I’ve noticed two interesting views on story in videogames recently:
Firstly, there Kevin Levine, in his GDC talk:

“The first big secret is, the bad news is for storytellers is that nobody cares about your stupid story… no matter how detailed or lovingly you craft it.” — Kevin Levine, creative director on BioShock.

Then there is Cory Barlog’s blog post from a few months back:

I mean, the freaking princess is abducted…again. I have to go after her captor, Bowser, again. [...] Oh wait…the game sells millions even with the vapid story. As it has been pointed out to me every time I say it, the game is not about the story. It is about the platforming and crazy new mechanics and worlds. — Cory Barlog, director on God of War and God of War 2

The Wired GameLife blog highlighted Cory’s comments, and before you know it, the Nintendo gaming press was plastered with the headlines “God of War Director calls Super Mario Galaxy’s story ‘vapid’”. Despite the minor fanboy-furor generated, Cory’s post indicates he still appreciated the level design, art and graphics and sound, and realizes that the game is not supposed to be about story … he just didn’t get hooked.

It’s pretty clear that many games benefit, and are even driven by, a rich, engaging storyline … but when it comes to the classic Mario platformers … nobody cares about the stupid story !!