Super Mario Galaxy

- Reviewed on Switch 2 -

Super Mario Galaxy released on November 1st, 2007.

Developed and published by Nintendo, this is one of those landmark 3D platformers that took Mario into space and completely changed how movement and level design could work in a 3D environment.

Playing this on Nintendo Switch 2 as part of the 3D All-Stars collection was honestly a great way to revisit it, especially with the improved performance and visuals.

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

The story is your classic Bowser kidnaps Peach setup, but this time he takes the entire castle into space, which forces Mario into a galaxy-spanning rescue mission. 

Along the way you meet Rosalina, who ends up being a surprisingly important and emotional part of the game’s overall tone. 

The story itself isn’t the main focus, but it does its job well and gives enough charm to tie everything together.

Gameplay-wise, this is where the game still really shines. You travel between different galaxies collecting Power Stars, and each galaxy feels like its own self-contained idea. 

Some are small and quick; others are much more puzzle-like and require you to really understand gravity and movement. 

The variety here is honestly still impressive even today.

The gravity mechanic is the main hook, and when it works, it feels amazing. 

Running around planetoids and flipping between surfaces never really gets old. 

However, this is also where some of my issues start to show. 

The controls can feel rough at times, especially when gravity shifts quickly, and Mario can feel a bit unpredictable in those moments. It’s not unplayable by any means, but it does take some getting used to.

The camera is also a mixed bag. Rotating left and right can feel a bit awkward, and during fast movement or gravity changes it doesn’t always keep up properly. 

There is a first-person view option, which is actually pretty cool and useful for lining up jumps, but it doesn’t completely fix the camera issues overall.

On the positive side, the galaxy designs are absolutely incredible. 

This is easily one of the strongest parts of the game. Every level feels different, and the creativity on display is still top tier. 

It constantly introduces new ideas without feeling repetitive, which is impressive for a game of this scale and age.

The music is also outstanding. It fits the space theme perfectly and is honestly some of the best in the entire Mario franchise. 

Combined with the character designs and overall charm, it really helps make the experience memorable.

The gameplay flow is very smooth as well. 

On Switch 2, the loading times are fast, which makes jumping between galaxies and collecting stars feel quick and satisfying. 

I also like that you don’t need to collect every star to finish the game, which gives you some flexibility in how you progress through it.

That being said, I really don’t like that you have to collect every single star to unlock Luigi as a playable character. 

It feels a bit too grind-heavy for something that should be more of a fun bonus rather than a completion requirement.

The Switch 2 Joy-Con controls are solid overall, and I didn’t run into any major issues even in handheld mode. 

It also feels nice that you don’t need to rely heavily on motion controls to get through the game anymore, which makes it more comfortable to play in longer sessions.

Even with the control and camera issues, the game still holds up incredibly well. The level design, music, and overall creativity are still near the top of what 3D platformers can offer.

Pros: 

    - Amazing galaxy / level designs
    - Incredible soundtrack
    - Very smooth gameplay flow
    - Fast loading times on Switch 2
    - Memorable characters and world design
    - Flexible progression system
    - First-person view is a nice extra option

Cons:

    - Controls can feel rough at times
    - Camera can be awkward at certain angles
    - Unlocking Luigi is too grind heavy
    - Accumulated Extra Lives Don't Save In-Between Gameplay Sessions

    My Rating for Super Mario Galaxy (on Switch 2):

    4 / 5


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    Disclaimer

    All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.



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