A new trailer for the Super Mario Galaxy re-releases has dropped on the anniversary of the Super Mario 3D All-Stars launch.
While we’re still baffled that Nintendo doesn’t have a new 3D Mario game for the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., it did have a handful of other related announcements during the last Nintendo Direct.
Arguably the biggest reveal was confirmation that the next Mario movie will be titled Super Mario Galaxy, with Nintendo wisely planning to re-release both the original game and its sequel later this year for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo was typically slim on details during the showcase itself, but a new trailer, meant to introduce the two games to new players, has provided a little more insight into what new additions will be in store for returning fans.
Unsurprisingly, Nintendo is implementing features that serve to make both games slightly easier, for anyone who may find themselves struggling with the platforming.
First is a dedicated assist mode, which increases Mario’s maximum amount of hit points to six instead of three (something you usually need a special mushroom item for) and prevents you from falling off the level – so no more instant deaths to black holes.
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Super Mario Galaxy 2 already had its own assist mode, where dying too many times unlocked an option for a cosmic spirit to complete the level for you, with the caveat that you only get a bronze star at the end rather than the usual gold one.
This new one feels like a better alternative and almost makes us wonder if the Galaxy 2 re-release will omit the cosmic spirit entirely, since assist mode can be turned on or off at any time. But there’s nothing in the trailer to indicate this is the case.
If you buy either of the two new Super Mario Galaxy related amiibo, you can also tap them on your controller to get a free item. The Mario one provides a mushroom that increases Mario’s health, while the Rosalina one provides a mushroom that gives you an extra life. So, the lives system is being kept despite Nintendo cutting it from Super Mario Odyssey.
In case you missed it, both amiibo figures are available for pre-order on Nintendo’s store, but they’re pretty pricey at £24.99 each (they’re bigger than the normal ones) and won’t even launch until April 2026 – many months after the Galaxy games.
How to play all the 3D Mario games on Nintendo Switch 2
With Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 launching on October 2, it’ll become much easier to access every 3D Mario game that Nintendo’s made, at least on Switch 2.
While Nintendo did release the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection for Switch this time in 2020, it not only omitted Galaxy 2 but saw a limited launch and was pulled from storefronts the following March.
Nintendo defended this as a ‘unique way’ of celebration the Super Mario franchise’s 35th anniversary, but it was clearly motivated by the more cynical realisation that making the collection scarce would push more people into grabbing a copy before it vanished forever.
Some fans are concerned that the Galaxy re-release compilation is priced at nearly £60 (the two games will also be available as separate purchases, at £33.99 each, if you only want one), but at least you’ll no longer need to fork upwards of £70 for a second-hand copy of 3D All-Stars on eBay.
The only other way to play Super Mario 64 is via a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, which is £34.99 for 12 months, since you need the Expansion Pack to access Nintendo 64 games.
Super Mario Sunshine will be re-released as part of the Switch’s GameCube library at some point, but not only is that also exclusive to the Expansion Pack tier, it’s only available on Switch 2.
Meanwhile, Super Mario Odyssey is still readily available on Switch and it also has a free update on Switch 2 that improves the visuals.
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