Familiar yet endlessly surprising, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a near-perfect celebration of everything that makes video games joyful.
In many ways, reviewing a new Mario game feels like a formality. Everyone knows the drill: the princess has been kidnapped, stars have gone missing, and only Mario can restore the status quo. But while the premise remains familiar, the franchise continues to evolve. Thanks to constant gameplay innovation, Super Mario Galaxy 2 feels both timeless and fresh. It draws from gaming’s foundational principles, offering an unapologetic throwback to an era that prioritized pure gameplay over optional flourishes. There’s no morality system, no branching dialogue. There are just 120 stars’ worth of exquisitely designed linear levels, and they’re an absolute joy to play.
Mario Galaxy 2 is a more confident, refined game than its predecessor. While the original Super Mario Galaxy introduced groundbreaking ideas, it occasionally felt as though the developers were still ironing out the kinks. Not so here. Galaxy 2 builds upon every concept introduced in the first game, polishing them to near perfection.
The sure-handed creative philosophy is most evident in the superb level design. Mario Galaxy wallowed in its gravity physics to the point that circumnavigating planets became a distracting crutch during some of the stage With the sequel, the developers have liberated themselves from the necessity of showing off a new engine. The focus is solely on the gameplay, meaning that each galaxy represents the culmination of a clever idea that remains worthwhile regardless of the number of dimension Many of the stages are little more than flat jumping endeavors, while some revert seamlessly to a 2-D side-scrolling format.
That confidence is most evident in the level design. While the original occasionally leaned too heavily on its gravity mechanics, turning spherical navigation into a gimmick, the sequel breaks free from that obligation. Here, every galaxy is a showcase of creative brilliance. Some levels are flat and fast-paced. Others embrace 2D, side-scrolling nostalgia. The dimensional shift serves not as a limitation, but as a tool that expands the developers’ already impressive repertoire.
And expand it they do. Galaxy 2 is packed with ideas. From rhythm-based beat blocks and ice skating to pull stars and slippery slides, every mechanic is executed with care. Even recycled concepts feel fresh, like the upside-down gravity mazes that emerge as some of the most memorable challenges in the game.
Yoshi’s long-awaited return is another highlight. The green dinosaur still devours anything in sight, but this time he does so with flair. Different fruits imbue him with temporary powers, including the Dash Pepper — a jalapeño so hot it sends Yoshi into a turbo-charged frenzy, allowing him to scale vertical walls and run across water. Other power-ups include the Blimp Fruit, turning Yoshi into a helium balloon, and the Bulb Berry, which makes him glow to illuminate hidden paths.
Mario himself also gets new power-ups. Joining the ranks of Bee Mario, Boo Mario and Rainbow Mario are Cloud Mario, Drill Mario and Rock Mario. Each form unlocks unique mechanics and worlds designed around their quirks. Cloud Mario, for example, allows players to create three — and only three — cloud platforms, turning traversal into a puzzle that tests both strategy and precision.
For those craving an extra challenge, prankster comets return. In Galaxy 2, tougher stars are only unlocked after finding a hidden Comet Medal in each world. These collectibles aren’t particularly hard to find, but they’re often tucked into tricky spots, rewarding careful exploration. It’s a subtle way of separating casual players from completionists, broadening the game’s appeal across experience levels.
The difficulty curve is well-balanced. Many stars will require multiple attempts, but the game rarely feels frustrating. You’re always just one perfect run away from success. With 1-Up Mushrooms generously scattered throughout, Game Over screens are rare, but the journey to all 120 stars is far from a cakewalk.
The game also embraces nostalgia without relying on it. A Super Mario World–style map replaces the overworld hub, complete with secret areas unlocked after defeating Bowser. There are checkpoint flags, item dice, and a soundtrack filled with remixed Mario classics. The Throwback Galaxy revisits Whomp’s Fortress from Super Mario 64, updated just enough to make the old feel new again — a perfect blend of sincerity and invention.
It may seem dull to heap praise on a game, but Super Mario Galaxy 2 earns every bit of it. I could’ve done without the springy awkwardness of Spring Mario, but that’s a personal gripe rather than a real flaw. The game is expertly crafted, endlessly charming and so full of joy that it’s hard not to smile as you play.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is rainbows, sunshine, smiles and happiness — a warm-hearted, wonderfully whimsical reminder of why we fell in love with games in the first place. Mario may never change, and frankly, I hope he never does. He’s still magical, and this is one of his finest adventures.
