The Bland Era of Mario

Alax rants about Mario games that aren't necessarily horrible but are not the level of quality he came to expect from a franchise that prided itself in its quality. Soup.
patreon: / relaxalax
twitch: / relaxalax
thumbnail art: / muddywolfcrow
editing assistance - / @jandroalem

[@beanburrito4405]

Mario Kart 7’s worst crime is having Waluigi Pinball and not being able to play Waluigi on it.

[@_-Lx-_]

Yet it has the bee...

[@modernkiwi6447]

I don't actually mind Honey Queen's inclusion. It was probably the most original thing that Mario Kart 7 did, since she just showed up out of nowhere, then disappeared. She isn't even in Mario Kart Tour yet, that's how hard she disappeared

[@DTheAustralian]

Actually it’s not having offline single player VS Race. Why does nobody ever talk about that?

[@DTheAustralian]

@@_-Lx-_ Considering how many people complained about Pink Gold Peach in Mario Kart 8- I’m surprised people are still getting pressed over unique, obscure characters. If you don’t want clones but also don’t want unique racers- what DO you want? (plus why focus specifically on honey queen- what’s she got that other MK7 characters don’t have lmao)

[@_-Lx-_]

@@DTheAustralian I'm just saying the character priorities were out of wack. Waluigi was missing from 7 despite being a staple of the sports/party style spinoffs and being a fan favourite in some's eyes, but there was the Bee from like 2 singular missions in Galaxy instead of him. Bee Queen is just such a left field and irrelevant choice of Character for these spinoffs, so everyone agrees it's weird they decided to include her instead of the one character who's entire purpose is to show up to spinoffs, that's Waluigi's entire job, he's been in nearly every game of this style since his creation. So to throw him out when that's all he's ever had yet put in a Bee with less than 5 minutes of screen time previous to that is confusing.

[@SonicHaXD]

4:21 I love how even the cat got shocked by that XD

[@rezaching]

oh hey it's you. i love you

[@noobio5510]

S o u p

[@backslash_bks]

You were one sencond away from greatness

[@Sillylilgrill]

XD

[@godoftomatos881]

You watch everyone I watch

[@toxiquid]

Bland food? Tastes just like home haha mama mia

[@souprNova]

It's the purple demon owner.

[@DipperGames]

10:52 It's actually worth mentioning that Mario Golf: World Tour is an incredible game with some extremely creative and memorable courses. It may looks generic at first but when you get into it it's honestly everything you could ever want from a Mario Golf experience. There's so much content here that I'm still playing it today, it's really worth giving a chance

[@16BitKamek]

That's the one Mario Golf game I skipped. No reason why. I just never got to it. Now I'm wondering if I should even get it with the new Mario Golf coming out in a couple weeks.

[@DipperGames]

@@16BitKamek I kind of worry about the longevity Super Rush will have. The courses don't seem terribly unique and we haven't seen many of them. In World Tour there are 10 courses, plus 6 DLC ones. I would be really disappointed if the Switch game doesn't outdo it, either creatively or content wise.

[@cedriccox9480]

I was worried about that too but then I saw you were able to Golf a Shot into a Clay Pot on a Moais head

[@TwitterVS]

I liked Mario Kart 7 a lot. and then 8 came out and I haven't payed it since lol

[@impmadness]

Twitter man

[@SomeGuyHowGoesIt]

@@impmadness twitter you say

[@nicoexists]

Yeah I like Mario kart 7 and it’s good but I am slightly neutral of it because I feel good when playing but in between I feel meh

[@vertz1515]

I only play Mario Kart 7 for its online. Mario Kart 8 isn’t very popular or used. I do have the game but it’s doesn’t work so that’s off the table. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was good but paying for online is kind of a turn off. 3DS it is... I guess

[@jakey3273]

How much do you pay it? 💰

[@orbic521]

In my opinion, we're still feeling the effects of said "bland" era today. Like no doubt this era of Mario is way better and way more creative, but you can still feel hints of them holding back, flickers of "sterility" just for brand image. It's still not quite as free as it used to be. Paper Mario really displays that best. Origami King is certainly a million times more interesting than Sticker Star, but it's still not as insane and creative as the series was BEFORE Sticker Star, and I feel the same can be said for the rest of the Mario franchise.

[@segaspice4062]

Yeah Odyssey was meh for me, especially comparing it to Galaxy or even 3D World

[@stanstanstan2597]

I would say that Odyssey is a break from that. The environments and platforming mechanics are unprecedented in their creativity, much more than 64, or the 3D series.

[@HarvestMasterJack]

I think Origami King sticks out as an example of bland because it's the game we know was specifically, on purpose, held to that "brand recognition" restriction that Odyssey was not. Bowser's Fury did show off a little hint of this, with final Bowser being once again big ordinary cartoony Bowser... but you can't deny that no one in a million years expected Death Metal Godzilla Bowser from a re-released game's side mode.

[@Rediscool9]

I get where you’re coming from, but I still respectfully disagree. Origami King is an underrated gem in my opinion. The Switch era for Mario in general is EXTREMELY overlooked, overhated, and underrated. The GameCube/Original DS era for Mario meanwhile is extremely overhyped and overrated.

[@ArcRay20]

what i find funny is that the first Paper Mario feels so damn safe for the brand, yet its still rather creative while staying well within the confines of that brand. 1000 Year Door is SUCH a big fucking leap its surprising that it exists.

[@isetmfriendsofire]

Makes you appreciate Zelda's ever-changing artstyle even more.

[@BrandonCrAzYyt]

Aren't their like 3 zelda games with multi color Links using Windwaker style on the 3ds

[@chich-ai]

@@BrandonCrAzYyt Still a good artstyle

[@isetmfriendsofire]

@@BrandonCrAzYyt Yes

[@jonpatchmodular]

@Lest go Oh I thought he was exaggerating, but I just remembered Four Swords/Four Swords Adventures use the Minish Cap artstyle, which is like a 2D version of Wind Waker's. But calling those Wind Waker's style would be stretching it.

[@bareq99]

@@jonpatchmodular nah.. Minish cap used Fours sword's artstyle (it came before it) and 4 swords adventure is an entirely different artstyle that was never used before or after unfortunately

[@SuperWiiBros08]

I think Mario just needed a break

[@FindingsOfAnArmouredMind]

"A break from what!?"

[@doozy5184]

After doing the same thing for 25 years, I'd probably want a break too. See you when I'm 25, where I'll probably have the blandest vacation of my life for three years.

[@googleguy-ft8xh]

@jason is the meme lord from being reinvented

[@youpickwario1992]

Translation: Alax loosing himself because of bland Mario.

[@Jenn_parker0]

"I love Luigi's mansion, it implies dead babies" Alax, 2021

[@demetriuskafkoulas5005]

That face when Mario Kart 7 is actually your favorite Mario Kart game :(

[@DeadmanGamin]

That face is your Profile Pic.

[@outlawruby]

Same :(

[@TheZoruaKid]

Facts, dont get me wrong 8 is fun af but I put sooo many hours into 7 it barely compares

[@NeonBlueLight]

7 had the best rainbow road in terms of song and stage. Hell I'd be fine if it was 3 laps instead of N64's

[@bloodmuzzle]

@@NeonBlueLight No lies were spoken that day

[@stevengc125]

I don't appreciate the Dark Moon and Mario Kart 7 slander.

[@mcnierstenen9017]

This guys talking mostly out of his nostalgia hole. Like no rational person would play something like sunshine over 3D land, sure sunshine is more creative but 3D land is far more functional

[@StonyBroi]

@@mcnierstenen9017 “No rational person” But have you ever thought of the fact that… maybe he prefers that creativity rather than more functionality? My first play through of Sunshine was a couple months ago, and I can say it would be more enjoyable than 3D land.

[@mcnierstenen9017]

@@StonyBroi alright, that's fair. I might have been a little harsh, but I would still argue that in terms of execution mario 3d land sticks the landing while sunshine fumbles through most of its playtime. I remember really looking forward to sunshine, but like most gamecube games it was just a title that was rushed to sell units. But aside from that, my point is: I can get beaches in any mario game, for stereoscopic 3d I've only got 1 option. It's not like mario was any better on gamecube than on 3ds

[@ronnieradon]

nah. the games really are just lame. and this is coming from from someone who grew up with them.. it all just felt off.

[@orangeslash1667]

@@ronnieradon Unlike the Wii and DS, because of increasing technology. Nintendo in House couldn't make games fast enough for both 3ds and Wii U, while also having most of the them standout. The Switch worked because it felt like an all hands on deck situation, and thus more focus.

[@davidmorin2818]

I think 3D land should be given a break. It's perfect for the limitations of the 3DS

[@zjzr08]

Super Mario 64 DS pushed the DS - argurably before it's time (controls the most questionable) - so I personally don't buy the constraints excuse.

the 3ds didn't limit anything about 3d land, it has a small scope by design

[@yeehaw8089]

what do you mean give it a break the movement is boring the plot is uninspired the game is baby easy there’s nothing special about the game

[@robertwyatt3912]

@@yeehaw8089 yeah but it’s fun

[@yeehaw8089]

@@robertwyatt3912 yeah to you maybe I think the majority of people who aren’t Nintendo drones would say the game is boring

[@realkingofantarctica]

Nintendo will never get as experimental with Mario as they did in the Gamecube era. Dance Dance Revolution Mario Mix will forever haunt my wet dreams.

[@LucDaMan4]

.... wet?

[@Jamie-sg5in]

@@LucDaMan4 😈

[@radiokunio3738]

@@LucDaMan4 DDR Mario Mix is the only mario game with waluigi as the main villain, who wouldn't get wet at dom daddy waluigi.

[@tjlnintendo]

@@radiokunio3738 Waluigi was sorta the final boss in mario party 3. Or at least he had his own board.

[@Spoonkid222]

and it did kinda continue into the wii era.

[@YoyIeCake]

"ITS F**KIN MARIO KART AGAIN" -Scott the Woz on the murder of Scott's 3DS

[@desh206]

That quote is from is mario kart 7 video

[@DaNintendude]

I seriously don't understand the 3D Land hate. Galaxy 2 literally released the year before. It was something we've never got before. A lot of level themes were a lot more creative than NSMBWii. It was simple, but it was fresh and new. I hate to see it get spat upon like this.

[@16BitKamek]

There's like 4 or 5 years in between Galaxy and 3D World. I think you mean Galaxy 2, which was just more Galaxy 1. Nothing wrong with that, but nothing innovative either.

[@DaNintendude]

@@16BitKamek I did mean Galaxy 2. I guess I forgot to put the number :|, I'll fix that. Galaxy 2 may have been more of Galaxy 1, but there were still plenty of new ideas and unique locations.

[@KaitouKaiju]

3D Land was made to be a retread of SMB3 yet wasn't nearly as good So it felt like there was no reason to play 3D Land since it offered nothing new

[@marioman1242]

I only remember good things about 3D Land, where in comparison I remember being thoroughly underwhelmed and disappointed by 3D World. Maybe if I went back and played through 3D Land again now I might disagree with myself, but I seriously just remember 3D Land being a good ass game.

[@thatitalianlameguy2235]

3d land isn't hated, just a unoriginal looking bad. It was brought down by the constant retreads of the formula at the time

[@RealOriginalJ]

The only Mario games I truly didn’t like in the “bland Mario era” were Paper Mario Sticker Star and New Super Mario Bros. 2. Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 were amazing for its time!

[@yeehaw8089]

what do you mean amazing for it’s time, they were bland and unoriginal. for example, 64 was a much more interesting game, on WORSE hardware.

[@RealOriginalJ]

@@yeehaw8089 maybe to you, but I found those games really fun to play at the time they came out.

[@yeehaw8089]

@@RealOriginalJ that’s fine if they’re fun, but what makes the game unique or creative?

[@RealOriginalJ]

@@yeehaw8089 I mean what other games on the 3ds were like those games at the time? Those games were creative and their game mechanics were improved on their sequels to those games: Super Mario 3D World and Mario Kart 8. The games sold millions of copies and were a ton of fun to people. New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Paper Mario Sticker Star did not do anything at all. In fact, sticker star frustrated almost the majority of paper Mario fans and New Super Mario Bros 2 didn’t garner a true sequel since New Super Mario Bros U came out that same year.

[@yeehaw8089]

@@RealOriginalJ search up “3ds platformer”

[@CropCirclePictures]

I can see how this era was weak or bland, but I never thought it was really all that bad. They were games for a portable console, what were you expecting? The memories of my friends and I at work playing Mario Kart 7 on break are some of my fondest about this era. And all the epic comebacks my friends and I had in Mario Party Island Tour always make me smile. For me these games come from a very specific time in my life along with a lot of specific memories. Shame you couldn’t enjoy these games for what they are, but to each their own.

[@thelostmessenger]

Yeah, it was very memorable for me too to grow up with.

[@oldducky2796]

sameeee i played mk7 and mario party island tour all the time

[@kevinpeixes3735]

I was expecting an interesting game to play, but yeah thats on me

[@CropCirclePictures]

@@kevinpeixes3735 👍🏼

[@thatitalianlameguy2235]

Well the whole mario and luigi series and super princess peach were on handhelds and they were pretty creative. And mario kart ds was the one that introduced many innovations to the series. Being on a handheld has nothing to do with the quality of the game.

[@FletcherReedsRandomness]

I think the weakest era of Mario was between 1992 and 1996. Between Super Mario Kart and Super Mario RPG, there just wasn't much of anything to sink our teeth into. I mean, what did fans have to play back then? Hotel Mario? Mario's Time Machine? Mario's Super Picross? At least there are people who like Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7.

[@lpgoodgamer7137]

But super Mario rpg was good You’re right about the others though

[@buiscuitmajor445]

Yoshi's Island came out in 95, along with Super Mario Land 2 in 92.

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

Comparing the early 90s era of gaming to the post-2000 era is obviously going to make the older era look more bland in a lot of, if not most, cases. Seriously the N64 and PS1 were the perfect bridge to our modern era of gaming.

[@IAm-zo1bo]

@@BradsGonnaPlay "obviously older is more bland r- right guys?" no

[@GUNUFofficial]

You know what they say, all toasters, toast toast!

[@GamerLMA]

3d land and 7 where great. But yeah even then nothing about soup 2 made me get it

[@moosesues8887]

That’s funny

[@SonicTheCutehog]

Honestly though, I'm surprised it took until Mario Kart 7 for them to add the Fire Flower as an item.

[@seab4519]

I swear the fire flower is a threat in Mario kart 7 and 8 every time I see a fireball pass me I start sweating

[@rodrigomorales563]

Even in our current era, while we've escaped the bland era, I still feel like elements from then are still seeping through to our modern fresh experiences. It doesn't feel like we've left completely.

[@VentA_7]

Which isn’t a bad thing: going balls to the wall always original isn’t inherently good or bad, just like how sticking very closely to established ideas is neither inherently good or bad

[@zjzr08]

@@VentA_7 My issue here is that they're keeping the most basic things rather than the more interesting ones. Why do Toads live in a cutesy village, rather than a seeming regular village like in Paper Mario 64? The hills looks like the same spotty hills as of late, and we're missing more of the ones with eyes or the candy cane ones. It's like they have decided most of the atmosphere should be from SMB3 which IMO is not the most interesting environment to adapt (I much prefer SMBW's). And also how we really don't see "neutral" Koopas and Goombas as much anymore and seemingly are now all aligned with Bowser.

[@NickMario1]

@@zjzr08 in the new Mario party game there are nice

[@zjzr08]

@@NickMario1 Interestingly they are friendly but are under the Villains roster (which is fine for the game but doesn't debunk the "Koopas are all working for Bowser" idea).

[@buzzytrombone4353]

@@zjzr08 Does it need to though?

[@beta8629]

Alax: *talks about the bland era of Mario* KZbin: PAPER MARIO BABY

[@skirdus367]

>dream team it really sucks that the last mario rpg without creative restrictions holding it back came out almost 10 years ago

[@pradhu6939]

“Maybe to somebody this may be the bee’s knees” Shows Queen Bee Awkward silence

[@thepastaprogenitor851]

Mario 3d land was an absolute banger. It fulfilled expectations (introducing new power-ups, putting a 3d mario game on mobile) then gave us 8 new worlds on top of that. Truly the most underrated game in the franchise

[@Videospiel-Man5730]

The post game worlds were great! And had the perfect difficulty neither bullshit nor easy!

[@TheBizzareBirb]

At least Dream Team was one of the best things to come out of that era, even if it wasn’t as good as Bowser’s Inside Story.

[@ShibuNub3305]

It let you play with luigi's nose, 11/10

[@4xzx4]

Dream Team sucked

[@MashupProductions22]

@@4xzx4 no

[@4xzx4]

@@MashupProductions22 ok

[@Frn56]

@@4xzx4 it doesn't suck, but, i think it's pretty normal, they tried to make it so similar to BIS that it's impossible to not compare them. They had one of the most interesting and surreal concepts that ever existed; the dreams, and they didn't take advantage of it as much as Bowser's body. Also, spending the whole game looking for 'X' number of pillows, or 'X' parts of a bed gave a feeling of a collectaton.

[@parasyte_exe]

Looking Cool, Alax

[@AntforceYT]

I always enjoyed 3D Land but I can see where you’re coming from. I love the music and especially the final boss!

[@joeda900]

Seeing Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land and both of them are labbled as bland truly hurts me....

[@woomy4839]

@@joeda900 same here bro.. same here

[@Lukastar1]

“Noooo!! You can’t just make bland, unoriginal Mario games!” Nintendo: hehe Tanuki leaf go brrr

[@tc6103]

You formulated all of my abstract thoughts into words and I really appreciate it

[@brayden6449]

As a wise man once said, “It’s f*cking MarioKart again!”

[@jeremiahhester6408]

And broke his 3DS

[@MikeDaddyMCS]

I actually liked Mario Kart 7, undoubtedly has the best Rainbow Road

[@pepperbytez8128]

Also it has Waluigi Pinball... Agian

[@5qu3l]

@@pepperbytez8128 Again? The only games it's in are Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart 7 (and Mario Kart Tour if you even count it). And the game it last appeared in when 7 came out wasn't even the latest game in the series

[@pepperbytez8128]

@@5qu3l And?

[@zigzoinks5493]

@@pepperbytez8128 Point is, it only returned once. (Not counting Tour.)

[@tuluflulu]

@@pepperbytez8128 How is that a bad thing? I mean yeah, it makes Waluigi's absence even dumber, but the track itself is good.

[@JacobKealohi]

This era of Mario didn't really make an Ultra Smash, but..... we don't talk about that one.

[@autismandgaming4532]

@Ted Gonzalez way too shallow for how much it costed. It feels like a demo

[@treemannick2969]

@Ted Gonzalez ITS JUST TENNIS

[@TGCPhilip]

"The first mario game I was sincerely disappointed with" Let me get this straight, this man really just shot my childhood in the knees, stabbed it's elbows, and breakdanced to persona 5 music on it's dying body.

[@UNSCMarine117]

Yes.

[@randomduck8679]

@@lol-ih1tl Wasn't 3D Land the system seller for the 3ds? Wouldn't that period be where 3D land peaked in popularity?

[@zjzr08]

@@randomduck8679 I guess that's where it lies, they targeted more of the casual crowd, who probably wants a quick enjoyable experience, with nostalgia added in, sacrificing what more dedicated Mario players (yeah, we exist) want in pushing the franchise forward - NSMB was fine as we were a long time that we didn't have a 2D Mario, and NSMB Wii at least had multiple characters at once and Koopalings coming back, but after that many of the Mario games' gameplay and themes feel too corporate for the lack of word.

[@BrokeBot]

3D Land was my first mario game

[@KaitouKaiju]

@@randomduck8679 These games were system sellers for the 3ds, which makes it that much worse that they were so aggressively boring. You came for the Mario and stayed for everything else

[@qwertyUriel]

Putting 3D Land next to the other 3D Marios it’s like putting Mario Land 2 next to SMB3 or Super Mario World, they are not trying to be the same experience as the bigger games, they are trying to give a bite-size of that experience. I just got around to playing it during quarantine and it’s at the very least an above average game.

[@entropy04]

I always get an odd fondness and sense of nostalgia for the “bland era,” I don’t really know why but it somewhat reminds me of simpler times

[@bantonio8794]

Possibly because this was the best we knew, there was really nothing else we saw that could top what we experienced, so we loved and enjoyed what we had, especially me with nsmb2, I played the heck out of it.

[@unaclanker]

well, the games were pretty damn simple

[@sebastianswan7975]

@@unaclanker You can say the same for the majority of Mario games, that is part of it's charm

[@blibdo3216]

@@sebastianswan7975 If you stretched real hard, you could call the majority of mario games simple, but they aren't in the same ball park at all. 64, sunshine and oddysey have expanded movesets which allows for games that are easy to learn hard to master. Galaxy has an advanced moveset, to a lesser extent but still. It is constantly bringing in new mechanics for you to mess around with. The plot is also more involved and dramatic. 3D world has the catsuit, which allows for some flexibility in how you approach things, buy it is admittedly pretty simple and basic. The nes games, 1 really shouldn't count, as it basically invented the platformer, 2 is very different from 1, with a different artstyle, the key mechanic, 4 playable characters with different attributes, and the thing I can only describe as the pick shit up mechanic. 3 brings the world map, allowing for more freedom in how you choose levels and things to interact with like toad houses. World on the snes is the first appearance of yoshi. It also introduces the spin mechanic. The majority of the mario games have much more going on then the bland era. It's what gives each game it's own special charm.

[@mrsuperheatran2794]

Mario Kart 7 introduced flight and underwater, which pretty damn important to the series. It sucks that people overlook that and the new tracks. Game is just SO underrated and Alax hating it doesn't help.

[@Electrolux219]

For real tho Mario Kart 7 was like the best for kid me who hasn’t yet convinced his parents to get a Wii U yet. I could get something close enough to Mario kart 8 that was portable to boot. That’s some good shit.

[@wen3072]

Some of the new tracks feel like filler imo. Also no Waluigi.

[@squidtheinconsistent]

It was also the first properly balanced Mario Kart game when it came to both casual and competitive play.

[@padacuw4722]

@@squidtheinconsistent Nah, Mario Kart Wii has the largest competitive scene for a reason

[@mrsuperheatran2794]

@@wen3072 No Waluigi is a plus for me. Don't understand his recent popularity.

[@DefinitivNichtSascha]

11:43 I was really anxious for like half to video for you to finally bring up Sticker Star. Nearly thought you just wouldn't.

[@crushbeast29]

It's The Act Man's slightly weirder brother.

[@thiccnicc8170]

I love how Frank is just chilling on the wall crying the whole video.

[@thetoot9615]

A few of years ago I found my old Zelda themed 3DS with a copy of Super Mario 3D Land, I'd never played it before so I became addicted to it, completed all of Mario's levels and Luigi's levels with most of the gold coins collected, it was a wonderful experience. The same can be said for Mario Kart 7, the online mode became too addictive with how short and easy it was to finish and get back into racing. However if you asked me today to go back and replay them I probably won't, compared to almost any 3D Mario game the controls and general experience felt like an introduction to Mario, a game made for those unfamiliar with Mario or even the non-gaming crowd to get into, that could explain why the games from that time reinforced the Mario brand. Still though, that and Mario Kart 7 will always have a soft spot for me even if I never intend on playing them again, they're nostalgic to me, for filling the void and providing entertainment during a strange time where things didn't make much sense, but Mario did make sense, and an escape into a world I understood was all my 13 year old self could've asked for.

[@graysonwells21]

Its funny because I actually really got into Nintendo and mario with these games. My first Nintendo and Mario game as a whole was Mario Kart DS, after that I finally game a 3DS and got MK7 to go with it. I was blown away with the new upgrade to graphics and nostalgia for the returning DS stages and wiggle was my. Main racer i used in the roster (wish he returns as a racer for tour!) Next I got 3D Land as my first real Mario experience and learned how Mario works and its core designs and functions, it had huge replay ability with its special worlds and challenging finial world that took me five years to beat. New Soup 2 was my first 2D Mario and I enjoyed it for what it was, it wasn’t terrible, but I more fun with 3D Land personally. All of these games I see get bashed on being lame or boring compared to other Mario games and I can see why, but for people like me it was a great point to get into the Mario universe by not being to different from the rest of the series to get a general understanding of what “Mario” is. Ever since then I’ve been excited for 3D World, Soup U, Mario Kart 8, and plenty of the other future Mario games that released over the years. Those 3DS games helped build me into the huge Mario fan I am today!

[@mannysoup9063]

This video had some distinctly “Scott the woz-esque” jokes

[@zachNet]

glad I wasn’t the only one that noticed

[@golddigginboi2187]

He's one of the reasons Scott's popular

[@lrgogo1517]

He's been rubbing off on him

[@HazeX2]

@@golddigginboi2187 ???

[@golddigginboi2187]

@@HazeX2 Alax helped Scott get bigger on KZbin by promoting And even helping with his videos and channel a few years back when Scott's channel was smaller.

[@_shimon5000]

mario in 2017 be like: We were bland but now we're good

[@pepearown4968]

I recommend you watch Joseph Anderson’s critique video on Mario Odyssey, if you have two hours to spare. He goes pretty well in depth as to how Odyssey is bland and poorly designed.

[@Rediscool9]

@@pepearown4968 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *No*

[@_shimon5000]

@@pepearown4968 i don't think it is bland, but I will definetely give that a watch it may change my opinion

[@sheepgolden3489]

“I’m white... ‘if my mother’s cooking thought me anything it was the taste of nothingness’...” Me: I guess I’m not white.

[@athertongraham9045]

Yeah!

[@sillygoose2878]

Mario kart 7 has a phenomenal track list you can’t change my mind

[@sillygoose2878]

@@lol-ih1tl yes

[@chich-ai]

Coconut Mall and Waluigi Pinball are here. This should NOT be considered a bad game

[@Yipper64]

Alax just roasting my childhood over here

[@Demeech]

THANK YOU for making this video. I plan on making a video response to "Super Mario Odyssey: It's No Masterpiece". New Nintendo and Mario fans had NO IDEA what we went through in this era. Odyssey ended it.

[@gavinisdie]

As someone who grew up on these games, this hurts

[@epicsause21]

YOU FORGOT YOSHIS NEW ISLAND THE 2ND BLANDEST

[@literal_bagel]

I genuinely forgot that game even existed.

[@ramdem-8758]

@@literal_bagel The game itself looks generic compared to games from old hardware

[@Twag7]

I often rewatch some of your older videos. Notably the smash outlines one and the smash menus one, as I love their comedy. This video will be one I rewatch often - one of my favourites of your creations. Excellent work, and I look forward to more brilliant videos. :)

[@kgddrago3752]

The only mario game where I can collect a million coins and feel like I haven't collected any coins.

[@ADSS_APOLLO]

I really like this style of editing the color just makes me swoon and fits your brand wonderfully

[@thomaskaldahl196]

Ngl these games came out as I was growing up and they're pretty much the reason I got into Mario in the first place. The fact that they rehash old game concepts is what got me to explore the old games in the first place, despite the fact that they were a decade and a half old by the time I was born

[@misterzygarde6431]

This is also the era that kickstarted Paper Mario’s loss of its previous identity for a more inferior one. I do have a lot of fond memories playing Super Mario 3D Land, Super Mario Land 2, Mario Kart 7, and New Super Mario Bros 2, though. The former was actually a birthday gift.

[@weezlewax6839]

Super Mario land 2 is a freaking gameboy game

[@spaceace9103]

@@weezlewax6839 it's on the 3DS eShop

[@randomduck8679]

Wouldn't that era begin with Super Paper Mario?

[@wool578]

@@randomduck8679 yeah, honestly

[@zjzr08]

@@randomduck8679 SPM freaking pushed how "unfamily friendly" a Mario game can be with its themes and plot, and even if the gameplay is not what you expect is Mario quality, it was pretty experimental.

[@luigiboi4244]

Soup: A liquid with solids in it. Humans: A solid with liquids in it. We are reverse soup.

[@SincradTB]

So thats why Nintendo made so much soup

[@justinjyeung]

okay but in Mario Golf: World Tour's defense, it actually built on the Mario Golf formula really well and even incorporated like all the side modes (Speed Golf, Club Slots, Match Play, Challenges) and more, not to mention it actually had cool Mario courses (Peach Gardens, DK Jungle, Wiggler Park, Cheep Cheep Lagoon, Bowser's Castle, Yoshi Lake) while Toadstool Tour really only had three (Peach's Castle Grounds, Bowser Badlands, Congo Canopy). Granted, those only had 9 holes each, but the DLC also remade the N64 courses. Not to mention the character choices were all fanservicey. Overall it really built on Toadstool Tour's formula and enhanced it with wackier Mario elements

[@davidvkimball]

Love the new intro, man! Edit: Also, wow, I completely agree with your assessment of this era. Well done. I feel like Odyssey and the Switch era really breathed some much-needed life into Mario games. Mario Kart 8 / 8 Deluxe is amazing, Mario Tennis Aces is a knock out of the park, and the new Mario Golf game looks amazing as well (Bowser's Fury too). While Super Mario Party isn't my favorite, it's certainly better than the 2-3 Mario Party games before it.

[@davytwee]

I agree. It's so much good air for mario

[@nintendolife25]

I think the WiiU era is Mario’s weakest era. The only game I remembered fondly was 3D World, MK8, and Maker but those games are all on the Switch now with additional content so.....basically nothing.

[@ninjapotatolorf6237]

Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon was great, don't @ me!

[@somekinnn]

Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon's combat is so good compared to 3's it's sad. I definitely prefer 3 in all other aspects, but the charge suction thing combined with the dodge that gave you I-frames but made you lose all charge made in dark moon for significantly more interesting and fun combat than the busted slam in 3 and the weird airblast thing that replaced both of those.

[@mcnierstenen9017]

@NinjaPotato Lorf, you are completely correct

[@MasterHand4444]

how DARE you diss mario 3d land i'm unsubscribing (This era of Mario is the one I grew up with, so seeing someone's perspective like this is really nice. Another hilarious video, Alax!)

[@katamichi8003]

4:25 cat: are you ok Alex? Little early isn't it?

[@morksisnthererightnow8738]

11:49 I’ve never heard a better description of this game.

[@lucini7]

This is the most relaxalax video ever in this new age. I love it. Keep up with the amazing work man

[@Ridlay_]

Uploaded 13 seconds ago? Hey I’m early for once. Also, the random Cat Spike close ups are oddly ominous and really funny lol.

[@PaV_Live]

Just wanted to pop in and say that you're one of my inspirations for video making. Been watching since the ganondorf know your moves. Keep it up, Alax. You're good at what you do :)

[@miimiiandco]

I think Mario Kart 7 adds some great things to the series. Lots of amazing tracks, and gliding is a fantastic addition to the series. Unfortunately, 8 is just better Mario Kart 7 now.

[@Rafael_Oiticica]

Dude, I started watching you in a veeeery old video that you talked about that Kuzko game. I simply laguhed like I've laughed in a let's play! I watch you untill today and you ALWAYS have something ( sometimes veeery small) in each of your videos that makes me laugh at "how the hell did you saw/thought/understood that?!". That baby face inside Boom Boom's face... I just couldn't handle! XD Keep making your content man. I really like your style and how you evolved in all these years. I hope one day I can velp your work with money, because you really deserve it. For me, the best content creator in the platform (the only one that REALLY has a style). :) Greetings from Brazil! :D

[@tjlnintendo]

I only one I really agree with is Newsoup 2, sticker star, and the Mario Party Spin offs. However I thought people liked the 3DS tennies and Golf games? Also the first time I heard anyone talk negatively about MK7… outside the lack of Waluigi. As for 3D land, LM2, and MK7. I thought those were good games. LM2 may lack the atmosphere of the original, but it still had charm tho. So I wouldn’t call it bland.

[@autismandgaming4532]

what's LM2?

[@tjlnintendo]

@@autismandgaming4532 Luigi’s Mansion 2

[@autismandgaming4532]

@@tjlnintendo oh ok

[@adamkampen]

The “All us tall people have a language hidden on the top shelf” resonated with me LOL I always have to grab stuff from the top shelf for people in my family

[@BugsyFoga]

The bland era : the one where Nintendo kept delivering the same old stuff over and over again.

[@CalzoneStudiozOfficial]

it's like they want to cash in on nonstalgia

[@orangeslash1667]

@@CalzoneStudiozOfficial Unlike the Wii and DS, because of increasing technology. Nintendo in House couldn't make games fast enough for both 3ds and Wii U, while also having most of the them standout. The Switch worked because it felt like an all hands on deck situation, and thus more focus.

[@DollarTaco]

Whaaaaaaat? A series that has been ongoing for over a third of a century has gotten stale? no wayyyyy, that's unheard of (great vid A+)

[@richardgibson8403]

WE’RE OFFICALLY OUT

[@zjzr08]

Hope so...Super Mario Bros Wonder seems VERY weird and I love the concept of it, hehe.

[@WERV2003]

Now with RPG Remake/TTYD Remake... WE'RE OUT.

[@VictoryReviews]

We're still in the bland era

[@supermariomaniac_]

2012 - 2016 was most definitely a very bland and boring era of Mario. But most of the games weren’t bad. The only bad ones were specific sports titles and those damn Paper Mario and Party games

[@TJZ243]

True

[@Jemmy_867]

I liked mario party 9

[@Azetay67]

I liked mario party 10

[@Azetay67]

@@lol-ih1tl If that is so then I am a world class criminal

[@Azetay67]

@@lol-ih1tl fuck them, mario party 10 was fun

[@ChrisTrenary]

Alax I just wanna say you've been puttin out banger after banger for so long and I've been absolutely lovin it, keep on makin rad stuff dude 🙏🏻

[@matthew7746]

I love Luigi's Mansion. But I love Luigi's Mansion 2 more. It's one of my favourite games ever. No, it definitely does not have the same feel as the first game, but I don't think that's bad, because it has its own charm. And I think it is very charming. I love the humour, and the mansions, and the general feel of the game, and just wish more people could appreciate it. So definitely not bland. As for the other games... I do see your point. I personally believe that if a game has fun gameplay and well-made levels, more of the same can be good. Unfortunately, I seem to be in the minority on that one. Oh well.

[@SuperBaconman22]

The best RelaxAlax vide in awhile for me! The comedy was top tier this time round!

[@hahant-expertatunfunnycont9713]

The 3ds is one of my favourite Nintendo consoles and that era also one of my favourites

[@hahant-expertatunfunnycont9713]

@@lol-ih1tl Nsmb2 isnt bad, It just came out at the wrong time, sticker star's battle system isnt good but the rest isnt terrible. Also its just my opinion

[@BeegMonkee]

Great video, just wanna say I appreciate your cat's character so much

[@EllieMiller510]

Something is really charming about the compressed audio of the 3DS.

[@LandonLikeStuff]

Ok so they first Mario games I ever played were 3d land, new Mario bros 2, and … Mario kart 7 I loved every single one back then! Had great memories with all of them! But yeah I agree with you. They are good when they are by themselves, but comparing them to other games just, make you think… why is waluigi not in Mario kart 7?

[@charlestetreault739]

I played all these games in my childhood, and I have to say They are indeed bland

[@thomas9816]

Yup, same bro

[@marz7102]

Really loving the content lately! Keep it up!

[@dannys8014]

The bland era of Mario is kind of like the 2010s era of Sonic, when SEGA wanted Sonic to be sillier kind of like in the older games (or that's what they believed the older games were like), and they just ended up having a version of Sonic that alienated a lot of fans.

[@britishguy54dx]

Don’t forget that this was a dark age for platformers in general. Banjo was dead, Spyro had been relegated to a figurine, Crash was missing, and Rayman was coasting along… and a lot of these were or are Wii U exclusive. Oof. The early to mid 2010’s were a bad time to be a Platformer fan.

[@orangeslash1667]

@@britishguy54dx Unlike the Wii and DS, because of increasing technology. Nintendo in House couldn't make games fast enough for both 3ds and Wii U, while also having most of the them standout. The Switch worked because it felt like an all hands on deck situation, and thus more focus.

[@rosebarrett1267]

Tbh I think the reason I see mario kart 7 fondly is because I was allowed to play my 3ds in high school, and I had a friend with the game. If I played it solo at home I probably wouldn't have liked it nearly as much. Great vid as always! I never really put this whole idea together but I always had it stewing in my head, especially when it came to Luigis mansion 2.

[@chinito.lechero]

therapist: boom boom without the top half of his head can’t hurt you, he doesn’t exist. boom boom without the top half of his head: 3:39

[@mangustoooo]

This is your most surreal video yet and I love it

[@murab271]

3D Land was good for a 3DS game, don't compare it to a home console game that has more power.

[@shecklesmack9563]

Yeah, that game was amazing in 2011 and a very solid experience.

[@snomflakes]

Hey, HEY! Don't think I didn't notice that sound at 9:12. I've played enough Sonic Spinball to know

[@AlfredoPuente8]

We are still in the bland era, since Odysey we only got ports and mediocre sports games.

[@deanmoriarty6015]

yeah, the sport games especially have been sooooo mediocre. completely scrubbed of any personality and charm

[@treddox5880]

I’ve said this before, but your editing chops and unique sense of humor make you stand out among the other video game KZbin guys. Always a treat.

[@PrettyNeatArt]

I think the “bland era” really started to poke its head out with galaxy 2. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great game, but it took away so much of the atmosphere from the first game that it almost felt like an entirely different game at points.

[@isetmfriendsofire]

I'd argue NSMBW or even earlier. I was feeling it by Sluggers.

[@BenHowe901]

It's kinda funny that you say that. My knock against Galaxy 2 is kinda the opposite: it takes too much from the first game. They reuse planets, ideas, themes, enemies, bosses, etc. to an extent that feels lazy. At the same time, I fully agree that it loses the atmosphere of the original. Kinda unfortunate, since it is still definitely a good game, but it could've been so much better.

[@haaappy]

yes. and i feel like it holded longer on and included stuff like mario 3d world

[@Jdudec367]

Eh...I dunno, it feels like it has it's own atmosphere which it sorta needs to stand out.

[@KaitouKaiju]

Taking out Rosalina and the observatory was a huge mistake. They could have at least made the Face Ship more than just a gimmick

[@icedcapplord710]

Thanks for that Tim Hortons hypothetical I'm now imagining Mario ordering a Chocolate Creamy Chill and an Egg and Cheese Breakfast sandwich while Bowser is the cashier who can't spell his name right

[@ABitofEpicness]

I know this is a bad take, but I honestly miss this era of Mario, becuase regardless of creativity, the level designs and concepts presented were almost therapeutic to sit down and play through Get Honey Queen Bee outta here

[@martinaguiluz4063]

It's not a bad take though. Mario never had a "Bland era", since every mainline game sold well despite of the platform or changes in gameplay mechanics Alex just doesn't like the games and feels like he needs to justify his claim.

[@hypergoon1152]

Same

[@radiokunio3738]

Their fun if you haven't played the original 2d mario games, but honestly after playing them, Mario 3d land & NSMB 2 just feels like a watered-down rehash of mario 3, so i just end up playing that instead.

[@zjzr08]

I think they're more "easy to digest" experiences sure, but they rarely pushed the Mario brand, and there's no good alternative.

[@SirNerdTheThird5143]

1:29 Alax: The 3ds is the first console I regret buying Me, remembering Miiverse: Speakth not the dead in such ways!!!

[@Aidswayz]

I too wake up every morning and go "Ah fuck. That's right, I'm white" 10/10 very relatable

[@TopityTurvity]

8:00 Rosalina t-pose

[@silverarch0633]

I thought you were gonna dump more on New Super Mario Bros, but I never thought you'd hate on 3D land.

[@DrgoFx]

13:40 You sound really exhausted at this End Card Alax. I just wanted to say that I always enjoy your content, you're just an entertaining person to watch regardless of what you do. I hope you're not being too hard on yourself.