Variety aren't a source that should even be considered for game critique. I think there is confusion between many lives / quickness in getting stars and difficulty. Yes there are lots of lives in the game and you get most stars relatively quickly that doesn't mean actually getting to them is easier than SMS and SM64. I think the difficulty in this is handled much better than those, I actually died a few times, Inever used to die early in the game in the last 2 Marios.

The only thing I've disliked was the surf and the ball levels (hated the motion controls), but generally the motion controls are perfect and I'm a motion control hater, on Wii or PS3 (turn motion off in Ratchet and Warhawk).

How can they call them tacked on? This, Zela, Strikers and Metroid are the kind of motion controls I want. I don't want to guide Mario like an Excite Truck if that's what variety wants jesus...

And complain about the graphics? 'THE' Wii game where grapics look great, unbelievable.

This paragraph hits the nail right on the head. I've only gotten the first 5 stars, and already I've been surprised by the amount of danger the game zaps you with straight off the bat -- I didn't find it difficult, but I was expecting it to be easier, so I let my guard down once or twice. I like the fact that you can get extra lives by the dozen. Extra lives don't make the game easier, they make it more fun when you don't get an aribtrary "game over" after dying. They also give you reasons to explore. "Hey, I found a 1up!" Honestly, in modern adventure games that save after every "level", I think "lives" have become obsolete except as a reward for exploration and skill. Games have moved away from punishing ineptness and toward rewarding skill, and that's how they should be.

Wait until you guys see some of the levels in the Bed Room!

Has anyone managed to do two loops around the moving disc in the first challenge of Battle Rock Barrage yet?

Try long jumping off the edge of the platform in the opposite direction that it is moving...

BEST. HANGTIME. EVER.

Fapgasm :)

I can't decide if I like Galaxy or COD4 better.... :(

Also, please people... comeon the challenge from Mario games isn't necessarily from the 'difficulty' of the structure of a level.

The difficulty and 'skill' of Mario is perfecting his movements in 3D to an art form.

IE: Tell me the levels are easy if you don't TRY to make them easy and speed race through them as quickly as possible (like you would have in 2D Mario games).

 Wow - quite honestly I feel like it doesn't sound as good without all the soundeffects that go along to the music!!! That's incredible.

OMG can u please give me the Egg Galaxy music (i think its called egg galaxy), i love humming that tune and i dont even have the game yet (have to wait till 29th) but you would really make my day and make it easier for me to wait for the game. please please please

I try to go as slow as possible. At least the first time through.

On a related note, I like how the game is very much a "point A to point B" type of game, similar to how a 2-D Mario plays. The game seems to me like the more logical continuation of SMB3 or SMW and not so much Mario 64. While I think SM64 is great right now I'm thinking SMG is greater. I've been playing through SMB3 and SMW in preparation for this game so maybe that is colouring my judgement.

Here's some music. Cut and paste the link:

http://studebakerhorology.com/GAME150/Super Mario Galaxy - Egg Plant.mp3

http://studebakerhorology.com/GAME150/Super%20Mario%20Galaxy%20-%20Egg%20Plant.mp3

There you go, clickable link.

Sure it is!  That bonus level with the cake at the end is quite difficult due to its structure.  And that's only like the 8th star.

@fkusumot, I agree that the game feels more SMB3 than SM64 to me.  It feels like SMB3D.  :)  Which is a good thing, too.  SM64 accomplished the task of bringing Mario into three dimensions beautifully, and its worlds reflect the focus on 3D innovation.  Now that we're accustomed to 3D, Galaxy seems to be focusing back on core gameplay elements from the Mario series.

Uhh... not fair :( About 10 more days...