Super Mario Galaxy

It's that time again where all Nintendo fans rush out to play the newest episode in the Mario saga no matter how weird the premise or gameplay may be. It was hyped as a “reinvention” of the series, while still holding on to the series' platforming roots.

If I could write a review with just one word to describe a game, the word I would use to describe Super Mario Galaxy is “wonderful.”

The story is pretty weak even though it tries to spice things up with a side-story about these little star things and their lady master. Ok, the story is pretty boring and I never paid much attention to it.

The main thing is that Princess Peach is kidnapped once again by Bowser and his kid and Mario has to do stuff for this lady (mainly finish levels to gain stars) in order to be sent to the centre of the universe to save Peach.....Same old, same old.

The controls, on the other hand, are not old at all. I think this game uses the Wii-mote perfectly. All the actions are fluent and the only problem I had some times was trying to pull off Mario's back-flip high jump. It's a small gripe, but all the pointing and clicking mechanisms, gravity switches and regular Mario platforming controls all seem to be tweaked to perfection.

I have to say that this game is neither too easy nor too hard and this probably has to do with the casual audience that Nintendo is trying to tap into with their Wii system. There is enough challenge for us hardcore gamers, but that challenge really doesn't appear until you start getting the last 15 or so coins (out of 120).

Before those who have played the game call me an idiot, I do know that there are 121 total stars in the game. The hardcore players have to complete the game again with all 120 stars with Luigi in order to unlock the secret and final level. I haven't done it yet because one run through getting 120 stars is enough for me for right now.

My only real gripe with the game comes with its lack of using the costumes and power-ups enough.

There are some really neat powers and costumes that you can get during the game (and one that is really cool, but I won't spoil it for those who haven't come close to finishing the game yet), but I find that there are not enough levels or challenges that utilize those findings. This makes me wish the Wii had the option of getting downloadable content in the form of new levels because I can see where Nintendo could capitalize here.

Nintendo has the controls, the level design, the music and the difficulty just right on this one and I do feel that is indeed way better than Super Mario Sunshine.

If you haven't played it and you have a Wii, I have to ask, “what's wrong with you?”