Super Mario: Every Game Ranked From Worst To Best

6. Super Mario Galaxy

Mario Feat Copy
Nintendo

With the Gamecube roundly spanked by the chic-stylings of Sony's sleek PS2, Mario decided to leave the confines of Earth for the one place not corrupted by capitalism... SPACE!

Being shot into the outer reaches of the universe might have seemed like a punishment for Mario's 128-bit under-performance, but for video game lovers jaded by an increasingly cynical, annualised industry, Super Mario Galaxy was Nintendo's reward for their loyalty. Half a decade of gaming's accumulated grit and mud were swept away as Mario soared into the skies for his vibrant return, a positively life-affirming romp which reminded us all why our eyes turned to pixels in the first place.

Mario Galaxy abandons any pretense of non-linearity, instead presenting what is in effect a series of themed Mario Sunshine secret stages. In other words, it took the tastiest hors d'ouvre of an already delectable buffet and made it the full course. Throw in a boundless orchestral soundtrack and you have a cosmic accomplishment which skyrockets beyond everything that came before it.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.