IGN Names Super Mario Galaxy The Best Game of The Last Generation

Popular online gaming publication IGN has awarded Super Mario Galaxy with the acclaimed accolade as game of the last generation. IGN says that the Wii classic redefined the platforming genre and gave players a smart and refreshing challenge. They concluded by saying that it was ultimately the game worth owning a Wii for.

“Super Mario Galaxy wasn’t just the latest and greatest 3D Mario game when it released in 2007 — it redefined the platforming genre. Again. Nintendo’s best designers rebounded from the excellent but still somewhat underwhelming Super Mario Sunshine on the GameCube and unleashed Galaxy, a meaty, deep adventure that married Mario’s traditional fireballs and Koopaling knockouts with a healthy dose of M.C. Escher. Its game design is as smart and challenging as it is refreshing, and, Wii Sports be damned, it was and is worth owning a Wii for all on its own.”

[BullyMangler]

it may be one of the best games of last gen, not THE best like this read reads.

or iS It ??

[rodiabloalmeida]

TLOU is in my top 10. But Mario Galaxy is in my top 3. It is that good.

[ZodTheRipper]

I enjoyed TLOU (played it 3,5 times and will get it again for PS4) much more than Mario Galaxy 1&2 to be honest.

[user1439414]

The Last of Us and Heavy Rain are 2 of my favourite games from last gen. And I also loved The Elder Scrolls Oblivion.

[DarthZoolu]

Did i imagine Skyrim? There is a game called The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim right? Or did 200+ plus hours of my life not really happen? It's a mad house.

[UltimateMaster]

IGN.
So terrified of Xbox, PS, PC fanboys backlash, they praise a Wii game.

[Beastforlifenoob]

Out of the top 10, only 1 appeard on a Nintendo Console (that was ofc super mario galaxy). Also 2 of the games were PS3 exclusives.

ahaha only 1 of the top 10 came out on nintendo consoles *clap*clap* great

[BattleN]

lol that comment I read picturing a mentally challenged luma!

[marloc_x]

Galaxy has sold over 12 million copies. I think even The Last Of Us will run out of gas on PS+ before even coming CLOSE to these numbers..

[Magicite]

Some mario-lol game as best? They cant be serious.

[stragomccloud]

Gamers disagree. If you haven't been able to get over yourself and really play a Mario game, it's high time you started.

[DarthZoolu]

Not the type of gamers I know. My crew and I played Galaxy but at no point play galaxy did I ever think omg, or wow. Top 25 but not even top 20 in my opinion, and I know many that wouldn't even put it on any best list.

[hellzsupernova]

IGn's top Twenty

#20. Super Mario Galaxy 2
#19. Wii Sports
#18. Mass Effect
#17. Bioshock
#16. Batman: Arkham City
#15. Half-Life 2: Episode 2
#14. Assassin's Creed 2
#13. Rock Band
#12. Mass Effect 2
#11. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
#10. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
#9. Journey
#8. Grand Theft Auto V
#7. Red Dead Redemption
#6. Minecraft
#5. Fallout 3
#4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
#3. The Last of Us
#2. Portal 2

#1. Super Mario Galaxy

The top twenty you cant really argue much all of those games are must plays. All of my favorite games are there from last generation

[Chard]

That's odd, I definitely remember IGN saying that they thought Galaxy 2 was better than 1

[Edsword]

Yeah MGS4 is not on that list why? It was a 10 by IGn after all.

[hellzsupernova]

MGS4 is on the list just not in the top twenty.

#59. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

For me personally MGS wouldn't even be on the list fullstop. but that is my personal opinion I never played them when I had a playstation 2, I did play through MGS2 on vita and thought it was awesome but never finished MGS3

[ginsunuva]

Arkham City wasn't THAT good.

And... Wii Sports?

[Edsword]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I really thought Mario Galaxy was a good game, but my favorite for Last gen was UC2. I hardly played anything more than once, but I know I played UC2 at least 3 times.

[ginsunuva]

Did you know that the word "best" is not objective?

Also did you know that IGN is not the definitive prophet of all gaming and that everything they say is not universal fact?

[colt-of-tipton]

Good choice , but all opinions i suppose Fallout 3 for me , the atmosphere, characters and sheer content just blew me away .

[inmusicutrust]

There was a small settlement in the wasteland that I helped save from a mutant attack. I then killed every last inhabitant of that town.

[KodevEx]

That's why grownups aren't allowed.

[DCfan]

not to mention the amount of game breaking bugs and glitches.

[randomass171]

Not a bad selection! I loved Mario Galaxy and how innovative it was for Mario. But my top pick is and always will be The Last of Us. Definitely one of my favorite games of all time.

[-Foxtrot]

Super Mario Galaxy was amazing but there were others which could of taken the top spot

Bioshock, Uncharted 2, Fallout 3, Ni No Kuni, Arkham City, Assassins Creed II, Last of Us. Demons Souls.

I chose those as examples because they were new IP's or like Fallout were "re-vamped" with a new look. I think you have to give credit when it comes to last gens new IP's. So if I was going to choose my best game of last gen I would have to put the newer franchises first.

I think my main problem with Galaxy was the fact unlike Sunshine or Super Mario 64 the platforming in this game was spilt up in some levels into small "planet" like sections where you would just use a Launch Star to get to the next section and so on. Unlike past games you couldn't roam around as much. Sometimes once you've launched onto another planet you couldn't get back, so it limited you in back tracking.

[iamnsuperman]

I really don't rate Super Mario Galaxy. I could not get into it. I bought it as everyone was raving about it but it left me disappointed.

Seeing the examples you mention, I feel they did much more and are definitely more worthy of GOTG than Super Mario Galaxy. I know I have a bias since I admit I couldn't get into it but they did do more to define the last generation

[-Foxtrot]

I couldn't get into at first but once I got going I ended up being hooked but despite being much prettier and having way better music then the last two "console" Mario games I didn't think it was as good, with the reasons I've mentioned above

It was a great concept though, Space, planets, introducing a new character like Rosalina so I have to give them credit there but I just didn't think it was as open as past games.

The levels seemed big because you were constantly on the go launching from one planet to another.

I think Super Mario Galaxy was more about visual presentation then the other Mario games.

If this was the first type of Mario game ever, like they never did Super Mario 64 or Sunshine then I would agree with the article and the decision but the other games did much more for gaming.

I know this isn't going to be a popular opinion but I feel like with Nintendo despite always producing solid games that feel complete it never feels like they would push themselves to go the extra mile...101% so to speak. It's like once they've finished the game it's "Right...we're done". NaughtyDog for example chose Sand in Uncharted 3 because it was the hardest thing for them to do, it was a challenge for the studio but Nintendo don't seem to have that mind set, if it was them they would be like "WHOA...this looks a little complicated for us, lets just stuck to what we know". Some of their games feel great but at times you come across something in the game, a little thing usually which you could shrug off where your like "What? Why have they not done this" or "Nintendo should of added "this" feature by now".

Maybe it's because making games is getting harder for them, they have struggled transitioning with HD, missing out an entire gen of it.

I've just noticed aswell IGN put Modern bloody Warfare ahead of Uncharted 2. Are these guys stupid.

[GamersHeaven]

One of the easiest most boring games of last generation.

The_Infected- Credit for what?I played it I voiced my opinion on it not my fault you disagree.

[Hellsvacancy]

I played it, and completed it, it's one of the only Wii games I ever have finished

Difference is I didn't play it for my own personal amusement, I bought a Wii for my 6 year old daughter at Xmas (with Mario G) I played it with her loads, it was actually a really fun game, a nice change from my normal routine of gaming

It certainly isn't MY GOTG, but it was good

My opinion (I didn't disagree)

[Concertoine]

I don't think there was a "best game" of last gen. My favorites were catherine, super mario galaxy, gears of war 2, bayonetta, mass effect 1, bioshock 1, deus ex: HR, and TLOU.

But i put a distinct line between "favorite" and "best".
I couldn't call TLOU the best game of this gen, while it is excellent there isn't any particularly deep gameplay or much new brought to the genre. I can't call a game "game of the gen" for story alone, is what im saying. If i had to pick a game i'd say Bioshock or Mass Effect 1, even if Bioshock hasnt aged perfectly.

[Shuyin]

Thing is, though, you don't really need "inovations". That term is overused anyway.
What made TLoU so so special to me was, obviously, the story and most importantly the atmosphere and...THE GAMEPLAY.
I thought the gameplay and feel of the game was epic. Heavily polished and the best 3rd person mechanics I EVER seen.

[Concertoine]

I didn't say innovation.

The point is if we become content with the same old crap, we'll get the same old crap. It's important to give props to a game that ventures out and tries something new rather than another game which does not, even if the other game isn't perhaps as well executed.

[Majin-vegeta]

I tried to like it but I just couldn't finish it,Maybe cuz I'm burned out on playing Mario.

Best game of Last Gen for me it's a draw between Resistance 1 and the TLOU.

Resistance 1
Pros+
-40 players online
-Variety of weapons
-Dark Atmospheric Story

Cons-
-Short story

TLOU
Pros+
-Emotional story
-Addicting MP
-Best graphics on last gen console

Cons-
-Short Story

[admiralvic]

While I can respect other peoples opinions, there are most certainly better games than Resistance Fall of Man.

[SamPao]

Yeah Resistance 3 ^^

[iamnsuperman]

I agree, Resistance Fall of Man is not great and no where near GOTG worthy. At launch it was okay but it didn't do much

[Knushwood Butt]

I loved RFOM too, but wouldn't say the campaign was short, if that's what you meant.

[CanadianTurtle]

Man I thought I was the only human being whose favourite game last gen was Resistance Fall of Man. I loved the alien invasion lore of the Resistance series and the dark and gritty atmosphere. It has that H.G.Wells "War of the Worlds" feeling to it.

It's an FPS that had an "old school shooter" style gameplay where you always fire from the hip, and never really rely on aiming down the sights.

The enemies were amazing. The chimera were some of my favourite enemies to kill in any video game period. I remember my first time facing a Stalker or Widowmaker. It was truly a frightful experience.

NOTE: I know that R:FoM isn't the best game of last gen, I'm just saying it's my favourite

[XiSasukeUchiha]

I loved Super Mario Galaxy is a fun game that anyone should/would enjoy!

Off Topic: Srry for PS4 superior version confirmed i meant was PS4 had the better port of Watch dogs confirmed!

[DryBoneKoopa85]

I'm playing through Mario Galaxy right now with my wife. I will have to say its an amazing and beautiful game for the Wii.

I hope (but doubt) Mario Galaxy 3 gets an announcement at Nintendo's E3. Would love for it to be a 2015/2016 game.

[BattleReach]

I agree on that, my personal list:

Wii = Super Mario Galaxy
360 = Alan Wake
PS3 = The Last of Us

[GarrusVakarian]

Nice list. Alan Wake was a great game. It deserved to sell better. It's a shame singleplayer games like that don't sell anywhere near as well as MP games.

[-Foxtrot]

It's a shame Microsoft told them to do a new franchise instead of continuing Alan Wake

It's like they had no faith in Remedy, they were like "Yeah but guys you do a new franchise and you have another chance of gripping a bigger audience"

[4logpc]

@fox

Remedy has said many times that Alan Wake isnt dead.

Also how are they saying they have no faith when they funded another one of their projects, Quantum Break? I dont see that as them telling them they can grip a better audience. It sounds more like Microsoft wanted a new IP in general.

[-Foxtrot]

I'm not saying it isn't dead, it's just Microsoft would rather get them to do a new IP instead of continuing a existing franchise for their brand new console

They have no faith because if they did we would be getting Alan Wake 2 right now.

They wanted to give them another chance but obviously that came at the price of them doing something new to draw in a much bigger audience, more then what Alan Wake brought in. It's a do over, you have a much better chance gaining more sales with a new IP then a one which most people passed on with the first instalment.

[iamnsuperman]

I maybe alone on this but I would change the Wii one to Wii sports. The was an incredibly fun game which many have tried but few have managed to replicate

[XStation]

@-Foxtrot
Show me proof of them saying that. Also if they did, so what? It's not like Remedy is a first party studio, they have freedom to make whatever game they want. And i'm pretty sure Quantum Break will be just as good or better than Alan Wake. Stop hating on Microsoft all the time.

[WeAreLegion]

Great game, but seriously? As far as Wii games go, I definitely prefer Wario Ware: Smooth Moves and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

[Ravenheartzero]

Never played it so cannot comment, my personal favourite game of last gen would be Dark souls. So many great games tbh :)

[imtheman2013]

For me, my top games of last generation, in no specific order, are: Red Dead Redemption, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of The White Witch, The Last of Us, Dishonored, The Witcher 2, The Souls Series, Grand Theft Auto V, Journey, Fallout 3, and Metal Gear Solid 4.

I could probably narrow that down to a smaller list, but all of these games either impacted me deeply or caused me to spend sleepless nights playing them. Usually both.

All in all, last gen was pretty filled with fantastic games.

EDIT: I didn't spend much time with Super Mario Galaxy when I played it. I thought it was really good, but it didn't leave me with a feeling of awe or anything like the last 3D Mario game I'd played, Super Mario Sunshine. Which, in Sunshine's case, I consider to be the best 3D Mario game next to Super Mario 64. I still play both to this day.

[Chaos-Dad]

Best Game Last Gen was "The Last of Us" with 248 Game of the Year Awards and not MarioGalaxy with 44 Goty Awards...

The Last of Us -> 248
Skyrim -> 226
Uncharted 2 -> 115
Mario Galaxy -> 44 (???)

WTF IGN.

[Metallox]

Did IGN gave to The Last Us all those GOTY? No. Your logic isn't correct.

[Vegamyster]

A game that focuses on the actual gameplay won their game of the generation, go figure. If you're going by what the critics said SMG 1 & 2 were the highest rated exclusives last gen: http://www.metacritic.com/b...

[Knushwood Butt]

lol focus on gameplay.

[Vegamyster]

@Knushwood Butt

Care to explain why you disagree?

[Kennytaur]

Good choice, but most of their top 100 list is absolute rubbish in my opinion.

[Are_The_MaDNess]

hard pick TBH. Mario Galaxy is deff up there among the top.
would say its a very hard pick for me TBH between.
Dota 2, Red Dead, Mario Galaxy, Skyward Sword, Skyrim, Fallout 3 & Batman AC

[from the beach]

Well of course it was.

Good list overall!

[LightDiego]

The best games from the last generation are Resident Evil 6 and Assassin's Creed 3.

[grashopper]

It's a great game...but top game to me would be Last of Us or Red Dead depending on my mood while asked.

[Rimgal]

My personal favorite last generation has to go for Red Dead Redemption.

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

Haha, I was looking for that Red Dead mention. Red Dead is my game of last gen so far too. There are still some games of last gen that I need to play, but as of right now Red Dead is my top game.

[LightSamus]

I liked Portal 2 (a lot) but no way was it the second best game of the generation.

[imtheman2013]

I agree. The writing in Portal 2 was simply fantastic, and the portal puzzling was just as good, if not better than, the first. But I just don't feel like there's enough there to deem it the second best game of last generation. Especially when you consider the games around it; The Last of Us, Fallout 3, etc.

[-Foxtrot]

I wish they stuck to it having a longer single player. They cut the script to make way for the co-op story.

Problem is you can't play the co-op campaign with a bot, you HAVE to play online with someone. Forcing social interaction when some people just want to relax and play by themselves was a bit silly in my opinion.

Valve could of eaisly added a co-op story as free DLC after the single player game came out.

Chell's or GLaDOS story and development could of been expanded on greatly with a bigger script

[InTheLab]

Never played it but I can respect the choice. At least it's not some hipster choice like spec ops or metal gear rising....

[MegaRay]

Nah, the game is great but I hate mario characters design, if it was an orginal ip or donkey kong then it would be the best.

My fev aside from HD remakes is: Sonic Generations! Seriously i still play it till today.

But picking one game out of 3 systems is hard really there's like hundred of great games

[Variant]

Excellent choice.

Personally, it would have to be a game I had fun, and could still have fun, playing...there are too many for me, alone, to choose one out of them all. I am, however, sure my friends and I would eventually agree on Mario Kart Wii because we will continue to play it until Mario Kart 8.

For each console, I would choose Dokapon Kingdom for the Wii, Bayonetta for the 360, and Siren: Blood Curse for the PS3.

[Kane22]

out of all the Mario games ive played and enjoyed. this series isn't one of them. i just couldn't really get into the gameplay and don't know why.

[SaintAlpha101]

For me, it's:
Xbox 360: Mass Effect 2
PS3: Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time
Wii: Super Mario Galaxy
PC: TES 5 Skyrim

[Chrisgamerguy]

Super mario sunshine 2 please

[sonic989]

who ever said the platforming genre is dead .
congrats for mario for being unique creative and different .
Sony needs to take some notes here PS3 for me was far inferior to PS2 and PS1 ( game wise ) because it was filled up with shooters and cinematic games , they need to focus on being fun too i know that some people like uncharted and the last of us yes and i respect that but also that doesnt mean we should forget games and genres like ICO and shadow of the colossus , platformers like jak , ratchet and others .
SONY SHOULD RETURN TO THE PS2 DAYS .

[trouble_bubble]

PS2 days? Sony has various exclusive platformers on the PS3 like Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, several Ratchet&Clanks, a couple LittleBigPlanets, Puppeteer. That's not even counting multiplats like Rayman.

Even niche genres like car combat -TwistedMetal- and top down swords'n'sorcery -3D Dot Game Heroes- got at-bats. People don't look hard enough

[sonic989]

look i know .
but compared with the PS2 days it wasnt up to that level .
i think video game expenses went sky high thats the reason some publishers play it safe .

[salazarnaruto52]

The Last of Us is my #1 game of last gen, and my #2 game of all time

[CanadianTurtle]

It truly is impossible to say what the best game is from last generation. Because last gen had some of the best games in entertainment history.

The Last of Us
Uncharted 3
Bioshock Infinite
Bioshock 1
GoW 3 (PS3)
Halo: Reach
Mario Galaxy 2 (Yes it's better than the first one)
inFamous 2
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (I'm putting this on the list because this game seems to be the #1 choice for any party or get-together)
Fallout 3

[MrTimesplitters]

My favourite games of the last generation were:

Wii- Donkey Kong Country Returns
360- Halo 3
PS3- Metal Gear Solid 4

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Definitely the best choice. Here's my top 5:

1. Super Mario Galaxy
2. Red Dead Redemption
3. GTA V
4. Wii Sports
5. Just Cause 2

[Skate-AK]

Bummer. I never got to play it.

[Father__Merrin]

Mario galaxy was amazing, easily one of the best soundtracks ever but controls spoilt it

[PrinceOfAllSaiyans]

TLOU, Skyrim, Uncharted 2, and Red Dead Redemption are the best IMO. I never finished Mario Galaxy because I hate the Wii controller.

[TheTimeDoctor]

I enjoyed max Payne 3 the most. crazy I know. followed by oblivion. I had a knee surgery and wouldn't have remained sane without oblivion.

[ado908]

I would have liked super mario galaxy but the controls ruined it for me. Also this list is bs as well, why mario? Shouldn't you categorize overall? Game doesn't have a story and the graphics and soundtrack are nothing original compared to the first game.its a good game I can see why people like it but to call it the best game last geb? Ridiculous to be honest. Red dead redemption, fallout, tlou those deserve.

[demonddel]

My favorite games last Gen is Cod4 Modern Warfare,TLOU, GeOW1&2,MG4,GOW3,NFS MY, FORZA4,HALO4,AND UC2 with the top game being GTA5 those games will never leave my collection

[deafdani]

Xenoblade Chronicles is the best game of last gen for me, closely followed by the Mass Effect Trilogy, then Mario Galaxy 2 (which blows the first one out of the water, IMO).

[MNGamer-N]

Super Mario Galaxy deserves to win. The gameplay was better than the Last Of Us. The Last of Us deserves to win. The story was better that Galaxy. Flip a coin

[jholden3249]

I'm sorry, as great as The Last of Us was, it wasn't nearly as good as some make it out to be. It's the same thing that happened with Tearaway, and Vita fans proclaiming it as the best game on a handheld. People just want their preferred system of choice to have the best game.

The Last of Us was good, heck it was great, but Game of the Generation? I wouldn't have even nominated it as Game of the Year. Sorry.

And alot of people who herald The Last of Us as some great masterpiece only do so out of limited experience. All they play is gritty realistic AAA titles, so to them it IS the best game they've played all year. But therein lies the problem. They have limited experience with different genres and types of games, and particularly with games on various consoles. If all I played was AAA titles, I'd probably think The Last of Us was the best thing since sliced bread too!

I LOVED The Last of Us. In fact I'm re-purchasing it for PS4 (gotta be a good game to buy it twice, right?). But there's a lot of "great" games out there. I also LOVED Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, I also LOVED Infamous Second Son, and Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD, and DKC Tropical Freeze, and Fire Emblem Awakening, and Portal 1 & 2...

[trouble_bubble]

Orrrrrrrr, maybe it's not a "limited experience" thing, but some people just -prefer- survival horror over games with spiky haired gotta catch em all teenagers, or 2 button puzzle comedies? I mean really, Portal2 was just a AAA Portal1. It's lucky it got top 10, nevermind #2.

[ajax17]

COD 4 is NOT better than Uncharted 2 and Mass Effect 2... WTF!?

[demonddel]

Yes it is

[jholden3249]

Yeah, Mario Galaxy 2 was better than the first. It just didn't have that same IMPACT that the first one did.

Still, Mario Galaxy is a modern masterpiece. Anyone who disputes its pedigree needs to play it and see for themselves.

[Geobros]

Great top 20 list!! And nice choice for Mario Galaxy...

[DCfan]

My personal favorite game of the last gen has to be Yakuza 3
Closely followed by Valkyria Chronicles.