johann, i think platformers need to rise again cuz they were great, but they either need to do it in 2D which would mean probably as downloadable titles or the approach to 3D platformers needs to be changed. In 2D its intense because its just side scrolling so there are lots of jumps and enemies all around. But 3D spreads the gameplay out so much with the extra dimension that the jumping and enemies are diluted way down. In 3D its been for the most part much more running around with much less jumping and fewer enemies which leads to more boring platformers which i think killed the genre.
3D mario games have mixed the more open world less "platformy" gameplay with traditional platformer gameplay. but still i think it'd take some new platformer ip's that bring back that intensity from the 2D days to spread the genre beyond mainly just mario. i'd also love to see a full fledged return to 2D for mario with huge massive levels and all the new moves and gameplay devices that have come to mario in 3D but brought to 2D. like a super mario bros. 3/super mario world on steroids with ssbb graphics and maybe bonus 3d stages like mario sunshine had bonus non-waterpack levels.
but i don't think its too likely, seeing as how the most recent platformer (banjo) went in the opposite direction and took away platforming elements from the series in order to make a customizable-vehicle game.
end of '08 predictions: wii - 43 million, 360 - 25 million, ps3 - 20 million
Games I've beat recently: Super Mario Galaxy, Knights of the Old Republic, Shadow of the Collossus
Proud owner of wii, gamecube, xbox, ps2, dreamcast, n64, snes, genesis, 3DO, nes, atari, intellivision, unisonic tournament 2000, and gameboy
