I think pits should still be used, but maybe with more thought put into it. Not just some random pits with nothing near it. Maybe some of the levels from the Bash don't use pits like they should be used, but I think that there are a few that use them properly. Well, the idea in Rumble in the Bogs with the horizontal ceiling springs seems to be too evil. And Caves of the Arabic Ninja also needs fixing. The pits in Mixxed Up were not really planned, I think the pits there aren't too bad. There is a +1 carrot on a small platform in the middle of two pits, and the third pit is near some ice ammo that can be used at players that come from the left side.

On the other hand, I think Hall of Legends uses the pits pretty well. There is a Seek PU near a pit and also a +1 carrot.