At first I didn't like picking this game up. It wasn't until I understood how Mario's movement worked that it clicked for me. When that happened all the game fell into place, just running and jumping felt enjoyable. I ended up getting 100% in the game to keep playing as much as possible.

I found so many things to love in this game. Exploring every corner of the game was so gratifying, everything was intentionally placed and polished. Its music is the one that started my love for videogame jazz. And well, the platforming is the main Mario thing so it may be a little obvious, but it was immaculate, any frustrating part was clearly caused by me and not by the game in any way, so I ended up loving those stages too.

Indisputably the best (3D, at least) mario game. After revisiting the others through the recent collection, I do quite like all of the 3D marios I've played extensively, but this one simply elevates all of the minor nudges in progress. It feels like the cap mechanic was a first draft in Mario 64, switched for the cap mechanics there, and then rediscovered when development started on this one. And then 20ish years of experience poured into it. The moon collecting for the most part is way more streamlined than the replay levels you find in the older 3D marios, and everything about moving mario and collecting feels absolutely amazing. Also, as a sucker for alt costumes, I was so spoiled. Plus the quirky variety in the levels and the collage of stylistic choices were extremely well done. Frankly, I don't know how they'll be able to top this in subsequent entries. Even though I'm generally enjoying the rereleases, it's a disservice to SMO that they weren't remade properly.