Recently, a new 2D platformer was announced for the PS4. This game is entitled MOP: Operation Cleanup and let’s just say it doesn’t look as good as a traditional 2D platformer. This game seems like it wants to mix gameplay elements from Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Sunshine! However, it can be guaranteed that this will be no Super Mario Bros. 3 or even Sonic & Knuckles.
WHAT IS MOP: OPERATION CLEANUP?
As mentioned earlier, this game is a 2D platformer. However, this is going to be a different platformer than we usually see given the concept of cleaning. The main object of the game is to clean up the polluted environment. Super Mario Sunshine anyone? Anyway, the game is set to have five huge worlds that include 50 missions to complete. The gameplay trailer released for the game gave the impression that this will play like a normal platformer. It does, however, come off as more of a flash game than anything.
A LOOK BACK AT SUPER MARIO BROS. 3
OK, so is it really fair to judge this game to Super Mario Bros. 3? Super Mario Bros. 3 is an absolutely legendary and iconic video game that is among the best ever. It was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and later for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as part of Super Mario All-Stars. Super Mario Bros. 3 is one of the two standard bearers for 2D platformers. The other one to me is Super Mario World. It is a near-perfect platformer and if you have not played this game please do now.
A LOOK BACK AT SONIC & KNUCKLES
Now we look back at Mario’s biggest competitor back in the day. Sonic and Mario were rivaling for the most dominant gaming mascot back in the 1990’s. Sonic & Knuckles may have been the best from Sonic, although Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is up there. However, since then Sonic has lost a lot of steam. Back in the day, though, Sonic was an elite mascot when it came to 2D platforming. Sonic & Knuckles, like the others, was fixated on speed. You will not find a faster platformer than the old Sonic games.
WHY MOP WILL NOT BE AS GOOD AS SUPER MARIO BROS. 3 AND SONIC & KNUCKLES
MOP looks like it will be a fairly entertaining and worthwhile platformer. As a huge fan of this genre, I can say do not expect much more than just a solid game from MOP. There is no way that this game can be as good as Super Mario Bros. 3 or Sonic & Knuckles. That is a bold statement, but MOP just simply will not have the goods to keep up with those platformers. However, that does not mean that this game will be completely dull and boring. It looks solid enough to take a shot on, but do not expect it to be great.
MOP NEVER HAD A SHOT ANYWAY
Let’s be honest, this game never had a chance to be better than Super Mario Bros. 3 or Sonic & Knuckles. It takes a truly special game to be better than those two. The company could have unleashed the kitchen sink and it still, most likely, would not have been as good as these two games. So basically, the company should not feel insulted because not too many games can compare to Super Mario Bros. 3 and Sonic & Knuckles.
MOP SHOWS THAT 2D PLATFORMERS ARE NOT WHAT THEY WERE
The genre of 2D platformers has not been the same since the 1990’s. As soon as 3D games became popular, 2D games were shoved off to the side. You will still see an occasionally good 2D platformer, but not as many as back in the day. It is very sad as well because this type of genre is sorely missed by many classic gamers.
