The other day I decided to try and play Super Mario 64 again. I had tried it a few years back but didn’t like it. After playing it again, I remember why I didn’t like it the first time. The game is really terrible in so many ways. Unlike later 3D games, you can’t control the camera in this one, and the camera is just atrocious. As a result, it’s a terrible struggle to see what you need to see.

Also, with 2D Mario the objective is clear: To reach the end of the level. In this game, it’s not clear what the objective is at all. I was running around one of the levels completely lost on what to do. I know I could’ve gone online to find this out, but I couldn’t find the motivation. Instead, I just quit. It’s hard to see how Nintendo could have ever thought that this game would be a suitable replacement for 2D Mario.

The camera is bad in Super Mario 64 because Nintendo lost the patent for the camera system they were using and had to come up with something else.

There isn’t a reason why 3d Mario is bad; it is simply bad. Nintendo has spent gazillions and decades trying to ‘fix’ 3d Mario, and they have nothing without blowing up the marketing budget.

What I want to point out is the hypocrisy of Shigeru Miyamoto. He says on 2d Mario, “I have made that game. I do not want to make it again,” yet he keeps making 3d Mario again and again and again.

Some people point to Miyamoto being the key to modern Nintendo’s success. It would be interesting to seriously consider, with facts and evidence, that Miyamoto is actually the key to modern Nintendo’s downfall.

What has Miyamoto done?

He didn’t make these consoles.

He didn’t make Wii Sports.

He wasn’t the force behind NSMB.

He isn’t the one behind Mario Kart.

He isn’t the one behind Zelda (but put Aonuma in which has been a disaster).

Pikmin, in every incarnation, has been a total failure.

Donkey Kong for Gameboy (made by Miyamoto) got obliterated by Donkey Kong Country (made by Rare).

I  can only think of Nintendogs. Ooohhh. A puppy simulator!

Most of Miyamoto’s decisions have been crippling for the company. Miyamoto was behind the 3DS design. Miyamoto put Aonuma in charge of Zelda and even responded to this page saying that ‘Zelda is for story and puzzles’ which Breath of the Wild leaves out (which is why it is so popular).

Game business is hard, so not everything works. However, Miyamoto’s sick, sick obsession over 3d is very concerning. I bet Nintendo has an expensive Virtual Reality prototype they keep experimenting with so all of Nintendo’s ‘innovations’ lead to that eventual destination.