Australian Gamer Review :: Super Mario Galaxy

WE GAME SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO

Super Mario Galaxy

Reviewed on: Wii
Available on: Wii

A marvelous Mario matter of miraculous make and model. Don't doubt Do designing doable dastardly devils to defeat, deter, dishonour. Galaxy = great, grandiose, glorius.

Players: 1 Player
Genre:
Release: 2007-11-29

Developer: Nintendo
Distributor: Nintendo

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Every so often, a game comes along that becomes a benchmark for what the development industry should be creating, or at least trying vainly to emulate. Super Mario 64 is probably the perfect example of such a game, and up until now, Nintendo always fell slightly short of matching the awe-inspiring originality with their first-party lineup. Super Mario Galaxy has been teasing the gaming community for many months now, but there was always a hint of skepticism given that Nintendo have never reached the heights of Mario 64. That skepticism is now null and void. Super Mario Galaxy is the best Mario game Nintendo have created since Super Mario 64, and once more they have set an almost unattainable benchmark for 3D platforming. Ladies and gentlemen - welcome to the next generation of Mario. It is a glorious time to be alive.

Our adventure begins in the simplest manner imaginable. Princess Peach send Mario a vaguely brief letter, in which she writes:

"Dear Mario, I'll be waiting for you at the castle on the night of the Star Festival. There's something I'd like to give you."

Yeah, I'll bet there is.

In case of an emergency, Mario's nose can be used as a flotation device.

When making his way to the castle to receive his long-awaited reward for many years of Peril n' Rescue, Peach inevitably finds herself thrown into...peril. Bowser is up to his old tricks, but this time he isn't confining his dastardly schemes to the Mushroom Kingdom. He launches the entire castle into the stratosphere and ultimately deep space, where Mario follows after getting so close to fulfilling his filthy Italian desires. The once-grounded quest to rescue the princess now spans the enire universe, where Mario must make his way through many galaxies and harness the power needed to save the day.

Mario's vessel to traverse the stars in the Observatory. While Mario 64 featured a multi-levelled castle with tons of hidden secrets and places to explore, the Observatory is pretty straight forward. It's a large, donut-shaped spaceship with a bunch of different domes jutting out all over the place. Within each dome is a blue star which opens up an interactive menu, and from there you can easily choose from the galaxy options. Mario blasts right out of the dome and straight to the level. Don't get the wrong impression - despite being a smaller size, the Observatory is still a great place to hang out, and it does eliminate much of the tiresome trek to every single new world.

Populating the Observatory and surrounding galaxies are weird little creatures known as Luma. These shiny puff balls help you out along the way by offering advice, granting new items and sometimes even unlocking new galaxies. A mysterious woman called Rosalina is in charge at the Observatory, and throughout the game you will unlock new storybook chapters which slowly explain more and more about Rosalina and the Luma. This aspect of storytelling, beyond the simple Peach/Bowser story, is quietly compelling with a real sense of wonder being evoked in every new storybook chapter. In essence Mario, the Luma and Rosalina need to collect Giant Stars in order to power up the Observatory and fly to the centre of the universe.

Each galaxy has a variety of Power Stars to collect. These are used to ultimately unlock new galaxies and hunt Bowser's minions in certain areas. For example, the Kitchen dome in the Observatory has several galaxies to explore, and the overhead map will also pinpoint the location of an enemy base. The bases usually take the form of a fierce deep space melee, with giant space pirate armadas and missiles whizzing by constantly. Baby Bowser also makes the rounds with his team of baddies, and upon completing an enemy base, Mario will gain a Giant Star. Rinse and repeat the process of collecting ordinary Stars in a variety of galaxies, then systematically take on Bowser's underlings - and occasionally the big man himself.

Collecting items in every level has been a mainstay of 3D platforming ever since Super Mario 64 pioneered the concept back in 1997. One might assume that this type of gameplay would become stale, but Galaxy...

Galaxy has reinvented the platformer. I tried to think of other ways to put this, other ways to articulate the concept, but there really isn't any way around it. Galaxy is something incredible, something stunning, something magical. I feel that any words I use to describe just how a level feels to play will never suffice.

Picture four floating platforms. Normally, Mario would jump across them, one after the other, and make his way to the goal. In Galaxy, simply run off the edge of the platform, and Mario will flip underneath and begin walking upside down on the underside of the platform. Forget Portal, forget physics - Galaxy has truly perfected gravity. Some galaxies will consist of numerous floating planets, some larger than others, and Mario can run all over everything in every dimension imaginable - sideways, upside down, inside-out, topsy-turvy. Imagine performing a long jump from underneath a platform, and having the gravity pull you back as you loop up to the top side. If, in mid-air, Mario approaches closely to a different platform, gravity will switch and he will be drawn to the new area. This results in many original and exciting gameplay scenarios, all of which can be found at some point amongst the plethora of amazing galaxies. Some galaxies are larger, consisting of a single world and normal gravity, while others are a combination of both smaller individual floating planets and a larger "base" level. The process of switching in and out of different gravity fields and control perspectives always feels completely natural and intuitive. Nothing could have prepared me for just how incredible Galaxy feels to control, or how addictively original simply rocketing around the planets can be while experimenting with the flawless physics engine. Remember spending hours simply running about the grounds of the castle in Mario 64, enjoying the freedom of movement and Mario's perfect controls? You will experience such a joy again in every single level of Galaxy.

Gravity is for chumps.

The Wii Remote is used in conjunction with the Nunchuk, with an on-screen pointer always present. The Control Stick is used for normal movement, the A button for jumping and the Wii Remote for attacking. A quick shake will cause Mario to perform a spin attack, similar to the way Link's sword is controlled in Twilight Princess. It's a simple and effective method of dispatching foes, and never feels uncomfortable or awkward. The Z button on the nunchuk is used for crouching and, with moves dating back to Mario 64, performing long jumps and backflips. The D-pad is used for changing up the camera, but the automated viewpoint is almost always spot-on, allowing full freedom of movement without having some awkward block obscuring your view.

Distributed generously around every level are shiny little chunks known as Star Bits. These automatically zip towards Mario when picked up with the Wii cursor, which is handy considering their plentiful nature. Coins can also be collected, but these are much less abundant, and usually only serve for replenishing Mario's health (which is only three units, as opposed to eight in Mario 64). After Star Bits have been collected, they can be fired anywhere on the screen by aiming with the cursor and pulling the B trigger on the Wii Remote. This becomes a rather handy "sidearm", which can be combined with Mario's physical attacks with devastating effects. Controlling with two hands freely is responsive and feels fantastic. Simply put, the Wii-centric functionality is perfect.

You've got the attacks, you've harnessed the power of gravity, and the galaxies are yours to explore. Beginning in the standard non-descript worlds, these initial galaxies are great for learning the fundamental abilities and dimensional concepts. Eventually you'll come across galaxies filled incredibly original design and gameplay, including suits which can power up Mario, akin to the Raccoon cap and Metal Mario caps from past games. The bumblebee and spring suits are fun little additions, while the ice and fire suits really add some power to Mario's punch. Most galaxies have three basic stars to collect (not including the inevitable bonus and secret stars), but some galaxies exist solely for the purpose of collecting one solitary star. This kind of level variety is essential to keep star collection from becoming a grind, and given the wealth of options available at any time, battling through consistently unique situations never becomes tiresome.

I'm never one to make excuses for the Wii's comparative lack of graphical power. The word "art" seems to be thrown around too much when talking about games for the Wii, as if artistic vision exists only for Nintendo's console, and that alone can make up for a poor technical showing. It can't - but Super Mario Galaxy truly puts the Wii through its paces, and emerges as the finest example of graphical prowess Nintendo have ever created. All characters are virtually flawless, and the only moments of concern arise when a few blocky environmental objects show up. Yes, the art style just happens to be fantastic, and this is to be expected given the pedigree of Mario and his loyal team of designers. Regardless of a few insignificant quibbles, all trees, flowers, rocks, bumblebees, water fountains, galaxies and shooting stars are rendered with impeccable care. Galaxy sports the best graphics on the Wii bar none.

Just add marshmallows.

Everyone knows and loves the Mario theme music, and you will find most classic pieces here, usually spiced up with a space-age twist. However, the true genius is sound stems from the brilliance of the original compositions. From the very first level - Good Egg Galaxy - the quality and epic scope of the musical score bursts through to complement the incredible on-screen action. Every new galaxy will guide you through a musical masterpiece, while simultaneously revisiting the timeless themes we all immediately recognise. This is my personal favourite soundtrack for any Nintendo game - ever.

I would say that other developers need to learn from Super Mario Galaxy and start creating other masterpieces of equally epic quality - but that would be a futile expectation. I can't imagine anyone achieving such genius other than Nintendo. They have perfected the platformer, perfected the functionality and capabilities of the Wii, and cemented their status as true Gods of gaming development. Forget anything you have ever heard or read - Nintendo are here to stay, and Mario has once again been proven to be the single greatest videogame character ever made. After Super Mario Galaxy, and looking back on the history of gaming itself, there can be no arguing this fact. If you don't own a Wii, you will buy one for this game alone. Needless to say, Super Mario Galaxy receives my trademark Seal of Approval.

Welcome back, Mario.

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Final Verdict

There's no denying it. Super Mario Galaxy is the best Nintendo game since Mario 64, and one of the top two 3D platformers ever made. The other? Take a wild guess.

Pros
Jaw-dropping physics, consistent level originality and an all-out masterpiece of visual design and musical composition. This is as good a Mario game as any.
Cons
There aren't any worth mentioning. To do so would simply detract from the obvious notion that Super Mario Galaxy is a masterpiece of the very highest order.