Super Mario Galaxy Duology Arrives on Switch, Sequel Immediately Tops eShop C...

In a move that has delighted long-waiting fans, Nintendo released remastered versions of both Super Mario Galaxy and its acclaimed sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2, for the Nintendo Switch this week. The beloved 3D platformers, originally launched on the Wii, arrived on the eShop as both a digital bundle and individual downloads on Thursday, October 2, 2025. The release finally brings Super Mario Galaxy 2 to the hybrid console, a title whose absence from the 2020 Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection was a significant point of contention for many players.

The immediate market response underscores the pent-up demand, especially for the sequel. According to early eShop chart data reported by Nintendo Life on October 5, 2025, Super Mario Galaxy 2 has already soared to the top of the digital charts in the U.S., with the bundled package also showing a dominant sales performance.

The arrival of the Galaxy games fulfills years of requests from the Switch community. The first Super Mario Galaxy was included in the limited-run Super Mario 3D All-Stars compilation for Mario's 35th anniversary, which sold over 9 million copies but was controversially delisted after just six months. Its sequel, however, was conspicuously missing, leading to widespread speculation and disappointment.

Theories for its exclusion ranged from potential development challenges related to its more complex motion controls—particularly those involving Yoshi—to a strategic decision by Nintendo to stagger its releases. This week's launch, positioned as part of Mario's 40th-anniversary celebrations, not only rectifies that omission but also establishes a new pricing model for classic remasters, with the games offered individually for $39.99 or as a bundle for $69.99.

Nintendo Life, a prominent community news outlet, is currently polling its readers to gauge purchasing habits, questioning whether fans opted for the physical bundle, digital downloads, or prioritized acquiring the long-awaited sequel.

• A Long-Awaited Arrival

  The release of Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Switch is a significant event for fans who felt its absence from the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection in 2020. That compilation, which included Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and the first Super Mario Galaxy, was a massive commercial success but was criticized for its limited-time availability and for omitting the highly-rated sequel.

  The decision to finally release Galaxy 2, both individually and in a bundle, is seen as a direct response to years of consistent fan demand.

• eShop Chart Dominance

  Initial sales data indicates a resounding success, particularly for the sequel. In the first few days of availability, Super Mario Galaxy 2 secured the number one spot on the U.S. eShop charts for download-only games.

  The Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 bundle also topped the "All Games" chart. This strong performance is likely fueled by players who already own the first game via 3D All-Stars and have been specifically waiting for the sequel to complete their collection.

• Historical Context and Legacy

  Originally released in 2007 and 2010 for the Wii, Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel are considered masterpieces of the 3D platforming genre. They were lauded for their creative level design, orchestral scores, and innovative use of gravity-based mechanics.

  Super Mario Galaxy 2 began development as an iteration of the first game, dubbed "Super Mario Galaxy More," but evolved into a full-fledged sequel packed with new ideas, power-ups, and the introduction of Yoshi as a rideable partner.

• The '3D All-Stars' Controversy

  The 2020 exclusion of Galaxy 2 sparked considerable debate. Some analysts speculated that the complexities of porting its unique controls, which made heavy use of the Wii's IR pointer for mechanics like Yoshi's tongue, presented a significant hurdle for the Switch's hardware, especially in handheld mode.

  Others believed Nintendo was strategically holding the game back for a future release to maintain a steady stream of content. The limited digital and physical release window for 3D All-Stars also drew criticism, creating a sense of artificial scarcity.

• Technical Enhancements and Pricing

  The new Switch versions are more than simple ports, arriving as high-definition remasters. The games feature a resolution boost to 1080p when docked and are reported to support 4K resolutions on the rumored "Switch 2" via a free update.

  The pricing strategy, at $39.99 for individual titles or $69.99 for the bundle, positions these remasters as premium products, similar to the 2023 release of Metroid Prime Remastered.

• Control Scheme Adaptations

  One of the key challenges in bringing the Galaxy games to Switch was adapting the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controls. Like the 3D All-Stars version of the first game, the remasters utilize the Joy-Con's gyro capabilities to emulate the original's pointer functions for collecting Star Bits and other actions.

  While functional, some players found the pointer controls mapped to the touchscreen in handheld mode to be awkward in the previous release, an issue that may persist in these new versions.

• Implications for Nintendo's Remaster Strategy

  This release could signal a new approach for Nintendo regarding its extensive back catalog. Instead of limited-time compilations, the company may be shifting towards individual premium remasters of its most beloved titles.

  The success of the Galaxy duology could pave the way for other highly requested ports from the GameCube and Wii eras, such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD, to finally make their way to the Switch platform.