Super Mario Galaxy
Review

Super Mario Galaxy (2007) is a different style of running, jumping and exploration game. It takes Mario to hundreds of different planet-shaped levels as you race to save Princess Peach from Bowser's claws. It stands out for the way the mind-bending physics and ever-changing gravity add a new twist to the classic platforming play.

You play Mario who, when he arrives at the Mushroom Kingdom, finds its Toad citizens petrified in crystals and Princess Paech missing once again. This, time she's been captured by Bowser and taken to outer space, where the Koopa King plans to rule the universe with her as his queen. As you set off into the cosmos to defeat Bowser's minions and put a stop to his plans, you encounter the galactic Princess Rosalina and uncover an unusually downbeat story drawing inspiration from the classic children's tale The Little Prince and told through storybook-inspired scenes

Play is similar to other 3D Mario games; you run, jump, and double jump across gaps and through richly detailed stages, stomping on enemies to defeat them, and gathering coins and stars. Unlike those other games, however, the action takes place on and between hundreds of planets, asteroids, and objects floating in space, each with their own gravitational fields. This means you can walk upside down on planets up the sides of certain buildings, and even from one planet to another in one move. The game utilises this mechanic to create clever and surprising puzzles and ways to progress that challenge you to think outside the box, with each world being totally unique and offering a new challenge.

The result is a game that combines the classic Mario formula of running, jumping, stomping, and collecting, with a totally unique physics system that expands the possibilities of your movement to be near limitless. Every world presents a new way to experiment with your abilities to find new ways to progress, making for a novel and deeply engaging game.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Super Mario Galaxy 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Ben Kendall and updated 4 months ago.