Definitely part of the issue. As a fan, I enjoyed this A LOT. But mainly because of the "aawww" and the Member-Berries involved in it. I went to see it with my dad who is a total illiterate when it comes to video games and he came out confused out of his goddamn mind. That told me the movie moved way too fast and depended way too much on knowing its source material, never a good thing as you state.

"Peaches" and Bowser's unrequited love is the best part of the movie, I agree.