I wouldn’t call any of the 3D Mario games to be sandboxes either. They’re all objective based and linear. But either way.
Based on the ones I have the most fun with, and how I categorize them:
Galaxy style > Super Mario Bros 3/World style > 3D Land/World style > SMB1 & 2 style > Odyssey style > NSMB style > 64 style > Sunshine style > GB game style.
Not saying one is better than the other, only these are the general order of how much I enjoyed them at the particular times I played them, and how much I’d look forward to any of these styles of game. Also, NSMB isn’t as cut and dry as there is a wide chasm between NSMB Wii (favourite) and NSMB2 for me. So these are averages, there will be considerable overlap. This would only be for the next game, the order could change later (based on what gets released next), I’m in favour of having many different types of Mario games, even the types I don’t think I’d like.
Also, I’m not sure where wonder fits, I didn’t play it… either 3/World, 1/2, or NSMB.
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.
