2-D Mario games could learn a thing or two from DKC.

GalacticPetey

GalacticPetey

Donkey Kong
I'm gonna reiterate what I posted on reddit.

I recently got Tropical Freeze as free gift from Club Nintendo, and I've been loving it. Aside from a little bit of DCKR, I hadn't really played any DK games until now. Just got to the fourth world. Thinking about the game led to me comparing it to the Mario 2-D games.

I'm gonna be completely honest, this blows games like New Super Mario Bros. U out of the water. I think future 2-D Mario games should take a page or two from DKC's book. In this post, I'll mostly be comparing it to Mario's Wii U 2-D platformer, NSMBU.

My first point is the difficulty. The New Super Mario Bros. games have always felt too easy. Tropical Freeze has challenging levels, but I want to be challenged. The satisfaction after beating a tough level is extremely rewarding. It's also not cheap difficulty. It's genuine challenge and I only have myself to blame when I die, not the game.

Aesthetically, NSMBU pales in comparison. The NSMB games have gotten into this dull cycle of Grass, Desert, Ice, Water, Forest, Mountain, Sky, and Volcano worlds always in that order. Tropical Freeze's levels all feel unique. Many reviewers have talked about how someone could reference any moment in the game, and you would be able to picture that exact level. Who could forget that Lion King-y level in World 3 where everything is moving to the music? NSMBU had something similar with the painting background in world 5, but that was only one level.

The character, boss, and enemy models are also more expressive and lively in Tropical Freeze. Boss fights are also much more intense and fun as opposed to jumping on the Koopaling's head 3 times. Also, Rambi > Yoshi.

While I like the music in NSMB, it gets kinda tiring to hear those same "bahs" over and over. I don't know if Tropical Freeze had orchestrated music, but it just has a better sound to it. Part of that is the amazing David Wise returning from the original games.

One more thing. I like how we had different villains this time. Would I love the Kremlings? Sure. But the Snowmads are cool too. What I would like to see is Bowser taking a break from being the villain for awhile. Why not bring someone like Wart back? Or even have a new enemy. There's only so many times I can stand pushing a button to kill Bowser, then running away from giant Bowser to push another button. NSMBU fixed this a little bit with its final battle, but I still wanted more.

I know this makes it sound like I hate NSMBU, but I don't. It's still some fun Mario platforming. I just feel like after being introduced to DKC, Maio could stand to up its game a little bit. Now, I haven't played 3D World yet, so maybe that fixed some issues. Though that's not entirely a 2-d platformer. I played 3D Land and liked it well enough, so who knows. What do you guys think?

Also, vote Dixie or K. Rool for Smash DLC!
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Thoughts?
 
Most of these I can agree with. I understand why Mario is generally easy though as it's made with younger folk in mind.

And while I like the snowmads, ultimately they just made me wish K.Rool came back so I'm not crazy on new villains for Mario platformers.
 
I'd take the shovel knight approach to Mario bosses personally.
 
Less ''waitey''then the TF ones

 
I never played Donkey Kong Country, but I feel 2D Mario platformers need to take cues from Kirby and Rayman as well. Mostly, the better water controls, the lack of lives, making Mario feel more acrobatic than a jumping wooden plank like he is right now, the instant respawns, more combat options, and the aesthetics. I just feel Mario platformers need something more than just platforming to keep my interest since my interest is waning on them. I like Mario platformers, but it's not my favorite platformer or games in the Mario series (I don't think it has ever been anyway, though).
 
Agree 100%. Similar things be said about the new Rayman games as well, especially those musical levels (Black Betty level is the best level in gaming, no question)
 
Mario Party Σ said:
I never played Donkey Kong Country, but I feel 2D Mario platformers need to take cues from Kirby and Rayman as well. Mostly, the better water controls, the lack of lives, making Mario feel more acrobatic than a jumping wooden plank like he is right now, the instant respawns, more combat options, and the aesthetics. I just feel Mario platformers need something more than just platforming to keep my interest since my interest is waning on them. I like Mario platformers, but it's not my favorite platformer or games in the Mario series (I don't think it has ever been anyway, though).
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I think the way Mario moves right now is perfectly fine, at least for the 2D games.
 
Chiaki Nanami said:
(Black Betty level is the best level in gaming, no question)
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I concur
 
I disagree.