SMG has changed nothing, other than show that petty excuses that Wii doesn't appeal to the core gamer is simply false.

The great thing about Mario is that it can appeal to everyone. Its approachable enough for casuals to play, while intricate and ingenius enough for even the most hardcore to enjoy. Mario is the epiphany of fun in the gaming business and has been that way.

So I disagree that SMG has really changed anything about the Wii demographic or the public's perception because sales tells all, and that's EVERYONE wants a Wii. Not just the mainstream. The core gamer too. If this wasn't true, then Wii would have sold out for an entire year, and still doing it after holidays.

I think if this new found revival in Mario is necessary to put success on then look no further then New Super Mario Bros. which if it keeps up its sales could be the best selling game ever. But SMG comes in like it normally would to a demographic that is a little more accepting this generation than last, simply due to expanded userbase, media attention, and hype. But that doesnt' deny that SMG is an amazing game.

I think what Super Mario Galaxy has really defined or changed in this gaming industry, is that gaming isn't about how good your graphics are, or how brutal the game can be, or how good this online setup is, or all these other perceptions about pixel pushing. SMG has shown that all of that doesn't matter, as the heart of gaming its all about fun, and Super Mario Galaxy is pure fun at its best. This is what Super Mario Galaxy has changed. Changed the perception back to that its all about the fun, not the pixels. I give kudos to it for that, as it is one of the most fun games I have ever experienced.

SMG hasn't redefined the genre like SM64 did, no. But it has refined it to a degree that no previous 3D platforming title can claim. Visually, aurally, atmospherically, it's a huge leap forward from what preceded it. Gameplay-wise, it's a solid evolution of the Mario control scheme we've seen in place since SM64, with a new control mechanic that will hopefully see use again, the Spin Attack. Sometimes refinement is more important than flat-out innovation from the ground up. SMB3 did the same sort of refinement for the 2D platforming genre, and it's regarded as one of the best NES games ever.

Halo changed FPS?  No Goldeneye 007 and Perfect Dark changed FPS on the consoles.  Those made the way for Halo.  Those were the revolutionaries in the FPS console business.  Halo was a follow up.

I agree that SMG hasn't really changed the platformer business, but has breathed fresh air into it, which could possibly upstart its return, as it was the dominant genre back in the N64 day.  But read my previous post for my thoughts on this. 

I don't know... I was mega disappointed by Twilight Princess and was afraid I'd lost all hope with nintendo core games. However, SMG has made me a believer again.

Personally, I think the game is the perfect representation of Nintendo's strategy.

On the one hand, the game is perfect for the hardcore gamers. While not super challenging, the game requires some thought and is a blast to play. It's depth is incredible and there's a ton of creative and unique content amongst the various worlds.

At the same time, it's a great game for casuals. My sister loves super mario galaxy more than any other game for the wii because she likes taking turns with me to get a star. We'll alternate which of us plays as second player and it's probably the most effective tool in making her a hardcore gamer yet.

It's just the level design in Super Mario Galaxy is so amazing.  And the gameplay ideals along with that is simply the work of a genius.  I mean it was just so fun to play.  I mean there's not to many times I can play a game and jsut be smiling the entire time cuase I'm having so much fun. 

SMG changes nothing, its just another game. Its been the only decent Mario game in 10years of course it will sell well.

Only "decent".  I take decent as the thin line between good and bad.  Meaning average.  Your seriously going to tell me that since SM64, games like Super Mario Sunshine and New Super Mario Bros are only decent.  My friend you must be mistaken those games were amazing. The only reason Super Mario Sunshine gets a bad rep is because it wasn't as good as SM64, which was an impossible feat.  Kinda like the standards FF8 had to live up to after FF7. 

 I don't mean decent as in only average, the mario franchise is just so spread out, only 1 mario game per system.  We all know how Sunshine was received, but the DS game was fun but not as great as the SNES one or Mario3.  But by the end of Jan i will have beat SMg and then you will receive my review.

SMG is the first game in a long time that I restarted it the minute I was finished so I could collect the stars the wife got and vice versa. Dont know how much it'll change things but we need Nintendos well known franchises done properly for the Wii and with MP3, SMG out so far and SSBB, MKWii coming out next year then it does seem Nintendo are rushing them all out fairly quickly in the Wii's cycle.

Maybe they will concentrate on unknown IP's after this as they have stated they will for some time now.

I disagree. Big time. Wii Sports is still the reason people get Wii. Ive been using my Wii to play Fire Emblem. Now that is an underappreciated game.