you should really give wario land 4 a chance, its great fun and shokora turns out to be an amazing character if you pay attention.
3 is the most non-linear of them all. 4 is a lot more linear so you'd probably not get that lost there. Same goes for 2.I'm trying out 3 right now, but I keep getting lost. I'll probably try the other games once I beat 3.
I think one and 4 are the most like the games you're used too. That doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend 3, though, I really like it, but you said you prefer more Mario-like games in which you can actually die.I'm trying out 3 right now, but I keep getting lost. I'll probably try the other games once I beat 3.