Some serious structural problems and jank underlie what is, at its core, one of the most good-natured, atmospheric, distinctive, and fluid (get it?) platformers ever. In spite of its flaws, it's STILL this good. If this game didn't have any levels at all, but still let you move around as Mario, it'd be at least a 6/10.
I wish it had a more interesting goal than "beat 7 preordained missions in each world," as it makes secrets and optional shines entirely worthless without the more freeform star-grabbing of SM64. I also wish it better communicated that you only had to beat seven missions in each world--I spent way too long exploring and trying optional challenges I hoped would reward me with some sort of tangible progress, as if I were playing Super Mario 64. I wish it had fewer missions that required a total reset of the stage, as a few of them feel padded. Plus, with a smaller set of core missions, additional shines could be placed in the world without kicking you out upon obtaining one, encouraging exploration. As it is, the worlds are big (by 3D platformer standards), beautiful, and detailed, but with absolutely no worthwhile incentive to step outside the path to your single objective. Well, no incentive aside from sheer vibes, which as this game shows, are sometimes all you need.
Don't pretend the cannons in SM64 are any better than the chucksters.
Best world: Ricco Harbor
I wish it had a more interesting goal than "beat 7 preordained missions in each world," as it makes secrets and optional shines entirely worthless without the more freeform star-grabbing of SM64. I also wish it better communicated that you only had to beat seven missions in each world--I spent way too long exploring and trying optional challenges I hoped would reward me with some sort of tangible progress, as if I were playing Super Mario 64. I wish it had fewer missions that required a total reset of the stage, as a few of them feel padded. Plus, with a smaller set of core missions, additional shines could be placed in the world without kicking you out upon obtaining one, encouraging exploration. As it is, the worlds are big (by 3D platformer standards), beautiful, and detailed, but with absolutely no worthwhile incentive to step outside the path to your single objective. Well, no incentive aside from sheer vibes, which as this game shows, are sometimes all you need.
Don't pretend the cannons in SM64 are any better than the chucksters.
Best world: Ricco Harbor