IGN Mario Galaxy review=8.2

[michaels]

j/k 9.7
http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/833/833298p1.html

Closing Comments
Super Mario Galaxy is one of the greatest platformers I have ever played, Wii's best game, and an absolute must-own experience. And to me, this odd trek through space really does feel like the true sequel to Mario 64. It harkens back to the N64 classic with nostalgic faces and places from the Mushroom Kingdom, but it also re-invents the franchise with new space-themed mechanics and fresh Wii-enhanced controls. It is, as I have said since I first played it, a near-perfect combination of old platforming values and new design.

Except to be blown away by the fantastic level challenges and galactic variety. Expect to be blown away by the addictive gravity effects -- you will jump off ledges just to see if you can rotate all the way around a structure. And expect to be blown away by the tight controls and beautiful graphics.

Galaxy isn't quite perfect. There are some minor issues -- tiny blemishes, if you will, hiding on the backside of a supermodel. There's the auto-camera, which works exceptionally well most of the time, but every so often stumbles. And there's the overall difficulty -- a little too easy to 60 stars and to defeat bosses for my tastes. But even with these potential drawbacks, Nintendo's Tokyo studio has created a platformer that deserves its place among the very best and will surely be remembered in another decade as a classic.

9.5 Presentation
An unnecessary side-tale contrasts with a traditional story. Otherwise, very slick menus and production values, not to mention WiiConnect24 support and a coop mode.
9.5 Graphics
Outstanding on Wii. The first Wii title that looks like it's really pushing the console. Great art combines with great tech for stunning results. Runs in 480p and 16:9 widescreen.
10 Sound
Normally, we'd harp on the lackluster voice acting, but whatever -- the orchestrated music is so totally amazing that it obliterates any other aural shortcomings.
10 Gameplay
Mario 64 in space. Phenomenal platforming and a huge variety of galaxies to see and explore. Doesn't get any better.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
40-plus galaxies -- all vastly different and filled with unique challenges. 120 stars t collect. Plus, a two-player semi-coop mode. Send your accomplishments to friends over WiiConnect24.
9.7
Incredible OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

 

[toekramp]

i came in here to bitch haha

 

[blurredvision]

Change your title, for the love of god. :roll:

 

[RandomFool]

lol, awesome title. I was like wtf? how can that be?

 

[mugs]

With all of the great reviews this game is getting, it must either feature Princess Peach in compromising positions or be really, really good.

 

[zerocool84]

damn, friday (payday) is too far away

 

[foghorn67]

ack, stop doing that. You did that to Mass Effect too you know.
Scared the heck out of me with both of them.

 

[randay]

i notice the uk ign gives some pretty high scores on things.

edit: lol nm thats not a review by uk ign. you just linked uk ign for some reason

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: randay
i notice the uk ign gives some pretty high scores on things.

It's the US guy reviewing it.

 

[potato28]

:Q Maybe my Wii will be getting a lot of play time this Christmas break :Q

 

[Ns1]

you guys think I should preorder this or can I walk into a store and pick it up come 11/12?

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
you guys think I should preorder this or can I walk into a store and pick it up come 11/12?

High profile games rarely sell out like systems do, but a preorder wouldnt exactly hurt.

 

[Kirby64]

I have to agree with this. I was in a gamestop today and they had the full version of SMG in the Wii. Played it for about 15 mins. It really is awesome to play. The only part that sucked was the fact that the controllers were tethered to the console, so you literally had to stand 3-4 feet away from the TV, which rendered the sensor bar neigh-useless

 

[Slew Foot]

This game is getting between 9.5 and 10 everywhere.

 

[CKDragon]

Trying to decide which games to buy now and which to put on my Christmas list (even though I have the money for the right now) is a terrible problem for a person with wavering self-control to have.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
you guys think I should preorder this or can I walk into a store and pick it up come 11/12?

High profile games rarely sell out like systems do, but a preorder wouldnt exactly hurt.

I don't want to preorder it, because I'm hoping to get it at TRU for the $25 gift card. I'm sure I'll be able to find it SOMEWHERE on release day if I don't get it there. Within a couple of miles I can hit 3 gamestop/ebgames, a Target, a Walmart, a Costco...

 

[eelw]

Can this game bump LOZ: OOT from the top of the Game Rankings list???

 

[UpgradeFailure]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
you guys think I should preorder this or can I walk into a store and pick it up come 11/12?

High profile games rarely sell out like systems do, but a preorder wouldnt exactly hurt.

I don't want to preorder it, because I'm hoping to get it at TRU for the $25 gift card. I'm sure I'll be able to find it SOMEWHERE on release day if I don't get it there. Within a couple of miles I can hit 3 gamestop/ebgames, a Target, a Walmart, a Costco...

Just a heads up, you should be able to preorder it at TRU, get the free preorder coin, and also get the $25 gift card when it comes out

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: eelw
Can this game bump LOZ: OOT from the top of the Game Rankings list???

I doubt it...as of right now its in 2nd, tied with orange box, which shouldnt really count anyway.

IMO SMG is a far better game than OoT ever was. I didnt think it was all that great back then, and it certainly has not aged very well at all.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: eelw
Can this game bump LOZ: OOT from the top of the Game Rankings list???

I doubt it...as of right now its in 2nd, tied with orange box, which shouldnt really count anyway.

IMO SMG is a far better game than OoT ever was. I didnt think it was all that great back then, and it certainly has not aged very well at all.

If you didn't like it then ehh you didn't like it but damn to this day, it has aged better and is more fun to play than most games today. Obviously the graphics are old but the gameplay and art design are still awesome.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: eelw
Can this game bump LOZ: OOT from the top of the Game Rankings list???

I doubt it...as of right now its in 2nd, tied with orange box, which shouldnt really count anyway.

IMO SMG is a far better game than OoT ever was. I didnt think it was all that great back then, and it certainly has not aged very well at all.

If you didn't like it then ehh you didn't like it but damn to this day, it has aged better and is more fun to play than most games today. Obviously the graphics are old but the gameplay and art design are still awesome.

LttP has well drawn graphics at a smooth frame rate, a detailed and intricate world, where every screen is important. It had dungeons that were difficult, but not irritating. It had tight control.

OoT a was a mess. It had a huge blank field that was a snore to trudge across. The dungeons may as well have been made of lego blocks. All at a barely playable 20fps, and the control was all over the place. I'd hardly give it credit for art design, but to be fair, it's kind of like giving picasso a pack of broken crayons and expecting a masterpiece.

IMO, the N64 (and PSone) was a mistake. It came too early, and needed another year in the oven. It really could have used CDs as well. The SNES was near 2d perfection, and the N64s 3D capabilities were cool for a short while before it was just plain ugly and incapable of anything but the most basic 3d gameplay. There were certainly some decent N64 games, and I'm not saying OoT was a bad game...I just dont think it was ever that great, because it was on a platform that simply precluded greatness in the first place. FWIW, I dont think Mario 64 belongs anywhere near the top 10 either.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: BD2003
IMO, the N64 (and PSone) was a mistake. It came too early, and needed another year in the oven. It really could have used CDs as well. The SNES was near 2d perfection, and the N64s 3D capabilities were cool for a short while before it was just plain ugly and incapable of anything but the most basic 3d gameplay.

Couldn't you say the same thing about the Nintendo though?

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: BD2003
IMO, the N64 (and PSone) was a mistake. It came too early, and needed another year in the oven. It really could have used CDs as well. The SNES was near 2d perfection, and the N64s 3D capabilities were cool for a short while before it was just plain ugly and incapable of anything but the most basic 3d gameplay.

Couldn't you say the same thing about the Nintendo though?

No way...the NES might have been limited, but it could still produce something decent enough that it didnt interfere with the gameplay, it could maintain a smooth framerate even when pushed. It was also vastly superior to all the systems before it in pretty much every way. I find SMB 1-3 to have aged much better than SM64.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: BD2003
IMO, the N64 (and PSone) was a mistake. It came too early, and needed another year in the oven. It really could have used CDs as well. The SNES was near 2d perfection, and the N64s 3D capabilities were cool for a short while before it was just plain ugly and incapable of anything but the most basic 3d gameplay.

Couldn't you say the same thing about the Nintendo though?

No way...the NES might have been limited, but it could still produce something decent enough that it didnt interfere with the gameplay, it could maintain a smooth framerate even when pushed. It was also vastly superior to all the systems before it in pretty much every way. I find SMB 1-3 to have aged much better than SM64.

How were they a mistake? The N64 was built to do 3d graphics, not 2d. The PS1 was simply the SNES CD spunoff when Nintendo burned Sony and cancelled the deal. It killed the Dreamcast and owned the N64 with a fury. The N64 also purposely didn't use CD's as it's medium. It's almost impossible to find a first gen game that is restricted hardware wise due to the fact that they don't know what's possible. Hell, the N64 IIRC was delayed anyway...they had more time for Mario64 and to polish it up. Is it better than SMB1 or 3? No, but it's still one of the most groundbreaking games I've played. It's Mario in 3D, and it was just plain awesome.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: BD2003
IMO, the N64 (and PSone) was a mistake. It came too early, and needed another year in the oven. It really could have used CDs as well. The SNES was near 2d perfection, and the N64s 3D capabilities were cool for a short while before it was just plain ugly and incapable of anything but the most basic 3d gameplay.

Couldn't you say the same thing about the Nintendo though?

No way...the NES might have been limited, but it could still produce something decent enough that it didnt interfere with the gameplay, it could maintain a smooth framerate even when pushed. It was also vastly superior to all the systems before it in pretty much every way. I find SMB 1-3 to have aged much better than SM64.

Yeah, well the NES was when they first did GOOD 2D graphics. With the SNES they did GREAT 2D graphics, and it really hasn't improved much from there. Looking back at the N64 now, 2 generations later, is like looking back at the Atari 2600 from the perspective of the SNES. The Atari's graphics were pretty terrible, but it was a necessary stepping stone. The N64 (and PS1) bridged the gap between 2D and 3D, and at the time it was pretty darn cool. I don't remember anyone complaining about the graphics or framerates or whatever when playing Goldeneye.

I remember playing Marathon on my Mac a long time ago - it was pretty much the greatest game around at that point. I played it on XBLA recently, and it looks like ASS. But then there's Escape Velocity, a 2D game that came out in the same year. It still looks fantastic, and it's still very playable.

I just think older 3D games don't age as well as 2D games.