Nintendo is firmly in its Super Mario Galaxy era right now. Hot off the announcement of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Nintendo released both Galaxy games on Switch, with the titles launching on October 2, 2025. The film itself hit US theaters on April 1, 2026 and has already crossed $1 billion at the worldwide box office. With all that momentum, Nintendo Everything took the first game back to 100% completion to ask whether it still deserves its legendary reputation.
What the Switch Port Actually Adds
The Switch release brings enhanced resolution - 1080p on Switch and 4K on Switch 2 - alongside improved UI, extra Storybook chapters, and a new Assist Mode. Both titles also add the option to play with buttons and sticks or motion controls, plus an in-game music player. One practical quality-of-life upgrade that veteran players will appreciate: automatic saving after every Power Star, replacing the old prompt that appeared after each collection.
The Switch versions also boast improved resolution and new Storybook content fleshing out the story of the Lumas. In handheld mode specifically, the port is a step up from the older Super Mario 3D All-Stars version - the Switch's built-in gyroscope lets players aim the star cursor without being forced to tap the touchscreen.
| Feature | Wii (2007) | 3D All-Stars | Switch (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 480p | 1080p | 1080p / 4K* |
| Motion controls | Required | Touch cursor | Optional |
| Auto-save | No | No | Yes |
| Assist Mode | No | No | Yes |
| Extra Storybook chapters | No | No | Yes |
*4K via free Switch 2 update
Story and Atmosphere Still Hit Hard
The review argues that Super Mario Galaxy's story remains its most underappreciated strength. Bowser's ambition to rule the entire universe using the Grand Stars and Power Stars he stole from Rosalina's Comet Observatory raises the stakes far above a typical kidnap-Peach plot. More importantly, the game introduces Rosalina - still among the most fully developed characters in the entire Mario franchise. Her storybook chapters, unlocked as players collect Power Stars, trace a genuine emotional arc: the loss of her mother and family, and her eventual role as a mother figure to the Lumas.
The soundtrack gets equal praise. Tracks like Space Fantasy and the final boss theme are cited as mood-setting highlights, and the game's cosmic atmosphere - spanning welcoming open galaxies to lonely deep-space voids - remains unlike anything else in the 3D Mario catalogue.
Gameplay: Brilliant but Showing Its Age
The motion control legacy is the port's most visible seam. The star cursor mechanic, designed around the Wii Remote, can feel unnecessary when playing with a Pro Controller or in handheld mode. Certain mini-games - star ball and ray surfing in particular - still push players toward detached Joy-Cons to have a fair shot at winning.
The review also notes that Mario's move set is narrower here than in Super Mario Sunshine, trading that game's F.L.U.D.D.-driven creativity for tighter, more controlled level design. Whether that trade-off suits you depends on what you value most in a 3D platformer.
On the positive side, the 120 Power Stars can be collected to completion in a matter of days without feeling like a grind - a refreshing contrast to modern open-world games that demand hundreds of hours. The Purple Coin missions, often seen as padding, end up being some of the most memorable stages. Boss highlights include Megaleg, Bouldergeist, and the final Bowser encounter, with Daredevil runs adding a genuine challenge layer.
Pricing Friction
Each game is sold individually for $39.99, while the two-game bundle is available for $69.99. The review flags the individual asking price as steep for a port of a nearly 20-year-old game and suggests watching for sales or looking second-hand - though Nintendo first-party titles rarely see significant discounts.
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Live deal tracker
Super Mario Galaxy on Switch is currently available from AU$27.74 via the retailers tracked below - check for the best deal before buying at full Nintendo eShop price.
Verdict
Super Mario Galaxy on Switch remains the best official way to play the game - better resolution, better controls, better quality of life than every previous version. The forced motion control segments and a relatively slim move set are genuine ageing marks, but they are minor blemishes on a game whose atmosphere, soundtrack, and character work still stand up nearly two decades later. With The Super Mario Galaxy Movie now a billion-dollar hit and amiibo on shelves, there has never been a better moment to revisit the Comet Observatory.
