Both Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel are among the best Mario games Nintendo has ever created – and that’s high praise considering how consistently good the series is. It’s a really creative platformer that cleverly used the Wii’s unique controls, all while maintaining the classic Mario experience fans love. To mark the 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros., Nintendo is releasing a new, updated version of both games for the Nintendo Switch 2. But these aren’t just the same games as before. Nintendo is implementing several key improvements to make them feel new and exciting for this 40th anniversary celebration.
Super Mario Galaxy Switch 2 Visual and Gameplay Upgrades
The biggest improvement for Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel on the Switch 2 is how they look. The new hardware allows for 4K resolution, which makes the platforming gameplay more visually appealing than ever before. It’s also said to run with a consistently smooth framerate, meaning Mario’s jumps will feel incredibly fluid. There might be a small performance decrease when playing handheld, but all signs suggest this will be another well-done port by Nintendo.
The well-known developer is going beyond just updating the graphics. Players will find several fresh ways to experience the two Galaxy games. The biggest addition is Assist Mode, which functions like an “Easy” Mode for the platforming sections, but with a more appealing name.
When you play in Assist Mode, Mario is more durable, and falling off edges isn’t as punishing. Instead of immediately losing a life, you’ll be safely returned to the platform inside a protective bubble. This is a fantastic feature for new players learning Galaxy‘s controls, and it’s a wonderful way for parents to allow their children to experience a challenging game that’s still manageable for their skill level.
Super Mario Galaxy is getting an extra story chapter on the Switch 2. In the original games, these chapters were used to tell players more about Rosalina, and this new one will give us even more insight into the popular character. Also, Super Mario Galaxy 2 will now include its own Storybook chapter. Nintendo isn’t sharing details about these chapters yet to avoid spoilers, but it’s expected to be a welcome addition for those who enjoy the Galaxy series.
You can still play with friends in multiplayer using Co-Star Mode. It would have been even better if the second player had more to do, but it’s still a cool feature for letting less experienced friends or family join the game. Plus, with a more streamlined interface and a Soundtrack Mode for enjoying all your favorite music, this is a fantastic (though pricey) bundle for Galaxy fans.
Super Mario Galaxy Adds Amiibo Support
As a big fan, I’m really excited about all the improvements they’re making to the games! And it’s awesome that they’re letting us use Amiibo in both Galaxy games – it’ll be fun to get little boosts during gameplay. But the *best* news? Fellow Galaxy fans like me are getting two brand new, larger Amiibo figures to collect! We’ll have to be patient though, as they won’t be out for a few months.
Nintendo has chosen to release the games and Amiibo at different times, for reasons unknown. The two Galaxy games will be available on October 2nd, 2025, but the corresponding Amiibo won’t be released until April 2nd, 2026. It seems creating these larger-than-normal Amiibo simply takes an additional six months.
Once you obtain these two Amiibo figures, they will each provide a unique benefit. Scanning Mario’s new Amiibo will grant you a Life Mushroom. This increases your maximum health, helping you overcome some of the most difficult parts of Galaxy. Rosalina’s new Amiibo, on the other hand, gives Mario an additional life. Utilizing both Amiibo could be crucial to winning, which is why it’s odd they aren’t available on the same day as the games themselves.
One reason for the divided reactions could be the cost. Remember, this is a game made directly by Nintendo. The Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 bundle will cost $70 when it’s released. While buying the games individually for $40 each seems like a poor value, it’s worth noting that some players may already own Super Mario 3D All-Stars from the original Switch.
If you bought that bundle, you should be able to use the free update on the original Galaxy game to move your progress to Switch 2. Afterwards, you can buy Super Mario Galaxy 2 if you’d like to have both games. Regardless, those Amiibo figures will each cost $40, so getting everything will be quite pricey.
Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are both heading to Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2 on October 2nd, 2025. The corresponding Amiibo figures will be released around six months after the games, on April 2nd, 2026.
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2025-10-02 00:48