--OkeyDokey--

User Score
9.8

Presentation - 10
Gameplay - 10
Value - 9.0

Super Mario Galaxy is Nintendo's latest 3D platforming entry in the main Mario series, inarguably the most popular and influential gaming franchise in history. And this, in my opinion, is the best one so far. This game raised the bar for Wii games in almost every conceivable way. Graphics, sound, gameplay; Super Mario Galaxy set such an enormously high standard that has yet to be surpassed, or even approached, by anything else on the console in the 2 years since it's release.

The stup is the same. Peach is kidnapped by Bowser for the eight billionth time (you'd think she would have invested in tighter security by now) and Mario sets out to rescue her. Classic Mario. But the story is not the main attraction here. Epic, gravity defying platforming in outer space is the order of the day here! Miyamoto hasn't lost his touch.

The new setting has allowed the designers almost complete creative freedom and the result is like nothing you've ever seen before. True, the gameplay haven't changed much at all. You'll still be jumping around, butt-stomping goombas and picking up koopa shells. But there are some new gameplay additions centred around the Wii remotes unique features. Shaking the controller will execute a spin attack that's used for knocking enemies into a daze and catapulting Mario from planet to planet through launch stars. Pointing at the screen brings up a star cursor that picks up star bits--the game's currency of sorts that is used to unlock new galaxies (levels). You're in space, so everything has its own gravitational pull allowing Mario to walk upside down and jump off ledges only to be pulled back to solid ground (but watch out for balck holes!). Yeah, it's as fun as it sounds.

It's not only the gameplay that impresses. The fully orchestrated score, made possible by the Wii's increased disc space, is some of the best video game music you'll ever hear. And it's mostly all new for a change. Every tune is memorable and fits it's respective galaxy perfectly. Equally impressive are the graphics. Super Mario Galaxy showed the Wii was capable of things we never thought possible and set an example that, unfortunately, will not be challenged until the sequel and perhaps the next Zelda game. Metallic surfaces shine convincingly, Mario and his foes animate beautifully, textures are better than they really should be on Wii and the art direction is phenomenal. It doesn't look good "for a Wii game". It looks good, period.

Now that I'm done showering praise on the game, it's time to get into the things that aren't so good. First, the game is a bit too easy. People always point to that one purple coin star, but one star out of 120 does not for make a challenging game. Another small disappointment is the linearity. The structure of the game has resulted in exploration being dealt away with completely. And perhaps my biggest gripe is recycled boss battles. You fight Bowser several times in the game and the fight is basically the same right until the very end.

But despite some flaws, Super Mario Galaxy is about as close to perfectionas gaming gets. If you own a Wii and don't own this game then it my humble opinion that you don't deserve to own a Wii. One of the greatest games of all time.