Nintendo Wii Review: Super Mario Galaxy

Traditionally, when Nintendo launches a new console, one of the launch titles is a game featuring Mario, or at least is a title set in the Mario universe, like Luigi's Mansion. For the Wii, that was not the case, and fans had to wait until now to get their hands on the first Wii title starting Mario, Super Mario Galaxy. It's good that they waited on Galaxy, though, because it out-does every other Wii game made up to this point, and almost does the same with just about every Mario game.

Contrary to what the Internet might tell you, you do not play as Mr. Gay, Hard Gay, point guard Rudy Gay of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, or anyone else with that name this time around. Once again, you're Mario. Once again, Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser. And yes, once again, it's your job to go rescue her. Except this time it's in space.

But that's not all. You're aided in your quest by Rosalina, a princess who rules over the cosmos, and her "family" of star-liked creatures called Lumas, who help you search every possible galaxy to find the princess. Did I mention it was in space?

Galaxy takes everything you've ever been taught about platforming games, tears it to shreds and sets it on fire. Playing around on spherical objects in video games isn't totally new, but its executed so well here that it seems that way. Galaxy's levels can best be described as the beautiful lovechild of Super Mario Sunshine's platform-based bonus levels and Super Mario 64's level-based design. Galaxy's 40+ levels have elements of both, but with unique and brand-new twists that will blow your mind.

The biggest of those additions has to be the element of gravity for each independent planetoid/structure in space. This feature not only lets you run on just about every side of an object, but it proves invaluable to safely making it through a level. Though changing from floors to ceilings to walls can be a bit dizzying at times, it leaves the gamer feeling free and in total control.

Long-time Mario fans will find a ton of fan service in this game, with elements from older Mario games being brought in and used in familiar ways. Alongside brand-new enemies, many old classics have been masterfully re-done in 3-D for the Wii, some for the first time ever. There are multiple moments in this game where you will say, "Hey, I remember this from (insert Mario game here)!" It leaves a few retro things out of the game that would've been fantastic, though, the biggest of which is the lack of the Koopa Kids, last seen in Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga. Instead, we're stuck with their annoying, sub-par replacement, Bowser Jr., which only makes the Koopa Kids that much more missed. Bring them back full-time, Nintendo!

Article Author: Brian Szabelski

Brian Szabelski is the Assistant Gaming Editor at Blogcritics.org as well as Associate Editor at Tomopop. He also maintains his own blog on IGN, "The Minus World".

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