Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 land on Switch October 2: upgrades, Storybook, amiibo, and the road to the Galaxy movie

15 September 2025
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
9 min.
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Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 land on Switch October 2: upgrades, Storybook, amiibo, and the road to the Galaxy movie

Summary:

Nintendo is bringing Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 to Nintendo Switch in a single package on October 2, 2025, with each game also available separately as digital purchases. We’re getting tangible upgrades that matter: higher resolution (with a free 4K update on Nintendo Switch 2), a refreshed interface, flexible control options, a new Assist Mode for easier play, and extra chapters in Rosalina’s beloved Storybook. Music lovers can browse and replay favorite tracks via a dedicated soundtrack mode. Beyond the games, the galaxy keeps expanding: a physical hardcover of Rosalina’s Storybook goes on sale at the My Nintendo Store on November 25, 2025, and two new amiibo—Mario & Luma and Rosalina & Lumas—arrive April 2, 2026, perfectly timed ahead of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s April 3, 2026 theatrical premiere. Below, we break down what’s new, how to buy, what the amiibo do, and why this bundle is the cleanest way to experience two of Mario’s most acclaimed 3D adventures before the big-screen journey blasts off.

Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 coming – Bundle and more

Circle October 2, 2025 on the calendar: that’s when Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 reach Nintendo Switch as a single physical bundle, with the option to purchase each title individually through Nintendo eShop. This timing gives everyone an easy on-ramp back into the gravity-warping platforming that defined an era on Wii, now refitted for modern hardware and displays. If you’ve been waiting for a legitimate way to play Galaxy 2 on a current system, this is it. Importantly, Nintendo has also aligned this drop with a wider year of Mario celebrations, stacking announcements so fans can plan purchases without guesswork. Whether you prefer cartridges or digital ownership, the lineup accommodates both habits without forcing a one-size-fits-all release.

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What’s new across both adventures

Upgrades can be vague, but in this case, Nintendo spells them out: sharper resolution, a refreshed interface, a dedicated music player, added Storybook chapters, and a brand-new Assist Mode. All of these touch the way we actually play. Resolution boosts clean up the already striking art direction so starfields pop and planets feel more tactile. UI improvements reduce friction: menus are clearer, feedback is snappier, and getting where you need to go takes fewer taps. A soundtrack mode lets you revisit orchestral highlights without booting a save file. Meanwhile, the Storybook chapters deepen Rosalina’s backstory, giving veterans a fresh reason to linger between galaxies. It’s a practical set of changes that respects what made the originals magical while smoothing rough edges for modern expectations.

Enhanced resolution and the free Switch 2 upgrade

On Nintendo Switch, both games target enhanced resolution, and for those stepping up to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo is providing a free update that enables 4K output on compatible displays. That means your living room starscape gets the crispness the art direction always deserved—sparkling starbits, glossy Launch Stars, and planetary textures that look closer to how you remember them in your head. The best part is the lack of gating: there’s no special edition to buy, no separate SKU. If you pick up the games on Switch now, that higher-resolution boost awaits on Switch 2 without an extra fee. For players upgrading hardware across their household, this kind of forward-friendly treatment protects your library and your wallet at the same time.

Improved UI and control options

The interface refresh is more than a paint job. Iconography is clearer, options are easier to parse, and traversing menus feels designed with handheld and docked modes in mind. Control flexibility is also a big deal: you can play with button-and-stick inputs or use motion where it feels natural, mirroring the spirit of the original Wii design while embracing today’s expectations. That hybrid approach is especially welcome on Switch Lite and in handheld sessions, where comfort matters over long play. If you love the tactile flick of collecting Star Bits with motion, it’s still here; if you’d rather rely on precise stick control, Nintendo makes room for that preference, too. It’s all about choosing what feels right for your hands and your setup.

Assist Mode and quality-of-life tweaks

Assist Mode lowers the barrier to entry without diluting the series’ playful challenge. Extra health helps newer or younger players hang in there during tougher boss phases, and fall recovery takes the sting out of missed jumps while you’re learning how gravity slingshots behave. Think of it as a friendly safety net that turns frustration into experimentation. It’s also a great way for families to share the adventure; veterans can speedrun their favorite galaxies while newcomers safely acclimate to spherical platforming. Quality-of-life touches like this extend the games’ reach beyond nostalgia, inviting a wider audience to experience why both Galaxy entries sit near the top of 3D platforming’s hall of fame.

Rosalina’s Storybook: new in-game chapters

Rosalina’s Storybook is the quiet, beating heart behind Galaxy’s cosmic spectacle, and the collection adds new chapters that deepen her history with the Lumas and the Comet Observatory. For returning players, this is fresh narrative texture—moments of warmth and melancholy between the gleeful gravity hijinks. For first-timers, it’s a lovely way to anchor the star-hopping to a character journey you can return to at your pace. The additions slot naturally into the original cadence, honoring the watercolor tone and gentle cadence that made the Storybook memorable in the first place. It’s the kind of update that doesn’t shout; it simply enriches the universe so time spent between galaxies feels even more meaningful.

The physical hardcover Storybook from My Nintendo Store

There’s also a real-world treat: a hardcover edition of Rosalina’s Storybook arrives at the My Nintendo Store on November 25, 2025. It’s a showcase piece—illustrated, giftable, and perfectly timed for holiday lists. If you’ve ever wanted to share Galaxy’s quiet magic with someone who doesn’t even play games, this book is the bridge. It captures the same tender art and prose that fans revisit in-game, giving the story a life beyond the screen. For collectors, it pairs neatly with the Switch bundle on a shelf; for parents, it’s bedtime-story material that invites questions about stars, adventure, and found family. It’s fan service in the best sense: thoughtful, tactile, and beautifully presented.

Soundtrack mode and music updates

Galaxy’s orchestral score is legendary—the kind that sends a shiver down your spine when the brass swells and the strings lift. The new soundtrack mode lets you access tracks without diving into a save, turning the game into a jukebox for study sessions, work breaks, or just vibing with Gusty Garden’s timeless melody. It’s a small feature with outsized everyday value because it acknowledges how we actually live with favorite games: sometimes you want to listen, not play. Combined with the resolution bump, the music polish completes a sensory refresh that makes revisiting these adventures feel indulgent instead of merely nostalgic.

Amiibo: figures, functionality, and launch timing

Nintendo is timing two big amiibo to the Galaxy spotlight: Mario & Luma and Rosalina & Lumas, both launching on April 2, 2026. They’re larger than standard figures, sculpted to capture motion and warmth—Mario mid-launch from a star and Rosalina in a storytime moment with the Lumas. The calendar placement is clever, arriving the day before The Super Mario Galaxy Movie opens in theaters. Whether you collect or you play, these figures have a clear purpose in and out of the games, acting as a colorful shelf centerpiece and a useful in-game trigger for helpful items. If you like mementos that actually do something, these hit the sweet spot.

What Mario & Luma and Rosalina & Lumas do in-game

Scan the Mario & Luma figure in either Galaxy title to receive a Life Mushroom, a handy buffer for trickier boss patterns or late-stage runs where a little cushion goes a long way. Scan Rosalina & Lumas to snag a 1-Up Mushroom and extend your attempt count without farming extra lives. Nintendo also notes that other Mario series amiibo grant coins and additional compatible figures deliver Star Bits, making your existing shelf part of the loop. It’s a simple, player-friendly setup that avoids gating meaningful content while still rewarding those with a few amiibo nearby. Practical, optional, and thematically spot-on.

Collectibility, pricing signals, and where to preorder

These amiibo are already drawing attention because of their larger format and tie-in timing, which typically translates to brisk early demand. Retail listings point to price points above standard figures, reflecting the increased size and sculpt complexity. If they matter to your setup or your kids’ wish lists, consider preordering from your preferred retailer rather than gambling on day-one stock. With the movie release breathing down their necks, the window between launch and scarcity could be shorter than usual. As ever, regional availability and pricing will vary, so it’s wise to watch local storefronts and official channels for the most accurate pre-purchase details.

Buying options, pricing, and regional notes

You can pick up both adventures together as a physical bundle or buy them individually via eShop. Retail reporting pegs the bundle at a standard big-release price in the U.S., with each game available separately at a lower individual price point digitally. That flexibility matters if, for instance, you only missed Galaxy 2 or you’re gifting a single title to someone testing the waters. Regional equivalents will vary with local taxes and RRP norms, and some territories may spotlight different preorder bonuses or storefront merchandising. The important part: you’re not forced into an all-or-nothing purchase, and the forward-looking 4K update on Switch 2 means your spend ages well.

How this ties into The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The schedule alignment is unmistakable. Games on October 2, Storybook on November 25, amiibo on April 2, and the film on April 3, 2026—this is a thoughtful runway that keeps Mario orbiting the conversation all the way to theaters. For families, it creates a shared arc: play and listen this fall, read together over the holidays, then top it off with a cinema trip in spring. For longtime fans, it’s Nintendo embracing Galaxy’s cultural footprint with a multimedia salute that feels earned rather than opportunistic. The original games were bold in 2007 and 2010; this rollout lets that boldness shine again for a new generation.

Who should jump in first—and why now

If you’ve never touched Galaxy, start at the beginning and savor it. The gravity mechanics remain endlessly clever, and the refreshed presentation makes that first leap off a tiny planetoid feel as dazzling as ever. If you’re a veteran, Galaxy 2 still hums like a perfectly tuned engine, bursting with creative one-offs and confident level design. The new Storybook chapters and Assist Mode give you reasons to revisit comfortably, whether you’re chasing every comet medal or introducing a younger player to three-dimensional platforming. With the movie on the horizon and amiibo around the corner, October is the most inviting time in years to set sail for the stars.

Conclusion

Two landmark Mario adventures are returning with the right upgrades, the right extras, and the right timing. We get clearer visuals now, 4K later on Switch 2, flexible controls, a kinder on-ramp via Assist Mode, and a deeper look at Rosalina’s world through added Storybook chapters and a gorgeous hardcover. Add in the oversized amiibo and the big-screen Galaxy debut in April, and this fall-to-spring arc feels tailor-made to celebrate why these games still sparkle. If you’re ready to chase stardust again—or for the first time—this collection is the smoothest route back to the Comet Observatory.

FAQs
  • When do the games launch on Switch?
    • Both Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 arrive on Nintendo Switch on October 2, 2025. You can buy them together as a physical bundle or individually as digital purchases.
  • What upgrades do we get on current hardware?
    • Expect enhanced resolution, an improved interface, a dedicated music player, new Storybook chapters, and a new Assist Mode. On Nintendo Switch 2, a free update enables 4K output on supported displays.
  • How do the new amiibo work in-game?
    • Scanning Mario & Luma grants a Life Mushroom, while scanning Rosalina & Lumas grants a 1-Up Mushroom. Other Mario series amiibo provide coins, and compatible figures can yield bonus Star Bits.
  • What’s the deal with Rosalina’s Storybook?
    • In the collection, Rosalina’s Storybook gains extra chapters that expand her backstory. Separately, a hardcover edition of the original Storybook releases via the My Nintendo Store on November 25, 2025.
  • Is there a connection to the new movie?
    • Yes. The amiibo arrive April 2, 2026, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie opens in theaters April 3, 2026. The staggered releases keep the Galaxy theme in the spotlight leading into the film’s premiere.
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