The 'Shroom:Issue 128/Critic Corner: Difference between revisions

First let's go back to before [[Mario]] even entered the picture. That's right, there was a short period of time where Mario wasn't even a part of this! "So who was the lead character", you mentally asked your computer screen? A square. Just a simple square. Couldn't even jump, just moved along the ground in a single screen. Just image if this riveting gameplay made it big, we'd be called the "Super Square Wiki". Actually, probably not, as this square was meant to be nothing more than a placeholder. Upon seeing the success of the [[Mario Bros. (game)|''Mario Bros.'' game]], the then-fresh-out-of-dev-school [[Takashi Tezuka]] suggested that Mario be used as the character to [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]. He agreed, and the rest is history.

Kind of. While they had settled on the character, the gameplay was something else entirely. At first, the game was not a platformer, but a shooter! Mario was able to carry weapons, such as a rifle or a "beam gun", and use them to attack enemies. The "Up Button" on the {{button|NES|pad}} was used to make Mario jump, while the {{button|NES|A}} was used to attack, either with the weapon or a kick if Mario was empty-handed. The game was also split between "ground" and "air" levels, with Mario riding a rocket or a cloud in the air levels as he shot enemies. This concept appears to have been revisited as the [[Sky Pop]] levels in ''[[Super Mario Land]]'', and those [[Coin Heaven]] areas appear to be remnants of the idea. While the option to use guns as a weapon was canned, the ability to attack was not, as the [[Fire Flower]]s was brought in as a more comical way of dealing with those pesky [[Goomba]]s. And Mario eventually got a gun in ''[[Yoshi's Safari]]'' and the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]], so there's that. Oh, and [[Luigi]] was brought in at some point, too.

''[[Paper Mario]]'', since that's a cool reference that will make Mario RPG fans happy as they wait longingly for a classic-style Paper Mario game. I also would love to hear a remix of this track's music, because I like it a lot (enough to put it on my Top 15 Mario Music list a few months ago).<br>

'''GBA Sunset Wilds'''<br>

If there is one course theme that's overdone in Mario Kart games, it's the desert theme. What makes this worse is that it's almost always an Egyptian-themed desert. While ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' did have [[Yoshi Desert|one of these]], it also had [[Sunset Wilds]]. This track is desert-themed, but it's themed after the Wild West, with music that sounds like it's straight out of an old cowboy movie. You could argue that it's a canyon, not a desert, but I digress. This theme is much more unique than most desert courses, so I think it'd be great choice for the next game. Furthermore, the course's sunset and eventual night sky would look beautiful in HD. I don't think this course needs too many changes as it's already well-designed and nice-looking. There is the question of what to do with the Shy Guys, however. In the original version, they'd latch onto your kart and slow you down when you crash into their teepees. This may be annoying, but it's so dang hilarious how they're just minding their own business until you crash through their teepee and they get stuck on your kart. That's why I kind of hope they stay despite being a hassle to deal with. Honestly, I really hope this course makes it into the next game.{{br}}

'''GCN Mushroom City'''<br>

Have you ever been on a road trip where you had to drive through mountains? That's what [[Shroom Ridge]] from ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'' emulates. This course takes place on a mountain ridge, and it's another one of those types where you have to avoid the cars. To address what you must be thinking, I know having this course in the same game as GCN Mushroom City would be slightly redundant, but there's a few differences between the two that justify this: this course takes place during the day unlike Mushroom City, it is mountainous rather than a cityscape, and it feels a bit more relaxed (despite the fact that cars are coming from both directions rather than only one). This track is rather fun to play at, and it's one of the few Mario Kart DS courses that haven't returned yet. I think a glider ramp would be great to add to this course, since it feels like the right type of course for flying over. However, I wouldn't add any anti-gravity sections because I can't see where those would really work. This course could also use a lot more details in its background, so that would be nice to see in a remake of the track. This course is due for a remake, so get ready for it in Mario Kart 9.<br>

'''Wii Toad's Factory'''<br>

While [[Wario]] is the character known for owning property and companies, it turns out that [[Toad (character)|Toad]] of all people has made a rather successful business venture producing [[Item Box|Item Boxes]]. There are still many courses from ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' that have not yet returned, but I feel that [[Toad's Factory]] is quite ready for a comeback. It's got a lot of features that make things interesting, such as conveyor belts, hydraulic crushing machines, and bulldozers. I could easily see the big jump shortly before the mud section having a glider ramp on one side while keeping the normal boost ramp on the other side. The aesthetics of this course are also great, with cranes, crates, and other factory things. Besides the aforementioned glider ramp, I don't think this course needs much change besides glorious HD, although an anti-gravity section to the side in one of the buildings could work. This track also has a killer soundtrack that would sound great remixed. This course would be a cool choice for the next game, and Toad would be happy about his increased monetary gain.<br>

'''3DS Shy Guy Bazaar'''