Super Mario Galaxy 2

Super Mario Galaxy and Galaxy 2 were considered among the best games ever made when they were released, and a decade and a half later that still hasn't changed. The attempt to replace the Wii Remote's pointer controls with Joy-Con gyro movement never feels quite as intuitive as the original experience, but this concession won't dampen the spirits of anyone lucky enough to be playing these games for the first time. Both games remain the high point of creativity in the platform game genre, making this one of the easiest recommendations we've ever made.

Galaxy 2 on Switch includes the same additions as the first game. It introduces Assist Mode to give newcomers a leg up, and if you're playing co-op, Player Two can use the mouse controls on Switch 2. It also suffers from the same quirks: the gyro controls, although perfectly serviceable, never feel quite as good as the original Wii controls, though some of the camera issues in the original perhaps aren’t quite as prevalent here.

Whether you mastered gravity years ago or are venturing to Mario's outer space for the first time, you're in for a treat.

Our mustached Italian plumber is back in one of the best remasters we've seen from the franchise.

Super Mario Galaxy and Galaxy 2 haven’t just aged well — they remain unmatched in imagination, unburdened by realism, and fuelled by sheer joy. The new technical polish and assist modes make them approachable for a new generation without compromising their integrity and personality. Some control quirks prevent this from being a flawless re-release, and the pricing will sting for those who already double-dipped on Super Mario 3D All Stars. But when everything clicks — when you’re shooting through a starfield, spinning through gravity wells with orchestral trumpets blasting — it’s impossible not to smile.

Revisiting these classics, more so after enjoying The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, has been a wonderful treat. They hold up beautifully on Nintendo Switch & Switch 2, retaining the high quality that they had on the original Nintendo Wii. Lack of accessibility options for motion controls and somewhat dated textures do little to sour what are stone-cold Nintendo classics. Stunning visuals, intuitive platforming that keeps you on your toes, and some of the best presentation in any 3D Mario adventure make this double pack a must-own for any Mario fan.

Nintendo has brought Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 to the Switch and Switch 2 in one bundle, offering newcomers a perfect chance to experience these platforming masterpieces—though for veterans, the steep seventy-euro price for essentially unchanged games might make dusting off the old Wii just as tempting.

Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Switch is a collection that simply shouldn't be ignored. It’s an awesome chance for new generation to see what perfection in the 3D platforming games looks like and also for veterans to remember why they fell in love with these games years ago. Despite a few minor control issues in handheld mode, gameplay is truly remarkable.

With Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, Nintendo delivers two technically polished, mechanically brilliant remakes that remain unchanged in terms of content. The decision to forgo additional content, graphical enhancements, or modernizations means that the re-release feels more like a preservation than a reinvention. For anyone who hasn’t played the originals yet, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up on two significant games in recent video game history. Those who already own the Wii versions, however, will find little reason to buy them again. Both games remain milestones in 3D platforming, but they are milestones from a different era.

Even in 2025 the two Wii classics that Nintendo is letting us experience again as ports are beyond almost all doubt and rightfully enjoy the cult status that fans attribute to them. Yes, Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are still two fantastic games and I had a lot of fun with both again: the level design is clever and remains unparalleled to this day and part 2 in particular shines with an incredible number of ideas and fun bonus items. However, I still think that Nintendo's pricing policy has gone a bit too far. While you could get three games for 59.99 with Super Mario 3D All-Stars, here you have to spend 69.99 if you want both games or 39.99 each, which is a bit steep for mere ports. Especially when you consider that for the same price you could get a much more elaborate version of a classic with Metroid Prime Remastered. Nevertheless the games are fantastic and I'm happy to be able to play them in this form on the Switch and Switch 2.