When I think of the difference between the T rated SSBM and E rated MK:DD, both of which are not mainstream Mario but have the characters in them, that's where I see the differences.
I like SSBM because the graphics were a lot better taken care of to look realistic, like with the fire and clothing. I like how all the Mario characters contained a more real look but still had the cartoon factor, like the puffiness of Peach's hair and there same old exaggerated noses and eyes.
Then when I look at MK:DD, I think the gameplay was just... fun. It was fast-paced, shells-exploding-mere-feet-in-front-of-you, socks-rocking fun. The movements were really smooth, too. The problem with the graphics though, were that everything was shiny, bright, and almost too cartoony. when I look at Peach Beach, I think it could have been so much better if the water looked like water and not a blue tarp with mayonnaise squirted in random lines over it. Things were almost TOO smooth.
When I look at Super Mario Sunshine, that is my idea of what a Mario game should look like. It's NOT all butterflies and rainbows while it still maintains the cartoon feel to it. Like those flower enemies weren't very real-looking, but it was still mildly amusing to see them splat against walls and stuff. And then they still had things that were real-looking to even things out. If you go to Gelato Beach and go up to the ampitheater in the hills, you should see those tiles in the ground. Or the Sirena Beach sunset, the WATER, They use colors a lot better. It just looks GOOD. And it's fun, even if you ignore the graphics completely.
I really don't mind so much happy-cartoon blob as long as it doesn't take over the whole video game, making me want to puke and shove dirt into my mouth.
Edited by - Markio on 7/14/2005 11:59:12 AM
