![]() ![]() Yoshi has been tricky to make as rewarding gameplay in 3D, one reason why he hasn’t appeared so often. Sitting atop a dinosaur was fun in Super Mario World because 1) we had never done it before, and 2) it controlled flawlessly. ![]() The biggest addition touted in Galaxy 2 was the ability to ride Yoshi, but what’s so exciting about that? We had already fulfilled our 3D dreams in Sunshine, and those moments were so memorable I almost forgot about them. So how good could these concepts have really been if they were passed over the first time? Director’s cut good, it turns out, which means sometimes fine, mostly uninspired, nothing special, occasionally really annoying. Time is of course a factor in why certain things can’t be included in a videogame’s final version, but a company like Nintendo doesn’t typically shy away from delays if they feel the end product will benefit. I know first hand how hard it is to edit, but first instincts are often the right ones. Born out of leftover ideas from the first, Galaxy 2 was originally planned as a “1.5” sequel, and that’s what it feels like: leftovers. Some may have been happy with more Galaxy stages, but to me it felt similar to what deleted scenes from movies typically end up being: understandably cut. Look, I get it, the game is called Super Mario Galaxy 2– what did I expect? The thing is, though, I suppose I just got into the habit of being wowed, and how was that supposed to happen when I had already played this game? Apathy for Mario I never dreamed such a thing could happen, and it remains to this day the only console Mario I have not finished. I made it about two-thirds of the way through and eventually abandoned all the orb-hopping in a state of apathy. And…everything else was pretty much the same. The new suits offered some variety (the drill being a standout) and interesting level construction, sort of. I started playing, only slightly disappointed in the lack of a compelling hub world (Rosalina’s ship is far more magical) but ready to sink my teeth into the meat and see what Nintendo would throw my way this time. When a sequel was announced, I was ecstatic, ready to have my mind blown with yet again more brilliance. It made even cynics smile at Mario again. ![]() SUPER MARIO GALAXY 2 2 PLAYERS UPGRADEWhen Galaxy burst onto the scene, however, there was no mistaking it for merely a simple upgrade in graphics. While I don’t think that Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine are identical games, at their core they can feel very similar, and that may be the reason for the latter’s lack of enthusiastic support in some circles (not mine). ![]() Yes, Super Mario Galaxy was exquisitely designed, but I think what makes it stick out in people’s minds is that it was so different from what came before. By playing with gravity, they were able to create situations and obstacles that messed with the player’s brain in a way that felt at once taxing and exhilarating. SUPER MARIO GALAXY 2 2 PLAYERS SERIESA platformer that turned convention on its head, Mario’s trip through space breathed new life and invention into a series that is essentially all about jumping. I loved the original Super Mario Galaxy, and it has stayed near the top of my all-time favorite games list since its release. ![]()
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