Galactic success

by ERIK LEIJON

In the not-so-long annals of gaming history, the 1996 release of Super Mario 64 stands out as perhaps the singular most pivotal moment for the industry. It was more than just a chubby red-hatted plumber adding an extra dimension—it was the discovery of a whole new world of gaming opportunities, of graphics, of deep storylines, of genres previously thought unimaginable.

After the ill-advised decision to slap a super soaker to Mario’s back in Super Mario Sunshine, and a year of selling Wii’s without a must-own Mario game, it was conceivable that the days of gaming’s most famous ambassador defining a console generation were no longer. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii/Nintendo, EAD Tokyo) thankfully ends a decade of goomba-stomping detente; it’s not only the best Wii game by a considerable margin, it’s the best Nintendo game since Super Mario 64.

Galaxy’s lead designer Yoshiaki Koizumi spoke at this year’s Montreal International Game Summit, and his explanation of how Galaxy redefines the Mario experience provided good insight into why the game is so damn good. If Super Mario 64 broke significant ground by going to three dimensions, then it could be said Galaxy is in 3.5 dimensions. Instead of jumping around a flat surface, Mario takes to the stars to save the Princess. Most of the levels consist of a series of small globes/planets, with Mario running around them. Each of these planets has their own gravitational pull, so it’s equally possible to run and jump on the northern or southern hemispheres.

The most comparable thing I’ve seen is Raphael the Raven’s boss in Yoshi’s Island, except this is in full 3D. Koizumi liked this new perspective because it provided unlimited gameplay (since an enemy could theoretically chase you around a planet forever) and because the camera doesn’t have to be adjusted.

For the non-globe levels, such as the swimming levels in the Beach Bowl Galaxy and the racing stages, having only limited control over the camera is annoying, but the globe levels are pure bliss. It can be disorienting at first to be walking upside down, so my only advice is when using the nunchuk analog stick to move Mario, your first instinct is almost always the correct one. In that sense, the gameplay becomes a zen-like experience, since attempting to rationalize the control scheme (especially when the camera is constantly rotating) will only result in frustration.

Galaxy is additionally the best looking Wii game. The space and planet motif really allowed the development team to reinvent the typical Mario worlds, often juxtaposing the traditional ghost, ice or water style of levels with the general space theme. Every planet has their own distinct personality, and lives up to the intricate, feng shui level design of a Mario title. Some planets even have pits and holes, and Mario must worry about missing a ledge and getting sucked into a blackhole. Using the nunchuk and the A button on the remote, Mario can perform the same acrobatic moves from Super Mario 64.

Koizumi also added a two-player mode to make Galaxy a family-friendly experience. The second player uses the remote to absorb and shoot star bits (the interplanetary coin), keep rolling boulders or other dangers away from Mario, or help with the plumber’s jumping. Play alone, play with someone, just fucking play Super Mario Galaxy.

Open for Business

Eidos Montreal is officially open, as is their Web site. They’ve already posted a teaser trailer for their first game, Deux Ex 3. If you haven’t sent your CV, or you just want to check out the trailer, visit www.eidosmontreal.com.