Both 2D and 3D Mario games on the way for Nintendo 3DS

Mario series to come in two flavours for different audiences

In recent years Nintendos made no secret that theyve been trying two different types of Mario games, the classic 2D type and the fan dangled 3D types. At an investor briefing last week Shigeru Miyamoto was quizzed on why the 2D types (New Super Mario Bros) are selling better than the 3D types like the Super Mario Galaxy series. Miyamoto said that while 3D games offer a great sense of being in the game and more freedom some people are turned off from the games because they see them as complex. He said that "When Super Mario became Mario 64, the range of players narrowed greatly"

Nintendo have been attempting to make 3D easier to pick up and to be played by everyone but it hasnt solved all the problems. That is how the New Super Mario Bros series came about.

So how does this all relate to the 3DS? Well when he was asked about their strategy for Mario games on the 3DS he revealed that they will make both, stating that "they both have their own appeal". He also gave a brief example of how the 3D (as in the 3D effect) could help both type of games. He cited the added benefit of seeing depth in a 3D game and with the 2D games seeing things like a Wiggler or Bullet Bill hit the screen.

At the end of the question Iwata then joked with Miyamoto saying that "You went more in-depth than Id been expected. This is the first Ive heard of this.". Miyamoto replied with a "No good? Dont tell any game magazine people."

So two different Mario games on the way then? Naughty Miyamoto for letting loose the secrets!