There’s a huge gap in years and design between Super Mario World/Donkey Kong Country and New Super Mario Bros/Donkey Kong Country Returns. I have no choice but to consider each generation separately.
The 16 bit contest goes to SMW by a long shot for me. From flying to hopping on different colored yoshi, there was such fluid gameplay. Where as DKC was ridged and stiff. I liked the sound in SMW and the color too! More variety in levels and world map choices too.
But for the return to 2D, Donkey Kong Rules! “New” SMB had infinity lives and was so easy. NSMBU had some truly interesting levels though and is the best of the “New” series. But Returns and Tropical Freeze has the best fluidity and spunky energy! There were optional levels that were almost impossible for me. The worlds felt alive with flowers and shaky ground. The backgrounds felt like part of the foreground. The art was realer but still had a vibrancy of dream.
