Nintendo is celebrating Super Mario’s 40th anniversary with a move that has fans buzzing: the return of Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, now remastered for both Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2. 
These beloved 3D platformers, originally launched on the Wii, will land on October 2, 2025, as a dual physical bundle or as separate digital purchases.
The updated versions bring a host of improvements. Resolution has been bumped significantly – up to 4K on Switch 2 – alongside an enhanced user interface, more flexible control options (both button-stick and motion-based), and a brand-new music player feature. The most intriguing addition? Extra pages in Rosalina’s iconic storybook, fleshing out her cosmic backstory with new lore that some fans already suspect might connect to the just-announced Super Mario Galaxy Movie, slated for release next spring. For now, Nintendo is keeping those ties a mystery, but the speculation is running wild.
Shigeru Miyamoto himself introduced the news during September’s Nintendo Direct, which was packed with updates not only about Mario but also about other flagship series like Zelda, Pokémon, and Fire Emblem. The Direct also teased the first glimpses of the Galaxy film, raising expectations that this multimedia push could make the Galaxy sub-series central to Mario’s future.
Of course, Nintendo is also embracing its collectible side. Two new amiibo will launch shortly after, on April 2, 2026: a Mario & Luma figure showing the duo soaring through a Warp Star, and a Rosalina statuette reading her storybook while flanked by Lumas. These amiibo unlock special items in-game – Life Mushrooms and 1-Up Mushrooms, respectively. In addition, a hardcover print of Rosalina’s storybook will hit shelves, though without the newly added pages included in the Switch ports.
The announcement has sparked both excitement and criticism. Longtime fans are thrilled to see the Galaxy duology in modern resolution, especially since Galaxy 2 never made it to the earlier Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection. Many players are eager to revisit the gravity-bending mechanics that remain among the most inventive in platforming history. Yet pricing has raised eyebrows: the bundle retails for $70, or $40 per game digitally, compared to 3D All-Stars’ earlier $60 package of three titles. For collectors, this is frustrating – especially for those who already own Galaxy 1 on Switch. Several fans argue Nintendo should have offered an upgrade path or at least a discount, though history suggests that’s unlikely.
Still, the allure of these games remains undeniable. Whether it’s newcomers finally experiencing Galaxy 2 for the first time, or veterans curious about the extra lore tucked inside Rosalina’s book, Nintendo is betting nostalgia and technical upgrades will carry the day. And with the Switch 2 promising sharper visuals and smoother performance, this rerelease could easily become the definitive way to play Mario’s interstellar adventures.
Between the movie, the anniversary celebrations, and an aggressive lineup of re-releases, Nintendo seems intent on making Mario the centerpiece of gaming conversation yet again. Love it or hate the pricing, the Galaxy games are back in orbit – and ready to pull players into their gravity wells once more.
2 comments
ngl $40 for an old wii game is wild, but still kinda tempted cos galaxy 2 in 4k sounds amazing 🤔
best mario games ever now lookin sharper, yeah im in 👌