Whatever you do, don't call Super Mario 3D Land a new 3D Mario game. Despite that being one of the key ideas behind this new adventure - that it is the first original, portable Mario game in 3D - Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto isn't attempting to make 3D Land like Super Mario 64.
It has been 15 years since Mario 64 was first released. Yet increasingly Miyamoto is more interested in reclaiming a 2D Mario era. In a recent discussion with company president Satoru Iwata, Miyamoto noted that old 2D Mario games didn't seem to confuse players. Goals and gameplay were more simple. The objectives - mostly squashing enemies and reaching a flag - were clearer. In a way, moving Mario into 3D created so much freedom that many didn't know what to do. Along this line of thinking, Miyamoto claims Super Mario 3D Land is a "3D Mario that plays like a 2D Mario game."
This notion is becoming more and more clear as Nintendo releases more footage. In fact many clips presented at today's conference feature 2D levels. There are still areas of 3D navigation, and routinely objects leap from the background to threaten the heroic plumber, but the game functions more along a linear "start-to-finish" line.
Miyamoto noted the name of the game, utilizing the "Land" branding from the Game Boy line of games, is an homage to the 2D era of Mario titles. Bringing back a power-up like the Tanooki suit is another attempt to make 3D Land feel like a more advanced version of previous titles. At its core, the title is intended to appeal to gamers looking for an experience similar to previous 2D titles.
"... In the end, there's always that flag pole," said Miyamoto, referencing the iconic goal featured in many 2D Mario titles. Miyamoto noted the game uses many ideas, but much like New Super Mario Bros., 3D Land will finish each level with the flag pole. This would be the first 3D Mario adventure to utilize that concept.
Just because there is an intent to make things clearer for more players doesn't mean Super Mario 3D Land will be easy. Miyamoto noted that while they intend to allow players to keep pushing through the game if they try, a more challenging nature will open up if players seek it out. "[The game] gets challenging if you're willing to try different things," Miyamoto said, agreeing with Iwata that the game almost dares players to accomplish tougher tasks.
The game's designers intend for players to reach the final (?) World 8 easily, with the difficulty rising dramatically after that point. Various levels also have secrets and shortcuts that require much more advanced skill to find. The game won't be as easy as previous 2D Mario games, however.
Miyamoto also hinted that the Tanooki suit may have some uses in tough situations. The tail swipe, which can be used to defeat many enemies, is designed to help less-skilled players. Naturally the game also has more suits that have yet to be revealed. One new suit seems to be briefly shown, which appears to feature Mario inside a box with a propeller.
Lastly, Miyamoto addressed the need for playing the game in 3D. He noted that generally Nintendo is not designing games to require the effect, yet there are some areas in 3D Land that definitely benefit from its use. In fact, some areas deliberately try to trick the player with the 3D effect.[/p]
Source
It has been 15 years since Mario 64 was first released. Yet increasingly Miyamoto is more interested in reclaiming a 2D Mario era. In a recent discussion with company president Satoru Iwata, Miyamoto noted that old 2D Mario games didn't seem to confuse players. Goals and gameplay were more simple. The objectives - mostly squashing enemies and reaching a flag - were clearer. In a way, moving Mario into 3D created so much freedom that many didn't know what to do. Along this line of thinking, Miyamoto claims Super Mario 3D Land is a "3D Mario that plays like a 2D Mario game."
This notion is becoming more and more clear as Nintendo releases more footage. In fact many clips presented at today's conference feature 2D levels. There are still areas of 3D navigation, and routinely objects leap from the background to threaten the heroic plumber, but the game functions more along a linear "start-to-finish" line.
Miyamoto noted the name of the game, utilizing the "Land" branding from the Game Boy line of games, is an homage to the 2D era of Mario titles. Bringing back a power-up like the Tanooki suit is another attempt to make 3D Land feel like a more advanced version of previous titles. At its core, the title is intended to appeal to gamers looking for an experience similar to previous 2D titles.
"... In the end, there's always that flag pole," said Miyamoto, referencing the iconic goal featured in many 2D Mario titles. Miyamoto noted the game uses many ideas, but much like New Super Mario Bros., 3D Land will finish each level with the flag pole. This would be the first 3D Mario adventure to utilize that concept.
Just because there is an intent to make things clearer for more players doesn't mean Super Mario 3D Land will be easy. Miyamoto noted that while they intend to allow players to keep pushing through the game if they try, a more challenging nature will open up if players seek it out. "[The game] gets challenging if you're willing to try different things," Miyamoto said, agreeing with Iwata that the game almost dares players to accomplish tougher tasks.
The game's designers intend for players to reach the final (?) World 8 easily, with the difficulty rising dramatically after that point. Various levels also have secrets and shortcuts that require much more advanced skill to find. The game won't be as easy as previous 2D Mario games, however.
Miyamoto also hinted that the Tanooki suit may have some uses in tough situations. The tail swipe, which can be used to defeat many enemies, is designed to help less-skilled players. Naturally the game also has more suits that have yet to be revealed. One new suit seems to be briefly shown, which appears to feature Mario inside a box with a propeller.
Lastly, Miyamoto addressed the need for playing the game in 3D. He noted that generally Nintendo is not designing games to require the effect, yet there are some areas in 3D Land that definitely benefit from its use. In fact, some areas deliberately try to trick the player with the 3D effect.[/p]
Source
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHI4PNG0lZo[/youtube]
