With all due respect to Link, Mario is the most well known of Nintendo characters [or any video game characters – Ed]. Sure, Link might be more popular with the core gaming crowd, but last we checked it wasn't Link Kart, Link Strikers Charged and Link & Sonic at the Olympics. Still, as eponymous as he might be, "true" incarnations of the Mario franchise are as rare as diamonds, coming out on average only once a console generation.

While Mario may have missed the launch party for a Nintendo console (again) gamers don't hold it against him. In fact, Super Mario Galaxy might be the most anticipated Mario title since the '90s. Regardless of what people's expectations were, they've almost all been met and Nintendo has another hit on their hands.

We caught up with Anka Dolecki, Nintendo of America's Director of Public Relations, and talked about why the galaxy revolves around Mario

Enough coins to fill a Galaxy
According to the NPD, Super Mario Galaxy was the second best selling game for November, edged out only by Activision's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. It was still far and away the best selling Wii title of the month. In total, Super Mario Galaxy sold roughly 1.12 million copies during the November period.

"NPD recently confirmed 1.2 million copies sold in the month of November - and the game launched mid-month; and currently, GameRankings.com shows it is one of the highest rated games ever," said Dolecki. "We knew Super Mario Galaxy would do very well. It is a testament to the successful collaboration of many different teams in Japan, at Nintendo of America and around the world and the whole organization is very happy with the results."

Finally, a "true" successor to Super Mario 64

"As Wii has been highly successful at expanding the market for video games and Super Mario Galaxy appeals to both new and veteran gamers, we expect it to be one of our most successful games to date, adding to the nearly 198 million units sold worldwide for the franchise," she added.

Mario games as crack-tastical as ever
Generally speaking, Mario platformer titles typically include unique gameplay components while including themes common to all Mario games, and Super Mario Galaxy is no exception. From previous Mario games, we have coins, enemies, pipes and dozens of other small throwbacks that firmly designate the game as a Mario title. On the other hand, there are also things like the Bee costumes enabling you to fly, the use of small planets and space itself, and not to mention the incorporation of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, for spinning Mario, gathering up star bits and anchoring in space.

"Wii and the Wii Remote provide a unique experience that can't be found anywhere else and they are what ultimately inspired the gameplay and feel of Super Mario Galaxy," described Dolecki. "They provide an amazingly intuitive experience that lets even the newest players 'jump in' and experience Mario first-hand; they also allow for greater depth and tougher challenges for experienced gamers in later levels and are responsible for many surprises along the way. Beyond the controller, many players also find the core gravity elements of the game, spherical worlds and innovative co-star mode a welcome new experience that really sets the game apart from its competitors."

Speaking of the "co-star" mode, this two-player option has been received with puzzlement by some. After all, it's not a true co-op mode, with only one character controlling Mario. Still, the mode has its place for older gamers playing with children, since it allows them to help out someone who might not be able to handle all of the challenges of Super Mario Galaxy on their own. "Reviews from mainstream media point to it as an easy way for players to assist their more experienced friends. It's a new twist on playing video games together, and everyone seems pretty happy with it," commented Dolecki.

Super Mario Galaxy has been received very well by critics, both mainstream and hardcore. Other than occasional complaints about the implementation of the motion sensing controls and the "co-star" mode, Super Mario Galaxy was lauded for its presentation, design and gameplay, averaging a 97% on GameRankings.com.

"Super Mario Galaxy succeeds in tweaking the classic formula while keeping the game experience that keeps people coming back for more Mario, time and time again," said Libe Goad in her GameDaily 9-out-of-10 review. "The series' strengths -- inventive 3-D platforming and colorful environments -- are still there, but so is the cloying saccharine dialog and supporting cast -- an exercise in infantilism we could do without. While not perfect, this adventure will not only be on thousands of wish lists this holiday season, but will likely make it harder to find Wii consoles in stores over the next few months."

"We are honored, humbled and pleased that our Nintendo fans enjoy this game so much and what is most exciting to see is some of the highest praise ever given to a video game from both new and veteran gamers, which is really what we were after," added Dolecki.

It's Mario's Galaxy; the rest of us are just living in it
Super Mario Galaxy's TV spot conformed to the "Wii Would Like to Play" campaign of the past year. It featured various people playing the game in a theater while showing off various levels and gameplay elements. It's not exactly the most exciting ad to ever come down the pipe, but it's typical for Nintendo to launch ads that get the word out about their products with the expectations that positive word of mouth with do the rest.

It's likely that games with the Mario name on them will release ad nauseum from now until the collapse of the universe. When the next 3D Mario platformer of this caliber will arrive, however, is hard to say. It may be four or five years, perhaps more, and it may even launch with whatever Nintendo's next home console platform will be. All that's for certain is that people will be lining up around the block to buy it when that day (eventually) comes.