A evergreen gaming tonic to keep coming back to, honestly the first 2D Mario game in a long while to hook me in - it’s glow up in art style was hugely welcome, the extra attention to expressive non-platforming animations are endlessly charming.

The badge system, i.e. swappable abilities at the start of each level - a moon jump, a mid air float, extra height on a triple jump etc - is the first of its kind in the series and crucially doesn’t ruin the balance of traditional power ups. You’re just allowed to use at least one extra ability, catered to how you want to approach the multi tiered levels.

The wonder seeds are this game’s shines/stars/moons - but what’s extra cool about them this time is in every other level their discovery will spark some kind of mad, trippy alternate take on the level, with often bespoke moments & mechanics that you might never see again. The element of surprise is constant & delightful.

Love love LOVE this series, but admittedly have not completed many games within it. Gaiden is honestly exactly the right length, able to spin an 8-10 hour Kiryu yarn and not get bogged down with the usual yakuza politicking.

Secret agent Kiryu may well be his final form; the new fighting style is & agile while allowing for 3 very cool super spy abilities - a watch that can draw things towards you or be used as a rappel, shoes that have, um, rocket fuel - and lastly an exploding cigarette. Ttruly magnificent. All this, on top of extra unlockable moves and upgrades, make it fairly hard to go back to Kiryu’s older, classic brawler Yakuza style.