Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2

Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 brought, in autumn 2025, a pair of games that rank among the best three-dimensional platformers ever made, bundled together in a single package for both Switch and Switch 2. Originally Wii titles, their central idea remains just as impressive as on first release: each level is built from small planetoids with their own gravity, so Mario orbits around a sphere, jumping from one side to the other, and what was up a moment ago suddenly becomes down. Spatial orientation itself becomes a gameplay discipline in its own right.

The first game builds around an observatory as a central hub and large galaxies with stars that open up gradually; the second swaps the sprawling environment for a tighter map, adds Yoshi with his own abilities, sharper difficulty, and even wilder ideas for level design. Together, both games display an extraordinary density of invention, where a given mechanic often appears in just a single level and never returns. Controls have been adapted for modern controllers, star-aiming works through motion sensors or mouse mode on Switch 2, and added assist settings let less experienced players enjoy the game too.

The technical port benefits from higher resolution and smooth performance, which lets the visual style — always built more on cleanliness and color than fine detail — really shine. The strongest weapon remains the music: fully orchestral scores that were a novelty for the Mario series back in 2007 and remain among the most-played pieces of game music of all time to this day. Reception of the collection was very positive, with reservations aimed more at the scope of the accompanying content than at the games themselves. Today it's one of the best ways to experience a classic that, in its influence on the genre and its eye for detail, still outpaces most current output. For many players, it's also the very first chance to play both games without having to hunt down an old console.