Super Mario Galaxy - Gen. Discussion & Info.
- Thread starter Tybee
- Start date
Oops! I did it again.
CAGiversary!
Game of the forever.
Looks amazing. I'm probably more excited about Galaxy than I have been about a game since Super Mario 64 or Super Mario 3.
I actually figured this would be one of those shipping-the-12th hits-store-floor-the-13th (Tuesday) type of deals, but a guy at EB yesterday their system has it as hitting store shelves the 12th. So I was wrong, it seems.
Can't wait.
Looks amazing. I'm probably more excited about Galaxy than I have been about a game since Super Mario 64 or Super Mario 3.
I actually figured this would be one of those shipping-the-12th hits-store-floor-the-13th (Tuesday) type of deals, but a guy at EB yesterday their system has it as hitting store shelves the 12th. So I was wrong, it seems.
Can't wait.
Chris in Cali
CAGiversary!
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This might just be the first time since the Wii launch that I've been excited about the Wii. Please let Mario deliver us from all this Wii-fit/minigame evil!
Dezzy
CAGiversary!
I'm one of those few people who aren't very excited over this new Mario game.
I'll buy it just because it'll probably be great, but the gameplay videos make it look strange and gimmicky.
Of course, with these low expectations, I'll probably just love it even more.
I really want a more 'normal' Mario game.. I miss the Mushroom Kingdom!
I'll buy it just because it'll probably be great, but the gameplay videos make it look strange and gimmicky.
Of course, with these low expectations, I'll probably just love it even more.
I really want a more 'normal' Mario game.. I miss the Mushroom Kingdom!
[quote name='Strell']If I preorder 100 copies of Galaxy to get 100 coins, do I get an extra life?[/QUOTE]
Perhaps, but more likely it would indicate you don't have a life.
Is this coin available at EB/GS as well? I had heard Gamecrazy but I actually have this preordered at EB (because of that wonderful trade 2 get a new game deal a few months back).
Perhaps, but more likely it would indicate you don't have a life.
Is this coin available at EB/GS as well? I had heard Gamecrazy but I actually have this preordered at EB (because of that wonderful trade 2 get a new game deal a few months back).
Oops! I did it again.
CAGiversary!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FQ9QVI
Brand new trailer, gang...and all I'll say is: GOAT. My expectations are now set in stone.
Brand new trailer, gang...and all I'll say is: GOAT. My expectations are now set in stone.
KingofOldSchool
CAGiversary!
- Feedback
- 13 (100%)
Galaxy will be the first Wii game I will buy outside of Wii Play, because that doesn't count.
[quote name='dmaul1114']It will be my fourth Wii game after Zelda, Super Paper Mario and Metroid Prime 3. Possibly my last as well.[/QUOTE]
At that point will you promise to stop posting in Wii threads then? :lol:
Zen (in answer to below), yes, I saw that post, which is why I asked this. I figured once he actually gets rid of the system he may, just maybe, lose interest in posting how it has no games. You know, once he has no vested interest in it any more. But that post does indicate otherwise...
At that point will you promise to stop posting in Wii threads then? :lol:
Zen (in answer to below), yes, I saw that post, which is why I asked this. I figured once he actually gets rid of the system he may, just maybe, lose interest in posting how it has no games. You know, once he has no vested interest in it any more. But that post does indicate otherwise...
Zen Davis
Banned
[quote name='io']At that point will you promise to stop posting in Wii threads then? :lol:[/quote]
His response will be something akin to...
Io - I would consider it as admitting to flame-baiting which I'm sure the mods wouldn't appreciate since those types of posts could easily break down the boards into flame wars. I've gone ahead and reported the post to the mods (regardless of what happens) as well as made mention of another post he made towards me where he proclaimed that he was my 'personal troll'. I simply don't appreciate harassment of any kind, even if it done subtly.
His response will be something akin to...
...I like annoying the hell out of you guys.
Mission accomplished.
Aside from the occasional worthwhile deal in the deals section, about the only purpose this site serves is to entertain me at work (yes stuck in office on a Sunday) or during other down times (i.e. on the laptop during commercials during Red Sox game last night) by riling up the fanboys. What can I say, time goes faster by being a douchebag online, especially when loser fanboys and hardcore gamer nerds are involved.
Io - I would consider it as admitting to flame-baiting which I'm sure the mods wouldn't appreciate since those types of posts could easily break down the boards into flame wars. I've gone ahead and reported the post to the mods (regardless of what happens) as well as made mention of another post he made towards me where he proclaimed that he was my 'personal troll'. I simply don't appreciate harassment of any kind, even if it done subtly.
[quote name='io']At that point will you promise to stop posting in Wii threads then? :lol:
[/QUOTE]
Yep, I'd be out of here if I sold the Wii. Only go to the forums for systems I own or am at least thinking of buying at some point. If I decide to sell the Wii, I'm done with it for good.
But will be a hard decision as I'd hate to miss another Zelda, Metroid or Mario. I can live without their other franchises. But at the same time, I doubt the odds are great for these getting sequels, aside from Zelda since it was a launch title.
Only 1 Mario game each of the last 2 gens, did get 2 Metroids last go around, but I didn't like the second and Retro is working on other stuff now so we probably won't get another one this gen.
This is also the only forum here I "troll" as none of the others have such annoying fanboys who get all riled up and jump all over any negative comments. Well, maybe the PS3 forums has such people I don't spend much time over there. But this forum area is ridiculous. You'd think it was part of gamefaqs the way people get all defensive instead of just ignoring opinions they disagree with.
[/QUOTE]
Yep, I'd be out of here if I sold the Wii. Only go to the forums for systems I own or am at least thinking of buying at some point. If I decide to sell the Wii, I'm done with it for good.
But will be a hard decision as I'd hate to miss another Zelda, Metroid or Mario. I can live without their other franchises. But at the same time, I doubt the odds are great for these getting sequels, aside from Zelda since it was a launch title.
Only 1 Mario game each of the last 2 gens, did get 2 Metroids last go around, but I didn't like the second and Retro is working on other stuff now so we probably won't get another one this gen.
This is also the only forum here I "troll" as none of the others have such annoying fanboys who get all riled up and jump all over any negative comments. Well, maybe the PS3 forums has such people I don't spend much time over there. But this forum area is ridiculous. You'd think it was part of gamefaqs the way people get all defensive instead of just ignoring opinions they disagree with.
Those posts came after the fact. At first I was annoyed by all the defensiveness. Then I said 
it, might as well use it to amuse myself.
Nintendo forum wasn't so bad in the Gamecube days for whatever reason. Was much easier to have good debates on games, discussing pros and cons, without getting jumped all over for not liking somemthing.
Not sure why the fanbase got so touchy with the Wii. Maybe it's just that it expanded. Beats me.
At any rate, enough of this off topic shit in the Mario thread. At least the thread for this sure fire AAA game should focus on the game!
it, might as well use it to amuse myself. Nintendo forum wasn't so bad in the Gamecube days for whatever reason. Was much easier to have good debates on games, discussing pros and cons, without getting jumped all over for not liking somemthing.
Not sure why the fanbase got so touchy with the Wii. Maybe it's just that it expanded. Beats me.
At any rate, enough of this off topic shit in the Mario thread. At least the thread for this sure fire AAA game should focus on the game!
[quote name='Magehart']You do know in the last 2 gens there were 2 mario games right? Mario Sunshine and Mario 64[/QUOTE]
Yeah, one each generation. My point was Super Mario Galaxy will likely be the only main Mario game on the Wii given this pattern, I just worded it a bit awkwardly (edited the post). One can even go back to the SNES if you don't consider Yoshi's Island a main Mario game.
The next one will likely come out next gen on the Wii 2 or whatever they call it.
Yeah, one each generation. My point was Super Mario Galaxy will likely be the only main Mario game on the Wii given this pattern, I just worded it a bit awkwardly (edited the post). One can even go back to the SNES if you don't consider Yoshi's Island a main Mario game.
The next one will likely come out next gen on the Wii 2 or whatever they call it.
[quote name='Magehart']Im hoping for a Mario game on the DS. NSMB doesn't count. That's like considering All Stars on the SNES as a mario game b/c it had Lost Levels.
[/quote]
What? NSMB is an entirely new game. It's not just updated ports of old games, or of a game that never came out here.
That said, I'm dying for another one as well, as NSMB is still my favorite DS game, and possibly my favorite game of this gen of consoles/handhelds period.
I was hoping they'd just keep making "new" games in the vain of the old ones. While NSMB was inspired by the original SMB, the next one could be a "sequel" to SMB2, the 3rd to SMB3 etc. That would kick all kinds of ass if they did that on the DS and/or it's successor.
[/quote]
What? NSMB is an entirely new game. It's not just updated ports of old games, or of a game that never came out here.
That said, I'm dying for another one as well, as NSMB is still my favorite DS game, and possibly my favorite game of this gen of consoles/handhelds period.
I was hoping they'd just keep making "new" games in the vain of the old ones. While NSMB was inspired by the original SMB, the next one could be a "sequel" to SMB2, the 3rd to SMB3 etc. That would kick all kinds of ass if they did that on the DS and/or it's successor.
[quote name='Magehart']Im hoping for a Mario game on the DS. NSMB doesn't count. That's like considering All Stars on the SNES as a mario game b/c it had Lost Levels.[/quote]What? Why exactly doesn't NSMB count? Because it was a totally new game with new powerups, etc.
You can not like the game, think it was too easy, whatever. But it's certainly still a Mario game. Speaking of which, where's NSMB2? (Assuming it's not based off of the US SMB2. I still can't stand that game at all.)
Man, Mario Galaxy looks just fantastic. I'm loving the Mario 3 vibe. You can't go wrong trying to capture, at least in some small way, the best game ever made.
You can not like the game, think it was too easy, whatever. But it's certainly still a Mario game. Speaking of which, where's NSMB2? (Assuming it's not based off of the US SMB2. I still can't stand that game at all.)
Man, Mario Galaxy looks just fantastic. I'm loving the Mario 3 vibe. You can't go wrong trying to capture, at least in some small way, the best game ever made.
Magehart
CAGiversary!
Im more of a fan of innovation. NSMB just seemed rushed in my mind (compared to every other Mario game out there handheld or otherwise). I pictured them making a Paper Marioesque game for the DS.
Not to say NSMB is horrible, it just wasn't all that impressive to me.
Canvas Curse is still the front runner of my favorite recent games.
Not to say NSMB is horrible, it just wasn't all that impressive to me.
Canvas Curse is still the front runner of my favorite recent games.
[quote name='daroga']
Man, Mario Galaxy looks just fantastic. I'm loving the Mario 3 vibe. You can't go wrong trying to capture, at least in some small way, the best game ever made.[/QUOTE]
While I'd put SMW above SMB3 in that regard. I couldn't agree more. Super Mario Galaxy looks frickin' fantastic. Graphics look the best on the Wii so far, great variety in worlds and bringing back costumes is outstanding. It's the sole reason I didn't sell the Wii early this year (much to most of your chagrin :lol: ). I can't wait to play it.
Whatever I'm playing on my shiny new 360 will get put on the back burner for it for sure. Though I won't get to it until after Nov 21th as I'll be out of town for 10 days prior to that. On a plus side my B-day is the 11th so I'll be able to score a free copy.
Man, Mario Galaxy looks just fantastic. I'm loving the Mario 3 vibe. You can't go wrong trying to capture, at least in some small way, the best game ever made.
[/QUOTE]While I'd put SMW above SMB3 in that regard. I couldn't agree more. Super Mario Galaxy looks frickin' fantastic. Graphics look the best on the Wii so far, great variety in worlds and bringing back costumes is outstanding. It's the sole reason I didn't sell the Wii early this year (much to most of your chagrin :lol: ). I can't wait to play it.
Whatever I'm playing on my shiny new 360 will get put on the back burner for it for sure. Though I won't get to it until after Nov 21th as I'll be out of town for 10 days prior to that.
On a plus side my B-day is the 11th so I'll be able to score a free copy. [quote name='Magehart']Im more of a fan of innovation. NSMB just seemed rushed in my mind (compared to every other Mario game out there handheld or otherwise). I pictured them making a Paper Marioesque game for the DS.
Not to say NSMB is horrible, it just wasn't all that impressive to me.
Canvas Curse is still the front runner of my favorite recent games.[/QUOTE]
That's a fair critique. Doesn't make it "not count" as a Mario game though. Would have been more appropriate to say that you are hoping for good Mario game on the DS.
I loved it personally. I don't need a lot of innovation within series. I'm more of a "if it's not broke don't fix it" kind of guy when it comes to my favorite series.
Though I can see someone thinking NSMB was a bit stale since it was designed as a sequel to SMB and thus didn't have some of the advances (flying etc.) of later games in the series.
I just liked that concept personally, as clear from my desire to see them do the same with the rest of the NES/SNES mario games.
Not to say NSMB is horrible, it just wasn't all that impressive to me.
Canvas Curse is still the front runner of my favorite recent games.[/QUOTE]
That's a fair critique. Doesn't make it "not count" as a Mario game though. Would have been more appropriate to say that you are hoping for good Mario game on the DS.
I loved it personally. I don't need a lot of innovation within series. I'm more of a "if it's not broke don't fix it" kind of guy when it comes to my favorite series.
Though I can see someone thinking NSMB was a bit stale since it was designed as a sequel to SMB and thus didn't have some of the advances (flying etc.) of later games in the series.
I just liked that concept personally, as clear from my desire to see them do the same with the rest of the NES/SNES mario games.
I would love to see a level pack-esque DS take on Mario 3 and Mario World like NSMB was, assuming it was done in-house and not farmed out to create a disappointment like Yoshi's Island DS. I've got fingers crossed for at least an easter egg leaf power up in Galaxy.
Did I read right somewhere that Galaxy will have some 2D levels?
Did I read right somewhere that Galaxy will have some 2D levels?
Magehart
CAGiversary!
[quote name='daroga']Did I read right somewhere that Galaxy will have some 2D levels?[/quote]
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/116198.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/116198.html
Magehart
CAGiversary!
[quote name='Rocko']I really liked NSMB, myself. Kept me busy on my trip to Europe. I sold it afterwards, though. Not much replay value.[/quote]
Good point. I guess that's one of the reasons the game felt rushed to me. Every Mario at one point or another has been worth a replay. NSMB just made me want to shelf it and forget.
Good point. I guess that's one of the reasons the game felt rushed to me. Every Mario at one point or another has been worth a replay. NSMB just made me want to shelf it and forget.
Yeah, I haven't replayed NSMB yet either. Well, I beat it and went back to find all exits and get all the coins etc.
But to be fair, I never replay a game, even SMB3 or SMW, without a couple years going by anyway.
To get back on topic, that brief 2D video of Mario Galaxy looked great and upped my excitement another notch.
But to be fair, I never replay a game, even SMB3 or SMW, without a couple years going by anyway.
To get back on topic, that brief 2D video of Mario Galaxy looked great and upped my excitement another notch.
[quote name='Magehart']Did you check out the leaked video from said link as well?[/QUOTE]
Yep, that looked great as well. Looks like it will have the challenge factor of Mario Sunshine, with what looks to be better level design and normal power ups instead of the silly water pack.
Yep, that looked great as well. Looks like it will have the challenge factor of Mario Sunshine, with what looks to be better level design and normal power ups instead of the silly water pack.
[quote name='Rocko']I went to Target today to get one of those collector's coins, but they didn't have them. I called another Target who also didn't have them. Strange.[/quote]It's my understanding that the coins will ship with the game, so don't expect to see them until November 12.
Hmmm... Was thinking of selling my wii although that description of the cookie level got me very interested. Is there going to be much motion control in it? Personally I hope not, I'm not a big fan of the motion control (well at least how it's been implemented in most games so far).
pittpizza
CAGiversary!
Everybody I have an important announcment to make. You are all very special in that you get to witness videogame history as it unfolds!!
I have never pre-ordered a game before in my life. Ever. Never have done it. Until NOW! Last week I traded in two 3$ games and because of Gamestop's deal (extra 10 bucks for trading in 2 360 games plust an extra 30% b/c of 10%edgecard combined with 20% preorder) I got $20 put towards a preorder of Galaxy.
Congratulations.
I have never pre-ordered a game before in my life. Ever. Never have done it. Until NOW! Last week I traded in two 3$ games and because of Gamestop's deal (extra 10 bucks for trading in 2 360 games plust an extra 30% b/c of 10%edgecard combined with 20% preorder) I got $20 put towards a preorder of Galaxy.
Congratulations.
[quote name='pittpizza']Everybody I have an important announcment to make. You are all very special in that you get to witness videogame history as it unfolds!!
I have never pre-ordered a game before in my life. Ever. Never have done it. Until NOW! Last week I traded in two 3$ games and because of Gamestop's deal (extra 10 bucks for trading in 2 360 games plust an extra 30% b/c of 10%edgecard combined with 20% preorder) I got $20 put towards a preorder of Galaxy.
Congratulations.[/QUOTE]
noice.
I have never pre-ordered a game before in my life. Ever. Never have done it. Until NOW! Last week I traded in two 3$ games and because of Gamestop's deal (extra 10 bucks for trading in 2 360 games plust an extra 30% b/c of 10%edgecard combined with 20% preorder) I got $20 put towards a preorder of Galaxy.
Congratulations.[/QUOTE]
noice.
Zen Davis
Banned
[quote name='pittpizza']Everybody I have an important announcment to make. You are all very special in that you get to witness videogame history as it unfolds!!
I have never pre-ordered a game before in my life. Ever. Never have done it. Until NOW! Last week I traded in two 3$ games and because of Gamestop's deal (extra 10 bucks for trading in 2 360 games plust an extra 30% b/c of 10%edgecard combined with 20% preorder) I got $20 put towards a preorder of Galaxy.
Congratulations.[/quote]
Holy Shitballs of Fire! In order to mark this special occasion, I present to you a hands-on with the game from Kotaku.
I simply couldn't muster up the interest or camera wrangling finger dexterity to complete Super Mario Sunshine. It left a terrible tropical taste in my mouth.
That taste has endured—like the heaving of one too many pina coladas—giving me pause that Nintendo's latest plumber-saves-princess adventure, Super Mario Galaxy, will somehow compare to its unfortunate Gamecube predecessor. Fortunately, almost nothing of Sunshine is present in Galaxy, as unnecessarily complicated FLUDD control has given way to simple—but immensely enjoyable—Wii remote whipping and heavenly design decisions.
You know how these Mario platformers work now, right? Move Mario around with the analog stick, make sure that he jumps on the malicious fungal inhabitants and pissy centipedes while collecting coins in a long and drawn out effort to save Peach, who's been kidnapped or something. This one's not that different, but you'll have to save some adorable starry space denizens along the way.
Super Mario Galaxy begins with an atypically dramatic prologue, fireballs raining down from Bowser's flying cartoon clipper ships at night. Toad's are frantically trying to avoid being burned alive. It's heavy stuff. You soon move on to the real meat, introduced to the Lumas, a race of cutesy star people, and their "mama", Rosalina. She's the attractive Peach replacement who will provide Mario with updates and motivation when he returns to the game's galactic hub.
The game's hub, through which various galaxies are reachable by "domes", is smartly designed. As you acquire more Stars, the area becomes more well lit. Basically, if you can't see it, you can't get to it.
Super Mario Galaxy's implementation of the Wii controller feels like the first title on the platform without a hint of tacked-on Wii-remote functionality. There are no camera pans to Mario's arms, key in gloved hand, asking you to turn the remote to unlock a door. No, the Wii remote's usage is inoffensive to motion control haters, and wisely too, as the series' primary mechanic, jumping, is done with the A button. Nothing should interfere with that and nothing does.
You will feel like you're using the Wii remote, though, as the pointer will constantly be on screen. Point it at Star Bits—the colorful crystalline things that partially replace coins in Galaxy—and you'll pick them up. Actual coins, however, require physical contact with Mario. Those Star Bits aren't just for 1UPs, end of level high scores and for feeding to hungry Lumas, they can also be fired at enemies with the B button on the back of the Wii remote. They won't do much damage, so Galaxy doesn't devolve into a shooter, but if you need to knock a Goomba on his ass, launch a Star Bit.
The other function of the Wii remote is Mario's spin. This is important and here's why. Super Mario Galaxy feels at times very simplistic, devoid of challenge. While the game's camera is 99% effective, the fact that you're floating in space, influenced by multiple gravitational pulls, might be a bit unsettling for the Wii newbs who've graduated from Wii Sports to actual, training free, swear-to-God game games. Manipulating Mario with an analog stick on a sphere in three dimensions isn't going to as intuitive as picking up a virtual tennis racket. Therefore, we have the Mario spin. It's the Koopa killing move that's easy to pull off and doesn't require much in the way of precision. Spinning after a jump gives Mario a bit of a vertical boost and a momentary float, making this mechanic not only casual friendly, but adding a nice layer of depth for veteran players.
The spin has multiple uses: destroying enemies, shattering crystal shards that house coins or unlucky Toads, volleying projectiles back at bosses. It's a welcome addition, one that requires a quick shake of the Wii remote.
As we've seen from newly released videos, the Wii remote will also be used to throw fireballs, using a simple flick to launch. That's pretty much it for the remote and I'm quite thankful for its low-key implementation.
As mentioned earlier, Super Mario Galaxy—at least for the first two hours—isn't very hard. You'll burn through the first few galaxies without taking a hit, but you may find some of the later platform jumping sequences a providing a challenge. One level, a self contained star cluster named Sweet Sweet Galaxy, features a series of conveyor belts with large primitive shape cut outs leading to unavoidable death. Timing your jumps, while avoiding electric barriers and trying to pick up every Star Bit wasn't easy. It's not The Lost Levels-hard, but there were some dead Marios along the way.
While I didn't get a chance to try out Mario's fireball tossing abilities in Super Mario Galaxy, I did get some time with the Bee Suit. It's a straightforward power up, giving Mario a stylish outfit that helps him hover for a brief period of time, a "Fly" meter warning him of his suit's power. You won't fly as if wearing a winged hat and/or raccoon tail, but you'll enjoy the ride. Bee Suit Mario also has the ability to stick to honeycomb panels, letting him climb up hives and trees on certain levels. Crawling around the abdomen of the Honeyhive Galaxy's Queen Bee, however, who complains of a feminine itch, cast a creepy light on our first Bee Suit experience.
Within the first few galaxies, I'd already had a few boss and mini-boss encounters. Dino Piranha in the Good Egg Galaxy was a bit of a pickle, requiring the player to slingshot planetary growths at his head. Bowser Jr. made an appearance, attacking Mario with a three-legged mech that was bigger than the planet it trampled upon. The octopus immersed in lava from the E3 2006 demo wasn't much further in. Only a few hours into the experience and Super Mario Galaxy was already loaded with variety.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that Super Mario Galaxy is tremendously fun to play and clearly a first-day must-buy for any Wii owner. It's the best looking Wii game to date and plays like a dream. Whether you're surfing a manta ray on a tube of water in the Loopdeeloop Galaxy or flipping switches like mad in the Flipswitch Galaxy, there isn't a moment of the game that doesn't exude polish. Moments of 2D platformer gameplay add to the joy. In short, Galaxy reinstates faith in Mario platforming where Sunshine disappointed. In Super Mario Galaxy, the plumber is at the top of his game.
I have never pre-ordered a game before in my life. Ever. Never have done it. Until NOW! Last week I traded in two 3$ games and because of Gamestop's deal (extra 10 bucks for trading in 2 360 games plust an extra 30% b/c of 10%edgecard combined with 20% preorder) I got $20 put towards a preorder of Galaxy.
Congratulations.[/quote]
Holy Shitballs of Fire! In order to mark this special occasion, I present to you a hands-on with the game from Kotaku.
I simply couldn't muster up the interest or camera wrangling finger dexterity to complete Super Mario Sunshine. It left a terrible tropical taste in my mouth.
That taste has endured—like the heaving of one too many pina coladas—giving me pause that Nintendo's latest plumber-saves-princess adventure, Super Mario Galaxy, will somehow compare to its unfortunate Gamecube predecessor. Fortunately, almost nothing of Sunshine is present in Galaxy, as unnecessarily complicated FLUDD control has given way to simple—but immensely enjoyable—Wii remote whipping and heavenly design decisions.
You know how these Mario platformers work now, right? Move Mario around with the analog stick, make sure that he jumps on the malicious fungal inhabitants and pissy centipedes while collecting coins in a long and drawn out effort to save Peach, who's been kidnapped or something. This one's not that different, but you'll have to save some adorable starry space denizens along the way.
Super Mario Galaxy begins with an atypically dramatic prologue, fireballs raining down from Bowser's flying cartoon clipper ships at night. Toad's are frantically trying to avoid being burned alive. It's heavy stuff. You soon move on to the real meat, introduced to the Lumas, a race of cutesy star people, and their "mama", Rosalina. She's the attractive Peach replacement who will provide Mario with updates and motivation when he returns to the game's galactic hub.
The game's hub, through which various galaxies are reachable by "domes", is smartly designed. As you acquire more Stars, the area becomes more well lit. Basically, if you can't see it, you can't get to it.
Super Mario Galaxy's implementation of the Wii controller feels like the first title on the platform without a hint of tacked-on Wii-remote functionality. There are no camera pans to Mario's arms, key in gloved hand, asking you to turn the remote to unlock a door. No, the Wii remote's usage is inoffensive to motion control haters, and wisely too, as the series' primary mechanic, jumping, is done with the A button. Nothing should interfere with that and nothing does.
You will feel like you're using the Wii remote, though, as the pointer will constantly be on screen. Point it at Star Bits—the colorful crystalline things that partially replace coins in Galaxy—and you'll pick them up. Actual coins, however, require physical contact with Mario. Those Star Bits aren't just for 1UPs, end of level high scores and for feeding to hungry Lumas, they can also be fired at enemies with the B button on the back of the Wii remote. They won't do much damage, so Galaxy doesn't devolve into a shooter, but if you need to knock a Goomba on his ass, launch a Star Bit.
The other function of the Wii remote is Mario's spin. This is important and here's why. Super Mario Galaxy feels at times very simplistic, devoid of challenge. While the game's camera is 99% effective, the fact that you're floating in space, influenced by multiple gravitational pulls, might be a bit unsettling for the Wii newbs who've graduated from Wii Sports to actual, training free, swear-to-God game games. Manipulating Mario with an analog stick on a sphere in three dimensions isn't going to as intuitive as picking up a virtual tennis racket. Therefore, we have the Mario spin. It's the Koopa killing move that's easy to pull off and doesn't require much in the way of precision. Spinning after a jump gives Mario a bit of a vertical boost and a momentary float, making this mechanic not only casual friendly, but adding a nice layer of depth for veteran players.
The spin has multiple uses: destroying enemies, shattering crystal shards that house coins or unlucky Toads, volleying projectiles back at bosses. It's a welcome addition, one that requires a quick shake of the Wii remote.
As we've seen from newly released videos, the Wii remote will also be used to throw fireballs, using a simple flick to launch. That's pretty much it for the remote and I'm quite thankful for its low-key implementation.
As mentioned earlier, Super Mario Galaxy—at least for the first two hours—isn't very hard. You'll burn through the first few galaxies without taking a hit, but you may find some of the later platform jumping sequences a providing a challenge. One level, a self contained star cluster named Sweet Sweet Galaxy, features a series of conveyor belts with large primitive shape cut outs leading to unavoidable death. Timing your jumps, while avoiding electric barriers and trying to pick up every Star Bit wasn't easy. It's not The Lost Levels-hard, but there were some dead Marios along the way.
While I didn't get a chance to try out Mario's fireball tossing abilities in Super Mario Galaxy, I did get some time with the Bee Suit. It's a straightforward power up, giving Mario a stylish outfit that helps him hover for a brief period of time, a "Fly" meter warning him of his suit's power. You won't fly as if wearing a winged hat and/or raccoon tail, but you'll enjoy the ride. Bee Suit Mario also has the ability to stick to honeycomb panels, letting him climb up hives and trees on certain levels. Crawling around the abdomen of the Honeyhive Galaxy's Queen Bee, however, who complains of a feminine itch, cast a creepy light on our first Bee Suit experience.
Within the first few galaxies, I'd already had a few boss and mini-boss encounters. Dino Piranha in the Good Egg Galaxy was a bit of a pickle, requiring the player to slingshot planetary growths at his head. Bowser Jr. made an appearance, attacking Mario with a three-legged mech that was bigger than the planet it trampled upon. The octopus immersed in lava from the E3 2006 demo wasn't much further in. Only a few hours into the experience and Super Mario Galaxy was already loaded with variety.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that Super Mario Galaxy is tremendously fun to play and clearly a first-day must-buy for any Wii owner. It's the best looking Wii game to date and plays like a dream. Whether you're surfing a manta ray on a tube of water in the Loopdeeloop Galaxy or flipping switches like mad in the Flipswitch Galaxy, there isn't a moment of the game that doesn't exude polish. Moments of 2D platformer gameplay add to the joy. In short, Galaxy reinstates faith in Mario platforming where Sunshine disappointed. In Super Mario Galaxy, the plumber is at the top of his game.
[quote name='drfunk85']Thankfully this comes out just a week or two before Thanksgiving break, and shortly before my birthday. Last year I bought myself the Wii, this year I will scale it back and buy myslef Galaxy, which looks like to be the best use of the Wii yet.[/QUOTE]
Yep, that's the good thing. At least I have thanksgiving break right when I get back from my business trip, so I can throw myself into this full on for a few days before heading back to work.
Yep, that's the good thing. At least I have thanksgiving break right when I get back from my business trip, so I can throw myself into this full on for a few days before heading back to work.
bread's done