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entertaining u newspaper: your monthly guide to entertainment
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video games
by norm stovall    normstovall@gmail.com



Super Mario Galaxy
For Nintendo Wii

      You may think that with the Wii’s newfangled control schemes, its fancy upright-standing design factor, and it’s WiFi capabilities, that the new Mario game would be some kind of a mess. Do I waggle the remote to jump? Make a throwing motion to shoot a fireball, or flap my arms to fly with the new bee suit? Luckily, the answer to that is NO. With Super Mario Galaxy, you control Mario by making him walk or run with the Joystick on the nunchuck attachment, and to jump and perform other various tasks, you will use the Wii remote. Once you get accustomed to the controls, you’ll find that Mario can still do all of his famous signature moves from games like Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine, so if you are familiar with those titles, you shouldn’t have any problem adjusting to Super Mario Galaxy. Having said that, there are some interesting control mechanics that involve the Wii remote, such as shaking it briefly to do spin attacks. The motion controls are subtle, but effective. In addition to shaking the remote, you can point the remote at the screen and use a cursor to collect and shoot out items, or enlist a second player to do this for you with an additional remote. This creates an interesting cooperative gameplay mode that is actually pretty cool. The first player doesn’t really NEED the second player at all, but it is a fun addition to the game that can be helpful.
      As far as the game itself is concerned, it really is a lot of fun. The graphics are vivid and really do push the power of the Wii in a good way. The Wii might not be the graphical powerhouse that the other next-gen consoles are, but Super Mario Galaxy really does look great. The environments you explore are completely unique, and while running around small planets and jumping and launching yourself from one to the other can be a little dizzying at first, it really will pull you in and have you addicted. The music in the game is as dramatic and inspired as ever, and there are even nods to the classic Mario games with familiar tunes updated with a symphonic beauty that you’ll have to hear to understand. Though the game may appear outwardly candy-coated and too cute to be worth your while, the content within is not only engaging and fun; it’s also revolutionary.

Entertaining U Newspaper, eujacksonville.com. Published by N2U Publishing, Inc. 3101 University Blvd., South #201 Jacksonville, FL 32216. Copyright N2U Publishing, Inc. 2006. Reproduction of any artwork or copy prepared by N2U Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for errors and/or omissions, the Publisher's liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to the following address: 3101 University Blvd., South #201 Jacksonville, FL 32216. We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. For information concerning classified advertising phone 904-730-3003.