So according to Iwata Asks NSMB2 was developed by a Mario cram school, basically noobs who have never developed a retail mario game before. This explains why this games looks kinda on the downside, not really a step up from the DS version.
From other interviews I've read, Super Mario 3D land was developed by EAD B team which was somewhat decent and a little refreshing.
The NSMBW/Galaxy team ( EAD A team) are working on the Wii U version so that's why the game looks somewhat better than this 3DS version.
This clears a lot up why this game has turned out to be.
Here are some quotes below.
- This time, development didn’t start with new mechanics, it started with course design. New mechanics were added in later.
- The team that researched course design for this game included participant in what is called “Mario Cram School.” It’s a group of developers from various departments who were shown how to make levels for Super Mario games.
- Mario Cram School was started by Takashi Tezuka to spread the knowledge of how to make Mario games among more individuals within Nintendo. Toshihiko Nakago, a longtime developer of the series, was also heavily involved.
- Some of the courses made by the Cram School involved double the staff usually used for Mario games. The results were fun and unique.
- Amano feels like he was tricked into being director of New Super Mario Bros. 2 by being subjected to the Cram School courses.
- He was chosen because there is another Mario game in development: New Super Mario Bros. U. Nintendo wanted to get both games ready as soon as possible.
- Ishikawa: “A little before Mario Kart 7, there was Super Mario 3D Land, which was close to a traditional Super Mario game in that it was made in a classic direction, so I thought, ‘Whoever’s in charge of the next 2D Super Mario game will have a real hard time!’”
- The team behind New Super Mario Bros. 2 consists of mostly developers who are new to the franchise. “Developers with experience in 2D Super Mario are working on Super Mario for the Wii U right now.” A large part of the team consists of members of Software Planning & Development Department
http://gengame.net/2...tes-of-footage/
http://iwataasks.nin...#/3ds/nsmb2/0/0