Super Mario Galaxy: The Mustachioed Plumber's Interstellar Odyssey

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Super Mario Galaxy is a 3D platform game developed by Nintendo EAD Tokyo and released on November ^1, 2007 in Japan (November 16 in Europe) for the Wii . The first Mario game to take place entirely in space, it marked a turning point thanks to its innovations in gravity , spherical level design , staging and storytelling. Acclaimed by critics and players alike, it is today considered one of the greatest video games ever created.

Origin and ambition of the project

Super Mario Galaxy is the brainchild of Yoshiaki Koizumi , a team that wanted to push the boundaries of 3D platforming after Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine . The concept of gravity -based gameplay originated from a GameCube prototype where Mario raced around a small planetoid. The arrival of the Wii and its gesture controls allowed this idea to be realized with unprecedented fluidity.

Synopsis

As the Star Festival is in full swing, Bowser appears, kidnaps Peach , and teleports her castle into space. Mario, thrown across the galaxy, wakes up on the Comet Observatory . There, he meets Harmony (Rosalina) , guardian of the Lumas , who asks him to collect the Power Stars to reach the center of the universe.

Revolutionary gravitational gameplay

The gameplay relies on spherical gravity : each planet pulls Mario to its center. You can walk upside down, jump between multiple gravitational fields, and experience constant controlled disorientation .

Controls use the Wiimote and Nunchuk :

• Pointer to collect star fragments
• Shake the Wiimote for the whirlwind attack
• Propelling stars to teleport from one planet to another

Galaxies to explore

The universe is divided into six observation domes, each containing several thematic galaxies:

• Good Egg Galaxy – perfect for learning new mechanics
• Gusty Garden Galaxy – famous for its music and flying dandelions
• Freezeflame Galaxy – fusion of icy and volcanic levels
• Toy Time Galaxy – Retro Circuits in Electronic Toys Style
• Melty Molten Galaxy – molten platforms and epic music

Mario's Transformations

• Mario Bee – short flight and grip
• Ghost Mario – goes through gates and becomes invisible
• Mario Spring – dizzying bounce
• Ice Mario – freezes liquids under his feet
• Fire Mario – throws fireballs

A heavenly sound atmosphere

For the first time in a Mario game, the soundtrack is fully orchestrated . Composed by Mahito Yokota and supervised by Koji Kondo , it enhances the adventure:

• Gusty Garden Galaxy – iconic track
• Buoy Base Galaxy – captivating aquatic rhythm
• Observatory Theme – gentle melody that evolves as you progress

Key Characters and Narration

• Harmony – the first heroine with a serious tone, her secret book adds a touch of poetry
• The Lumas – small, talkative and endearing stars
• Bowser Jr. – Recurring secondary boss

Reception and inheritance

• Metacritic score: 97/100
• Game of the Year 2007 for many editorial teams
• 13.09 million copies sold on Wii
• Re-released in Super Mario 3D All-Stars on Switch (2020)

It influenced titles like Gravity Rush or A Hat in Time , and remains an absolute reference of the genre.

Why is Super Mario Galaxy a cult classic?

• Revolutionary gameplay around gravity
• Cosmic artistic direction mixing science fiction and fairy tale
• Striking orchestral music
• Rich and varied content
• Subtle and emotional storytelling with Harmony

Conclusion

Super Mario Galaxy is a masterpiece of video game art . With its mechanical creativity, technical mastery, and cosmic atmosphere, it offers an unforgettable intergalactic journey and remains, even today, an essential model of 3D platforming.