Heretic-Gamer

I don’t come across many fun, satisfying, and fulfilling games anymore. You could say that skews my view and lowers my expectations, but even if Super Mario Galaxy 2 were released long ago during the “classic” video game era (barring technological differences), I think it still would have held a prominent place. I think it makes it that much more commendable.

That being said, there are both positives and negatives to assess. For the most part I will evaluate the game as if this were an expansion review from what was covered in HG’s video review a few years ago, since the two games are largely the same.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the sequel to Super Mario Galaxy. This is pretty obvious by the “2″ in the title. Not many Nintendo games really use numbers for sequels, save the original Mario games, so you would think this game would require gamers to be familiar with the original title. A lot of people are probably expecting a game that further develops the ideas in the first game, and though some elements *are* developed, the overall concept is kept the same and gamers who played through the entirety of the original may find it’s younger brother repetitive, and in some cases more than similar. The games themselves are like fraternal twins.

One of the most irritating things I found in the game’s beginning stages was its pacing. The game seems to act (similarly to most Wii games..) as if you have no idea how the Wii controls work. Obviously the route Nintendo was trying to go here involved catering to first time gamers, but mostly to players who are not familiar with Super Mario Galaxy controls. To someone who has already played the first game this might get annoying. Fortunately the tutorials in the game can, for the most part, be avoided. As you complete several of the beginning stars, characters will appear on your “Face Ship” that give you tips on how to work basic controls and where certain moves are useful.

As for the galaxies themselves, they are accessed in a way that is different from the original game. This can simply be described as the difference between navigating levels in Super Mario 64 verses New Super Mario Bros. Instead of jumping off different platforms in Rosalina’s space ship like the first game, Super Mario Galaxy 2 involves traveling across 6 worlds which you gain access to as you go through them and gain power stars.

"Worlds" are accessed in the original via the ship

More conventional world navigation

Many of the galaxies are themed similarly to the first, but don’t expect the game to be without its surprises. Super Mario Galaxy 2 has its own collection of puzzles and difficulties that the original did not have. Prankster Comets in the first game make a reappearance with Daredevil, Time Trial and Purple Coin quests, but there are other unique challenges and mini games that even Super Mario Galaxy “veterans” will have to adapt to overcome. The biggest change from the first game is the existence of “green stars,” which become available after obtaining 120 of the typical normal power stars.

I would like to point out that at first this seems like a lame attempt at making the game longer than it really is, but the green stars deserve a little more credit than that. The original 120 stars are all action-packed, unique, and not a single one leaves you unsatisfied. Some of the stars in the first game seemed very systematic and felt like an afterthought. The green stars definitely do feel like an afterthought, because none of the green stars have their own levels but appear below past stars, but are the afterthought rather than any of the other 120. And while in both games you can obtain 240 total stars, the green stars are unique; you don’t redo the entire game over again (I won’t spoil any more for people who haven’t played the first). I will also briefly mention here that you can play as Luigi at many points over the course of the game, and you will find that he controls differently enough to require some practice. Another pleasant addition to the new game is also the Grandmaster Galaxy, which becomes available after obtaining the green stars.

Possibly the biggest addition to the new game is Yoshi. Those that remember him from Super Mario Sunshine will be pleasantly surprised at how useful he actually turns out to be. Not only that, but there are a few different types of fruit that you can obtain in the game that give him different powers (I won’t spoil them).

Unlike Sunshine you’ll find that Yoshi doesn’t require fuel to keep, and he doesn’t seem to dissolve in water. Overall he seems to be more of an asset than a forced addition. Other than that what can I really say? You’ll have to find out how he controls for yourself.

Let's face it, Sunshine was a stupid game overall

The pepper is great if you like throwing your Wii controller through your television

I enjoyed Yoshi thoroughly, and so should you.

At the time of this review I hadn’t completed all of the green stars, but felt as if I had a big enough idea of the game itself. In conclusion, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is more of a stand-alone game that might even be best bought alone. Fans of the first Galaxy game will find the sequel to be different enough, but just enough so that it isn’t a waste of money to buy both games. If you’re new to the Galaxy games, you could pick up either one and play it as if it were a stand-alone game. They are both extremely similar and yet independent, which makes it hard to recommend one or the other. Overall I would recommend playing through the first if you were going to go through both, though you certainly won’t be alienated if you pick up the second.

And still, as much as I think the game is really similar to Super Mario Galaxy, its sequel still has plenty of surprises.

Now why would I be showing this?

Final verdict: 4.5/5