Mario's most unique and underappreciated adventure still continues to be a lot of fun.
This game has a storyline, but when it comes to 2D Mario platformers, plots are unnecessary to keep your interest. So therefore, I'm not going to go into the plot.
The graphics for this game may show some age nowadays, but I still find them very appealing. They are fairly detailed and also simple, and they continue to look nice today.
The sound of this game is fairly good. The sound effects are decent, and the overworld music is fairly catchy. Not much more to say here.
Control-wise, you can either use the Wii remote sideways, a GameCube controller, or a Classic Controller. I suggest using the Wii remote sideways because it's the most-like an NES controller.
The gameplay of this game is very different from Super Mario Bros. 1 & 3. There are no goombas, koopas, etc. Instead you have shy-guys and other random enemies that I don't know the names of. You also don't stomp on enemies. Instead, you jump on them, stand on them, and pick them up and throw them. You can also pick up various plants from the grounds and throw them at enemies to kill them. This isn't like your average Super Mario Bros., but it's still a lot of fun because it's a nice change of pace from your regular goomba-stomping, and it also adds a bit of challenge.
Overall, this is a very fun platformer, and also a very unique Mario game. Many people skip over this game and hate it because: "OMGZ!! its not actualy a mario game!!! therez no way i can enjoy it 4 wut it iz!!!!1" But like I said, just enjoy it for what it is. This game is fun, challenging, and unique. This game also introduced a couple of enemies and characters that are seen in later games such as shy-guys, and everyone's favorite transsexual Birdo. It's only 500 Wii points ($5), and given that price, that is an insanely great deal.