Super Mario Galaxy

The Good
Now that some of the glitter-dust has faded, and Mario Galaxy has had time to be played (and played again) in isolation of the heavy promotion and media hype, I think now is a good time to see what this games impact has really been. Also, can Mario Galaxy really give players what they’ve been thirsting for; a worthy sequel to everybody’s revered favourite?

On boot-up of the game, we see that the promoted space-theme is only suggested at, and, after selecting a Mii for our game-save file, we take hold of the Wiimote and nunchuk and begin on the mission of finding and rescuing Princess Peach. Bowser, in his infinite stubbornness and admirable determination, has managed to seize her again for his own ends. This segment is probably one of the more disturbing scenes ever shown inside the Mushroom Kingdom. The grounds outside the Castle look like they’ve been fire-bombed – smoke, debris and lifeless toad-characters litter the landscape. Mario, you enter late and are given proper motivation for tracking the Koopa-King down one more time.

‘Galaxy introduces us to Rosalina, a beautifully designed character dressed in a jade-coloured slip-over. Her blonde fringe covers one eye, and she exudes a class that no other from the Mushroom Kingdom has. She has a manner that is both motherly (she is often referred to as “Mamma”) and almost goddess-like. Already, we see that these character ingredients and designs have been escalated to higher realms than has been in any other prequel – could the game play follow this trend also?

The presentation is second-to-none. There is an inert, world-class crispness to all of the audio and vision. No expense has been spared, and I’m sure that any criticism made to any of the game ingredients can only be chalked up to a difference in taste, not in technicality. This is the first time that I’ve really believed that players on other systems are truly missing out. Sure, Halo 3 is an X360 title only, and Gran Turismo 5 a PS3 exclusive, but when playing Mario Galaxy, you really feel that this experience will never be duplicated, even by Nintendo themselves. It is a vision of game play that cannot be re-packaged or re-mixed or improved on, any more than you can improve on Michelangelo’s David. (And no, I’m not equating this video game to that masterpiece, only its technical prowess, integrity and uncompromising vision). The inevitability of a Halo 4, Gran Turismo 6 is there for any gamer to sense – the inevitability of a Mario game of this ilk is vanishingly small. That is what makes this title special – its own uniqueness come across from Star Collection No. 1, and you are not led into believing that this is Super Mario Galaxy v0.95.

This game is the ultimate Mario experience is because it balances its key elements superbly. The mix of game play styles, the challenging yet intricate controls, the constantly shifting objectives all make this game a true pleasure to play through. No longer are re-visiting areas and re-treading paths with only a marginally different star location. ‘Galaxy has you visiting mini-world, figuring out how to get off them in any number of ingenious ways, all while executing the most smooth move system I’ve ever encountered. The camera, now an auto-shifting masterpiece, helps you navigate the true third-dimension like never before.

Again, the one thing this game exudes is charm. The “hardcore” gamer cares not for charm, and would only sneer at shell-surfing penguin, or a bee with a case of the itches. As quirky-for-quirkys sake as this may sound, it really is one of the core ingredients that make this game such a pleasure to play. So yes, the hardcore gamer may find these things repellent, but I would argue that no hardcore gamer should be without this title. I believe that a true hardcore gamer is interested in all of what gaming may offer, not just that disproportionably represented and aging first-person-shooter sub-genre, or that equally distorted portrayal of MMORPG sub-genre. A “hardcore” gamer should be looking for games that improve and progress gaming experiences, regardless of genre. Their interest should know no-bounds, and care not of company loyalties, only of gamer-loyalty. In this sense, ‘Galaxy is as loyal as Golden Retriever. The whole thing is geared for fun while pushing gaming to a new height. It shares this honour with a very small list of titles.

The Bad
The only thing that got annoying was the routine that you undergo after acquiring a star. The many fan-fares, the pattern of sound-effects, and the save option become a habit that is decidedly irritating (that is, after the sixtieth or so star pickup).

The Bottom Line
So ‘Galaxy improves on it’s predecessors in every single way. I cannot think of one area where this game failed in that regard. The graphics, the presentation, the sound, the controls, the last-ability, the vision, the heart, the passion, the direction are all superior to that other Mario title. And, they are all superior to any other game in this (increasingly mutating) genre. The other Mario game, the one that is on everybody's 5-star list, has now been dethroned, and this time they didn’t need to add a dimension, just explore it to the fullest.

The Good
I have nothing against Italian people. In fact, I think I really like Italians. I mean: they have really smoking hot women, excellent food, a long and fascinating history, and I enjoy the works of Dario Argento, and Federico Fellini. I just thought that it was a funny one-liner. So please, no hate mail as I already have an inbox full of it already.

So, I finally got a Wii. I knew the first game I had to get was Super Mario Galaxy. So this is my first Wii review. Are you as excited as me? No? Well that’s just because you are an assh…..I mean on to my review!

Like many gamers I grew up playing Mario games, and many other plat-formers. Even now as an adult I still enjoy them every now and again. There is just something fascinating to me about a game that is fun whether you are 8 or 80.(Unlike some callous gamers, I do not think that Mario games are just for certain age groups.-MM-)

In Mario’s latest adventure, we find that the Mushroom Kingdom, is celebrating the Star Festival. When the stars are out in full twilight, and magical Star-bits fall from the sky. Our fearless hero is invited to the castle, for a private party with the Princess.(Possibly for some backdoor action.-MM-) When, gasp! Bowser attacks, and Princess Peach, and her entire castle are spirited away. Mario gives chase, but cannot catch up. He is then sucked into space. He eventually ends up on a Space Station, where he meets the mysterious Rosalina. She offers him a Quid Pro Quo, help recover enough Power Stars, 60 total, and the Station will be powered up, allowing Mario to fly to the center of the galaxy and rescue The Princess….again.

Of course, this a Mario game. So completionists, can score all 120 Power Stars. I ended the game with 64 or so.(However, I am going to try and get them all.-MM-) There are also special Stars to collect. Red, and green. Red allows Mario to fly, while green opens up a new area to explore, or “galaxy”. There are also many other secrets. What’s a Mario game without them? Eventually, Luigi, and the toads, will help Mario find some of the “hidden” stars. Mario will be on his own for the rest.

There are many Galaxies to explore, and many of Mario’s old super powers return. Starman and Firepower. As well as new ones, Boo Mario, and Ice Mario. He will also fight old foes, goombas, boo’s, and green and red turtles.

The boss fights are much better. Now you do not repeat the same fights over and over again. Like in some Mario titles. Like Super Mario 64. The stages or, “Dark Star Reactors”. Are always different as well. Some times you will battle a big baddie. Other times it will be Baby Bowser, and yet other times it will be the big dingus himself: King Bowser.

Don’t be scared by the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. Once you learn how to use it, you will find that it is second nature. And Mario Galaxy is a good game to start with, as the learning curve is low.

The graphics are very good. And while it’s no: Xbox 360, high-end PC, or even Playstation 3. It still looks good. Better yet it looks good either in SD or HD. Unlike many Jap games for the other two consoles. One of the only other Wii games, that looks this good is Sonic: And The Secret Rings.

The music is quite nice, from the spacey themes, to the remixes of familiar old tracks. The sound effects are much what you would come to expect from a Mario game, love it or hate it. There is minimal voice acting. Which sucks, but the little that there is sounds good.

The Bad
This game is very easy. Much more so than Mario 64, or Super Mario Sunshine. Some levels do offer a challenge, but most of these can be skipped. On the plus side, it is better than getting stuck in the game and getting frustrated.

Some of the new powers are dubious. Like Bee Mario, for example.

My mushroom kingdom for full voice acting! Since Nintendo usually hires quality voice over people, would it kill them to have more of it?

The Bottom Line
I was skeptical. Epically after the let down of Super Mario Sunshine. Don’t be, Super Mario Galaxy, is a fine example of how Nintendo has still got it, even after all these years. And is a great game for those new to the Wii.

The Good
Well, graphics are colourful, and controls are reliable. Musics is the best part in this game, nicely done music with orchestrated soundtrack, which adds atmosphere in the game.

Good thing is bubble blowing, where you get stuck in the bubble, and then you use star pointer to blow bubble around.

Rolling the ball is also one of the good things, which I discovered. You jump to the ball, and then you must tilt Wii Remote to the specific direction where you want to roll the ball.

The Bad
Controlling Mario or Luigi in Spring suit is kind of frustrating.

And even amongst other thing is, that there is one "grisly" death animation, where Mario or Luigi is Drowning, or possibly getting killed in Poisonous Swamp, which I founded too offensive for younger players.

The Bottom Line
It is actually same as Super Mario 64. You collect stars to gain access to more and more of the galaxies. Some of the galaxies can only accessed, like feeding Hungry Lumas, and even amongst other things. If you love 3D platformers, then you may love this game, because this game is AWESOME!!