>I ended up really enjoying this, it's just pure joy whenever
>you've finally reached that elusive star you were trying so
>hard to get, and overcoming the imperfect controls and camera
>just makes it even more rewarding.

^ exactly this. it takes an hour or two to get re-adjusted to the controls -- really the only issue is Mario taking a wide turn when trying to 180 while moving -- but once you start chaining long jumps and side flips and wall kicks to reach hard to get places, it is really fucking fun again.

while there are some tough stars, getting all 120 is less of an endurance grind (achievement hell in newer games) and more of a reward for mastering all the skills in the game. beating Stomp the Thwomp on Tick Tock Clock or grabbing all 100 coins on Rainbow Ride is as you said, pure joy. an old school gaming reward for getting gud.