While this may not be news to some, to find Galaxy as not only my favorite 3D Mario to date, but one of my favorite games of all time, exceeded my already high expectations. Super Mario Galaxy is the land on the distant horizon where I have washed ashore, and to my amazement, it is a luscious and bountiful island that leaves me wanting for nothing. The focused tropical theme that many players have derided over the years for repetitive level design works in the game’s favor for the most part, although occasionally, there’s some over-design that feels somewhat aimless and more a showcase of, “Look how complex we can make levels now!” I found enjoyment in the divisive FLUDD that is at the center of the gameplay, with it having enough of a unique hook and variety of uses to justify its implementation. The camera is easier to maneuver, and Mario feels like he is working with more grip on his shoes. What that game does with its mechanics over its predecessor is, for the most part, an improvement, at points shockingly so for a game that was released only six years later. Moving from 64 to Sunshine was like being in a shipwreck, but finding a buoyant and spacious piece of wood that was carrying me toward land on a distant horizon. No wonder Super Mario 64, with its hidden levels and non-linear structure, blew peoples’ minds. I did not expect that impulse to be awakened playing this game. Recently, the only games that stir a desire within me to slam my controller on the table in frustration have been of the Dark Souls variety.
Its archaic camera, combined with the fact that Mario plays like an exuberant slab of butter that slips and slides its way through the world, made for an at times maddening experience. Getting in the way of my marveling at the game was its outdated controls. Transporting myself back to childhood and thinking of the content-light experiences that made up the majority of gaming then, it’s no wonder that Super Mario 64, with its hidden levels and non-linear structure, blew gamers’ minds. Provided by Nintendoīooting up Super Mario 64, I was impressed by what the game was doing for a title that’s 24 years old, and how much of its DNA the latest 3D entry Super Mario Odyssey had retained. Having Galaxy 2 would have diluted this intention, as it’s a fine-tuning of its direct predecessor’s gameplay rather than a galactic leap forward for the series. The advancements and differences between the three titles are dramatic, and with this game being released as a celebration of the Italian plumber’s 35th anniversary, 3D All-Stars feels like an intentional showcase of these improvements.
One of the biggest queries people had after the announcement of Super Mario 3D All-Stars was, “Where is Super Mario Galaxy 2?” For me, playing the collection answers that question it’s not so much about the games themselves as it is about their evolution. That being said, you could have told me Super Mario Galaxy was a brand-new game, and I would have believed you, ultimately making this collection worth picking up. Unfortunately, Nintendo decided to preserve 64 and Sunshine as they were at the time to the detriment of experiencing them in the present day, where both titles would have been improved with better controls found in more modern 3D Mario games. Some things change, most things stay the same.
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