It all started on my 5th birthday, when my Uncle Frank made that fateful decision to put a Nintendo Entertainment system into my little, unknowing, kindergarten hands. I really wish I could go back and watch that moment — to see that look in my eyes when I got to hold that huge NES box for the first time…and have absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into.
I hate this kid.
–Yesterday –
Fast-forward 17 years, and you’ll see me, on Tuesday, November 13th, 2007, bouncing up and down in my chair at work. It’s 3:00, and that goddamn clock has never ticked so slowly.
You see, they tell me a good friend’s come to visit today. Someone who’s always kept me waiting, but always reminded me that he’s worth it. A friend of all my friends, I hardly know anyone that doesn’t know his name. Yup, he’s coming back today, and I heard he looks better than ever. That clock is torturing me.
–Today –
So people keep asking me why I look so happy today.
Hmm, I wonder.
Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten my hands on true gaming euphoria? A game that spreads that smile so wide across my face that it hurts? That reminds me what it’s like to be a kid again, hold that controller in my hands and for the first time see the legend duck down that pipe?
I think we’ve got a winner, folks.
The Retronauts Cast devoted their show last week to Mario, talking about all of his past games, all of their wonderful Mario memories, and everything that makes Galaxy so great. I think the most brilliant thing I’ve heard, was their comparison of Mario Galaxy to that of Super Mario Bros. 3 for the NES.
The original Super Mario Bros defined the platforming genre. Super Mario 64 redefined it for new age.
Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Sunshine were a little quirky. Still great platformers and good games, but just different enough from the originals that they didn’t feel like true successors.
And the third entries in the series, Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Galaxy, are what make pipe-dreams come true. They represent the pinnacle of excellence for the genres that they defined respectively, 2 prequels prior.
To Nintendo fans, Wii owners, and gamers in general: You’re going to hear this over and over again, but trust me, that still wouldn’t be enough.
This game, Super Mario Galaxy, is Nintendo Gold.
This is the reason why, for 5 console generations, Nintendo is still the company to beat.
Why more people know the name of this little Italian plumber than Mickey Mouse.
Why other developers strive to reach that level of excellence that Nintendo makes look easy.
Well my friends, you gotta reach for the stars.
Nintendo knows how.
They just proved it.
Go buy it, play it, and love it. If there was one game to kill yourself finding a Wii over–trust me–this is it.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that so much fun keeps coming from one place, that those feelings of childhood bliss are something you can re-live and that the friend, who’s held your hand since you were five, is still there for you.
Believe it.
He’s here.
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