Launching into the Stars: Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 – The Ultimate Cosmic Double Feature

There is always the question, what will Nintendo do next? Sometimes we ask this question because the Big N is on the ropes and needs a win. Other times we ask this question because it seems like maybe the well of ideas has started to run dry; think Mario Kart or Zelda before Breath of the Wild.

But we almost always ask this question concerning Mario. How do you keep improving on Mario? What more can you do with a game that is about an Italian Plumber jumping on the heads of his enemies? I can remember that after Super Mario Sunshine Nintendo fans were asking ourselves this questions, what does Mario look like in the Wii era?

The answer, of course, was Super Mario Galaxy, perhaps the greatest 3D Mario adventure ever made. Today, we get to experience that incredible game again, along with its equally fantastic direct sequel, enhanced for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 and bundled together into a package that every Mario fan will want, even if they don't want to admit it on the Internet.

If you've ever dreamed of leaping across asteroid fields, commandeering Yoshi for gravity-defying romps, or simply losing yourself in the most breathtaking 3D Mario adventure ever crafted, this release is your golden ticket to the cosmos.

Super Mario Galaxy: A Timeless Saga of Cosmic Delight

Let's rewind to 2007, when Super Mario Galaxy first hurled us into orbit. Directed by the visionary Shigeru Miyamoto and his team at Nintendo EAD Tokyo, this Wii exclusive wasn't just a game; it was a paradigm shift. Mario, our mustachioed hero, trades his usual Mushroom Kingdom turf for the sprawling, spherical wonders of the Comet Observatory; a hub orbiting a black hole, launching you into bite-sized galaxies teeming with Lumas, cosmic critters, and orchestral swells from the late, great Mahito Yoshizaki. Gravity? It's no longer a law; it's a playful suggestion. Bounce from planet to planetoid, swing on boomerang enemies, and collect Power Stars while the camera swoops like a faithful Starship Mario companion.

Part of what elevated Galaxy above previous Mario adventures was its sheer invention. Every level felt like a handcrafted diorama of fun, from the bee bouncing of Honeyhive Galaxy to the pulse-pounding urgency of Battlerock. The motion controls added a layer of whimsy, letting you shake your way through spin attacks that fit Mario like a glove after the second or third shake. The orchestral soundtrack was just as boundless as the gameplay, perfectly complementing each new world with a soundscape that took you places you had never been in a game before.

Critics and players alike hailed it as revolutionary: with a Metacritic of 97/100 that keeps it at #4 all time, it snagged Game of the Year nods left and right. And deservedly so, it proved that 3D platforming could be as boundless as space itself.

Super Mario Galaxy 2: Bigger, Faster, Stronger

Then, lightning struck twice with Super Mario Galaxy 2 in 2010. Building on its predecessor's blueprint without missing a beat, this sequel doubled down on the formula while cranking up the chaos, and difficulty. Yoshi joins the fray full-time, his flutter jumps and tongue-lashing antics opening up even wilder gravitational acrobatics.

New power-ups like the Cloud Flower and Spin Drill expanded the possibilities of each new world, and the 242 Power Stars (yes, you read that right) ensure you could go exploring for eons.

Gone were some of the storybook trappings, replaced by a leaner focus on unadulterated fun and challenge. It soared just as high on Metacritic (97/100), cementing the duo as untouchable peaks in Mario's 3D legacy. No other plumber outing, not Sunshine's water backpack blasting or Odyssey's globe-trotting platforming, captures that same intoxicating blend of accessibility, artistry, and "one more galaxy" addiction.

There's No Place Like Your Home Galaxy

Fast-forward to today, as Nintendo celebrates Mario's 40th Anniversary by releasing both games for Nintendo Switch (and Switch 2) in the Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 bundle. You'll have to pay full price for the privilege ($69.99 for both games on a cart) but you're getting both of these classics in their Ultimate forms. Both games run at a smooth 60 frames per second with higher-res textures and resolutions. (Dynamic 1080p on Switch and Locked 4K on Switch 2).

Nintendo's wizards have sprinkled in quality-of-life stardust too: an improved UI that streamlines menus and HUD elements for modern play, ensuring you spend less time navigating and more time star-jumping. The new Assist Mode is a welcome addition with adjustable difficulty, infinite lives, and rewind mechanics let you savor the spectacle without the sting of falling into a black hole. And for lore lovers? Extra Storybook Chapters enhance the narrative threads, deepening the tale of Rosalina and her starry orphanage without altering the core charm. You can also enjoy the stellar soundtrack directly from the main menu if you just want to sit back and bask in the music.

Trust me: in a sea of grim-dark open-world epics and battle royales matches, nothing beats the simple, soaring thrill of collecting stars under an endless night sky. And this excellent remaster of Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 is packed full of joyful gaming that will keep you jumping for hours on end. Go grab it for yourself, and enjoy the ride.

Shine Get!

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