Graphics in games: 3D overtaking 2D

[bluaki]

Screw your silly glasses, silly visual tricks, and such. For this thread, let's go with the real meaning of 3D gameplay: the worlds we've seen common in video games since Nintendo 64, where you can move your character in 3 dimensions and/or the machine renders a 3-dimensional world.

How do you feel about the current state of 2D sprites in gaming? Since the introduction of N64/PS1, 2D has mostly been pushed onto handhelds, but even within handhelds it's continuously declining in popularity. Probably will drop even more with 3DS because developers are pushed to take advantage of its main feature.

At least for me, the only still-2D game series I've played recently are... Pokemon (handheld battles only), Kirby, and Mario&Luigi, as well as the more minor Ace Attorney and Trauma Center. Even the games which are made with intent to return to 2D roots, like New SMB and Sonic 4, use 2.5D with 3D graphics and 2D movement. I'd like to see more pure-2D visuals in modern games.

[SkyMyl]

While I've been more of the 2D gameplay beats 3D gameplay person, I don't particularly mind the 2.5D look. I do prefer seeing 2D sprites as ver to 3D models and environments.

...but the only current gen console game I can't think of off the top of my head that uses 2D sprites is Blazblue. I'm sure there's more, but there still wouldn't be a lot of games that use 2D sprites.

[Silverhawk79]

I enjoy aspects of both 2D and 3D games. 2D games are usually longer (less space taken up by graphics n' stuff) and easier to pick up and play. 3D games let you explore more and uh...yeah.