Hooked Gamers - Super Mario Galaxy Review

Super Mario Galaxy

November 13th, 2007 by JSnake

It’s all about gravity

However, all stuff said above isn't much different from the other two 3D Mario games. There needs to be a twist or gamers have no reason to play Galaxy over the other two. It was then that Nintendo looked to the stars for an idea. Their new thought is gravity. Indeed, gravity takes center-stage in Mario Galaxy. Since Mario is in space, where the laws of gravity are different, he can float freely in space just like the astronauts. However, Galaxy takes it a step further than what those 1970 clips depict. At times, Mario can walk upside down on a planet, walk on the side, or even jump all the way from one end of a planet to another. There are even some fantastic old-school platforming segments with outrageous gravity elements. It all pulls together to create an absolutely amazing experience. The game constantly milks the gravity mechanic for every last drop of fun, and thanks to that, Galaxy is one of the most refreshing and overall one of the best game of all time.

Mario Galaxy is constantly stretching the boundaries of the imagination. There is so much variety packed in the levels that you're never doing the same thing for too long. At first, when you've just landed on your first planet, you're getting accustomed to the game's wacky physics. Then you're blasting off to new planets, collecting star shards, transforming into a bee, scaling massive structures, herding bullet bills to have them blow up glass containers, climbing twisting vines, battling massive flower dinosaurs, jumping across apples that are suspended in space, walking across a giant caterpillar, jumping across platforms while upside down... There is no reason to be bored with the game because you're constantly doing new things. And just when you think you have mastered the game, you're suddenly hit with a task you've never done before, and you're suddenly dying just as much as you were when you first booted the game up. The sheer imagination and diversity is unlike anything ever seen in a video game.

Another excellent part of the game is the side-galaxies. As the name implies, these galaxies are optional, but it’s in your best interest to complete them as they offer even more new gameplay mechanics and will reward you with a star upon their completion. One of the more notable galaxies is the Loop-de-swoop galaxy, where Mario surfs on a manta-ray through a huge course of loop-de-loops, slopes, jumps, and other craziness. Controlling the manta-ray is simple as players simply tilt the Wii-mote and the manta-ray follows their motions. Another galaxy is where Mario gets on top of a ball and must ride around on it through a gigantic track of bottomless pits, nasty enemies, and many other obstacles. To the control the ball, players hold the Wii-mote vertically and just tilt it like a flight stick. Both of these galaxies are great fun and offer refreshing control schemes after playing the main quest for too long (if that's possible).

Wiggling the Wii-mote

I have talked a lot about the game, but have yet to fully explain how the game is controlled. Super Mario Galaxy actually controls quite easily. Hold the Nunchuk in one hand and the Wii-mote in the other. Use the joystick on the Nunchuk to move Mario around, and use the A button on the Wii-mote to jump. There are many special moves that Mario can carry out and require some additional button-pushing, but what I just explained are the basics. Players can wiggle the Wii-mote to make Mario spin and hitting enemies while spinning will stun them. Mario can then run into the enemy to punt him into space and will gain star bits for doing so.

Spinning is also used for other things, such as screwing in a nut or deflecting enemy fire. Collect fifty star bits and you will be granted an extra life, and believe me, you will need lots of these. Star bits can also be shot at nearby foes or objects but the most fruitful use for them is feeding hungry Lumas. During your quest, you will encounter a number of these odd creatures and they pine for the sweet taste of star bits. Shoot enough into their hungry mouths, and they will transform into new galaxies or even forms of transportation. It is great that Nintendo offers an incentive for collecting these star bits, and the star bits are so plentiful that there is hardly any tedium to be found.