Are we seriously this derailed over a single example? Forget Yoshi's Island then, it doesn't change the argument at all:
These games have unique styles that make them more interesting to play and help keep them distinct from one another.
These games have unique styles that make them more interesting to play and help keep them distinct from one another.
These games do not have unique styles, looking and sounding very similar. They're not particularly interesting or distinct from one another. That kind of sucks. Nintendo could do a little better. This is not a complicated or controversial point.
I was using it sarcastically since you were making a big deal over YI not being a real, pure Mario that belongs in the series. If you'd rather argue about the actual stuff I posted, like the 3D games achieving better variation while keeping a consistent core style, or Mario 3's creative decisions, feel free.
That's true, but I don't think it lets them off the hook. There are a lot of other 2D games that support multiplayer without looking so bland; Tropical Freeze is extremely packed with things to see and reads just fine. And like I said above, even a few levels within NSMBU itself are a lot more interesting than the previous NSMB games. They can do better; I don't think a little more polish or style would kill the gameplay.
