Mario Galaxy 2 preview
Mario Galaxy fans should be optimistic, for Mario Galaxy 2 does not disappoint in the slightest. This isn’t just a sequel or a ‘look we added something new — let’s market it again!’ money maker. True, the concept is the same and there are new galaxies for players to explore, but MG2 offers something so essential to Mario fanatics. Something that was lacking in the first game: Yoshi.
He’s there. And he’s awesome.
Yoshi, along with his trademark grunting noise (you know the noise — where he sounds constipated yet still adorable), breathes fresh air in MG2. Yoshi has the ability to eat certain fruits that give him special powers. For example, when Yoshi’s tongue snatches up a Blimp Berry he turns into something reminiscent of Violet Beauregarde from Willy Wonka (the girl who turns into a giant blueberry). This silly fruit gives him the ability to hover for a short period of time. No, Mario isn’t allowed to eat the forbidden fruit. Yes, Yoshi is still adorable even when he looks like an inflated whoopee cushion.
A major plus is that, on most of the levels, if you lose Yoshi he will return shortly. Unlike Super Mario World for SNES where once you lose Yoshi he’ll run off a cliff faster than a lemming.
Mario gets the opportunity to obtain something that’s useful, yet ridiculous looking, as well. There’s a cloud suit that allows Mario to have three clouds which, with a tap of a button, cushion him in midair, giving him a platform whenever he needs it. But beware: touching water will make this fluffy ability disappear.
Another new feature of MG2 is strategically placed “Tip Networks” on the levels. These “Tip Networks” are basically TV that houses tutorial session that show the player how to do things/get past difficult parts that the game developers felt might be difficult for some players. Even more so, if you’ve been struggling with a level to the point where you’re ready to throw your Wii at your beloved family pet, MG2 will have a function appear that will ask you if you’d like some help in finding a way to beat the level. The player can watch the game play Mario through the level and at any point return to their game and try it themselves. I must say that Mario Galaxy, while vibrant and exciting, can be incredibly tricky and frustrating. This option is a savior for those of us with weak skills and short tempers.
Speaking of vibrant, there isn’t a game on the Wii that compares in beauty to MG2. Everthing else is like a dumpy, uglier friend to the hot babe that is Mario Galaxy 2. Once again, Nintendo has found a way to put cute, colorful, detailed, and challenging into a blender and come out with the best Mario soup possible. When you witness this game, the stars of the Galaxy reflected in your eyes, you will wonder why doing homework can’t be that awe inspiring…