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Mario In The Sky

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 248 / 268
Date: November 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

When it comes to anticapated games for the Nintendo Wii, many of them have wanted one thing, Mario. It has been nearly a year though since the Wii was launched with The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess as the main attraction, but many die hard fans have been anxious for a game that has delivered the appeal of Super Mario 64 from Mario's hay day. Although Super Mario Sunshine was also a fun game for the Nintendo Gamecube, it just didn't deliver as well as the Nintendo 64 classic had proven. But, Mario has proven his strength earlier this year on the Wii with gems like Super Paper Mario & Mario Party 8 which both worked well as great buys for the Nintendo system, but this is the one that reaches to the stratosphere.

Super Mario Galaxy for the Nintendo Wii, brings in the big guns, as Mario does whatever it takes to save Princess Toadstool a.k.a. Peach from the clutches of Bowser. This time around, Mario takes to the sky to help him in his quest. Along the way, Mario has to collect star bits, which can help him beat enemies and bosses of all kinds, from the classics like Thwomps and goombas, to bigger than life boss battles like a vulgar spider who shoots venom at you, and even a mecha robot that fires bullet bills at you from all different angles.

There are also a few new features here that Mario shines through as well in the game, like specialty suits like the bee suit, which transforms Mario into a bumble bee, that can make mario fly through the Honeycomb stage, where he can collect coins and stars from each of the levels. There is also the boo suit, where Mario can actually become the ghostly menace, Boo in the haunted house level to help him enter ghostly portals that Mario couldn't normally enter, but it also can make the other Boo ghosts quickly fall in love with Mario in the blink of an eye. There are also some returns of classic items to use as well like the Fire Flower, and a new ice flower that Mario could use to freeze his foes on ice.

The graphics in the game are absolutely breathtaking and appeal well to the Wii's eyes, while the music is simplistic and elequent to the ears of Mario fans, especially as he surfs the galaxy. The control is also very simple to manuver, and stays mainly relevant to the palms of the Wii remote and nunchucks' hands. You can also use the Wii remote to help you grapple onto trees and meteors that can help you launch from one platform to another, and you can also use to help you collect star bits, and perform new attacks like the spin move. There is also a new co-op mode where for the first time, two people can play, as you can use another player to help you collect star bits, to help you along your quest, and defeat tougher foes like a giant octopus in the lava, and even giant goombas that are beyond the heights of the world.

All in all, what I love about Super Mario Galaxy is that it is everything Wii owners have wanted in a great game, and more. It is a definite must buy for the Wii that is sure to bring a lot of excitement into die hard Mario fans. This is one game that really brings out the heart at being the best of what the Nintendo Wii has delivered, and that has still shown to die hard Mario fans of all ages. I absolutely recommend it as a great buy on a star-spectacular scale.

Graphics: A

Sound: A+

Control: A-

Fun & Enjoyment: A

Overall: A

A Mario above all Marios...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 83 / 88
Date: November 17, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I had very high expectations from this game and so far it has exceeded them.

Graphically it's just beautiful, stunning and just plain amazing. Screenshots just don't do justice for the game.

In many ways it plays like Mario 64. And don't take that as a bad thing, what I mean is that the game feels very intuitive as to how the mechanics work which makes the learning curve nearly nonexistent.

Some of music and sound in the game are a kickback to all of the older Marios that we have all played. What is a Mario game without some Super Mario 3 music?

But the main thing for me is how fun and different it is. Even though it seems like you might have already done this or that in another game, it adds a completely different twist to it that makes it more exciting and fun then anything you have ever played.

Super Mario Galaxy has completely revolutionized the way you think of a platformer. And at this point the bar has been pushed so high it's galaxies (pun intended) beyond any other platformer I have played or probably will play for years to come.

Plain and simple, this is the game to own on the Wii!

A crowning achievement

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 60 / 70
Date: November 13, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The classic Super Mario 64 re-defined the platformer for a new generation of gamers. The long anticipated Super Mario Galaxy, what I consider to be the true sequel to Super Mario 64 (sorry Super Mario Sunshine!) re-defines the modern day platformer once again, and is a crowning achievement for the license, Nintendo, the Wii, and video games in general. Princess Peach is in dire straits once again in Bowser's clutches, and Mario embarks on an interstellar quest to save her. The first thing you'll no doubt notice are the game's incredibly stellar graphics. The Wii is far from a technical powerhouse, but Super Mario Galaxy is by far the absolute best looking game to hit the Wii yet. The game's new take on gravity, physics, and puzzles combine to make for some of the most excellent level designs you'll ever come across in your mission to save Peach and collect stars, and the flawless Wii-mote controls only make the gameplay experience even better. There are a bunch of new Mario suits to enhance your abilities (some are easier to get a hang of than others), and the platforming elements, even though they've been taken to new levels here, are a Mario fan's dream come true. If there's any downsides to Super Mario Galaxy, it's that the gravity and physics of the environments may cause some nautiousness for some, and the semi-co-op mode could have been done better, but the overall game is so good that these are extremely minor negatives. All in all, Super Mario Galaxy is undoubtedly the best game to hit the Wii yet, and needless to say is an essential addition to your Wii library. For those that don't own a Wii, give Super Mario Galaxy a try, you'll be quite happy you did.

Easy, Maybe, it redeems itself over and over.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 17
Date: January 10, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This has to be one of the best, smartest and most fun Mario games I have ever played. When I saw the previews of the game on some of the websites last year I was skeptical.

I was unsure how running around a small globe in space would be all that fun. I was completely wrong. It is very fun and intuitive. Some of the boards are extremely tricky, no not as a puzzle, that part is generally easy.

The trick comes in when trying to figure out when to do your special moves.

There are some levels you can revisit when a comet comes into the galaxy, making it randomly different level. The level can be faster, or backwards or any number of odd ways.

Generally it takes a few trys to get the bosses, but they are doable.

All in all one of the best games for the Wii I have played and one of the best Mario games too!

Highly recommended.

Fun but frustrating....a step back to arcade Mario

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 29 / 38
Date: January 20, 2008
Author: Amazon User

If you are a great fan of the days of pure Mario platform gaming, then you will love this game. It is platform gaming at its finest...and most frustrating.

My complaints are these:

The camera angles are often locked, but when the camera is not fixed, your control over it is extremely limited. This can be quite toublesome, considering you are in a fully 3D environment, and to make a successful jump - especially onto a moving target - can depend entirely on your view. This also can make spotting extras and secrets a matter of luck.

Since Mario 64, the first two Paper Marios, and, most signifiantly, Super Mario Sunshine, I have come to expect a certain level of RPG gaming in my Mario games. There is virtually none of that in this game. And there are no side quests to speak of. Many folks who love the original Mario platform games will be thrilled with this aspect. I, however, was disappointed.

Along the lines of RPGing, you do go around collecting stars and coins. But these lead to another complaint of mine. The stars you collect become superfluous by the time you are done with the first set of galaxies. You'll never, ever need as many of those stars as you collect. Unlike Donkey Kong 64, where you needed to find all the bananas or never meet up with all the bosses, you will have more than enough stars to open up all the special galaxies many times over. And although collecting 50 stars will give you extra lives, as soon as you turn off your game, those lives are gone. You start at 3 lives each time. The coins, too, are barely useful. As soon as you die in a level, your coin count drops to 0. So although you may be vigilant and capture every coin leading up to a point, once you restart a level midway through, you've lost all that work, AND you cannot go back and recollect without restarting the entire level. To me, this means there is just no point in wasting time and effort collecting the darn things in the first place.

I also found the loss of control of Mario to be too frequent, and very frustrating. Spring Mario has a mind of his own; there are no subtle movements with him. The best you can hope for is that he lands about where you meant him to. And, as always, any Mario hit by flame runs around like a madman, and if you are trying to navigate some small platforms at this point, you can kiss your life goodbye. I do fully realize this is not exclusive to this game, but because of the 3D environment and difficult camera angles, there is very little you can do to save the idiot once he's been burned and is not near a rather large piece of land.

And finally, a problem I found most irritating with the Wii Super Paper Mario, and now this game - there is no getting around cut scenes or dialog. Grrrr! You're fighting Bowser at the last level. You die. Again. You start from the beginning. Again. And you have to watch the cut scene. AGAIN. And you have to read the dialog. AGAIN! And all you want to do is get back on that stupid planet and have it out with Bowser! The best you can do is to slightly speed up the dialog by holding down the A button, but that is small consolation. Heck, just getting to the last Bowser fight forces you to sit through the same cinema, again and again.

Okay, what DID I like? It was beautiful. Thriving, lively graphics. Some clever levels (oh, a complaint is coming on - not nearly enough puzzles...heck, were there really any puzzles?....you were lead right to the goal, with nothing really to solve or figure out in order to get there, just some fast hand-eye coordination needed).

Bottom line...I found this game to have more things that were irritating than were fun. For those of you who loved Super Mario Sunshine and Donkey Kong 64, maybe Ratchet and Clank and Spyro, but are not such fans of the first three Super Mario Bros. games, or other strictly platforming games, you might also be disappointed and find this game frustrating.

What use is a game if it doesn't bring out the child in you?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 14 / 15
Date: November 20, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Super Mario Galaxy is something special. It is filled with adventure, humor, suspense and most of all, enjoyment.

On the weekend, I played with my three year old nephew. I controlled direction via the nunchuck and gave him the wiimote.

I kinda thought he would get bored very quickly but the little guy was an absolute genius picking the game up! When I wanted him to attack something I yelled "shake it!" and he swiftly took care of all the cutest bad-guys you could possibly imagine! When I yelled "FLY!" he had no problem pressing the "A" button and sending Bee-mario buzzingly up into the sky! He was absolutely enthralled and loving it!

This game is class. Perfect for kids and rejuvenating for adults.

This holiday season, don't delay - this is the game you MUST play!

True next-gen gaming. The king has returned in arguably his best outing yet.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 17
Date: November 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

When Mario first stepped into the third dimension almost a decade ago he forever revolutionized gaming and spawned a legion of imitators and admirers. At that time Nintendo set the standard for 3D camera and animation systems, analog controls, open ended worlds and a host of other novel trimmings. Since then the likes of Sonic, Crash, Jak & Daxter, Banjo, Ratchet and Clank, Sly Cooper, Rayman and even Mario himself (in the form of fan-service Sunshine) have tried and failed to equal his stunning 3D debut. With Super Mario Galaxy you get the same sense of wonder and magic that came with both Mario 64 and the 2D titles that preceded it - perhaps even more so...

While the 'next-generation' of gaming has been upon us for over a year now few titles have exceeded the bigger-and-shinier-is-better variety. Gears of War had gorgeous visuals and an original twist with its duck and cover gameplay. Bioshock offered a unique premise, strong narrative and impressive setting. Ratchet and Clank, Heavenly Sword and Lair all look quite nice but ultimately offer little novelty. Moment to moment, pound for pound, Mario Galaxy is true next generation gaming. You haven't played this game before. While Nintendo could have easily released a retro happy mish-mash of a game with some waggle controls for good measure they've clearly upped the ante by releasing a gem of a game which not only pushes the boundaries of Mario experience but video games in general.

The first thing you notice when hopping into Galaxy is the spherical world model. Ratchet and Clank this is not. If anything it bears more resemblance to the Little Prince and his planetoid adventures. The developers have done some remarkable things with this idea. If Mario 64 was about getting Mario into the third dimension then Galaxy is about warping your sense of space and challenging possibility within it. Your perspective constantly shifts; at times you're "upside down" for extended periods only to realize that the ceiling has become the floor, the ocean has become the sky etc. Gravity is often in flux and you'll be amazed at where you end up (and how you got there). Each of the game's seemingly endless scenarios play out in imaginatively detailed worlds that burst with life. Everything is so wonderfully paced that it constantly feels like the game is reinventing itself along the way.

The Wii controls complement the action nicely and don't at all feel gimmicky or tacked on. Using the Remote pointer for example to collect stars (in place of coins) is clever and intuitive. The overall difficulty of the game has been reworked. It's easier to die now - but 1up's are also more abundant. Expert players can excel and novices will still have a good time. On top of all this the music is incredible. For the first time Nintendo has chosen to record a live orchestra. If ever there were any doubt that Nintendo fashions itself as 21st century Disney look no further than the score. Like pretty much everything else featured here, it's the stuff of magic.

Old School Made Better By the Wii! Thank You~:)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 10
Date: December 10, 2007
Author: Amazon User

For all you old-timers (like me) who thought that Mario Brothers meant hopping up and down on the heads of little characters to grow in size and earn lives, here is a probably the closest example of perfection in terms of OLD SCHOOL videogame values meeting a new Game Platform. If you're like our family, we bought Super Paper Mario and Mario Party 8 when they first came out. And, while my kids seemed mildly entertained, it left me kind of scratching my head, wondering "What is this?" I didn't "get it." And, when we popped Super Mario Galaxy into the Wii, and up flashed these full screen graphics telling the story, I was thinking, "Uh-Oh" here comes another disappointment. Then, we started playing the game.

You run. You gain skills. You chase. You jump. You maneuver. You climb. You fly. You spin. You stomp. Oh my gosh! How much fun is this game? So much so, that even first timers are left smiling and asking the same question, "Can I try that again?" Another thing that I really love about this game: A SECOND PLAYER can assist with strategy and with "picking up stars" for points and lives, and can hold down a creature with sort of a mini-forcefield beam.

This game literally transports you to another world (actually world after world if you can make it). It makes you smile thinking, "what next?" It's a puzzle which makes you experiment and think about how to solve the riddle? Like how do I get inside there? How do I outmaneuver that creature?

The music is awesome. It blends this upbeat theme which keeps you pumped up and at the same time inspires you. A few times my kids actually jumped up with joy raising their hands in the air like Rocky! How amazing! A toy that actually UPLIFTS your spirits! I knew this was a hit when my son asked for playing time with the game instead of his usual television programs which sort of feel flat and uninspired after seeing and experiencing this game.

If you're a first time player, you're going to want to create a file for yourself so you can save your progress. Save the extra files and keep them blank until you have guests over who want to try from the beginning of the game. As you step forward, keep in mind that every level is to teach you how to do something. How to run. How to get used to the 3-D graphics. How to jump. How to avoid things. And, mostly, how to be curious and explore. There are free lives hidden in cool places. There are skills that you can acquire along the way that make your character stronger.

When you repeat a level, it is for a purpose. To build your strength and endurance. It helps you get to another place. The biggest positive lesson I get from this game is to never quit. Just keep going. If there were ONE GAME that you could buy for your Wii, THIS IS IT, FOLKS. It is a smashing example of Old School Videogame values meets this rockin' new platform.

Our favorite creature to date was on one of the earlier levels. Sort of a gigantic egg-headed creature with a long tail. The first time you figure out how to defeat it, you sort of burst out in laughter. You look at the way the game plays out and you just marvel at the game programmers. BRAVO and BRAVA! Way to go, Nintendo! What fun!

2007: A Super Mario Odyssey

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 19
Date: November 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

It has been well over 20 years since the red-capped plumber started his very own adventure. But even after several console and handheld systems later, he is still proving that he is the most recognizable character in the video game world. Back in 1996, Mario made his 3D debut with Super Mario 64, which revolutionized 3D gaming and platforming as we now know it. Super Mario Sunshine on the GameCube further reaffirmed his top status. And now comes his triumphant return on Nintendo's Wii with Super Mario Galaxy. A lot of skepticism came about when first hearing about playing Mario on the Wii. But any previous doubts will immediately be pushed aside the moment you start playing. In the end, it is pure fun and this is a game that progresses the series while still staying true to its roots.

It will be the Star Festival soon, and Princess Peach has invited Mario back to her castle to enjoy the festivities. However, Bowser and his minions foil the event by once again kidnapping the princess. It will be up to you as Mario to not only rescue Peach, but to also recover the power stars to restore the galaxies. The minute you start up the game, you are almost instantly placed right into the action. You'll soar through dreamy worlds, starry skies, and alien planets throughout outer space while defying gravity and meeting all sorts of characters. You can tell Nintendo really let their imagination run wild here. Mario also has more transformations in this game than any other game since, being able to become Fire Mario, Ice Mario, and Rainbow Mario just to name a few. Familiar faces including Goombas, Piranha Plants, and Boos all make a return here as well.

With the controls of the gameplay, Nintendo has once again proved that no one knows their own hardware better. Using both the Wiimote and the Nunchuk to control is done in an almost flawless fashion. Anyone familiar with the controls of Mario 64 or Sunshine will certainly feel at home here, but newcomers should have no problem getting accustomed. The gameplay stays responsive and intuitive even while controlling Mario from various directions (sideways, upside down, etc.). The camera is also one of the best in a 3D platformer, and is a vast improvement over the previous 3D Mario games where your view often gets stuck or is simply in the way. There is also a 2-player option called Co-Star Mode in which one player controls Mario and another collects star bits. It just further adds to what cooperative fun a single-player game could be.

The graphics, despite how simplistic they may be, fit the game's overall image very well. It stays in the tradition of the Mario series while not looking completely backward by today's visual standards. These are among the most creative worlds yet imaginable. The music is also very appropriate for the game's atmosphere which perfectly accents the action, and longtime Mario fans will be happy to know that a few tunes from the older games make a comeback here. Even the classic sound effects can be heard and all these nostalgic elements make the game even more enjoyable for the player. Everything about it makes you feel comfortable while you're exploring each world and it all comes together as a well-rounded interactive experience.

Any fan of the Mario series or Nintendo's games should be able to enjoy Super Mario Galaxy, as well as newbies. But I would also recommend it to anyone who just wants a straight-up title that fuses together the best elements of exploration and action. It isn't overly lengthy and nor is it made to be extremely difficult, which means players of many ages can easily get into it. The only problem would be getting used to the sensitivity of the controls, but one should adjust quite quickly enough that it won't hinder gameplay. Also, if you're playing the game around other people, it might be dizzying or disorienting for those who are watching Mario running upside down. These minor issues aside, it still remains simple, enjoyable, and you can pick it up and just play. As one of the best games to come out in a long while, Super Mario Galaxy fully reinforces Nintendo's philosophy of just simply putting the fun back in gaming.

The Definitive Mario Masterpiece.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: November 15, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Every once in a while, a game comes along that instills a giddy, gleeful feeling to those that play it. Super Mario Galaxy does this and so much more, unlike any other game I can remember. SMG is nothing but pure fun, it's as simple as that. It is the sum of all the Mario greatness through the past few decades and manages to ultimately stand at the pinnacle of Nintendo's many creations.

Without giving much away, SMG is, in many respects, a homage to the wonderful Super Mario Bros. 3. There are certain sequences in the game and melodies which will immediately spark that awesome nostalgic feeling from playing the Nintendo classic from 1990. However, Super Mario Galaxy is its own juggernaut of a game, offering gameplay that transcends pretty much every video game out on the market, past and present.

The gameplay is tight, smooth, and just creates a magical experience. I should really emphasize the "magical" part of the last sentence. SPM is so charming and vibrant, it's almost magical. The various galaxies that Mario traverses are all very diverse and detailed. Some of the things that you can do with Mario will bring a big smile to your face as these are the things that can only be experienced in this Nintendo fantasy land. One of the engrossing elements is the ability to use the Wiimote to point at the screen and capture star bits. Mario Galaxy is the type of game that even after logging in many hours going through the galaxies, it never gets old. There is simply too much charm and innovation throughout the entire game.

The music, from the beginning, is very impressive and brings so many memories flooding back. You can tell that the music was created and used carefully to ensure that it would further engross the player in the Mario universe. The main theme that plays in the background of the primary area is a wonderfully orchestrated piece that I have still yet to be tired of.

Super Mario Galaxy is just all about having a good time. For those that have grown up with Mario, then this is pretty much a flawless gift from Nintendo. Memories will flood back through the astounding gameplay, characters, environments, and music. There are many times when my jaw was on the ground at how engrossing this game is. Super Mario Sunshine may not have fully been able to capture the magic of Super Mario 64 but I can safely say that not only does Super Mario Galaxy capture the brilliance of Mario 64, it eclipses it. This is the ultimate platformer, and the ultimate Mario game. You don't really need to read any reviews for this game, it's just too good by its own standing.

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