This is the best 2D Mario game since Super Mario World by far. The gameplay feels super smooth and the design is amazing, the New Super Mario Bros. look, feel, and sounds are gone replaced by something much better in my opinion. The animations are charming and fun, and the stage designs are immensely creative even before you factor in the Wonder Seeds. There are tons of new enemy types and very creative level ideas, plus a badge system, badge challenge stages, KO arenas, and many more to shake it up.

The Wonder Seeds are the true game changer here, basically every standard stage has one to find and when you do the game gets weird (in a great way). The whole world warps and suddenly you could be in the middle of a musical, or space, or transformed into some sort of creature, or TONS more. This is really Nintendo showcases their creative muscles. There are also tons of stages spread across the multiple worlds, it really feels like you are on a grand adventure.

The game is also super fun to get 100% in. Finding the 3 hidden coins in the stages is never too hard but makes you explore more thoroughly and really appreciate each stage. Having to get all the standees was maybe a bit much but I didn't really have to go out of my way to be able to afford to do that so ultimately wasn't a huge issue.

If you are a platforming fan you owe it to yourself to try out this special game, you will not be disappointed.