Mario takes on the final frontier in one of his greatest games released.
In Super Mario Galaxy, Peach invites Mario to her castle for the Star Festival, which only happens once every 100 years. While at the festival, however, Bowser attacks with air ships. He captures Peach, again, but lifting her castle into space. Mario happens to be on as it is being lifted up, but gets knocked off and falls into space by a Magikoopa. After he wakes up on a small planet, he meets Rosalina, who controls the Comet Observatory, the comet that passes by during the Star Festival. Her Luma, which are little star-like creatures, gives Mario the ability to spin, which will be helpful in his quest to save the princess. The story is the same, simple story we have known for many years, but it still works here.
SMG's gameplay is similar to Super Mario 64. You have a hub world where you can access all the worlds/levels, in which each level involves you finding a star to finish the level. After a certain number of stars are collected, you will be able to visit new worlds and levels. The worlds in the game are varied between many environments, including a beach, a beehive, and a haunted mansion. The worlds are split into domes (there are a total of 6). Each dome has 4 worlds, and all but the 6th then have a boss world, where you obtain a Grand Star upon completion. There are a total of 121 stars to collect, and once you have 120, Luigi becomes playable. Each Galaxy will contain multiple smaller planets or one larger planets, each with a unique gravitational pull. Some will only allow you to stay on one side of the planet, while others will let you walk around the whole planet. It will take some getting used to the gravity of the planets, but not long. Controls for Mario are simple and similar to Super Mario 64 controls. By doing 3 consecutive jumps in a row, you will be able to triple jump, and crouching and jumping allows you to backflip (if not moving) or long jump (if sliding and crouching). The spin technique (which is used with a quick shake of the Wii Remote) will allow you to defeat enemies or get an extra jump in mid-air. Luigi is the same as Mario, but runs faster, jumps higher, and has lower traction (starts/stops slower). Controls work fine, and you shouldn't have any issues.
As you play through the game, you will run into multiple suits/powers for Mario to use to complete a level. The Bee Suit allows Mario to fly for a short time and climb honey, however he cannot touch water or he loses it. As Boo Mario, Mario can turn invisible, go through certain walls, float, and distract other Boos. Like other common Boos though, he loses his power when he touches light. With a Fire Flower, Mario becomes Fire Mario and can burn things until the power runs out. The Ice Flower makes Mario Ice Mario, where he can freeze water and lava. When Mario is Spring Mario, he can jump higher then normal, but continuously bounces and cannot stand still. The Rainbow Star works the same as a Super Star: Mario becomes invincible. Along with these, there is the 1-Up Mushroom, which gives Mario and extra life, coins, and star bits. Coins heal Mario if he gets hurt, and gives Mario and extra life once he collects 100. Star bits are little sparkling things that are very easy to find. Star bits can used as projectiles once collected by pointing at the screen and pressing B, and give you an extra life once 50 are collected. Star bits are also useful in feeding the hungry Lumas, who will transform into planets (in a world) or a galaxy (in the hub), allowing you to get more stars.
The soundtrack of the game is very amazing. Almost all of it is orchestrated, and just sounds great. There are also many remixes of familiar Mario tunes, including a remix of the Super Mario Bros overworld theme. The graphics are some of the best on the Wii, even now, 3 years after its release. Environments of the planets looks great, and space itself looks stunning. The characters and bosses look good as well. SMG offers a Co-op mode, were a second player can freeze/defeat enemies, collect star bits, and give Mario an extra oomph to his jumps.
PROS:
*Great soundtrack
*Great Graphics
*Suits and powers are fun and work well
*Many worlds and environments
*Good controls
*Gravity works well
*Multiple stars offer alot to do
CONS:
*Story is very simple for those who are bothered by this
*My star bit addiction
Score Breakdown:
*Presentation: Great
*Gameplay: 9.5/10
*Sound/Music: 9.5/10
*Graphics: 9.5/10
*Replay: 9/10
*Story: N/A
Final Score: 9.5
Super Mario Galaxy is a must-have game for any Wii owner and Mario fan.