Super Mario Galaxy first launched on the Wii, where it was met with critical acclaim and is still often celebrated as one of Mario’s greatest adventures. Years later, the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection brought the game to Nintendo Switch, though only as part of a limited-time release. Now, as part of Mario’s 40th anniversary celebrations, both Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are available again on Switch 2, either bundled together in a double pack or sold separately. But that leaves us with one big question: if you already own Super Mario 3D All-Stars, is it worth buying Galaxy again? Let’s take a look at the differences.
One of the biggest shifts comes from how the controls have been adapted to modern hardware. On the Wii, motion controls were at the core of the experience, with the Wii Remote used for aiming Star Bits and performing spin attacks. The 3D All-Stars version translated this to Joy-Con motion in docked mode and touch screen controls in handheld mode, which worked but could sometimes feel clunky. In this new release, those options remain, but they’ve been tightened up. Handheld play still makes use of the touchscreen for pointer controls, while docked play offers both motion aiming with the Joy-Cons and Joycon Mouse support (for Switch 2). What surprised me most is how well gyro aiming now works because I’ve never been a big fan of gyro in most games, but here it feels accurate, natural, and easier to use than before. I’m not 100% sure on what’s changed, perhaps it’s the Switch 2 gyro compared to the original Switch, but it’s a nice balance between honouring the Wii’s original design and offering smoother, more comfortable play styles for today’s hardware. I’ve sunk a fair few hours in today, using my Pro 2 controller, clicking and picking up star bits with ease.
The visual differences in this new version of Super Mario Galaxy are not huge. Really, the main thing you will notice is the resolution, and without digging too deep, on the surface, the worlds look quite similar to the 3D All-Stars version. That said, the increase in resolution eliminates the pixelation that was noticeable in the older version, giving the worlds a much cleaner and sharper look. Some textures, like the grass, actually look better in certain areas, and the crisp, colourful worlds really pop. The game was already built on a fantastic graphics engine, and the added sharpness brings a subtle but noticeable level of polish. Not all elements have been improved. Some planetary textures, such as dirt or rocky surfaces, feel less detailed than before, and clouds around certain planets appear washed out compared to the richer look in the All-Stars version. Even with these minor drawbacks, the overall visual presentation is cleaner and crisper. Performance feels on par with the All-Stars version on Switch 2, with the added bonus of 4K support for those with compatible hardware.
As a small disclaimer, the video footage here is limited to 1080p due to hardware constraints on my end, but even at this resolution, the improvements are clearly visible.
Beyond the core gameplay, this release brings a few quality-of-life improvements that make the experience more enjoyable without changing the heart of the game. A major addition is new content to the Rosalina Storybook, which adds a new narrative layer. Galaxy 1 features a new chapter, while Galaxy 2 includes a picture book format with four chapters. It is a subtle expansion that rewards players who want a bit more story. The Assist Mode is also a welcome inclusion, providing extra health and automatic rescue if Mario falls into a black hole. It makes the game more approachable for newer players or anyone who wants a slightly more relaxed experience. Menus and interface elements have been refined, making navigation smoother and text sharper, albeit smaller. Control options are flexible, letting players choose between motion aiming with Joy-Cons, traditional stick controls, mouse mode on Switch 2, or touchscreen input in handheld mode. Like I said, gyro aiming works particularly well here. I was pleasantly surprised, as I am usually not a fan of gyro controls. Other small additions include an in-game music player, letting you enjoy the iconic soundtrack at any time, and amiibo support, which grants a Life or 1-Up Mushroom when scanning Mario or Rosalina amiibo. For those on Switch 2, there is 4K resolution support, which further enhances the visuals if you have compatible hardware.
In my opinion, it is a hard sell recommending Super Mario Galaxy if you already own the 3D All-Stars version. Sure, the bump in resolution and sharpness looks great, but if graphics do not really bother you and you are not planning to deep dive into the lore of Rosalina’s storybook, most of the changes are very subtle. The physical double pack does offer collectible value, but if you already own All-Stars, purchasing Galaxy 2 by itself will save you $30 AUD. If you do not own All-Stars, then it is a no-brainer. Both adventures are worth your time and money. Despite the price, there is plenty of adventure here, and the games remain definitive versions for modern hardware with sharper visuals, smoother controls, and several quality of life improvements. For my full thoughts on gameplay, visuals, and controls, stay tuned for my review coming in the next couple of days.
In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by Nintendo Australia, but this does not influence my opinion.
