3D land IS great from the beginning. There's no 'challenge' in the first original SMB level, the joy is moving through the level as smoothly as you can, as quickly as you can. Same thing. A great detail 3D Land introduced was the best time record, encouraging such play. The reason it's fun is because as you move through the level it's all platforming - even if there's no risk of _dying_ you're invited to move through it as smoothly as possible, finding that Mario flow. So yes, it did kick it from the start. People who conflate a platforming focus with pure difficulty have forgotten most of Mario's past - the challenge and fun is not only in surviving but finding the perfect race line through levels designed to make that possible.