as a fan of 2D mario, i spent hundreds of hours playing Mario Maker 2 in my free time. something about never knowing what you'd find in the next level you play made the game incredibly addicting. the devs of Mario Wonder must have felt the same way, because they set out to recapture that feeling here.
there's definitely a monotony that can set in playing something like the 2D Marios, but here, they not only introduce a unique gimmick in every stage to switch things up, but also offer different challenges such as KO arenas, wiggler races, search parties, and more.
mario wonder demonstrates they haven't forgotten the most important skill in game design: assessing the strengths of what came before you, and applying it in smart ways to make something the best it can be.

i really, really loved this one. it's no paper mario, but the battle system has depth, there's some charming characters, and it pushes the mario series outside its comfort zone in ways i've wanting to see for years.
i'm genuinely surprised there are so many people who prefer the first, because i couldn't get into that one nearly as much. the free movement in the battles of this game allows you to plan things out much easier, in a way that feels more natural. the sparks add a layer of depth, and relegating the battles to an "alternate dimension," while it removes some of the atmosphere and adventure-y feel of the first game, allows the worlds to not be filled with giant, empty swaths of nothingness after a battle is over, as well as allowing each battle's map to be randomized every time, keeping things fresh and replayable (although, arguably, that comes with a few drawbacks in of itself, i suppose). not to mention, artistically, this game is leaps and bounds above the first. while that one felt like an odd imitation of the mario aesthetic, this game bursts with confidence in a style that feels much more its own, characters that are allowed to be more fleshed out, and worlds with their own backstories and unique flavor.
i didn't expect to enjoy this so much going into it, but i really think everyone should give it a try, even if you've played the first. you might be surprised!