Super Mario Galaxy is being described by Nintendo as the "true successor" to Super Mario 64. It returns to the fun-house feel with lots of smaller levels that stress exploration and adventure. I was able to play through a small level in the Barker Hanger and got a quick feel for the highly-anticipated title.

Starting off on a small asteroid-like surface, I explored the surface, gathering gems. As seen in most previews, you travel around the entire surface of the asteroid, so there's no way to fall off the edge and die. To gather jewels you either touch them with Mario, or point at them with the wii remote. The gems can be used to shoot enemies, but gather point bonues on completion of the level.

Mario traveled to another area by using some gravity balls (I'm not sure they have an offical name). You jump to get into the air, and then pull yourself towards the balls by pointing at the with the wiimote and hitting A. As Mario flys towards the gravity ball, others come into view. Several can be visible at once, and you can choose which to pull yourself towards. Eventually you get to another planet and you continue your adventure.

Super Mario Galaxy feels as though it's been written for the Wii, instead of a Gamecube port like Super Paper Mario. The graphics are clean, but you can see a lot of aliasing against black backgrounds like space. It's going to be a fun game though, and for Nintendo that's all that matters.

For more pictures, check out our Super Mario Galaxy gallery.