Best Levels Ever 12

It's difficult to think of levels to cover in this series, not because I can't think of any candidates, but because I believe a game shouldn't have any stand-out levels, everything should be equally fantastic to play. This is why I've made far more Worst Levels Ever videos so far, it's easier for me to decide what stages I hate the most.
So, in this edition of Best Levels Ever, I go over a stage that wowed me not because of its exception gameplay, but for its artistic vision...

[@Dr0dd]

"This game is 9 years old" git, don't do this to me To me the most artistic level of the first SMG was the Space Junk Galaxy.

[@madafaka2666]

to be fair the art there _Was kinda trashy_

[@zeldasmetaknight]

while your in space junk galaxy, c. Olimar asked if his ship is there

[@docs.a.t.7161]

Galaxy one in general did the atmosphere thing much better imo. But SS Gal did it great.

[@Yell0wBoo]

@@docs.a.t.7161 Galaxy 1 tried to be its own thing, while Galaxy 2 is just a 2D mario but in 3D. It's a good game but still.

[@Salad531]

Space junk is my favorite mario level of all time

[@guidofedeli851]

Your point about Nintendo not trying with their underwater levels in their 2D games is interesting, because their more mainstream games, especially the 2D platformers, sell way more than the more ambitious games, leading me to believe that the "tried and true" formula is there solely to fund the bigger and better games. I'd love to see you explore this subject in more detail.

[@zeldasmetaknight]

One galaxy that’s very relaxing to me is cosmic cove, it’s stage and music are very chilled and pretty

[@zeldasmetaknight]

Ishi TheShepherd I would have to agree on both subjects almost ever water level is unique and has memorable moments and I guess deep dark galaxy was trying to go for an underwater spooky feel, but I just didn’t feel it with each star. Plus kingfin is a better example.

[@Number_27]

It makes me happy to see that I'm not the only one who loves Slimy Spring Galaxy. I find it very underrated. Many people call it "linear" and "boring", but when I first played it years ago, I loved it. Especially the scenery at the end. It's just so unexpected and amazing.

[@johnjohnson392]

Good to know i'm not the only thing in the universe that likes the spring mushroom

[@davedood679]

I like spring mushroom because Mario still ends up bouncing on his head and feet and it looks ridiculous, yet he's still able to bounce higher. It'd be like if someone wrapped a coil of rope around themselves and were suddenly able to use themselves like a human lasso.

[@ayyyden2818]

I the part where you have to jump the chomps in chompworks spring less because I couldn't do it with the spring

[@lazykirby57]

I love it. I just love the clunkiness of it

[@churgneygurgney9895]

s a m e

[@aagh8714]

yeah i mf loved that shit bee is best tho in

[@kilvasify]

Your love for beautiful details is genuine...you always manage to show me something interesting, what a refined taste you have

[@gavin3415]

We need Galaxy 3 for Switch.

[@Fenyx_Birb]

Agreeded

[@valsioncustom]

That'd be very fun.

[@kaurii_3586]

We don't need it, the games are good enough on their own

[@thenexva]

Facts

[@connershade8500]

No

[@gravity8120]

1:35 *Piranha Plant:* "AM I IN SMASH YET?" But yeah, while Super Mario Galaxy (and 2) were great games, I still feel like they could've had even more potential. Make the water red, and easily mistakable for lava until a launch star forces you through it. Have trees grow out of thin air, and have you jump from tree to tree, instead of just using generic poles. More otherworldly things like the Slimy Springs showcased in this video! Honestly, Mario Odyssey took you to more otherworldly locations and yet (almost) all of them were on Mario's own planet. I know that game was released 7 years after Super Mario Galaxy 2, but still.

[@SpaceLobster21]

Actually, Odysseys locations didn't have the same sense of adventure. Yes, they were interesting, I especially enjoyed the sudden change you experienced in the ruined kingdom, but none of them felt completely out of this world. They all seemed to take root in real world places. For example, I saw a picture in my social studies textbook that looked almost exactly like the seaside kingdom. There was a large, yellowish wall going along a sandy beach with blue-green water. Of course, we all know New Donk city is New York, The cloud kingdom is a cloud, and The moon kingdoms are the moon, very obvious ones.

[@GodzillaGamerITA]

@@SpaceLobster21 Yeah but that's the point of the game a journey trough places that resemble the real world ones

[@Adeyum64]

Green Stars were actually the best part O.o I liked how inconvenient the stars were placed, because that added a bigger challenge. Much better than collecting the same stars twice like in SMG1

[@bluekirby_64]

Green Stars were one of my favourite parts of this game.

[@tien315]

Mine too I found it very fun to look through every level and find places to explore that I wouldn’t have thought of before

[@catgamer4263]

Spring Mario is so bad that the game plays a "powerup get" sound when you go back to normal. (Don't take this seriously, I don't actually think it's that bad)

[@uhhhCheese]

Not really. The sound that plays is when you LOSE a powerup. Nintendo actually tought the spring was a good idea.

[@dmansuperich2800]

Thank you for putting the spotlight on the greatness that is Galaxy's atmosphere

[@TheBreakingBenny]

I was wondering if Mario commits suicide when he fails the missions that don't involve him battling until either he or his foe falls. Seems pretty likely, starting with II Piantissimo.

[@blatskaliasbigsapo874]

Seppuku would be the case in here no? But only to himself.

[@TheBreakingBenny]

@@blatskaliasbigsapo874 Mario'd need something sharp to do that, alternatively… maybe his body can somehow make cyanide if he decides he should commit suicide.

[@blatskaliasbigsapo874]

@@TheBreakingBenny Well there are those things that i don't know the name that grow in caves estalagmites? Also Mario can jump high.

[@OptiJams]

Galaxy will forever be better than Odyssey to me And yes, I also think the spring mushroom gets more hate than it deserves. It's nice once you learn how to use it

[@lazykirby57]

True. Odyssey got Boring. Galaxy and Galaxy 2 are better. Also the spring mushroom is the most fun item.

[@ProBatman51]

Mr CynicalOptiMystical stop hating on Mario Odyssey idiots

[@thecomplainer6365]

@@ProBatman51 don't call someone an idiot for having different opinions then you dumbass

[@SpaceLobster21]

I 100% agree with you. Also, did you notice that nearly everything done in odyssey was already in a Mario game? It just lost some of the magic of Mario, Odyssey wasn't really unique. Plus, it was an unbalanced collectathon. For beating (what is in my opinion) the hardest level in the game, The speedrun challenge found in a sublevel of the dark side of the moon, you get a single moon. You get the exact same prize for jumping on top of a rock. Also, The 999 moons thing is just marketing, since most of them are from multimoons, bought in stores with no challenge whatsoever, a repeat of a previous challenge, or just found randomly in the worlds. As for music, the only song I enjoyed was Cascade kingdom, which was as good as something you'd hear in Galaxy.

[@thecomplainer6365]

@@ProBatman51 www.google.com/search?q=uno+reverse+card&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS835US836&hl=en-US&prmd=isvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiFsLSK-pzjAhUSDHwKHfN4A5wQ_AUoAXoECA0QAQ&biw=320&bih=452#imgrc=OYPPdi47mqhDZM

[@damianr9667]

I loves the spring mushroom! It's has an interesting control scheme and changed things up, even Though some considered that change bad.

[@WhiteFangofWar]

As you said, the water level that truly captures the vastness and wonder of the deep blue while also being fun to play can be rare. I find Metroid has a great track record with these even without the awesome atmospheric music, with my favorite probably being the lower part of Sector 4 in Fusion with the way it blends natural-looking coral reefs and fish monsters with the artificiality of the environment. You're actually in a giant aquarium like the ones you saw earlier in the top portion, but it sure doesn't feel like it.

[@actualbeargrills3086]

Don't tell me you're a fan of Maridia

[@WhiteFangofWar]

@@actualbeargrills3086 I like some things about Maridia like the boss, the atmosphere and the music. The layout could have used some work though since you end up backtracking to a lot of places to grab items, and have to take multiple trips through the quicksand pits to get everything. Also that one missile pack at the start is ridiculous.

[@actualbeargrills3086]

@@WhiteFangofWar Ok I do like some parts of Maridia. I just really don't like the layout or the water mostly because I got stuck there without the gravity suit during my first play through.

[@pikminman13]

Fun fact... you can 100% bypass the Spring Mushroom in G2. I honestly feel it was underutilized.

[@hardlyanydiggity3953]

same for the first.

[@Lucas-db2jq]

6:45 I agree, but credit where credit is due. The underwater level in the first New Super Mario Bros. game in which you had to outrun a humoungous eel is pretty cool. Also, I'm happy I'm not the only one who loves Slimy Spring Galaxy so much. It is my favorite level in Galaxy 2, but no one I have ever met seems to share that viewpoint.

[@SenatorArmstrong2018]

Wow, haven’t seen you talk about Galaxy 2 since what? Boss Analysis 10?

[@opalyasu7159]

3:00 there's a giant black hole in the sky, and Mario's sleeping.

[@mightykingwario]

9:40 Luigi! I've managed to avoid drowning!

[@badluckclover251]

I’m glad someone else appreciates this galaxy as much as I do. I replayed it so many times wanting to explore every little nook and cranny. Especially the caverns you fly through at the start.

[@yraxios]

Wow the Slimy Spring Galaxy is also my favorite galaxy from both game it felt like a whole different world out of the other galaxies and it was reaally awesome!

[@aerth6946]

I love your videos. They're welcoming and fun at the same time. Even though I'm not much of a fan of the Mario series, this video was no exception.

[@fIorapetals]

I've always liked Cosmic Cove best of all myself, guess we both have a fondness for pretty, sparkly water levels. And unlocking Rosalina's secret garden dome and just RELAXING in it was by far one of the best parts of Galaxy 1.

[@hevestarvey8730]

I love these videos you do, keep it up

[@genericname8749]

Straight up this level, along with Fractured Hills from spyro 2, traumatized me to the point where I couldn't even play the level SPECIFICALLY because of their special enemies, the slimy springs and living bushes. OH GOD THE BUSHES.

[@logicaloverdrive8197]

That is beautiful. This game is 9 years old?! Man I feel old now.

[@kueyteow6288]

Y'know, I never thought of Slimy Spring that much as a kid. But hearing Whoisthisgit's description of this Galaxy, made me appreciate this Galaxy, nd the game as a whole.

[@sjl057]

After Mario Galaxy 2, I remembered the end of Slimy Spring really well and wanted to return to it, but couldn't find it. Thus, I brushed it off as just one of those dreams until I came back to the game a few years later.

[@epikitee2186]

Ah, when you are that one person from the younger generation who got tingles of nostalgia from Whomp's Fortress instead of Throwback Galaxy...

[@thebookworm1613]

I loved throwback galaxy when I first saw it.

[@MustacheOnMars9]

What I need. Mario Galaxy 3 Mario Galaxy 4 Maybe 50 more Mario Galaxy games and that should be enough, till next year.

[@SpaceLobster21]

Please Nintendo, give us 50 galaxy games! But take your time with them, I don't want a load of crap.

[@hardlyanydiggity3953]

@@SpaceLobster21 a galaxy game every year or two, and no other mario games ever. then they can focus tons of time and money into it to make them all just as awesome and beautiful as the first.

[@kaurii_3586]

@@hardlyanydiggity3953 what about the better sequel?

[@hardlyanydiggity3953]

@@kaurii_3586 what about the people who don't think the sequel is better?

[@theophilecaceres5855]

Too Bad Odyssey doesn't give me this "magic". well. when the game launched. but after... its got problems.

[@KnakuanaRka]

Théophile Caceres Yeah, Odyssey has definitely done a lot right, but it does have issues. In the pacing, for example; going around collecting the many moons in all the areas ends up feeling like a waste when you need so few of them to advance to the next area. Compare to 64 or the Galaxy games, where you did need a good chunk of the available collectibles to proceed. I have some issues with the controls, too; diving seems to be ridiculously precise and fiddly, and I’m pretty sure doing a cap bounce in air is completely impossible in portable or controller mode.

[@SuperFroakie82]

K1naku5ana3R1ka Mid air cap bounces are fine, so is diving. I don’t know why you’re having trouble with it.

[@rikibdgd4764]

K1naku5ana3R1ka uhh its definitely not hard even in portable mode i actually think its easier

[@KnakuanaRka]

RikiBDGD Coming back to this, I think I’ve got a better grip on the controls. What I was having an issue with was that I thought I had to release Y to repress it for the dive, so the cap kept returning to me before I could bounce on it. And I think my issue with the diving was that saying “Y + ZL” or whatever they said didn’t explain that you had to press ZL first to ground pound, and then press H during the ground pound to dive; I was just pressing them at the same time, meaning that the Y often came first, resulting in a plain old ground pound. I’ve got that figured out better, though I could still use some practice.

[@SpaceLobster21]

Odyssey did feel quite bland and lacked any sort of challenge for me. There was one challenging level on the dark side where you have to fully utilize Mario's movement and race against time, I died about 50 times to that, but otherwise, very easy. The worlds were alright, but they lacked the sort of creativity that Galaxy brought. If that wasn't bad enough, they decided to pretend super paper Mario never happened by having a wedding between peach and bowser. Sorry Nintendo, but that was actually their 10-year anniversary.

[@santiagonova8040]

Everyone that talks about Galaxy 2 always say they like Slimy spring galaxy, but I don't. Because I even to this day I haven't been able to get that first star, since I suck ass at this game

[@cesarcastillo7129]

that isnt a reason to dont like a stage lol

[@matthiasc.z8332]

Not my fault you're so bad

[@theyoshigang2009]

Mario: *finds a new galaxy that is completely empty* Chimp: it’s free real estate!

[@kurtmatteson4914]

The only other level in the game that could be like this is Boss Blitz galaxy, especially when you're between bosses. That music is soft, but it's got a "your trials are about to begin" feel, which is great at making me tense before the fights.

[@SpaceLobster21]

And this is just another reason why the galaxy games will always be my favorited mainline Mario adventures. Another thing that I love about galaxy Is that it introduced such great new characters that have not just been shut out by Nintendo like some other characters (RIP RPG characters who aren't fawful), such as Rosalina, Luma, Captain Toad, and for some reason, Honey queen. Still don't understand how she made it into Mario kart, but hey, I'm not gonna complain. Definitely prefer a giant bumblebee from one of my favourite games over "pink gold peach".

[@psychomagalor4902]

Glad to see some slimy spring appreciation. Hopefully if galaxy 3 happens we have more levels like this. However would still much prefer Odyssey 2 instead, every level in odyssey was like slimy spring in terms of fantastic backgrounds(cascade and metro were personal highlights), and they had great gameplay to go with it. Galaxy 1 and 2 are great, but odyssey really feels like a true modern Mario game.

[@warioland523]

Unpopular opinion. I like water and ice levels.

[@SpaceLobster21]

I don't understand why they get so much hate. They're honestly not that bad.

[@yungshabby1547]

I love SMG2, I didn't beat it before my Wii Broke tho

[@kaurii_3586]

I've had a wii since it came out and it works like it's 10 seconds old lol

[@hardlyanydiggity3953]

@@kaurii_3586 same

[@GodzillaGamerITA]

I play the Wii on my Wii U

[@Cameo221]

Ah, the flowers that fill the field at the end of the level resemble Lily of the Valley! I love those ones.

[@foiledagain1914]

Ah slimy spring... It took soooo long to beat... It felt so bright and l happy in the end. The perfect galaxy. Only if battle belt took a page out of slimy spring's book....

[@invenblocker]

Luckily, we can just skip the spring mushroom, as proven by challenge KZbinrs.

[@MistMeccaOmen]

Slimy Spring's music got remixed for Puzzle & Dragons Z (SMB), world 2. Also, I still can't stand the Chimp. I dunno, maybe it's my memories of feeling dumb, constantly failing his stomp and score challenges (Fluffy Bluff/Honeyhop), or something.

[@soupand2sticks921]

I’m so happy someone else loves this level too

[@CrazyFriendlyGamerAlex]

I cannot express how much I love your vids:D

[@lordroy88]

While the Mario Galaxy games aren’t very good Course clear games, they still have a lot of charms and innovations and my favorites from G2 are slimy spring, clockwork ruins. Flopsville, and cosmic cove

[@brazencoronet17]

I'm more partial to Galaxy 1 because it's more challenging, but Galaxy 2 is by many means an excellent sequel.

[@eddyhypnotizer2481]

The music is fantastic!

[@juicedkpps]

No Galaxy 1? 0/10 But seriously, great video. I've never agreed more with someone that the Mario Galaxy games are some of the best, if not, some of the most beautiful games out there. The first one left a bigger impact on me though, but I will also agree on the fact that Slimy Spring is one of the best in the second.

[@Zwyrx_Hgqfyggz]

You think death by -10000pts Chimp is bad? Try death by amusement park which is forever in your debt in Super Mario Sunshine!

[@zoruafox7512]

Ah yes the stage that has enemies based off tube worms.

[@sosams]

Galaxy 2! The nostalgia is back!

[@GodlyNib]

4:07 Human music... I like it!

[@Spacetauren]

9:35 Clever MGS reference there ;)

[@jevyan7716]

Felt exactly the same way when i was at that water galaxy.

[@frayzard]

I lost my copy of galaxy 2, thanks for reminding me of this level

[@ilikecurry2345]

I _so_ thought you'd be talking about the Super Mario Galaxy land from Smash Bros 4 (and by extension Ultimate, then again what isn't?).

[@noamemerson-fleming285]

This game is 9 years old. See's the video is posted 5 years ago. Damn.

[@thel-iteralone4592]

I think Super Mario Galaxy 1 is overall better than its sequel, but damn the featured galaxy in this video blows a lot of galaxies in SMG1 out of the water.

[@amongblox_usa]

puns.

[@ilikecurry2345]

And, Mr. Git, is it just me or did I initially think Josh had said "Simon Spring Galaxy" or "Silent Spring Galaxy"?

[@unnamedgoon6196]

Have you ever thought about doing video essays? The modern state of 2D Mario could be a good topic.

[@ultimaterecoil1136]

I think you should do one with best levels where you are defending against a siege in fire emblem gamed

[@plecostomusgorgongoozler1551]

btw in supermassive theres a trick to infinite lives its called jumping on a giant koopa

[@ecbrd8478]

I'll be honest, this level seems rather cobbled together. Given that there's only one star that the level's design on its own actually accounts for, and that it's just sorta a linear underwater level with assets from the rest of the game pasted in. The music is very simple, as well. It all gives off a certain vibe.

[@richarde98]

Can't disagree more here, imo this level suffers from bad designing choices, since it's boring and time consuming as well as repetitive. Yes, it's alot better than most annoying 2D underwater levels, except, however, when it comes to Super Mario World. This game provided good underwater sections. Still, I like your explaination and find it interesting how another point of view could look like, good video!

[@Abysmlmao]

Am I the only one who thinks spring Mario isn't hard to control and actually likes the ability?

[@kueyteow6288]

My favourite game. My first 3D Mario Game. I LOVED THIS GAME but fuck Grandmaster Galaxy. The reason I couldn't complete it 100%

[@laylover7621]

Fucking hell. Galaxy 2 looks so much more fun and creative than 1. PIT IT ON SWITCH NINTENDO I WANT IT PLEASE.

[@Green24152]

1:53 YOU FORGOT ABOUT THE INFINITE LIVES TRICK THERE.

[@zerochill4096]

I agree with you, git

[@bomza76]

tbh i prefer the commercialised theme park

[@miguelolandesca9342]

Don’t you just love that the level makes use of that exploit where you move faster in water if you are holding a shell?

[@dipsfriesinchocolate5063]

Yeah, but it's not really an exploit. It's a mechanic.

[@richardchicken923]

Why did you think it was an exploit?

[@KnakuanaRka]

That was an exploit in Super Mario World (I think), but it’s become an intentional mechanic ever since.

[@miguelolandesca9342]

Let me get things straight, The Shell exploit was in Mario World, in coding, if you hold a shell, you move faster, since you are holding down the “run” button, which makes you faster at all time, even in water, so Mario Galaxy decided that the exploit be a Mechanic, making the shell actually literally thrust you forward.

[@richardchicken923]

Ah.

[@10gamerguy]

Is 9 years really that long?

[@Shyguymask]

When Mario Galaxy 2 released in 2010, 9 years ago was the Gamecube's launch year and Pokemon Crystal's release in North America. Yeah, 9 years is a lot.

[@SpaceLobster21]

And now it's been about 12 years since super paper Mario... 12 years since a truly original paper Mario game came out... PLEASE NINTENDO

[@nightsthedream6449]

happy february, git :p

[@mxbley]

Best game ever 😖👌

[@alexferreiro2880]

For me at least, nothing beats the ultimate challenge in the super secret stage with 1 HP and the sheer adrenaline it makes you feel The stakes truly have never been higher since the 100 coin star in Tick Tock Clock fast mode