Unfortunately, this is not a joke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dHXXXQS-Mw

Yeah, $30 on amazon (physical disc)! I think it's cool Nintendo is doing this, since it's basically an add-on to Super Mario U. At least Nintendo is actually making physical copies available AND you don't even have to register it online!

Which was basically an add-on of New Super Mario Brothers 2... which was basically an add-on of New Super Mario Brothers Wii... which was basically an add-on of New Super Mario Brothers...

I see your point, but I ask, is it fun to play? I haven't played Super Mario U, but others have said it's the best 2-D Mario since SMB3. Although I admit to recently wondering about Nintendo's rehashing of old series. In particular I was thinking of the upcoming Zelda 3DS game which is going to be a sequel (spiritual or otherwise) to Link to the Past. I have no doubt this will be an instant hit and fanboys and fangirls will declare it the "best game ever" and "Nintendo has done it again"... hey it's a Zelda game, right?... but that doesn't mean it's actually going to be good. It's interesting how expectations have psychological affects on most anything we do, but now I'm ranting

I played all of the New SMB games in some shape or form, and aside from my initial love for the first game in the series (which was the first one I played), all the other ones just felt like extensions of the same but packaged differently. Aside from a few inevitable cool moments, I'll say that you can play the first one and leave it at that. No need to drag the other mustached man into this series at this point.

Or, they could at least have the decency to call the series "Old SMB".

Yeah, they're milking it, but at heart I'm glad to see them FINALLY pushing 2D platforming action on a home console, which was woefully under-represented for several console generations. Would not break my heart to see other companies start putting out 2D platformer clones again, like the classic days. That said, I'm not buying a $350 console JUST for it.

It might just be me, but I felt like Super Mario Wii U and New SMB2 controlled a bit smoother than the first two games. I've had limited playtime with the newer games (store demos), but that was my takeaway. Control was my main issue with the first NSMB and I just thought NSMB Wii was pretty boring, from what I played.

Oh ew, dear God no - the original NSMB was the most disappointing Nintendo platformer ever for me.  It was way too easy, had uncreative level design, and generally lacked any kind of soul.  NSMB2 was a smidge better, but you can totally tell it was cobbled together by the young'uns at Nintendo.  The Wii and Wii U games, as much as they superficially LOOK similar, are much, MUCH better crafted games.  My only complaint is useless motion control, but that seeps its way into a lot of Wii games...

Very much this.

I disagree with the last two posters. I really liked the original NSMB on DS while I found the Wii one to be incredibly dull. I haven't put much time into in NSMB2 so I can't comment on that one, but I really like the Wii U one.

Speaking of Nintendo and remakes,

"Is a fourth Smash Bros, an eighth Mario Kart or a 73rd Mario, Zelda or Donkey Kong title enough to keep people coming back?"

http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/ … tch-to-hd/

I would argue yes, if there's enough originality and of course fun. However, the originality aspect is often diminishing returns, but we'll see. Thoughts?

People are REALLY bad at knowing the meaning of the word "remake" lately.

Things that are "remakes" include...

Conker for N64 --> Conker for Xbox = remake
Super Mario Bros. for NES --> Super Mario Bros. Deluxe for Gameboy = remake
Ys I and II for anything --> Ys I and II for 6.2 million other things = remake

Things that are NOT "remakes" include...

Persona 3 --> Persona 4 = sequel!
Portal --> Portal 2 = sequel!
Chrono Trigger --> Chrono Cross = "sequel!"
Mario Kart 7 --> Mario Kart 8 = sequel!

The majority of the internet that moans and whines that Nintendo keeps producing the same games clearly hasn't played them.  Ignoring the inclusion of retro cups in Mario Kart or old stages in Smash Bros. (and those are ADDED to the new content, not in place of it), generally each major Nintendo franchise game is a massive overhaul with significant changes from the previous entry.  The one general exception to that is the NSMB series, the individual titles in which all have totally different level design (though admittedly the aesthetics of the Mushroom Kingdom haven't really changed for a while).

Do I understand frustration with Nintendo right now?  Heck yeah!  They have had two completely disastrous console launches in the last couple years with the worst "software droughts" I think we've ever seen from them while they grapple with changing development processes.  Nintendo of America has become known for an awful localization record.  They have problems, and the looming threat of the PS4 (and to a lesser extent, at least in my mind, the Xbox One) means they'd better get their act together.  What I DON'T understand is anyone who makes the claim that they just keep "making the same game" or whatever BS.

Because in essence they are recycling their games. Example: Zelda Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword... are in many ways the "same game". Obviously a better term would be "similar game", but people say "same game" to express their disappointment and frustration. The latter games have better graphics, Twilight Princess had a much better story, Majora's Mask really had a different story, but the games really feel identical (despite the stupid Wii mechanics). Go to point A, get item A, go to dungeon A, cutscene, then continue to point B, get a bottle (yippee)...repeat repeat...

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess, but there was more than a strong sense of deja-vu while playing. And I believe the same thing can be said of the Mario games. Anyway, if you don't see that, well I guess you're happy with what you have. I personally understand why people make such statements. I can also see why the Wii U has not sold. There are probably around 3 games I would enjoy playing, the others are of no interest. Speaking of others, exactly how many Wii U games are there? Around 10? On the other hand, I think it's finally worthwhile to get a 3DS. By the way, at least the 3DS is really groundbreaking. Wii U, not so much.

If you're going to claim that games in a series having the same very general structure as each other makes them the same, you're going to have to make that claim for every single GTA, Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Gears of War, Halo, Ys, Megaten, Ace Attorney, etc.  Heck, start comparing completely different series by different companies in the same GENRE and you're going to find games more similar to each other than any of those Zeldas (Fighting?  Sports?  FPS?).  Again, Nintendo has done a miserable job with the Wii U thus far, but I'm not buying the same-game argument.  Just because you solve puzzles and fight enemies before getting a key item to progress doesn't negate the fact that they're all just action/adventure games that have totally different settings, assets, characters, stories, and even game structure (You're telling me you think Majora's Mask is structured like Twilight Princess or Skyward Sword?  Really?).

What's the other alternative here for continuing franchises?  People tend not to like it when you throw out what defines a series.  There's a reason people tend not to like Zelda II.  Or, ya know, anything Konami has done with Castlevania lately.

Edit: Three is exactly the number of Wii U games that I own, and I certainly wouldn't advocate buying the console for most people YET.  I seem to recall saying the exact same thing about the 3DS a while after it launched, but now feel as you do about that.

Yeah, Nintendo is completely botching this up, AGAIN.
I'm not complaining about them recycling the same games (I would like to see an actually NEW 2D Super Mario game though. The "New" series is hardly actually new anymore.), but they seriously need to get some third party support AND let people know about some of the great games that are coming.

Anyway, on-topic: did anyone get New Super Luigi U yet?
I just finished it a couple of days ago, and I was generally quite pleased with it.
The difficulty has been ramped up significantly, and it's definitely one of the most challenging Mario games I've played recently.

Yes, Majora's Mask is structured like Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. Sure, you don't ride a bird and there's a time limit, but there's a town that's your hub, you can do side quests, mostly though you follow a linear pattern of get item, open dungeon, go into dungeon, get item, defeat boss. I would completely agree that most games in a series are typically very similar. Take Final Fantasy I- VI, they are super-duper similar. Many people love them, but that doesn't change the fact that they're recycled. Look at Dark Souls, one of my favorite games in years. It's a recycled version of Demon's Souls with some changes, and they're both fantastic games that have sold very well. However, if FROM follows this trend for 3-4 more games, there's a good chance people will get bored with it. Or, maybe not. Small things can make a difference, but nonetheless I still understand why people say Nintendo keeps making the same game. They don't have to make drastic changes (although some of those can be good too), but keeping things fresh would be great. You know, maybe Link can actually do some exploring? How about some non-linearity? How about voices (in which case they might just catch-up to just about every other franchise today)! How about not having to fight Ganon and save Zelda every single time (Majora's Mask being one of the rare exceptions).  Look, if you're happy with what Nintendo is doing, then that's good for you. I'm honestly quite bored with a number of their franchises. By the way, I think you're probably right that the poor sales of the Wii U is not due to the "same game" argument. Nonetheless, I do think this is a problem, at least in keeping me interested.

I don't know what you guys are complaining about. When I really like a game, I want more of it. More levels of a game I loved? Great! Just tell me where to send the check.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 was a good game, even if it was basically an expansion pack for the first game. I wish they'd done the same with Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Sunshine*. Really, it was kind of nuts not to. Why throw away a perfectly good game engine after just one game?

*For a long time, what I wanted most from Nintendo was a Mario game consisting entirely of levels in the style of the "Secret" levels in Super Mario Sunshine. I still want that game.

^^^ Best post I've read in a long time.

I'm waiting for the disc version, but I'm only buying it as a collectible since I have always hated the way they make Luigi control when he's not the same as Mario. I don't mind them making the stages more challenging, but more difficult + worse controls = no thanks.

You and me both, man. Those levels (without FLUDD) were so amazing! One of the best parts of the entire game, for sure.

Agreed.  NSMBU is the best game in the series.  That may not be saying much but it really is a good game.  I'm rather enjoying NSLU as well.  I get a Lost Levels vibe from it.  Plus, the fact that it's just DLC makes it a lot more acceptable to me.

As for the "Nintendo recycles games" argument.  I think it's the people who don't play Nintendo games that bitch and moan about that.  During the Wii days, it was because they were tired of seeing those games on the charts each month.  Nowadays, it's just a stock criticism from the 'lolnintendo' crowd.  The ones who have no problem buying Madden or CoD every year.  Nevermind that 2D Mario, 3D Mario*, Mario Kart, and Smash generally get only one game per SYSTEM.

*last gen was different for 3D Mario.

I think you're stereotyping video game players by your comment. Video game players come in all sorts of flavors (a bit like quarks). I most certainly play Nintendo games, and Nintendo certainly recycles their games. Many companies do this, and it's not necessarily bad. However, as in the case of Zelda, it can get tiring. That's my opinion, and for the record I don't play sports nor first-person shooters (with exceptions like Bioshock).

I'm not, it's just anecdotal.  Those are the people who I know personally that complain about Nintendo recycling.  I'm not calling YOU out on this specifically at all.  What gets lost in all this is that these games sell a ton and people want updates.  If it's not for you, that's fine.  As for Zelda, I feel like it's gotten a bit stale, and Twilight Princess had some questionable design nuances, but Zelda games still come out few and far between.