Super Mario Galaxy Meets Its Reputation
In my youth, I didn't have Nintendo's Wii system. Sure, I experienced Wii Sports and other premier games while staying with family and friends during the 2000s decade, however I missed my personal Wii system, which resulted in skipping numerous outstanding titles within classic Nintendo game lines.
One of those games included Super Mario Galaxy, including its successor, got modernized recently and ported to Nintendo's hybrid system. The initial release also appeared in 2020’s limited-edition collection Super Mario 3D All-Stars. I welcomed the opportunity to experience viewed by fans as one of the best Mario games ever made. The game rapidly captivated me, and can definitely say it fulfills nearly two decades of hype. Nevertheless, it helped me understand how pleased I feel motion-sensing features have largely remained from previous eras.
Initiating Galactic Exploration
Following traditional Mario adventure, Super Mario Galaxy begins with Bowser capturing Mario's royal friend including her home. His fleet of cosmic vessels transport her among the stars, throwing Mario into the galaxy in the process. Mario meets charming cosmic creatures known as Lumas plus Rosalina atop her Comet Observatory. She charges Mario with collecting power stars to energize the cosmic base enabling pursuit of the villain, opening exploration opportunities to begin adventuring.
Galaxy's navigation system offers pleasure, needing just experiencing several stages to recognize how it receives such praise. It seems recognizable for those who tried three-dimensional Mario games, and the controls remain accessible and natural as Nintendo typically delivers.
Gravity-Defying Gameplay
Being cosmic enthusiast, the environment perfectly matches my interests, and it allows for Super Mario Galaxy to have fun with planetary forces. Round structures let Mario to circle repeatedly about them similar to Goku chasing after Bubbles on King Kai’s planet. With nearby platforms, he can jump between them getting captured by the gravity from adjacent structures. Different stages feature flat circular shapes, frequently containing rewards underneath, easily overlooked spots.
Rediscovering Classic Characters
The enjoyment from engaging with Galaxy after nearly two decades includes knowing some of its characters. I didn't realize Rosalina first appeared within this title, and that she became the maternal figure of the Lumas. Prior to this experience, I only knew her as a frequent choice Mario Kart World roster option. Same with the Penguins, next to whom I liked swimming through introductory ocean area.
Gyroscopic Limitations
The only real drag in playing Super Mario Galaxy in 2025 are the motion controls, utilized during acquiring, directing, and launching stellar fragments, vibrant items found across galaxies. Playing on handheld mode involved moving and adjusting the Switch around to aim, proving slightly cumbersome. Movement features feature heavily within various navigation areas, where you have to aim the stellar pointer at platforms to drag Mario toward them.
Missions entirely needing the motion controls perform optimally using separate controllers improving control, like the manta ray surfing level in the beginning. I haven't typically been enthusiastic about movement inputs, and they remain especially well throughout Galaxy. Luckily, if you get enough stars through different stages, these movement-based stages may be completely avoided. I tried the level featuring Mario maneuvering a giant ball across a path dotted with holes, then immediately quit following single try.
Classic Nintendo Magic
Except for the clunky Wii-era input methods, there's virtually nothing to dislike throughout Galaxy, and its space-set levels offer pleasure to explore. Although notable titles including later releases appeared subsequently, Super Mario Galaxy remains one of the best and creative Mario adventures existing.
