I've known Mario for nearly my entire life.  He entered my life in 1988 as part of the NES Power set, the bundle that included the console, Zapper, two controllers, the Power Pad, and the triple cartridge of World Class Track Meet, Duck Hunt, and Super Mario Bros.  The selling tactic to my parents was the Power Pad would keep my brother and active, like we'd be running in place for hours everyday winning virtual events.

The Power Pad ended up awkwardly folded under the TV stand, pulled out as a reminder of Nintendo's fallibility even back then.  SMB started a life-long gaming habit to the point where muscle memory still guides me through the Warp Zones whenever I need that nostalgic hit.

Super Mario World remains my favorite title and I'm excited for any new 2D mainline Mario game.

No exceptions yet for Super Mario Wonder, apart from a little concern for the talking sassy flower.

• Animation like a carton is what I wanted for 30 years.  

• Get a Yellow Submarine vibe from the insanity on display with the trippy Wonder Seed.

• Loving the 2.5D diorama looking world map and the stretched out shadow goombas and Mario.

• No more points from stomps, now the game tells me I'm Good and Great and Super and Fantastic and Excellent and Incredible and Wonderful.

• Grinding on beams like Sonic

• Roller-blading Koopas in pink shells is a little on-the-nose, and reminds me of a Human Giant sketch.

• Mario turns into a giant spiked ball, still wearing the hat.

• Elephant.  Mario.

I'm 100% on board for a brand-new 2D Mario game.  October can't arrive soon enough, between Wonder and Spider-Man 2.\