Galaxy finally returns: dates, prices, and what’s new
Fifteen years after its Wii debut, the long-absent sequel fans kept asking for is finally coming home. Nintendo confirmed that both Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 will arrive on Nintendo Switch on October 2, 2025. For longtime players, it’s a long-awaited correction after the original Galaxy resurfaced briefly in 2020’s limited Super Mario 3D All-Stars and then vanished when that collection was pulled in 2021. For newcomers, it’s a chance to see why these two games sit near the top of 3D platforming’s all-time list.
Nintendo revealed the news during its latest Nintendo Direct, framing the drop as part of Super Mario’s 40th anniversary. Shigeru Miyamoto introduced the package personally, a fitting touch for a pair of games built around playful physics, strong level ideas, and that unmistakable orchestral score that set the Galaxy era apart.
Bought together, the two games come in a single physical bundle—Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2—for $69.99. If you’d rather go digital or only want one of them, each will be available on the eShop for $39.99. Pre-orders are already open.
Nintendo isn’t just dumping the old code onto a new cartridge. Both titles get sharper resolution, a cleaned-up interface that’s easier to read on modern screens, and an Assist Mode for players who want a gentler path through the trickier stars. The company also teased new Storybook chapters expanding Rosalina’s backstory and the origins of the Lumas—extra lore timed neatly with the Super Mario Galaxy movie announced in the same presentation.
The compatibility story is bigger than one device. While these releases are built for the current Switch, they’ll also be ready for Switch 2. Owners of the newer system will get a free update that enables 4K resolution in docked mode, 1080p in handheld, and framerates up to 120fps. Expect a dynamic approach here—Nintendo says “up to” 120fps—which usually means the console can scale to keep performance steady depending on the scene.
Nintendo’s plans extend beyond the games. Galaxy-themed amiibo featuring Mario and Rosalina are scheduled for April 2, 2026, and a physical print of the in-game Storybook is on the way for collectors who love art and lore as much as star collecting.
- Release date: October 2, 2025
- Bundle: Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (physical) at $69.99
- Digital: Each game $39.99 on the eShop
- Enhancements: Higher resolution, improved UI, Assist Mode, new Storybook chapters
- Switch 2 update: Free; 4K docked, 1080p handheld, up to 120fps
- amiibo: Mario and Rosalina, April 2, 2026
- Storybook: Physical edition planned
Why this bundle matters—and what to expect on Switch
The Galaxy games did more than polish the 3D Mario formula—they bent it. Planetoids with shifting gravity, slingshot launch stars, and level ideas that ran wild for a few minutes and then moved on. The original Galaxy (2007) won over players with warm, storybook tone and sweeping music; Galaxy 2 (2010) took that toolkit and pushed it harder, slicing away hub-world downtime in favor of tighter, more inventive stages, and bringing Yoshi along for the ride. Together, they represent the moment 3D Mario turned physics into a playground.
That’s why the sequel’s absence from 3D All-Stars stung. The 2020 collection paired Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy for a short window, then disappeared in March 2021. Galaxy fans had a taste of the first game on Switch, but Galaxy 2 remained stuck on the Wii unless you dug up old hardware. For a lot of people, this new bundle closes a loop.
The gameplay changes being advertised for Switch are focused on access and presentation. Improved resolution and UI are table stakes now, but they matter in a game that uses pointer aiming, small collectibles, and on-screen prompts. The Assist Mode is the biggest new signal. Nintendo hasn’t detailed exact features, but in similar releases it has meant options like adding a helper character, offering extra health, or highlighting paths when a level gets tricky. Galaxy already had a light co-op “second pointer” role on Wii; it’ll be interesting to see if Assist on Switch borrows from that spirit or goes further to reduce friction for younger or newer players.
Controls are the other question many fans have. On Wii, you shook the Remote to spin, and you pointed at the screen to collect Star Bits or hit certain switches. When Nintendo brought Galaxy to Switch in 3D All-Stars, it used Joy-Con gyro for pointer actions on the TV and touch controls in handheld mode. Nintendo hasn’t spelled out the exact setup for these new versions yet, but the company is clearly aware that modernizing inputs is part of making these games work in 2025. Given the broader UI cleanup, expect control prompts and sensitivity to be tuned more cleanly across docked, handheld, and Switch 2 modes.
The Switch 2 update is a bigger deal than it may look on paper. Galaxy’s art direction—sleek planets, deep skies, bright color—scales well, and the promise of 4K docked plus higher framerates should give these worlds fresh pop on modern TVs. “Up to 120fps” doesn’t guarantee a locked 120 at all times, but it does suggest Nintendo is building a path to a smoother feel for tight platforming sections and camera pans that show off the skybox.
Then there’s the new Storybook content. In the original Galaxy, Rosalina’s Storybook was a quiet standout—short, illustrated chapters that deepened her character and gave the Lumas emotional weight. Adding new pages is a small change with outsized impact. It puts narrative texture into a series that often lets mechanics carry the day. Given the newly announced movie, this looks like Nintendo building a shared tone between game and film without reshaping the games themselves.
On the design side, it’s worth remembering how Galaxy 2 separates itself once you get beyond the shared physics. The game trades a big hub for a simple world map that keeps you moving. Each stage doubles down on a single idea, then twists it—cloud platforms you place midair, drilling through planets to pop out on the other side, Yoshi’s flutter jump and power-ups that add precision or speed. The difficulty is a notch higher, and the postgame is packed with challenge. For fans who never had a Wii or who missed it the first time, the sequel could feel brand new.
Pricing is right in the current Nintendo pocket. At $69.99 for the two-game physical set, the bundle lines up with first-party standards in 2025 while offering clear value, assuming you plan to play both. The $39.99 a la carte digital option gives flexibility, which matters for players who already own Galaxy through 3D All-Stars and only want the sequel—or for people who love Galaxy’s tone and music but prefer its original pacing over the tougher sequel.
Performance talk matters more today than it did in 2010. These games were built at 480p on Wii; the leap to high resolution and higher framerates does more than sharpen edges. It can subtly change how readable a level is when you’re running sideways around a rounded planetoid or lining up a long launch star angle. For a series where camera control is half the battle, clarity helps.
As for extras, amiibo usually mean small in-game perks—costumes, collectibles, or helper boosts. Nintendo hasn’t said what the new Mario and Rosalina figures will do in-game, only that they tie into the Galaxy theme. Expect them to sell out on day one given Rosalina’s fan base and the broader Mario anniversary hype. The printed Storybook, meanwhile, looks like a smart play for art book fans. Galaxy’s concept art is famously charming; if this edition includes the new chapters alongside sketches and developer notes, it will land on coffee tables fast.
The timing also sets Nintendo up for a steady run of Mario headlines. The October release puts the games in that early-fall slot, ahead of holiday, while the amiibo and book in April 2026 extend the tail. Add in the movie, and you can see the outline: get the games back in circulation, enrich the lore a bit, and keep the brand visible across hardware generations.
For players who had to sit out the Wii era, the basic pitch is simple: two of the best 3D platformers of the last two decades, modernized for a handheld-console hybrid, at a price that lets you buy just one if that’s your preference. For players who already finished both, the question is whether the sharper look, higher performance on Switch 2, and the new Storybook chapters are enough to warrant another run. That calculus usually comes down to how much you love Mario’s physics playground and whether a cleaner, smoother version helps you appreciate the design all over again.
There’s also a preservation angle. Galaxy and Galaxy 2 were among the Wii’s high points, but preserving motion-forward games on modern platforms is often messy. Nintendo’s willingness to adapt controls and improve UI suggests the team wants these versions to be the definitive and accessible way to play for years to come. Pulling the original Galaxy out of its 3D All-Stars time capsule and pairing it with the sequel on current hardware feels like a long-term fix, not a seasonal bundle.
Count on a few open questions between now and launch. Nintendo will likely outline control options, clarify resolution and framerate targets on the base Switch, and explain how Assist Mode works across both games. If you care about physical, keep an eye on stock; anniversary bundles tend to move fast. And if you’ve been waiting on Galaxy 2 specifically, it’s finally time—no old hardware needed, no limited window hanging over the purchase, just two blue-chip games getting the second life they deserve.
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