The Super Mario games have always been about one thing, pure fun factor. I am glad to report that Miyamoto has once again waved his magic wand and has brought innovation and fun to the platform gaming. Mario has always been a supplier of great video game moments and Super Mario Galaxy is no different.
The story of Super Mario Galaxy begins with Mario as he runs along at full speed to a celebratory event (or party, if you like) complete with jolly Toads scurrying about, comets falling and exploding in the starry night sky. The party is interrupted by Bowser who ‘once again’ steals Princess Peach. He hoists her up into his hovering castle and off he goes into the depths of Space.
Once again Mario is off to “save the princess’, bit this time gamers are on a quest to explore the galaxy looking for stars. The key to the game is to collect enough stars through each section to amass enough star power to reach the next galaxy.
In each galaxy you explore, you'll uncover several missions to complete. These missions work similarly to those found in Super Mario 64 and Sunshine, so you should feel right at home; select the star/mission you'd like to play, meet the mission's requirements, and pick up the star on your way out. You'll have over 100 of these shiny sprites to collect in the game, but it definitely feels a lot larger than Mario's previous outings, perhaps to the point of even eclipsing his 2D days.
From a graphics standpoint the game appears to be really polished. Super Mario Galaxy sports some nice textures and a bright and colorful world to explore. It is nice to see that some developers are proving that the Wii is more than capable of pumping out some nice graphics. The game world is truly beautiful and unique.
The controls in the game are also spot on with a clever use of the Wii-mote and nunchuck attachment. You guide Mario with the nunchuck and use the Wii-mote to shake various things throughout the game environment that elicit certain responses to advance throughout the Galaxy. One really neat feature is how you can activate plants on certain planets that will launch you from one area to another. I did not experience any camera issues with the games auto camera. But if anyone does luckily it can also be adjusted with a quick flick of the D-Pad.
Super Mario Galaxy is also full of useful power up items. A few being the ice power up, fire power up, and new bumble bee power up. The level design is pure genious as it forces the gamer to use certain power ups sometimes to advance throughout the levels.
As a total package, Super Mario Galaxy is pure gaming gold. Miyamoto has proven once again that Mario can stand the test of time. The level design, graphics, sound, and gameplay of Super Mario Galaxy are all top notch. It is no wonder that Galaxy won so many game of the year awards. Gamers that partake in the job of saving the princess once again will be glad they applied for the job.
Cultured Vultures: Put on your freshest dungarees and chow down on the ripest mushroom as we reel off the best Mario games ever made to celebrate Mar10 Day.
My top 3 are Mario 3, Mario World and Mario 64. Mario Odyssey is also excellent, and I enjoyed Sunshine but didn't care for the Galaxy series.
Cultured Vultures: Put on your freshest dungarees and chow down on the ripest mushroom as we reel off the best Mario games ever made.
The Nintendo Entertainment Podcast is here, and it's the host's birthday! But don't worry, they'll talk news and Super Mario Galaxy too!
Great review
good review man
SMG rocks
Well written review, mate. It was a good read. It is one hell of a game.
However, I'd like to see Mr. Miyamoto come up with an original idea or character for a game, outside of his usual 'icons'.
He can't, so I don't respect the man. He couldn't even bring himself to admit that Mario galaxy borrowed from Ratchet & Clank.
He may be hailed as 'the Grandfather of gaming' or some crap like that, but character-wise he's just petty, sull of self-importance and arrogance.
Of course, it's Nintendo, so it's okay, right?