Cleared the Special-8-Crown level yesterday. For as much as the rest of the game showcases the benefits of depth-perception and platforming, that last one lets you know that it still has its limits. Lots of white-knuckle jumps that, 3D or no 3D, will have you in the usual watch-for-shadow-and-butt-slam twitch reflex mode.
Most of the Star Medals were easy for me to find, though there was an odd devious one here and there. I kinda wish Mystery Boxes were a little more convenient to try so that I didn't have to run all over the map looking for their spaces every time they're renewed.
I'm definitely impressed with how well the Bowser battles turned out. Rather than having him camp out next to his own self-destruct button, the way most SMB1-inspired battles do, he actually stalks you throughout a fairly decent length of the stage (as expected, taken to far greater lengths for the final battle). And the prelude to the final battle always gets a chuckle out of me. Bowser's just as good at being both the badass and the comic relief at the same time as he ever was.
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