New ways to play. That’s what Nintendo said about the Wii, how little I realised what a sweeping statement that would be.

From the first moments when you load up Super Mario Galaxy you know it’s a Mario game and that Nintendo have put 110% in developing the latest in the portly plumber’s adventure, there is crispness in the menu screen and a little twinkle in your pre-game set up.

It’s the little things, the fact you can spin Mario’s face on the start screen, the faster you drag you Wii-mote the faster Mario Spins. It’s a subtle nod to Mario 64, so subtle in fact you can almost miss it and no doubt its presence is an indication of the lofty heights at which this game is trying to reach.

The planets which represent the save files also spin on contact and chime with an eerie extra terrestrial vibe, that change to the head of your favourite Mario Character or even to a Mii of your choosing.

These brief moments of “play” painted a thousand words of how important this game is to Nintendo and I’ve not even really started.

The game itself is the product of what we’ve come to expect from a Mario game, regardless of what you thought of Sunshine there’s no denying the games smooth controls, confident level design and catchy music. Super Mario Galaxy applies the same logic and then blasts it into space; just as soon as you’ve accustomed yourself to the Wii-mote you have to contend with Mario being able to run the entire circumference of the games many mini planets.

Which is where i refer back to my original coment about new ways to play, Super Mario embraces this mantra and throws you into a mind bending world where gravity has taken a giant leap out from the subconcious and right to top front of my mind. On the larger worlds i sometimes find i have to remind myself that i can run off the edge.

One other direction Mario is taken is with the two player mode, instead of simply allowing Luigi to take over when Mario dies, player two has a less involved but more direct influence than before. This is because player two controls a second Wii-mote and assists Mario in collecting stars bits, paralyzing enemies and enabling a super jump.

While on the positive side it keeps the action fluid without having to change characters and also stops a split screen alternative, player two does run the risk of feeling left out, but so long as they remain committed there’s no reason why both can’t enjoy the interaction.

from what I’ve played of Super Mario Galaxy, it is a very enjoyable game, that has at times made me laugh out loud with its pithy humor, gasp with amazement and coo in ore of its beauty.

I certainly hope the rest of the game continues to do so. Be sure to check beck in the near future for my full blown review.