I’ve looked back at this game fondly over the years in comparison to the rest of the NSMB family, and upon reflection I don’t think it deserves the rose tinted glasses. Much of the novelty comes from the inclusion of multiplayer, and it’s fun in a chaotic, friendship-ending way, but certainly not in a way that illustrates NSMBW’s quality in terms of level design or collaborative gameplay. I’d compare the experience as more akin to a Mario Party than TMNT SNES. This is to say, it’s still fun, but perhaps not in the way the game designers had in mind.

The NSMB series is known for being uninspired and unambitious, and this one is no exception. The art style is fine, the music is fine, the power ups are fine, etc. the boxes are checked, but certainly not enough effort is given to put NSMBW on the same level as Mario’s best.

I remember beginning the game, Christmas morning, and being delighted that the koopalings were returning after a fairly long hiatus. Now I wish we I could go back to those days without them, as the versatility of NSMB’s unique bosses is no more. On top of the repetition, each koopaling is fought twice, making them an already tired concept in their own re-debut.

Bowser Jr, however, apparently got the hint that his boss battles were boring, as now they are the most unique and fun boss battles in the game (Kamek is fun too, and thankfully only fought once.) The final battle also stands as the first one to match 3’s in gameplay, and surpass it in intensity and gravitas.

I like this game, but it’s not easy to ramble about adoringly. A tragic fact because I love rambling adoringly about Mario.