Two classic 3D Mario games are coming to Switch & Switch 2! Embark on an epic adventure across the galaxies with Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2.
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/945/G094527/20251002012/
Editorial Department: Junpoco | 2025/10/02 08:00 (UTC)
Today (October 2, 2025), Nintendo released two new software titles for the Nintendo Switch: “Super Mario Galaxy” and “Super Mario Galaxy 2”, which are versions of the original Mario series titles originally launched for the Wii.
These two acclaimed 3D Mario classics—originally released 18 years ago (“Super Mario Galaxy”) and 15 years ago (gasp! Already that long?)—have now returned to the Switch, updated with improved gameplay and enhanced graphics.
“Super Mario Galaxy” was previously available only as part of a limited-time release in September 2020 under “Super Mario 3D Collection”, which is already five years behind us (gasp!). Meanwhile, “Super Mario Galaxy 2” has never before been released on the Switch—so there are surely many fans who will exclaim, “I miss this!” or “I’ve never even played it!”
Let’s dive into what makes these two games so special.
Official Website for Switch Versions of “Super Mario Galaxy” and “Super Mario Galaxy 2”
A Tale of Two Galaxies Begins on the Night of a Once-in-a-Century “Stardust Festival”
Let’s start with the stories. Both games open on the night of a once-in-a-century “Stardust Festival,” when countless star fragments fall from the sky, bringing great excitement to the Mushroom Kingdom.
But just as expected (again?), here comes Bowser! In Super Mario Galaxy, Bowser leads an airship fleet and kidnaps Princess Peach along with the entire castle. Amid this chaos, Mario is blown into space where he meets Rosetta, a mysterious woman who travels through the cosmos. To rescue Peach, Mario teams up with Rosetta and her star-child companion, Chico, to explore vast reaches of outer space.
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, however, Bowser grows massive using the power of a Power Star, and once again steals Princess Peach. This time, Mario sets out into space with help from Chico’s fellow star-children. Boarding the Starship Mario, built by Chico’s mentor Luba, Mario races across galaxies to rescue Peach—and recover the precious Power Stars that are so vital to Chico and his friends.
Although these games form a sequel relationship, they’re not continuous stories—instead, each tells its own distinct narrative with the same starting point: “Different tales from the same beginning.”
The gameplay follows a stage-clearing structure: players choose a level, complete its objective, and clear it. While the stages are linear—what might be called course-clear style—the design includes many surprises like “Wait… can I go here?” Thanks to this game’s unique mechanics, even simple paths feel full of wonder.
The magic comes from gravity that shifts in all directions across floating celestial bodies—up, down, left, and right. Large planets allow you to circle around completely and return to your starting point; smaller stars vary in size and shape, creating moments like “Will I fall here? Wait… no, I won’t!” or “I can go behind this one?”—offering countless opportunities for fun actions and discoveries.
Moving between stars via Star Capture brings thrilling suspense: “Where will I be launched next?”—it’s an exhilarating feeling of truly traveling through space. The planets themselves vary widely in appearance—from Mario-esque grasslands, deserts with volcanoes, to stunning blue beaches—so you can enjoy both a goal-oriented adventure and a cosmic sightseeing tour.
Basic actions like jumping or spinning remain consistent, as does the life system: if your health drops to zero, you restart (and instantly die if you fall into a pit or get hit). These titles can be played with two Joy-Cons held in hand, using the original Wii Remote and Nunchuk style, or with a standard controller. In handheld mode, pointer control is available via gyro or touchscreen input.
Some features—like using the pointer (e.g., Yoshi)—require slight adjustment at first, but being able to play these galaxy-spanning stages on your Switch’s portable screen remains one of its greatest strengths.
While both games share core mechanics like using power-up items to transform into different forms (like a bee or ghost) for stage progression, Super Mario Galaxy 2 adds new abilities—some old ones have been removed. This brings fresh elements not found in the first game.
One of the most welcome additions in Super Mario Galaxy 2 is Yoshi, a reliable partner. In certain stages, Yoshi can carry Mario while pecking enemies and avoiding traps—helping you overcome tough challenges.
Even if Yoshi runs away when hit by an enemy, don’t worry—he always returns quickly to your side nearby, so you can summon him again easily.
By eating fruits, Yoshi transforms into various forms to aid your progress: Dash Yoshi that dashes at high speed, Balloon Yoshi who floats gently by blowing air, and Light Yoshi, whose body glows in dark areas. Each form is incredibly cute—and every one of them brings joy!
Definitely come meet the space-faring Yoshi during your journey.
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While these two Super Mario Galaxy titles are full of charm, they’re also quite challenging. If you find a stage too difficult, try selecting the “Assist Mode.”
In Assist Mode, your health increases, and even if you fall into a pit or get hit by water, you’ll instantly respawn in place. You can switch modes anytime during gameplay using the + button (returning to the last checkpoint), so when stuck on a tough stage, just turn on Assist Mode—but once confident, easily return to original mode.
We highly recommend two-player co-op. Both games support two players: Player 2 uses pointer controls to collect items or stop enemy movement, helping Player 1’s Mario along. The Joy-Con sharing feature also allows one Switch unit to quickly enable multiplayer—perfect for spontaneous “Let’s play now!” sessions.
As mentioned earlier, both titles have a notable challenge level. So if you’re not particularly skilled at games—or want to play with your kids (like me)—we strongly suggest pairing Assist Mode with two-player mode.
Another welcome addition is auto-save, a feature absent in the original Wii versions. This modern convenience—essential for the Switch’s gaming style—is now included, making it easier and faster to jump back into gameplay.
And of course, what’s truly impressive is the visual quality. Characters, stages, text, icons—all are sharper and clearer than ever before. Playing on Nintendo Switch 2 makes everything even more dazzling! Whether in handheld or tabletop mode, the immersive experience remains strong; in TV mode, you’ll enjoy crisp 4K visuals—so if your display supports it, definitely give it a try.
Additional new features include new stories unlocked in a “storybook”, support for amiibo figures, and other modern enhancements. The hardcover book version of “Rosetta’s Storybook” is also being released today by Shogakukan, with Mario & Chico and Rosetta & Chico amiibo figures scheduled for release on April 2, 2026. After playing the game, you might find yourself wanting to collect them all.
A personal highlight: the music that colors each adventure. From grand space-themed tracks to jazz, country, and minimalist tunes—there’s a diverse range of styles to enjoy. You can play any track directly from the main menu, making it easy to instantly listen to your favorites.
Also available on the smartphone app “Nintendo Music”, exclusive for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, are soundtracks from both games. If you’re curious or miss a favorite tune, be sure to check it out there.
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These two titles—“Super Mario Galaxy” and “Super Mario Galaxy 2”—continue to amaze players with their innovative actions and groundbreaking game design, even today. Now remastered for the Switch and Switch 2 with enhanced visuals and improved accessibility.
As noted in the title, they also serve as key inspirations for the upcoming movie scheduled for release on April 24, 2026: “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” (See related article: https://www.4gamer.net/games/058/G005821/20250912072/)—making this a perfect chance to get ready (or “pre-game” it?).
Now that these iconic 3D Mario masterpieces have arrived on the Switch at the series’ 40th anniversary, there’s no better time than now to experience them!