Super Mario Galaxy 2 review

I was actually taken by surprise when Super Mario Galaxy 2 dropped through my door. Even though it’s been three years since the first game, I really wasn’t expecting it to be out so soon. So I put the disc in expecting it to be more of the same and it is - only far more streamlined with loads more variety.

Once again the Princess has been captured and off you zoom through the galaxy to rescue her from Bowser. This time you travel around the world map on a spaceship shaped like Mario’s head and collect stars in order to progress.

As soon as you start running around the topsy-turvy levels it’s easy to just jump straight into the game if you’ve played the first one. Even though at times you’re running around upside-down and sideways the game never lets you get disorientated and is a joy to play. It really is like a virtual playground you can just jump into for a short while or for longer whenever you’ve got some spare time.

Mario’s also got some new powers. As before he can fly around dressed as a bee or shoot out fireballs but now he can also drill through planets, bowl over enemies as a ball of stone and even make his own platforms as cloud Mario. All these extra powers mean the levels are incredibly varied and no two are the same. Sure you have to sometimes go back to levels to find hidden stars but these aren’t all compulsory unless you want to find everything in the game.

And sure the game sometimes does get very tricky but when you keep dying it never gets too frustrating - in fact it just spurs you to keep trying until you do it. And if you can’t, the game will also do the level for you eventually in a way similar to New Super Mario Bros Wii.

Luigi also makes an appearance now and then. If you see him at the start of a level you can talk to him and play through as Mario’s taller faster brother. The game also looks sharper and more colourful than before and of course the soundtrack and sound effects all add to the experience as Mario jumps and flies around the planets and levels.

The only thing I can think to grumble about is sometimes it’s a bit similar to the first game but because that was also a fantastic game it can’t really be counted as a negative. So, for the first time in Gamesweasel’s history, I’m awarding Super Mario Galaxy 2 a perfect 10 out of 10. Top marks Mario!

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Related: New Super Mario Bros review, Interview with the voice behind Mario, Super Mario Galaxy 2 review on Youtube