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Reader Discussion: Which Classic Series Should Return To 2D?

Nintendo’s recent Super Mario Bros. 4 web domain registry has a lot of fans excited. A return to the classic numbering convention is leading some to believe this new Mario game could be an even more traditionally 2D platformer than New Super Mario Bros. Wii. At the same time, Shigeru Miyamoto has gone on the record saying he’d love to see a remake or new Zelda game in the style of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. All this talk of returning to series’ roots has us wondering: What Nintendo franchise, or any other for that matter, would you like see return to 2D?

Metroid fans have been clamoring for a true Super Metroid-style sequel for years. The Earthbound series also has a loyal following who would die if a new entry in the series was announced. Kid Icarus: Uprising recently hit the 3DS in with a new behind-the-back third-person perspective, but maybe you’d like to see a hard-as-nails return to Pit’s NES days. Maybe you're also in the mood for some more Ghosts 'n Goblins or a throwback to the glory days of side-scrolling Castlevania?

Sound off of in the comments below on a classic Nintendo series you’d like to see a new 2D entry for.

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Comments
  • Is this even a question? A legit 2D sonic game PLEASEEEEE SEGA

  • I'd love to play another, new Mario game in 2D, but honestly, Sonic would be the one to do so for survival purposes.

  • Mario bros. Not just Mario but Mario bros.

  • A 2D Dark Souls would be pretty sweet.

  • a 2D retro-made metroid please. though i wouldnt mind a castlevania either. or Yoshi's Island 2. or more DKC. or zelda. you know what, just make more 2D games of all of these series.

  • I'd have to say Super Mario Bros. Don't think the games have the original feel like they used to have. If not Mario, definetely Metroid.

  • easy: castlevania! but not handheld, I'm thinking big screen xbox, ps3 and maybe wii

  • LAST

  • i know that they do make 2d ones still but they just need to stop with the crappy 3d sonic games, go back to the original formula that would be great

  • Are you kiiding me? Choose just one? That's like asking what one way you'd choose to bang Jenna Jameson if you had the chance!

    So here's my list, David Letterman style:
    5. Castlevania - I agree: not handheld - full console

    4. Metroid - same as above

    3. Legend of Zelda

    2. PHANTASY STAR 5:
    Sega!! Puh-LEASE!!! Give us a real 2D single player sequel! I'll give my LEFT nut!

    1. SUPER MARIO 4:
    No crayons, no paper, no 2.5 D, just a pure sequel to Super Mario World with high-res true 2D graphics. Tons of new costumes, new moves and an overworld map with twists, turns a creative layout and tons of secret paths and secret worlds. Not the grid like NSMBW and Mario 3D. Please Nintendo! I'll give my RIGHT nut! And at that point, it won't matter cuz I'll be too busy with all my high res 2D games to care! LOL!
  • Nintendo has mastered 3D mario and zelda games. The last metroid wasn't that good, but Nintendo proved it was good in 3D. I don't know about Pit or earthboud, but I think Nintendo is fine where it is right now.

  • I would love to see a Golgo 13 remake. That was a great game. Also Ghosts n Goblins, Gyromite would be an interesting remake for Wii(dreaming of a life size R.O.B), Rygar, Kid Icarus and...cant think of anything else but those would be my top 5 choices! ^_^

  • Hmm... not sure. I like how most of Nintendo's games have evolved. Other than Metroid, I like them all. New Game and Watch maybe?
  • Super Metroid is the greatest game in the franchise.  The only other games to match the style, atmosphere, mood, music, and feel of Super Metroid are the three main (3-D) Metroid Prime games.  

    Metroid doesn't need to be in 2D or 3D.  It just needs to be like Super or Prime.

    And it definitely doesn't need to be like the linear BS found in Metroid Fusion or the linear, nonsensical, grade-Z sci-fi nonsense found in Other M.  

  • I know this isn't a Nintendo franchise but I think Sonic should/could return to 2D seeing as the 3D games haven't been that well received by fans or critics.
  • That picture says it all. Metroid is over due for some 2d loving.

  • Sonic. It used to be a classic series. They've tried, but it was still 3d-ish. Sonic's transition from 2d to 3d is like a child actor trying to become an adult actor. It usually doesn't work, and the adult tuns into a burnout junkie. Is there any way that Sonic can be reborn as the icon from the 80's and early 90's? That's what I really want.
  • I'd love to see a new Fallout in that old-style format, or as Colton said a Quackshot 2. Castlevania would be rad, as I love that series greatly.
  • I think as seamless the transition was for some fighting games to add 3d elements I also think its sort or awkward and choppy to see games like sf4 and KoF in 3d.  I mean imagine how sweet technology could make a 2d fighting game nowadays.  Skullgirls has the right idea in my book.

  • As I've never played the original Metal Gear's, I think it'd be neat if they went back to that with more modern approaches to game mechanics; Kojima might even be able to sneak his long cutscenes in on it anyway.