164w ago - Earlier today we saw a fresh Metroid: Other M video, and now Nintendo has made available a new Super Mario Galaxy 2 Wii trailer.

The video comes courtesy of cortjezter via YouTube, and is meant to coincide with a recent play session at Nintendo's office, which reveals footage of the new Rock Mario power-up, a "Light Yoshi" power-up, and some new levels.

Gameplay will be similar to the first Super Mario Galaxy, with a focus on platforming based on and around 3D planets with varying sizes and landscapes. The protagonist Mario will be able to ride the bipedal dinosaur Yoshi, who can use his tongue to swing across gaps, as well as eat different fruits that give him different powers, such as speed boosts, the ability to inflate like a balloon, or reveal secret paths.

While the player retains the ability to collect Star Bits with the blue Star Pointer from the first game, the Star Pointer is replaced by a red dot when riding Yoshi, which allows the player to aim and control his tongue. This can be used for swinging off objects, pulling levers or, like in previous games, swallowing enemies and spitting them out.

Old mechanics will be returning from Super Mario Galaxy, such...

288w ago - This week's edition of the regular Critical Reception column examines online reaction to Super Mario Galaxy, the long-awaited Wii entry in Nintendo's flagship franchise that some critics are calling "an exceptional game by any standard."

Since the release of the Nintendo Wii late last year, perhaps no title has been as highly anticipated as Super Mario Galaxy. Galaxy's release has become even more important at this point in the Wii's lifespan, following the recent announcement that Nintendo's other likely holiday hit, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, would not see release until 2008.

Early previews and trade show demos for Super Mario Galaxy were almost universally met with a positive response from gamers in the months leading up to the title's release, and the retail release of Super Mario Galaxy appears to be no different, earning a Metacritic-averaged score of 97 out of 100 from critics.

Margaret Robertson at Eurogamer awards Super Mario Galaxy a score of 10 out of 10, noting that it will make gamers question why other games aren't as inventive or rewarding. "What have we all been playing at in the ten years since Super Mario 64 came out?" she asks. "This is what gaming ought to be like."

"Bright, bold, unrepentantly loony, Galaxy is everything you wanted it to be," Robertson continues....

290w ago - The first 10 minutes.. enjoy!

Video can be seen here.