SMG may be fondly remembered like SM3, but it obviously hasn't had the cultural impact of SM64 or OoT.
It will be a long time before we see another industry shift like the move from 2D to 3D, and SM64 and OoT have their reputation because they were pioneers of 3D gaming in their respective genres.

I am not refering to the fact it changes the way the games are played like OoT, M64, BT blah blah

I am saying for the Wii it signaled the joining of Gamers and Casuals under one console, which may just change the outlook in the future. it could have major repercussions

ok just went it and read all of your post,

maybe I based this alot off my interactions with other gamers, but I know several people who are openminded(are not Sony or MS bigots) and were waiting for that one game before they decided to over to the Wii(I am actually the same way, I just played TP on the GC). Now SMG has given gamers a reason to buy games they are picking up MP3, TP, SPM and whatever hopefully Fire Emblem too.

maybe should have defined "gamer" I used that term to differenciate between Core gamers(most of which are blinded fanboys or will own all 3 regardless.)

I am referring to gamers like my self, relativivly early adopter(closest I ever bought a console from launch was GC in May 2002, about 7 months) but have more of a wait and see approach with their gaming purchases. To honest I wanted MP3, but it was not enough to make me buy a Wii, I was waiting for "that" game, I knew it would come, I just thought it would be SSBB. I stated that SSBB would continue this pattern started by SMG.

I believe the gamer is the most important demographic, they buy a lot of games and there are alot of them.

But this is typical of every video game system. Many people waited on Halo3 to buy a 360, and others undoubtedly are waiting for GTA4 or some other big titles to come to the PS3 before commiting to that. And I think in the end what matters more is the overall library, not just the "crown jewel." Gamers know that they can't play the same titles forever, and will want to make sure there is something to turn to once they've finished that killer app.

Right now, the 360 has a great deal of depth (Halo3, GoW, Mass Effect, BioShock, Orange Box) in terms of quality shooters, but desperately needs to add more variety. The Wii has managed to build up a respectable library, which, while maybe not as quality rich as the 360, sports a little more variety(albiet one heavy with Nintendo Mascots) - WiiSports, Mario Galaxy, Zelda TwiP, Metroid Prime 3 are the main ones, backed up by RE4, REUC, Super Paper Mario, etc,. The PS3 currently has some solid games, but unfortunately most of the best games are either non-exclusive (CoD4, Orange Box, Oblivion) or new IPs unlikely to act as that gamer magnet (Uncharted, Resistance). This is mostly due to the fact that it's biggest  (GTA4, MGS2) titles were pushed back to 2008, so it's safe to say this situation will likely be rectified by summer.

 This pretty much already happened with the PS2.

One thing SMG has proven is Nintendo is still one of the best company at producing great games. Again the Big N producing great games that fun to play is nothing new. First party success doesn't neccesary mean you win with 3rd party or Playstation would have never out sold the N-64.

As a gamer I will buy a Wii just so I can play the big N games but when it comes to 3rd party especially those on multi consoles I will not be play them on the inferior Wii. I seriously doubt the gamers who have money to spend on games will only own a Wii but will have a 360 or PS3 to play most of the 3rd party games in HD with DD5.1 sound.

no really? I was pointing out the it was happening on the Wii. Never said it was a first. And you know what? The unition(is it a word?) of under the PS2 what historical in the context on the gaming industry. I personally beleive GTA was their SMG. Things would have been alot different last Gen if GTA would not have come out, and definitly if it came out on Xbox or Cube.

See, this is the problem with hyperbole in a title. Instead of focusing on the thread starters claim that Galaxy is that AAA Game that will bring in far more people of a different gaming demographic, things all just went to heck. Heck I say.

As for the original point. Oh sure, every time a major game gets released in an under represented demographic, other games of that same type gets a bump. Blue Dragon sales rise in Japan every time a big RPG is released on the Box. But I'm not sure if this effect is quite as big as you're stating (or quite as necessary for that matter, looking at Striker and Paper Mario sales)

But to me, the big change that Mario Galaxy might (by which I mean I hope) make is a renaissance of the platformer. Because I think we're due for that.

^agreed, platformers have gone by the wayside long enough. We need them back : ).