Much appreciated if you read and rate my reviews. Job hunting has taken over at the moment. Will ret...
Much appreciated if you read and rate my reviews. Job hunting has taken over at the moment. Will return one day.
Member since:11.10.2008
Reviews:23
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Mario has jumped, or should I say, flew onto the Wii with this great title which really proves why people like Nintendo so much, and is a great return to the great platforming we've come to expect from the Mario franchise.
The plot is not too far from any other Mario game, Bowser decides once again he wants the Princess for himself. This time however he decides this will be the start of his new universe and whisks Princess Peach off into outer space to execute his plan, leaving Mario to once again save the Princess, and this time, save the universe.
And so this is where we begin, much like other Mario games you are given the tasks to go through various themed worlds to collect a star, and more stars open up more levels until you get to the final world, defeat Bowser and save the Princess (at least until the next Mario game!).
Graphics and Presentation
What sets this apart from past Mario games is simply the beauty and craftmanship behind each world, or 'Galaxy'. Each galaxy contains a variety of challenges set against it's unique backdrop. Worlds include
haunted houses, worlds of candy, scorching deserts and lush forests, all of them a visual feast. While the Wii isn't the best at graphics this game shows what it is still capable of, which is many beautiful worlds which suit Mario perfectly.
While recent editions of Mario have no where near matched the iconic soundtracks of the original games, Galaxy provides a very refreshing treat with it's soundtrack, creating a perfect mood for each level which only adds to the presentation of the game.
Gameplay
The gameplay is yet another delight of this game. The controls are simple to learn and make great use of the Wii's capabilities without making it feel like a gimmick. A pointer is used to collect star bits, collectable items not too far from traditional coins, and a light shake brings out Mario's most useful move, a spin used to break through barriers and destroy enemies. Both these mechanics really add to the gameplay to give a unique feel to Mario's latest outing.
On top of this, I recieved much delight on seeing Mario scale small planets, each with it's own gravity, making it a unique platforming experience as you learn to use this to your advantage to collect coins, travel between planets or figure out a puzzle to help you get the elusive star. Another mentionable feature is the range of power ups available. From the return of the classic fire flower to help you shoot fire at enemies, to the new Bee costume enabling you to buzz around honeycombs, these powerups add new gameplay features to give an even greater variety upon the level designs making sure you will never get bored. And just in case that wasn't enough there are many other gameplay features, including riding string rays, floating in a bubble or rolling along on top of a ball to reach the level's end to mix it up. As well as that, 'comets' that orbit planets will give you extra challenges such as collecting all the purple coins to challenging you to beat a boss with just one piece of health.
All these different ways to play keep the game varied enough to make sure you're never going to get bored.
The biggest fault of the gameplay is the bane of many platformers, a sometimes unhelpful camera. This can sometimes make that jump a little more challenging then you'd wish. However even this isn't a common occurance and the camera generally works to your advantage.
Difficulty and Fun
The difficulty of the game is very much varied. There are some points in the game where you wish you were slightly more pushed by the gameplay, however overall the game manages a good learning curve, with later levels providing a challenge to even the best. There will be sometimes where you want to throw your controller out of the window at some of the later levels, but it's nothing more than what we would expect from Mario, a great challenge.
The biggest point to make about this game is that, even on the easy levels, you can't help but have fun. With each level being a treat to play, and the controls and mechanics constantly keeping the game fun and varied you will find it hard to be bored by this game.
On top of this, the usual total of 120 stars means there is plenty to keep you going, this is by no means a short platforming game. While you can beat the game with about half the amount the challenge comes from getting them all. And for those who like to be rewarded, those with all the stars will unlock a green coloured suprise to play as...
Summary
This game is a must have for those who own the Wii, whether you've loved Mario since the beginning, or have stumbled into the world of Nintendo for the first time. It's fun for everyone, with challenges to suit all. And with a great soundtrack and stunning visuals you can't help be drawn into this game which is literally out of this world.
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The ultimate Nintendo hero is taking the ultimate step ... out into space. Join Mario as ... more
he ushers in a new era of video games, defying gravity across all the planets in the galaxy. Features: Shake, tilt and point! Mario takes advantage of all the un...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controls, guide Mario round different galaxies, and the ... more
various planets contained within. Collect power-ups which bestow you with powers: floating, super-powered jumping and even the power to walk through walls.Gameplay...
Postage & Packaging: £3.95 Availability: In stock. 3 working days
The ultimate Nintendo hero is taking the ultimate step ... out into space. Join Mario as ... more
he ushers in a new era of video games, defying gravity across all the planets in the galaxy. Features: Shake, tilt and point! Mario takes advantage of all the un...
Postage & Packaging: £1.85 Availability: Usually dispatched within 2-3 business days...
Mario takes to the stars!Sea stars, desert stars, ghost stars, toy stars... Get ready for ... more
an adventure of galactic proportions, spanning a multitude of stars across a vast universe!An array of transformations!:Good ol' Fire Mario.Pass through walls wit...
Advantages: Some great exclusive games that use the Wii-mote and other accessories for a unique experience. Disadvantages: Underpowered next to its main competitors and with weak versions of many cross platform games.
Phantom_Wombat 08.04.2009 (08.04.2009)
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