TheSuper Mariofranchise has produced many of the best games to appear on Nintendo consoles, so many fans were excited withNintendo’srecent announcement ofSuper Mario 3D All-Starsfor theSwitch, which will collect and re-master some of the most fundamental 3DSuper Mariotitles from the past few generations.
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Some fans are ecstatic to be able to play titles likeSuper Mario SunshineandSuper Mario Galaxyfor the first time, but others are just as surprised that the Wii’sSuper Mario Galaxy 2isn’t also included in the anniversary collection. Some may view the Wii sequel as redundant, but just as many consider the game to be an important improvement over its predecessor.
10Galaxy 2 Should Be In: It Has The Better Level Design
Super Mario Galaxyis a formative entry in theSuper Mariofranchise that reinvigorates the series’ formula in ways that are not only innovative but actually make clever use of the Wii’s control scheme.Super Mario Galaxyis very enjoyable, butSuper Mario Galaxy 2is able to refine the gameplay and controls and produce a better game as a result.
Super Mario Galaxy 2features more legitimateplatformingas well as galaxies that are unique, rather than areas that are just reused levels in a slightly different context, which is frequently the case with the originalGalaxy.
9Galaxy 1 Is Enough: It Has A Better Story
TheSuper Mariofranchise isn’t traditionally known for having deep storylines. In fact, part of the reason these games are so successful is that the repeatable formula allows more focus to be placed on the platforming.
Related:10 Hardest Bosses In Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Mario Galaxydoesn’t slack in this department, but it also tries to connect the creative gameplay with an epic story that throws the Mushroom Kingdom into ruin, showsBowserat his most fierce, and introduces Princess Rosalina. In contrast,Super Mario Galaxy 2’sstory is pretty non-existent and it just riffs on the ideas from the previous game rather than doing something original.
8Galaxy 2 Should Be In: The Graphics Look Better
When it comes to visual aesthetics, bothSuper Mario Galaxyand its sequel are easily two of the best looking games on theWii. A lot of Wii titles don’t properly push the hardware’s capabilities, but games likeSuper Mario Galaxyare proof that the Nintendo console could turn out graphics comparable to its competition when the right attention is applied.
Both of these games are gorgeous, butSuper Mario Galaxy 2is the slightly more polished of the two, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since it was allowed to make use of the previous game’s development time.
7Galaxy 1 Is Enough: It Has The Superior Soundtrack
TheSuper Mariofranchise is full of memorable and catchy songs. Koji Kondo is a constant source of inspiration and his work in theSuper Mario Galaxytitles is of exceptionally high quality. Both games feature amazing soundtracks, but the originalGalaxy’smusic is slightly better and makes a greater impression.
Mahito Yokota helps Kondo with the music inGalaxy,butGalaxy 2also brings in Ryo Nagamatsu. It’s possible that these extra voices are a factor that contributes to howthe sequel’ssoundtrack is a little more muddled.
6Galaxy 2 Should Be In: It Brings In Yoshi
If there’s any major addition inSuper Mario Galaxy 2that justifies the sequel and pushes it into new territory it’s that the game brings in Mario’s trusty companion,Yoshi, to further complicate the intense platforming.
The implementation of Yoshi into gameplay can sometimes feel awkward, butGalaxy 2really makes it feel like a natural extension of the game’s mechanics. It’s always nice to have more of Mario’s supporting cast of characters involved and the sequel’s use of Yoshi makesGalaxy 2just feel like the more complete title.
5Galaxy 1 Is Enough: It Has Better Power-Ups
Mario is a character that often proves to be resilient even when he doesn’t have any powerful upgrades at his disposal, but there’s been a focus on unique power-ups ever since the earliestSuper Mariotitles.
Related:10 Things Super Mario Galaxy 2 Improved Over Its Predecessor
Super Mario Galaxyintroduces some wonderful new ideas like Bee Mario and Boo Mario and whileSuper Mario Galaxy 2continues that trend, it also drops several transformations, including some of the best ones like Ice Mario and Flying Mario. The new additions aren’t enough to justify the loss of these upgrades and it ultimately gives the originalGalaxya better list of transformations.
4Galaxy 2 Should Be In: Its Green Star Mode And Use Of Luigi
Super Mario Galaxyand its sequel both featureLuigi, and not just as a perfunctory cameo, but rather a full character that players can control. In the originalSuper Mario Galaxy,Luigi is handled as a reward for collecting 120 stars where players can then play through the entire game as the green plumber.
Super Mario Galaxy 2gets more creative and doesn’t just turn Luigi into a fancy “New Game+” style of mode. Similarly, the green stars inSuper Mario Galaxy 2feel more challenging and creative, whereas the original game treats them like hard, yet lazy, obstacles.
3Galaxy 1 Is Enough: Its Less Linear And Has A Better Hub
Something that theSuper Mariofranchise has gone back and forth on is the implementation of a large world hub that can be explored or if a generic map with easily delineated levels is the more efficient approach.
Super Mario Galaxytakes its cues fromSuper Mario 64andSuper Mario Sunshinewith how it develops a creative hub that allows for a less linear gameplay experience. There are fewer requirements to unlock new areas and it’s easier to just explore and have fun, whereasSuper Mario Galaxy 2attempts to streamline the process, but not for the better.
2Galaxy 2 Should Be In: It’s More Challenging
Super Mario Galaxy 2is guilty of feeling like an extensive add-on to its predecessor, but that’s not something that’s always necessarily a deterrent.Super Mario Galaxy 2is able to assess the difficulty level of the original game and carefully refine the challenge in this sequel to create an experience that’s more pleasurable for savvier gamers.
Super Mario Galaxy 2doesn’t just pack in more content, but the stars are more of achallenge, without feeling unfair. The game also smoothes out the comet system and the corresponding requirements, which make these challenges fun more than tedious.
1Galaxy 1 Is Enough: Its Concept Is More Groundbreaking And Original
Super Mario Galaxyand its sequel are high marks for both the Wii console and theSuper Mariofranchise. However, there’s nothing like the experience of playing the originalGalaxyfor the first time. It launches theSuper Marioformula forward and is a true evolution of the platforming genre.
Galaxy 2feels like an expansion to the original in many ways and is deeply derivative of its predecessor. It had also been a very long time for a conventionalSuper Mariosequel to happen and audiences were used to each new game being drastically different from the last.
Next:5 Mario Games That Need A Remake (& 5 That Don’t)
