Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review

By Oli Welsh Published 24 May, 2010

Baby universal.

Version tested: Wii

Nintendo hasn't released a straight-up sequel to a Super Mario game in almost two decades. Ignoring nominal sequels Yoshi's Island and Wario Land, Mario's own adventures - from perfect World to muddy Sunshine and the transformation of old Super Mario Bros. to New - have been a cascade of revisions and re-versions, almost always familiar but never the same.

You could even say that about Super Mario Galaxy itself. The 2007 Wii classic hit the reset switch in virtually every level - sometimes several times per level - as it spun Mario's world upside down, inside out and round and round. Super Mario games have always liked playing with the rules rather than by them, but none have ever done it with such dizzy gusto.

By sending Mario into space, Super Mario Galaxy could ignore what little logic the Mushroom Kingdom ever had, taking its only immutable law - gravity - and twisting it around tiny 3D planetoids, or flipping which way was up in side-scrolling sections that almost mocked the series' roots. Levels could be one-off gameplay gags or fragmented mini-epics in which the plumber would slingshot through the ages of Mario, from impossible future to retro reference and back again.

So, Galaxy is as deserving of a production-line sequel as any game in this illustrious canon. All Super Mario Galaxy 2 has to do is to live up to the dense invention and unstoppable momentum of its predecessor. That's a tough challenge, of course - but not long into the new game, you know Nintendo's Tokyo studio has risen to it.

'Super Mario Galaxy 2' Screenshot 1

Strangely, neither Bowser nor Peach is named; they are "the monster" and "your special one" respectively.

Inevitably there are moments of déjà vu. The intro rattles through a telegraphed version of the original's misguided attempt at grandiose scene-setting, in which Mario's nemesis Bowser rather perfunctorily kidnaps Princess Peach. "Have fun with your stupid mushrooms," he bellows, and we're off.

Like Super Mario World, the game proper starts outside Yoshi's house - but this time it's floating on an asteroid, and you'll pass under it, through it and out of the chimney pipe before shooting off through a series of miniature levels that don't so much lead as shove you through a crash-course in Galaxy's wraparound, 360-degree platforming. Just as in the first game, you need to smack a Piranha Plant baby-boss's bottom to earn your first star.

Some settings and even level layouts are strikingly familiar. They're usually put to a new purpose, but there are some direct quotes from Mario Galaxy too. (One late level surprises with a note-for-note reconstruction of a moment in Mario's more distant past, and might reduce the unwary fan to actual nostalgic tears.) Such things are dispensed with quickly enough to come off as tribute rather than rehash, and if you didn't play the first game they'll just seem like yet another bright stitch in this tapestry of fun.

'Super Mario Galaxy 2' Screenshot 2

New Super Mario Bros. Wii's auto-pilot Super Guide returns as the Cosmic Guide. Stars earned with its help still count, but are a disappointing shade of tarnished brown: the brown of your shame.

A tighter, more organised and more economical game than the first, Super Mario Galaxy 2 rolls that glorious tapestry out before you in plain view and at a brisk pace. It shows only limited interest in anything that isn't catapulting Mario, soaring and whooping, through the cosmos to his next challenge.

It does give you a starship home, but instead of the original's befuddling Disney fantasy with its melancholy space-princess, you get a jolly giant Mario head made out of brickwork and turf and captained by a fat, avuncular purple star. Even the helm looks like it's smiling.

Although gradually populated with friends, diversions and chances to earn 1-ups, Starship Mario is not actually a hub world. The magic and mystery of Mario 64's castle can never be recaptured, it turns out, and Galaxy's scattershot worlds can't be tied together thematically, so time and effort are saved with point-to-point world maps in the New Super Mario Bros. style. Each of the six worlds is capped by a Bowser or Bowser Jr. boss stage, and as with the other 3D Marios, you'll regularly need to revisit previous areas - or Galaxies - to earn enough stars to progress.

As before, each Galaxy offers up a couple of varied challenges for stars, and further variations on these - speed and one-shot daredevil runs, and alternate-universe remixes - arrive when a Prankster Comet visits. Their frustratingly random appearances in the first Galaxy are a thing of the past; this time they appear for good as you collect the well-hidden or hard-to-reach Comet Medals. Overall the sequel's is a more manageable and transparent structure that never stands in the way of fun.

If anything, the power-ups are better too. Bee and Boo suits return, along with the venerable fire flower; the Rock Mushroom allows an enemy-squashing, barrier-smashing dash attack (is that a hint of Zelda's Gorons?); and Cloud Mario can conjure three platforms out of thin air with a pirouette. Simplest and best is the drill, which punches Mario through to the opposite surface of whatever he's standing on. You can imagine how well that works with Galaxy's topsy-turvy levels, and it's used with sparing genius.

But the power-ups pale next to Yoshi. Mario's insatiable, irrepressible steed eats up levels as hungrily as everything in them. He has his flutter-jump and a suite of edible power-ups of his own; I'll leave you to imagine what a Dash Pepper, Blimp Fruit or Bulb Berry might do. Using the pointer - which once again allows you to reach into the screen to collect and fire Star Bits, as well as manipulate and bother other bits of the game - you can guide Yoshi's astonishingly flexible tongue to flick out and gobble (or pull, or swing from) anything around you with a tactile snap that's so gratifying it's almost rude.

'Super Mario Galaxy 2' Screenshot 3

Two-player co-op now lets a friend control a Luma as well as a second pointer, bopping enemies and interacting with stuff to smooth Mario's path.

Yoshi's tongue is the highlight of Super Mario Galaxy 2's control and interface feedback which, as ever with Nintendo games, is so polished, rewarding and punchy that it's entertaining in itself. Every detail of interaction tickles your pleasure receptors, from the clunk of a switch to the cheer from the remote's speaker when you pick up every coin in one of its old-school underground coin rooms. The game is an unfettered joy to use.

Mario purists will quibble over the continued inclusion of motion control - as with the first Galaxy and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, a quick flick of the remote is used to extend jumps with a spin as well as execute many power-ups and special moves - but it's been tuned to the point of faultless reliability, immediacy and comfort by now, so I can only suggest they get over it. The pointer's remarkable ability to let you be in two places on screen at once is more than compensation.

'Super Mario Galaxy 2' Screenshot 4

If you have multiple game saves on a single machine, you can trade star bits between them, and surplus lives are sent through in the mail.

Mario handles more predictably and with a greater margin for error than ever, and although a modicum of finesse has been lost, you simply wouldn't be able to twist your fingers around the conceptual leaps and reversals of Galaxy 2's levels if he wasn't so forgiving. If you feel a little of his old free-wheeling momentum is missing, then (on certain levels) you can opt to use Luigi, who scampers and springs around like a hapless, helter-skelter comic foil to Mario's determined precision. Complete a level with him and you unlock a ghost Luigi to guide you to one of that level's secrets.

Although it's by no means an easy game, it's astonishing how easy Super Mario Galaxy 2 is to enjoy. With multiple gameplay styles and perspectives, and level design so contorted and multi-faceted it's cruel, the camera faces challenges no other game can match, and yet it never puts a foot wrong. The behaviour of the game's gravity and physics can change in an instant, and yet you always instinctively know how to thread our hero through it, that telepathic connection between Mario and gamer as strong as it's been in the last three decades. Despite the loose structure, the pacing is perfect, delivering variety and smooth difficulty on half a dozen fronts simultaneously.

All this is easy to take for granted - the kind of accomplishment that, by its nature, is invisible. But make no mistake, there is exceptional craft on display. Nintendo shows an easy, confident command of concepts that almost any other developer would struggle to think of or articulate, never mind realise, never mind perfect. You simply will not play a better-made game this year.

It's by far the tastiest audiovisual treat on Wii, too. Impeccably solid and fast, it chucks its fruit-coloured and fuzzy-textured planetoids around the screen with abandon, and sets the starlit spectacle to another classic soundtrack of thrilling, orchestral themes and chipper chiptunes.

But a slick finish, structural overhaul and brace of novel features are the stuff all sequels are made of, and on their own, they don't qualify Super Mario Galaxy 2 for greatness. To step out of its predecessor's shadow and justify this second spin of the wheel, it has to deliver surprise, delight, devious challenge and raw creative brilliance, level after level after level.

It does. In Puzzle Plank Galaxy, meandering buzzsaws cut platforms away under your feet. Cosmic Clones appear that ape your every move at second-long intervals until a level is swarming with deadly echoes of everything you've done. In Boo Moon Galaxy, a flat planetoid rears up into a pop-up book of platforms. Rhythmic "beat" levels switch gravity alignment or platform arrangement, or turn the lights on and off to the metronomic tick of the remote speaker.

'Super Mario Galaxy 2' Screenshot 5

Even the harder boss fights are dramatic, clever and never unfair.

Flipsville Galaxy is two 3D levels at once, stamped on opposite sides of the coin, Mario pounding platforms down on one side to raise them on the other. Another later level has Mario swimming through cubes of water as they scroll through space, stretching the logical illogic of the game's physics to the limit. In the very best platform games the heroes are the platforms themselves, and Galaxy 2's - ingenious, devious, always surprising arrangements of action and reaction - are no exception.

As with the previous 3D Mario games, after defeating the last of the inventive, testing and fun bosses, you could still have almost half the 120 stars to collect. Galaxy 2 has even more surprises in store for the long-haul gamer, with total completion adding a secret green star in every one of those 120 level variations, doubling the length of the game.

Before that, you'll have discovered another secret extension of Galaxy 2's universe that, in true Mario tradition, reaches beyond childlike surrealism into a wholly abstract realm of extreme gameplay challenge that's as vicious as it is playful. The game might feel more compact than the first, but it's longevity is even greater.

'Super Mario Galaxy 2' Screenshot 6

Hey, Nintendo: you got a star.

While the New Super Mario Bros. games have been content to remind us of Mario's roots, Super Mario Galaxy recast him in the role of fearless explorer, leaping into impossible realms, redefining what we could do in virtual space. Here, once again, was the Mario of Donkey Kong, of Super Mario Bros., of Super Mario 64.

A simple extension of the Galaxy concept, Super Mario Galaxy 2 can't possibly have the same impact. But it does have the same spirit, throwing new ideas at you with gleeful and impulsive abandon, leaving you breathless, scrambling happily to keep up. You can't really complain about more of the same, when the same is the one thing it never is.

10 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (156) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • DUFFKING #1 2 years ago

    Nintendo are a bit like the BBC, they don't half come out with some crap on occasion but when they really put some effort in, they can make a real quality product.

  • Telepathic.Geometry #2 2 years ago

    Great, nice review Oli, has me really excited to play this game on Friday night after work. I've already exiled my friends, and warned the girlfriend that Saturday is Mario Day, and not to be interrupted. (^_^)

  • figaro7 #3 2 years ago

    Cant....friggen...wait!

  • jamhead #4 2 years ago

    Looks good. I enjoyed SMG 1, but it never quite lived up to the hype for me I had to 'force' myself to finish it as my interest had waned a little.

    I can still see myself getting this one though... and the kids are just getting old enough to enjoy it now too! :-D

    Edit: Oh - and Nintendo. Please can you apply the same thought and innovation into producing a decent sequel for Wind Waker!
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 10:40

  • Bremenacht #5 2 years ago

    \o/

  • morriss #6 2 years ago

    how boring and predictable.

  • MaoZedong #7 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:40:08 17-12-2011

  • El-Dev #8 2 years ago

    Sounds awesome.

  • JohnnyWashnGo #9 2 years ago

    Can't wait to get my hands on this... it'll be the first time in a long time that the Wii has been powered up :(

  • Goodfella #10 2 years ago

    Looks ok, I'm not enamoured by Mario games these days, my taste requires a bit more, especially in the cinematic/storyline department, besides, I sold my Wii the other day. Good riddance. ;-)

  • Pinky_Floyd #11 2 years ago

    Unfortunately I sold my Wii a long time ago so won't get to play this little gem. For those of you still sailing on the good ship Nintendo it looks like you are going to have at least 20 hours fun with your console this year :)

  • Darren #12 2 years ago

    SMG2 is the first Wii game I've been excited about in a long, loooooooooooong time but it's looks like it was worth wait. Really looking forward to playing this game and using my Wii for the first in almost two years (yes, it's been THAT long)!!!

  • DoctorFouad #13 2 years ago

    If we believe all those 10/10 reviews, than Super mario Galaxy 2 is simply the best video game ever created !
    or is it just the hype ?
    I must finish super mario galaxy 1 and play the 2, my wii is collecting the dust...

  • Tonka #14 2 years ago

    When it rains, it pours.

  • secombe #15 2 years ago

    The first effort was by far the most enjoyable experience I've had in gaming for many years, a real 'recaptured my youth' moment offering the sort of joy originally experienced by playing through Sonic 2 for the first time (I was a Sega boy), all this had to do was equal that to be a 100% must buy, but it sounds like they've gone and bettered it.

    It hasn't been mentioned, but does the score capture the charm of the last game? I replayed levels on SMG just to listen to the score again, rare that a game provokes that kind of response from me.

  • Goodfella #16 2 years ago

    @ fröd

    You really think I'm envious?

    I wouldn't mind playing it, for free, but envious I am not.

  • peak_performance #17 2 years ago

    Meh, I hate decisions. This or Sin & Punishment 2 first?

    Starcraft 2 later this summer.

    What happened to all my free time and money? :(

  • swissorc #18 2 years ago

    @ DUFFKING

    Came up with the same analysis myself the other day. You spend months wondering why you pay your tv license to watch Graham Fucking Norton and another phone vote musical abomination so that when the jewels in their crown such as Luther (read Zelda) and Top Gear ( read mario) shine they shine the brighter.
    Long live the BBwii
    Edited by 2 at 24/05/10 @ 08:21

  • Old_Books #19 2 years ago

    Do some guys seriously think the 'dust' comments are witty?? It's a much of a cliche as saying the xbox has only got shooters or the PS3 is just a bu-ray player. If your Wii's are gathering dust then, 1) you've missed out on some of the best games this year pre Galaxy 2, and 2) clean your houses you filthy animals! :-)

  • GamesConnoisseur #20 2 years ago

    Will this one game saves Nintendo and Wii from being at the mercy of feckless casual mass market and thrust back into the warm loving bosoms of dedicated hardcore gamers?

    Likely not, as the wider Wii library is still depressing underwhelming compared to rivals, however the truth is that this single game shines so hard and bright that it's almost can carry Nintendo on it's own!

  • matrim83 #21 2 years ago

    This is brilliant! Just got done with SMG1 and I am gonna be all over this sucker. :D

  • Chewy #22 2 years ago

    Bum! I haven't finished the first one yet as I only got the Wii 3 months ago and I have Zelda after that! Will ignore until I'm done! :)

  • SHPanda #23 2 years ago

    No real surprise that a first party Nintendo game got 10/10.

    I'm sure fun factor wise it deserves it, but I can't help but feel cautious, the last one got high scores and while it most likely did deserve it, the game was far far far too easy. Not one star did I feel was anywhere near as infuriating or difficult to get as some of the tougher ones in Mario 64's latter harder levels for example.

    No doubt I'll get it at some point and enjoy it, but I do wish Nintendo would introduce a difficulty option to their games, as the Wii has really tamed them down and neglected their core fan base in this respect, NSMB, SMG, Zelda all too easy.

    But kudos to Nintendo they sure do know how to make a solid, fun game. Better still they're one of few companies still throwing true 3D platform titles out (I wish there was more).

  • Praetorianer #24 2 years ago

    Kikizo
    "A whiff of expansion packishness aside, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is another breath of fresh air in an oppressively and perhaps misguidedly ‘mature’ gaming climate, a chubby, blue-eyed God among chest-bumping, photorealism-brown, cover-seeking insects. Whether you own a Wii or not, there are, quite frankly, no excuses."

    Edge Magazine
    "This isn’t a game that redefines the genre: this is one that rolls it up and locks it away."

    Games Radar
    "Expanding on the original’s brilliance, this ingenious platformer only gets better by embracing the Wii’s limited capabilities and adds so many ideas, big and small, that we can’t help but love it. Even if you (mistakenly) believe it’s too similar to the first game, what’s wrong with more of an incredibly great thing?"

    The Escapist
    "Super Mario Galaxy 2 doesn't tinker with the established formula very much, but we didn't really want it to. It's huge, brilliant, and gorgeous. It's why you started playing videogames in the first place."

    Digital Chumps
    "Even the harshest critics will struggle to find fault in its symphony of imagination, execution, and polish, while fans will cherish its brilliance for years to come as one of the very best games in history. Quite simply put, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the reason I still play videogames."

    Nintendo Life
    "Every once in a while a video game comes along that's just so spectacular that it ends up defining the very system it's released on and raises the bar by which all other games in the series and genre will be judged. It's safe to say that game has now arrived on the Wii console."

    GameSpot
    "Super Mario Galaxy 2 is simply an outstanding game. It never rests on its laurels for a second, constantly presenting new objectives and mechanics to push you to never before seen places. Even the two-player mode offers new abilities and delights, making it even more fun to play with a friend by your side."

    Destructoid
    "They poured in the same creativity and imagination that made me fall in love with games like Super Mario Bros 3 and Super Mario World. To me it feels like they finally felt the freedom and comfort in 3D platforming to get back to that Nintendo magic that we all remember. The end result is a galaxy of surprise after surprise, all coming together in a game that tops even my past favorites, making this the best Mario game Nintendo has released."

    IGN
    "I think the one thing you should take away from this review: Super Mario Galaxy 2 wholly exceeded my expectations. Leading up to the game’s release I hadn’t expected much more than simply “more of the same.” I loved the original Super Mario Galaxy, but the company would have to do something pretty special to really “wow” me.
    Consider me “wowed.” Again. Most of all, Super Mario Galaxy 2 perfectly captures that classic videogame charm, the reason why most of us got into gaming from the start."

    Of course the game scored perfect ratings in all of the reviews above. In the rare case of gamers (at least people who think of themselves as gamers), who have no love whatsoever for Nintendo or Mario, it should make them respect the sheer brilliance of the masterminds at Nintendo, for they actually made video game history. Again. Mario has been around for almost 30 years now, and he will continue to do so, with the average Mario game in the review lists' top-ranks, and the good ones in a world of their own. Who will remember Claude, Tommy, CJ? Marcus, Dominic? Gary, Joseph? Few will remember the characters' names, some more will remember the games, while Mario will always be synonymous for the spirit of videogames at their core, what's best about them and why people enjoyed them in the first place.

  • enfilade #25 2 years ago

    I'm endlessly impressed by the longevity and brilliance of the Super Mario series. The first Galaxy was one of those rare gaming joys that just had me grinning absolutely the whole way through, and it looks like the sequel will be such a glorious extension of a great idea. I think it says something that Mario Sunshine is seen as the weak link of the series of late, because that was still a bloody magnificent game. Well done, Nintendo.

    Now I just need to find a buddy with a Wii so I can mooch off their Galaxy 2 under the pretence of helping them to collect star-bits :p

    Edit: Re the post above, is anyone else struck by how appallingly written that IGN blurb is? You'd at least think their writers would get their act together for a truly AAA title like this. I mean, I'd expect nothing more from them in reality, but still. Gah.
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 08:53

  • ryandsimmons #26 2 years ago

    Cool. This game will make me dust off and turn on my Wii for the first time in over a year.

  • thenastypasty #27 2 years ago

    That review makes me want to re buy a wii......must.stay.strong.

  • ryandsimmons #28 2 years ago

    @ Old_Books.

    The dust comments aren't meant to be witty, they are simply stating facts. If you want though I can lie and say I have been playing the console non stop. Quite a few people are genuinely dissappointed with the Wii's library and like me haven't been playing it much. When nintendo shine they really shine, but there are long months / years of shit in between the classics. Much like the PSP really.

  • Praetorianer #29 2 years ago

    @ thenastypasty

    It's never too late to abandon the dark side!

  • Zerobob #30 2 years ago

    @DUFFKING

    Totally agree with the BBC / Ninty analogy.

    It seems when they have their 'best people' working on probably their most genius concept (Mario) they never seem to come up with anything other than an inspired game.

    Just seems Ninty's 'best people' then have the next 2 years off inbetween games, unfortunately.

    I just can't wait till Ninty start in the high definition gaming era because I don't like looking at their games :( I'm such a snob.

  • Collymilad #31 2 years ago

    Ah, a 10/10.

    Wasn't expecting that, at all.





    :|

  • Old_Books #32 2 years ago

    @ryandsimmons

    That's the thing, though, it's always the usual suspects who come in with the dust comments and the like, (not a dig at you), because they feel it's offering some kind of indictment of the console which is not the case. It doesn't matter how long anyone plays 'x' console for 'x' amount of time; everyone is going to have an opinion on what they think is or isn't a good software library, which is as it should be.

  • andywilkie35 #33 2 years ago

    So this gets 10 out of 10 for being "more of the same" as the first game was marvellous, but things like Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time get 7 out of 10 because its "more of the same" even though it was following the same forumla, i.e. if it ain't broke, don't fix it?

    EGlol

  • andywilkie35 #34 2 years ago

    That's not to say the game doesn't deserve 10 out of 10, would just like to see some consistency.

  • fknetwork #35 2 years ago

    Add me to the list of people here that sold their wii's so won't be playing this, shame as it looks like one of the best wii games (although not saying a lot tbh), the wii has been a total joke in terms of quality gaming, a few gems like this with the zillions of crap on sale.

    I really have lost all respect for Nintendo this generation, the odd one or two good games with the rest being rubbish on the wii, terribly dated hardware, poor third party support, list goes on.
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 09:23

  • Doctor_What #36 2 years ago

    Hmm... I feel very cautious. I played the first one for about four or five hours, waiting for the hook to really grab me, but it never came. It was good but somehow I didn't ever feel like I cared. I'm told that this means I'm probably a heartless shell with no recognition of the sense of joy in the world, but SMG1 left me feeling nothing much except vague ennui. I enjoyed House Of The Dead: Overkill a lot more! (Which is great fun if you haven't played it yet.)

    However, it's great that the Wii is getting a classic game genre title that many people are going to love, I just doubt I'll be among them. Good on Ninty for still making these kind of games!

  • Goodfella #37 2 years ago

    @ Old Books

    We'll probably continue to do so aswell, I invested £180 in a console, twice! because I had faith in Nintendo but they've been a huge disappointment this generation and haven't anywhere near delivered on the software front, the casuals are happy though with their dance games and the like though. Hurrah.

    I know so many long time Nintendo fans who haven't switched it on or have sold it that it's ridiculous and speaks volumes.

  • Jay-ITFC #38 2 years ago

    Loved Super Mario Sunshine on Gamecube though never picked up Super Mario Galaxy on Wii. Maybe I should try that out and then get this sequel. Both review very well.

  • Praetorianer #39 2 years ago

    @andywilkie35

    [ ] read review

  • Raiko101 #40 2 years ago

    Still have to play the first one, but i'm sold. It sounds awesome!

  • viper_h #41 2 years ago

    Epic game is epic.

    This game is all kinds of awesome. Playing it makes me feel like a kid again, exactly the way the first game did. Love all the little tributes they put in too.

    A well deserved 10/10. Pity Eurogamer couldn't get the Red Dead Redemption score right though.

  • StooMonster #42 2 years ago

    Reminds me that I still need to beat Bowser's Galaxy Reactor which for some reason I find very difficult, it's nuts because I've done the rest of the game.

  • Pac #43 2 years ago

    Unfortunately I turned on the Wii the other day to discover it was making an awfully loud disc drive whirring and clicking noise.

    It still seems to work OK but could be on its last legs.

    What great timing!!

    Anyone got any tips on repairing it. (I have already tried banging it on the top with my hand).

  • Armoured_Gideon #44 2 years ago

    Since this game may spur a few of us to think about buying a Wii, can anyone share any top tens/fives of Wii games that would be good to buy in a clutch as well?

  • Tonka #45 2 years ago

    GOTF!!
    2!

  • mingster #46 2 years ago

    Yup ive been playing this all weekend it is indeed absolute quality.
    The only minus point is it involves a lot of waggling the wiimote. LOTS.
    Really is quite tiring on the right hand.

  • Praetorianer #47 2 years ago

    @mingster

    Alas! That what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger!

  • DiamondIce #48 2 years ago

    The Mario games are the games I really miss by not owning a Wii.

    Nothing quite feels as magical as a Mario game. I must restrain myself from buying a console for this game - there is not enough hours in the day, sadly.

  • matleouf #49 2 years ago

    What a superb review ! I hesitated to buy it, Yoshi isn't what I love the most in Mario games, but I think you just changed the gravity and made me a future customer of this game :)

  • sneetch #50 2 years ago

    Excellent, day one stuff.

  • ninjanutta #51 2 years ago

    how much did nintendo have to give to get a 10 from eurogamer,its unheard of.i cant beleive it.they managed to make themselves look even stupider than normal.shame coz i like the site but the reviews are utter tosh.

  • kinky_mong #52 2 years ago

    It's refreshing to read a genuinely fantastic review on EG which hasn't happened for a while. Oli you should be commended for actually describing the mechanics and controls of the game and justifying why they are good, rather than just trying to be witty throughout like certain other reviews in the last few weeks.

    I can't wait for SMG2 to be released in a few weeks, and I think us gamers are extremely lucky with the number of great games that have been released recently.

  • Dylbot #53 2 years ago

    No surprises here. My only problem with it is that it will clearly detract from my Wii's main function, playing Monster Hunter Tri. There hasn't been a main Mario game I haven't loved yet (yes, even Sunshine) so this was always going to be a definite get.

  • spiritsnake #54 2 years ago

    this game doesnt deserve a 10!!! its just an 8 at best. the reviewer clearly was paid to write such a good review,totally ignoring that the same things that they mention are alryt with this game and make it great are totally ignored when other games do them.
    neg me to hell all you want nintendogs,im looking to break the negativity barrier!!!

  • Pac #55 2 years ago

    Ninjanutta or just plain nutter?

    I know which my money is on!

    I wonder how much Nintendo paid Edge as a ten is even more rare on its hallowed pages.

  • davisorle #56 2 years ago

    Im missing a Wii from my collection.. Not many games in interested into for the system but Marios are Mario games no matter what. And as im not convinced for playing with a Wiimote all the time and neither planning on getting a WiiMove for my PS3 Nintendo is taking over me :p I might go pick one up with a few ( 5-10 max I hope cause i tend to buy in bulk when i buy new consoles ffs -.- ) of i's greatest games and i bet including all the Marios released for it.. DAMN YOU MARIO! ( Im kidding, i missed you, really )

  • jonnex #57 2 years ago

    @Zerobob: Seriously? You think once Nintendo's Tokyo team finished working on Galaxy 1, they spent the next 2 years lounging around, then managed to pull their finger out in the remaining 1 year in order to pull off this masterpiece? Games like this take a long time to produce, to be honest I'm just grateful it's coming out so soon.

    As for the review, awesome. I wonder if the effect new Mario games has on me will ever diminish, like when I'm old and collecting my pension. While there's plenty of things you can say about why Mario is so brilliant, there will always be something completely indescribable about it, something that's just pure magic. Clearly Nintendo still has it.
    Edited by 2 at 24/05/10 @ 23:19

  • spookyzombie #58 2 years ago

    As great as this sounds, I refuse to buy another Wii just for one 10/10 title. It does look fantastic though.

  • miiiguel #59 2 years ago

    I don't understand all the "I sold my Wii" commnents (or I sold "something" to prove I don't like it, comments, tbh). People actually sell their stuff, or it's just an euphemism for "crap" ?

  • morriss #60 2 years ago

    I wonder what the comments would've been like if MS has just released Halo 25 - The Chief Strikes again?

    It's Mario. It's a platforme. It's now a hackneyed genre that level design can't save. Using your reactions just isn't fun anymmore, imo.

    I want immersion, I want to feel part of a world, a story. Not guide some moustached Italian stereotype through a cartoon space world riding on the back of a green dinosaur. It's old. And boring.

  • MiniAmin #61 2 years ago

    Oh hell yes. I'm buying this as soon as I can. Just need an HD cable for my Wii and then i'm good to go.

    Sometimes I give the Wii a bit of stick even though I own one... but you cannot dispute with the quality of titles like Mario Galaxy; its easily worth owning the console for.
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 10:29

  • FooAtari #62 2 years ago

    WTF 8/10!!! What a joke

    EG Always has to score the lowest just to get the hits!

    What? It a got a 10?

    WTF, 10/10!!!

    EG getting paid off by publishers again and showing their console bias. What a joke, always falling in line with other review sites.

    EGLOL. You are an offense to us gamers.
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 10:29

  • morriss #63 2 years ago

    @PatAU: No. I'm saying I wish the Mario franchise would die as I've been playing it since I was 5 years old and it's boring.

    I said I want Story: immersion. Not that I wanted to kill things.

    But you know, carry on.

  • Retroid #64 2 years ago

    Its-a-me, Insta-Buy!

  • Goodfella #65 2 years ago

    Just need an HD cable for my Wii and then i'm good to go.

    Lolz.

  • varsas #66 2 years ago

    @andywilkie35: Did you read the review? Some of SMG2 is more of the same but there is a far more to it.

    @spiritsnake: Yes, Nintendo must have paid off every reviewer in the world!

    @morriss: I guess you must never play flash/mobile games or singstar or rockband/guitar hero or racing games or most games published.
    Edited by 3 at 24/05/10 @ 10:37

  • morriss #67 2 years ago

    @varsas: I hate mini-game and rhythm action games. So yeah, spot on.

  • Eighthours #68 2 years ago

    This game walks the 10. Seriously. It's the best platformer Nintendo has ever made.

  • varsas #69 2 years ago

    @morriss: Do you not play any sports or racing games? You may not like Mario any more but wanting the series to fade away is bit selfish. What about all the kids who haven't played Mario yet? Nintendo shouldn't be catering just for you as you get older.

  • jebus #70 2 years ago

    @morriss "how boring and predictable"

    Yes, yes you are.

  • mingster #71 2 years ago

    Morris: The levels you play on are so well created they are truly immersive. The feel totally solid and the design and colours are amazing. No other game has the 3D look of this game. Your whole perspective is changed on a level by level basis and yet the camera and view is always perfect. The world you play in is just as real as GTA or Gears or Halo just its not so dull. Its bright and cheerful and fun not drab and dreary. It doesn't need a full story to be a fun game.

  • GrumpyLlama #72 2 years ago

    Like several previous posters I sold my Wii a while ago after it gathered dust for months. Unlike the others though I brought another when Monster Hunter Tri came out. My PS3 hasn't had a look in since. So many great games to look forward to in the next 12m

  • mingster #73 2 years ago

    Well i bought a wii for this and Monster hunter 3 and haven't had as much fun gaming in a long-long time.
    My PS3 and 360 are sitting there gathering dust!

  • morriss #74 2 years ago

    @mingster:

    People said that about SMG1. I got bored quick. That style of gaming just doesn't appeal to me any more.

    And no, I rarely play racers and footy game. Although when I do, it's with friends, which gives them a new purpose. "Getting better at something by repeating the same thing over and over" is a chore, not fun, imo.

  • Praetorianer #75 2 years ago

    Morriss is someone who gave the original Mario Galaxy a 10 in his own reviews, but complains about the second part, of course without ever having played it.

    Then again, he scored every Halo installment a perfect 10, like that series would be the pinnacle of gaming...ahem...cough.

    He also scored Viva Pinata a perfect 10, as well as Psychonauts, and Sonic a 9...for these games are perfect examples of immersion and story driven games. Then again, he has a posting count of almost 60400 here at eurogamer.

    (edited out some information Morris would rather not be posted on EG)

    I have a recommendation. You should start PLAYING games again, especially before writing about them. Otherwise you'll leave a rather pathetic impression on your readers.
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 11:46

  • morriss #76 2 years ago

    lol. Bitter much?

  • Meho #77 2 years ago

    SMG games actually make you think something along the lines of "Oh, so THIS is what 3D gaming is actually all about". Super Mario 64 all but invented 3D gaming (alongside some other notable games back in the day) and SMG managed to reinvent it, which is no small thing. SMG2 looks as if it's actually improving on every possible front, so it really is a celebration of videogaming in a very pure form. Being immersed in this game is notably different to being immersed in, say, Alan Wake. Alan Wake strives to make you feel like you're inside of a TV series. SMG1/2 make you feel like you're actually in REAL 3D space, pulling off incredible moves. I know which one is more immersive to me.

  • Praetorianer #78 2 years ago

    @morriss

    Why should I? It was just so easy to show that you are nothing but a troll. That's sad, as you should know better, given your "history" in gaming. Then again, you haven't contributed to vg247 for almost a year now, since then probably spamming comments like the ones here and trolling. The only one who obviously comes across as bitter is you.

  • cozeny #79 2 years ago

    And the console with the most interesting library this generation goes to... the Wii.

  • morriss #80 2 years ago

    I haven't trolled MArio. I think you need to know the definitions of words you use before you use them.

    I said that personally, as in, MY taste, I don't rate these games any more. And I also explained what it is about them I don't like. You seemed to have got your knickers in a twist about an opinion that doesn't match yours and are now getting all personal about it. You have taken the discussion away from the mechanics of the game, to a personal attack: That's the definition of trolling.
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 11:07

  • Progguitarist #81 2 years ago

    Morrisslol

    "Nintendo should stop making games about Mario because I don't like them anymore".

    Ladies and gentlemen, the ego has landed.


  • JeroenZM #82 2 years ago

    Peach is "the special one" in this game? I thought that was the dreadful Jose Mourinho?

  • JahB #83 2 years ago

    And the console with the most interesting library this generation goes to... the Wii.

    i agree. 10-12 absolute jewels in a mountain of 1000s of shovelware games, it's quite unprecedented actually. i can't help but wonder if the Wii could have had the PS2's success in terms of library if nintendo had thrown some support behind 3rd party devs.

  • morriss #84 2 years ago

    Eh? I said I'm bored with looking at Mario and I'm bored with the games and I wish Nintendo would do something else, why is that not allowed on a games forum?

    You really need to grow up Progg a bit and stop attacking people personally when you've got nothing else to say. It's weak and cowardly.

  • Psi #85 2 years ago

    I get a feeling there are some people posting that are not mario fans.

  • Progguitarist #86 2 years ago

    I need to grow up morriss? I think you need to take a good look in the mirror and perhaps your recent post history. Your constant trolling is infantile and tiresome.

  • HarryPalmer #87 2 years ago

    Been playing New Super Mario Bros on a friends Wii. And I'm a major Wii-skeptic, but I'm convinced that its the best game EVER made.

    May have to persuade him to pick this up too.

  • morriss #88 2 years ago

    Saying why I don't like a game/genre isn't trolling, Prog. Getting upset and hurling insults at someone is.

  • Retroid #89 2 years ago

    The comments work better if people don't 'have a go' at people who disagree.

    Be excellent to eachother! ^_________^

  • Skandalle #90 2 years ago

    Nice review, cant wait to ride Yoshi again...



    ...and yes, i actually meant it in THAT way.

  • Progguitarist #91 2 years ago

    ....and saying Nintendo should move on because YOU are tired of Mario (even though everything they release with him is of a high standard) is a bit egocentric no?

  • morriss #92 2 years ago

    How can I post a PERSONAL opinion/preference without it being ego-centric?

  • FogHeart #93 2 years ago

    While I'm thrilled by this game, I can't help but feel sad that it's only when I see Super Mario Galaxy (1 and now 2) do I see the graphics on the Wii not just look OK, not just 'stand up to other consoles' but actually shine.

  • Progguitarist #94 2 years ago

    Well, perhaps you could say something like, "You know, I don't like these Mario games anymore but its great to see Nintendo are still putting quality time/design into them. More power to those that enjoy them".

    See?

  • Praetorianer #95 2 years ago

    @morriss

    You don't rate games like this anymore? Why is it old, boring and cannot be saved by level design? Is that not rating a game? And without having played that particular game, you go even further, rating a whole genre. That's trolling in my opinion.
    wikiquote:
    "In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into a desired emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion."

    I think "It's Mario. It's a platforme. It's now a hackneyed genre that level design can't save." and "I want immersion, I want to feel part of a world, a story. Not guide some moustached Italian stereotype through a cartoon space world riding on the back of a green dinosaur. It's old. And boring." qualify as trolling, then. You didn't even really explain why you don't like it. You haven't said one thing worthy a discussion about the game mechanics, and frankly, you can't, because you haven't played it.

    You said: "People said that about SMG1. I got bored quick. That style of gaming just doesn't appeal to me any more." So you score every game that got you bored quick a 10 in your personal reviews? How can one not get the impression that you're trolling? You didn't expect your opinion to be worthy of a discussion when the rest of the video game world scored the game the way it did?

    By the way, where did I personally attack you? I just read the information about you that was readily available through your own profile and vg247. Compare these facts and your comments here and how can one not come to the conclusion that they were pathetic?

    If you want to discuss the game's mechanics, why platformers are old and boring, and what makes other games so special and immersive, you can do so anytime. But imo you just came here to rant and I'm surely not the only one who got that impression.

  • sneetch #96 2 years ago

    @PatAU

    First time I genuinely LOLed at a post in a while.

    Prog vs morriss sounds good but I'll wait 'til it's on sale. ;)

  • morriss #97 2 years ago

    @Pret: You quote me saying that I want immersion and feeling part of a world and then go on to say I never said why I didn't like it and was trolling.

    You're mad.

  • morriss #98 2 years ago

    "Well, perhaps you could say something like, "You know, I don't like these Mario games anymore but its great to see Nintendo are still putting quality time/design into them. More power to those that enjoy them".

    See? "

    Urgh, that's far too reasonable and non-confrontational. Urgh.

  • Retroid #99 2 years ago

    Might I suggest you two get a room (in other words, perhaps take the issue to PM)?

  • onyxbox #100 2 years ago

    Nintendo have understood this type of game's mechanic better than any other developer out there and time and time again they show everyone how this type of game should be done.

    The level design is second to none and I'm sure it takes real effort, dedication and stamina to produce so much design.

    Can't wait :)

  • webcider #101 2 years ago

    I must say i wish more people in the gaming industry followed Nintendos philosophy in Gaming designs because if there ever was a game design that had to be rated 10/10 it would come from Nintendo. Basicly through there philosophy of designing a interactive world that plays. Can be played in the world, instead of pretty landscapes with zero interaction. they give every or nearly every single object a meaning in the world. Which is how you design a great game Developers please take note and stop making those poorly interactive experiences and learn from the masters who have mastered this skill since the early 1980.

    I don't like Nintendos way of remaking their universes but i got huge respect for their game designs and how the games actually feel when you play them. So im sure Super Mario Galaxy 2 is just as fun if not more. A well deserved review.
    I think personally every journalist not rating this game 10/10 is a utter fag this is the closest you get to a pure game experience now a days. alone the Drill mechanic is one of the most incredible thought out mechanics used in a platform game. trolls mentioning Ratchet and Clank clearly misses the point. I think Ratchet And clank A Crack in Time is quite good but its very low leveled compared to Super Mario Galaxy even though it was the most innovative Ratchet and Clank game it didn't hold the same power in Interaction as Super Mario Galaxy 2 does with the Drill Mechanic. Because the drill mechanic is a play tool Ratchet and Clanks innovative sections didn't left much to play but a whole lot to trial and error. Thats because its easier to design a game you know players can't fuck up with. Its easier to play test and its easier to balance. Super Mario Galaxy has some mechanics that lets you play around having fun with it. This is something that is really missing from Todays games. i hope what i wrote made sense to some and have a good evening.
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 12:26

  • mingster #102 2 years ago

    Yup man up or stfu.
    This game really is a shining star.
    Btw it's not a dumbed down experience.
    It is made easier by the fact the game completes the level for you if you want it once dieing too many times.
    But a actually appreciated that as i find one boss level too hard and started to get annoyed not being able to complete it.
    In Galaxy 1 that's when i probably would have given up and got bored. At least now i get to carry on and see more new levels.
    It's a good thing allowing people to not get frustrated.

  • mingster #103 2 years ago

    I agree the drill levels are absolute genius.

  • Stompy #104 2 years ago

    Is morriss some kind of diversionary tactic by EG to stop us complaining about the scores they give games? Surely he's got to be on the payroll simply to post so very much. And who else would have anything to gain by walking the finest line between 'tedious but relevant opinion' and 'out-and-out-troll'? (Because he isn't a troll, but he does put things across in a way that might fool the uninitiated).

    Back to the real controversy - HOW DARE MARIO WAKE ONLY GET 10 / 7.

  • Sonic_D #105 2 years ago

    I didn't get to play Galaxy 1 due to my Wii not working. Should I just play Galaxy 2 now, or is it worth me playing 1 first?

  • Segnit #106 2 years ago

    Did no one get the clever reference to Lost? XD

  • menage #107 2 years ago

    Damn, I need to pick up a cheap Wii with MG1+2 at one point.

  • secombe #108 2 years ago

    Did no one get the clever reference to Lost?

    No, we all stopped watching in 2005. The world has moved on, we now all watch Flash Forw...oh, wait...

  • Segnit #109 2 years ago

    "No" - I guess I was the only one then!

    I so can't wait for Galaxy 2!

  • RedSparrows #110 2 years ago

    'As much as I have my own reservations about the big N and the Wii, you have got to admit when it comes to the bread and butter of making games they are a class act. '

    This. I love Nintendo games. I just don't want to buy a Wii just for them ;(

  • Rubarack #111 2 years ago

    It's almost impossible to overrate Galaxy and entirely impossible to overrate it in any meaningful way. The original was a classic and I've little doubt this deserves a 10. But there's still an annoying level of Nintendo bias in this review. Could any other developer receive praise for having levels lifted verbatim from it's immediate prequel? Or have the outrageous claim that a simple modifier doubles the length of the game?

    Galaxy 2 doesn't need these favours, so please be honest and don't insult it by giving it them.

    Edit: Oh and Sonic_D, play Galaxy 1, it's a cast iron classic. Just be careful, if you rush through it too quickly the weeks before Galaxy 2 will seem interminable.
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 13:04

  • smirny #112 2 years ago

    i (assume it was a dream last night) that they we're bringing SMG2 to 360 with natal support...

  • mingster #113 2 years ago

    I personally wouldn't bother playing SMG1 (if you haven't played it before) and just wait for 2.

  • dfunked #114 2 years ago

    I have to say, it's refreshing to have a review a few weeks before release rather than the usual day before embargo bullcrap...

  • Stuz359 #115 2 years ago

    It'sd weird, the same people complaing that Alan Wakes score was too low are moaning that this is scored too highly. At the time, the used matacritic as 'proof' that EG's score was wrong. So heres SMG2 on Metacritic for you:

    http://ww w.metacritic.com/games/platform...

  • GamesConnoisseur #116 2 years ago

    I have long stuck to Nintendo 64 and Gamecube despite lack of third party games, but despite negged in my earlier point, that doesnt change my position on Wii which is nearly irrelvant as gaming platform for me, due to the library sinking under shovelwares or low res imitiations of the purer gaming on the rival platforms.

    That doesnt change the fact that SMG2 (and earlier version), is indeed a gaming nirvana that ONLY can be played on Wii, so if a gamer only had SMG2 and a handful of games then the gamer would be indeed stated with the best possible games.

    The review and high praises should only focus deservingly on this particular game, the arguments in this thread only goes to show that the background gaming landscape that Nintendo had allowed Wii to be position in does unfortunately influences us.

    Well done to Nintendo, but to more than just momentarily recapture the love of the fans (ie months), you need to keep producing the hard stuff on a regular basis.

  • MDL199 #117 2 years ago

    I've never have and never will enjoy a Mario game they simply bore me to tears like most cutesy Ninty games.

  • malmer #118 2 years ago

    How come a game like this is immune for critisism of the story? I mean fun factor is one thing, but how come other games that nail the fun part get downgraded due to lacking story, but not this game?

  • dr_faulk #119 2 years ago

    Dare I say it.... "2010: Year of the Wii" !?

  • asphaltcowboy #120 2 years ago

    Splendiferous!

  • Luckyjim #121 2 years ago

    Nintendo, at their best, are like the gaming equivalent of Studio Ghibli or Pixar. They seem to be in their own little hermetically sealed world. They don't chase the zeitgeist or aspire to some cinematic experience. They make games that actually are games. The sheer joy of the their games (and I reiterate: when they're at their best) is the imagination, level design, universal appeal and gameplay.

    I recently bought Red Dead Redemption. I enjoy it. In fact, in parts, it's absolutely brilliant. But once I've got over the viceralism of the Euphoria engine and the beauty of the game's open expanse, what I'm left with is GTA's clunky gameplay mechanic, repetitive missions and schizophrenic characterisation.

    I think what I'm trying to say is Nintendo, probably more than any other development house, actually understand what makes a game a "game".

  • shen #122 2 years ago

    Superb. I can understand people being put of by the Mario brand to an extent. All I can say to you is give galaxy 1 or 2 a try for 10 minutes. The care and inventiveness shown in Galaxy 1 made each level a genuine joy. Mario is for kids, but don't let them have all the fun.

  • spiritsnake #123 2 years ago

    aww cmon you nintendogs,you little girlie fanboys have much more potential, cmon how can you just neg my previous post here a -22??? i was expecting much more enthusiasm,im gona lose a bet guys..ow sorry girls and little children.
    im sure you have alot of time in ur pathetic lives to give me some negs,seeing as you dont have any friends or relationships to occupy that time.
    on a serious note,i might just buy the wii this august when im on vacation,ive missed mario since my childhood days.
    ow yea dont forget to neg me please!!!

  • tnt_2008smum #124 2 years ago

    While I am not a big fan of the Wii I am a huge fan of Nintendo and this is a prime example of what they do best.

    I would personally prefer no motion control but when a game is as good as this seems to be (going by reviews and SMG1) then it’s hard to complain too much.

    On a side note, could we all just accept that different people like different games and give the fanboy stuff a rest for a bit.

    I don’t know why but I feel that this game deserves better than the usual bickering. Let this comment section be the one to show all the others how it’s done (a bit like the game itself really).

  • Luckyjim #125 2 years ago

    @ Spiritsnake

    Maybe it's because they think you write like a retard.

    Remember, good sir, clarity of grammar is clarity of mind.

  • Vanmunt #126 2 years ago

    Fell out of love with Ninty after day one purchase of Game Cube... felt like a fool waiting for a blind date that never showed up.

  • Silvergun-Blue #127 2 years ago

    Who needs achievements/trophies when you have stars to collect?

    spot on control, razor sharp level design and genius gameplay mechanics. All the things I believe to be the foundation of any truly great computer game. Add beautiful graphics and a stunning soundtrack and it really does seem that Galaxy 2 doesn't put a single foot wrong.

    I seriously cannot wait for this.

  • fuzzyspud #128 2 years ago

    This sounds uber-good. I must confess that Sunshine put me off a wee bit - maybe i didn't give it enough of a chance. But then i played Galaxy, and the old Mario formula just felt right again. I haven't had so much fun with a Mario game since bouncing about like a madman in Giant Land in SMB3.

    Needless to say, this is well getting bought. Mint!

  • macmurphy #129 2 years ago

    I normally gob off and whine about the Wii, and I was a day one purchaser who's sat through three years of drought and intermittent shite.

    But if you go out and buy one now you can play, Galaxy, Twiglight Princess, Smash Bros, Mariokart, Monster Hunter, Prime Trilogy, Zack and Wiki, World of Goo, Resi 4, hundreds of VC titles - about 20 of which are hands down classics. There's loads of other great stuff out there to cater to personal tastes. You're also getting the chance to raid the formiddable gamecube catalogue - Pikmin 2, F Zero X, Monkey Ball, Viewtiful Joe, etc. That's even without the more casual titles like Wii Sport/Wii Play/ Let's Dance that will light up your living room at parties. It's been a long slow grind, but Ninty are getting back on the horse aided by some great third party titles. Can't wait to buy Sin and Punishment and Cave Story.

    It seems some people don't get the Nintendo magic and that's fine. There's a Thomas Aquinas quote

    'To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.'

    But for those who do get it, Galaxy remains one of the best titles of this, or any, generation. I got it for Christmas and it's one of the few games that reminds me of the feeling games gave me when I was a kid - unbridled joy and the thrill of play and discovery. It made Christmas feel that little bit more like Christmas, and when Nintendo get it right that pretty much sums up what they do.

    Jokes aside, my Xbox has been getting all the play. But monster Hunter Tri was first class, and after Sin and Punishment there is a new Metroid to look forward to. Hopefully there will be some big announcements at E3. Shigsy has confrimed Pikmin 3 and I don't see how it can go unshown for another year. There's also the new Zelda, and I'm still crossing my fingers for a Pilotwings update.

    I would suggest to all the jaded Nintendo fans that sold their Wii's that they get back on Ebay. Christmas is coming early this year.




    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 14:19

  • CaptainTrips #130 2 years ago

    Fuck yes! The original SMG is the best game of this console generation for me. So excited for this! :D

  • TonyHarrison #131 2 years ago

    It's amazing, Wii consoles out there seem to be at their dustiest whenever there's a game released with high praises from the critics. It's a truly bizarre phenomenon.

    Great review, cannot wait for this game.
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 14:52

  • messiahtj #132 2 years ago

    "What happened to all my free time and money? :( "

    Quit gaming and stop complaining like a little bitch :)

    Oh, btw, I´m buying this game.

  • Toonster #133 2 years ago

    Oh dear, now I have to dust off that Wii... er... that I sold... and, now that I think about it, never bought in the first place.





    JK I'M FOOKING EXCITED!!! :D

    More Mario Galaxy please!

  • varsas #134 2 years ago

    @malmer: Do you criticise football and racing games for lack of story?

  • jambo74 #135 2 years ago

    @Telepathic.Geometry

    Bet a pair of suspenders otherwise...

  • chrisjm #136 2 years ago

    NINTENDO sixty-fooooouuuuur kid would be wetting himself

  • FenderMaster #137 2 years ago

    i can't believe I'm actually anticipating another Wii game, thought I was done with the Wii, time to charge up those AA batteries for the Wii remote, then wait a painful 2 weks for the games release :(

  • abot #138 2 years ago

    So better than Alan Wake then ;)

  • monkfishjoe #139 2 years ago

    Yip, yippidy, Yahooooooo!

    Can't. Wait.

  • electrolite #140 2 years ago

    So in the last 6 months the Wii's had NSMB, Sin + Punishment 2, No More Heroes 2, Red Steel 2, Silent Hill, Rune Factory Frontier, Tatsunoko vs Capcom, and now this and Trauma Team?

    Well, I'm glad I listened to the constant "it's shit, it's a fad" screeching....

  • Climhazzard #141 2 years ago

    First great game for the Wii in ages, still need to finish the first one though. Havnt touched my wii for nigh on two years :S

  • malmer #142 2 years ago

    @varsas: In a way I do. I never play them because they are boring due to the lack of narrative or mystery. Feels pointless to simply drive around trying to beat a time so just to unlock a new car.

    Which is why SMG2 is not a game for me, which in turn is why I simply should had shut up in the first place. :-)
    Maybe I'm just a little disturbed by the awful review of Alan Wake, a game which is in my view is a master-piece.

    Oops...shutting up now... :-)
    Edited by 1 at 24/05/10 @ 23:52

  • Aradiel #143 2 years ago

    It's interesting how many people criticise Nintendo for the quality of games they didn't make (i.e. all of the shovelware)

  • kingcam07 #144 2 years ago

    No interest in this game for me really. I played the first one at a friends house and found it boring. I've never really liked any of the 3D mario games really. New Super Mario Bros. Wii was a blast though.

  • KDR_11k #145 2 years ago

    So this gets 10 out of 10 for being "more of the same" as the first game was marvellous, but things like Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time get 7 out of 10 because its "more of the same" even though it was following the same forumla, i.e. if it ain't broke, don't fix it?

    Often a game said to be "more of the same" failed to identify what "the same" actually is. Galaxy 1 was defined by surprising you with new ideas all the time, it's not about the gravity mechanic. If Galaxy 2 just rehashed the ideas of Galaxy 1 it would be more of the "same" from a content perspective but it would not give players the same feeling because "more of the same" would properly mean not reusing anything and making everything new. A sequel must deliver the same feeling, not the same content.

  • smelly #146 2 years ago

    Interesting about the "more of the same" comments. No-one (well apart from me) seems to be bothered by all the carbon copy space marine shooting games which are all "more of the same".

  • smelly #147 2 years ago

    Also - who the hell PLAYS a GAME just for it's story?

    If you need a story to make a game interesting - it says a lot about how fun the actual game is doesnt it?

    (maybe i'm just getting old?)

    Maybe it's a good job i no longer make games for a living?

    Edited by 1 at 25/05/10 @ 18:54

  • Acrid #148 2 years ago

    10/10 ? Fucking disgrace! Should be 11/10

  • smelly #149 2 years ago

    52 stars in and loving every minute of it.

    EDIT: In other news, i rented, completed, and returned red dead redemption. It was okay.. not really much of a challenge or anything, gameplay wasnt up to much. Only kept me playing for the story (which ended on a whimper)
    Edited by 1 at 26/05/10 @ 17:45

  • Kostas #150 2 years ago

    This is the kind of game i still have my Wii. It does not hurt that several other gems came about which made me feel the Wii was a good investment after all. This goes in my collection no doubt and i do have a good collection with Wii games so far. Out of my PS3, PC, DS and Wii i must say that the last year was Wii's year (apart Demon's Souls on PS3 which i devoured) when it comes to total hours spent on games. Totally worth it too.

  • Lamb #151 2 years ago

    WAHOOO!!!! Sweet looks awesome. Must check back on the original and make sure I get all the stars. The twirly flower glide thru the air level was a bit of a stumper for me.

  • mingster #152 2 years ago

    AT the moment its the highest rated game ever on metacritic and gamerankings. Well deserved too.

  • macmurphy #153 2 years ago

    I just got the last 20 stars on Galaxy in time for the realease tomorrow and it reminded me of why I'm so excited for number two. I thought the last twenty would be mostly ball breaking purple coin shockers.

    Baring a couple (that Mario meet Mario purple coin collection made me swear a lot) the last twenty were a joy to play, I found myself getting the first ten at a rate of knots and having to drag myself away to go to bed. Completing the first sixty was great fun a and the quality neaver really dipped for all of them. I even liked the tough ones because it gave you a sense of accomplishment.

    I've ended up putting more hours into things like COD and Halo for the multiplayer, but as regards the quality of experience this was the best game of the generation for me by a country mile. If number 2 is half as good I'll be a happy gamer.

  • Les #154 2 years ago

    If Nintendo games would ever come down in price like on the competing consoles, I'd probably had played lots of them. But I never buy games at full price, let alone 3 years after release... :(

    Btw, the interview was a great read thanks to the Reader functionality of Safari 5. Hope pretty soon all browsers will offer this functionality. 17 years after its creation, the internet has become readable... ;)

  • Mashum #155 2 years ago

    @les (also the name of a classic techno tune)

    ...some really are worth the price, I think SMG1 is about £30, or £20 second hand but it represents hours and hours of fun. I'll tell you what, I'll put Safari back on the dock if you'll at least think about it :)

  • happydays12 #156 1 year ago

    ok well idk if i should get this game because i kinda maxed out SMG1 and after that ive kinda been stickin around with the xbox360 so is SMG2 worth getin even though youve beatin SMG1???