Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 has an 87 Metascore on Metacritic’s Nintendo Switch critic-review page, based on 83 reviews displayed as of October 8, 2026. That is a strong aggregate, but it does not establish that the collection ranks among 2026’s highest-rated releases—or that it scores below the Wii originals in a like-for-like comparison.
What the Switch collection includes
Released on October 2, 2025, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 brings both Wii platformers to Nintendo Switch. GamesRadar reported that the physical Switch game can receive an upgrade for enhanced visuals on Switch 2; it also reported that there is no separate physical Switch 2 copy. Check current regional listings for availability and price, since launch-period preorder details are historical, not current offers. GamesRadar’s launch report
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Super Mario Galaxy™ + Super Mario Galaxy™ 2 | $64.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (European version ) | $55.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe - US Version | $52.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Mario Party Superstars - US Version | $52.79 | Buy on Amazon |
Launch coverage describes improved visuals and new storybook pages, alongside other small additions. The available coverage does not provide a complete official feature list, so those details should not be treated as an exhaustive account of what changed. Nintendo Life’s review roundup
How strong is its critical reception?
Metacritic displayed an 87 Metascore from 83 critic reviews for the Nintendo Switch collection on October 8, 2026. The displayed distribution was 77 positive reviews (96%), three mixed (4%) and none negative (0%). These figures describe the critics included in that aggregate at that time; they are not a player poll or a ranking of every game released during the year. Metacritic critic-review page
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#1 Best Overall
- Journey through space in two Super Mario adventures, now improved for the Nintendo Switch system!
- Travel the stars with enhanced resolution, improved UI, and additional content
- Learn more about the Lumas from additional Storybook chapters, groove to a bit of additional music
- Get additional Health and fall recovery in Assist Mode
- Join Rosalina and the Lumas to restore the Comet Observatory and rescue Princess Peach in Super Mario Galaxy.
That score supports calling the collection strongly reviewed. It does not confirm the title’s placement among the highest-rated games of calendar year 2026: the available evidence does not establish a dated, all-games ranking. Nor does it establish that the collection falls short of the Wii originals numerically. That comparison would require original scores from the same aggregator and relevant platform records.
Why critics still praise the games
The reviews emphasize that the two games’ creativity and quality have endured. VGC’s review, published September 30, 2025 and excerpted on Metacritic, said: “Super Mario Galaxy and Galaxy 2 were considered among the best games ever made when they were released, and a decade and a half later that still hasn’t changed.” This is a critic’s assessment of the games, not a claim that the Switch collection is objectively equivalent to every original release experience. Metacritic’s page with the VGC excerpt
Rank #2
- Explore the galaxy in two classic games Travel the stars with Mario in enhanced versions of these beloved adventures—coming soon to the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2!
- Super Mario Galaxy Mario meets Rosalina in this star-studded adventure. In Super Mario Galaxy, Mario must rescue Princess Peach and recover the stolen Power Stars from Bowser.
- Super MarioGalaxy 2 Mario teams up with an old friend and travels to different worlds on Starship Mario! In Super Mario Galaxy 2, Mario is once again called upon to rescue his friend, Princess Peach. This time, he teams up with Yoshi and travels across the universe in Starship Mario, a flying vessel shaped like Mario’s head!
- A free update will be available for the Nintendo Switch 2! Enjoy the game at 4K resolution in TV mode or 1080p in Handheld and Tabletop mode.* *4K resolution and 120 fps are available in supported games and require a compatible display. Frame rates capped at 60 fps for 4K output.
Nintendo Life’s roundup likewise points to better visuals and additional storybook pages as welcome refinements. Taken together, the coverage presents the collection as a refreshed way to revisit two acclaimed games, rather than a large-scale reworking.
What feels different from playing on Wii?
The controls are one meaningful point of comparison. VGC noted that using Joy-Con gyro in place of the Wii Remote pointer “never feels quite as intuitive as the original experience.” The review excerpt supports a specific caveat about gyro aiming; it does not mean every control or every moment plays poorly. Players who valued the Wii pointer’s feel may notice the change more than those approaching the games for the first time.
Rank #3
- A variety of playable characters are available, some with unique attributes that affect gameplay and platforming physics.
- Younger and less-experienced players will love playing as Toadette, who is brand new to both games, and Nabbit, who was formerly only playable in New Super Luigi U. Both characters offer extra assistance during play.
- Multiplayer sessions are even more fun, frantic, and exciting thanks to entertaining character interactions. Need a boost? Try jumping off a teammate’s head or getting a teammate to throw you.
- Features a wealth of help features, like a Hints gallery, reference videos, and a Super Guide in New Super Mario Bros. U that can complete levels for you if they’re giving you trouble.
- Three additional modes—Boost Rush, Challenges, and Coin Battle—mix up gameplay and add replayability, while also upping the difficulty for players who want to try something harder. Players can use their Mii characters in these modes.
Who should consider this edition?
- Players who have not played either game: The package includes both, and critics continue to praise their creativity. The aggregate score offers one useful critical signal, not a guarantee of personal enjoyment.
- Returning players: Improved visuals and new storybook pages are documented additions, but coverage characterizes the extras as modest. Whether those changes justify revisiting the games depends on how much value you place on the refreshed presentation and additions.
- Players choosing between Wii and Switch controls: The cited review specifically finds Joy-Con gyro less intuitive than the Wii Remote pointer. Consider that trade-off if pointer aiming is central to your enjoyment.
- Switch 2 owners considering the physical copy: GamesRadar reports that the physical Switch edition can receive a visual upgrade on Switch 2, rather than being sold as a separate physical Switch 2 release. Verify the current listing and upgrade details for your region before buying.
What the score does—and does not—settle
The 87 Metascore and its positive review distribution show that the Switch collection received broadly favorable critic reviews as displayed on October 8, 2026. They do not prove a current-year ranking, settle how it compares numerically with the original Wii releases, or erase the practical differences in controls and the scale of new content. Those distinctions matter most when deciding whether this is a first-time purchase or a return to games you already own.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Bring the party on 5 classic boards from the Nintendo 64 Mario Party games
- Show your friends and family who’s boss in 100 minigames from throughout the Mario Party series
- All game modes can be played online
- Matches with friends in board game mode are saved after each turn both locally and online—pick up where you left off
- Play using a single Joy-Con controller, two Joy-Con with the Joy-Con grip accessory, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, or Nintendo Switch Lite system
Rank #4
- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
