Review
Played on: Switch
Released: 2020
Originally released: 2007 (Wii)
I missed a lot of Nintendo titles during the Wii and Wii U years and, admittedly, Super Mario Galaxy is on that list. I’ve tried it, briefly, at friends' houses but never sat down on my own to complete it. Speed forward to 2020 and in a time limited release window, no idea why, Nintendo makes a Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection on the Switch.
Originally released: 2007 (Wii)
I missed a lot of Nintendo titles during the Wii and Wii U years and, admittedly, Super Mario Galaxy is on that list. I’ve tried it, briefly, at friends' houses but never sat down on my own to complete it. Speed forward to 2020 and in a time limited release window, no idea why, Nintendo makes a Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection on the Switch.
Titled as a nod to the classic Super Mario All-Stars, back on the SNES, 3D All-Stars features Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and the first Super Mario Galaxy. Releases from the Nintendo 64, GameCube and Wii, respectively.
Waiting for separate digital releases of each one, on the Nintendo e-Store, seemed to be in vain. They've never released them individually. As such, when the physical version reached a reasonable price last year, I jumped in and bought it. Since I’ve played Super Mario 64 multiple times before, and Super Mario Sunshine is a curiosity I wish to jump into at a later stage, I went straight for Super Mario Galaxy.
I won’t go into detail on the lacklustre upgrades that went into SM64 and Sunshine. However, Galaxy receives a healthy resolution boost from 480p to a dynamic 1080p. It runs more stable at 60fps compared to the Wii version too. The result is colourful and sharp looking on modern TVs, with responsive controls, key for platformers. Otherwise, we're talking the exact same content as the Wii release in terms of 3D models, textures, visual effects and so forth.
Instantly, I love that Galaxy is its continuation of the Super Mario 64 controls, which would be continued further into Super Mario Odyssey. While Sunshine is a deviation from this, Galaxy has all the familiar Mario movements, including the most iconic; the long jump and butt stomp. It makes getting into Galaxy's rather crazy level designs, easier for SM64 and Odyssey players alike.
Galaxy is a classic 3D Mario, with a twist. The levels are, in line with the space theme, small planets. They all vary in size and shapes but can be fully explored all around their surfaces. It eases the player in with traditional round planets but continues with crazy and elaborate designs as you progress. Controlling Mario upside down is a little confusing at first, it took me a good 30 minutes to avoid constantly being disoriented.
However, once the gameplay clicks with you, it truly shines. Every level and planet offer some kind of cool feature around this space theme and sport some incredible variation in environmental designs. Both visually and in the way they are constructed for gameplay challenges. Mario can utilise various abilities to explore areas too, being a flying bee or a bouncy metal spring come to mind, allowing Mario to reach areas not accessible otherwise.
Galaxy is set on a somewhat confusingly structured spaceship planet, serving as a hub world. From here you can access various solar systems, each one being contained within small observatory buildings throughout the spaceship. Within each solar system are a set number of levels, holding several stars to collect with various goals to obtain them, within each level. Keeping the Mario tradition of utilising a level over and over for several stars.
Waiting for separate digital releases of each one, on the Nintendo e-Store, seemed to be in vain. They've never released them individually. As such, when the physical version reached a reasonable price last year, I jumped in and bought it. Since I’ve played Super Mario 64 multiple times before, and Super Mario Sunshine is a curiosity I wish to jump into at a later stage, I went straight for Super Mario Galaxy.
I won’t go into detail on the lacklustre upgrades that went into SM64 and Sunshine. However, Galaxy receives a healthy resolution boost from 480p to a dynamic 1080p. It runs more stable at 60fps compared to the Wii version too. The result is colourful and sharp looking on modern TVs, with responsive controls, key for platformers. Otherwise, we're talking the exact same content as the Wii release in terms of 3D models, textures, visual effects and so forth.
Instantly, I love that Galaxy is its continuation of the Super Mario 64 controls, which would be continued further into Super Mario Odyssey. While Sunshine is a deviation from this, Galaxy has all the familiar Mario movements, including the most iconic; the long jump and butt stomp. It makes getting into Galaxy's rather crazy level designs, easier for SM64 and Odyssey players alike.
Galaxy is a classic 3D Mario, with a twist. The levels are, in line with the space theme, small planets. They all vary in size and shapes but can be fully explored all around their surfaces. It eases the player in with traditional round planets but continues with crazy and elaborate designs as you progress. Controlling Mario upside down is a little confusing at first, it took me a good 30 minutes to avoid constantly being disoriented.
However, once the gameplay clicks with you, it truly shines. Every level and planet offer some kind of cool feature around this space theme and sport some incredible variation in environmental designs. Both visually and in the way they are constructed for gameplay challenges. Mario can utilise various abilities to explore areas too, being a flying bee or a bouncy metal spring come to mind, allowing Mario to reach areas not accessible otherwise.
Galaxy is set on a somewhat confusingly structured spaceship planet, serving as a hub world. From here you can access various solar systems, each one being contained within small observatory buildings throughout the spaceship. Within each solar system are a set number of levels, holding several stars to collect with various goals to obtain them, within each level. Keeping the Mario tradition of utilising a level over and over for several stars.
Completing levels and receiving stars further unlocks new solar systems and so forth. There’s also a healthy amount of bonus levels to discover. Even hidden ones, requiring a comet being at certain level to unlock a special star.
In other words, especially for replay value, Galaxy is a big package. I personally went mainly to the set number of stars for completion and reaching the end credits but ended up with a lot of extra stars at the end of my playthrough, simply because there are so many tempting and fun levels to complete. Completing a full set of stars will require time and solid Mario skills.
In other words, especially for replay value, Galaxy is a big package. I personally went mainly to the set number of stars for completion and reaching the end credits but ended up with a lot of extra stars at the end of my playthrough, simply because there are so many tempting and fun levels to complete. Completing a full set of stars will require time and solid Mario skills.
Thankfully, there are only modest waggle and pointer controls in Galaxy, a sign of the times from its Wii heritage. A quick waggle of the controller makes Mario spin attack, however, this move can alternatively be engaged with a button press. The pointer is merely to collect extra mini stars, which in turn serve no other purpose than giving you extra lives.
While the main plot is typical Mario fluff, it’s charmingly presented. Galaxy looks closer to the current Mario design than Super Mario 64 was. The characters are wonderfully animated and have a pleasing CGI aesthetic to them.
Story aside though, the star of show here is the incredible clever level design and gameplay. This is the main reason while Mario games are so ahead of the competition. There's just so many neat ways it utilises Mario's movement in combination with the physics of the planets, influencing the levels into extremely creatives designs. It's incredibly satisfying controlling Mario and precisely guiding him through the increasingly challenging levels. The environment designs are so varied and charming too.
While I knew the Galaxy had received amazing reviews back in the day, I was pleasantly surprised at how downright entertaining it still was. Mario games always seem to deliver this wonderfully charming and fun gameplay feeling and this title is no exception.
Now please Nintendo, release Galaxy 2 for the Switch too!
