The hidden emotional depths of Super Mario Galaxy
by Chris Greenhough 
{ May 9th 2008 at 3:00PM }
Cory Barlog may have sneered at what he deemed to be Super Mario Galaxy's "vapid story," but game researcher and designer Douglas Wilson couldn't feel more differently. Writing for GameSetWatch, Wilson argues that Galaxy is not only the first Mario title to produce an engaging story, but that it addresses human tragedy more expertly than most other games.To illustrate his point, Wilson draws on the story told by Princess Rosalina, whose life story is recounted throughout Galaxy. Although this narrative thread starts life as the kind of standard fare you'd expect from a Mario title, Rosalina's tale quickly becomes tragic, as she recalls how she realized her mother had passed away -- or, as she touchingly puts it, is "sleeping under the tree on the hill." Sad face.
As Wilson points out, this surprisingly poignant turn of events creates a pretty weird dichotomy. After all, Galaxy is a game where you fight a giant piranha plant in a diaper.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cbylife @ May 9th 2008 3:21PM
i'd like to admit, here and now, that rosalina's story time is a part of the game i look foward to most because of the heartwarming and emotional story.
canaroo @ May 9th 2008 3:28PM
I agree. It was one of the most appealing and "human" part of the entire game. I always looked forward to it.
macanima @ May 9th 2008 3:29PM
I teared up a little.
Metayoshi @ May 9th 2008 3:34PM
I was one of those who didn't like Rosalina's story too much. It was nice and emotional and all, but it felt really out of place in my opinion. I just want to get on with the Mario platforming. If I want story, I'm going to play an RPG.
J rod @ May 11th 2008 11:32AM
Why did you bother to watch it then? You didn't have to. It's an OPTIONAL side quest.
Metayoshi @ May 12th 2008 1:16AM
Firstly, this website needs to somehow enable replies to a reply.
In any case, I enjoy completing games and experiencing what it has to offer so I watched all of it during Mario's adventure.
I did skip it in Luigi's adventure though because I don't need to see it a second time.
Scotty @ May 9th 2008 3:53PM
I like the part of Rosalina's story where she hopped on a motorcycle and joined Mario Kart, cause I frickin rip it up when I play as her.
Roto13 @ May 9th 2008 3:55PM
The story is a nice bonus, but I honestly forgot it existed until I read this article. Who cares? Most of the time, when a lot of effort is put into a video game story, it just gets in the way. Especially since they can rarely compete with a good movie or book.
Lord Bowser @ May 10th 2008 6:35AM
Shut up, old man. Just shut up. Go back to making mediocre movies.
J rod @ May 11th 2008 11:34AM
Wow. you're a rude asshole, Lord Bowser.
Mr Khan @ May 9th 2008 4:46PM
Made me tear up a little, too
It was a brilliantly realized story, and best of all, they didn't cram it down our throats. It was just there if you wanted it
brbarnhart @ May 9th 2008 5:02PM
It did nothing for me. I went through it because I thought I had to.
Jhongerkong @ May 9th 2008 5:06PM
What the hell? No spoiler warning or anything? Gee thanks...
J rod @ May 11th 2008 11:36AM
The game is 6 months old! I beat it in 6 days. Normal Nintendo gamers have beaten it already.
Waffala @ May 10th 2008 1:00AM
I haven't gotten this far either in the story, thanks Chris, anyways, I really liked the art they used to tell the story, I don't really remember so much what was happening though the last time I read.
rainking187 @ May 10th 2008 2:17AM
SPOILERSnape killed Rosalina's mom.
Ethan @ May 11th 2008 4:38AM
It was lovely but a bit cheaply done.
Wiseguy @ May 11th 2008 7:03PM
Uh.... the "narrative thread" is a series of still screens. With text. That you read. But only if you feel like it. The story itself is completely disonnected and unrelated to the actual gameplay (ie: flawless Miamoto platforming action.) The only real integration of story with game was the two bookend cutscenes.
You can throw in a copy of Mopy Dick with every game of Tetris and it would essentially be the same thing.