Super Mario Galaxy: Let the reviews begin. [Archive]

GameMaster

11-03-2007, 09:39 PM

Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii will be released on 11/12 from Nintendo. It has been reviewed by 4 websites and magazines including Deeko, gamesTM, GamePro and 1UP. The average review ratio for all 4 editorial reviews has been 96.2%. A title needs at least 10 reviews in the database before it is placed into the overall rankings, so check back soon to see where this title stands compared to all the others.

http://i14.tinypic.com/6f8eu1g.png

Well, looks like Mario 64 has finally been dethroned.

manasecret

11-03-2007, 11:03 PM

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f294/barneyis666/6f8eu1g1.png

Uh... what?

Mario Galaxy, the orchestrated music sounds sooooo good. If you can, listen to just the first couple minutes of IGN's Wii-k in Review here

<embed src="http://www.odeo.com/flash/audio_player_standard_gray.swf" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="valid_sample_rate=true&external_url=http://wiimovies.ign.com/wii/audio/article/832/832465/wiikreview_110207x.mp3" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="52" width="300">

See what I mean? I'm excited. Go to minute 22 to hear an oldie that got remixed.

Here we go, a full video of the orchestra without those IGN monkeys talking over it.
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<embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=26599" swliveconnect="true" name="gtembed" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" height="392" width="480"> </object>

Jason1

11-04-2007, 06:23 PM

This game is going to rule. Due to budget constraints, me and my brother decided to wait until Christmas instead of purchasing it ouselves. Thats going to be the longest 40 days ever.

BreakABone

11-04-2007, 07:02 PM

This game is going to rule. Due to budget constraints, me and my brother decided to wait until Christmas instead of purchasing it ouselves. Thats going to be the longest 40 days ever.

Budget? smidget

Get it at Toys R Us opening week.
You get a 25 dollar gift card.
So you can re-use that or I don't know.

But makes it easier to buy when getting half back.

bobcat

11-04-2007, 08:22 PM

meesa want!!

thatmariolover

11-04-2007, 09:31 PM

It took me a few hours to decide, but it's even better than Mario 64. The further I get into it, the better the game gets. I'm currently 70 stars in and it's incredible. Worth the purchase of a Wii in my opinion.

I had imported the Japanese version of the game, but I've got an English disk now. Three GameStops in town, one with a defective Wii kiosk system. I'm good friends with the manager so he lent me the demo, which turns out is just a retail disk and Nintendo depends on the timed hardware reset in the kiosks for demo functionality.

bobcat

11-04-2007, 11:31 PM

Angrist

11-05-2007, 02:11 PM

Metroid Prime 3 has just launched here so I'm kind of busy with that. Maybe we'll wait with buying SMG.

Jason1

11-05-2007, 07:25 PM

Budget? smidget

Get it at Toys R Us opening week.
You get a 25 dollar gift card.
So you can re-use that or I don't know.

But makes it easier to buy when getting half back.

Wow, thats a really good deal. So as long as there's something else you want, your really only paying 25 bucks for the game. I actually might have to look into that, thats almost too good to pass up.

BreakABone

11-05-2007, 09:36 PM

For all of those in the NYC area, which as far as I know is me, Danny and Storm Eagle.

Nintendo World Store will be having a Super MArio Galaxy launch party on sunday night.
At the stroke of midnight, you will also be able to pick up the game.

gekko

11-06-2007, 12:44 AM

There's a new Mario game? Crazy.

So ya, probably won't beat this until Xmas time frame. I should try to snag this from the Nintendo store, where they sell it for dirt cheap. Can get a DS Lite for $60.

Angrist

11-06-2007, 04:52 PM

I should try to snag this from the Nintendo store, where they sell it for dirt cheap. Can get a DS Lite for $60.
:eek: Sweet, how does that work?

Anyway, I'm hoping Nintendo will have a nice deal here, but so far nothing.

Jason1

11-06-2007, 06:18 PM

Okay I just have to say, its a little early to say that this game will dethrone Mario 64 as the best 3D platformer...

That being said it looks like it has a chance...

thatmariolover

11-06-2007, 08:00 PM

Okay I just have to say, its a little early to say that this game will dethrone Mario 64 as the best 3D platformer...

That being said it looks like it has a chance...

Being 103 stars in I think it's safe for me to say that it dethrones Mario 64, but keeps a pretty picture of it on the end table.

BreakABone

11-07-2007, 07:18 PM

Eurogamer 10
IGN 9.7
GameSpot 9.5
ONM Italy 11/10

Jason1

11-07-2007, 07:26 PM

Yea, I just read IGN's review. Very impressive. I mean not suprising, but very impressive indeed. God its going to be hard to wait for christmas...I just pulled out Super Mario 64 last night, id forgotten how fun 3d platformers can be if done right...

BreakABone

11-07-2007, 09:15 PM

- Activities kickoff at 8 p.m (expect long lines!)
- DJ, dancers, Velcro wall, bungee run, trivia with fans, and other activities
- In-store laser light show
- Mario will be there for photo ops
- 250 Wiis at the store available for purchase
- Store open until 10 p.m., and will re-open at midnight to start sales

More news for midnight launch

gekko

11-07-2007, 09:20 PM

Doubt it beats Sunshine, but maybe it'll be worth playing.

BlueFire

11-07-2007, 10:32 PM

Doubt it beats Sunshine, but maybe it'll be worth playing.
rofl

Jason1

11-07-2007, 10:42 PM

Sunshine got kinda a bad rap for no reason. Okay it had some really lame cut scenes and the secondy characters were horribly designed. The actual levels and gameplay were still great I thought.

gekko

11-07-2007, 11:09 PM

Soo... apparently it ships with a "Rush to Floor" box, and some Best Buy's have already sold out :p

GameMaster

11-07-2007, 11:39 PM

http://i16.tinypic.com/6kfu4vc.png
http://i1.tinypic.com/6sbd1c7.png

DeathsHand

11-08-2007, 01:51 AM

Sunshine got kinda a bad rap for no reason.

Mario 64 set the standard for 3D gaming right off at the beginning of N64's lifetime...

Sunshine was the first official Mario game since M64, it meandered about somewheres in the middle of the cube's lifetime looking like an upgraded N64 game, and I believe some people complained that it didn't bring anything new to the table outside of what some folks labeled a "gimmicky" water pack... thing (which probably wouldn't have been quite as big a deal at the time were it not for the fact that Nintendo hid it in previews like it was some big secret... Not featuring it in screenshots and the like)...

But a 92% rating on Gamerankings is hardly a "bad rap"... Personally I thought the game started off quite fun until I completely lost interest somewheres around the halfway point...

bobcat

11-08-2007, 03:22 AM

I highly enjoyed Sunshine........and i'm gonna enjoy this one for sure. Look at those reviews!

I just finished reading the reviews on IGN and Gamespot.....man this game sounds so damn good! It's a heeee Mariooooooooo waaaaaaaaaaaa

thatmariolover

11-09-2007, 05:57 PM

So I finally beat it with 120 stars. The last Bowser stage is awesome, though the last fight left a little to be desired.

Bond

11-10-2007, 08:12 PM

I like how IGN calls the graphics "Outstanding on the Wii," and then gives it a 9.5.

Jason1

11-10-2007, 09:26 PM

I like how IGN calls the graphics "Outstanding on the Wii," and then gives it a 9.5.

Well, I mean, there's always room for improvement...thats the way I look at it anyways...

thatmariolover

11-11-2007, 03:35 PM

I like how IGN calls the graphics "Outstanding on the Wii," and then gives it a 9.5.

I guess I don't know where you're going with that. They are outstanding for the Wii. The 9.5 is a clear statement that there's always room for improvement, as Jason says. But if you're inferring they should give it a low score on graphics because it doesn't compete with Xbox 360 or PS3, I disagree. I think it only makes sense to rate the game for what was possible given the circumstances.

Angrist

11-11-2007, 03:44 PM

Or else all the DS/PSP games would score low on graphics. :)

BreakABone

11-12-2007, 03:34 AM

Sweet picked up my copy at their launch event, which was actually pretty sweet.

Got me three free SMG T-shirts
Some pins and a patch.
As well as the coin and game.
My picture with MArio.

Finished the first.. er.. Galaxy I guess.. don't know what you call the entire thing since individual boards are galaxies as well.

Sweet game so far.

bobcat

11-12-2007, 07:32 AM

Angrist

11-12-2007, 09:10 AM

We never get such events in Europe (and Australia?). :(

Bond

11-12-2007, 11:02 AM

I guess I don't know where you're going with that. They are outstanding for the Wii. The 9.5 is a clear statement that there's always room for improvement, as Jason says. But if you're inferring they should give it a low score on graphics because it doesn't compete with Xbox 360 or PS3, I disagree. I think it only makes sense to rate the game for what was possible given the circumstances.
I suppose I just have an issue with their ratings of Wii graphics in general. Let me explain...

So IGN gives the game a 9.5 rating - and then justifies it with, "Outstanding... on the Wii." So, obviously it would not be outstanding on the PS3 or Xbox 360, so naturally it would get a lower score, but how much lower? A 7.0? So is a 7.0 on the PS3/Xbox 360 equivalent to a 9.5 on the Wii? I have no idea. And what if a third party releases a game on all three consoles. Will it receive a 7.0 on the PS3/Xbox 360 and a 9.5 on the Wii? Would that affect the game's overall score?

I just sense fairness issues with that rating system.

Angrist

11-12-2007, 12:37 PM

And what if a third party releases a game on all three consoles. Will it receive a 7.0 on the PS3/Xbox 360 and a 9.5 on the Wii?
Why not? A developer can really push the Wii graphics to make it look good, so Wii-owners will be amazed by it and love it. The same graphics on the PS3/360 won't impress their owners, because they're used to better stuff. So yes, a 9.5 for the Wii and a 7 for the other versions sounds very normal to me.

What rating would you suggest? The bést looking game so far gets a 10, the rest somewhere between 0 and 10? In that case, PSP, DS and retro games all get incredibly low scores for graphics. If they account for 1/4 of the final grade, they can bring down a otherwise perfect game from a 10 to a 7.5.

Or maybe we should base it on reality 'graphics'? A theoretical future game has graphics so good that it's indistinguishable from real life. That game's graphics get a 10. Anything that looks worse than that, gets a lower score. Graphics of 360 and PS3 games can't get higher than a 6, only for the fact that they're not 3D virtual reality.

Get real. Scores should be based on what's póssible in the given situation.

thatmariolover

11-12-2007, 01:59 PM

I suppose I just have an issue with their ratings of Wii graphics in general. Let me explain...

So IGN gives the game a 9.5 rating - and then justifies it with, "Outstanding... on the Wii." So, obviously it would not be outstanding on the PS3 or Xbox 360, so naturally it would get a lower score, but how much lower? A 7.0? So is a 7.0 on the PS3/Xbox 360 equivalent to a 9.5 on the Wii? I have no idea. And what if a third party releases a game on all three consoles. Will it receive a 7.0 on the PS3/Xbox 360 and a 9.5 on the Wii? Would that affect the game's overall score?

I just sense fairness issues with that rating system.

Splitting up the rating for 'graphics' into 'art' and 'visual effects' would balance that gap out a little bit. But I still think you need to judge it fairly based upon what was possible on the console. You and I both know that all ports are not created equal. If effort was put forth and it shows, then it should get a good rating.

But going along the same line, what about controls? Should an Xbox or PS3 game be rated a lower score if the controls aren't as good (Call of Duty 4)? I dont' really think so. Just as it shouldn't be rated lower than a PC version of a game for lack of mouse and keyboard.

/shrug

BreakABone

11-12-2007, 02:54 PM

I suppose I just have an issue with their ratings of Wii graphics in general. Let me explain...

So IGN gives the game a 9.5 rating - and then justifies it with, "Outstanding... on the Wii." So, obviously it would not be outstanding on the PS3 or Xbox 360, so naturally it would get a lower score, but how much lower? A 7.0? So is a 7.0 on the PS3/Xbox 360 equivalent to a 9.5 on the Wii? I have no idea. And what if a third party releases a game on all three consoles. Will it receive a 7.0 on the PS3/Xbox 360 and a 9.5 on the Wii? Would that affect the game's overall score?

I just sense fairness issues with that rating system.

I don't think it's unfair.
I mean for the most part games are judged based on their overall appeal on the console and then their grand thing.

And why does it matter what the game would rate on the Ps3/360 in comparison to the 360? I mean Mario looks good, and I think it would look good on any console.

But not why posted

http://penguin.conpuzzled.com/MarioLaunch%20015.jpg
This is my swag.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RcbN4idAvh8
Mario breaking a move.

bobcat

11-12-2007, 04:26 PM

We never get such events in Europe (and Australia?). :(

The least they could do is hire somebody that remotely looks like Mario then I could get a photo with him (or they can dress him up).

About the graphics it's not just the visuals themselves that make up the score....it's the character design, the consistency with the character animations etc. Lots of things make it up I'm sure.

BreakABone

11-13-2007, 01:07 PM

My short impressions on this game.

Buy it.

Null

11-13-2007, 02:28 PM

the wii pulls off this style of game very very well graphically. its when people try and make the realistic games that the wii has more trouble.

but even so, these graphics are outstanding in general, not just on the wii. i'd be very happy having this game look like this on the 360 or ps3.
it would honestly fit right in with the other ps360 games.

woulda been nice to have it support the higher 720 or 1080 resolutions for hdtvs. but graphically thats the only complaint i would have.

Dyne

11-13-2007, 07:33 PM

I got it, and a collector's coin (even though I didn't preorder), and a second Wiimote (for $25.)

Except I have class until 8:20! Fuck.

Dyne

11-14-2007, 03:14 PM

So I had a power outage and I only got to play this for 2 hours last night and an hour before class today. However, the game is amazing! Good god! I think I might be going back through the entire thing as Luigi too.

Angrist

11-14-2007, 03:31 PM

Thanks for the spoiler! :)

BreakABone

11-14-2007, 05:47 PM

so yeah this game is rather addicting.
Can't remember when was the last time went on a gaming binge this bad.

Currently at 104 or 105 stars.
Beat the game. Making my way through 120 and it till somehow amazes.

And it does all the little things right.

gekko

11-14-2007, 08:45 PM

Does it support the GameCube controller?

Dyne

11-14-2007, 08:50 PM

Nope. Why, don't you like waggle?

Ginkasa

11-14-2007, 11:16 PM

Does it support the GameCube controller?

There's really no issue with the Wiimote, except for awkward camera control (done with the control pad). But the camera works well enough that you very rarely have to adjust it.

gekko

11-15-2007, 12:19 AM

Nope. Why, don't you like waggle?

Despise it.

manasecret

11-15-2007, 12:59 AM

Wah.

bobcat

11-15-2007, 04:36 PM

Wah.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Jonbo298

11-17-2007, 02:42 AM

As of right now, Mario Galaxy review wise is better then Ocarina of Time over at Gamerankings.com

I wonder how long that will last. Though it is funny to point out that the "Big 3" from Nintendo - Mario, Zelda, and Metroid (Prime) are the top 3 reviewed games (Mario - 1, Zelda OoT - 2, Metroid Prime - 3)

gekko

11-17-2007, 12:37 PM

It shouldn't be. It's by far the worst of the 3D Mario games, and OoT was the only Zelda worth beating.

Angrist

11-17-2007, 12:59 PM

Everything else ok Gekko?

BlueFire

11-17-2007, 01:33 PM

It shouldn't be. It's by far the worst of the 3D Mario games, and OoT was the only Zelda worth beating.

Really? Why do you think that?

BreakABone

11-17-2007, 02:10 PM

Really? Why do you think that?

Gekko hates waggle.
So he has to hate this game.

But it shall be fun to see him justify it with his Holier than Holy opinion on all that needs to be in this world...

bobcat

11-17-2007, 07:52 PM

Gekko hates waggle.
So he has to hate this game.

But it shall be fun to see him justify it with his Holier than Holy opinion on all that needs to be in this world...

I like waggling........in real life ?

GameMaster

11-18-2007, 01:11 AM

http://i10.tinypic.com/6xjz77n.png

gekko

11-18-2007, 03:05 AM

Waggling sucks, using the Wii Remote to collect gems sucks, and this stupid gravity thing doesn't feel right.

I want my Mario back.

Bond

11-18-2007, 11:22 AM

I just can't buy into a platformer being the greatest game of all time.

BreakABone

11-18-2007, 11:42 AM

I just can't buy into a platformer being the greatest game of all time.

Why is that?
Most sites/magazines generally dubbed a Mario games or Super MEtroid (occassionally Link to the Past/Ocarina of Time) greatest game of all time. And well we know Mario is pure platforming. Metroid is a pretty nice split.

I just don't see why you would be against the idea..

Angrist

11-18-2007, 11:59 AM

Maybe the greatest game of all time shouldn't look too much like a game...

Bond

11-18-2007, 12:23 PM

Why is that?
Most sites/magazines generally dubbed a Mario games or Super MEtroid (occassionally Link to the Past/Ocarina of Time) greatest game of all time. And well we know Mario is pure platforming. Metroid is a pretty nice split.

I just don't see why you would be against the idea..
To me, the greatest game of all time should be something more epic, with an amazing storyline, intricate characters, etc. Much like the greatest movie of all time is often viewed as The Godfather and sometimes Shawshank Redemption.

Angrist

11-18-2007, 12:34 PM

Yes, but the whole nature of games is different from that of movies. Games are about playing. An epic storyline and intricate (whatever that means) characters have very little to do with the gameplay.

And apparently most people agree, because the highest game on the list that has a remotely good story and characters would be Half Life 2, at no. 10.
So get over it, games are mostly rated based on their gameplay.

Dyne

11-18-2007, 02:47 PM

Waggling sucks, using the Wii Remote to collect gems sucks, and this stupid gravity thing doesn't feel right.

Well the first two is solved by friends. You do have those.. right? ;)

Bond

11-18-2007, 05:37 PM

Yes, but the whole nature of games is different from that of movies. Games are about playing. An epic storyline and intricate (whatever that means) characters have very little to do with the gameplay.
No form of entertainment is based solely on one thing. It is a combination of several factors that make something great.

And apparently most people agree, because the highest game on the list that has a remotely good story and characters would be Half Life 2, at no. 10.
Ocarina of Time has a fairly good story and character development.

thatmariolover

11-18-2007, 07:26 PM

Rating systems are flawed, and I won't argue with you about that. There needs to be a more standard way of critiquing games and averaging the scores.

Putting that aside for the moment, however, Mario Galaxy is one of the best games I've ever played. No, I don't think I would rate it the best ever, but it's towards the top of my list. It is that fun.

gekko

11-18-2007, 10:05 PM

To me, the greatest game of all time should be something more epic, with an amazing storyline, intricate characters, etc. Much like the greatest movie of all time is often viewed as The Godfather and sometimes Shawshank Redemption.

Wrong medium, this isn't film.

DeathsHand

11-18-2007, 11:34 PM

Wrong medium, this isn't film.

So games that focus heavily on story and characters (RPGs, adventure games, Metal Gear, Silent Hill, etc) are completely missing the point, developers who strive to create an "interactive cinematic experience" are completely missing the point, and fans who write fanfiction and such are completely missing the point?

gekko

11-19-2007, 01:33 AM

Missing the point? No, you're missing the point comparing games to film.

DeathsHand

11-19-2007, 01:41 AM

Missing the point? No, you're missing the point comparing games to film.

I didn't compare games to film...

Bond

11-19-2007, 11:15 AM

BreakABone

11-19-2007, 12:56 PM

To further my point, here are IGN's closing comments on their Mass Effect review:

"In a year that has seen the Xbox 360 library finally round itself out with a series of quality Japanese RPGs, BioWare has shown just how far ahead of the curve it is with Mass Effect. The cinematic design is nothing short of masterful. This is a game that takes the aspects of film that make cinema so compelling and crosses it with the interactivity of games with unprecedented success. Linear storytelling feels quaint by comparison.

Mass Effect is game that is greater than the sum of its parts..."

I'm not quite clear how that furthers your point?
MAss Effect has good story telling elements and?

But back to your original problem just because Super Mario Galaxy is the best reviewed game (so far, I'm pretty sure it will drop eventually) and it only counts the last ten years or so doesn't mean it is the best game of all time or greatest game of all time.

It makes it the most critically acclaimed game of all time.

I think your problem with this game (other than this game) is that it does not have the values many have recently come to associate with popular games. However, it seems to be a more recent trend and in all honesty, I do not see the problem with simplistic game making.

The same way there are rather simple movie premises that just work. Here is another example, the highest rated movie on RottenTomatoes isn't The Godfather or your other pick... it is actually Toy Story.

I love Toy Story one of my favorite movies of all time, but you can not tell me it has a deep plot and intriciate characters. So why shouldn't Mario be treated the same way

bobcat

11-19-2007, 04:26 PM

Bond

11-21-2007, 12:13 AM

I'm not quite clear how that furthers your point?
MAss Effect has good story telling elements and?
The closing comments on Mass Effect basically said everything I did a few posts back in different wording.

But back to your original problem just because Super Mario Galaxy is the best reviewed game (so far, I'm pretty sure it will drop eventually) and it only counts the last ten years or so doesn't mean it is the best game of all time or greatest game of all time.
Ok.

It makes it the most critically acclaimed game of all time.
That's fine.

I think your problem with this game (other than this game) is that it does not have the values many have recently come to associate with popular games. However, it seems to be a more recent trend and in all honesty, I do not see the problem with simplistic game making.
Right... movies started out in silence and in black and white. Now they're in full color and there's sound. You'd consider that a good thing... correct?

The videogame industry is very new, very young. Storytelling, intricate character development, voice acting, etc. are just starting to become within reach. Once developers are able to harness those features that make movies such an enthralling entertainment experience and mix that with the interactivity that videogames offfer - it's going to create the pinnacle of gaming.

Will there always be a place for basic platformers? Sure, just like there will always be a place for slap-stick movies. I'm looking at the grand scheme of things here.

Angrist

11-21-2007, 04:09 AM

Sure, if they ever make a game that has: A. Awesome, top notch, never boring gameplay and B. Epic storytelling, voice acting and character development... then yeah, I'm sure it has a big chance of becoming the best game ever. So far, no game has really managed to combine those 2. Some got really close though.

bobcat

11-21-2007, 04:50 AM

I guess if you were to choose.....would you go for gameplay or story? For me gameplay without a doubt. I know this is a bit of a skewed analysis but I think we need to establish what is most important here

GameMaster

11-24-2007, 11:54 PM

The box-art you never knew existed!

http://i2.tinypic.com/6wpucg8.jpg

BreakABone

11-25-2007, 02:16 AM

The box-art you never knew existed!

http://i2.tinypic.com/6wpucg8.jpg

O man that is friggin awesome.
Would love that as a poster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH1ahcug6rk

Man o man I love the gravity of this game.

BreakABone

02-16-2009, 12:31 AM