Super Mario Galaxy

Platform: Wii Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo Publisher: Nintendo NA Release date: Nov. 12, 2007 Genre: Platformer Media: Optical Wii Disc

History:

Super Mario Galaxy was in development for about seven years before it was available. Production started around the time Nintendo finished up Donkey Kong Jungle Beat in late 2004. It was first shown to the public at E3 in 2006. After some delays, it was finally released in North America on November 12, 2007.

Gameplay:

In the game, the player controls Mario as he travels through outer space trying to find Princess Peach and rescue her from Bowser. The Levels are made up of galaxies that each have planetoids. Mario collects Power Stars by finishing puzzles and tasks and defeating certain enemies. As more Power Stars are collected, more galaxies open up to the player. What’s different about this Mario game is that each level is on a three-dimensional planet, allowing Mario to run freely while rotating around the level with some two-dimensional restrictions in certain areas. While playing on planetoids, comets can fall which add additional tasks to the gameplay.

Gameplay feels similar to how it did in 3D Mario games of the past. When traveling around levels, Mario can lose health when bumping into enemies. Coins act as health and help fill Mario’s meter. Although normally only 3 units, Mario’s health cars can be expanded to six units when Mario collects a Life Mushroom. In addition to the single player game, a two-player mode has been added called Co-Star Mode where players work together to shoot enemies.

Review:

As with most Wii games, the Wii-mote adds a great level of fun. Early on in the game, Mario earns a spin technique that is used by shaking the controller. The graphics look colorful and vibrant and control feels good during gameplay. The teamwork needed in two-player mode adds fun also, although it’s not very challenging. Super Mario Galaxy has sold very well and is currently one of the best-selling standalone Wii games.