Really? I thought the controls for that game were great. The Z-Trigger Jump is still incredibly fun to me.

A new review has come in. This one from Deeko.com. 10 out of 10! Hit the link for the 2-page review:

http://www.deeko.com/nintendo_wii/re...ail.asp?id=921

Portions of the review that are very exciting:

"For those of you worried that you'll just be wandering around tiny platforms and never exploring huge, expansive worlds, you shouldn't be. First of all, the smaller areas in Galaxy are a blast to play, and the platforming in these segments - as in the rest of the game - is perfect. And there are also the aforementioned huge, expansive worlds to explore, which come more often than I thought they would. So in the end, you've got a fairly eclectic mix of ground to cover, which leads to the game's amazing replay value and fun factor, as you'll want to keep coming back to each galaxy, each area, even just to run around, something I haven't done in a game since Super Mario 64 - quite a testament to Galaxy's quality."

"The controls for the game are, quite simply put, perfect. There was never a moment where I became frustrated, never one time in which I wanted to put the Wii Remote down."

"Speaking of motion control, I'm sure you're all wondering one thing at this point: does the Wii Remote functionality actually work? Why yes, yes it does."

"The graphics in the game are, as expected, the best that the Wii has to offer for now. Many people (including myself) make negative remarks about the Wii's abilities now and then (okay, all the time), but this game really shows what the system can do. The environments are vast, beautiful, and very colorful. The detail allowed with the art style amazes at times and the enemy and character models are simply gorgeous. I'm most impressed by Bowser, who, for the first time, made me shocked at how good a Wii game can look. Yeah, that doesn't happen very often."

"So, are there any problems with Galaxy or aspects that I didn't like? Well, no. I tried very hard to find a flaw of any sort and there was nothing really game breaking. Any complaints I have with the game, well, they're so minute that I can't even remember them at this point. That or they just don't exist. It's rare to play through a perfect game or one that nears perfection, but Galaxy definitely fits that mold.

Hell, it's broken it."

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Very exciting! The wait for this game has become absolute torture for me!

I'm also anxiously awaiting this one! I haven't purchased a game since Wii Play back in Feb. and before that it was Zelda when I got the Wii last Christmas. I've watched a couple of the videos on youtube, but I kind of want to be 'surprised' and go into the game fresh. Mario Sunshine on the GC was kind of a disappointment (I just never really got into it) so I'm hoping Galaxy will blow me away.

I remember first playing Mario 64 back in '96 at launch and just being awed with the whole 3D landscape and how fun it was to roam around. Obviously, this will be a different experience but I'm hoping for that same sort of WOW factor.

Insert anxiously awaiting comment for the game here

I spent about 35 minutes with the game at my local GameStop today... and, all I can say is... "Wow."

Super Mario Galaxy feels like the next step in the Mario series, unlike the lateral move that Super Mario Sunshine took. The game is beautiful to behold, the music is another winner, and the game is no ordinary platformer. We're talking Wiimote functionality, 360-degree world movement (the upside-down parts that I got to were pretty awesome), and there are some very basic puzzle elements involved, too.

I was excited before I played the game, and now I'm ecstatic. This game will blow Mario fans away, and might surprise a lot of others, as well.

Good show, Nintendo. Good show, indeed.

Well, according to reports from those who have the Japanese import and the official guide, the reward for getting all 120 stars is

I've gone to play the demo several times. I'm blown away by this game and it may even challenge Portal and BioShock for my game of the year.

Wow, that's awesome, darkside! I'm glad to hear how blown away you are. Makes the wait even harder!!! All of those playing the demo, I'm so jealous! However, I'm proud of my willpower, in that I haven't ran out trying to find the nearest one. It's hard, but, I'm going to wait until I have the game in my hot hands!

By the way, it looks like GameStop has some exclusive Christmas ornaments featuring our favorite plumber!

http://gonintendo.com/?p=28506

I never thought I'd do this, but, I'm actually posting something from 1up.com. Jeremy Parish posted an article, titled "10 reasons Mario Galaxy could be a perfect 10".

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3164087

It's an interesting read!

this morning I played from the beginning through the 2nd star on the first galaxy. I cannot say enough good things about this. The music, controls, graphics, gravity effects, classic mario feel- they are ALL perfect. I wouldnt be surprised if this game got 10/10 reviews from many reviewers. I have no complaints yet, other than getting a little dizzy from running on the bottom sides of things. I haven't run into any large worlds yet, just the galaxies that shoot you from small planet to small planet.

I can't wait to play more, gonna try to get all my errands done early today. as good as I thought Sunshine was, Super Mario Galaxy truly brings the much needed classic Mario feeling back to the series.

btw, that Deeko.com review is a great read.

This is high on my list. I would buy it day one if I weren't so behind on my gaming. I'm currently hacking my way through The Phantom Hourglass, and I haven't finished Metroid yet. I've also got Bioshock still sitting here in the wrapper... I'm not going to pile on until I clean up some of that backlog.

Wow! I can't wait to get this!

I'm not neccessarliy hyped up for this, but I am really excited none-the-less. Can't wait to get my hands on this!

Here are some quick thoughts on the game 49 stars in. Ill try to keep spoilers to a minimum:

-The music is wonderful
-Controls are perfect. I havent been frustrated once by the controls.
-The environments are all very creative- MUCH more so that Sunshine. You'll be flipping, running up walls, flying from planet to planet in nearly every stage.
-2 player mode: AMAZING. I had a friend over yesterday, and we were taking turns getting stars. When once of us wasn't Mario, the other person would use the 2nd remote to collect star pieces, kill enemies, stun enemies, save Mario in a tough situation, and point important things out on the screen. Makes the game a whole lot more involving when a 2nd player is present. Really feels like a team effort.
-Difficulty- I really think the difficulty level of this game is absolutely perfect. It's easy enough for a non gamer to master with some practice, and has enough challenges for a gamer. HOWEVER, i will say that some of the star challenges had us saying "I wish that was more difficult"
-Length of game- we played for about 7.5 hours, and got 49 stars. I think you need
-There are a LOT less tedious challenges like the Sunshine's shadow races, blue coin challenges, and pinball machines.

Nintendo has really done a great service to fans with Mario Galaxy. Every Wii owner should buy this game without any hesitation.

thanks for the review. Sounds great.

Yes, thanks for your thoughts on the game, AndyCleveland. I simply can't wait to get this game. I've been trying to keep myself as spoiler free as possible. However, I've been reading the reviews, the thoughts from those who have played it, and watched many videos. This looks to be the ultimate Super Mario game. The release is so close, yet, it feels so far away!

#5 on that list excites me the most, as "half-baked Wiimote functionality" is the thing I feared the most woud happen with this game.

That is great that the second player has something to do. I definitely can enjoy playing this game with my girlfriend now.

I know - the next 10 days are going to seem very, very long...

Here's a link to the Japanese trailer. It's around 3 mins long and contains a lot of spoilers.

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1up.com has posted their review.

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3164124

I'll tell you, they are quite the tool. Seriously. Yes, they gave the game a 9.5 out of 10, which is great. Excellent, really. However, you will remember the link I posted (several posts above), where Jeremy Parish had written an article "10 reasons why Mario Galaxy could be a perfect 10". Well, now that Jeremy Parish has posted the review, he has gone back and changed the title of that article to "10 reasons Mario Galaxy could be incredible." I think it speaks volumes that, since he has posted the review, he went back to change the original title of the article. I think that he really wanted to give a 10, but, he wouldn't do it, because it's 1up. Seriously. He couldn't have given that half a point to make it a 10, yet, in his preview, he said it could be? Something is fishy about that. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad that it got the high score it did. However, it just speaks to the type of gamers 1up tailors to. They don't want to seem like they are just gushing about a Nintendo game, but, any old FPS crap that comes out is worthy of a 10, because it's the "cool" thing to do. Whatever!

Still, another great review for Super Mario Galaxy. I'm looking forward to reading many more.

Only 9.5? Canceling my pre-order. I'll wait for this to hit the bargain bin.

Retitled the old article? That is very lame. Did you call him out on the forums over there? Might be worth trudging through the kiddies to do just so they address it on the next podcast.

You are too funny, Groucho! Thanks for making me laugh!

Yes. If you hit the link to the article (http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3164087), you'll notice the name change.

It's really not a big deal, in the grand scheme of things. I actually find it funny. Shady, but, funny. It's really not worth me going to that site, and logging in, just to call him out on it. The 9.5/10 score is kind of like winning the race, but, the golden trophy has a small scratch on it. In the end, I'm happy with the score.

Looked like a pretty rave review to me. It actually reads like a 10 review. But it is bothersome that a game this fresh in the platformer genre doesn't rate as high as a game equally as fresh in the FPS genre.

It's a real headscratcher...but in the end, it matters not. I may actually pay fifty bones for this one...something I never do.