Having played Galaxy 2 all the way through, and still thinking it is even worse than Galaxy 1 to this day with all the rehashed content (sound familiar? even 3D Mario is getting the “cut-and-paste” deal now), there was a world that did stick out to me the most that would make a “new” world for Super Mario Brothers:
Skip to the 2:59 mark of the video. In Galaxy 2, the platforms would change in perfect synchronization with the tempo of the background music to a different position with different enemies and color. I had a blast playing this level (too bad it was the only level I enjoyed), and the harder Comet version makes the music go faster along and the platforms change quicker than you think with a sped-up tempo.
I know you’re not into 3D Mario, but I was thinking that maybe a future SMB game could evolve this world concept in 2-D and not only make the platforms change with the tempo, but also have the enemies’ attacks be synchronized with the notes of the music piece that’s playing in the background. Maybe mix it up and randomize it with the enemies doing the beat and the platforms with the notes, or make the platforms go all over the place and not just in one spot. Maybe even have a power-up with Mario blaring a giant tuba or something and make the enemies go flying (like in cartoons or when Kirby destroys his enemies with a microphone/megaphone in Return to Dreamland). Even better: Maestro Mario! XD And have enemies attacking with, or as, instruments themselves, I don’t know.
But let’s not just name this “Music World” for the sake of being a “musical world”; let’s call it “MP3 World.” Why? Because, like in Excite Truck and Endless Ocean through SD cards, you can be able to use your own music (or music that you download) and have that music replace the current bland music (a perfect fix to the whole “bah bah” music). Therefore, you’ll never know what kind of beat you’ll have to be aware of when you have to change platforms on the fly. And as a bonus: you can listen to your favorite song while still playing, though since this is the era of Internet, let’s use more than SD cards this time. (Although Nintendo ditched MP3 format for the Wii in Photo Channel 1.1 in favor of AAC format for iTunes, but Excite Truck and Endless Ocean still retain MP3s. There’s another idea: have it compatible with ALL music file formats and not just one.)
Or just name it “Fantasia World” inspired from Disney’s “Fantasia.” XDI think that would be good for a stage design or two. But for an entire world? Keep in mind that these worlds won’t just stay in 2d Mario but appear in Mario Kart courses and the Mario sports games. They need very strong visual themes as well.
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