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Super Mario Galaxy - Reviewed

When Nintendo seriously dedicates itself to producing and developing a title, one can expect some fantastic results. Super Mario Galaxy is no different.

Making good use of the Nintento Wii's input devices, players are tasked with, once again, saving the princess from Bowser. These games have never been all about their plotlines, so it seems a bit forgivable for the Mario franchise to return to their money making machine. After all, what makes sense about an Italian plumber in a land of mushrooms that don't get you high? Nothing.

Others have compared the greatness of this installment to its Ancestor, Super Mario Bros. 3... and I am not here to disagree. Coming into the game with nothing more than a few gameplay clips has served me quite well as seeing each and every ability Mario gains for the first time is nothing short of fantastic. It's like being 6 or 7 all over again and finally getting the Racoon Suit for the first time. A childlike rush only Mario could provide.

Straying away from the plot and the childhood reminiscence, I'd like to consider the gameplay mechanics and how they work on the Wii. Well, the Wii is Nintendo's console and as Super Mario Galaxy is one of their only true, legitimate offspring for the system, one would hope that the game would feel truly designed with the Wii in mind. It does. The Wii-mote never seems forced on the user. There are no gimmicky motions that players have to evoke, and never will you find yourself yelling at the TV while your cursor flies off in a random direction. The game was built for the Wii, and you can tell.

And for anyone that has even seen one small portion of a gameplay clip, you already know about the ridiculous perspective the game takes. Mario traverses over planets both big and small, but because of the perspective the camera takes, Mario can be running upside down or sideways. Each planet has its own center of gravity while Mario can jump or be launched between them. Check the clip for a better idea (forgive the aspect ratio).

To me, this experience of not really knowing which end is up is fantastic. It almost harkens back to the greatness that was and is my favorite level in all of video game history. The Milkman level in Psychonauts. Check the vid to see it for yourself.

With wonderful gameplay dynamics and a fantastic use of the Wii-mote, you owe Super Mario Galaxy a place on your shelf. The game will certainly never tire and neither will you. Pick this one up, you'll love it.

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Posted by on November 15, 2007 1:49 PM
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