Super Mario Galaxy 2 is 15?! You Won’t Believe Why It’s Still Amazing!

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Among all video game franchises, none quite compares to Super Mario, but even within this illustrious lineage of groundbreaking games, Super Mario Galaxy 2 holds a special place. As this space-themed platformer turns 15 years old, it’s time to revisit and honor it in comparison to other major Nintendo releases, as it stands out as a truly exceptional project due to its unique nature.

Introduced in 2007, “Super Mario Galaxy” marked the debut of a 3D “Mario” game for the Nintendo Wii, succeeding “Super Mario Sunshine” on the GameCube. Despite the substantial advancements in visual quality and ambition between installments, it’s surprising to note that “Mario Galaxy” is merely the third 3D platformer in the “Super Mario” series—a fact that underscores the esteemed status of the franchise. As its title implies, “Super Mario Galaxy” transports players to the cosmos, incorporating innovative level designs, movement mechanics, and upgrades, offering a refreshing experience even for veteran “Mario” enthusiasts. However, just three years later, an event occurred that further cemented its uniqueness within the “Mario” collection: “Super Mario Galaxy 2” was released.

To This Day, Super Mario Galaxy 2 Is the Only Direct 3D Mario Sequel

Super Mario Galaxy 2 Further Capitalizes On an Iron-Clad Premise

In comparison to the original, it’s tough to argue against the fact that Super Mario Galaxy 2 boasts several significant advantages. The majority of these benefits stem from an abundance of fresh content and innovative concepts. Compared to its predecessor, Super Mario Galaxy 2 offers more power-ups, more levels, and introduces novel mechanics such as the mountable Yoshi, who also has his own upgrades. It’s not just a repetition of the first game; instead, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is noticeably harder and faster-paced, with a higher concentration of intricately designed, demanding platforming levels compared to the open-ended exploration-focused environments found in the original game.

By following the successful blueprint set by the original Super Mario Galaxy, yet avoiding being overly reliant on it, Super Mario Galaxy 2 becomes an essential game for fans of the first title. It preserves its unique charm, visual style, and gameplay approach, while still offering a fresh and innovative experience. The original Super Mario Galaxy is arguably one of the best implementations of the 3D Mario formula, making it smart to fully explore its concept. However, the release of Super Mario Galaxy 2 does raise an intriguing question about the future direction of the 3D Mario series as a whole.

Should There Be More Direct Sequels Like Super Mario Galaxy 2?

The release of Super Mario Galaxy 2 underscores the popularity of its predecessor, but some gamers maintain that titles such as Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario 64, or Super Mario Sunshine surpass it in quality. Each person seems to have a preference for their favorite 3D Mario game. In other words, one might ponder why only Super Mario Galaxy received a sequel directly, while Nintendo has opted to release a single installment with the rest of the series’ entries.

It’s possible that upcoming 3D Mario games could learn from the structure of Super Mario Galaxy and continue the narrative threads started in previous games. While there’s no official news about a sequel to Super Mario Odyssey, it’s an approach Nintendo might consider again. Just like the original Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Odyssey has room for further development and innovation, so even though fresh concepts are exciting, revisiting established themes can also be highly satisfying – as shown by Super Mario Galaxy 2.

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2025-05-23 20:04