I’ll admit it, despite owning a Wii back in the day, I never played Super Mario Galaxy or its sequel. I watched friends rave about them, I heard the music, I saw clips of people running around tiny planets, but for one reason or another, I just never took the plunge. And that always bugged me a bit, because these two games are constantly brought up in “best of all time” lists, not just for Mario, but for video games in general. So when Nintendo announced during the recent Direct that both Galaxy titles were coming to the Switch 2 as part of Mario’s 40th anniversary celebration, I was thrilled. Finally, a proper and easy way to experience them on modern hardware, with all the enhancements you’d hope for.
And now that I’ve finally spent time with both? I get it. I completely understand why these games are so beloved. They’re imaginative, joyful, and utterly unlike anything else, even all these years later.
Let’s be honest, the story here isn’t going to shock anyone. Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser. Again. The twist this time is where it all happens, outer space. Bowser has dragged Peach off into the stars, building his empire planet by planet. Mario, naturally, sets off after her, leaping from one bizarre planet to the next.
It’s simple, sure, but it’s the perfect excuse for Nintendo to cut loose creatively. The space setting opened up an endless amount of design freedom. Suddenly, platforming wasn’t limited to the ground beneath your feet. You’re running around tiny spherical planets, leaping across asteroid belts, flipping through gravity fields, and exploring every possible orientation of “up” and “down.”
Each galaxy feels like its own self-contained idea, some are playful, some are puzzling, some are beautiful little tone pieces. And despite their age, these levels still feel wildly inventive.
One thing I wasn’t expecting going in was how much Rosalina’s story added to the experience. In Galaxy 1, her Storybook is presented as a series of illustrated chapters that tell a surprisingly heartfelt story about her and the Lumas. It gives the game an emotional core I didn’t expect from a Mario title. It’s quiet and reflective, a nice counterbalance to the constant energy of the gameplay.
For this new Switch 2 release, the Storybook content has been expanded. There are newly introduced Storybook Missions in Galaxy 2, which is especially cool since that game didn’t originally have its own book at all. These new missions feel like small, story-driven challenges that tie more of the Galaxy universe together. It’s a small touch, but it makes both games feel more cohesive and connected than before.
What really defines both games is how Mario moves. He’s got his usual jumps, spins, and stomps, but everything is filtered through the lens of gravity. Planets tug you in from different angles, surfaces curve in every direction, and sometimes you’ll run completely upside-down without realizing it. The camera and movement work together to make this feel natural, like your brain just adjusts to the madness.
It’s not just a gimmick, it’s the core of the gameplay. Every level finds some new way to twist your expectations. Sometimes it’s using momentum to bounce between tiny planets. Other times it’s puzzle-solving through shifting gravity or timing jumps when the pull of gravity keeps changing midair. It constantly toys with your perception, but it always feels fun.
Both games share the same structure: complete levels to earn Power Stars, which unlock new galaxies and progress toward Bowser’s inevitable showdown. Along the way, you collect Star Bits, which act as both currency and ammunition, and there are plenty of hidden stars tucked behind clever challenges or secret areas.
The progression also feels balanced, there’s always another galaxy to unlock, always something new to chase. I never felt stuck for long, and the reward loop of completing stages is super addictive.
What’s cool is how Galaxy 2 refines that whole formula. It tightens the pacing, smooths out the progression, and introduces even more variety in how you earn your stars. It’s clear Nintendo took everything they learned from the first game and polished it to near perfection in the second.
Speaking of Galaxy 2, it’s fascinating to see just how much it builds on what came before. The levels are denser, more focused, and more playful with their ideas. There’s less downtime and more pure, inventive gameplay. And then, of course, there’s Yoshi. Yoshi’s inclusion in Galaxy 2 changes the rhythm of the game completely. His tongue mechanics add new ways to move, attack, and interact with the environment. The designers clearly had fun experimenting with him, and it adds a whole new layer to the gameplay that keeps the sequel feeling fresh even after hours of play.
Despite being nearly two decades old, both Galaxy games have aged shockingly well. They don’t feel like relics of the Wii era at all. The art direction is timeless, bold, colourful, and full of personality. Sure, the original textures have been cleaned up for this new release, but even without that, the design itself is so strong it holds up on its own.
Nintendo’s commitment to fun, creative gameplay shines through every moment. These games pushed the boundaries of what 3D platformers could be when they first released, and even today, there’s still nothing quite like them.
This new collection isn’t just a bare-bones port. Nintendo actually put work into making these feel fresh and accessible again. The games have updated visuals, making both look sharper than ever, with remastered textures and smoother lighting. On the Switch 2, the games run in 4K when docked and 1080p in handheld mode, and the difference is noticeable. Everything really pops. There’s also a newly introduced Assist Mode. This new accessibility option is a fantastic addition. You can toggle it on at any time, and it gives Mario more health, auto-healing, and even a safety net if you fall off a planet. It’s great for younger players or anyone who just wants to explore without frustration. As mentioned earlier, Galaxy 1’s Storybook has extra chapters, and Galaxy 2 now has a brand-new picture book of its own. And for lovers of video game music, the orchestral soundtrack for both games is available to listen to from the main menu. It’s still considered some of the best music Nintendo has ever produced. It’s clear Nintendo wanted this release to celebrate these games and Mario’s legacy properly, not just repackage them.
Final Thoughts
Coming into these games for the first time, I can confidently say the hype was justified. Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 are still as special as everyone said they were. They feel inventive, joyful, and full of the kind of imagination that’s increasingly rare in modern games.
The new features, 4K visuals, assist mode, storybook expansions, are meaningful updates that make the collection more welcoming and future-proof. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a total newcomer like me, this is a great way to experience them.
Nintendo has once again proven that when it comes to pure, unfiltered fun, nobody does it better. Two decades later, these games still shine bright.
A Nintendo Switch 2 review code was provided by Nintendo for the purpose of this review.
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9.5
- + Both games have been visually refreshed
- + Incredibly creative level design
- + Both games have an incredibly fun gameplay loop
- + New features make it feel more than a barebones port
