Up until 2002, three things in life were certain: death, taxes and the excellence of any game Nintendo released in the Super Mario Series.

Then along came Super Mario Sunshine. You either loved this game or hated it. Count me in the latter category. Given that it had been 6 years since the release of Super Mario 64, the hopes of console gamers everywhere were pinned on this game. Shortly after inserting this diminutive Gamecube disc it became apparent that this game was a misstep for the series.

The water pump was a neat gimmick, but the game totally relied on it. Some levels were extremely difficult. Mario has always offered gamers a challenge, but one of the reasons the series has always been a hit is that it’s the sort of challenging that makes you want to keep trying until you get it right, as opposed to wanting to smash your controller out of frustration. Super Mario Sunshine made me want to smash my controller, fling the game disc out the window and run over my Gamecube with a tank.

We’ve waited another 5 years for the next iteration of our favorite pudgy Italian plumber’s exploits. Does Super Mario Galaxy put the series back on it’s track, or did Nintendo miss the mark again?

Super Mario Galaxy feels like a real Mario game from the onset. The classic thread of a storyline is established right away, and it’s everything you expect from a Mario game. Nintendo didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach, and Mario must come to the rescue. Perfect. On to the particulars:

• Gameplay The interface is very similar to Super Mario 64. The game is split up into galaxies. The individual levels aren’t particularly long, and you’ll be revisiting most of them to complete different tasks. The galaxies consist of a collection of small planetoids, each with their own sphere of gravity.

  The control is typical Mario, however this time around the camera is more preset than usual. This is by design, because as each planetoid you land on in the various galaxies has it’s own gravitational field, the designers help impart this sensation to you via the semi-fixed camera. It’s frustrating at times not having 100% control over your perspective, but fortunately it’s well implemented and doesn’t ruin the game.

  Because the galaxies are a collection of planetoids, the individual levels are more linear than usual. It’s limiting, you feel the limitation, but again, the level designers made it fun, so it’s not a deal-breaker.

  There is the usual collection of platforming exploration and speed runs, and in addition this time around Nintendo has thrown in some mini-game levels that diversify the gameplay.

  All your favorite Mario characters are present, and the level design is both fresh and will also remind players of Mario games past.

  The Wiimote is used enough to make it a nice addition and not an annoyance. You can play this game from the comfort of your favorite chair. The controls feel very “Mario” despite the fact that it’s quite a different control interface, and you never feel like you are fighting to get something done.

• Graphics Nintendo has done a nice job with Super Mario Galaxy. Like most Wii games it looks marginally better than a Gamecube game. Some of the texture effects used are definitely a step up from what the Gamecube could pull off, and you never feel like you’re playing a game that started life as a Gamecube game.

  Colors are bright, aliasing issues are present but don’t spoil the show, and some effects are presented so well you’re surprised the Wii could pull it off.

• Sound Audio is what you would expect from a Mario game. Lots of aural nostalgia available here. The matrixed surround output by the Dolby ProLogic II audio track won’t impress any of the audiophiles reading this, and overall multichannel cues are fairly weak. Most of the audio comes straight from the front soundstage. Not a huge detraction as this system isn’t capable of the stellar audio that an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 can produce. Adequate.
• Overall I doubt very much that Super Mario Galaxy is going to replace Super Mario World or Super Mario 64 as anyone’s all-time favorite Mario game. Super Mario Galaxy is a real Mario game, and I don’t think fans will be disappointed. It’s a fresh take on an old friend, and the gameplay, while somewhat limiting due to the level design, is pure Mario. There’s a lot to do in Super Mario Galaxy, and like previous games in the series, you won’t find all the goodies the first time through.

This is one of those games that gamers from 6-60 can appreciate, and if you’ve been holding back because your inner Mario still hasn’t recovered from Super Mario Sunshine, never fear. Super Mario puts the series back on track.

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