# The Missing Quotes in Iwata Asks about *Super Mario Galaxy 2* [[Memory Card]] subscribers and astute Max Frequency readers know my next big essay project is all about the spirit of a *Super Mario Galaxy* game. A huge resource in my research and writing has been the iconic interview series that Satoru Iwata conducted for years. With 3D Mario titles being so vital for Nintendo hardware, these interviews are rich with detail. I noticed something though when reading the [first entry](https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/supermariogalaxy2/0/0/) in to *Super Mario Galaxy 2* series: There is this block of four Iwata quotes back-to-back. > [!quote] > Iwata: Was your desire to create a flat style of play stronger this time than it was before? > > Iwata: And you can eat chili pepper this time. > > Iwata: I see. > > Iwata: Gravity flows in the direction of the arrow and suddenly someplace that you thought was the ceiling becomes the floor. It's a really unique course. Something was missing. I checked in three browsers, all had the same issue.[^1] My first thought was to use the Wayback Machine, but something suspicious was occurring when tracing back the current URL of the interview. The Wayback Machine only went back to 2022. To find the original webpage, I had to dig a bit. I found this [blog](https://3e8.org/writings/iwata-asks/super-mario-galaxy-vol-2.html) where one Jim Ursetto posted their translation of the Japanese interview before the US site had updated. Jim cited his sources and I found the original URL scheme for the Iwata Asks series—[us.wii.com/iwata_asks/index.jsp](https://web.archive.org/web/20100816054832/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/index.jsp). Now I was getting accurate timestamps and dates. I love and applaud Nintendo for keeping these interviews up and accessible for the world. It is a shame that over the years, bits may have slipped through the cracks. Then my love and applause goes to the Wayback Machine. Down below is the [missing Miyamoto quotes](https://web.archive.org/web/20100825075817/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/vol1_page1.jsp) with a little surrounding context. I hope you enjoy. > [!quote] > Miyamoto: Right. But while 2D Mario games only have scenes viewed from the side, 3D games are a refreshing change because they're flat, but also have depth. > > Iwata: Was your desire to create a flat style of play stronger this time than it was before? > > Miyamoto: Yes. It was clearer this time. When we looked back over the previous game, we decided there were lots of elements like chasing around opponents and being chased by them that would be more fun on a flat surface. > > And this time [you can play Yoshi](https://web.archive.org/web/20100825075817/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/flvplayer_vol1.html?mv=smg2_Yoshi&tt=23.06&width=480&height=270&id=smg2_Yoshi). You use the pointer when you have him stick out his tongue. In the last game, you could use the pointer to collect Star Pieces. It's like that this time, too. You can point at a variety of items and press the B button to have Yoshi stick out his tongue and eat them up. > > Iwata: And you can eat chili pepper this time. > > Miyamoto: Yeah. But it's spicy, [so you take off in a dash](https://web.archive.org/web/20100825075817/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/flvplayer_vol1.html?mv=smg2_YoshiDash&tt=23.06&width=480&height=270&id=smg2_YoshiDash) afterward. (laughs) And you can use Yoshi's tongue [to consecutively grab flowers floating in the air](https://web.archive.org/web/20100825075817/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/flvplayer_vol1.html?mv=smg2_YoshiJump&tt=23.06&width=480&height=270&id=smg2_YoshiJump) in order to lift yourself up to a high spot. You understand such actions in 2D in your brain, but it actually feels that you're playing them in 3D. > > Iwata: I see. > > Miyamoto: And there's [topsy-turvy gravity](https://web.archive.org/web/20100825075817/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/flvplayer_vol1.html?mv=smg2_Gravity&tt=23.06&width=480&height=270&id=smg2_Gravity). This was in the last game, too, but it's much more prominent this time. > > Iwata: Gravity flows in the direction of the arrow and suddenly someplace that you thought was the ceiling becomes the floor. It's a really unique course. > > Miyamoto: Yes. It feels like playing with a new toy. That course, too, is sometimes like playing a 2D side-scroller. > > Iwata: Of course, it is a 3D world, but you got rid of the places that would be difficult to understand and confusing because of their third dimension. You consciously structured the game so that the essence of the game's appeal would be two-dimensional. [^1]: Horse, Safari, and Chrome, for those that are curious.