Mario is a staple in the video gaming industry, but in the last several years his performance in the living room has rolled downhill. Mario 64 was Nintendo’s last smash hit in the franchise and Mario Galaxy has stepped in line to inherit that legacy.

Mario 64 was fun because it pulled players in with a variety of different jumps, somersaults and environmental interactions. Galaxy builds on this concept by adding new spin attacks, swinging moves and a host of new villains hidden in exotic worlds.

In the meantime Sony and Microsoft are pushing games like Assassin’s creed and Halo which certainly appeal to hardcore gamers, but they don’t work well for casual gamers who only want to play for 15 minutes at a time. They also demand more gumption as violent confrontations drive the game engine.

Many gamers agree that Mario Galaxy is a hit and they’ve given their vote of confidence by purchasing the game. Nintendo reports that they’ve sold 500,000 copies of Galaxy in the first week of its release.

However, even some dedicated Mario fans may find room for improvement. Don Reisinger from CNET’s The Digital Home found some of the game controls gimmicky and irritating, and he indicates that some of the problem may be with the Wii-mote movements. He also mentions the storyline leaves something to be desired. But that’s consistent with the franchise since Super Mario Bros.

Mario Galaxy will appeal to casual gamers who are looking for the next great platform jumper with a lighthearted twist. It won’t satisfy the urge for a fragfest or spray blood across the screen. That’s just fine with Mario fans.

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Entry was posted on Monday, November 26th, 2007 at 7:56 pm under Uncategorized.

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