Hands-on: Super Mario Galaxy 2

Who You Gonna Call?

Over at Joystiq, Randy Nelson has posted his first hands-on look at the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy 2.  I feel as excited as he does at the new features Nintendo has thrown into this new Mario title.

Originally when they announced the sequel,  I was a bit sad that they had not decided to come up with a whole new idea as they have been doing with each release.  But looking from the list of new features, including Yoshi!, it seems this is more then a sequel despite the name.

This time around Mario is reunited with his dinosaur pal Yoshi.  His controls are similar to the other encounters with the long tongued monster, only in a 3D environment.

You also get a new ability in the form of a drill.  While Mario has been able to spin and drill his way into previous 2D titles,  this time he is using this ability to reach the other sides of planets.  It opens up new puzzle and play mechanics that could give the title that fresh feel it needs.

I thuroughly enjoyed the first Mario Galaxy and from the looks of it I will be dusting off my Wii to explore the Universe once again… Why didnt they just name it Super Mario Universe?

Hands-on: Super Mario Galaxy 2.