The Buzz

In 2007, Nintendo released Super Mario Galaxy, their next 3d console sequel to the Mario franchise. It was praised highly for its unique level design, fantastic soundtrack, and its genuine fun factor. 3 years later, we come to Super Mario Galaxy 2. It features great new changes to an already amazing formula.

Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser, once again!!! Bowser escapes into outer space to create his empire at the center of the universe again. Naturally, Mario is going to rescue her, with the help of star power from master luma (star-like creatures with the capability to transform). After launching into outer space, Mario is given control of Starship Mario, made by Lubba, which are powered by Power Stars and piloted by other Lumas. Mario’s mission is to fly across the universe in pursuit of Bowser and recue the Princess and to help Lubba find the lost Lumas that were part of Bowser’s plot.

The game leaves the hub world from the first game, and sticks to a traditional world map, like in side-scrolling Mario titles. This works great, and is much easier to navigate making it more linear or straightforward as opposed to the somewhat open world. From here, Mario can enter galaxies. . The music though does bring back at times classic melodies from past Super Mario Brothers titles like the first Super Mario Galaxy did, still remains as epic and very appropriate for the game’s atmosphere which perfectly accents the action.. The graphics are absolutely amazing through-out the game

The gameplay of Super Mario Galaxy 2 is similar to that of the first Super Mario Galaxy, with a focus on plat forming based on and around 3D planets with varying sizes and landscapes. The controls are pretty much the same as the first game, and they seem much smoother and more responsive. There is more challenge as the levels are longer and somewhat more difficult. This is a welcome change for experienced gamers.  Another change is that there is more 2-dimensional gameplay, which is very well done and serves as a good change of pace, giving that traditional Mario game touch.

Making his galaxy debut, Yoshi as your trusty steed. Yoshi can use his tongue to swing across gaps. When riding Yoshi, the Star Pointer is replaced by a red dot which allows the player to aim and control his tongue to swing off objects, pull levers or swallow and spitting out enemies. Yoshi can also eat fruits that give him various powers, such as the dash pepper which makes Yoshi move like a speed demon through Zero-G platforms, or the blimp fruit with the ability to inflate like a balloon and float in the air to get to certain platforms, or the power to reveal secret paths.  Luigi is also available as a playable character much soon then the previous game which required you to collect 120 stars.

With a new game, come new powers and abilities. From the new Cloud suit, where as you jump you can create cloud platforms in midair to the Rock suit that can make you Invincible as you can easily smash your way through foes and rocks to uncover hidden star bits and coins all can be used to help you on your quest. Mario can get a drill that allows the player to drill through planets adding a new dimension to the game. The game also allows a second player to control an Orange Luma to help Mario. In addition to freezing enemies and grabbing stars for the player, the Luma can attack enemies and collect items such as coins and bubbles, holding on to them until Mario needs them.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is smooth, polished and shows the time-dedicated love and attention that was bestowed upon it during its 3-year absence. It takes the best parts of the original and makes them better while taking away what didn’t work the first time. They have wisely included more for player 2 to do while acknowledging that Mario is still, front and center, the star of the show. The music is even more fully orchestrated than before. The attention to detail is phenomenal and showcases Nintendo’s desire to never compromise by releasing a product too quickly without undergoing the rigorous quality control that this game clearly had.