Regarding Mario Kart 8, it seems people are just wowed by the graphics the most it seems with MK8. It does look good, but I can't help but feel some people are turning back on what they said about Transformed being better than MK when it seems the mechanics didn't change. Anti-gravity only adds to the course design.
The plain, blocky designs served the 3D effect. Copying something like the more ,,complex'' Galaxy wouldn't have looked as good on the 3DS.
The blocky design didn't really serve the 3D effect. Only a few levels did. Not sure how you're saying Galaxy is complex. SM64 and SMS were complex due to the non-linear nature of most of the levels.
Indeed. Well, it was a great level pack, but the Wii hardware already had it's necessary milestone with the first Galaxy.
I guess that is a fair point, but your argument is that the "home console experience" shouldn't consist of what SMG2 had, which I don't believe at all.
Fair enough, but if they wouldn't just re-use the down-to-earth setting from 3D Land, we might have gotten another OST like Galaxy.
Maybe, maybe not. Can you think of something that is grand and epic like space? The OST has to fit what is going on. The main theme sounds relaxing and seems to fit 2-1 really well. Like how the main theme for the Galaxy games set the mood you are going for a grand epic adventure. It totally fit. Of course it is another thing to say you prefer that grand epic OST. I know I do, but that doesn't make the 3D Land, SM64, and SMS OSTs bad, they are enjoyable.
3DS is my favorite platform currently, but handheld games (should) simply have different game design philosophies than home console games. If you literally make handheld platforms that only offer ,,home console experiences in the palm of your hand'' you'll have failing machines like the PSP/Vita. Vice versa it makes equally little sense. This isn't downtalking handheld gaming, certain games are just only/better suited for one of the two gaming styles. 3D Land was perfectly tailored to the 3DS, but even with some tweaking it will not replace the experience that a Galaxy brought.
And I don't buy that one bit. The Vita is failing due to the lack of compelling games, just like the Wii U. The Wii U isn't failing because Nintendo are putting "handheld games" on it, and vice versa for the Vita. The PSP is another issue. It was doing outstanding for its first year, but the DS hit its stride and the piracy became a huge issue for the PSP.
The argument is then further flawed when the 3DS is getting console ports: SSFIV3D, OoT3D, SF643D, MGS3D, DKCR3D, and etc. Then there are the ports that go from 3DS to home consoles like MH3U and RE:R.
3D Land was tailored for the 3DS, and even then you can see that the 3DS still limited the potential for 3D Land. The most notable thing is the pop in. I don't get what you mean by "replace the experience". My experience with SM64 didn't get replaced by any other future game, but I think Galaxy 2 is the best 3D Mario yet, let alone GOTF. How about you wait till you play 3D World and then judge the experience you will get out of that game? Or are you experiencing the game through the videos?