If mario 128 had a 2D element......this is what I would like it to be like:
Level Starts:
I run, then jump up to a higher level, kill enemy, and run some more. I wall-jump, till I reach new hieght level, kill enemy, then start running. I pengiun slide down a huge ramp, jump up grab a swinging rope to not fall into lava, flip off the rope and grab the edge of deck (*whew* close one). I start running, do a triple flip into a wall, then wall-jump to come to a new height level (the wall was at first to high for me to wall-jump normally). I run, grab the frog suit, and jump into the water. The frog suit now, is more of fin attached to Mario's back, than an actual frog suit. (The screen starts to side-scroll automatically) I swim, then notice a hurdle. I jump dolphin style out of the water to clear it. Many more come and I do the same (battletoads!). Then one comes that's to wide for me to jump, so I jump and grab the swinging rope above the hurdle of death. While swinging, I notice a huge wall coming that covers almost the entire side of the screen, the only way to advoid it is diving back deep into the water. I flip off the rope, do a dive waverace style, avoid the wall and swim to safe ground.........and it goes on like that.
It would be easy enough for developers to make fun levels that require timing, skill, reflexes, and intelegence. It'd be great!