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[PantherLotus]

Uh, what? You do have to learn abilities.

Well, your friends pixls are the ones with the abilities.* You meet (unlock) more as you go along, so in that sense you have a point. But there's no "learning to run" or anything like that.

*But each character (Mario, Princess, Bowser) each has their own special ability as well.

 

[ant1532]

Well, your friends pixls are the ones with the abilities. You meet (unlock) more as you go along, so in that sense you have a point. But there's no "learning to run" or anything like that.

You have to learn how to pick up shells.

 

[TheGreatDave]

I'm thinking it will feel more like the recent Yoshi's Island DS, with breathtaking graphics and shimmering effects, and an awesome use of multiple playable characters (changeable at any time) that are required to get the player through/across/around/over certain parts of each stage.

Those thinking that this will be a sequel to TTYD will be the ones that are disappointed, not the ones thinking it will be a platformer. The only thing this shares with the former is the art style.

Sure, it'll have that. But there will be talking to people, there will be elements of leveling up and the game will inevitably have a slower pace than a traditional Mario game due to the amount of exploring you seem to do. So I can't say I feel like it's a tradional platformer.

Well, your friends pixls are the ones with the abilities. You meet (unlock) more as you go along, so in that sense you have a point. But there's no "learning to run" or anything like that.

I'm pretty sure Shane at 1Up said that you did have to learn to run on 1Up Yours this week. I will check.

*checked*

"You don't start with the moves you think you have, why can't I run, why can't I pick up Koopa shells? You have to learn that stuff...You get these pixel guys that give you new abilities"

 

[Oblivion]

Where's all this new SPM info from?

 

[mCACGj]

galaxy is destined to be bashed and critized exactly the same way sunshine was.

People thought sunshine's enviroments were boring because pretty much everything was a beach. In galaxy, everything is planets.

Nintendo should realize that Mario works only in 2d and in the mushroom kingdom.

Not in delfino Islands, Not in planet, and not in other Galaxies.

No way is galaxy going to be received as well as New SMB.

It's an entire galaxy! It's not like they're going to just have a bunch of gray planets with craters, just look at the trailers. They have some with bright green grass, others were fire planets, some were ice, the environments aren't going to be the same just because you fly through outer space to get to each one. They can do a lot with an entire galaxy.

Whether you'd prefer it to be in Mushroom Kingdom or not, Galaxy will have different environments and just watch the trailers to see that.

 

[Lapsed]

Nintendo needs to stop making Valentines to the N64 fanbase. Twilight Princess was a 'valentine' to those who loved Ocarina of Time. Mario Galaxy is going to be a valentine to those who loved Mario 64. Sure, both games sold many copies but these games go against the nature of the Wii itself. These games are also very expensive to make, and it is not worth the time trying to pacify vocal, raving fans. The vocal, raving fans will never be satisfied. They will just get louder and more vocal for the next game.

You would not believe how many times some lapsed gamer would ask me, "Is a new 2d Mario coming to the Wii?" I mention Super Paper Mario, but they won't accept that. "Tell me when there is a new 2d Mario on the Wii and then I will buy one." 2d Mario is the killer app of all killer apps. It just doesn't feel like a Nintendo console without some sort of 2d Mario on it. The DS began to take off in America not so much because of the DS Lite but because of New Super Mario Brothers. It has sold 4.1 million in Japan alone and, I believe, 3 million in the United States.

Mario Galaxy will not be selling those numbers. It will probably sell to a minor audience in Japan, do much better in the West, but everyone will be wondering where the 2d Mario is. Look at the success of Mario Kart DS. It was designed to 'beat' the SNES version (not the Gamecube version, not the N64 version). Even Yoshi Island DS's strong sales should indicate to Nintendo that there is an audience raving for classic 2d gameplay. This is one of the reasons why the Virtual Console is so popular.

Why must 2d be exiled to handhelds? They can keep making the 3d incarnations, but I would like to see the 2d incarnations return as well. 2d Metroid and 2d Zelda would also be welcome on a console. The 2d games are much cheaper to make requiring less size of a team. Super Mario Brothers 3 was made with... 12 (?) people.

BTW: Bowser JR. needs to go. Bring back the Koopa kids and their airships.

 

[ant1532]

Where's all this new SPM info from?

New 1up podcast

 

[Oblivion]

New 1up podcast

Post summary plz.

 

[TheGreatDave]

Post summary plz.

What I posted was pretty much all of it. They can't talk about it much, other than saying Shane was smiling a lot and the 3D aspects were quite clever.

Nintendo needs to stop making Valentines to the N64 fanbase. Twilight Princess was a 'valentine' to those who loved Ocarina of Time. Mario Galaxy is going to be a valentine to those who loved Mario 64. Sure, both games sold many copies but these games go against the nature of the Wii itself. These games are also very expensive to make, and it is not worth the time trying to pacify vocal, raving fans. The vocal, raving fans will never be satisfied. They will just get louder and more vocal for the next game.

You would not believe how many times some lapsed gamer would ask me, "Is a new 2d Mario coming to the Wii?" I mention Super Paper Mario, but they won't accept that. "Tell me when there is a new 2d Mario on the Wii and then I will buy one." 2d Mario is the killer app of all killer apps. It just doesn't feel like a Nintendo console without some sort of 2d Mario on it. The DS began to take off in America not so much because of the DS Lite but because of New Super Mario Brothers. It has sold 4.1 million in Japan alone and, I believe, 3 million in the United States.

Mario Galaxy will not be selling those numbers. It will probably sell to a minor audience in Japan, do much better in the West, but everyone will be wondering where the 2d Mario is. Look at the success of Mario Kart DS. It was designed to 'beat' the SNES version (not the Gamecube version, not the N64 version). Even Yoshi Island DS's strong sales should indicate to Nintendo that there is an audience raving for classic 2d gameplay. This is one of the reasons why the Virtual Console is so popular.

Why must 2d be exiled to handhelds? They can keep making the 3d incarnations, but I would like to see the 2d incarnations return as well. 2d Metroid and 2d Zelda would also be welcome on a console. The 2d games are much cheaper to make requiring less size of a team. Super Mario Brothers 3 was made with... 12 (?) people.

BTW: Bowser JR. needs to go. Bring back the Koopa kids and their airships.

I agree with you to some extent, but so long as we're actually getting 2D and 3D games, where's the problem? I'd like a home console 2D Mario, but what would it do that NSMB didn't? Why put it on a system that can do more when it can be a showcase title for a smaller platform? 2D may do well on handhelds, but name one top selling 2D game on a home console last gen.

 

[Oblivion]

What I posted was pretty much all of it. They can't talk about it much, other than saying Shane was smiling a lot and the 3D aspects were quite clever.

Ah, okay. Durn shame. Thanks.

 

[underfooter]

You would not believe how many times some lapsed gamer would ask me, "Is a new 2d Mario coming to the Wii?" I mention Super Paper Mario, but they won't accept that. "Tell me when there is a new 2d Mario on the Wii and then I will buy one." 2d Mario is the killer app of all killer apps. It just doesn't feel like a Nintendo console without some sort of 2d Mario on it. The DS began to take off in America not so much because of the DS Lite but because of New Super Mario Brothers. It has sold 4.1 million in Japan alone and, I believe, 3 million in the United States.

I agree that people love 2D gaming, myself included.....but with all do respect if that bastard wants a 2D mario on wii tell him about:

-VC super mario bros.
-VC super mario world
-super paper mario (show him when you get it)


.....another 2D Mario is just overkill. Bring on the 3D goodness.

 

[inpHilltr8r]

That's....not moving the camera.

What is it then?

 

[TheGreatDave]

Ah, okay. Durn shame. Thanks.

We don't want to be spoiled. Slowly teased is the way.

 

[Pud]

You would not believe how many times some lapsed gamer would ask me, "Is a new 2d Mario coming to the Wii?" I mention Super Paper Mario, but they won't accept that.

Uhh... why the hell not?

 

[ant1532]

Post summary plz.

-Starts up in RPG type town just like in Paper Mario.(people to talk to, shop, inn, ect)
-Then it breaks up into stages(heres where platforming comes in)
-You have to learn things like run, carry turtle shells, ect.
-First special ability you learn is turn turn world into 3D which game focuses heavily on.
-You hold the wiimote horizontal but can also point at screen to find secrets when you get your first partner.

 

[underfooter]

Wow I hadn't heard about all of that awesome Super Paper Mario stuff. I'm a lot more excited now.


I just hope its long and challenging. I'd hate for it to be short and easy, no matter how beautiful.

 

[TheGreatDave]

Uhh... why the hell not?

I just came from that. Jesus. I need more video.

 

[Pureauthor]

*post*

You act as if this is in any way, shape, or form exclusive to Nintendo.

And if those people don't like the direction the industry goes/went, well, there is a reason they're called lapsed gamers.

 

[TheGreatDave]

You hold the wiimote horizontal but can also point at screen to find secrets when you get your first partner.

You know, that seems to imply to me a pretty slow pace at times. This seems to be more like a 2D exploration game than a flat out platformer.

 

[underfooter]

You know, that seems to imply to me a pretty slow pace at times. This seems to be more like a 2D exploration game than a flat out platformer.

I hope it has a variety of elements. I want some face-paced platforming as well, and wouldn't be suprised to find it.

This game is sounding quite unique. 2D/3D platforming, RPG elements, and one hell of a cool style. It could be the GOTY for all we know.

 

[PantherLotus]

Well it sounds like I've been horribly wrong, but I'm still not convinced.

 

[RevenantKioku]

So same graphics 10 years later? Sweet, I love the wii...Especially when I can poo poo on it with my ps3

So where does the poo poo come out from on the PS3?

 

[Y2Kev]

I'm really freaking happy Nintendo keeps writing me love letters.

 

[Pud]

So where does the poo poo come out from on the PS3?

Y'know, with his attitude and posting history - either gets a wonderful tag, or he should be banned. The GAF double-edged sword of what's acceptable for one defence force, and what's acceptable for another, strikes yet again.

 

[Pud]

I'm really freaking happy Nintendo keeps writing me love letters.

That's not Nintendo, that's GAF member Stage On.

 

[TheGreatDave]

I'm really freaking happy Nintendo keeps writing me love letters.

Visually, Super Paper Mario is probably my dream game. To be in a world where it exists is a pleasure.

 

[underfooter]

Visually, Super Paper Mario is probably my dream game. To be in a world where it exists is a pleasure.

Same. I remember playing Paper Mario on GCN, and thinking it was a shame such an AWESOME style had to go to waste for an RPG made for kids. I always figured it would make for an awesome platformer, and I'm pretty damn excited now.

 

[PantherLotus]

OK - I listened to the 1UP YOURS bit about SPM. And he does say that it starts out "like" an RPG. He does, admittedly, say that you don't start out with all of your abilities. BUT.

In his words, "It's good."

He does mention the Inn, the people to talk to, but he does note that the stages themselves are "straight up" platforming. "You're jumping on goombas, you're jumping on koopas..."

So I was wrong about the no RPG bits, but I was not wrong about the mainly-platforming bits.

Jesus I'm hyped for this game.

 

[BradVanDam]

it cant be worse then wii play can it ?

 

[underfooter]

I can't believe how soon April 9th is.

 

[Lapsed]

I agree with you to some extent, but so long as we're actually getting 2D and 3D games, where's the problem? I'd like a home console 2D Mario, but what would it do that NSMB didn't?

How about a co-op Mario game? That Mario Vs. Luigi multiplayer on NSMB was GOLD. It could use the co-op or 'against' aspects that made the original Mario Brothers interesting. Mario Galaxy is being billed as a 'two player co-op game' with one person holding the wii-mote and another holding the nunchucka. That is not what people have in mind in terms of 'co-op' to hold two different parts of the same controller.

*Super Paper Mario pics*

I addressed this. Super Paper Mario is not Super Mario Brothers 5.

I still don't understand the thinking of Nintendo behind the lack of 2d Marios recently (aside from NSMB). The original Super Mario Brothers sold NES systems left and right. Super Mario Brothers 3 became the best selling non-bundled video game ever made. Super Mario World, which was rushed, sold SNES systems left and right. But after that? Nothing. It would be fifteen years until a new 2d Mario comes out. On the DS, there is already an updated version of Mario 64. NSMB's sales slaughter Mario 64 DS's. These new gamers buying a DS have little to no interest in 3d Mario but they are buying NSMB. This should tell you something.

I can understand Nintendo making 3d sequels to Ocarina of Time. It was the best selling Zelda, after all. But Mario 64's sales were a major drop from the last Mario game. I have no idea why Nintendo is bothering trying to 'surpass' N64 games when they ought to be focused on 'surpassing' the fun of the SNES and NES ones. After all, it was the NES/SNES ones that put Nintendo on the map and the N64/GC ones that accelerated the fall.

You act as if this is in any way, shape, or form exclusive to Nintendo.

And if those people don't like the direction the industry goes/went, well, there is a reason they're called lapsed gamers.

We're in the DS Era now. Competing against disinterest is the name of the game. Don't blame me when Mario Galaxy fizzles in Japan compared to the rocketing sales of NSMB.

 

[RaidenZR]

This thread is a cacophony of questionable opinions.

Monk: I can't even begin to process what you're saying. Mario 64 is to be looked down upon because it made other platform developers lazy and irresponsible with what they thought they could cram into their game systems? Nah. Don't think so. That shit's on them.

Lapsed: the DS was selling well before New Super Mario Bros. came out. Let's not forget it also coincided with the US release of the DS Lite. That did account for some sales and interest there too.

 

[Lobster]

I am. But..you just can't not love Mario dammit.

 

[underfooter]

We're in the DS Era now. Competing against disinterest is the name of the game. Don't blame me when Mario Galaxy fizzles in Japan compared to the rocketing sales of NSMB.

Ya but if they game gets 9's and 10's from reviewers and is hailed as the best 3D platformer ever, it WILL mean something. They need to please us hardcore Nintendites on some level, and I'd be a little letdown if they gave up on the 3D mario's for sales. The sense of exploration and freedow amazed me.

a 2D mario almost seems like the easy way out.

 

[Gahiggidy]

The lack of HDR lighting has me concerned.

 

[underfooter]

The lack of HDR lighting has me concerned.

Is that a joke? What's HDR lighting?

 

[AndoCalrissian]

I still don't understand the thinking of Nintendo behind the lack of 2d Marios recently (aside from NSMB). The original Super Mario Brothers sold NES systems left and right. Super Mario Brothers 3 became the best selling non-bundled video game ever made. Super Mario World, which was rushed, sold SNES systems left and right. But after that? Nothing. It would be fifteen years until a new 2d Mario comes out. On the DS, there is already an updated version of Mario 64. NSMB's sales slaughter Mario 64 DS's. These new gamers buying a DS have little to no interest in 3d Mario but they are buying NSMB. This should tell you something.

How well did Super Mario Bros. 3 on GBA sell compared to the original?

 

[TheGreatDave]

I still don't understand the thinking of Nintendo behind the lack of 2d Marios recently (aside from NSMB). The original Super Mario Brothers sold NES systems left and right. Super Mario Brothers 3 became the best selling non-bundled video game ever made. Super Mario World, which was rushed, sold SNES systems left and right. But after that? Nothing. It would be fifteen years until a new 2d Mario comes out. On the DS, there is already an updated version of Mario 64. NSMB's sales slaughter Mario 64 DS's. These new gamers buying a DS have little to no interest in 3d Mario but they are buying NSMB. This should tell you something.

Expectations of home consoles are different. In an ideal world we'd have 2D Mario on consoles, but at the end of the day, in spite of what your friends may say, 2D games are seen in a negative light on home consoles.

 

[Pud]

Is that a joke? What's HDR lighting?

I'm sure it was a joke... but if you're unfamiliar with HDR (which Nintendo won't be using in Galaxy - likely only Bloom lighting, which you can also look up at Wiki).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_rendering

2D games are seen in a negative light on home consoles.

Thank Sony's policies for that one. I, for one, would love to see more 2D games on home consoles, beyond just the XBLA/VC-type stuff. I guess I'm still happy that they exist on handhelds, but I'd wager that Super Paper Mario (which looks great, btw) and Viewtiful Joe will be some of the only 2D (2.5D, whatever) we'll ever see on home consoles.

 

[Gahiggidy]

Is that a joke? What's HDR lighting?

high dynamic range rendering. Basically it allows..

- Bright things can be really bright
- Dark things can be really dark
- And details can be seen in both

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_rendering


I don't know how you are going to make space settings seem realistic without it. It could end up apearing "cartoony".

 

[AndoCalrissian]

I'm sure it was a joke... but if you're unfamiliar with HDR (which Nintendo won't be using in Galaxy - likely only Bloom lighting, which you can also look up at Wiki).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_rendering

You're right, I don't think it's used in Galaxy, but the bloom they have looks pretty good. It's not overwhelming like in a lot of other games, but used effectively, like on the web after you beat the spider boss. Looks fantastic.

 

[Pud]

You're right, I don't think it's used in Galaxy, but the bloom they have looks pretty good. It's not overwhelming like in a lot of other games, but used effectively, like on the web after you beat the spider boss. Looks fantastic.

HDR is obviously better, but Bloom can (and does, in this case) look just fine for the same application. I don't think we'll see a lot of HDR on the Wii, but I've seen bloom look really nice in some Wii games (Mario Galaxy, Red Steel, Zelda TP even, etc) and that's fine with me. As long as they don't overuse it, like many devs have with friggin HDR, I'll be fine.

 

[AndoCalrissian]

HDR is obviously better, but Bloom can (and does, in this case) look just fine for the same application. I don't think we'll see a lot of HDR on the Wii, but I've seen bloom look really nice in some Wii games (Mario Galaxy, Red Steel, Zelda TP even, etc) and that's fine with me. As long as they don't overuse it, like many devs have with friggin HDR, I'll be fine.

I agree. In general I think the lighting for Mario Galaxy is great, apart from one thing: shadows. I think just about every character other than Mario has a circle shadow, which is fairly boring, and Mario's shadow is just what it would look like if you put a spotlight directly over him -- they're cheating hardcore. It's really not going to change my opinion about the game, but I was expecting a bit more there.

The only other complaint I have is that the background objects look so bland from a distance. The LOD kicks in and it just looks blah. Hopefully they'll spruce them up a bit. Oh, and there are some poor textures, which I expect will be improved.

 

[Pud]

It's been almost a year since we've seen the game - I wouldn't worry too much just yet, of course. That said, it won't make or break the game.

 

[_Alkaline_]

I agree. In general I think the lighting for Mario Galaxy is great, apart from one thing: shadows. I think just about every character other than Mario has a circle shadow, which is fairly boring, and Mario's shadow is just what it would look like if you put a spotlight directly over him -- they're cheating hardcore. It's really not going to change my opinion about the game, but I was expecting a bit more there.

The only other complaint I have is that the background objects look so bland from a distance. The LOD kicks in and it just looks blah. Hopefully they'll spruce them up a bit. Oh, and there are some poor textures, which I expect will be improved.

I think the lighting is what really makes Galaxy look so nice. Everything has a glow to it that just looks great. Furthermore, the use of bump-mapping in certain areas such as the fire planet, the heat haze, the draw distance and the great particle effects (just look at the smoke that follows the bullet bills, or the explosions) all make it a beautiful game.

That said, it's not amazing looking, and it could look better despite the wii's limitations. Like you said, shadows have a way to go, I noticed that too. I also agree that textures can look a bit crap in some parts.

But for what it's worth, it's certainly the best looking Wii game, just ahead of Metroid Prime 3 Corruption which I firmly believe is being underrated in terms of its graphics.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

The game was chock full of useless shines and blue coins. This smacks of lazy effort because the last game I knew that involved collecting tons of shit was Donkey Kong 64. Why DK64 gets endless shit for its collectathons but SMS gets a pass in mind boggling. In many ways, the collecting in SMS was even more tedious than DK64.

Blue coins were one of my favorite things about Sunshine, and I don't see them as comparable to DK64 collecting at all. In DK64, you had to collect hundreds of bananas separately with each character to progress. Blue coins... you could completely ignore. Considering they make up a small percentage of the total shines, and that you only need half the shines to reach the final area, you didn't need their shines. I never bothered turning them in.

I thought of the blue coins more like optional mini-shines. You didn't have to collect 5, or 8, or 100 in a level to earn something, but could save after collecting a single one. This made them each unique goals, often requiring a little trick to get to.

I'm not going to argue it's a collect-a-thon, but you've correctly (maybe inadvertently) highlighted its problem: it attempted to make several stages out of one. Sure, one could argue that there were 93+ levels, but since you're always starting off from the same point and usually moving along the same path for a good while, it gets redundant. And Nintendo must have realized that at least to some degree (but not enough degree), considering the changes to Sunshine, where each stage would be in some way fundamentally different depending on what shine you were going after.

Heh, and that's my LEAST favorite thing about Sunshine. In SM64 you could go into a level not sure exactly where you were going, but could end up earning one of several stars depending on where fancy took you. In SMS things felt much more limited since it would often require entering on a certain shine destination for the level to put certain things in place.

 

[AndoCalrissian]

I think the lighting is what really makes Galaxy look so nice. Everything has a glow to it that just looks great. Furthermore, the use of bump-mapping in certain areas such as the fire planet, the heat haze, the draw distance and the great particle effects (just look at the smoke that follows the bullet bills, or the explosions) all make it a beautiful game.

That said, it's not amazing looking, and it could look better despite the wii's limitations. Like you said, shadows have a way to go, I noticed that too. I also agree that textures can look a bit crap in some parts.

But for what it's worth, it's certainly the best looking Wii game, just ahead of Metroid Prime 3 Corruption which I firmly believe is being underrated in terms of its graphics.

I flip-flop with Prime 3's graphics. Sometimes I think it looks great, and others I think it seriously just looks like Metroid Prime/Prime 2 with bloom. I think it would be nice if they'd add some bump-mapping to the various surfaces, more shader effects, and do more with shadows. We'll see... it's been underground for a while now, so we'll see when it pops back up. Same with Mario Galaxy.

 

[robertsan21]

I played it and its amazing!

no need to be worried, its going to be awesome!



it has Robertsan21 seal of approval!

 

[ms-07]

as long as they bring the Koopa Kids back I'll be happy.

agreed, but I doubt it will happen. We will get Bowser Jr instead

 

[sphinx]

How about a co-op Mario game? That Mario Vs. Luigi multiplayer on NSMB was GOLD. It could use the co-op or 'against' aspects that made the original Mario Brothers interesting. Mario Galaxy is being billed as a 'two player co-op game' with one person holding the wii-mote and another holding the nunchucka. That is not what people have in mind in terms of 'co-op' to hold two different parts of the same controller.

I still don't understand the thinking of Nintendo behind the lack of 2d Marios recently (aside from NSMB). The original Super Mario Brothers sold NES systems left and right. Super Mario Brothers 3 became the best selling non-bundled video game ever made. Super Mario World, which was rushed, sold SNES systems left and right. But after that? Nothing. It would be fifteen years until a new 2d Mario comes out. On the DS, there is already an updated version of Mario 64. NSMB's sales slaughter Mario 64 DS's. These new gamers buying a DS have little to no interest in 3d Mario but they are buying NSMB. This should tell you something.

I can understand Nintendo making 3d sequels to Ocarina of Time. It was the best selling Zelda, after all. But Mario 64's sales were a major drop from the last Mario game. I have no idea why Nintendo is bothering trying to 'surpass' N64 games when they ought to be focused on 'surpassing' the fun of the SNES and NES ones. After all, it was the NES/SNES ones that put Nintendo on the map and the N64/GC ones that accelerated the fall.


We're in the DS Era now. Competing against disinterest is the name of the game. Don't blame me when Mario Galaxy fizzles in Japan compared to the rocketing sales of NSMB.

my concern with the game is that the platform genre loses quite a bit in the 3d realm. It always end up being an adventure game with light platform elements.

I wish it was like the 2d marios or the donkey kong country games where you are on one stage, go through it and done and on to the next one. Mario sunshine and mario 64 is about going from here to there in a town, beach or castle getting this or that.. not very good.

and is precisely the reason why I really think SMG will not be on the success level of NSMB.