I recall the original release of Super Mario Galaxy with fondness. When it released in 2007, it was the first new mainline 3D adventure for the mustachioed hero since 2002’s Sunshine – a game that never totally clicked for me. With its magical outer space vibes and novel spherical stages, Super Mario Galaxy was, to my memory, the strangest of Mario’s big outings. Alongside its 2010 sequel, it remains one of my most fondly remembered games in the long-running Nintendo franchise.
The recent release of both Galaxy games on Switch and Switch 2 is an excellent opportunity to check out each of these stellar games. If you’ve never played one or the other, and you’re willing to put up with a decent degree of aged gameplay, it’s well worth a shot. If you’re like me, and you recall playing the originals, my recommendation is more tempered – the additions don’t dramatically change the experience – but it makes for a great trip down memory lane.
For those who never tried out the original, both Super Mario Galaxy games share a similar premise. Bowser is up to no good, and Mario must blast across a magical version of outer space from one (mostly) spherical world to the next, gathering stars and completing increasingly tricky objectives.
The unusual visual perspective is one of the most charming aspects on offer, but also one of the things that takes the most getting used to; navigating Mario through a 3D space while he’s also upside down or at right angles to the screen can be dicey, but it’s also novel and fun to get the hang of the twisted perspective.
Especially running in 4K on Switch 2, the visual upgrade is noticeable and makes the game look sharp and inviting. Don’t go in expecting something on par with Super Mario 3D World – these are effectively up-rezzed versions, not full-throated remakes – and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Other improvements are modest, but add up to a genuine upgrade. The user interface, specifically the menu layouts, is better than before. A new assist mode is helpful, especially as both games (especially the second) can prove pretty challenging in later levels. A soundtrack mode is available at the front menu for both games, though that’s only likely to appeal to especially rabid Mario music fans. I also like that we get some new storybook chapters; the fairy tale aesthetic of the originals was always fun, and these additions seem to recognize that quality and double down.
These newer versions also attempt to adapt the original motion controls of these Wii-era games for a modern controller. In all honesty, the motion controls (especially the floating cursor feature) were my least favorite aspect of the original games. Here, they work perfectly well using something like the Pro Controller, but even with some adjustment, it remains the least appealing part of the game.
I think it’s fair to balk a bit at the $70 price tag to snag these two updated games, especially when the most notable change is an update in resolution. However, that value proposition shifts noticeably if you never got to play these two games, or if you no longer have the consoles needed to enjoy them again years later. Both games were defining entries in the 3D platforming genre, are among the most critically acclaimed games of all time, and exude that irrepressible joy that is present in the best Mario games. Especially if you’ve always been hungry to check these two gems out, my revisit suggests you should do so with confidence, knowing these are the best way to play two classic releases.
