Nintendo has brought two of its best 3D Mario adventures back with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Nintendo Switch. It’s part of the Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary celebration, and honestly, it’s about time. Both games run smoother, look cleaner, and the motion controls still hold up surprisingly well. I’ve been playing on Nintendo Switch 2, and the bump in resolution really makes a difference. It’s still the same Galaxy magic, just sharper and smoother without losing what made it great.
It’s wild to think Super Mario Galaxy launched on the Nintendo Wii back in 2007, and its sequel followed in 2010. Hard to believe, right? Revisiting them now still feels instantly familiar. I remember aiming the Nintendo Wii controller to grab star bits and being surprised by how each small planet pulled me in a different direction. Jumping between worlds then felt new and wild. Something no other platformer managed to match. Playing these again reminded me why I fell in love with them in the first place. It still gives that same rush the moment you start hopping between planets. I didn’t expect it, but it hit right away.
If you played the Nintendo Wii versions, you’ll get it immediately. And if it’s your first time playing, this collection makes it easy to see why they’re so respected. The core experience stays the same, which makes sense given how well these games still play today.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 details
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 (backwards compatible)
Developer(s): Nintendo
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Genre: Action, Adventure
Modes: Single-player, co-operative two-player
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
A tale of two galaxies
Both Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 start with the usual Mario setup, save Princess Peach. Only this time, things go way past the Mushroom Kingdom. In Super Mario Galaxy, Bowser doesn’t just grab Peach and run. He snatches her whole castle and blasts into space. Mario ends up on the Comet Observatory with Rosalina and the Lumas, a peaceful little base drifting among the stars. From there, you jump between galaxies, collecting Power Stars to bring the Observatory back to life. The setup’s simple, but Rosalina’s story scenes add real charm, giving the game a tone that still feels different from other Mario titles. This re-release even adds a new Storybook chapter, a short extra tale about Rosalina’s time with the Lumas that fits perfectly with her story.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 changes things up. The Observatory is gone, and now you’ve got the Starship Mario, a level map shaped like Mario’s head that serves as your main hub. It’s quicker to move through and easier to manage, but it loses a bit of that quiet atmosphere the first game had. The tone also shifts, trading slow exploration for faster-paced action. Just like in Galaxy, this re-release adds a brand-new Storybook filled with short chapters and music that help flesh out its world. It’s a small but welcome addition, giving longtime fans a reason to revisit and newcomers something extra to enjoy.
When I first played these games on Wii, I was all about Rosalina’s Observatory. Playing again on Nintendo Switch 2, I’ve come around on Galaxy 2’s faster setup. They hit different, but both show how far Mario can go when Nintendo experiments.
Gravity in motion
Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 still have some of the best platforming out there. The first game’s gravity system hasn’t lost a step. Every tiny planet tugs you in a new direction, and it still feels awesome. Hopping from one world to another has that same wild energy it did back on Wii. The motion controls hold up too, especially when you’re collecting Star Bits or spinning into enemies. They feel smoother with a Joy-Con than a Pro Controller, but either way, it’s still a blast.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 builds on Galaxy’s foundation with new twists that keep the pace faster. Levels are shorter but denser, packed with new power-ups like the Cloud Flower and Rock Mushroom. Yoshi also joins the fun, letting you swing across gaps or sprint up walls after eating a Dash Pepper. His sections are quick but cleverly designed, and the tighter stage layouts make every jump matter. I couldn’t help but laugh when I finally cleared that Yoshi Dash Pepper climb that used to stop me cold on Wii. Muscle memory kicked in instantly, proving how timeless the controls still feel.
Both games include small additions that make them easier to pick up again. Assist Mode offers extra health and safer recoveries, which helps newer gamers without changing the challenge. Co-Star Mode also returns, letting a second person point and collect items. It’s not full co-op, but it’s a nice way to share the experience. After all these years, both games still feel creative and tight in a way few 3D platformers match.
Galaxies reimagined
Even after all this time, Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 still look fantastic. The jump to Nintendo Switch brings smoother performance and sharper visuals, while Nintendo Switch 2 takes it even further. In docked mode, the Nintendo Switch runs both games at 1080p, and the Nintendo Switch 2 pushes up to 4K with a free update. Handheld play drops to 720p on Nintendo Switch and 1080p on Nintendo Switch 2, but honestly, both still look clean and colourful. Character models are smoother too, and the tiny planet details that used to blur together now look sharp.
I remember loading into the first level of Super Mario Galaxy on Nintendo Switch 2 and being caught off guard by how sharp and clean it looked. Seeing the Comet Observatory sparkle in 4K made it feel almost new again. The user interface also benefits from subtle updates, including smaller icons and a cleaner font. It’s not a dramatic overhaul, but it gives everything a more refined look without changing the original design. The motion controls translate well, though the aiming still feels a bit looser than the Wii’s remote. You can tap a button for spin attacks instead, which feels more natural. Camera angles hold up surprisingly well for games this old, even if the automatic adjustments can still act up in tight spaces.
Both games feature some of Nintendo’s best orchestral music, with tracks that match each galaxy perfectly. Hearing those familiar strings and piano pieces again reminded me why this music still defines the series for many fans. Together, the visual polish and timeless sound make Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 feel right at home in 2025.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 show great games stand the test of time
Revisiting Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 in 2025 reminded me how good design never really ages. Newer 3D Mario games like Super Mario Odyssey might be bigger, but these two still hit differently. The creativity, the level flow, the way Mario moves, it all still feels special. Playing them again on Nintendo Switch 2 felt like jumping back into something I know by heart, only cleaner and smoother.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gravity-based platforming still feels creative and fun after all these years. | Aiming isn’t as precise as the original Nintendo Wii controls. |
| Assist Mode and Co-Star Mode make the games more accessible for everyone. | Camera angles can occasionally get stuck in tight areas. |
| The orchestral soundtrack and improved visuals make every galaxy unforgettable. | |
| Both games look sharper and run smoother on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. |
Having both games in one package just feels right. The visual upgrades look great, the controls are tighter, and the small extras like Assist Mode and Co-Star Mode make it easier to share with someone new. Each galaxy still stands out on its own, and the mix of power-ups keeps things fun in a way few platformers match even now.
Overall assessment of Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2
Gameplay: 4.75/5
Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 5/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 4.5/5
Overall rating: 4.7/5 (94%)
I didn’t expect Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 to hit the same way they did back on Nintendo Wii, but they did. Revisiting those old levels I used to struggle with felt surprisingly satisfying. Nintendo proves here that it knows how to make a 3D platformer that sticks. These games hold up better than you might expect. If you have never played them before, now’s the best time to fix that. And if you have, you’ll know what I mean the second you launch back into space. The spark’s still there. The excitement’s still there. For Mario fans, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 is one of those collections you just don’t skip. It’s the perfect way to mark the 40th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros.
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