Seven galaxies in ...

... and I can already say, without a smidge of hesitation, that Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a better game than its predecessor.

For starters, it adds good ol' Yoshi to the mix. Oh, and the Cloud Suit--which is, in my opinion, the series' slickest power-up since Kuribo's Shoe.

I could spend hours on this stage...

Also, it eschews the last game's confounding "Comet Observatory" hub in favor of a map system that's similar to the series' more traditional, two-dimensional efforts (Super Mario Bros. 3, especially).

Finally, part two is, thus far, decidedly more difficult than its pushover of a predecessor.

That said, I'm only a few galaxies in at this point, so it's possible my opinion of the game will change as I delve deeper into it.

Are any of you also enjoying Miyamoto's latest masterpiece?

See also: 'I ♥ Mahito Yokota (and so should you)'

I ♥ Mahito Yokota (and so should you)

After all, he's (partially) responsible for the Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 soundtracks--the later of which has, rather surprisingly, already been uploaded to YouTube.

My favorite track so far: "Final Bowser Battle"



Although, the "Puzzle Plank" tune is pretty awesome, too.

No worries if you're not the type of person who enjoys listening to video game soundtracks on YouTube in your spare time--if you live in North America you can pick up a copy of Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Sunday and listen to its tunes on your TV. (Japanese gamers can pick it up on Thursday, while European gamers have to wait until June 11.)

Buy: Super Mario Galaxy 2

'Good gravy!'

That's what the announcer says at the end of the latest Super Mario Galaxy 2 trailer. (Watch it here.)

As much as I agree with that statement, I think it should have been placed at the end of this trailer instead. Or, it could have been inserted into this gameplay video, which shows off the title's "Tall Trunk Galaxy."

Sorry, I couldn't find any safe-for-work images of the game's "Tall Trunk Galaxy."

Actually, now that I think about it, maybe Nintendo should give the game a subtitle? Super Mario Galaxy 2: Good Gravy! Yeah, that has a nice ring to it...

See also: 'A new contender for cutest Mario power-up ever' and 'Mario rocks out (ba dum tish) in new Super Mario Galaxy 2 trailer'

A new contender for 'cutest Mario power-up ever'

At the very least, it's on par with Kuribo's Shoe and the Tanooki Suit.

So, what does this power-up--which will debut in Super Mario Galaxy 2--do? No one outside of Nintendo knows for sure, but it seems likely it'll let players create clouds that can be used as platforms.

I'm tellin' ya, May 23rd can't come quickly enough.

Buy: Super Mario Galaxy 2

See also: 'I'm guessing this was a precursor to the propeller suit?'

Mario rocks out (ba dum tish) in new Super Mario Galaxy 2 trailer

The folks over at destructoid.com just made my morning by posting a fresh, new trailer for Super Mario Galaxy 2. (Watch it here.)

The trailer focuses on the title's numerous (new and old) power-ups, so if you'd like to remain blissfully unaware of such things until Super Mario Galaxy 2 hits store shelves later this spring (May 23 in North America) don't click on the link above (and, er, don't look at the image below).

By the way, Amazon.com is still offering a $20 video games credit to those who preorder the title. Here's a link to the online retailer's Super Mario Galaxy 2 page.

If you're planning to pick up Halo Reach or Super Mario Galaxy 2 ...

... you may want to head over to Amazon.com and preorder a copy ASAP. For the time being, the online retailer is offering $20 video games credit to those who preorder either title. (Here's a link to the Halo Reach page on Amazon.com, and here's a link to the site's Super Mario Galaxy 2 page.)

Don't tell my husband, but I just preordered a copy of Super Mario Galaxy 2. Now I can spend the next two months thinking about how I'll use my $20 credit. (Final Fantasy V Advance? Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon? WarioWare: D.I.Y.?)

(Via NeoGAF.com and tinycartridge.com)