Back among the stars and better than ever
By Paul Hunter
Two heavyweight 3D Mario adventures land together on Nintendo Switch with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2. First launched on Wii in 2007 and 2010, they now run smoother and look sharper on Nintendo's hybrid console. This collection arrives as part of the Super Mario Bros. 40th Anniversary celebration, and it’s an incredible way to mark the milestone.
Super Mario Galaxy sets the stage with gravity tricks and tiny planets that twist your sense of direction in smart ways. Super Mario Galaxy 2 builds on that groundwork with a quicker pace, Yoshi in the mix, and new power-ups that keep momentum high. You also get Storybook chapters that provide more insights into Rosalina and the Lumas, adding some great new content that compliment the main adventures. Together, the package feels complete with nice extras fans are sure to love.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to revisit these icon adventures, you’ve got one. If you’re new, this is the best way to see why these two releases are pillars of the 3D Mario experience. Let's dive in deeper to see what these updated titles have to offer!
Super Mario Galaxy opens with Bowser up to his usual shenanigans: This time he steals Peach’s entire castle and vanishes into space. Mario arrives at the Comet Observatory, a hub world run by Rosalina and the Lumas. The task is straightforward. Gather Power Stars to bring energy back to the station and unlock new galaxies, bringing you a step closing to tracking down the Princess. It’s an elegant loop that blends light story beats with steady progress.
The Observatory acts like a breath between sprints. You step off a course, play calm music that powers up the Observatory, and plan the next galaxy jump. Rosalina often has a few things to say, and these scenes land softly, adding a bit of warmth to the starscape. This edition also slips in a new Storybook chapter about her time with the Lumas. It’s a small read, but it lines up well with the larger journey.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 takes a different approach. Instead of a sprawling space station, you guide Starship Mario, a cheerful craft shaped like Mario’s head. Levels live on a single overworld map split into seven main sections, so you’re never far from the next course. The change speeds things up and keeps your focus on the next goal.
The ship has its own Storybook, too, and the short chapters and music create a relaxing break before you launch back into the route. The result is two distinct vibes across the two games. But what these games do have in common are the crystal clear objectives: chase Bowser’s chaos across space and keep collecting those stars.
Super Mario Galaxy is all about having fun with gravity on mind-bending 360-degree planets. One moment you’re upright, the next you’re running around a tiny world and dropping onto a path that was a ceiling just a minute ago.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 keeps that momentum. Stages are shorter and packed with activities, so you get into the action fast. The power-ups are novel and useful. Cloud Mario lets you place temporary clouds to make your own steps. Rock Mario turns you into a rolling boulder that clears a lane. Spin Drill lets you dig through a planet and pop out on the other side—great for an enemy sneak attack!
Galaxy 2 also brings back fan favourite dino pal Yoshi, who gives you new ways to get around. His tongue acts like a quick grab that swings you across gaps or pulls items toward you. Eat a Dash Pepper and you sprint up steep ramps for a few seconds.
Specific stages I loved the first time around still pop. Battle Belt Galaxy brings back the best enemies from previously played galaxies. Throwback Galaxy recreates the iconic pyramid from Super Mario 64, and the Whomp King once again awaits. Upside Dizzy Galaxy reverses gravity so up is down, and down is up in this topsy-turvy galaxy.
The original games were known for their motion inputs, and the good news is they translate well on Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons, and you can tap a button for the spin attack if you prefer. Assist Mode adds more health and fall recoveries to help younger gamers if they need it. Co-Star Mode lets a second person point and collect items, adding a fun co-operative gameplay element. The platforming stays sharp, with routes that are simple to navigate and rewarding to master.
The two Super Mario Galaxy games look right at home on Nintendo Switch with docked play targeting a crisp 1080p and handheld mode maintaining a respectible 720p. On Nintendo Switch 2, a free update pushes resolution up to 4K, and handheld moves gets a bump up to 1080p. Those resolution increases helps the small planet details and character look extra sharp.
I noticed the difference as soon as I stepped into the first hub area. The Lumas were sharp, the Observatory textures looked polished, and the tiny surface details on those round worlds stood out more than they did years ago. It still looks like the Super Mario Galaxy I remember from years back, just a whole lot prettier.
The interface has been spruced up too. Icons take up less room, the font is cleaner, and the menus feel tidy when you hop between them.
The audio still steals the moment. The orchestral score slides in and matches the mood of each stage, and the collection includes complete soundtracks playable from the main menu. Overall, the presentation is confident, bold, and faithful to what made these worlds visually so impressive in the first place.
Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Two heavyweight 3D Mario adventures land together on Nintendo Switch with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2. First launched on Wii in 2007 and 2010, they now run smoother and look sharper on Nintendo's hybrid console. This collection arrives as part of the Super Mario Bros. 40th Anniversary celebration, and it’s an incredible way to mark the milestone.
Super Mario Galaxy sets the stage with gravity tricks and tiny planets that twist your sense of direction in smart ways. Super Mario Galaxy 2 builds on that groundwork with a quicker pace, Yoshi in the mix, and new power-ups that keep momentum high. You also get Storybook chapters that provide more insights into Rosalina and the Lumas, adding some great new content that compliment the main adventures. Together, the package feels complete with nice extras fans are sure to love.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to revisit these icon adventures, you’ve got one. If you’re new, this is the best way to see why these two releases are pillars of the 3D Mario experience. Let's dive in deeper to see what these updated titles have to offer!
Super Mario Galaxy opens with Bowser up to his usual shenanigans: This time he steals Peach’s entire castle and vanishes into space. Mario arrives at the Comet Observatory, a hub world run by Rosalina and the Lumas. The task is straightforward. Gather Power Stars to bring energy back to the station and unlock new galaxies, bringing you a step closing to tracking down the Princess. It’s an elegant loop that blends light story beats with steady progress.
The Observatory acts like a breath between sprints. You step off a course, play calm music that powers up the Observatory, and plan the next galaxy jump. Rosalina often has a few things to say, and these scenes land softly, adding a bit of warmth to the starscape. This edition also slips in a new Storybook chapter about her time with the Lumas. It’s a small read, but it lines up well with the larger journey.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 takes a different approach. Instead of a sprawling space station, you guide Starship Mario, a cheerful craft shaped like Mario’s head. Levels live on a single overworld map split into seven main sections, so you’re never far from the next course. The change speeds things up and keeps your focus on the next goal.
The ship has its own Storybook, too, and the short chapters and music create a relaxing break before you launch back into the route. The result is two distinct vibes across the two games. But what these games do have in common are the crystal clear objectives: chase Bowser’s chaos across space and keep collecting those stars.
Super Mario Galaxy is all about having fun with gravity on mind-bending 360-degree planets. One moment you’re upright, the next you’re running around a tiny world and dropping onto a path that was a ceiling just a minute ago.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 keeps that momentum. Stages are shorter and packed with activities, so you get into the action fast. The power-ups are novel and useful. Cloud Mario lets you place temporary clouds to make your own steps. Rock Mario turns you into a rolling boulder that clears a lane. Spin Drill lets you dig through a planet and pop out on the other side—great for an enemy sneak attack!
Galaxy 2 also brings back fan favourite dino pal Yoshi, who gives you new ways to get around. His tongue acts like a quick grab that swings you across gaps or pulls items toward you. Eat a Dash Pepper and you sprint up steep ramps for a few seconds.
Specific stages I loved the first time around still pop. Battle Belt Galaxy brings back the best enemies from previously played galaxies. Throwback Galaxy recreates the iconic pyramid from Super Mario 64, and the Whomp King once again awaits. Upside Dizzy Galaxy reverses gravity so up is down, and down is up in this topsy-turvy galaxy.
The original games were known for their motion inputs, and the good news is they translate well on Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons, and you can tap a button for the spin attack if you prefer. Assist Mode adds more health and fall recoveries to help younger gamers if they need it. Co-Star Mode lets a second person point and collect items, adding a fun co-operative gameplay element. The platforming stays sharp, with routes that are simple to navigate and rewarding to master.
The two Super Mario Galaxy games look right at home on Nintendo Switch with docked play targeting a crisp 1080p and handheld mode maintaining a respectible 720p. On Nintendo Switch 2, a free update pushes resolution up to 4K, and handheld moves gets a bump up to 1080p. Those resolution increases helps the small planet details and character look extra sharp.
I noticed the difference as soon as I stepped into the first hub area. The Lumas were sharp, the Observatory textures looked polished, and the tiny surface details on those round worlds stood out more than they did years ago. It still looks like the Super Mario Galaxy I remember from years back, just a whole lot prettier.
The interface has been spruced up too. Icons take up less room, the font is cleaner, and the menus feel tidy when you hop between them.
The audio still steals the moment. The orchestral score slides in and matches the mood of each stage, and the collection includes complete soundtracks playable from the main menu. Overall, the presentation is confident, bold, and faithful to what made these worlds visually so impressive in the first place.
The Verdict
Two Wii-era icons arrive on Nintendo Switch looking crisper and running smoother, and they still play beautifully. This anniversary package respects what made these adventures special while giving them modern polish and new content to enjoy. The presentation is sharp, the soundtrack soars, and the whole package flows from level to level with gracefully. The assist modes make it a snap to enjoy these epic adventures alongside family or friends. For longtime fans, it’s a bold return to a favourite era. For newcomers, it’s the right way to experience two all-time 3D Mario standouts today.Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 details
Platform: Nintendo SwitchDeveloper: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.