levels. I liked it for the traditional (buck wacky) Bowser Levels, and tossing King Bob-omb off the top of his mountain. Same for Galaxy, I mean it's a great game, but just not as shocking as Super Mario 64.

Graphics are a big reason though, Super Mario 64 for the time was the best ever. Super Mario Galaxy was only the best on the Wii.

But it's not the same, by altering the role that gravity plays you fundamentally alter the whole structure of the platforming and level design.

I tend to place gameplay above graphics, but that's just me.

Very hard to decide between 3Dworld and Mario 64.
At this point in time I may have to give the edge to 3Dworld

The early parts of Super Mario 3D World have little in common with the later levels which include everything but the kitchen sink.

I'm not going to say it's necessarily better but i think it's easily worthy of comparison.

I place gameplay above graphics, and I don't see a "fundamental" difference to gameplay. Yoshi in Super Mario World "fundamentally" changed gameplay, but gravity only feels like an extension of the platforming what was already there.

Graphics give that wow factor though, Super Mario 64 was just a ridiculous game, especially for the time. So good that every Mario since to me feels like an extension of the same game. Same with Zelda and OoT (except the gameplay in SS feels different enough to me), same with Metroid Prime, same with Halo, etc.

Plus the art direction in Galaxy does throw me off a bit. A giant flying castle with a very round and cuddly Bowser stealing princess? It's not as epic as the very silent castle, with you randomly exploring it, jumping in random paintings with no direction at all.

People would be outraged if they fundamentally changed the Mario franchise....if it ain't broke don't fix it.
It seems Nintendo know the perfect blend of power ups, items and new things to add to the game which makes the game overall way better then it's predecessor and the level designs on the new game is absolutely amazing. I think if they tried to change things to much it would be a really bad move. If people want to keep bashing Mario and Nintendo for so called "re-hashing", then go play Knack or a new IP that's half as fun as good old Mario.