Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii Review) by Carl B.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
System: Nintendo Wii
Release Date: May 23rd, 2010

May 27th, 2010, by Carl B. - On November 12, 2007, Nintendo released Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii, much to the excitement of gamers and journalists alike. Super Mario Galaxy was the first 3D Mario title on the Wii, and the first since Super Mario Sunshine released on the GameCube in 2002. Straying away from its 3D predecessors, Super Mario Galaxy took the iconic plumber into the depths of outer space, providing unique level designs and a beautiful orchestrated soundtrack for players. On May 23, 2010, Nintendo released Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Wii, marking the first time two Mario games from the main series were released on the same console since the NES. Originally planned as an expansion pack, does Super Mario Galaxy 2 provide enough new ideas or is it simply Super Mario Galaxy 1.5?

Nintendo made it a point not to bog down Super Mario Galaxy 2 with unnecessary story telling. Mario has never been big on story outside of the few RPG spinoffs, so it's a welcome change to not have to sit through sequences that go through the finer details of exactly how Princess Peach was kidnapped by Bowser. Galaxy 2 can be played as a standalone title, since the game takes place in an alternate universe from the first game.

Galaxy 2 features an outstanding opening tutorial. Players take control of Mario on a 2D plane, similar to New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and move him right through a story book type opening. After a while the background will gain more detail and the game will eventually shift to full 3D. This gives new players a chance to become accustomed to how Mario moves in 3D space before actually getting into the tough platforming. This sequence doesn't overstay its welcome, either, as it lasts for only a few minutes at the most.

The observatory hub world of the first Mario Galaxy has been done away with in Galaxy 2. Instead, players move through an overworld that's very similar to Super Mario Bros. 3 via Starship Mario, a planetoid spaceship that is shaped like Mario's head. Some great detail went into it, too, as players can explore Starship Mario when they aren't in the game's main levels. There are eight main worlds in Super Mario Galaxy 2, each with several levels to complete. Each world has a different theme, and the levels within carry these themes with them in their unique designs. To take away from any possible confusion as to which levels the player has completed and which they have not, a sign next to Starship Mario's helm displays every world, their levels, and what stars players have obtained from each level.

The fantastic gravity-based platforming mechanics introduced in the first Super Mario Galaxy make a glorious return in Galaxy 2.The sequel features the same type of planetoid system as the first game; players are able to travel from small planet to small planet in each of the game's many levels. Naturally, the gravity system is realistic, giving players immense challenge and the fun of being able to jump around a planetoid in one motion.


Super Mario Galaxy 2 runs on the same engine as the first game, but every technical aspect achieved in the first game has been expanded upon. Galaxy 2 runs at a flawless 60 frames per second without a single slowdown. Textures, environments, and lighting all look much better than they did in the first Super Mario Galaxy, which certainly isn't a small feat. Super Mario Galaxy 2 features a unique atmosphere that rivals that of the Metroid Prime series; players really feel like they're in space, and the sheer fun of the game's levels is outstanding. Many retro tracks return in Galaxy 2 in full orchestral version, with most of the returning tracks coming from Super Mario World and Super Mario 64.

Few games can truly claim to be pure creativity, but that's exactly what Super Mario Galaxy 2 is. Those who thought the level designs in the first game were outstanding, including myself, will be blown away by what Miyamoto and his team have done with Super Mario Galaxy 2. While its predecessor contained levels that were made up mostly of several planetoids, Super Mario Galaxy 2 features levels of a much larger scale. There are tons of "How did they think of that?" moments in Super Mario Galaxy 2 as well. One such level is a large planet that's completely made of water, and when players swim deeper into the planet, they drop onto a beach area with an ocean and water on all sides. If players swim through the water on the sides they'll fall into outer space and die. There's also an entire level dedicated to throwbacks, and it features an exact redesign of a level from Super Mario 64. The classic levels where everything is gigantic return in the form of the Super Massive Galaxy.


Taking a page from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, there are quite a few 2D levels in Super Mario Galaxy 2. These levels combine classic 2D gameplay mechanics with new-school thinking, and all of them contain the gravity mechanics that make Galaxy 2 special.

Tons of new and old power-ups make their way into Super Mario Galaxy 2, including Rock Mario and Cloud Mario. Rock Mario turns players into a giant boulder that runs over anything in its path. Cloud Mario lets layers conjure clouds to jump on by shaking the Wii Remote, creating some creative platforming segments that help players get across long chasms or up tall towers. Returning power-ups include Fire Mario, which lets players throw fireballs when they shake the Wii Remote. Unlike the classical versions of Fire Mario, the power-up has a time limit in Galaxy 2.

Mario's faithful companion Yoshi makes his grand return in Super Mario Galaxy 2. He wasn't included in the first Galaxy for reasons unknown, but the levels where players are able to take control of him are extremely fun. Yoshi is easy to control in 3D space and features the same tongue abilities from Super Mario World. Yoshi can even grab onto poles and outcroppings, similar to the Grapple Hook from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and swing players across them. Several power-ups are made available for Yoshi that include Blimp Yoshi, Dash Yoshi, and Shining Yoshi.


Super Mario Galaxy 2 is home to many truly difficult levels that only get harder towards the end of the game. Luckily, for players that are new to the series, the Super Guide from New Super Mario Bros. Wii makes an appearance in Galaxy 2 under the name "Cosmic Guide." When players die a certain amount of times on one particular spot, a dark-colored version on Rosalina will appear and ask players if they want to use the Cosmic Guide. If players select yes, the game will play itself for the rest of the level. The Cosmic Guide is 100 percent optional, so veteran players can opt not to use it if they so choose.

There are 121 main stars in Super Mario Galaxy 2, but only about 80 are required to fight Bowser for the final time. A secret additional world becomes open after players defeat Bowser's final form, and when players complete those levels, they'll be able to play through every level a second time as Luigi. During this playthrough players are trying to find the hidden "Green Stars" in each level of the game, for a grand total of 242 stars. The hidden Green Star levels as Luigi are incredibly difficult, and only seasoned fans are likely to fully complete the game.



The Verdict

Sound
15/15 - Every tune in Super Mario Galaxy 2 is orchestrated and sounds amazing. Many songs from past Mario games are re-done in orchestrated format, including many from Super Mario World.

Graphics
20/20 - Super Mario Galaxy 2 uses the same engine as its predecessor, but the title's scope is far larger than that of the first game and the visuals are far more polished. Galaxy 2 is by far one of the best looking Wii games.

Appeal
25/25 - There are 120 regular stars to find over eight different Worlds filled with many galaxies, and hidden stars and commet stars are found in most levels in the game. After all 120 regular stars are obtained, players are able to get an additional 120 green stars on even harder versions of the original levels.

Gameplay
40/40 - Super Mario Galaxy 2 takes everything established in the first game and transforms it exponentially. The title is pure creativity; several times throughout the adventure I was left thinking "How did they even think of that?"

Overall
100/100 - Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the definition of a perfect game. While the title runs on the same engine as its predecessor, Nintendo didn't just copy and paste. They upgraded every visual aspect of the game, added a beautiful orchestrated soundtrack, and incorporated level designs that weren't even close to being present in the first game. Only a few games have ever reached this status, the last one being The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Super Mario Galaxy 2 is well deserving of this crown.