After years of community requests, Nintendo has announced the return of two of its most celebrated platform titles: Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel arrive as a bundle for the hybrid console. The company has confirmed that both titles will be available on Nintendo Switch and will feature specific improvements on the new Nintendo Switch 2 through a free patch that will enable the release of 4K resolution.
The release doesn't just group the games as is: in addition to the technical update, gameplay and content extras have been added to round out the experience. These include a Soundtrack Mode with 154 tracks, interface tweaks and expanded control options, as well as new pages for the famous Estela story.
Release date, platforms and formats
The Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 collection hits stores on October 2 and will be playable natively on Nintendo Switch, while Nintendo Switch 2 will offer improvements after installing a free update. It will be sold in two versions: physical format with both games and digital purchase of each delivery separately.
In terms of performance, on Nintendo Switch the title aims to 1080p in TV modeWhereas in Switch 2 Output will be enabled up to 4K thanks to a patch planned by Nintendo. The idea is to bring back Wii classics with a cleaner, more stable presentation, without altering their gameplay essence.
As for prices, Nintendo will market the digital versions for €39,99 each, and the physical bundle will have a recommended retail price of € 69,99, an option designed for those who prefer to have both titles on the same cartridge.
For those who already played the first part in Super Mario 3D All Stars, this new edition serves as a quality update and, above all, as the official way to finally enjoy Super Mario Galaxy 2 in HD in the Switch ecosystem.
Technical improvements compared to the originals
Beyond the resolution, Nintendo has polished certain visual elements regarding the Wii versionsIn the preliminary comparisons it can be seen more defined textures (especially on floors and surfaces), minor tweaks to the interface, and an overall cleaner presentation.
There is also flexibility in handling: you can play with traditional buttons and levers or choose to motion controls, replicating the spirit of the originals but trying to adapt them to the Joy-Con and the Pro controller.
Switch 2 compatibility adds the aforementioned 4K output via a free patch, designed for those who want to enjoy Mario's planets and galaxies with more detail on latest generation televisions.
In short, it is not a remake from scratch, but a remastering that cleans up the image, standardizes the interface and updates options to play comfortably both on laptop and desktop, with a focus respectful of the original design.
New gameplay features and extras
The game library incorporates new features for Estela: in the first Galaxy, unpublished pages that expand the story, and in Super Mario Galaxy 2 a book of its own is finally released with four illustrated chaptersA nod to those who enjoyed this narrative section on Wii.
Another addition is the Soundtrack Mode, which allows you to listen to music from both games at your leisure. There are 154 tracks in total, a wide selection that includes iconic orchestral pieces and more intimate accompaniments, accessible from a integrated player.
In terms of gameplay, it is confirmed local multiplayer with shared Joy-ConA second player can help collect items, paralyze enemies, and assist in certain situations. This is an assisted mode that modernizes the experience without turning it into a traditional co-op experience.
In addition, a Assisted Mode For those looking for a more relaxed adventure: Mario's health increases from 3 to 6 and, if he falls off the stage, the game returns him to his previous position. This option can activate or deactivate at any time.
Rounding out the package are tweaks to menus, accessibility, and navigation designed to make the jump from Wii to Switch more natural, especially with regard to pointing and turning that previously depended on the Wiimote.
Amiibo and related products
Along with the launch, the collection will be compatible with amiibo figures to activate small perks and items in both games. Nintendo has also confirmed two new figures inspired by the series: Mario in full flight y Estela reading.
These new figures will arrive on April 2th 2026, coinciding with the franchise's celebration schedule. On the other hand, the well-known Estela's book will have an official physical edition that will be marketed as an independent product.
The 2026 window fits with the brand's transmedia pull, as Nintendo has linked some of these releases with the new animated film set in the Galaxy universe, whose title and premieres are scheduled for April.
Context of the announcement
The announcement came in a Nintendo Direct centered on the 40th anniversary of Super Mario. The presentation highlighted that players will be able to travel the cosmos in Galaxy and, in its sequel, ride the Mario's spaceship with the help of Yoshi, recovering one of the most remembered movements of the series.
During the broadcast, Shigeru Miyamoto left a phrase that many interpreted as a nod to the new stage that is opening for the character: "Goodbye to those we've met on this trip. And hello to those we'll meet on the next trip."
For those who were left halfway through Super Mario 3D All-Stars, this is the opportunity to have the complete diptych in the same family of consoles. Based on what has been shown and the comparative tests, the texture improvements and the higher resolution They fit with a remastering that seeks to give continuity to the original work without modifying its structure.
With this reissue, Nintendo brings back two key adventures from the Wii era in a modern format, with a combination of technical improvements, quality of life additions and winks for collectors that, without exaggeration, point to the most comfortable and complete version to revisit the Galaxy saga in the Switch family.
