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Super Mario Galaxy touches down in Lindevania [Update: Impressions!] photo

After days (weeks? [months!?]) of painful anticipation, Super Mario Galaxy finally showed up on my doorstep, thanks to a kindly ol' FedEx delivery driver who knew not the bounty of wonder that he carried. Nintendo also sent along the pre-order bonus commemorative coin complete with certificate of authenticity, just in case Chester thinks I'm lying about the game and threatens to fire me for being a dirty fibber. Whoa-ho there, boss -- certificate of authenticity.

Anyhow, this game will likely be eating up the better part of my life until I draw the experience towards a solid conclusion, capping the whole fandango off with a review of Nintendo's flagship release. Look for that in a couple of days. For now: doors have been locked, obligations deftly ignored. Candles lit? Sure, why not. A new Mario platformer is cause for celebration, maybe even self-inflicted public humiliation. But since such antics are pretty much standing orders for a reviews editor, I might as well get this show on the road.

Update: Having dropped a solid three hours on the game and nabbed 16 stars, I've got some thoughts to share. Hit the jump for some Galaxy impressions.

This is, beyond any doubt, the first "next-gen" game that the Wii has seen since it was released almost a year ago. Though still underpowered compared to its bretheren and genre peers like Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction on the PS3, the art style is so breathtaking that you almost forget the platform on which you're playing. The game runs butter-smoov and has a number of tricks up its sleeve that'll really merit some double takes.  

The controls, as I had suspected after giving the game a shot at E3, take some getting used to. The constant shift of perspective mean the player has to keep on his or her toes as to which direction Mario will go when, y'know, you're on the bottom of a planet. For the most part it works, but something about it doesn't feel quite as tight as the controls in Mario 64, owing (I'm assuming) to the complicated gravity swaps and such. Once you get the hang of it, though, swingin' around a planetoid is an absolute gas.

The camera's still got a few flaws, but it's not quite as horrific as it had been in Sunshine. The developers at Nintendo EAD Tokyo employ a scripted camera on certain levels (the more "traditional, larger planets) that follows the action without too much obstruction. It works out well, though I wouldn't mind a wider perspective on some of the levels in which the camera gets a little too close for comfort.

About thirty minutes ago I completed the game's first major boss battle, which alone stands as one of the most fun levels I've ever played in a 3D Mario title. The scope and scale of the fight was epic as hell and though it was a smidge easy, the sense of accomplishment was there. So far, my favorite level has been the Space Junk galaxy, in which Mario must navigate piles of crap drifting through the void. It's a weird, decentralized sort of experience peppered with little planetoids and even an occasional airship bombardment to shake things up, and in no other level thus far have I really gotten so into the whole space element of Mario Galaxy.

And what the hell, the hub world is actually functional, extremely easy on the eyes, and implemented in an unobtrusive way? This isn't the 3D Mario that I know, damnit!

As much as I loved Super Mario 64, in retrospect you have to admit that the game was based on the same handful of activities, repeated over and over in different arenas. Collect the coins, knock the bully off the platform, and so on -- while this certainly isn't to say that this was at all unfun, a few hours into Galaxy you begin to notice just how much crap there is to do. Sure, it's all structured upon those fundamental elements of gameplay, but throughout the galaxies there are so many different places to go and things to do that I'm hard pressed to say that I've done the same thing twice at all since I set out.

In short, my first few hours with Galaxy have been just about the most fun I've had this year. Keep your eyes out for the review proper in a couple of days, once I complete the game.








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34 comments | showing # 1 to 34
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streetmunster's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:03
streetmunster
lucky fuck
Riser Glen's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:03
Riser Glen
Can I come over? I promise, I won't steal it or rape you or anything.
Aaron Linde's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:06
Aaron Linde
Riser, ain't no rape between friends. You know that. Just sweet, sweet.. uh, friendship.
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:06
king3vbo
You lucky son of a bitch. I second Riser's question.
Chad Concelmo's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:09
Chad Concelmo
Chad = extremely jealous. Just know that I am living vicariously through you this weekend. :)
Riser Glen's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:10
Riser Glen
I cherish our friendship. I think about it all night while watching the Lifetime channel.

(Cereally, enjoy the Marios.)
Wheeliedude's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:15
Wheeliedude
UR MR GAY is still there.
ShadowXOR's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:18
ShadowXOR
I feel special...I got this on Wednesday. :) I'm only forty stars in and it just keeps getting better. The game is flat-out amazing. Enjoy. :)
Zarathustra's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:25
Zarathustra
I can't wait to be MR GAY next week...

...when I pick up my copy of Galaxy. *cough*
braulio09's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:30
braulio09
you know, i finished the game 2 nights ago

you're in for some dizzyness at the beginning and then huge amounts of awesomeness. also, as i think you'll agree with me, we need some rule 34 on Rosalina ;D
Fading Star's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:37
Fading Star
Please send me your copy, Linde. Along with your Wii :D. I'll tell everyone how nice you are.
Aaron Linde's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:40
Aaron Linde
You guys aren't kidding. It's disorienting as hell at first, but it's an absolutely gorgeous game, and unbelievably fun to play. I'm 9 stars in, just got to the Space Junk Galaxy, where the music is FUCKING AWESOME.

Holy jesus, when did Mario music go from being just pleasant (or in the case of Yoshi's Island DS, downright miserable) to one of my favorite features of a game?
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:45
Wedge
When they decided made some epic kick ass orchestral stuff? Between this and Brawl, they've really been going all out on the music lately.
braulio09's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 18:46
braulio09
not all the music is as good, but most is. i love how they brought back some SMB3 songs and the underground SMB song. ♥♥♥

and Space Junk Galaxy is actually my favorite galaxy in the game. I loved that it's made of many planets instead of just a BIG planet and some others surrounding it (which is the case in most)

anyways, i don't wanna semi-mini-kinda-spoil the game anymore. just know that ice mario = better than tanooki mario ♥
Chad Concelmo's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 19:02
Chad Concelmo
OMG, Aaron, you are torturing me! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! *gun shot*
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 19:03
Holyetheline
You are the luckiest guy I know right now. OMFG I AM DYING TO PLAY THIS!!!!
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 19:07
Darren Nakamura
Yes, screw you too, Mr. Linde. SCREW YOU.

How many of the kids these days aren't going to get the reference in that video?
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 19:29
Bob Muir
OMG! Free useless coin to put alongside my useless Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire preorder coins!
Joe Burling's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 19:30
Joe Burling
Best cblog ever! Wait, why is this on the front page?
Aaron Linde's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 19:50
Aaron Linde
Glad you asked, you bastard. Refresh shortly and witness: impressions!
bleep's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 21:12
bleep
OMG I can't take it anymore!!!! I NEEDZ TEH MARIOZ NOW!! PLEASE!!!!
DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT DO WANT

pS: Im jealous
ShadowXOR's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 21:27
ShadowXOR
I'm having so much fun with this game. My fiancé is playing right now and just hearing the fantastic music makes me want to slap the controller out of her hand and take over.
emo zema's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 21:48
emo zema
god i hate you right now .
e-Thug's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 21:54
e-Thug
For a bastard who doesn't appreciate Wii......... Nice!
Aaron Linde's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 21:59
Aaron Linde
Hahah, what? I don't appreciate the Wii?
Aaron Linde's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 21:59
Aaron Linde
Hahah, what? I don't appreciate the Wii?
e-Thug's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/09/2007 22:08
e-Thug
Please accept my apologies..... i got confused, i thought you were Jim Sterling.
Quix's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/10/2007 01:04
Quix
So when do we get to hear Sterling talk about how gimmicky Super Mario Galaxy is, and how basically the whole game is a fluke, and wow, look at those lame 480p graphics, and surely this derivative game is the final nail in the Wii's coffin, and the game is nothing more than a straw man for the obvious Wii gaming drought, and 360 FTW, and...

I combed most every retail outlet I could find the past few days, hoping some idiot clerk would have this game out on the shelf early. No such luck.
naia-the-gamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/10/2007 01:45
naia-the-gamer
Man this is going to be the longest weekend ever....

I have to finish Metroid
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/10/2007 02:07
Aaron Mxy Yost
Damn it, want so bad... just a few more days.
chado53's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/10/2007 02:33
chado53
i play this at my job (gamestop) and i must say..it really only took me a minute to feel the sensation i had when i played mario 64. except it's not deja vu. it's just similar but a lot different and very, very refreshing.

Maybe, finally i'll get some playtime out of my wii.
bassbeast's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/10/2007 07:59
bassbeast
I've been playing this puppy since Tuesday (long story) and it seems as though the game gets more creative as it goes along.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS! YE HAVE BEEN WARNED! ***

The Bowser battles at a natural evolution of the Mario 64 ones. I mean, they're similar stylistically to one another (I've had two so far, and the second is simply an expansion of the first, on a very small planet above Bowser's base). Agreed about the music, Aaron. Did you find that as you added more Grand Stars the music in the main hub actually gets re-orchestrated? I just unlocked the Engine Room - current star count is about 35; it'd be higher but I have to work sadly - and the hub's music just got insanely beautiful.

I only have a couple of gripes. The camera is a touch dodgy at times, and the game ERASES ALL THE LIVES I EARNED DURING THAT PLAYTHROUGH. Imagine my frustration of having 32 lives in reserve, only to have them reset to 5. However, considering there are at least 4 1-ups strewn about the overworld that regenerate each time you go there.

As far as gameplay is concerned, it's pure bliss. You can feel like they actually put serious thought and care into it. Mario Sunshine always felt slapdashed to me, and this one just feels... well, I felt like I was playing Super Mario 3 for the first time, all over again. My wife put it best: In Mario 3, the one level you get to use Kuribo's shoe is a wonderful little magical moment. Multiply that by a TON! There are so many little surprises as far as gameplay is concerned. Just when you think that you've found everything Mario can do,you find something new. For example, do a spin on the ice and he starts to SKATE. When he jumps, he does a figure skating-style triple loop, complete with the arm movement for landing.

If you pass up this game because it's got a cartoony veneer, your brain cells have atrophied, and you have no business playing games.
Def JM's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/10/2007 12:25
Def JM
Why god? Why, can't this be me?
Twiggy's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/10/2007 13:39
Twiggy
and he doesn't like you, BD. He doesn't like you.

Seriously though, first next gen title? Maybe the Wii has been plagued with simplicity and ports, but I'd at least call Metroid Prime 3 next-gen for the controls and scope alone.
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