First and foremost, what follows is a completely spoiler-free preview of Super Mario Galaxy. I've now had the game for three days, giving adequate time for over-hyped expectations and initial excitement (which generally cloud first impressions) to solidify into semi-objective opinions. Having now completed the first two domes (essentially worlds) and collected 20 power stars (assuming the standard 120 stars), I'm basing my opinions on the first 16 percent of the game.

Mario has skyrocketed (no pun intended) into the role of video game icon simply because Mario games are fun. But what makes them fun? Good, old fashioned, platforming action. Mario games are, at their core, a competition between the player and an obstacle course—a brilliant concept, which has been executed (arguably) to varying degrees of success throughout this venerable series. Let's take a brief retrospective of Mario games in the 3D era to give this preview context.

Super Mario 64 successfully ushered the series into the burgeoning 3D era. Super Mario Sunshine, while not a bad game in its own right, strayed slightly from the Mario formula, adding the FLUDD into the mix. While it was an interesting concept, the game's focus was divided between the 3D platforming style of Super Mario 64 and the new FLUDD mechanics, leaving many players with the feeling that Super Mario Sunshine was (rather than being the next great iteration of Super Mario Bros.) simply Super Mario 64 with a water pistol. Fun for sure—but not revolutionary. Now Super Mario Galaxy throws its hat into the ring riding the same tidal wave of hype that preceded Super Mario Sunshine and the question is: does it meet the ridiculously high expectations of Mario fans? In a word, abso-freaking-lutely.

I'm about to make a very bold statement, which I hope remains true to the end of the game. Super Mario Galaxy is to Super Mario 64 what Super Mario Bros. 3 was to Super Mario Bros. Everything is bigger, better and prettier than before. Platformers live and die by their jump mechanics, so it's a good sign that, in a game where jump mechanics are king, gravity takes center stage. Thus far, Super Mario Galaxy takes platforming concepts that are established crowd pleasers, i.e., disappearing pathways, leaps of faith and rampant switch triggering, and takes them to ridiculous levels – which is why it succeeds.

Super Mario 64 tested the 3D waters. Super Mario Sunshine operated within the established boundaries, but was far too cautious. Super Mario Galaxy knows the canon law of video game platforming inside and out and, as a result, it knows when to obey rules and when to shatter them. Super Mario Galaxy, as the name implies, is all about spectacle. It keeps coming at you relentlessly. As soon as you're comfortable, the game throws you a curve ball to mix things up and yet (against all odds) still manages to maintain a coherent sense of itself. Super Mario Galaxy is a game that makes its own rules and then breaks them in the most delightful and creative ways. If Super Mario Galaxy can hold this pace through the rest of the game, gamers hold in their hands one of the first true classics of this generation. I for one am holding my breath with cautious optimism.

Keep an eye out for the in-depth (spoiler-filled) review once I complete the game.