I just read this post on Kotaku, about how 90% of the levels in Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be brand new, with the rest being retreads of old levels, with new objectives.

When did this become acceptable?  Why is shipping a brand new game, (because that’s what a sequel is,) with levels from it’s predecessor okay? If the game isn’t brand new, or doesn’t have enough new stuff to merit an entire new game, that’s fine.  the PC came up with the solution to that years ago: expansion packs.  Make a shorter game, with a lower price tag.

Generally, expansion packs use the code, models, and sounds, along with everything else from a game, and then insert new stuff where necessary, in order to continue a story.  Either the expansion pack itself, or the original game is stored on the hard drive, for easy access, while the other is pulled from the disc, or in some cases, also pulled from the hard drive.  Either way, something will be stored on the drive.  The Wii could have a problem with this.

I realize the Wii hasn’t, in the past, done too well, (if, indeed, it has done anything at all with,) downloadable content, but I don’t understand why it shouldn’t.  Especially with the advent of SD cards being accepted for storage.  It seems that DLC should be a possibility, and I’m a little confused as to why it isn’t.

Bottom Line is, if you, as a professional development studio, are going to make a new game, and charge full price for it, do so.  don’t make 90% of one, call it brand new. That’s cheating.