yes i think it will be a better game as it will improve on the previous one. Nintendo will put everything in to this one as it will be the last of it's kind (well most likely anyway). people will rate it down because of it being more of the same even if it is the better game.

Nintendo promised to make it harder and will most likely have big worlds as the fans asked for it so why so why can't it be better? i say Yes it will!

I expect SMG2 to top out at about 6-7m. Less than the first one. My reasoning is that when SMG came out it was the only Mario game on Wii (excluding sports, party and Paper) so a lot of the Wii's more casual base bought it.

However, 3d Mario has never had the mainstream appeal as it's 2D counterpart.

So SMG2 will sell to most of the Nintendo core and the casual Wii audience will continue to buy NSMBW instead. In fact I totally expect NSMBW to outsell SMG2 weekly in all but the first 3-4 weeks after SMG2 release.

A large part of the wow factor for me came from the sheer variety of ideas and levels, and the amount of creativity on display. Early hands on impressions suggest Galaxy 2 has the same feel as Galaxy, despite the addition of gameplay elements like Yoshi and the drill. However, the abundance of creativity is still on display.

I think the nature of Galaxy's game engine lends itself well to such rampant creativity, and have no doubts Nintendo's designers can come up with even more creative and enjoyable levels in Galaxy 2. It might not get the same critical or commercial attention as the first (though there is every chance it will exceed or meet those levels), but I think I might very well enjoy Galaxy 2 more than the first game.

This isn't about sales or critical reception, though.

$#!^ Don't you hate it when people don't read through the whole OP?  Me too.  Can't believe I just got caught doing it myself.

I'm saying yes because of the fact that the Wii install base will be over 70 million when SMG2 comes out.

I doubt. The casual audience being the reason.

Everyone was starved for a Mario game, got Galaxy, did remarkably well then pretty much stopped in it's tracks. Then they got NSMBW.

They just aren't starved anymore.

It has yoshi in it.

So yes

end of/

It will be a better game but rated lower simply because it din't do it first.

Do I think it'll be better gameplay wise? Possibly.

Do I think most people will like it more? Doubtful. Because it'll suffer the same 'sequel' effect most games do. Fans of the original will love it at first, but grow tired of the same gameplay. People who were only lukewarm about the title before won't be thrilled about it being the same thing. And those who didn't like it before will hate this one even more for being similar, especially since New Super Mario Bros Wii has come out. Classic Sequel effect.

Not to mention all 'review' sites will automatically score it down just for being a sequel. Even if it is improved in all ways.

I'm probably going to love it however.  I loved the first game.  One of my favorite games in the last 5 years and one of my 3 favorite Mario games.  So as long as it stays close to the original or even surpasses it, I'll be quite happy.