Game Info
Game Name: Super Mario Galaxy
Developer(s): Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Platform(s): Wii
Genre(s): Platformer/Action/Adventure
Release Date(s): November 12, 2007
ESRB Rating: E
I really think maybe we should improve on the jail system in the Mushroom Kingdom
Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach during the Star Festival and heads to space with her. Mario in hot pursues finds himself collecting Power Stars to power the Comet Observatory to pursue Peach. The danger is growing as Bowser keeps his grip on the princess, and Mario can only be aided by suits giving him the ability to transform into a bee, a Boo, and a spring, plus fire flowers and ice flowers.
Super Mario Galaxy is a action-adventure platformer released for Wii. The game was developed and produced by Nintendo and follows New Super Mario Bros. released in 2006 for DS. The game was met with critical acclaim and became a best-seller for the Wii.
Mario has always been a touchstone for me. I remember really wanting to get the original NES so I could play Super Mario Bros. in the comfort of my own home and as much as I wanted. Getting Super Mario Bros. 2 was a big Christmas surprise, and Super Mario World was a great way to kick off the new Super Nintendo. Super Mario Galaxy really feels like it excels in the Mario franchise.
Super Mario Galaxy comes back from the boring (but different) Super Mario Sunshine on the GameCube and is very reminiscent of Super Mario 64. Super Mario 64 set the bar for other 3D cartoon character driven games, but this game advances it. There is some repetition in levels but there are tons of things to do. The smart thing by the designers is the way they are able to reuse levels but allow players to explore them in different ways (often by adding different suits or opening new directions for exploration). It also add “Prankster Comets” with challenges that show up throughout the game.
That is some bad indigestion you got buddy
The costumes are always a big aspect of the Mario games since they really create the differences in gameplay between the entries. The spring costume (which is obnoxious) and the Boo costume are kind of under used. This often happens in Mario games when they create a new costume (did the statue costume do anything in Super Mario Bros 3?) The Bee costume is a fun edition but I kind of wish they had brought back the cape (from Super Mario World) or the raccoon tail (from Super Mario 3).
Crap…a giant plant. Well, it still beats having to watch Super Mario Bros.: The Movie
The controls are very smooth and the twisting worlds can sometimes be dizzying (but a very good camera system keeps them from getting too confusing…that’s another improvement from Super Mario 64) and the animation pushes the limits of the Wii. It is worth completely finishing the game (meaning collecting all possible stars) for a little fun twist to the game play, but like many games, by the time you get this twist you want to put the game down for a while.
Super Mario Galaxy is a real showcase for the Wii. It shows all the potentials of the Wii and few of its weaknesses. I wish more games (especially third party games) would check out this game and use it as a format for how their games can be better…even for Xbox and Playstation. Super Mario Galaxy was followed New Super Mario Bros. Wii in 2009 and by Super Mario Galaxy 2 in 2010.
Related Links:
Super Mario All-Stars–25th Anniversary Edition
