The bouncy Italian plumber is one of the most recognizable and most profitable mascots for Nintendo, and he is making a grand return to outer space with the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 which is set to release for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Truth be told we are all waiting with crossed fingers for a third Galaxy game, but not all dreams can come true, ain’t it?
Of course, the new collection brings with it several new upgrades and changes, and we will be running through them so you can be well-informed if you decide to make the purchase. With that in mind, let’s begin!
Release Date
Let’s first talk about the release date; Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 is scheduled to release on 2nd October, 2025. The game will be priced at $69.99, which might be surprising considering it’s a re-release of sorts (but don’t be, since it’s Nintendo we are talking about), and the game will be releasing on both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo is offering both a physical release and digital edition of the game, so you are free to choose depending on your preferences but do note that physical editions might be limited initially.
New Tie-in Amiibo
One of the first new additions to Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the introduction of a new tie-in Amiibo. The figure in question is one where Mario and Luma can be seen jumping through a star, and Nintendo says that this Amiibo is larger than normal. It’s obviously a separate article meaning you will have to pay extra, but it looks cute and might serve as a great addition to your collection so it might be worth checking it out. But much like other such Amiibos, it’s selling out pretty fast so be quick if you are planning to pick one up.
Enhanced Resolution
Now that Nintendo has a lot more graphical grunt to work with as compared to the original Wii, Super Mario Galaxy and Galaxy 2 have received upgrades to enhance resolution as compared to the original. The upgrade is pretty evident from the trailers, and a quick side-by-side comparison of the original version against the re-release confirms that thought. The edges look smoother, textures are clearer, and you can make out a lot more detail that was buried under the weight of having to run this game on the Wii.
Extra Storybook Chapters
Another new upgrade to Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 comes in the form of extra storybook chapters that players are free to explore at their own pace. The new storybook chapter outlines the tale of Rosalina and Luma, and there’s also a brand new storybook that puts the spotlight on the twin Luma brothers. It’s not much, but long-time fans will appreciate the addition of new lore elements that should help you immerse deeper in the world of Super Mario Galaxy.
A New Assist Mode
The Super Mario games aren’t exactly known for being super difficult, but having accessibility options makes these games a lot more inclusive, and Nintendo seems to be putting more effort into making its games a lot more flexible for its audience. To that effect, Super Mario Galaxy + Galaxy 2 is also adding a new assist mode to the game which should help struggling players enjoy the beautiful worlds and amazing soundtracks on offer.
Flexibility of Purchase – Get Both or One
Another rare occurrence for Nintendo’s releases, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 allows you some level of flexibility in how you go about the purchase. The standard version comes packaged with both titles, but you can also opt for a single purchase if you are more comfortable that way. If you opt for a single release, you can get Super Mario Galaxy or the sequel for $40 each. It’s obviously more advisable to go for the full package, but if you are someone who is obsessed with only one of these two games so it’s great that you have the option.
Support for Mouse Controls
Another factor in terms of flexibility in controls is the support for Joy Con mouse controls, which means that fans can preserve the playstyle of the Wii remote and nunchuck of the original. This will only be available on the Switch 2’s Joy Cons – so the original Switch’s install base will have to make do with the conventional control scheme.
Docked Mode Vs Handheld Mode
There are obviously a few key differences between playing Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 in docked or handheld modes, but the chief among them has to be the resolution. On the docked mode, you can expect much higher resolutions of up to 4K, upscaled at a target frame rate of 60fps, while the handheld mode targets to run at 1080p and 60fps. If previous Nintendo releases are anything to go by and the fact that this is obviously an old game, the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 shouldn’t face many issues in maintaining these resolutions or frame-rates.
Difference between Switch and Switch 2 Releases
As for the difference between the Switch and Switch 2 releases, there aren’t many to speak of. You can be assured that Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 will look and play the same in broad strokes across both platforms but there are obviously going to be some incremental upgrades on the newer Switch 2. As mentioned previously, you can expect higher resolution, ranging up to upscaled 4K and the mouse controls are obviously not present in the original Joy Cons.
Does It Tie Into The Upcoming Movie?
Mario fans might be aware of the Super Mario Galaxy movie which is set to release in April of next year. It’s obvious that the release of these games is directly connected to the upcoming movie, but what you might not be aware is that the movie will be connected to the games as well. It might not follow the exact storyline, but you can expect several references and callbacks to the games especially from the newly added Storybook chapters.
File sizes for each game on Switch and Switch 2
Another point of concern before buying a game these days has to the installation size, especially with Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 which have a lot lesser storage space than the PS5 or Xbox Series X/S. But fortunately, the updated texture packs and new content haven’t exponentially bloated the game out. The Nintendo Switch version of Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 will run you about 5 GB of storage, and it’s the same for the Switch 2 as well. It’s not going to eat out a significant chunk of your gaming space, which is great stuff.
Mario Transformations
The gameplay of Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel is largely based around exploring platforming in a low-gravity environment, but there are several transformative powers that make Mario a lot more fun to control and add a ton of variety to the platforming challenges. You can transform into a bee, take control of a Boo, or skate through thin ice as Ice Mario, just to name a few. It’s obviously not the same level of flexibility as Super Mario Odyssey, but the seeds of those innovations were initially laid out in these titles.
The Setting and General Gameplay Mechanics For Newcomers
For anyone who is not informed about the Galaxy series, this is a friendly recap of what Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel are all about. Set against the boundaries of outer space, Super Mario Galaxy is a 3D platformer where you get to explore carefully curated planets as you collect stars in an effort to save Princess Peach from the wrath of baddie Bowser.
As previously mentioned, the central pillar of gameplay ar the new rules of gravity, and you can expect plenty of imaginative challenges and themes in the myriad of levels spread throughout the original and its sequel. Despite these games being more than a decade old at this point, the platforming mechanics truly shine to this date and you can expect to have a great experience even if you are jumping into this one for the first time.
