New game mechanics also lend to the game's fresh factor. With a firm nod to Super Mario 3, specially powered costumes give Mario special abilities. For instance, a bee costume lets Mario take flight. Mario can also turn into Fire Mario (allowing him to throw flames) and the ghostly Boo suit lets him glide through walls. Even though the game takes place in space, nostalgic touches like swinging fire barriers and pipes that lead to secret underground bonus rooms give off that distinctive Mario vibe.

It wouldn't be Mario without coin collecting, and as in the rest of the series, coins can be used to restore health, or hoarded for bragging rights. Keeping with the space theme, Mario also collects star bits that can be saved or used to stun enemies. Hoarding star pieces has its fringe benefits -- each 50 collected equal an extra life and the rest can be used to feed "hungry" stars which then transform and create new galaxies -- often more challenging levels that serve as a chance to collect more star pieces and extra stars.

The game uses both the Wii controller and Nunchuck attachment. Use the thumbstick on the Nunchuck to move Mario and the 'A' button on the Wii-mote makes Mario jump. Shake the Wii-mote back and forth allow Mario to spin. Aiming the Wii-mote at the screen vacuums up the star bits, but that's about it -- disappointing, considering the possibilities. While the controls are responsive, the Wii-mote/Nunchuck combo can feel awkward at times -- we could just as easily played the entire thing using a more traditional game pad.

Galaxy tacks on a two-player coop mode, which is probably the weakest aspect of an otherwise solid game. Player one goes about his business, while player two is limited to using a second Wii-mote -- picking up star bits and helping Mario jump. This might work for a parent trying to play with a young child, but for older Mario fans, it's not much fun.

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. 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 console in stores over the next few months.

Super Mario Galaxy Images

    Originally unvieled at Nintendo's Space World event just before the launch of the GameCube, Mario 128 was intended to be a tech demo for the GameCube. Soon after it was confirmed to be a title in develeopment for the GameCube, then rumored to be a Revolution title. Not much else is known other than the fact that it is supposed to have some very innovative features that Nintendo is keeping secret. (Screenshot 1 of 133)

    Originally unvieled at Nintendo's Space World event just before the launch of the GameCube, Mario 128 was intended to be a tech demo for the GameCube. Soon after it was confirmed to be a title in develeopment for the GameCube, then rumored to be a Revolution title. Not much else is known other than the fact that it is supposed to have some very innovative features that Nintendo is keeping secret. (Screenshot 2 of 133)

    Originally unvieled at Nintendo's Space World event just before the launch of the GameCube, Mario 128 was intended to be a tech demo for the GameCube. Soon after it was confirmed to be a title in develeopment for the GameCube, then rumored to be a Revolution title. Not much else is known other than the fact that it is supposed to have some very innovative features that Nintendo is keeping secret. (Screenshot 3 of 133)

    Originally unvieled at Nintendo's Space World event just before the launch of the GameCube, Mario 128 was intended to be a tech demo for the GameCube. Soon after it was confirmed to be a title in develeopment for the GameCube, then rumored to be a Revolution title. Not much else is known other than the fact that it is supposed to have some very innovative features that Nintendo is keeping secret. (Screenshot 4 of 133)

    Originally unvieled at Nintendo's Space World event just before the launch of the GameCube, Mario 128 was intended to be a tech demo for the GameCube. Soon after it was confirmed to be a title in develeopment for the GameCube, then rumored to be a Revolution title. Not much else is known other than the fact that it is supposed to have some very innovative features that Nintendo is keeping secret. (Screenshot 5 of 133)

    Originally unvieled at Nintendo's Space World event just before the launch of the GameCube, Mario 128 was intended to be a tech demo for the GameCube. Soon after it was confirmed to be a title in develeopment for the GameCube, then rumored to be a Revolution title. Not much else is known other than the fact that it is supposed to have some very innovative features that Nintendo is keeping secret. (Screenshot 6 of 133)

    Originally unvieled at Nintendo's Space World event just before the launch of the GameCube, Mario 128 was intended to be a tech demo for the GameCube. Soon after it was confirmed to be a title in develeopment for the GameCube, then rumored to be a Revolution title. Not much else is known other than the fact that it is supposed to have some very innovative features that Nintendo is keeping secret. (Screenshot 7 of 133)

    Originally unvieled at Nintendo's Space World event just before the launch of the GameCube, Mario 128 was intended to be a tech demo for the GameCube. Soon after it was confirmed to be a title in develeopment for the GameCube, then rumored to be a Revolution title. Not much else is known other than the fact that it is supposed to have some very innovative features that Nintendo is keeping secret. (Screenshot 8 of 133)

    Originally unvieled at Nintendo's Space World event just before the launch of the GameCube, Mario 128 was intended to be a tech demo for the GameCube. Soon after it was confirmed to be a title in develeopment for the GameCube, then rumored to be a Revolution title. Not much else is known other than the fact that it is supposed to have some very innovative features that Nintendo is keeping secret. (Screenshot 9 of 133)

    Originally unvieled at Nintendo's Space World event just before the launch of the GameCube, Mario 128 was intended to be a tech demo for the GameCube. Soon after it was confirmed to be a title in develeopment for the GameCube, then rumored to be a Revolution title. Not much else is known other than the fact that it is supposed to have some very innovative features that Nintendo is keeping secret. (Screenshot 10 of 133)