Just having beaten this game with 88 stars just today, I found the game's controls to be spot on. You eventually get used to how the camera reacts when it follows you around a planetoid. The direction you want move the analog in, upside down or not, is the direction Mario moves in. The spin attack via Wiimote is a bit gimmicky but as far as gameplay mechanics/level design goes, Galaxy really innovates and refines the 64 formula. Fantastic artwork and graphics with silky smooth framerate that never bogs down, breathtaking with the HD (480p I should say) cable. If games like Portal make you dizzy, good chance this one will too. Wonderfully orchestrated music from various past Mario games and a good amount of new stuff as well. Exploring each galaxy is a joy. All in all, Galaxy really is a return to form. 64 beats this slightly, but only because of how revolutionary the whole concept was at the time, not to mention nostalgia factored in.

From a design standpoint I'd say Galaxy wins out easily, there's just so many different moments that make you mumble "Holy shit!" to yourself. The whole celestial theme makes for epic stuff with a difficulty level that ramps pretty nicely as you move further along the variety of abstract/surreal platforming puzzles this game throws at you. Nintendo has returned that sense of wonder/adventure to Mario that has been missing since Sunshine (which basically took place at a crummy, boring beach resort and of course the final-and-oh-so-anti-climactic Bowser "you ruined my bath time!" tub fight, ugh!)lowered the bar substantially.

It's been a good year for gaming. Please excuse my rambling, I had high hopes for this game and it delivered. This and Portal get my official seal of approval for most innovative games of the year 2007.

LSD bath time!