Nintendo failed at casualizing this game. You have to die 8 times to get the super guide. How many casuals are going to die that many times before they lose interest?

So, given that NSMB is a hardcore game and is on the Wii it will probably struggle to break 300k and Nintendo will say they are "pleased" with the sales but they'll really be lying.

One of the best posts this week.

Kudos to you, OkeyDokey.

Good one, Rol. 10/10

I think it's a huge misunderstanding that casual gamers dislike challenging games. They want pick-up-and-play games that are easy to get into, but that does not mean they dislike challenge.

That was my first week prediction.

In all seriousness, I think this game will do very well. How about a bet? If NSMB Wii becomes the best selling 2D Mario platformer on a console in 15 years, you (RolStoppable) must leave VGChartz forever.

Sound good?

I use to think that many Nintendo games are in fact too difficult for most of the "hardcore gamers" out there: when i was workin' in a "multimedia" shop, i talked with many gamers, and i realized many were critizing Zelda or Metroid or Mario, but in fact couldn't finish any, or often needed a walkthrough to get some help...

Many people judge Nintendo's games by the look, and think they're easy because they're colourful, or because they have a kind of "universal appeal"... but they forget that you need some real platforming skills in Mario Bros, or some real racing skills in Mario Kart, or that you need to be smart to solve most of the Zelda's puzzles, or that you need to be fast and precise when opposed to a Metroid Prime's boss...

In fact, the gameplay in most FPS and "mature" games is quite simple and very easy to get, and these are actually the games made for the casuals and the "mass market" of today... the "casual hardcores", as you could call them: shoot, shoot, shoot... yeah, "hardcore"...

Now, with Mr Everybody or with most kids or women out there (aka the "casuals"), they will maybe not finish some tough Nintendo games at 100%, because of the difficulty... but the 50% or 70% they'll play will give them 100% of fun and good time, some occasional frustration... and great memories in most of the cases... :)

But of course, you are right, Rol: many games are easier today... to be sure to please everyone... the only solution is i think different difficulty settings (easy, normal, hard)... i hope it will be the case in Zelda Wii, by example: not for the puzzles, but for the fights, it would be a welcomed addition...

Now, NSMBWii isn't out yet here in Europe, so i still don't know if it's really tough, or really too easy, or just in-between... but i'll know for sure in a few days... :)

It's the first of your threads that doesn't confuse me

I don't like challenging games. The decline of cheating devices like action replays is something that is very annoying for me...

However, I doubt I could be classified as a casual gamer, so... maybe hardcore gamers don't like challenging games????