I did not enjoy Nintendo's press "booth tour." Not one little bit. I never suspected for a second that they'd use the occasion to unveil anything radically new, but surely they could have done better than to spend the best part of an hour trying to find new ways of saying "We sold a shed-load of Brain Training this year." By the end of it, I was so bored that I had to check my press pass before I could remember where I was and what I was doing there, and I had a warm, wet feeling in my ears which I suspect was a sign that a small part of my brain had melted. And don't even get me started on their tactic of padding proceedings by twenty minutes by wheeling out the German memory champion to teach us how to remember things more efficiently. Because you know, she's played Brain Training once or twice too, so it's relevant.
Staggering out of that blue and white curtained den of misery a devastated man, I knew there was only one way I could save this. There was one little guy who'd always been there for me in times of need and always managed to put a smile of head-dividing proportions on my face no matter how dark the world looked. I had an insane desire to play Super Mario Galaxy already. I'd had it for months. But things had moved on after the tour. I needed to play it.
So I went back the next day, press pass brandished, and headed back-stage. Did Mario work his magic? Of course he did. And he worked some magic Nintendo didn't want me to see too. Hit the jump for the details.
I'll get one thing out of the way right now -- this preview is going to be a failure. I like to think of myself as having a pretty deadly grasp of vocabulary, and I know I've got a fairly evocative turn of phrase when I turn it on, but I'm just not going to get across to you the effect Super Mario Galaxy has had on me this week. I've been back three times, and it still it just keeps getting better, and making me feel things I haven't felt since I was a kid every single time I play it. I was expecting it to be better than the disappointing Super Mario Sunshine, which looked good but lacked the true soul of a Mario game, but there was no way I could ever have been ready for any of this.
You know when you're next in line for a game you've wanted to play for a long time, and you can concentrate on nothing but how fast the seconds are ticking? How close the guy before you is to his last life, and your overwhelming need for him to spontaneously die of a freak accident, thereby making it your go? You don't get any of that with Super Mario Galaxy, because you're so enthralled with the utter wonder and invention of what's going on on screen that you can't possibly be in anything other than a glorious mood. Yeah, the guy in front of you in the line (or on the bean bags in my case) is doing it all, but the glaze of childish glee across your eyes is so thick, the giggles escaping from your mouth so frequent, and the sheer sense that you're witnessing something beautiful so great that you really don't mind at all. And besides, soon you will get to play it...
Super Mario Galaxy isn't just better than Sunshine. It isn't just really good, or merely brilliant. It is one of those genre-defining games that we're fortunate enough to witness every so often, which kick the entire industry up the ass, make it clear just how badly everyone else has been slacking without even realizing it, and eventually improve videogames for all of us. It's one of those rare games which has nothing it can be compared to, and like Super Mario Bros. 3 before it, consistently boggles you with its seemingly effortless breaking of ground while simultaneously making you wonder why we couldn't have always had things this good.
The first level I tried was the space level Chad described in his E3 report. Playing with the multi-directional gravity of the spherical "platforms" is an stunning experience, so different to and more fresh than anything you'll have played before as to feel almost like a whole new genre. For a while you'll forget the freedom you have, and take the (few) flat platforms you come across at face value, running along until you reach an enemy or have to jump to the next one, as has been the only way for years. But then you'll remember, and in one brilliant, exhilarating moment you'll take the plunge, do the previously unthinkable, and run over the edge in a platforming game. And you'll survive spectacularly as Mario runs down the side and then flips around underneath, before the entire game world swings around to reveal a whole new realm beneath.
Every detail in Super Mario Galaxy seems to have been designed to make you whoop with delight. From the shimmering, vibrantly-colored incandescence draped over everything, to the new dimension added by the (very easy to do) star throwing, to the centrepiece of that particular level, swinging from star to star with the brilliantly springy interia of a Wii remote-aimed light beam, the game is a masterclass of the kind of fantastic, imaginative, and untamably fun details Miyamoto throws into his best games. Indeed, it's very likely that it's the best example yet of what makes Miyamoto so great, and it's the best cure I can think of for anyone who's lost their enthusiasm for videogames.
I avoided the bee level as Chad has already detailed it for you before, and moved onto the one with that Piranha Plant boss you've probably seen. You know, the massive one. Even right at the (seemingly) simple beginning I found myself beaming. It was joy enough to be simply jumping around the lush space garden environment, stomping on Goombas and admiring the the velvety sky above and below, but when I decided to go down a pipe, heard the traditional noise, and then had the whole process subverted by popping out on the other side and having the gravity flipped, I nearly dropped the Wii remote and punched the air. It's not only outdoors that Super Mario Galaxy's belligerent distaste for the concept of "up" comes into play either. That level contains a bonus room with gravity on every wall, allowing Mario to run around all six sides as if they were the floor as long as he can find an interconnecting ramp to make the transition. I won't spoil things by detailing the boss fight, but needless to say it's a breathtaking and hilarious spectacle through and through.
Now though, I have to go back and explain that last part of the introduction to this post. Yesterday I was sitting around and enjoying the game with a journalist from Germany when he tipped me off on a little secret he'd cracked. You see while the menu at the beginning of the game lists four available levels, the disc actually contains six, the last two of which Nintendo have been keeping quiet for a later preview. However, they can be unlocked right now if you know the right trick, and that's exactly what I did today. When I got my go on the game, I quietly inputted the correct commands (I won't spoil the mystery by telling you exactly how to do it, but it's in no way difficult with a bit of experimentation), and lo and behold found the level list immediately expanded.
The first new level is the stony one briefly glimpsed in some of the recent screen shots, and consists of a long gray path winding around on itself in a tube formation. The star is at the end, and Mario has to make his way right along, corkscrewing over and over countless times before he reaches his goal. The pathway is populated by huge Thwomps (I love the way all of the traditional Mario bad guys are back) and some new hollow ones which flip and roll like the metal boxes in Super Mario 64's Dry Dry Desert. What really makes this level a killer and an absolute joy though is that jumping to avoid sections of the path is largely prohibited, with carefully timed running the only way through. The reason? There's a glowing beam of light running down the core of the "tube" which has a strong gravitational pull and leads to a black hole at one end. If Mario finds himself over it without a platform between them, he'll be pulled down and zipped along the beam to the end in seconds. Evil, but very cool.
The second hidden level, I only got to play briefly. It was called Cookie Factory, and again was one you might have seen shots of. It begins with Mario having to move between two distant platforms, the in between area taken up with a thin one filled with variously shaped holes which scrolls against the direction he has to move in. It looks simple, but is surprisingly fiendish, the holes giving very little room for maneuver, and the decision of whether to jump over or run around always a constant worry.
I made it about halfway across when I received a tap on the shoulder from a press-area helper who informed me that "Nintendo don't want you to see that part yet." It was a little amusing given that another employee had been standing watching me complete the Thwomp level only a few minutes earlier, and had even offered advice with Cookie Factory, but I obliged his request to reset the machine and moved on. He didn't ask me not to write about it or try to make me sign anything, and I was happy and feeling rather blessed to have seen some very cool stuff that I hadn't even known existed a couple of days ago. By the end of that third play, Super Mario Galaxy had made my GC, so I took his instruction amiably and floated out of the press-area with a big goofy grin on my face.
By the way, did I mention that I'm sure the level that got me busted used music from Super Mario Bros. 3? Good times my friends, good times...
Contest:
2:28 PM on 08.26.2007
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It's also funny how all the previewers hated the nintendo e3 press conference then came in their pants when they played mario galaxy.
Other than sunshine what tride and true formula has Mario ever followed? Every game has pretty much reinvented what Mario is. One was nothing like two, one and two were nothing like three, etc., etc. Just because it was the same character doesn't mean gameplay was at all the same. Innovation can come with the same face.
I'll be waiting in line for this one, too ;)
As for this gam: "Wii would like to play."
@Action Bastard: Growing up does not mean hating fun games.
Games like Mario Galaxy and Bioshock should be supported and purchased by all gamers, thankfully they always are.
I dunno. I just feel like every Mario game has you jumping on heads or tossing fireballs or whatever. Either in 2-D or 3-D they all seem the same to me. Even the off shoots like the Yoshi, Wario, and Princess Peach games seem to just be derivatives of the same formula. Different costumes simply don't cut it in my opinion.
But, as I said, I do believe that this title is breathing a lot of fresh air into a series that I myself was not interested in. I had simply become more enamored with different platforming titles. There is nothing wrong with a little bit of opinion now and then, whether you agree or not.
I know it won't be branched out to any other systems...and god help us if nintendo ever decides to go to software publishing only (just look at what happened to Sega).
I'm just saying that on a few of the next gen systems, they're at least TRYING to branch out into NEW IPs. Instead of yet another rehash of the same old mechanics. Yeah you got Mario, he'll probably be trying to rescue the princess, it'll involve running, jumping and so on and so forth. I'm not a hater, I know that I'll end up picking up the game but the hype is misplaced.
As for them printing money, yup they sure are, just look at the market that is picking up the Wii. You have your hardcore gamers, then you have the "CASUAL" gamers which make up the largest section of the Wii-munity now.
This is also causing our beloved game companies to re-direct their profits into making MORE casual-friendly games, instead of the awesome blockbusting games that we get whipped into a frenzy over. Want an example? Look at the god-damned Mario Party games, how many are they up to now? I do agree with you man, but what Nintendo is doing has me worried.
I know that they are all soul-less corporations who only have the interest of making profits and keeping their shareholders happy. It just makes me sad that Nintendo is putting a smiley face on the downfall of the hardcore gamer.
i will discard of the lil eyesore as soon as I'm done with Mario seeing as how each system only gets one
Also, how are some of you living without souls? I mean - BEE MARIO, you fucking robots.
Only a handful of games do that to me and Galaxy is seeming like this will be one of those titles, where in 10 years or so I look back and say "those were the days."
Nintendo's recent change in direction has actually put them back on track to what they use to be, check out all Nintendo projects from decades ago and you will see a consistent train of thought - innovations and experimentations in human interface - Nintendo haven't changed nor have they decided to neglect the hardcore gamer, it is the industry that has changed, its tastes and trends, Nintendo are the same wacky company that released the Power Glove all those years ago, in fact the Wii is the final streamlined version of all their previous experiements.
I think if people thought of Nintendo as a human interface company instead of a conventional videogame company, it would help them have a greater understanding of where they are coming from, because so many people have got it wrong.
I don't want this to start a flame war, and I sure as hell don't want any enemies on this board but its really harsh to say that I am "wrong".
*ahem*
Nintendo has been around for well over a 100 years and when they started out, they were a "card game" company...see below
Their first dabblings into "video games" were in 1978 when they made a computer game version of Othello.
They might be all about human interface now, but for the time 1978, they just wanted a share of what other companies had...arcade games.
Further back, Nintendo even tried to open "love-hotels". It is exactly what it sounds like. I don't see much about human interface in most of the company's history. But then again, i'm wrong...
"Instead of yet another rehash of the same old mechanics. Yeah you got Mario, he'll probably be trying to rescue the princess, it'll involve running, jumping and so on and so forth."
If you want a game that does not involve running, jumping, and all that crazy game mechanics, I suggest you look into other genres besides the platformer-action-adventure. Besides.... BEE MARIO!
"You have your hardcore gamers, then you have the "CASUAL" gamers which make up the largest section of the Wii-munity now."
First, I'd like to see any sources of information to back up that claim. Second, how does one differentiate between 'hardcore' and 'casual' gamer?
I didn't state my belief in anything, just asking for some numbers on it. And I'm still not buying the whole 'casual' vs. 'hardcore' gamer thing either. The definition is too fuzzy, and no one has put forth a thoughtful explanation. I have my own thoughts on the subject, but I'm waiting.
I'm also not prepared to get into an argument, all I can say is that people need to some research into what a game actually is, believe it or not, playing cards represent the ideal dialogue between human and engaging interface, that cycle is fundamentally no different to a player operating a gamepad.
Look, I just love playing devils advocate, I love just throwing out questions to people who seem so sure about something but are not as right as they think they are.
A few examples of hardcore games: Mega Man 1, 2 and 3; Contra; Ikaruga; Alien Hominid; Street Fighter 3: Third Strike; and King of Fighters.
As for the Wii being for casual gamers - This is the new "Nintendo is teh kiddy." It's a short sided comment made by people who play video games to justify some shortcoming. I'm definitely a hardcore gamer and the Wii is the only next-gen console I own. There are some good games on it - Metal Slug Anthology, Zelda, Elebits, Excite Truck and Wii Sports - and tons of good games on the way. Mercury Meltdown, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core, Super Mario Galaxies, Blast Works, Super Smash Bros., Metroid (if you like FPS games) to name a few. The Virtual Console is providing access to some very hard-to-find retro games and the NeoGeo, the most hardocre console of all time, is coming to the VC soon. So, I think that proves the Wii is more than a casual console.
Neither the 360 or the PS3 have any games that interest me yet. Those consoles are really just gaming PCs, whivh offer nothing new to the consumer.
I totally agree with your view on hardcore games and I've never understood why halo games (in my view most FPS games)have been labeled hardcore when they are very straight forward easy to complete games, i see hardcore games as being games that you need to invest a whole lot of time to and that just isn't the case with most FPS games today, take The Darkness that can be completed in one sitting.
Nintendo has a massive back catalog of what i would consider hardcore games,
I'd label Mario 64, donkey kong 64 and Banjo Kazooie under hardcore, and i totally agree with the inclusion of SF3 3rd strike and king of the fighters (I'm still trying to unlock Gill :D).
As for Ikaruga that game goes beyond hardcore.
Most games now seem to lack in play time most people that have traded in the Darkness have complained about it being too short and i can say the same about Crackdown,i feel that the makers of these games need to focus more on last ability and gameplay rather than graphics i think graphics have got to a decent stage now where developers can just concentrate on making a decent game And not just another FPS or 3rdPS.
It annoys me to read about fully destructible environments when it really adds nothing to the game, that's why i enjoy the destructible environments in Stranglehold because they serve a purpose at certain points of the game.
The Hardcore/Casual gamer and game labeling needs to stop, if i sit and play Call of Duty or Rainbow 6 3-5 hours a day I'd be a hardcore gamer but if i were to play 3-5 hrs a day of Trauma Centre, mario sunshine, mario 64, viva pinata and so on I'd just be a casual gamer just because of the style of game, that doesn't make sense.
I'd label someone a casual gamer if they only played a game on the odd occasion.
I'd label myself as a guy that loves ans plays games but I'd enjoy to get more games that are actually worth the price tag, something I'm not seeing in most of todays games.
Well that's me said my piece time to get some practice in on Capcom Vs SNK, i have a high score to beat later on today :D when the shop that has the arcade machine opens (i know I'm SAD but that's why i helped install it so i could play it:D )
The'MOD
That Xbox and PS3 are teh PC's comment is getting tiresome, there's plenty of exclusive content on it and some of the better PC games without having to fork over 600 dollars to upgrade your PC and still have to deal with bugs, glitches and crashes.
And this game indeed looks good but I don't feel like buying a Wii for just a single game, no matter how amazing it might be. The 64 and GC had a handful of decent titles, the wii looks like it will be no different, I'll just wait till the console is on its way out then buy it along with its best titles, that way I feel like I didn't waste my money like I did with the cube and the 64.
At the very least, one of Nintendo's core franchises is actually evolving into something different, hopefully Zelda will be next as TP was boring and stale as hell.
Halo is not hardcore.
"It is hardcore by its multi-player and the elitist following."
I find this statement incorrect for many reasons. First of all, your assumption that multi-player makes a game hardcore causes me to think that you, yourself, are a big Halo fan, and that because of your love for the game you feel that one of Halo's selling points is a defining factor of whether or not a game can be deemed hardcore.
I assure you, there were plenty of hardcore games before Xbox Live came around, and none of them had multi-player. And dismissing older titles simply because they're old, certainly doesn't make for a compelling argument. Not only that, but Raymod is correct: games used to be called hardcore titles when they were, ya know, hard.
As far as your second requirement of an elitist following, allow me to offer up Dance Dance Revolution. DDR has a fierce elitist following that far outstrips the one for Halo, but is rarely, if ever, referred to as a hardcore game. Also, saying that a game is hardcore because it has an elitist following can allow quite a few games to be termed hardcore.
Phoenix Wright, anybody? How about Smash Bros.? Starcraft?
Anyway, if you want to refer to yourself as a hardcore fan of something, go right ahead. You can call yourself a hardcore fan of peanut butter for all I care, but it won't change the fact that peanut butter is far from hardcore (except for extra crunchy, that shit is dope).
My point is, that while it may be true that the Halo community has inadvertently usurped the definition of the word hardcore to represent their own fanatic love of the game, calling Halo hardcore is more of a self-congratulatory gesture then a statement of fact.
In other, more direct words, only people that play Halo call Halo hardcore. The remaining majority of the gaming world just refers to you as Halo fans. But since there are so many of you, and since you feel the need to tell yourselves incessantly that you're hardcore, the re-branding of the word has caught on, much to the dismay of the rest of us.
One more thing, if you think that you're hardcore by playing FPSs, then I hope that that you're at least playing them on a PC. You know, that platform that has had FPSs online for, oh, about 14 years.
The crowd most people are currently referring to as "casual" (those who might only touch Brain Age, Bejewelled, or Nintendogs) I think are better labeled as "non-gamers."
I think everyone here needs to stfuajpg.
Not intending to be arrogant at all, nor am I claiming those titles aren't games. The people I'm describing most likely wouldn't consider themselves gamers either. I enjoy preparing meals for myself and my friends every once in a while, but I wouldn't think to call myself a "cook" because of that. My mom will jump at a chance to play Wii Bowling or Tennis and has wasted time with Brain Age, but she'd laugh if someone suggested that made her a gamer. People can pick up a game now and then without falling into that classification. That's the problem with all this hardcore versus casual nonsense, everyone has a different definition of what that means.