Mustache in the Clouds. New Super Mario Galaxy 2 Impressions.

Looks like Joystiq and IGN have some new impressions (and in Joystiq's case: video) of Super Mario Galaxy 2. This time the demo each editor was given to play shed some light on a new power, the Cloud Suit, as well as the game's co-op mechanics.

If you took a "pass" last time SMG2 was covered: Yoshi's back, he's just like you remember him from World and he has some cool new power-ups like balloon and pepper which make you float and dash (up walls), respectively. This time, however, we get to see one of Mario's new power-ups, the Cloud Suit (not quite).

The new power-up leaves three tiny clouds trailing Mario, providing a visual representation of remaining uses. Once activated - by shaking the Wiimote while in mid-air - a smiley-faced cloud will appear below Mario and stay put for about 15 seconds before "poof"ing away. For the most part the applications are obvious: extra height to grab that elusive coin/star (also a "not quite") or bridge otherwise uncrossable gaps. Change to that comes in one particular galaxy that prominently featured the effect of wind on the clouds. Having to drop clouds over a pit of spikes while the wind blows said clouds around would seem to add a bit of challenge for the new power-up.

If the game proves too challenging for the player at any point, there are two options for having the game hold your hand through it. Hint TV's placed throughout levels will show the player a "how to" video of a developer completing that particular section. The Cosmic Guide will simply play through the level for the player until he disables it. For those just jumping on the "Yay videogames!" team, (for one reason or another) this can be a real help. The rest of you should be able to harness your inner plumber and work through it. The rest of the limited sampling of galaxies offered only an homage to Super Mario Sunshine sans FLUDD.

The other big mechanic on show was the new co-op play featuring a Luma, a star creature, with several useful abilities. Adding on to the ability to point at and grab star bits from the first SMG, a second player can now grab coins and, when underwater, air bubbles. Best of all, player 2 can grab enemies and, in some cases, shake the remote to give them some Luma pwnage. From everything Joystiq and IGN have said, it sounds like the sequel will be a proper evolution of the original Galaxy.

Personally, I would go so far as to say that Mario's ability to constantly evolve with an ever-shanging audience and technology is why the character has remained relevant for ever-so-slightly longer than I've been alive. With Galaxy 2 looking to perpetuate that iconic status I find myself wishing for Miyamoto-san to end up with his head in a glass jar. ( <-See what a difference clicking on the links makes?)