Children's Video Game Review:

In Super Mario Galaxy for the Nintendo Wii, Mario has to save his princess (again!) from the clutches of Bowser. This time around, however, he will have to fight Bowser and his crew in space, traveling to different galaxies, hopping on planets, and floating in gravity. Kids will have a fun time playing Mario on these planets, as they come in many shapes and sizes, each with different characters, items, platforms, and puzzles waiting to be discovered.

The game is in 3D but in some ways it remains classic Mario since kids spend a good amount of the game jumping on platforms and collecting items such as mushrooms, coins, and star bits. All the goodies you find have their own purposes, from giving you more lives, to revealing new planets, to providing new powers. Mario also has a few new moves--the most useful, besides his jump, is the spin attack, executed by shaking the Wii remote. The spin attack is not just a gimmick--it's effective when players need to knock down enemies like Goombas, Koopas, and Bowser.

Kids will have fun flicking the Wii remote forward to throw fireballs at enemies, but that's not all--Super Mario Galaxy features many new power ups. The winter mushroom gives players the ability to ice skate, so they will travel faster and can gain access to hard-to-reach areas. When players don the honeybee suit, they can fly and climb on giant honeycombs. In the haunted houses, Mario can turn into a ghost, allowing him to move through walls and cages.

A second player can also join in the game, assisting the main player by pointing the Wii remote at the television screen to collect star bits. The partner can carry some of that burden so that the main player can focus more determinedly on attacking and solving puzzles. Besides helping grab items, the partner can also shoot star bits at enemies, stunning them for a few seconds, allowing Mario to attack them without worrying about getting harmed.

There is plenty to do in this game, from fighting giant bosses, collecting items, wearing power suits, to finding secret stages. The game still stays true to Mario's roots, with simple and tight controls, charming characters, and nostalgic music. Super Mario Galaxy will appeal to anyone who enjoys action and adventure.

This game is a must-own with its breathtaking animations, involving gameplay, and superb variety.

 

Pros:

• Engrossing, graphically rich, involving, and pleasantly challenging. Its length is satisfying and its variety superb.
• Simple and tight controls.
• A second player can join in and help; kids can play cooperatively.
• Well designed levels that complement well with Mario's abilities .
• Has the classic Super Mario Bros. feel to it--good for fans.

Cons:

• Many of the level's bosses are easy to defeat.
• The story line (Mario saving the princess) is tried and true, but typical.

Our Rating:

A

more information:

For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Super Mario Galaxy . Available May 23, 2010: Super Mario Galaxy 2