Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review – Reignite the Joy of 3D Platforming

by

Reviewing the *Super Mario Galaxy 1+2* collection for Switch is tricky. It’s essentially two older games sold at full price with few new features. However, those games – *Super Mario Galaxy* and *Super Mario Galaxy 2* – are widely considered all-time greats, and have been difficult to play for over ten years. This makes the collection a bit complicated to evaluate.

This collection finally brings two highly requested games to the Switch and Switch 2, making them available to a wide audience for the first time in over a decade. Just making these beloved classics accessible again would be a great reason for this re-release, considering how much fans have always loved them.

What’s amazing about both *Mario Galaxy* games is how well they still play and look, even now.

Because these games have been hard to find for so long, many players will be experiencing them for the first time with this re-release, especially with *Super Mario Galaxy 2*. Considering how much time has passed since the original launch, millions of people may be discovering this game as if it were a brand new *Mario* title in 2025.

What’s amazing about both *Mario Galaxy* games is how well they’ve aged. When they first came out on the Wii, they were considered the best platformers around, and almost twenty years later, they still deserve that title. Despite the recent popularity of 3D platformers and the many great new games in the genre, many would argue that *Mario Galaxy 1* and *2* are still superior.

The games feature a fantastic core design. While they simplify Mario’s moves compared to older 3D titles, they open up level design in all directions – a full 360 degrees – resulting in some of the best-designed and most enjoyable levels ever created. Unlike previous 3D *Mario* games that let players explore freely, these titles focus on a carefully controlled experience with a strong emphasis on impressive visuals and pacing set by the developers.

It’s a truly stunning game! *Super Mario Galaxy*, especially, feels grand and special, treating the vastness of space with the respect it deserves. Beyond its amazing design, the game surprisingly focuses on developing its characters, telling a compelling story, evoking emotion, and creating a believable world. This results in a deeply moving experience that stands out from other *Mario* games not just because of how it plays, but also because of its story and narrative.

While *Mario Galaxy 2* is a great game, it doesn’t have the same strong story and overall feel as the original *Mario Galaxy*.

One reason *Super Mario Galaxy* remains so memorable is its expansive world and compelling story. The game offered a wealth of gameplay and a strong narrative, something later *Mario* titles didn’t quite replicate. It significantly broadened the series’ established themes and imagery, to the point where even twenty years later, newer *Mario* games frequently draw upon the world and lore created in *Galaxy*.

The original *Mario Galaxy* was groundbreaking in its presentation, story, and how it played. However, *Galaxy 2* took a different approach. It actually began as an expansion of the first game, and that’s noticeable while playing—not as a criticism, though. The developers clearly felt comfortable with the movement and design established in the first game, and they really let their creativity run wild with the levels and overall content.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is incredibly imaginative. Its levels are full of unique ideas and constantly surprise you, rarely repeating themselves. Each area introduces a new concept that’s explored thoroughly, then quickly replaced with something completely different, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.

Compared to the first *Mario Galaxy*, the sequel loses much of the strong story and overall theme that made the original so memorable. While the first game had an epic and well-told story, *Galaxy 2* simplifies things, focusing only on giving players a basic reason to explore its wildly creative and imaginative levels.

The unique atmosphere and emotional impact of the original *Galaxy* are missing here. This game focuses almost entirely on gameplay, and with its more daring challenges and Yoshi’s help offering expanded movement, it’s a more dynamic and engaging experience to play than the first game.

These games look their absolute best on the Switch 2, consistently running in crisp 4K resolution with a smooth 60 frames per second.

Honestly, I think the first *Galaxy* game really nailed the story and how everything fit together. That’s what made it special, and really set it apart from the other games in the series for me. While the sequel definitely went all-in on cool design and gameplay, I feel like we lost something important from that first game’s focus on narrative. It’s memorable, sure, but not quite the same.

Whether you’re Team A or Team B, the exciting news is that both games are now available! Plus, the package they come in is fantastic. Even though the original games already looked and sounded good, this new release really enhances them, making them look and sound their absolute best.

The games run at a consistently sharp resolution – close to 1080p when played on a TV and 720p in handheld mode – and maintain a smooth 60 frames per second, just like the original Wii games. They build upon the improvements made to the first *Galaxy* game in the 2020 *Super Mario 3D All-Stars* collection, with significantly enhanced textures that look more detailed and less fuzzy.

These games truly stand out on the Switch 2, consistently running in native 4K with a smooth 60 frames per second. Titles like *Mario Galaxy 1* and *2* are visually stunning, and their timeless art style doesn’t look dated at all – in fact, it’s more vibrant and beautiful than ever in 4K resolution.

The game has a few drawbacks. For instance, the impressive cutscenes from the original *Galaxy* aren’t as sharp as the rest of the game or its follow-up. That’s because they were created as pre-rendered videos in 1080p with a relatively low data compression rate, making them look noticeably less detailed.

It’s also worth considering how these games handle controls on the Switch compared to the Wii. Both games, especially *Galaxy 2*, heavily used the Wii’s pointer remote for gameplay. Since the Switch and Switch 2 don’t have a pointer, these versions use gyro controls when docked and the touch screen in handheld mode to replicate those controls.

Look, I absolutely loved the original *Galaxy* and *Galaxy 2*, and honestly, just getting to replay those games – especially now that they’ve been polished up and are the best versions ever – is totally worth the price of admission. It’s still incredibly exciting for me!

The game functions, but it doesn’t quite feel as polished or accurate as the original versions. It’s a shame the Switch 2’s new mouse controls aren’t used for the main game’s pointer system – they’re limited to a second player in co-op mode, allowing them to control the pointer with the mouse if they choose. While this makes sense, it’s still a bit disappointing.

That covers everything in this new release! It features the original two *Galaxy* games, updated with stunning 4K graphics and brought to modern consoles. Both games include their complete soundtracks – which are fantastic – and now offer an easy mode you can activate at any time. There’s also some new story content, especially in *Galaxy 2*, expanding on the role of the popular character Rosalina. Ultimately, this release lets you experience those critically acclaimed *Galaxy* games with a fresh, modern presentation.

Considering the price of these games – $70 for the bundle or $40 each – and the fact that it’s a special anniversary edition, it’s understandable to wish the package included a few more bonus items. It’s a fair point to make.

To be honest, the *Galaxy* games are just fantastic, so being able to replay them now, polished and improved, is absolutely worth the price. Whether you’ve loved these games for years or are completely new to them, *Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2* on Switch and Switch 2 is a must-buy for anyone who enjoys 3D platformers – or just great games in general.

Welcome back to the Galaxy, Mario.

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Read More

2025-10-07 14:13