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Metareview: Super Mario Galaxy 2
Everyone expects a Mario game to be good -- and it's even easier to expect quality when the new game is a direct follow-up to a game as universally adored as Super Mario Galaxy. However, even given the high expectations, the reception Super Mario Galaxy 2's getting is startling. There are, as of right now, eight scores equivalent to 100 percent on the game's Metacritic page, a range befitting the title our own Randy Nelson called "the best Mario game ever." We've only quoted one of the 100-percenters below, in the interest of variety. Edge (10): "This is a game that refuses to bore you, that can take you to the 60-star mark before asking you to do the same thing twice. It reuses assets, but almost never recycles ideas; you'll never see another title so thrifty, or so gratuitous." Game Informer (93/100): "Sure, it's not the total reinvention of the genre we've come to expect from a new Mario title, but as a platformer fan I'm happy to get more Mario to tide me over. This game is a testament to the enduring appeal of the genre, as well as Nintendo's ability to create fresh new gameplay out of a decades-old formula." Game|Life (9/10): "Super Mario Galaxy 2 is thus simultaneously more and less than its predecessor. It expands and elaborates on the gameplay in unpredictable ways, but the last one felt like a bigger, more complete adventure. That said, better core gameplay with less window dressing is infinitely preferable to the reverse." %Gallery-64834%
Super Mario Galaxy 2 trailer features bird racing
Nintendo's viral-esque series of Super Mario Galaxy 2 promotional videos continues with a brief look at an odd flying minigame. In this racing segment, Mario woo-hoos through a course as he holds onto the legs of a "Fluzzard." The challenge, of course, is to win the race against a bunch of birds who aren't weighted down by husky plumbers. Perhaps this particular Fluzzard flies faster, though, boosted by the assurance that its talents are useful to Mario. There are really only two fates for animals in the Mario universe, after all. If you can't be used as a vehicle in some way (like Yoshi, who is born wearing a saddle), you are doomed to being stomped to death. See the trailer after the break.
Zelda: Phantom Hourglass boxart
The Japanese boxart for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is up on Amazon for all to see. We're hugely excited about the new Zelda, and advise you check here for the screens we showed you last week. It's coming out on Saturday July 23rd, exactly 11 years after the Nintendo 64 hit the shelves. It's highly unusual for a game to come out on a Saturday in Japan, where Thursday is the traditional release day for new titles. Whatever -- we want to get our hands on Phantom Hourglass as soon as possible![Via Nintendo iNSIDE]
Translated developer interview about the final Internet Channel
Here's a small tidbit for anyone weeping openly about the delay of the final Internet browser: the interview with the Japanese Internet Channel team has been translated into English. That's a language we can all enjoy! The EAD developers promise a faster and more responsive browsing experience, as well as some interesting features like integrated search (did Nintendo develop their own search engine?) and a font outline feature that allows zoomed-in text to be clear and smooth. Basically, all the features that have already been announced-- but it's nice to hear some reasoning for their inclusion! [Via digg]
MARIUS: emergency SMS alerts from helicopters
Officials taking advantage of the ubiquitous nature of cellphones to ensure the safety of the public is nothing new to us, but with its newest project, the European Commission is definitely taking it to a new level. The "Mobile Autonomous Reactive Information System for Urgency Situations" or MARIUS as it will be more affectionately referred, allows rescue teams to send SMS alerts from helicopters with built-in miniature wireless networks to areas, regardless of whether there is a functioning network in place. The project, which is being facilitated by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), Thales, BAES, Selex, Eurocopter and Swapcom, is designed to allow for the rapid deployment of "autonomous Command Posts" which function in any sort of disaster. The project was successfully tested last month in a laboratory and July will mark the first one site testing in Valencia, Spain. It should be said though, while we definitely enjoy seeing technology used in this sort of capacity, it is does make us wonder where it will leave certain folks in such moments of crisis. [Via Textually]
