yepunderscore
2023
2001
1999
Heavily flawed, but it's a very fun game if you're not going for 101%. The mini-games bog the pacing down, and the different coloured bananas add unnecessary tedium. Every character on their own is fun to play though, the worlds are all pretty fun to explore (with reservations for Gloomy Galleon), and it's a very charming game.
Probably the most satisfying arsenal in the entire series, all the weapons are unique enough and fun to handle. The leveling system also incentivizes experimenting with each weapon and using them more than it's predecessors. Sadly I just don't really enjoy a lot of the core game outside of those aspects... a lot of needless gizmos that you use for puzzles that break the pacing (one of these gadgets only being used in ONE planet which is pathetic), and the platforming as a whole has taken a backseat to the combat instead of being well integrated like previous titles. Still a fun game, but a lot of missed potential.
2000
2002
Heavier focus on the platforming aspect than it's successors helps it a fair bit, as the gunplay is not nearly as refined. Still a fine arsenal that's very satisfying to use for the most part, some great writing and very lively planets to explore. The later third of the game is more of a chore to complete sadly, maybe I just got filtered or something iunno.
1996
By far the most fun and exciting movement in any platformer, a lot of stars require treading the same ground though and a handful of worlds are a slog to complete. 100 coins works for a few stages but for the most part they aren't all too fun to collect. Timeless and held in high regard for great reason though.
2020
2005
2002