When it comes to game remasters, we reached a point at which making the game accessible on new platforms sort of feels like it isn’t enough anymore. Not when we have Square Enix out here giving us Classic and Enchanced versions of Final Fantasy Tactics in one release and with Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Nintendo and Monolith added quality of life changes, new characters, and post-game content. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 swooping in with improved visuals, extra Storybook segments, and Assist Mode on the Switch and Switch 2 is nice and very appreciated. These are still fantastic platformers. I love playing through them again! I just wish there was a bit more to Nintendo’s updates of them both.
While Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a sequel to Super Mario Galaxy, it’s also something of a retelling. As such, the general concept and story shares many of the same beats. The Star Festival happens every 100 years in the Mushroom Kingdom and, in both games, Princess Peach invited Mario to the celebration. As Star Bits rain down, Bowser appears to ruin everything and perform his usual kidnapping. While the circumstances of how Mario heads out into the galaxy to travel and work alongside Lumas to regain the Grand Stars and assist both Rosalina and Peach, the general end goal and result is the same. While there’s a little extra embellishment in some ways in Super Mario Galaxy 2, admittedly I have a soft spot for the first story.
As part of the story embellishment for this remaster, Nintendo added additional Storybook Chapters. It is a nice touch, and I appreciate it. Especially since these games mark Rosalina’s debut in the series. I won’t get into spoilers, but I felt the newly added segments fit in well! It’s a nice reward. But then, maybe part of why I appreciated it is because it is one of the really new elements there.
Both Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 are platformers that play around with perspective. Instead of a straightforward 2D, 2.5, or even 3D levels in a straightforward space ahead of us, we need to take into account what happens when we’re walking sideways along surfaces, upside down, or moving within gravitational fields of additional planets or elements that could sway our movement. So a pipe will take us to the other side of a planet. There could be a black hole in the center of a landmass that we’ll fall into if we mistime a jump. When going between surfaces, we might need to be launched by transformed Lumas or arrange our jumps so Mario will flip to land on the other space. In practice, it’s absolutely brilliant. Both games play around with perspective in innovative ways. They also feature returning power-ups, like the Fire Flower, alongside new transformation such as the flying Bee Mario option or Boo Mario for getting through certain areas. The sequel adds to this with power ups like Cloud Flower and Rock Mushroom, as well as adding Yoshi as a possible mount and giving him special abilities.
What’s great about the remaster is yes, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 both generally look good on the Switch! They’re responsive and generally character models and environments look pretty great. The thing is, some textures for some areas seem less detailed as a result. Ground and wall textures might seem a little more bland compared to the original Wii releases. It might be me, but it almost seemed more noticeable in the original game than in the sequel. Since many levels and situations involve a lot of frantic movements and thoughtful jumping, it might not be noticeable unless you really stop and look.
Another oddity I noticed between Super Mario Galaxy and the sequel is that the motion controls felt more obnoxious in the first game on the Switch than in the second. When playing, gyroscopic functions kick in that shift the camera view and can be used for collecting Star Bits, and I found it felt less comfortable in handheld mode since I needed to constantly be resetting the positioning with the trigger. I couldn’t turn the feature off and just use touch screen collection for Star Bits instead. (Which is a shame, as that worked much better.) You can use standard controls for moves like Mario’s spins, launching with stars, or turning invisible as a Boo, which helps. And the touchscreen controls for Star Bit collection and firing is fantastic.
The last major addition is Assist Mode. This is an optional feature designed to offer people extra health and a hand in case they fall off a planet. The former doubles the amount Mario has to six. It’s not a huge jump, but I feel like it’d be a good cushion for people as they get accustomed to the shifts in perspective present here. The latter is also the kind of assist that feels geared toward getting used to the way the games work. These don’t make the game easier. They don’t handhold players. I feel like they’re a respectful take on guiding people through their first steps with both games and appreciate the option for those getting acclimated.
The Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 remaster duo give Switch owners a chance to experience two really great games in the series. Both are still wonderful platforms that do some really fun and fantastic things when it comes to level design and playing around with gravity. However, I will say they are a bit disappointing when compared to both other companies’ recent remasters and Nintendo’s own endeavors. Plus, I do think the visual improvements and handling of the motion controls/touchscreen components are better in the second game than the first. I definitely say they are worth picking up if you never experienced either game before.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 are available for the Switch and playable on the Switch 2.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2
The Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 remaster duo give Switch owners a chance to experience two really great games in the series.