GYG Review: "Super Mario Galaxy"

[Grant]

Hey guys,

Sorry I dropped back into the shadows after my inauspicious debut a few months back, but I've been trying to get some things finalized on my comic book series. Latest word indicates my series, "Corrective Measures", will debut just prior to the convention season next year, and the first 6 issues will be made available by Arcana Comics in an Original Graphic Novel at that time. I'll give more details as they become available.

Anyway, Matt said he needed some more reviews on the site, so I've agreed to contribute some. My plan was to also post these here on PGL... assuming the moderators have no problem with my doing so. (Paraphrasing Shakespeare, if I offend thee, just pluck me out. No harm, no foul.)

Also, for those of you that subscribe to Sirius Satellite Radio, you can hear some of my game reviews on their program Level Up, which broadcasts on Tuesdays and again on Sunday evenings. If there's interest, perhaps I will also put up audio links to those reviews.

Since this week's big game review for Maxim was on "Rock Band", I figured I'd switch gears and do a written one on "Super Mario Galaxy" to switch things up. Without further ado... the first of what I hope will be many to come.

SUPER MARIO GALAXY
Publisher: Nintendo of America
Adjusted Score: 3/5


"Mario... I wish I could quit you."

I've said it many, many times. I said it after receiving Super Mario Bros. 2 for Christmas and then defeating it in about 2 hours. I said it after playing Super Mario Kart a few years later, which I felt was fleeting and ultimately shallow. Heck, I even said it after Super Mario 64, which despite getting favorable reviews from nearly everybody in the universe, I still found pretty, unresponsive, and dull. I even said it three months ago after playing Super Paper Mario, upon which you can read my thoughts on this very website.

And now I say it again after playing Super Mario Galaxy... easily the best Mario title in years, but possessing of some very glaring faults.

Super Mario Galaxy puts you once again in the shoes of the world's most famous out-of-work plumber as he tackles some new turtle-related danger afflicting Princess Peach's home. This time, the Princess and her court have been transported by Bowser to an alternate galaxy, and Mario must recover sparkly star bits and Grand Stars in order to propel himself across the shining, sparkly universe to find her.

That brings me to my first complaint, which is my ever-present belief that there's very little need for complicated exposition in a Super Mario game. We, as gamers, have already bought into the idea that there's a small mushroom kingdom overrun with turtles and other assorted ridiculous bad guys that can be thwarted by an unexployed sink unclogger jumping on their heads. You mean to tell me that we need MORE talking at that point? As a result, Super Mario Galaxy gets pretty talky at points, which somewhat ruins the actiony feel of the title.

Next, let's talk about those "sparkly star bits". I mean this sincerely -- no other videogame in the history of man has ever made me feel more effeminate than this game did in its first 10 minutes... and I just finished playing a game wherein I had to control a Japanese marble for four hours. In SMG, shooting stars fall upon the ground near constantly, and just explode into starbursting bits of colorful sparkly fruitiness, which Mario must then walk over to stay powered up. So... yeah, it's got that going for it. Super.

On to the controls and the camera. To me, the 3D approach to Mario has never been a great idea, because the character and his travails just tended to work better in a 2D environment. I'm happy to say the control scheme in this game is very responsive and easy to use, which makes this title a lot closer to a successful 3D port than any before. The camera control that plagued Super Mario 64 is mostly fixed, though you'll still have problems rotating during tougher sections. The good news is this is the best it's ever been, and we can probably expect better from the next title in the series... which, knowing Nintendo, will be out in 8-9 months whether we need one or not.

Still, if the question is "is this game fun?" (and by God, it should always come down to just that) then I must admit that I've had a pretty darn good time playing it. The exposition can be skipped pretty much at will, which helps speed things along, and the Boss battles you face as you go are more than imaginative enough to keep things fun and fresh. I'm not certain it's good for a long extended slog-through after you've finished it the first time, but I say that knowing full well that I'll never have the patience to search for hundreds of missing pieces of bulls--t once the main story is done. If you're one of those folks, then by all means... enjoy the hundreds of hours SMG will give you. But even if you play the game for the primary plot and have no intention of doing much more with it once that piece is done, you could still do worse with $50 and 20-30 hours of your life.

Definitely a good rental to see if it's worth a purchase. Your mileage will depend on how much you enjoy Mario in a truly 3D environment.

Again, if you're interested in renting this title for a closer look, feel free to drop by GetYourGamez.com and sign up, or add it into your Rental Queue if you're already a member. I'm sure the Raider Hater himself would certainly appreciate it.

Mahalo.

[Peench]

Thanks Grant! Congrats on your comic book deal. If you make it down to comicon as a result of your deal, let me know and I'll try to come down and see ya!

[AZRaiderH8r]

About time you made your triumphant return!

[AlphaQ GehaD]

nice review, But i dont gots a Wii, any reviews you have on Mass Effect and Assassins would be awesome and much appreciated.

[Grant]

Originally Posted by Nolimit4show

nice review, But i dont gots a Wii, any reviews you have on Mass Effect and Assassins would be awesome and much appreciated.

This past week I reviewed Mass Effect for Maxim Radio. Since I haven't put that review up on GYG, perhaps I'll transcribe that one for print for next week. Ideally I'll start putting these up every Sunday night.

[AlphaQ GehaD]

Originally Posted by Grant

This past week I reviewed Mass Effect for Maxim Radio. Since I haven't put that review up on GYG, perhaps I'll transcribe that one for print for next week. Ideally I'll start putting these up every Sunday night.

SWEET man, I really cant wait to read reviews on Mass Effect and Assassins, Even though ill be getting Mass Effect in the mail today or tomorrow, ill still like to know what im getting into. Will be waiting for reviews....dont disappear on me though!