The pre-3d land 3d mario should not be seen as part of the main series that include the NES trilogy and World. They do not have the spirit.
Compare 64 to 3d Land. Which one feels like the successor to Super Mario World, truly bringing the Super Mario Bros. experience into the 3d realm? Sure, there are several spin off games that offer divergence from the trademark formula, but they are spinoffs, nothing more. No one would say that Mario vs. Donkey Kong or Paper Mario are games in the same vein as Super Mario Bros., the Super Mario 2 duology, 3, or World. They are fine games, but if such entries into the franchise were truly needed, make them obvious spinoffs. Mario's Big Adventure, Mario's Vacation, or Mario: Pasta in Space would be more accurate. This would aid in letting people know that these are not main entries, and should be treated as such.
Despite Luigi coming into his own as a separate character from Mario in Super Mario USA, no one looks at Luigi's Mansion as a follow up to it, due to vastly different mechanics. So what are these 3d games' excuse?
Why does Mario not shrink in these games?!!! Why are Fire Flowers temporary, like the Starman? Why can Mario not breathe underwater indefinitely? Are his lungs weak like Sonic's now?
Mario shrinking with the aid of mushrooms is intrisic to the main titles, with even Super Mario USA having this feature.
It is as strange as having a main line Final Fantasy be westernized and action based..........oh..........
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