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Mario Galaxy - Get past the dull intro, and the rest is fantastic!

Gothic Girl | November 01, 2007 | Reviews | Wii 
With today's Japan release of Super Mario Galaxy, comes the reviews.
Kotaku.com have got their hands on a copy of the game, and are thoroughly impressed ... well, after they got passed the dull introduction scenes, then they were thoroughly impressed.
Before popping in Super Mario Galaxy this afternoon, I had to dust my Nintendo Wii. Besides the occasional Wii Sports game, the machine hasn't gotten much use. It's kinda just sat there in the living room, waiting for games — not mini-games, but games. After an unnecessarily long drought, the games are finally starting to hit. Third party-wise Zack & Wiki, which is fantastic, dropped, and today sees the release of Super Mario Galaxy in Japan.

Played through the game a far bit with Crecente at this year's E3. The Wii-mote controls were tight, the graphics were great and the game was a helluva good time. With this being the first console game in the Mario series since 2002, SMG has been written up in detail after every public showing — more so recently with the actual game in demo kiosks across America. Yes, the Wii-mote controls are still tight, the graphics are still great and, yes, it's still a helluva good time. Well, once you begin the adventure part. Everything leading up to that is a bit of a drag.

Like others I'm sure, my earliest gaming memories were of Mario jumping on turtles and throwing fire. Mario was doing stuff. So, when I pop in a Mario game, I want to do things, which is probably why I've never been into titles like talk-heavy Super Mario RPG or Paper Mario, regardless how wonderful those games are. Mario as a platformer made a deep impression on me as a kid (and the entire industry). Not so interested in what Mario has to say! Would rather have the little guy jump around, throw fire and hop on turtles. So, SMGis that in space! Sign me up.

And once you get to that part, it's grand. However, as anyone who has played the game can attest, there's about 10~15 of cut scenes and dialogue. Great, so there's a comet passing over the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser takes Peach to space, some lady named "Rosetta" ("Rosalina" in English) helps Mario, blah, blah. Do. Not. Care. It's two~three minutes of exposition dragged out to a length three or four times that, followed by a separate tutorial that seems overdone. And yes, the cut scenes are pretty, but who plays Mario games for cut scenes? The first ten minutes were unnecessary, dull and not fun. But once you clear that, damn is this game fantastic.

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  • 0 thumbs!
    ConkerASkyJockey | November 02, 2007
    I like intros.

    Something tells me this game might win the "Game of the Year" award.

    To be honest. Super Mario Galaxy seems and sounds fantastic from many reviews I seen. This game is gonna be one I will enjoy... allot.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Kazooieman | November 02, 2007
    It better win the game of the year and the game of my heart! =D

    Or else Nintendo!
  • 0 thumbs!
    KingX2 | November 02, 2007
    I'm thinking Super Mario Galaxy will win "Game of the Year" award too. It already has good karma and I bet when it gets released, it will turn out to be a very good game.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Catboy14 | November 02, 2007
    I like the intro. I want there to be a nice story. Doing stuff is great, but actually knowing why you're doing it makes it that much better.
  • 0 thumbs!
    zebra cakes | November 03, 2007
    I don't think they are dull. They are fine. Most people who don't like intros just skip the intro itself anyways.
    • 2 thumbs!
      Kazooieman | November 03, 2007
      People who skip the intro when they first get the game are stupid... they could be missing out on vital information!

      After you've played through your first file a lot and want to start a new one then thats the only time it should be skipped!
  • 0 thumbs!
    doylie | November 03, 2007
    If a game has a poor intro it kinda puts me off it (unless it's really good afterwards)
    • 0 thumbs!
      black doom | November 03, 2007
      It says that the intro is not Mario style not that it is not good.
      • 0 thumbs!
        doylie | November 03, 2007
        Yea i know what is said but i was just saying it in general...
  • 0 thumbs!
    Seeker X | November 03, 2007
    Didn't the intro just show how Bowser (again) comes and invade the Mushroom Kingdom (again) and kidnap Princess Peach? (again) How is that not Mario style?
    • 0 thumbs!
      black doom | November 03, 2007
      I don't have a clue, I was just referencing the article. Like in an English class.
    • 0 thumbs!
      ConkerASkyJockey | November 04, 2007
      Since when does Bowser come from a pirate ship? Since when does Mario gets blast into space by Kamek.

      Answer me that.
      • 0 thumbs!
        Kazooieman | November 05, 2007
        No1: Since Super Mario Bros. 3

        No2: Kamek is his sidekick!

        Happy?
  • 0 thumbs!
    TwilightPrince | November 03, 2007
    How is that intro dull?

    I thought it was amazing.

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