Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo Selects)

"Super Mario Galaxy" is an incredibly fun and addicting game! The levels can be very easy in the beginning, but they slowly get more challenging while still being fun. The graphics are very good for the Wii system. The Wii seems to get shorthanded with graphics in a lot of games, but not this one! Yes the graphics are not going to be like the XBox, but in "Super Mario Galaxy" the Wii's graphics are outstanding! This game clearly took in mind the Wii's capabilities and it shows (in a good way)! The opening cutscenes were especially beautifully done. Speaking of cutscenes, one of the down sides is the beginning. There are some long cutscenes that you can't skip; some of the cutscenes tell the story (i.e. Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach) while others explain how to play (while simultaneously furthering the story). Not bad if you: a) want to know the back story; b) are a younger kid; c) new to video games or Mario games. The cutscenes were okay, but after a few I really wanted to play the game! Now to the gameplay. I found the gameplay in this game to be very inventive. The premise of the game is that you are on the Comet Observatory. On this Observatory there are domes that lead to different galaxies. You start with only one dome open, but as you collect stars more become available. Each dome contains a certain number of galaxies that have their own gravitational system. Sometimes you can walk upside down on a planet or you could constantly be being flipped upside down or right side up to complete a level. It can be confusing at first, but once you get in the swing of it, it's so much fun! The power ups are pretty good. There are the some traditional power ups (i.e. Fire Flower), but also some new ones like Bee, Boo, and Spring Mario. I like Bee Mario (you can fly for short bursts of time and crawl on some walls), but I HATE Spring Mario. With Spring Mario you turn into a spring and have the ability to jump really high. For the longest time I could not get it, but now I sort of do. Spring Mario is kind of sensitive to the controls, but if you keep on moving and know where you want to go before you jump--it's a bit better. You just need to practice. The controls are good. I don't find myself worrying too much about the controls during the game, except when you are Spring Mario or swimming. Thankfully there are not a lot of swimming stages. When you are swimming, the controls are inverted (which is not a huge deal), BUT if you need to turn around you have to make a big circle. Not to much of an issue...except if you are underneath something and need to get to air so you don't die. It gets better with practice, but it's still awkward. This game really uses the Wii motion technology to its advantage. You use the control stick on the nunchuk to walk, A button on the remote to jump, Z button on the nunchuk to crouch, and point the Wii remote to collect star bits. Collecting star bits is important because they can open new areas of the game (if you feed them to Hungry Lumas) and they can be used to stun enemies (point and press the B button on the Wii remote). There are some moves like the Spin Jump that also effectively use the Wii remote and motion technology. While this game is marketed as a 2 player game, it's really more like 1 and a half player game. See, when you add a second player they don't play another character (i.e. Luigi or Toad). They take over collecting stars and shooting star bits and stopping enemies. While they can also make Mario jump or spin in mid-air after jumping, the most effective use of the second player is collecting star bits and stopping enemies. While this is not as fun for more seasoned video game players, it can be fun for younger kids or people new to video games. It could also be helpful when there are a lot of enemies to deal with. If all of this were the only things to be taken into account, I would give this game only 4 stars. HOWEVER, the thing (in my opinion) that makes this a 5 star game is the music. The music is SUPERB! Great graphics, fun worlds, awesome gameplay is all tied together with really epic music! In my opinion the music seals the deal in making this 5 stars! Great game and very addicting! A "must buy" for any Wii owner...especially since this game is now a Nintendo Selects and only $20! In my opinion, this was money well spent.

I have so much good to say about this game. The concept: Spectacular. I've always been enthralled by outer space, and this game puts me right out there. The graphics: Stunning. Just beautiful. Hands down one of the best visual experiences delivered by a Wii game. The soundtrack: Out of this world (no pun intended). In all truth, it makes you feel like you are out exploring the galaxy, while still sounding like all the good ol' Mario games. The gameplay: Amazing. If you grew up like I did with Super Mario 64, then this game will bring back tons of memories. It brings back the great open feel that Mario 64 did, while adding a few modern quirks (differing gravities, among other things). Overall, this game has been amazing for me. I got all the stars when I bought it years back and had a blast doing it. I wanted to play it through again a year or two later but to my dismay the disc had been cracked by poor care on my part (never put the disc by itself in the back pouch of the front seat of a car. Yes I was stupid.) So I decided to order it on Amazon and as soon as it came in and I popped it in the Wii I got a huge smile on my face. Extremely fun and challenging at points, and with a soundtrack that you could just put down the controller and listen to for hours, this game is simply amazing. Definitely in my top 5 games of all time.

Super Mario Galaxy is the quintessential Super Mario game for the Wii. Although the game is now almost 5 years old, I just bought it. I have a hard time wanting to spend $40-50 for a game...especially in this economy. Money is tight, and I want to stretch it as far as I can. So imagine how ecstatic I was when Super Mario Galaxy came out under the Nintendo Selects line. At the new $19.99 (or lower depending on who you buy it from) price point, you really can't afford not to add this game to your Wii library! The best way to describe this game is that it is the Wii equivalent of what Super Mario 64 was for the Nintendo 64. The story is innovative, the game challenging, and the graphics crisp - all of which combines to form an amazing game experience. However, also like Super Mario 64, the controls do take some getting used to. Most Super Mario veterans are not used to playing with a Mario character running through 3D environments. There are also times in the game where the perspective shifts to 2D, which also complicates things a bit. Because of the 3D environment, there is a slight learning curve with the controls...especially the camera angles. But this is quickly overcome after the first two or three galaxies and it becomes natural and effortless. If you haven't ever played this game or have played it and were waiting for the price to come down like I was, BUY THIS GAME! You won't regret it and you will be rewarded with hours of enjoyment. Summary Gameplay = A+ Graphics = A+ Story = A Fun Factor = A+ Controls = B+ (for those levels with the difficult camera angles) Price = A+++ Recommendation: Buy this game, especially if you're a Super Mario fan.

Ever since Mario64, Nintendo has been slapping the balls right out the park with every 3D Mario release. Each one being better than the next. SMG is no exception. Everything about this game is of the best quality, except for the story line, which is exactly what it should be for a 3D Mario, light. It's more about solving the puzzles and platforming through genius designed levels. In terms of graphics, this looks like a PS3 game to be honest. This is what the Wii is truly capable of. Forget what you've heard about Wii graphics, cuz this one'll shut you up. Controls feel wonderful, with great response. Light motion controls make it even better. Mario never looked and felt so good, this is a must own for any gamer. I give this game 5 stars.

Ordered 2 games from this seller and they arrived in great packaging and the games are CIB and in excellent shape… Will buy from them again.

No complaints here. Great product

My 4 year old step-grandson LOVES this game. I haven't played it; I've just watched him play it. Very imaginative fantasy. He desperately wants to read so he doesn't have to rely on adults to read the paragraphs that pop up with the story lines & missions for Mario. Super Mario finds items, coins, saves stars, planets, & the princess. No one else is interested in playing this game but that's ok with him! Sometimes, his Dad (age 31) helps him over the difficult parts so he can progress within the game. He saves his progress so he doesn't have to start over when he's done playing. However, I've noticed he voluntarily likes to repeat certain levels just because he enjoys it. I ordered one so he can play over at our house too (without risk of bringing his game from his house & possibly losing it). I recommend this game IF your child has patience to learn how to make Mario achieve different goals within each level & is into making him a super hero character. Personally, I think it seems a little too complicated for a 4 year old to grasp but my step-grandson does amazingly well. I think a 6 year old could play it fairly easily & being able to read would be ideal. Attention span: 3 hours.

Got what I asked for and I'm having a blast.