QUOTE
	"I'd kind of like to see another portable series of two compatible Zelda games like Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages. "

The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Nintendojo as a whole or any of its affiliates.

You realize how exciting this month is?

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is coming out.

I Know, Right? It's Really Exciting

No, I don't think you get it. Sure, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the sequel to a fantastic game, one that by all human reason, looks to expound upon some seriously inventive ideas and an all-around wonderful gaming experience. That's not really what I'm talking about.

What's so special about this is that it is the first time that a Mario game has had a direct sequel on the same system in one hell of a long time. That's a seriously big achievement.

"Fie on thee!" you say. "There have been tons of Mario games out for every system!"

And you wouldn't be totally wrong.

Having multiple installments of a franchise on a single system isn't that big of a deal, as a general rule. Two Zelda games on a system is nothing. The DS has two, the N64 and GameCube (technically) had two, so did the NES, the Game Boy had three, and you might make an argument for the GBA having two, but that's debatable, since Four Swords was an add-on for Link to the Past. On a tangent, I'd kind of like to see another portable series of two compatible Zelda games like Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages.

How About Oracle of Marshmallows?

But what's really unusual is two Mario games for one system. No, I realize that on the Wii alone, we already have New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Mario Strikers Charged, Mario Super Sluggers, Mario Kart Wii, New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, and Super Paper Mario. That's a lot. However, how many of these games are main-series Mario platformers? Only Super Mario Galaxy, and now, Super Mario Galaxy 2, are flagship Mario games. Can you remember the last time there were two main series Mario games on one platform?

The most recent system to bear this honor was the Game Boy. Super Mario Land and Super Mario Land II: 6 Golden Coins were on the same system. I don't know if you can technically count Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land as a Mario platformer since Mario himself wasn't featured outside of the title. The last time a console had two was the Super NES (pronounced "Super Ness"), and the second game was Yoshi's Island, where Yoshi was arguably the main character of the game. I mean, except for Kamek, who rocks it hardcore in all conceivable fashion.

Well, Of Course. He's A Turtle Who Casts Magic Spells

There's only one system that has three main series Mario games on it, and the main character of Earthbound was named after it. Technically, the Game Boy Advance had more, but we're not counting that since literally all of the Super Mario Advance series consisted of remakes. Remakes of fantastic games, to be sure, but still remakes.

Super Mario Galaxy 2, however, is not a remake. It's very much a brand-spanking-new, full-blown, top-notch Mario platformer that does not involve any specific sport, paper, or party in any way, and since it's coming out in second quarter, it's defying type as well -- you know, by not coming out in November. A winner is us!

Have some reactions, comments or questions? Feel free to either:
Hit the Forums and/or Email our Podcast at showmail [at] nintendojo.com!