Tools for this page
Print

Super Mario Galaxy

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Fantastic outer space odyssey with coop play.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    Mario rescues the "damsel in distress."

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Cartoonish. Mario mostly stomps on enemies or stuns them with a spin attack.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Super Mario Galaxy was written by Brett Molina

Parents need to know that this game is an enjoyable adventure for just about any age. Younger kids may have more difficulty with some of the challenges, but if they play in the Co-Star Mode, they can join with a more experienced player in a series of simple tasks. Inexperienced parents could also use this mode as a way to play the game with more experienced children because on the Wii, you don't have to know a complex set of controls.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how this latest Mario release compares to previous titles. Is this the best ever? Mario first debuted in the 1980s. What's been the secret to Mario's longevity and what is it about Mario games that make them so appealing?
Did this review help you decide?

OK for Your Kids to Play?

Do you play it? Review It!

More on Super Mario Galaxy

What’s the Story?

Mario blasts into orbit in the highly anticipated SUPER MARIO GALAXY, an exhilarating space odyssey that takes the Super Mario franchise to the next level. As with most adventures in the franchise, Mario sets off to rescue Princess Peach after longtime nemesis Bowser swipes both the princess and her castle. Mario later meets Rosalina, a watcher of the stars, who wants Mario to grab stars to power her ship. In return, she offers to assist in the search for Peach. Mario searches for these stars in a myriad of cleverly designed galaxies.

Is It Any Good?

Visually, Galaxy is arguably the best-looking of the Super Mario titles. Landscapes are full of color and life. Mario packs his signature set of moves, from the simple jump to a dazzling spin. Galaxy also unveils a few motion-control tricks courtesy of the Wii. Another intriguing addition to the franchise is the Co-Star Mode, which allows a second player to join in at any time. Using only the Wii remote, a player can collect Star Bits, freeze enemies, or assist Mario in super-high jumps. It's very easy to pick up, and could become a great outlet for inexperienced gamers and parents to join in on the fun.

Super Mario Gallaxy doesn't have the realistic graphics or complex controls of some of the other blockbuster 2007 releases, but it's equally as engaging and fun.

Publisher’s Details

Developer: Nintendo
Released on: 11/13/2007, Price: $49.99, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

What did you think about Super Mario Galaxy?

or

to post a review

See all 55 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    FUN!!

    Challenging! But FUN!!! Ad mario is a great role models because he saves people "The damsel in distress" but this game has ton of really cool words and challenges!! This is like a MEGA upgrade of new super mario bros wii except you only play as mario and second player just catches star bits!

  2. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue

    Decent, with some patience

    A farly good, and easy game (my 7 year old brother beat it in two weeks) but there are some very hard parts. The final battle left me a bit dissapointed, but it's a pretty good game, all the same.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue

    Fun Game, but bad stuff.

    So anyways, lets start with the good part. There is a new princess, she helps Mario through the game. Peach is always sending you messages giving you 5 1-up mushrooms. But Luigi, he barely sends you messages, But it is only when he finds a power star, and gets lost. But as for the bad part, Mario can kill creatures and get a coin or starbits for it, but the enemies can make him lose life too. But anyways, there's other enemies, such as Topmaniac. He has pointy-like things on his body which can burn Mario. There is also chickens who drop bomb-like objects. And after it drops, the bomb will explode, causing Mario to be burnt. But there is also the main enemy, Bowser and Bowser Jr., trying to stop Mario from going forward, but Bowser Jr. can use a flying ship that looks like a boat that shoots out bombs. (After you hit the ship, it will send out a MagiKoopa that uses fire out of it's wand.) And as for evil sayings, Bowser said that we will crush Mario into "space bits." But I'm afraid there is a sexual-like thing in Honeyhive Galaxy. It's when Mario currently itches the Queen Bee, but I currently think it's very sexual.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

    First let me say straight up that I'm not a big fan of the Mario franchise. An Italian plumber in a suit does not appeal to me. I would much rather take a character like Sonic or DK. Those two have some originality. Recently, Nintendo has managed to substitute their previous 2-D side faced games like the original Mario, and notched up the bar. In less than ten years, the graphics have leapt amazingly, until now we have Super Mario Galaxy. This game is nothing short of amazing. This visually stunning game is just like the others. Bowser wants Peach, kidnapps her, Mario has to rescue her. Same old story. That's not what we're here for though. The beginning cut sequence really lets the dramatic mood settle in, and after it all starts uip, you're off. You have to travel between planets all throughout the galaxy in order to obtain stars to gain enough power to face Bowser. There is a ridiculous amount of planets for you to explore, the gameplay is easy and doesn't abuse the Wii controller, and the landscapes are interactive and vast. My main concern was that I was getting the impression that Galaxy only consisted of small planets, with no large expansive maps. I was proven wrong. Another fun tool is the gravity. You can use it to your advantage to jump off major towers on one side of the planet so you're in orbit. Then gravity will kick in, you'll whirl around crazily, and land some random spot on the other side of the planet. This game is for everyone. Fans, non-fans, kids, adults, teens, the whole shazam. Enjoy this game, it's a must have.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0

    Good game.

    This game is good. Triky but you soon get the hang of it. Its not brilliant though and it could be better. I think ill recomend it but bare in mind that its not brilliant.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    The Princess and the Frog

    The Princess and the Frog

    First African-American Disney princess is a good role model.

  • Tech Tip

    What parents need to know.YouTube and Your Kid

    What parents need to know.

  • Book of the Week

    All the World

    All the World

    Endearing art, rhythmic poem celebrate the flow of life.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Download This

    Pickin' & Grinnin': Great Folk Songs for Kids

    Pickin' & Grinnin': Great Folk Songs for Kids

    Fantastic folk favorites perfect for family road trips.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name