Mario is back to 2D now. I hope to see other games returning to that idea as well (mainly strategy games like the Total War series and what not). Even sport games could be really nice in 2D, that's what i'm saying.
With all the cpu power not wasted on 'superfluous' eye-candy like super detailed 3D graphics they could put more effort in gameplay, customisation, online play and mod-ability. Things that are really valued by the players who actually play the game (rather than the noob reviewers who just go by looks).
To me, games do not need to be 100% copies of real life. You can use 'symbols' as well that represent real life 'ideas' and figures. You know, I don't need to have a figure with a head that looks exactly like Ronaldinho's face, a simple puppet with his name is even enough to get the idea.