Then why is LBP so expensive? It should be free.

Did you say the same about LBP?

LBP doesn't count, its not made by Nintendo

i'm fine with $60 for a mario maker game. no story mode - because we all know 99.99% Mario 2D games is about saving the princess from Bowser. So we don't need a story mode in this game.

other games are $60 but some gamers feel it should be less than $60 too. and nowadays big budget AAA games are more than $60 if you add those season pass and DLCs.

And you also get basically UNLIMITED stages. 

You do know that this is a business right? You can't quantify the similarities between apples and oranges because they're simply not the same. Nintendo likes to put emphasis on their product, that's the reason why you have to wait years before they come out with discount prices for their games. For Nintendo to act as if SMM is a lesser game and slap a fee that's not according to their normal charge rate, that would lessen the value they put for their IPs.

And really, why isn't this game worth $60 dollars? It's a 2D mario game that spans 4 different incarnations of Mario platforming. To me that sounds like there's never going to be a need for a solo mario 2D platformer again. Because honestly, there is no need for another Mario 2d platformer after this game.

Nah. I'll buy it. I've been waiting for a Mario level editor for years. Nintendo should have made it earlier instead of the 8 billion New Super Mario Bros games they releases in like a year. But oh well, at least it's here now.

I'd only buy a 2D Zelda maker tbh, but that's "too hard" for Nintendo.

And it needs an overworld with pre-determined spots to add dungeons/temples. And good graphics.

Have I negated that?

If someone justifies 60, because he likes to create or likes mario or ever dreamed about creating mario stages there is no arguing... saying it's worth because of 4 different gameplays not so much (even more when they are looked to match the skins)... anyway, the price of a product depends on your willingness to pay. So if 60 is fine by you, no one have any right to complain, they can at most say for them how much the game is worth (in a fashion that when it hit that price they will buy).

like RPG Maker but totally updated... I don't think Nintendo would have an unsurmountable task making it.