As I posted above that is the biggest shocker to me was the soundtrack. It's amazing. I have never gone into a Mario game expecting great music and this one is just phenomenal.

Yeah, it does get better. There's a lot of variety across the different galaxies. Some are collections of tiny planets, but others are just one large area. Personally, I kinda like the "tiny planet" galaxies, although the game didn't really hook me until I got the first five or so stars and checked out a few of the galaxies.

Anyway, I hit the 50-star mark, and I can say without hesitation that this is the best 3D Mario game yet made. In fact, I'd actually put it just behind SMB3 and SMW in terms of the best Mario games ever. There are a lot of "fan service" references to many of the previous Mario games, the core gameplay is hugely entertaining, there's a ton of variety, and the number of stars to collect and galaxies to explore is impressive. As mentioned, the music is fantastic, with both re-imaginings of classic Mario songs as well as some brand new themes that fit in really well. I really can't find anything to complain about.

This game is great, but it's nowhere near the level of Super Mario 64. And in the fun factor department it isn't really close, IMO. One of the things I loved about Mario 64, was that any objective could be done, in any order. Things feel so much more linear in this game. In Mario 64, you could get a star accidentally, despite the given course objective. There is no abandoning the stated objectives here. In fact, the sense of accomplishment for getting a star just isn't the same. Also, the camera control of Mario 64 makes this one pale in comparison.

I don't want to seem as if I'm complaining too much, because Super Mario Galaxy is Game of the Year for me already. I just see some things that I think would have been better if Miyamoto was the head director. I still look forward to getting all 120 stars, and playing this one for months to come.

You could accidentally get stars, but there were also stars you could only get if you picked that star in Mario 64. One example would be boss battles.

Also there are stars you can get extra here, since I have already found a few bonus stars while going for a different star. I see your point, but I think one of the benefits is that different stars often veer you in different directions. In Mario 64 you were playing 95% the same board to get a different star. In this one when you're going for a different star whole sections of where you travel might change. I think it's a balance, but I did like the free roaming of Mario 64 as well.

I was very wary of buying SMG based on many comparisons made to Mario 64. Why wary? Because I didn't really enjoy Mario 64. I know it's blasphemy around here, but there was just something about it that didn't hook me. I ended up getting SMG yesterday at Best Buy due to the free $25 gift card, and I am so glad that I did. SMG feels so much more like the SNES and earlier mario games, which I absolutely love. The controls are great, other than my not always knowing which direction to push to get Mario to run the way I want him to, and the galaxy layout is so much fun.

While you can't do any objective in any order, there have been a couple times when I've selected the star to go for in the galaxy menu and gotten a completely different star that wasn't even in the list after playing the level. I actually like that these levels are a bit more focused. Quite a few times in M64 I was going for a specific star, like the coin stars, and accidentally got a different star, which was aggrivating given how long it took sometimes to get the coin stars.

I'm only 10 or so stars in, but I am already to the point where I'm confident in saying that I'm enjoying SMG more than I did SM64. This is, without a doubt, one of the finest video games ever produced, period.

Really enjoying it, but after playing through Rocky Road I realize the thing that has gotten worse about the Mario games is me. My skills stink. I got 120 stars in Mario 64, but I don't see that happening with this game.

Oh jeez...if the camera control in Mario 64 is BETTER, I'll be returning my copy in an instant. I can't even watch that game, let alone play it, since the view is so crummy.

I was never a fan of M64. To me it's a game that is much easier to admire than it is fun to play. No such problems with Galaxy.

It's so not worse than M64.

Mario 64's camera work was god awful. I play Mario 64 still on the virtual console and holy shit it's bad. I never realised back in the day but... that was like the first really 3d adventure for us in third person. Mario Galaxy's camera work may once in a short while be a little 'eh' but for the most part, the camera work is fine. Compared to Mario 64, camera work in Galaxy is a million bajillion times better.

Well, the fixed camera on Mario Galaxy is much better than Super Mario 64's. But it has to be, since you can't manipulate the camera like you could on SM64. There are several instances where I think Super Mario Galaxy would have benefitted from being able to do this. The abilty to zoom in, and look in any direction I wanted made me feel like I was truly a part of that world. I don't have that feeling with Galaxy at all.

I'm surprised to learn that Super Mario 64 had so many cons in many people's eyes. For me, the game was more or less perfect. If we are talking fun factor, I'd have to say that it is the funnest game I've ever played, and I don't really anticipate that changing (this only applies to the N64 version- not the DS or VC). But it all is really a matter of taste, I guess. My favorite Mario game pre-3D is Super Mario Brothers 2, so I guess I always have strayed from the classic, linear platforming that Super Mario Bros originally introduced.

It was one of the most fun games ever. And it still is, but after years of being spoiled with third person games, Mario 64's bad camera angles are truly frustrating now-a-days. If only there was a single button to get the camera to get directly behind mario without switching between Lakitu and Mario camera... ugh.

Actually, with Super Mario Galaxy, you do have the ability to zoom in, and look in any direction you want. It is done on the directional pad. You should read your manual, to see how this works. You can also manipulate the camera in some instances, if you should find the fixed angle does not suit you.

Yeah, if you press up on the directional pad, it will zoom in to Mario's view... and you can also use this view to find some star gems to pick up with the wiimote pointer.

This game has re-ignited my passion for video games. I keep experiencing these 'wow' moments where I just find myself smiling in awe at what is taking place on the screen. It does really feel like a true sequal to Mario 64, but leaps and bounds above it. (11 years of technological advances I suppose.) I never really enjoyed Mario Sunshine that much. The whole water pack thing was sort of a challenge to get the hang of.

I'm not that far into Galaxies yet, but I can see myself playing this for quite awhile. :)

Yes sir, I should.

There are certain places in each level you can't change the camera. It's static. From what I remember about SM64, you could control the the camera at all times.

I'm someone who loved Mario 3 and Mario World years ago; didn't care for Mario 64.

Hearing that this has similarities to those games (SMB3/SMW), I guess I'll have to pick it up with the gift card. And a Wii to play it! Well, as soon as I can find one... Now's the time, I suppose, considering I also really wanted to play Super Smash Brothers Wii -- which tremendously annoys me for not coming out in December (a game I wanted to play during the Christmas break when everyone is available to play it).

So far so fun! I've only gotten 3 stars so far,so I am barely into the game, but it has been fun. And wow, the game really does look good. I hope MP3 and SMG are harbinger of what we can expect from other publishers as far as graphics/art direction/fun.

As a man I refuse to read the instructions.

Oh man, I just starting playing Toy Time Galaxy, and I think it's my favorite now, if for nothing else than the music. Of course, the design is fantastic, and the difficulty is pretty good as well.

That's good that you just started there because so did I, and I absolutely cannot get the timing down on the Spring powerup. I don't understand it because when I first got it I was jumping around like crazy no problem. Then I stopped, and all of a sudden I cannot get my timing right for the life of me. It's driving me crazy because I cannot understand what I am doing wrong. When do you hit A for the next jump? Does it involve more than that? I swear I am hitting A as soon as his feet touch, nothing. I hit it after he compresses, nothing. What is the perfect time?

I could never get it down in a rhythm, although I think you need to hold A down while he's in the air, and then when he lands and compresses, let go of A.

Ahhh, that makes sense. I'll try that when I get home later.