I'm going to u-turn a little and defend NSMBU. Despite what i said, it felt like they put more effort into that game than they did with any of the others since the first on the DS. If the only NSMB game had been NSMBU it would have been great.

I enjoyed the game but it was held back by the NSMB stylings. Completely new graphics, preferably using sprites and all new theming for areas, an abandonment of NSMB theme music, maybe some stream lining of the map, and perhaps a name change to distance it further from the NSMB series and it would have been great.

There were some great all new tunes hidden in that game along with good remixes of some classics, some really great level designs (And a few that perhaps could have been dropped as they offered nothing new) and enough modification to the Mario formula to make it a worthy Mario game from a gameplay perspective.

My biggest issue with that particular NSMB game the relatively superficial aspect that is it shares the graphics and theming with the rest of the tired NSMB series. NSMBU could have been great if they just went a little bit further.

One problem might come from the fact that when SMW was made, the series hadn't "standardised" itself. One example, the end of the levels had been different, with only the first game containing a flagpole.

But now, as the series has found its "standard", it's harder to change little things like this, without it feeling out of place of the series.

The point is well taken, but, personally, as long as the level design is inspired and the gameplay addictive and fun, I'm willing to forgive a few recycled audio/visual assets and platforming tropes.

I agree that the New Super Mario Bros series has a bit of a problem with it's artstyle but they are lots of fun if you play it with friends. The only ones I played alone are the handheld ones and they are the ones I disliked the most. You should revisit them with friends someday!

Yep NSMB DS was fantastic, Wii was good because it added multiplayer... and then. Well I wasn't very happy when I paid £35 for NSMB2 at launch. They just copy and paste assets. Thank goodness they're doing Mario Maker because that's basically all they did for the subsequent NSMB games.

Incredibly Lazy. I sincerely hope the 3dLand series doesn't suffer the same problem, but it probably will.

Oh, sorry, I wasn't refering to you in the last paragraph. I was refering to people who thinks that 3D World is an inferior game only for the isometric camera in a lot of levels. It's not a pure 3D game, for sure, but it doesn't make it bad only for that. I think that 3D World is one of the best 3D Marios (better than Sunshine at least) but I'm aware that it's not proper 3D. And I understand people asking for a real 3D mario, but I don't quite understand why they underestimate the game only for that. You brought arguments in the OP why you dislike the game, and they're valid points. But, you also say that it could be, for you, a good and unique Mario isometric platformer. That's what I mean. 

i want to agree with you but doing so would mean that Nintendo's flagship series---the pinnacle of quality gaming is flawed. I just don't think I'm ready to do that just yet.

I unfortunately agree with this... I went crazy for the vincent van gogh level in super mario U. It just felt so fresh. you have to admit though, the first NSMB is fantastic.

Strangely enough I had the exact same thought recently especially with the NSMB series. Up to SMW, every mario game was distinct. You can argue that till Galaxy every single Mario game was very distinct until NSMB came out, and then MArio games continuously got rehashed.

I can understand Galaxy 2, it built upon its predecessor and expanded. What I can't understand was making 3D Mario on the Wii U so generic. It's a great game mind you, it's just not a classic. It doesn't have the same feel that every Mario game, including Sunshine, had before. Those were memorable. And especially in the 2D content, it's now just continuous rehash.

With 3D World, I was angered. Mostly because I felt that the handheld experience was no different than the home console experience. It felt just an HD version of 3D Land which I loved. It does raise more questions about the supposed new console which will unify both experiences imo.

Ya I agree to an extent

With the first New Super Mario Bros. on DS, it was the first original 2D Mario in about 14 years so it felt pretty fresh.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii introduced 4 player, simultaneous co-op so again it felt pretty fresh and new.

The 3DS & Wii U entries however didn't really add anything new or shake up the formula which makes the "New" series not really feel new anymore despite still being great games.

I feel like Mario Maker is a step in the right direction and can bring some new concepts/creativity to a series that has become too formulaic.