Review: Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Nintendo Switch 2
Galactic adventures!
Hello, dear readers! My name is Victor, and I am a totally blind gaming, technology, and entertainment journalist. I am also an ambassador for universal design, an accessibility consultant, advocate, tester, and public speaker.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Super Mario, and Nintendo is celebrating it by bringing back two of his most imaginative adventures in one updated collection. Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 were originally released on the Wii, and now, two generations later, they’re back together on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
For both Alina and me, who never played them the first time around, this was a great opportunity to finally experience what many people call two of the best 3D platformers ever made. Let’s take a quick look at both games which can be purchased together or separately.
Super Mario Galaxy
The first game begins with Bowser interrupting the Star Festival, kidnapping Princess Peach, and taking her into space. Mario ends up on the Comet Observatory, where he meets Rosalina and the Lumas, and together they travel through a series of small planets to recover Power Stars and bring light back to the observatory.
Each galaxy has its own personality and theme. One moment you’re running on a tiny planet that loops back on itself, and the next you’re gliding through a quiet stretch of space collecting star bits. Power-ups like the Bee Mushroom and Boo Mushroom change the way Mario moves and add fun twists to the usual platforming. Even though these levels were designed years ago, they still feel clever and full of life.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
The sequel continues the idea but feels more focused and polished. This time, Bowser has stolen the Power Stars again, and Mario sets out aboard the Starship Mario, guided by a character named Lubba.
The main addition is Yoshi, who completely changes how you approach levels. He can flutter-jump to reach high places, grab items with his tongue, and use power-ups like the Dash Pepper to sprint up walls or the Blimp Fruit to float through the air. Galaxy 2 builds on everything that worked in the first game and adds even more variety and smoother pacing.
What’s New in the 2025 Version
The remastered collection includes both games on one cartridge, with sharper visuals, better menus, and smoother performance. On the standard Switch, they run in 1080p, and on the Switch 2, they can go up to 4K after a free update. You can play with Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller, or even motion controls if you want that classic Wii feel.
A new Assist Mode makes the games a bit easier for beginners. It gives you extra health, helps you recover faster from falls, and offers small hints if you get stuck. There’s also a Soundtrack Mode for listening to the music, a few short Storybook chapters that expand on Rosalina’s world, and amiibo support for small in-game bonuses.
It’s not a huge overhaul, but it’s a solid way to preserve and modernize two beloved games without changing what made them great.
Accessibility Impressions
As someone who is totally blind, I always look for accessibility improvements in modern releases. Sadly, there isn’t anything new here in that area. There’s no menu narration, haptic cues, or settings designed for blind or low-vision players. The Assist Mode helps with difficulty, but not with actual accessibility.
That said, I still found a lot to enjoy. I experienced the game mostly through its music and sound design while listening to Alina play, and it was fantastic. The orchestral soundtrack remains one of Nintendo’s best, with every piece matching the feeling of discovery and exploration. Even just hearing the levels described by Alina while the music played in the background made it easy to understand why these games are so loved.
This new collection doesn’t reinvent anything, but it doesn’t have to. Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are still full of charm, creative ideas, and fun surprises. The controls are tight, the level design is imaginative, and the updated visuals make the experience feel fresh again in 2025.
It would have been great to see real accessibility improvements, but even without them, this is a wonderful release – especially for people discovering these games for the first time. Sharing the experience together, with Alina playing and me enjoying the sounds and music, made it something special for both of us.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a well-made collection that celebrates Mario’s 40th anniversary with care and respect. The new Assist Mode makes it friendlier for new players, and the visual updates keep it looking good on modern hardware.
These games still shine, even after so many years and it’s great to have them both in one place at last.
Review copy provided by Nintendo via CD media
Victor Dima
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