Review: Mario Galaxy 2

Ok, now this was a long time coming. Anybody out there who knows which type of gamer I am will immediately understand when I say that Mario Galaxy 2 is the best Wii game out there right now. All of the new challenges, powerups, boss fights, and gameplay mechanics have been improved in a big way, along with a few other changes. This is a big leap forward for the platforming genre, and in every way an experience that no one with a heart should pass up.

Developer:Nintendo
Publisher:Nintendo
Genre: 3D Platformer
Platform: Wii

One of the biggest, and best changes in my opinion, was the revamping of the world system. The experience has been streamlined to a world by world progression, making it much easier to understand how far along in the game you are, and how much more needs to be done before another world is unlocked. It may sound like the easy way out, but this was a big complaint that alot of people told me they had with first game, glad to see it’s been improved here.

Everything else about Galaxy 2 can be summed up in one word, awesome. The visual style is gorgeous, the soundtrack is fantastic, and the level designs are very creative. The camera now follows the player as they move around each planet, making it less nauseating for those of us with weak stomachs out there. Gameplay mechanics are just as solid as they have ever been. A few new outfits, such as the rock suit, and my personal favorite, the cloud suit, encourage the player to think outside the box when it comes to how they traverse through a level. Let’s not forget about Yoshi either, that little dinosaur’s special abilities created some tense moments for me throughout the entire game.



Mario games have never been a walk in the park, and Galaxy 2 is no exception. The level of challenge amps up as you make way through each world, and there will be some moments where giving up feels like the only way out. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I died during certain boss fights, because honestly, I don’t even remember. Always wanting to give yourself one more chance separates the good titles from the truly exceptional ones.

Don’t think for a second that the hardcore fans of the franchise have been forgotten. There is enough replay value here to keep any gamer occupied for quite some time. Secret comet medals are scattered throughout each galaxy, a whole new world opens up after you complete the story, and a total of 242 stars can be collected(that’s right, I said it). More bang for the buck is the best way to describe the overall value of this incredible package.

Mario Galaxy 2 is one of those rare instances in which it is hard to find anything bad to say about a video game. Everything about it is solid, fun, and completely fantastic. One of these days, our beloved plumber needs a break, because honestly, he is getting the workout of his life in these games. This is the way platforming games should be made, period. (A+)

 - Matt H.