Galaxy Sells Big, Takes Ratings Crown

Wii

November 20, 2007, 10:27 pm EST
Total comments: 34

Nintendo claims over half a million sales in the first week of Mario's North American release. Also, it has overtaken Ocarina for best reviewed game of all time.

CRITICS AND CONSUMERS AGREE: SUPER MARIO GALAXY IS OUT OF THIS WORLD

Wii Celebrates One Year, Strong Momentum and Best-Reviewed Game – Ever

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 20, 2007 – Could Super Mario Galaxy™ be the best video game of all time?

If you ask critics and consumers, the answer is a resounding yes. Reviewers for video game and mainstream media alike are responding with high marks to the boundless sense of wonder and fun the game brings to both experienced and novice players.

Independent review-tracking site GameRankings.com now lists Super Mario Galaxy for Nintendo's Wii™ system as the best-reviewed game of all time, and another review-tracking site, Metacritic.com, lists Super Mario Galaxy as having "Universal Acclaim," with a score of 98 out of 100.

Talkback

NinGurl69 *hugglesNovember 20, 2007

Nice to see that had no faith in Metroid.

IceColdNovember 20, 2007

See Japan? This is what you should be buying

It's funny, because we were saying the same thing about North America when the DS was selling huge in Japan.

BlackNMild2k1November 20, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: IceCold
See Japan? This is what you should be buying

It's funny, because Iwata was saying the same thing about North America when Brain Training was selling huge in Japan.

O i c wut I did there

say something Reggie, I dare you

KaironCarmine Red, Associate EditorNovember 20, 2007

Looks like Iwata should generally whip EVERY SINGLE ONE NINTENDO REGIONAL OFFICE?

ShyGuyNovember 20, 2007

The greatest 3D platformer of all time deserves no less.

pSYCO-gAMER321November 20, 2007

Now if only the sales pick up now...

The TravellerNovember 20, 2007

Nintendo should go out on a limb here and give every Wii owner in Japan a demo of it. Japan must just hate fun, there top selling games over there are more often than not boring grindfest RPGS.

optimisticlimboNovember 21, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: The Traveller
Nintendo should go out on a limb here and give every Wii owner in Japan a demo of it. Japan must just hate fun, there top selling games over there are more often than not boring grindfest RPGS.

Man, if only Mario were more like an RPG, oh wait, that's been done already...

On a more serious note, that is an amazing quantity to go through so fast, I wonder what the numbers will look like come early January.

mantidorNovember 21, 2007

There are two things, first Japan is full of old people, and second, Japan is a fad country, where conformity is the rule, once something is "popular", theres no turning back, everyone will follow like lemmings until the next fad arrives, the fad is wiisports and the like and theres no way it will change for now.

MorariNovember 21, 2007

CENSORED FOR YOUR PROTECTION

mantidorNovember 21, 2007

Sure, but the west considers individuality much more than the east.

brian577November 21, 2007

Maybe I'm reading the site wrong, but gamerankings.com only lists it as second best reviewed.
http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/simpleratings.asp?rankings=y

Ian SaneNovember 21, 2007

Today on Game Rankings Ocarina of Time is back on top again. Isn't it cool how Half-Life 2 appears THREE TIMES in the top ten. I mean it's just based on review scores but boy does that look silly. I can't wait for a birthday. I should have just put Contra 4 on the birthday list instead and bought this myself.

Yeah America is fad based but we do at least pretend to encourage individuality. Hell the marketers even manipulate our importance in individuality by saying things about how you can buy their product to fit your personal style. Yeah everyone is supposed to own an iPod but the music you put in the iPod is supposed to be an expression of your individuality. Yeah that's a load of BS but that's how they market.

Japan in comparison sounds like a country where there are no demographics. In North America it's normal for a game to have a cult following but I've never heard of that in Japan. Just look how Japanese games will sell often very well in North America but awesome North American games will get completed ignored in Japan. Look at how in North America consoles like the Genesis, N64 and Xbox were able to get a fair foothold in the market despite not being the market leader but in Japan it's like only one console ever sells at a time. Look at how in North America non-games and games both sell very well and quite clearly there are two different demographics worth targetting. In Japan it's like only non-games are selling. From a North American perspective I would assume the old gamers would still want to buy traditional games but that doesn't appear to be the case. The old gamers haven't and never would abruptly change tastes overnight in North America. But it has happened in Japan.

Jonnyboy117Jonathan Metts, Associate EditorNovember 21, 2007

That's funny, because Half-Life 2 wouldn't even go into my personal Top 25. I do think it's good though, and I look forward to playing Eps. 1 and 2 now that I have a new graphics card.

KDR_11kNovember 21, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: brian577
Maybe I'm reading the site wrong, but gamerankings.com only lists it as second best reviewed.
http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/simpleratings.asp?rankings=y

Reviews got added. SMG was higher than OOT when they had equal numbers of reviews, usually as the number of reviews increases the score goes down. TP was pretty high in the ranks once but dropped with more reviews. However, if SMG ever falls below SM64 scorewise then the whole review "industry" needs a kick in the nuts, you'd need a fatal amount of nostalgia to even consider SM64 equal to SMG.

KaironCarmine Red, Associate EditorNovember 21, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Yeah America is fad based but we do at least pretend to encourage individuality. Hell the marketers even manipulate our importance in individuality by saying things about how you can buy their product to fit your personal style. Yeah everyone is supposed to own an iPod but the music you put in the iPod is supposed to be an expression of your individuality. Yeah that's a load of BS but that's how they market.

Japan in comparison sounds like a country where there are no demographics. In North America it's normal for a game to have a cult following but I've never heard of that in Japan. Just look how Japanese games will sell often very well in North America but awesome North American games will get completed ignored in Japan. Look at how in North America consoles like the Genesis, N64 and Xbox were able to get a fair foothold in the market despite not being the market leader but in Japan it's like only one console ever sells at a time. Look at how in North America non-games and games both sell very well and quite clearly there are two different demographics worth targetting. In Japan it's like only non-games are selling. From a North American perspective I would assume the old gamers would still want to buy traditional games but that doesn't appear to be the case. The old gamers haven't and never would abruptly change tastes overnight in North America. But it has happened in Japan.

Haha... you know, that sounds eerily accurate...

Don't you think it's interesting in thinking that Nintendo is probably actually extremely "western" in a lot of ways and sensibilities? They've always been extremely individualistic and had their own identity, and they've been pushing for constant innovations and change all the time, always trying to burst onto a new scene or evangelize a new way of thinking.

MashiroNovember 21, 2007

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Yeah everyone is supposed to own an iPod . . .

Or they could get a . . . ::thinks:: zune?

Lots of people get iPods because they are great media devices as opposed to it being a "fad", IMHO.

Shift KeyNovember 21, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
Looks like Iwata should generally whip EVERY SINGLE ONE NINTENDO REGIONAL OFFICE?

Once for every stuffup? He'd never finish the savage beating that NAL deserve.

MarioNovember 21, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: brian577
Maybe I'm reading the site wrong, but gamerankings.com only lists it as second best reviewed.
http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/simpleratings.asp?rankings=y [/q

The press it got offended too many people with agendas. When one giant fat sweaty nerd can tip the scale, somethings wrong with the system.

wanderingNovember 22, 2007

Quote
The greatest 3D platformer of all time deserves no less.

How dare you besmirch Donkey Kong 64!

Quote
However, if SMG ever falls below SM64 scorewise then the whole review "industry" needs a kick in the nuts, you'd need a fatal amount of nostalgia to even consider SM64 equal to SMG.

In my opinion (which is completely uninformed - I just got Galaxy and I've only played it for an hour), Super Mario 64 is better than Galaxy on multiple counts:

1) It's less linear.
2) It doesn't force you to sit through boring cut-scenes.
3) It has less throw-backs to the previous games (so there's more room for its own special breed of magic).

NWR_insanolordJ.P. Corbran, Community ManagerNovember 22, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: wandering

In my opinion (which is completely uninformed - I just got Galaxy and I've only played it for an hour), Super Mario 64 is better than Galaxy on multiple counts:

1) It's less linear.
2) It doesn't force you to sit through boring cut-scenes.
3) It has less throw-backs to the previous games (so there's more room for its own special breed of magic).

Your second point proves you weren't lying, after the opening cut-scene there really aren't any more, at least that I've seen. Numbers 1 and 3 are really subjective, because I think those are reasons why Galaxy is better than 64. The imposed linearity of Galaxy lets it be more of a platformer and less of an adventure, bringing the series back closer to its 2D roots which I think is definitely a good thing, and Galaxy is able to do its own thing while throwing out tons of awesome nostalgic references to the series' past; it definitely has its own distinct magic.

GoldenPhoenixNovember 22, 2007

Here is why I think Galaxy is better than Mario 64:

1. The level designs, while linear, are light years beyond Mario 64
2. The core gameplay feature of the game is an evolution of the Mario 64 theme. It is just as innovative and fresh as Mario 64 was before it
3. Perfect integration of nostalgia elements with a fresh new face. The game feels more like the 2D Mario's then Mario 64 ever did
4. Most diverse levels in a Mario game EVER
5. Boss battles run circles around Mario 64's, which were lacking for the most part. Besides Bowser and maybe two others, Mario 64 lags way behind.
6. This is subjective, but I think it is more challenging then Mario 64. Some bosses and yes levels kicked my butt, but they are balanced enough that you will get through them with perserverance
7. Many of the worlds are much larger than those in Mario 64. I think we forget that Mario 64, for the most part was pretty condensed besides a few exceptions
8. The game has a wide diversity of "playground" levels that seem to surpass those in Mario 64, especially the larger worlds
9. The music is the greatest EVER in a Mario game and Mario 64 doesn't even come close to matching it
10. The ending is better than Mario 64's "Let's bake a cake"

MashiroNovember 22, 2007

Quote
9. The music is the greatest EVER in a Mario game and Mario 64 doesn't even come close to matching it

QFT times 100000000000000000.

Shift KeyNovember 23, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Mario
When one giant fat sweaty nerd can tip the scale, somethings wrong with the system.

wanderingNovember 23, 2007

All it takes is one person to change the world.

KDR_11kNovember 23, 2007

To add to GP's points, SMG's level geometry is much smoother which makes movement easier. SM64's levels seemed like they really suffered from the low polygon numbers that made surfaces slippery with no visible reason and ended in fairly unnavigable shapes. Levels in SM64 seemed like their shape was dictated by the polygon numbers instead of their design.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterNovember 24, 2007

Here's how I would rank the 3D Marios:
Super Mario 64=Super Mario Bros.: Groundbreaking, innovative and highly respected. Its design has been borrowed and made better with age.

Super Mario Sunshine=Super Mario Bros. 2 (aka Doki Doki Panic): Considered the black sheep of the family due to quirks some love, others hate. Still has a following.

Super Mario Galaxy=Super Mario Bros. 3: Takes the design of the first game, adds its own charm and creates a near perfect masterpiece.

NWR_insanolordJ.P. Corbran, Community ManagerNovember 24, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: pap64
Here's how I would rank the 3D Marios:
Super Mario 64=Super Mario Bros.: Groundbreaking, innovative and highly respected. Its design has been borrowed and made better with age.

Super Mario Sunshine=Super Mario Bros. 2 (aka Doki Doki Panic): Considered the black sheep of the family due to quirks some love, others hate. Still has a following.

Super Mario Galaxy=Super Mario Bros. 3: Takes the design of the first game, adds its own charm and creates a near perfect masterpiece.

It's weird how well those parallels fit the games. I agree with this post. This also means that the next Mario will be like SMW and be really great but disappointing in how it's unable to live up to the magic of its predecessor. If Mashiro insists on bashing OoT then I'm bringing this discussion back

KDR_11kNovember 24, 2007

I think Galaxy is somewhere between SMB3 and SMW, it has lots of suits but by making them part of the levels makes them more useful than SMB3's inventory system.

GoldenPhoenixNovember 24, 2007

Not sure I would consider Sunshine equal SMB2 when SMB2 isn't even really a Mario game, but a palette swap of another title. Actually I would say SMB2 Japanese version is a better comparison because that game is a black sheep of the family and is a real Mario game.

KDR_11kNovember 25, 2007

SMB2j was exactly like SMB1 with more levels, SMS is not like that compared to M64.

GoldenPhoenixNovember 25, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
SMB2j was exactly like SMB1 with more levels, SMS is not like that compared to M64.

Actually most of the complaints I've heard about SMS is that it wasn't too much different from SM64 which is why people didn't like it much. Yeah you had FLUDD but overall the game was a pretty basic platformer.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterNovember 25, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Not sure I would consider Sunshine equal SMB2 when SMB2 isn't even really a Mario game, but a palette swap of another title. Actually I would say SMB2 Japanese version is a better comparison because that game is a black sheep of the family and is a real Mario game.

You don't understand. I am not talking about the gameplay, I am talking about gamer and media reception.

Both SMB 2 and SMS had a lot to live up to (SMB and Mario 64 respectively) and to some both failed to live up to expectations. But both games were liked enough that they gained a loyal following.

I understand that in gameplay they are vastly different but both received the same type of reception at launch.

So to sum up what I said earlier:

Mario 64: Innovative, groundbreaking and highly respected
Mario Sunshine: Fun game but failed to live up to expectations
Mario galaxy: Borrows the design of the first and expands it into a masterpiece

GoldenPhoenixNovember 25, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: pap64
Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Not sure I would consider Sunshine equal SMB2 when SMB2 isn't even really a Mario game, but a palette swap of another title. Actually I would say SMB2 Japanese version is a better comparison because that game is a black sheep of the family and is a real Mario game.

You don't understand. I am not talking about the gameplay, I am talking about gamer and media reception.

Both SMB 2 and SMS had a lot to live up to (SMB and Mario 64 respectively) and to some both failed to live up to expectations. But both games were liked enough that they gained a loyal following.

I understand that in gameplay they are vastly different but both received the same type of reception at launch.

So to sum up what I said earlier:

Mario 64: Innovative, groundbreaking and highly respected
Mario Sunshine: Fun game but failed to live up to expectations
Mario galaxy: Borrows the design of the first and expands it into a masterpiece