Nintendo Developers Comment on 2D Mario Innovation vs Tradition

With Nintendo releasing an increased volume of New Super Mario Bros. games in recent years, it's lead some fans to question whether the iconic platforming series has grown stale.

The House of Mario knows that Super Mario Bros. titles sell, particularly the 2D releases over the 3D. With New Super Mario Bros. U accompanying the Nintendo Wii U launch selection and further DLC with Luigi on the way, can Nintendo keep things fresh?

It's difficult to continue and maintain a successful  franchise no matter what the medium, and with New Super Mario Bros, Nintendo have had to strike a balance between familiar game mechanics and innovation.

The problem arises because if Nintendo mix things up  significantly, it could be something that "destroys the core fun that defines Mario in 2D", said New Super Mario Bros. U director Masataka Takemoto in an interview with IGN. "We don't want to lose the foundation that so many players already know and love", producer Takashi Tezuka added.

I think that sense of security helps the team feel like they've got some breathing room to work with as they come up with ideas.

Players keep on playing Mario, after all, precisely because it's easily understandable in a very unique way. That's a strength that's hard to imitate for games with shorter heritages, and it's something I think we need to keep cherishing.

Despite keeping in line with classic Mario titles, the team are looking to branch out and explore new ideas, with Takemoto noting that "I can't really say what might come next, but I think we'll still manage to find new stuff for the series."

What are your thoughts on the New Super Mario Bros. games in recent years? How can Nintendo mix things up whilst still keeping the games strictly Mario?