So yeah, I've been hearing this around the Internet, claiming SM3DW's not a real Mario game because it doesn't have Power Stars or a big Hub World. Well that's a load of bullshit! I know these are the kind of people who want another choregame like Super Mario 64, but linear, compact level design has ALWAYS been better than open-world and it'll ALWAYS be better. The addition of the run button and the running tiers adds a whole layer of depth to the game's platforming parts, the controls feel smooth, responsive and precise, and even though Super Mario Galaxy's one of my favorite games ever, I can easily say that Super Mario 3D World's a much more sophisticated platforming experience, the game just has so much depth and offers so much room for practice and improvement! Super Mario 64 barely had any platforming because of EXPLURASHUNN, then Sunshine came along with the tropical flair and it had a little more platforming, but still with too much focus on EXPLURAISHUUUNN!11!!!.

Super Mario Galaxy turned it around and made the levels more linear, actually based on platforming and challenges as opposed to just poking everything to see if there was a Blue Coin hiding somewhere. I really loved the Galaxy games and they're a part of my soul, but if you want a game to truly test your platforming skills with zero bullshit, SM3DW's the game.