Super Mario Galaxy is finally free from its Super Mario 3D All-Stars prison, making one of the best Mario games readily available for all to enjoy on the Nintendo Switch ecosystem.
At first glance, Super Mario Galaxy’s re-release on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 may appear to be an identical stand-alone release of the 2020 compilation game, which in itself featured a competent, but bare-bones port of the beloved 2007 Wii game. In truth, however, Super Mario Galaxy has seen some slight upgrades from its previous release, featuring some reworked textures, a bump in resolution, and re-rendered cutscenes, in addition to some small QoL changes and new chapters for the storybook mode present in the game.
For new players or those who aren’t overly familiar with previous versions of Super Mario Galaxy, this latest stand-alone release isn’t as dramatic an upgrade as was the case with the release of Metroid Prime Remastered. However, it still offers a noticeable improvement in overall quality. One of the more immediate additions includes a new Assist Mode, which, in essence, gives Mario a Life Mushroom, bumping his HP to 6 points, on top of regenerative health, upon standing still for a few seconds (something that can also be accomplished with the new Amiibo support).
“Super Mario Galaxy has seen some slight upgrades from its previous release, featuring some reworked textures, a bump in resolution, and re-rendered cutscenes.”
For those lucky enough to have purchased either a digital or physical copy of Super Mario 3D All-Stars, it appears that the game includes some of the updates introduced with the standalone release of Super Mario Galaxy, making this new release best reserved for those who missed out.
Players who may not have been around for the Wii generation or playing Super Mario Galaxy for the first time can look forward to one of the best 3D platformers put out by Nintendo. Super Mario Galaxy expands on the formula of a 3D Mario game by giving players levels that allow for full 360 degrees of movement. Super Mario Galaxy features many stages in planet-like spheres and other environments that encourage exploring the full circumference of the stage, resulting in some truly standout levels that are wholly unique to the Mario Galaxy series.
Additionally, outside of reaching the end of the stage and obtaining the power star, Super Mario Galaxy requires the use of both the analog stick and the gyro controls. Gyro is used to control a cursor on screen, which the player can direct towards star bits, which, on top of gold coins, grant Mario the ability to stun enemies, making it possible to take them out in a one-two combo.
Playing Super Mario Galaxy on the Nintendo Switch 2, even outside of the higher-resolution rendering when playing on the TV, showcases a marked improvement in its controls, thanks to the Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller 2. In other words, the Nintendo Switch 2 does an excellent job of approximating the Nintendo Wii remote controls, which, unlike on the original Nintendo Switch, seldom need recalibrating, making it the definitive way to play Super Mario Galaxy.
“Super Mario Galaxy on the Nintendo Switch 2, even outside of the higher resolution rendering when playing on the TV, showcases a marked improvement in its controls afforded by the Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller 2.”
With the forthcoming release of the second Mario movie, which will heavily borrow from the Galaxy titles, it makes sense for Nintendo to re-release both Wii games on the Switch, while simultaneously giving those who grew up with the games a new way to easily play. Unlike its sequel, the first Super Mario Galaxy places a greater emphasis on its story, introducing Rosalina and Luma, who have since become staples in the Mario franchise. The additional storybook chapters that unlock as players gradually collect stars are a nice touch that will help orient new players, especially younger gamers who may be coming from the movie.
Ultimately, the simple fact that Super Mario Galaxy is now a standalone Nintendo Switch release is great news, made even better with the Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to controls that approximate the Wii Remote better than what was possible on older hardware.
