Super Mario Galaxy starts the same way a lot of the Mario games do, Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach and it’s now up to Mario to save her. But there is a bit more to this adventure. What elevates Super Mario Galaxy beyond a simple rescue mission is the introduction of Rosalina and the Lumas. Throughout the game, Rosalina shares her moving, optional backstory through an illustrated storybook in the Comet Observatory. This narrative thread adds a surprising layer of emotional depth, and wonder to the journey, transforming the search for Power Stars into a quest that truly feels like it’s saving a broken universe and uniting a new family.
Super Mario Galaxy reinvented 3D platforming by introducing small, spherical planetoids where players could run upside down and utilize unique gravitational fields. The core platforming is exceptionally tight, focusing on precise jumps, movement across diverse and inventive planet shapes, and constant environmental shifts. These environmental shifts and different planets offer a variety to the platforming that really no other title can
. When it comes to Mario’s move set, you have the classic jump to platform and dispatch enemies, but you also have a spin attack. This spin attack is used to stun enemies and break objects. While it was originally a shake of the Wii Remote, this move is adapted and executed either with a flick of the Joy-Con or by pressing the ‘Y’ button when it came to the Switch.
Another interesting addition to Mario’s move set is the use of Star Bits. Star Bits are gathered from dispatching enemies as well as around each planet’s environment. These are both used to unlock new planets to explore and as a means to stun enemies with. On the Wii, motion controls were used to collect Star Bits by means of an on-screen pointer with the Wii Mote. When the game transitioned to the Switch, the collection of Star Bits is done by use of the gyro on the Joy-Cons or touch input in handheld mode.
While I appreciate reincorporating motion controls to Super Mario Galaxy with this Switch release, I would have much rather had the option of using the right analog stick on the joy con or Pro Controller. My main reason for this is because the Wii Mote with sensor bar was a lot more accurate and precise than you get with the gyro controls of the Joycon that the Switch offers.
While touch input in handheld mode is fine, it kind of distracts from the on screen action and feels like it gets more in the way than it should. I would much rather run around gathering them using traditional controls and just not use it to stun enemies and instead rely on my spin attack. At least with it, I have a button to press. I think giving the option for physical controls instead of relying on motion controls or the use of the touch screen would have been a really neat and much more preferred option; for me personally. I feel like relying on gyro controls and touch input is more of a gimmick in this day and age rather than a necessity when it comes to game mechanics. I mean not all games fall into this space, but for Super Mario Galaxy, the shoe definitely fits.
Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii was a beautiful game at the time it was released and looked stunning on a CRT TV. Though on HD TVs of today, the game looks jagged and kinda blurry. Given that it ran at a 480p resolution, it’s easy to see why that’s the case.
Well with the Switch release, it definitely gets a bump in the resolution department and in graphics all around.The game displays in crisp 1080p when docked and 720p in handheld mode. Every texture in the game and even the character models are all rendered in high definition. This upgrade in resolution and HD textures showcases the vibrant colors and highly detailed planetary textures, making the cosmic backdrops breathtakingly clear. Crucially, the gameplay runs at a flawless 60 FPS across all play modes.
This stability is vital for a platformer that demands split-second precision, ensuring the experience feels modern, fluid, and completely responsive. What’s even better is that if you’re playing the game on the Switch 2, you can play the game in flawless 4K! Definitely leaps and bounds from its original 480p resolution on the Wii.
Now I played the game on the original Switch 1 and the Switch Lite. While I don’t have the benefit of playing in 4K, the game still looks amazing and feels like a modern Mario game and not a remastered game that was originally released on the Wii. The 60 FPS makes the game so smooth and there are zero performance issues at that frame rate. I was quite surprised that the original Switch hardware could push this kind of performance. I mean I was totally expecting the game to either run at 30 FPS or at least dip some frames here and there. Maybe even slow down a time or two, but none of that happened at any point in my time playing the game.
This just goes to show you how good Nintendo is at developing for their hardware. I feel like over the years Nintendo has been the one company that has mastered the craft of game development when it comes to games running on their own platforms.
When it comes to audio, Super Mario Galaxy is legendary. The reason for this is that It was one of the first Mario titles to feature an extensive live, full orchestral soundtrack. To have a live orchestra in a Mario game was unheard of up to this point. But this allowed for a cinematic and epic scale that perfectly matches the cosmic setting. Tracks range from the uplifting and grand (like the iconic Gusty Garden Galaxy theme) to more whimsical, atmospheric pieces that accompany exploration.
This superb score dramatically reinforces the sense of wonder and adventure. Complementing the orchestra are the classic, instantly recognizable Mario sound effects, which are crisp and perfectly mixed, adding a satisfying punch to every jump, spin, and power-up. While it sounded great on the Wii when it originally released, it somehow sounds even more crisp and grand on this new release on the Switch. The soundtrack and in game sounds found in this release really round out the whole remastered experience.
Super Mario Galaxy on the Nintendo Switch is nothing short of a masterpiece. It represents a creative peak for the 3D platforming genre, combining flawless performance with some of the most innovative level design ever conceived. The unique gravity mechanics remain fresh and exciting even years later, and the unexpected emotional depth of the story gives the adventure a genuine heart.
As much as I would have loved to have traditional control options for gathering and using Star Bits, it doesn’t detract from the fact that this Mario game is one of the best in the series, even this many years later. If you’re looking for a perfect blend of challenging precision and sheer, unadulterated fun, this game is a must-have! But wait…there’s more!
While this would normally be where the review ends, we do have Super Mario Galaxy 2 that was released alongside Super Mario Galaxy. Let’s dive right into this game and see what it’s all about.
Super Mario Galaxy focused on a complex narrative with a fun game surrounding it. Well Super Mario Galaxy 2 strips back the complex narrative in favor of a pure, concentrated platforming adventure. The plot found here is similar to the first. Princess Peach is captured by Bowser and taken across the galaxy with Mario once again having to save her by traveling across the galaxy.
While the lovable Lumas and the Comet Observatory return, this time around the optional, emotionally resonant backstory of Rosalina isn’t continued or expanded upon. Instead, the focus is squarely on getting Mario (and the newly introduced mobile hub, Starship Mario) straight to the action. The story here serves simply as an endearing framework for the game’s non-stop creativity, prioritizing immediate fun over deep cosmic lore.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 functions as a masterclass in iteration, taking the groundbreaking foundation of the first game—the gravity-bending, spherical 3D platforming—and perfecting it. The level design is even more dense, varied, and relentlessly creative, introducing new mechanics and power-ups at a staggering pace. The new power ups that this game introduces are Cloud Flower, Rock Mushroom, and Spin Drill.
Cloud Flower turns Mario into a cloud and allows you to create up to three temporary cloud platforms in midair with a spin. This is a great power up but if you end up touching water, you will lose this power up. Rock Mushroom is a fun power up. It turns Mario into a rolling boulder-like version of himself that can smash through enemies and obstacles. As great of a power up as this one is, it can be rather hard to steer Mario in the direction you want while in use. The third new power up is Spin Drill which is more used for traversal. This gives Mario a drill that can burrow through planets and go from one side to the planet and pop out on the other. This is useful for bypassing hazards and reaching hidden areas.
Some mechanics that were changed in this sequel are the world map and Starship Mario. The world map is no longer the hub world of the Comet Observatory from the first game. Now it’s more of a classic linear world map that resembles that of Super Mario Bros 3. When it comes to Starship Mario, it is also no longer a hub world, instead the player uses a planetoid shaped like Mario’s head as a mobile base of operations. It’s a nice departure from what you got from the first game. I also much prefer the linear world map structure as it’s more traditional and a welcome change.
The sequel’s biggest addition is the introduction of Yoshi, who brings new gameplay dimensions with his fluttering jump and versatile tongue, alongside unique power ups of his own. What is cool about Yoshi is that not only is he a playable partner like you had in Super Mario World, but you also have transformations you can use like Yoshi had in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island.
You can use Yoshi’s tongue to eat enemies, grab items, or traverse flower pegs to swing across gaps. While on the Wii you would have used the Wii Mote by pointing at the screen, you now have to use the gyro controls of the joy cons, Pro Controller, or the touch screen if you’re in handheld mode. I can’t help but feel like this is yet another missed opportunity to use the right analog stick or come up with some alternative way of control instead of relying on motion controls or the touch screen. In addition to Yoshi’s tongue, you also can make use of his flutter jump. Much like in the second Super Mario World game, you can use the flutter jump to extend Yoshi’s jump to reach higher areas and more distant platforms that otherwise would not be accessible.
Besides Yoshi’s abilities, he also has access to power ups of his own. The power ups you can get are the Dash Pepper, Blimp Fruit, and the Bulb Berry. The Dash Pepper turns Yoshi from a lovable green color to a fire-red color. This allows him to be much faster and can run up walls and run across water. This power up is not unlike what you would find in Super Mario World when you are traversing the Star Road.
The Blimp Fruit is yet another nod to Super Mario World. This power up inflates Yoshi into a balloon, allowing him and Mario to float. This is good for traversing hazards and getting up to hard to reach platforms. While a similar power up exists in Super Mario World, it had Mario floating like a balloon and leaving Yoshi behind. I appreciate now that it’s Yoshi being inflated instead and it somehow is more fitting as a game mechanic and power up in general. The last power up that Yoshi has at his disposal is the Bulb Berry. This makes Yoshi glow brightly. Almost like he swallowed a lightbulb. This is great for revealing invisible platforms and pathways.
When it comes to controls, they are identical to those found in the first game when it comes to the Switch release. The game has you relying on gyro controls for the pointer (used for collecting Star Bits and activating certain objects) and a button/flick for the crucial Spin Attack.
Much like its companion title, Galaxy 2 benefits immensely from the move to the Nintendo Switch. The vibrant, imaginative worlds are upscaled to a crisp 1080p when docked and 720p in handheld mode. I never did spend much time with the original Wii release when it came out but I did go back for this review and check it out on the Wii. The game really does benefit being on the Switch. I mean it’s crisp, clean, and looks absolutely gorgeous. Not really much more to say that hasn’t already been said about the first game when it comes to how it plays and looks on the Switch.
Similar to graphics and performance, the sound found in Super Mario Galaxy 2 is just as amazing. You still have an extensive live, full orchestral soundtrack but this time it’s been expanded upon. This expansion of the in game sound track includes new theme music for levels that are even incorporated into dynamic transitions between the planets. This gives the sound track a rather dynamic range of use and is even more memorable than the music was from the first game. Not only in its use but in the melodies and songs the game presents. The iconic sounds—from Yoshi’s happy coos to the satisfying collection chimes—are expertly mixed, ensuring the audio remains a crucial component of the overall immersion and joy.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a pure celebration of 3D platforming. It sacrifices the narrative weight of the first game in exchange for relentless mechanical refinement and boundless innovation. With the addition of Yoshi and a more focused, level-by-level structure, it represents the absolute peak of the Wii-era Mario formula, now presented flawlessly on the Switch.
The only issue I take up with Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the same as I took up with the original. Being released on the Switch it should have given the option for a traditional control scheme when it comes to Star Bits collecting and using Yoshi’s tongue. I mean other than that, the game heavily improves upon the first entry in every way possible.
So should you purchase Super Mario Galaxy for the second time on Switch and Super Mario Galaxy 2 for the first time on the Switch? I would say most definitely you should. The first Super Mario Galaxy was great when it was released with 3D All Stars. That release of the game felt like an emulation. This most recent release feels like a proper release on the Switch that makes full use of the power the Switch offers. When it comes to Super Mario Galaxy 2, this is the first time we got it on the Switch. If you’re looking for the best way to experience this game on a modern platform, this Switch release is it!
If you’re a fan of the Super Mario Galaxy games, you really should pick this set of games up. Even if you have them on the Wii or have 3D All Stars, you should really pick these both up. This specific set of games on the Switch are the definitive way to experience these awesome titles.
Once again, this is normally where the review would end. However, one of our other editors has had the opportunity to play these titles on the Switch 2. So rather than just ending it here, let’s see what his take on these awesome games are running on the superior platform that is the Switch 2.
Jon’s thoughts
I need to be honest here. I only played the original Super Mario Galaxy a few times on the Wii (via Wii U), and a couple of times on 3D All Stars on Switch. I had spent more time with Super Mario Galaxy 2 and I was excited to get back to playing the games again so I could fully experience them.
I loaded the game up on my Switch 2 and turned on my 4K monitor and was blown away by the experience. This was not just a simple polish case, but instead a situation where a lot of care was put into the games. Ryan has already talked about how great the re-releases are, so what I will say is that Nintendo did not really make it clear just how upgraded this was on Switch 2 before release. The game does not just display in 4K on Switch 2, but actually renders in 4K when in docked mode and at 60 fps. This makes the redone textures shine so well and puts the 3D All Stars port to shame.
It is kind of shocking how big of a difference this is, and I compared the game on Switch 1 and Switch 2 to be sure. I also tried the mouse controls briefly with my brother, and they work fine, and I would even say they are much easier to use than any control scheme in the 3D All Stars version. The result is a game that really does feel like a proper remaster and with the new additions to the games, playing Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Nintendo Switch 2, is THE definitive way to play these classics and see how truly epic they really are.
Disclaimer: We were provided with review keys for the games.
In addition to writing articles, Ryan Byers also creates content for his YouTube channel called "Obscure Games and Consoles", collects video games, and dabbles in video game development.