Super Mario Galaxy Review. Nintendo’s Cosmic Masterpiece is…

If you read my last review, then you know I consider Mario Sunshine the dirty stepchild of the 3D Mario games. So I figured I’d follow it up with my personal favorite — and quite arguably, the best Mario game in the entire franchise, maybe even the best Nintendo has ever put out — the legendary Super Mario Galaxy.

I remember when this game first came out, and it was an unbelievable, magical experience. I loved it, my dad loved it, my little sister loved it, even my high school friend who never touched a video game loved it. Super Mario Galaxy sits comfortably at the top of the list of “Games You Need to Play Before You Die.”

It was even the highest-rated video game in history at one point — a title it held onto for quite some time. And honestly, it’s a title I believe it still deserves. In my opinion, Super Mario Galaxy is one of Nintendo’s greatest achievements, and I’ll explain why.

Gameplay & Mechanics

First, let’s get the obvious, biggest selling point out of the way — this is a true, proper, and authentic 3D Mario game. The real sequel to the legendary Mario 64. Sunshine tried to be creative with FLUDD, and Luigi’s Mansion is an amazing game in its own right, but there’s something special about that classic 3D Mario formula from the N64 era that players love and idolize.

Galaxy brings back Mario’s core movements and sets up a hub world similar to Peach’s Castle from 64, while still feeling completely unique and memorable on its own. Mario moves exactly how he should — smooth, fluid, and responsive. His long jump makes a triumphant return after being missing in Sunshine, and it feels incredible. The controls are intuitive, I’m not fighting with awkward angles or clunky camera movements, and I can judge jumps perfectly. Everything feels solid — an impressive feat considering the controls revolve around the divisive Wii hardware and the Wii Remote.

Speaking of the Wii Remote, it worked surprisingly well for the time. In my opinion, this is the game to show off what the Wii could do and prove that it could be taken seriously. It felt natural and comfortable — honestly, the classic Wii version is still the definitive way to play Galaxy. That said, I’m replaying it now through the 3D All-Stars version on my Switch 2, and Nintendo did an amazing job translating the controls. The Switch controllers work great on TV, and while handheld mode can get a bit annoying with all the screen tapping (especially on the larger Switch 2), it still feels smooth and plays wonderfully.

Mario’s spin attack, gained from the Luma, functions exactly as it should. Blasting through star rings and soaring between planets never gets old — it’s endlessly fun and satisfying every single time.

This game also features surprisingly diverse gameplay for a Mario title. The worlds and missions never feel repetitive or overdone. There’s a ton of variety to keep things fresh — from classic Mario platforming, dodging Bullet Bills, collecting Star Bits, swimming, racing, and even motion-controlled ball balancing (which works really well, by the way). Nintendo clearly learned from 64 and Sunshine, which could sometimes feel repetitive in structure.

The boss battles are fun, exciting, and full of personality. You’re not fighting the same goopy Piranha Plant or Blooper over and over again — each fight feels distinct and memorable.

What I enjoyed most were the comet challenges. These missions make you replay levels with unique twists — timed runs, faster enemies, or one-hit-only challenges — that keep you on your toes and add just the right amount of difficulty. It’s brilliant design.

Now, it wouldn’t be a 3D Mario game without at least a few camera hiccups, and Galaxy isn’t completely immune. Occasionally, the camera can be a bit uncooperative, especially when navigating around oddly shaped planets. But it’s never frustrating — more of a mild nuisance than a real problem. The rest of the game is so strong that this minor flaw is easy to overlook. Honestly, there hasn’t been a 3D Mario game to date that doesn’t have at least some camera angle issues.

Simply put, this is the most fun Mario has ever been.

Presentation & Atmosphere

Super Mario Galaxy did plenty of things the Mario franchise desperately needed — and it delivered them in spectacular fashion.

Let’s start with the soundtrack. For the first time in the series, Mario Galaxy features a fully orchestrated score, and it sounds absolutely phenomenal — easily one of Nintendo’s most memorable musical achievements. The very first level alone, with its sweeping strings and triumphant horns, nearly brings me to tears from sheer nostalgia. It feels magical — something straight out of a classic Disney film.

It’s not easy to top Mario’s already iconic soundtracks, but Galaxy somehow managed to do it. Every melody feels epic yet emotional, grand yet deeply personal. From the haunting serenity of space to the energetic rhythm of boss fights, the music elevates every moment. To this day, I still believe Mario Galaxy holds the title of Nintendo’s greatest soundtrack, period.

Visually, the game is just as breathtaking. Sure, the Wii wasn’t a powerhouse by any means, but Galaxy made it shine in ways that still impress today. The character models look clean and expressive, and the environments — oh man, the environments — are pure magic. Every galaxy feels alive, bursting with color, charm, and personality. The stars twinkle, the skies swirl in vibrant hues, and the orchestral score amplifies it all. Even today, this game still looks and feels beautiful, a timeless testament to Nintendo’s art direction.

The decision to ditch a single open-world hub and instead focus on small, self-contained planets was bold — but it paid off tenfold. Each planet can be fully explored in seconds, yet every one feels distinct, offering unique gravity effects, puzzles, and platforming challenges. The sense of momentum and discovery is constant. You’re always moving, always exploring, never stuck wandering aimlessly trying to figure out what to do next. It’s a masterclass in pacing and design.

And then there’s the charm — that unmistakable Nintendo magic that Galaxy absolutely nails. The game overflows with personality: from the cheerful Toad Brigade to the adorable Lumas and even Bowser’s dramatic flair. The storybook cutscenes with Rosalina add a surprising emotional depth, and her character has since become a beloved part of the Mario universe, appearing in countless spin-offs and even as a Smash Bros. fighter.

Luigi also gets his time to shine here, with his own whimsical missions that perfectly balance his cowardly-yet-helpful personality. It’s small touches like this that make Galaxy feel alive — every character, every world, every note of music feels crafted with love.

Simply put, Super Mario Galaxy isn’t just a technical or artistic achievement — it’s an emotional one. Every detail, from the visuals to the score, works in perfect harmony to create one of the most enchanting experiences in gaming history.

Story & Tone

Not much to say here — Peach gets kidnapped, Mario has to save her. What else is new, right?

Well… surprisingly, there is something more this time.

While the core premise is as classic as ever — Bowser snatches Peach and Mario blasts off to rescue her — Super Mario Galaxy layers in a subtle emotional depth through Rosalina and the Lumas. It’s the first time a Mario game really feels like it has a soul beneath the platforming.

Rosalina’s storybook sequences are beautifully written and surprisingly touching. Told through simple illustrations and gentle narration, her story reveals a bittersweet past of love, loss, and motherhood. It’s quiet, poetic, and honestly something I never expected in a Mario game. It adds warmth and a surprising sense of melancholy to the otherwise cheerful adventure — a perfect balance of heart and whimsy.

The tone of Galaxy perfectly captures what a Mario game should be: fun, magical, and full of wonder. Every new galaxy feels like stepping into a dream, and yet there’s a subtle emotional current running beneath it all — a sense of awe and nostalgia that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

It’s the rare Mario title that can make you grin one moment and genuinely feel something the next. It’s playful and heartfelt in equal measure, proving that even a simple story can leave a lasting impact when told with love and imagination.

Final Verdict

If I could give this game a 1000 out of ten, I would — but since that doesn’t make any logical sense, Super Mario Galaxy easily earns a perfect 10/10.

From its smooth and responsive controls to its breathtaking visuals and orchestral soundtrack, Galaxy represents Nintendo firing on all cylinders. It’s the true successor to Mario 64 that fans had been waiting for — one that refined everything that came before it and launched the series to literal new heights. The level design is endlessly creative, constantly introducing new ideas and mechanics without ever feeling repetitive or stale. The Wii controls, surprisingly, enhance the experience rather than hinder it, and the Switch version holds up beautifully for new players.

Beyond gameplay, Galaxy stands out for its presentation and heart. The orchestral score is nothing short of legendary, transforming each world into a cinematic experience, while the colorful environments and clever planet design make it one of the most visually stunning games ever made for the Wii. The charm and warmth of its characters — from the adorable Lumas to the introduction of the ever-graceful Rosalina — give it an emotional touch rarely seen in Mario titles.

Super Mario Galaxy captures everything we love about gaming: creativity, joy, and pure imagination.

This is the quintessential video game experience. A magical adventure that will make anyone smile and laugh. Watching Mario soar through the galaxy is a beautiful feeling everyone needs to experience, and if there is one game you had to play before you die, then this is it. Despite the divisive price tag of the new Galaxy bundle, the first Super Mario Galaxy is a timeless classic — a magical video game fairy tale you never grow out of.