posted
I thought about putting this on the other thread, but I think it might be better as it's own thread.
First, if you have a Wii and haven't bought Super Mario Galaxy yet, Toys R Us has an in-store promotion where they're selling it for $49.99 with a $25 gift card. They also have a periodic buy 2 get 1 free special for video games (edit: which isn't going on right now). I'm planning on buy SMG tonight, getting the card, and waiting for their next special to use it - hopefully when Super Smash Brothers Brawl comes out.
Second, did anyone else get annoyed with the zoomed in camera during Twilight Princess? I just finished the City in the Air and it was driving me nuts. I wanted to see more than Link and 3 feet in any direction around him, especially when I'm dealing with enemies and obstacles above eye level. I'm actually enjoying Windwaker more because I'm much less annoyed with the camera.
Third, Zak and Wiki. I hear really good things and I like the pointing driven adventure game aspect of it. Does anyone have any experience with it?
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
Yeah, it's essentially being crowned the next greatest game EVER!!!!!
Starting with BioShock, I think we're in the midst of one of the greatest periods of quality game releases ever, across all platforms. I'm committed to RockBand (and the required 360) this fall, but I'm interested in Contra IV, SMG, RRR2 (despite mediocre reviews; I love those loony lagomorphs!), Zak & Wiki, MoH: Heroes 2 for the Wii, plus yet to be released SSB:B, and Dr. Mario on WiiWare. And then there's all the other awesome games for the other platforms (Halo 3, Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, Ratchet & Clank, etc...).
posted
I don't know how to resist buying Mario Galaxy, my mind keeps saying it's not worth it, but every review keeps saying GET IT NOW, STOP READING AND JUST GET IT!
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I should have said three *more* games. The money thing is a bigger deal than the lack of three more games even.
I already have Paper Mario, that was fun, albeit short.
I got Metroid and it gave a really good first impression. It has the best FPS interface I've tried on a console yet, its almost better than a mouse + keyboard The problem is that the puzzles are so incredibly arbitrary (there was a good Penny Arcade comic on it) and the backtracking is getting annoying. It is really causing inertia, so I've been sitting on the game for a while. Maybe I'll trade it in for a discount on SMG.
I probably will get Super Mario Galaxies soon anyways though, it sounds fun. Hopefully I'll have time to play it. I tried to get my girlfriend hooked on Simcity 4, which worked... unfortunately I got hooked again too, sigh.
Posts: 7593 | Registered: Sep 2006
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Galaxy is currently rated 98 on Metacritic. So far, that makes it the second-highest console game, after Ocarina of Time for the N64. I've seen it in action. I've played it. It is amazing.
Posts: 1594 | Registered: Apr 2006
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I've been playing SMG with my girlfriend. It's all kinds of awesome.
I really like how they set up the two player thing. I like watching her play games and now I can actually help her out. It really works with an experienced gamer on the second player (shooting the little blue things and stopping the rocks so she can break them have been the best so far - although I also help out by amplifier her jumps). Also, instead of trying to tell them where to go, you can just point to it on the screen. I'm so glad I got her hooked on Mario 64 like 6 months ago though.
I just finished the Sweet Sweet Galaxy. Sooooo cool. What a great design. The Ray surfing was kinda neat too, although I'd much rather play Wave Race 64 on the VC (I completed it at 1:02:38).
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I didn't get Zak and Wiki. I'm waiting for the 3 for 2 deal. I think I'll get Super Mario Strikers and either something for her if she wants a game or Medal of Honor 2.
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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SMG looks really cool. maybe it will be on my list to Santa this year. I have Mario Strikers and really enjoy playing it with 2 people. I haven't tried playing it online yet, but I've heard good things. To be honest, my roommates and I still play Wii Sports more than any other game on the Wii. Besides SMG, the main game im holding out for is still Brawl. I know a lot of people were upset with the release date being pushed back until Feb. 10, but it worked out great for me. Had it still been released on December 3rd I would probably have failed all my final exams this semester.
Posts: 813 | Registered: Nov 1999
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I'm playing Super Mario Galaxy and Zack & Wiki this week as the school where I'm teaching has the week off for Thanksgiving. If you like Mario at all, get SMG. It is pure awesome. I'm about 51 stars in and still enjoying it quite a bit. If you like old school adventure puzzle games (think King's Quest), pick up Z&W. I'm not super far into it, but I'm enjoying it quite a bit so far. Now I need to get back to playing. Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
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Yay!: Toys R Us is offering buy 2 Wii games (including pre-orders like SSBB!!!) get 1 free, plus getting a $10 giftcard when you spend $75+.
Boo: Just sent out my Christmas list, which means that I can't take advantage of this.
I'm trying to work out a scheme wherein my girlfriend gets one of my family members to go in with her on this one.
Another Yay!: My roomate has oft declared his love for Mario Power Tennis, which I just snagged in a "There's no way this'll go, but what the hey" bid on ebay that was about $15 under the going price, and his birthday is right around the corner.
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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I'm now 80 stars into SMG. My only complaint: having to wait on those comets to show up to give access to the other stars I need. I spend a lot of time replaying older levels as I wait for the comets to reappear.
Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
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I think that you can just talk to the purple Luma and he will move the comet somewhere that you haven't gotten the star yet. I'm only 45 stars in but I have used the purple Luma once when I didn't see the comet anywhere and it then showed up. I think you have to pay it some star bits (not many though) to do this.
Posts: 1336 | Registered: Mar 2002
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Ah, I'll have to check into that. The two times I've talked to the purple Luma, he's just told me about the various kinds of comets. Maybe that's because I did it once before the final battle and once after the final battle though (which would change the types slightly).
Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
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Well at least it's better than the stuff he said when he called my cellphone to tell me that my pre-order at Gamestop was ready. That, my friends, is why Mario shouldn't talk. *shakes head*
Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
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The ad I saw showed that the TRU deal ended last weekend (the 17th, I think? Whatever Saturday was). My ex just bought a Wii for the girls so I was able to cash in on that deal thanks to this thread.
I'm a little sad that only Guitar Hero III is available for the Wii and I really don't like the look of the controller. I hate to admit it, but I'm seriously thinking about picking up a used PS2 just for the Guitar Hero series.... Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Finally found a flaw in SMG. Really don't like the Spring Suit.
Also, not on the same level, but I think the controls/camera in some of the swimming levels are problematic and I don't like the Ice Mario skating/freezing water sound. Why would you chose something clsoe to fingernails on the blackboard? I get that skating sort of sounds like that, but I'm willing to let go of a little bit of realism for the sake of my ears.
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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What do you find problematic about the Spring Suit? I mean as long as you understand that he carries momentum like a spring (which is partially why for some people it seems like he can't sit still), he shouldn't be too bad to control. The only time I didn't like using him was in one of the dreaded purple coin hunts (as you had to do the big jump somewhat near an edge, and I always get nervous about that).
As for swimming, I'll agree. I hate anything to do with swimming as the controls and camera always seem a bit broken. Sometimes having a shell in your hands underwater fixes that some, but that's not always the case.
I may never get 120 stars personally. I'm at 108 or so now, and I'm stuck on one. It's the purple coins one for the Toy Time Galaxy (the one known as Luigi's Purple Coins). I suck at doing the long jump consecutively and so I can't ever seem to get nearly enough coins. There are 150 in that level, so there should be more than enough. I usually get stuck around 50 or 60 coins though, then I try for more and die somehow.
I've done most of the other stars that people say are fairly hard, including the purple coins on the Dreadnought and the daredevil run for Bouldergeist. This Luigi's Purple Coin business though is no fun.
Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
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The Spring Suit just isn't a fun addition for me. It doesn't really add anything new. It's more like a handicap. I'm okay with it, but it's the only thing in the game so far where I think "Oh, I don't want to do this level." My girlfriend absolutely hates it though.
The Bouldergeist got a lot easier when I realized you could shoot the rocks and bombs.
I think right now my main complaint with the game is the one off levels (or at least seemingly one off levels, I'm only 45 stars in). Not that they're not awesome, which they are, but because they're one offs. I get done a stage like Sweet Sweet Galaxy (with the rotating wheels with shapes punched out of them) or the Boo one where the stage only exists within the moving spotlight and I think "Man, I wish there were more stages like this."
So it's sort of like the game has too much awesome in it that I'm sad when I'm done with one section of the awesome.
My wish for next year is that they come out with a SMG - constructors' edition, where you can build your own levels and share them with others. Alas, that's almost definitely not going to happen.
posted
You can also shoot the cannon balls, but not Bullet Bills or Torpedo Teds. I've pretty much taken to shooting everything the first time I see it now.
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
That would have made Bouldergeist a lot easier. I think I spent about 10 lives trying to beat him on the daredevil run.
I haven't come across the spring suit yet so I don't know how I'll feel about it. I have only played for an hour or two this week since I've been super busy. I'm now at 48 stars and I have done them all in order, not moving on to a new galaxy until I've gotten all of the standard stars in the previous ones (and some of the hidden and comet stars).
My only complaint (and it's pretty minor) is that the power ups are so limited in when/where you can acquire them. They show up in certain levels and never seem to be seen again. I'm still having a ton of fun with it though. The amount of gameplay variety is amazing.
Posts: 1336 | Registered: Mar 2002
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When my friend took on Bouldergeist, I played as second player/shooter. It made it a hell of a lot easier. It took two tries on the daredevil run.
Posts: 1594 | Registered: Apr 2006
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quote:Originally posted by MrSquicky: I think right now my main complaint with the game is the one off levels (or at least seemingly one off levels, I'm only 45 stars in). Not that they're not awesome, which they are, but because they're one offs. I get done a stage like Sweet Sweet Galaxy (with the rotating wheels with shapes punched out of them) or the Boo one where the stage only exists within the moving spotlight and I think "Man, I wish there were more stages like this."
I was pleasantly surprised (and also disappointed to) to find out that some of those one off levels have a second version later in the game. If the Boo one you're talking about is the one I'm thinking about, there's another similar galaxy in the last dome called the Drip Drop Galaxy (I think that's it's name). It has drops that hit the floor/walls, and the splashes are the only places where you can be. The rest of the stage really doesn't exist.
Similarly, some of the other one offs have another level later on, including the manta racing and the star ball rolling thing. I hated manta racing, so I was really frustrated to see another one (and a harder one at that). I got past it though.
Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
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The Matter Splatter Galaxy is the one that is a complete galaxy based off the Boo Galaxy's Matter Splatter Mansion star.
I thought any level that included the ball rolling was incredibly fun, incredibly ridiculous, and incredibly clever. My partner and I were laughing all the way when we did the ball rolling level on the Molten Galaxy. And they switched the music to a minor scale!
Then there are the trial galaxies. I love this game.
I didn't really like the Surfing 101 star either, but the Trial Galaxy counterpart was much better because there were more exhilarating freefalls and a whole bunch of easy 1-UP mushrooms.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that when you finish the race, you can go back to the first platform and launch on a bunch of stars that put you on courses that get you about 200 star bits. That was fun.
Posts: 1029 | Registered: Apr 2007
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Oh, Matter Splatter was the name. Yeah, I liked that one, even though it was frustrating at times (just barely mis-time a jump and you fall since the course isn't all there). Still it was a cool level design and concept.
I liked the ball rolling ones as well. The lava one was neat (particularly as I got frustrated, as I started going faster with it, making it even more insane to do).
I think my main gripe for the manta ray ones was the controls were so sensitive. I was just barely tilting the Wii Remote and it was like the ray was turning hard. On Surfing 101, it took me about ten tries to get through it because I kept falling off the course. The Trial Galaxy one though only took me two tries. It was better as there were less sharp turns and more freefalls (also because of the abundant 1-UPs that you mentioned).
The game is good overall. I just wish I had more time to play it.
Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
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I bought SMG, but it's going to be a Christmas present for the kids, so I can't play it for another month.
On the plus side, this weekend my mom bought me a new crimson/onyx DS Lite as an early Christmas present and I'm having a blast with Phantom Hourglass.
Posts: 3275 | Registered: May 2007
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I bought Galaxy for myself the other day, and now I'm having trouble staying away from it to write endless papers. Posts: 1592 | Registered: Jan 2001
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We are thinking about buying a Wii for the family. We have two ten year old girls and five and four year old girls. The big girls play Nintendo DS (mainly Nintendogs) and the two little ones play VSmile. The wife hates video games but said she would try the Wii. I played games as a kid and had a PSP when I travelled a lot but have since sold it.
Is this a good family system? Can everyone get enjoyment out of it? What games would be best?
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It certainly is very much geared towards family enjoyment. If I were buying games with my family as my main focus, the Wii comes with Wii Sports, which is a good way to get accustomed to the controllers. From there I would get Mario Party 8 as that's a great 4 person boardgame/mini game themed game. It's not the best of the franchise but it's most certainly fun. If you can't really afford to get 4 complete sets of controllers for the Wii, Warioware Smooth moves is a good bet. It's a maniacally fun game where half the fun is laughing your head off while simultaneously trying to pass the one wiimote needed to the next person whose turn is coming up. Those are my suggestions for a solid family experience, if you decide to snag one or two games for just yourself to play while your kids are not around but if they do happen to try them out you wouldn't be worried about them getting upset choose from 1 of the following 3.
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Super Mario Galaxy Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Personally I'd go with Zelda, Mario, then Metroid.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I'd alter that suggestion a bit. Buying Wii Play is generally going to be a good idea, as it comes with a Wii-mote, which normally costs $40, and has a bunch of games (some are actually kind of fun) and costs $50.
Some things you may want to consider is that the Wii lets you play Gamecube games (you'll need a gamecube controller and probably memory card) and there is a whole family friendly line up right there and you can get a bunch of old school games from the Virtual Console channel (best bet is Mario 64).
edit:
Rayman Raving Rabbids is another crazy party game. It involves things like whirling a cow around your head and then throwing it, using cow bells to coax rabbits into walking into rakes, and pulling worms out of teeth.
If you're interested, there's supposed to be a karaokee game coming to Wii Ware (download service) probably in the spring. Or, there is Karaokee Revolution for the Gamecube, which I have and have had many a fun party with.
I haven't actually played it, but Elebits is supposed to be a fun kids game for the Wii. Beautiful Katamarci is coming out at some point, which should work for both kids and adults.
Oh, and Spore is coming to the Wii, which makes my heart go pitter-pat.
posted
Mr S' suggestion on Wiiplay makes alot of sense, I forgot about that game when I wrote my post.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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does anyone else feel like a total idiot like me and just constantly fail miserably on scrolling levels like Sweet Sweet Galaxy? something about the whole depth perception thing just gets me on that one and makes me feel dumb...
Posts: 1038 | Registered: Feb 2006
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It's just not looking where I'm going for me. It's hard to concentrate on leaping two separately shaped holes.
Posts: 1029 | Registered: Apr 2007
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All right, I'm halfway through Super Luigi Galaxy!
I must admit, I was a bit shocked to see that I, playing Luigi, still had to rescue Luigi from the haunted house. "Hey, are you... me???" Posts: 1029 | Registered: Apr 2007
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