2008 Woodie Awards
Super Mario Galaxy: Out of this world
924187343@gsc.edu
Mitch Blomert
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Entertainment
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Those fans were finally rewarded with Super Mario Galaxy, Nintendo's first adventure-style Super Mario game for the Wii. Sticking to the game's roots since Mario's inception into 3-D style gaming in 1996 with Super Mario 64, the game holds true to the typical standard of star-collecting, enemy-jumping play that captured the hearts of Nintendo followers from the very beginning. However, the familiar game play offers a new twist to control scheme, incorporating usage of both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, getting the full potential out of the Wii's controller design.
What sets Super Mario Galaxy apart from so many other Wii games is the fact that it has a full story that is played out during the entire game.
Because of the Wii's simple and interactive control setup, Nintendo has had a tendency to produce (and often develop) easier games that are designed for younger audiences. Many of the console's games are made up of smaller mini-games designed for more than one player rather than a well-thought and extensive story that may come across as difficult for a young gamer.
Super Mario Galaxy steps away from the norm with a full story, giving players extensive hours of play time. The story may seem familiar to an experienced player, with its usual "Mario defeats Bowser to save the Princess" synopsis.
However, how the story is delivered is as imaginative as it comes. It sends Mario to outer space to fulfill his typical day-saving duties.
With uniquely themed galaxies serving as levels, and each one containing more originality and variety than the one before, the experience players gather as they travel through the universe is, well, out of this world.
The control design is simple and very comfortable. Experienced gamers will quickly develop the basics, such as jumping, moving around, and the very effective "ground pound". After learning the essentials, players are introduced to the new controls influenced by the abilities of the Wii Remote. Because the Wii Remote acts as an on-screen cursor rather than just a control pad with buttons, players can point to star bits (which have replaced coins as the basic unit of pickups in each level) and they will automatically move to Mario.
The Wii Remote is also used extensively for attacking enemies. Shaking it will make Mario spin, which will knock the enemy down. The Wii Remote is also used for several other controls from ice skating to sliding up vines to access higher parts of levels.
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