Summary:
Super Mario Galaxy 2 just received Ver. 1.3.1 on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo’s notes are about as minimal as they come. The official message is simple: software information has been updated, and no in-game changes were made. That sounds like nothing, but it still tells us a few important things, especially if you play across systems or you have a Switch 2 waiting in the wings. Most notably, Nintendo repeats the same compatibility rule: to play on Nintendo Switch 2, the software must be updated to Ver. 1.2.0 or later. In other words, staying on an older version is not just “missing a patch” – it can be a hard stop on Switch 2.
Since Ver. 1.3.1 doesn’t list gameplay tweaks, balance changes, or new features, the best way to read it is as a maintenance step. Think of it like tightening a few screws on a well-loved ride at an amusement park. The coaster is the same, the thrills are the same, but the operator still does checks because safety and compatibility are a moving target. “Software information” updates can include behind-the-scenes adjustments like metadata changes, storefront details, or system-side compatibility flags that help the game behave properly on newer hardware and firmware. So while we aren’t getting shiny new toys, we are getting a clearer path to stable play, fewer weird edge cases, and fewer “why won’t this launch?” moments when switching devices.
What Super Mario Galaxy 2 Ver. 1.3.1 actually means
Ver. 1.3.1 for Super Mario Galaxy 2 is refreshingly blunt, even if it’s also a bit frustrating. Nintendo’s notes say the software information has been updated and that no in-game changes were made. That means we should not expect new levels, adjusted physics, revamped controls, or anything you’d notice by simply hopping into a level and doing a few spins. The real headline is the compatibility note that keeps showing up alongside these updates: the software must be updated to Ver. 1.2.0 or later to play on Nintendo Switch 2. If you’re already updated, Ver. 1.3.1 likely feels like a blink-and-you-miss-it download. If you’re not, the message is clear: staying current is part of the deal, especially when a newer system is involved.
Why the wording matters more than it looks
When Nintendo says “no in-game changes,” that’s not the same as “nothing changed at all.” It’s more like saying the living room furniture didn’t move, even if someone quietly fixed the wiring behind the wall. The phrasing narrows the scope: what we play, see, and interact with should behave the same as before. At the same time, Nintendo chose to ship an update and publish notes, which usually means there is still a reason. Sometimes that reason is boring, like correcting how a title appears in system menus. Sometimes it’s practical, like ensuring the game properly recognizes the rules of a new hardware environment. Either way, the wording tells us where not to waste energy: we don’t need to hunt for secret gameplay differences that aren’t there.
Why the patch notes are so brief
Tiny patch notes are a Nintendo classic, and Ver. 1.3.1 fits the pattern perfectly. The short version is that Nintendo often communicates only what they consider player-facing changes, and they leave the rest as a black box. If the goal is to avoid confusion, this approach makes sense: a long list of technical adjustments can raise questions most players don’t want to troubleshoot. The downside is obvious too – when something is vague, everyone starts guessing. Was there a rare crash? A compatibility quirk? A system-level requirement that needed nudging? We can’t claim specifics without evidence, but we can say this: the lack of listed gameplay changes strongly suggests Nintendo’s priority here was housekeeping, not redesign.
Small updates are often about boring stability wins
It’s easy to roll your eyes at an update that reads like a shrug, but boring can be good. Boring means your save file should behave. Boring means the game should keep launching like it always has. Boring means fewer chances of that one weird, hard-to-reproduce issue showing up right when you’re trying to relax. Think of it like replacing a smoke alarm battery – nothing gets more exciting afterward, and that’s the whole point. Even when patch notes don’t spell it out, maintenance updates can reduce the odds of edge-case glitches that only happen under specific conditions, like a certain system firmware version or a particular suspend-resume pattern.
The Nintendo Switch 2 minimum version requirement
Here’s the practical detail Nintendo repeats: to play Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Nintendo Switch 2, the software must be updated to Ver. 1.2.0 or later. That line matters because it turns updates from “optional” to “required” depending on the system you’re using. If you’re on Switch and you never connect online, you might be able to stay behind and still play on your original hardware. On Switch 2, Nintendo is clearly drawing a line in the sand, likely tied to how the game interfaces with Switch 2’s environment. The takeaway is simple: if Switch 2 is part of your life, keeping the game updated is not a suggestion, it’s the key that turns the ignition.
What this requirement means for real-life play
If you own both systems, the minimum-version rule can affect how you move between them. You might play docked on one device, then pick up handheld on the other, and expect everything to “just work.” Nintendo’s note is a reminder that system-to-system expectations come with rules. Updating to at least Ver. 1.2.0 is the baseline for Switch 2, so if you’re planning a smooth handoff, update first and ask questions later. It’s also a good habit if you share a console with family, where one person updates everything and another person just wants to jump into a level without staring at download bars.
What “software information updated” usually means
“Software information” is Nintendo’s catch-all phrase for changes that sit around the game rather than inside it. That can include things like how the system displays version data, compatibility flags that help the console decide how to run the game, or adjustments to the information shown in support pages and menus. It can also involve store-facing metadata, like descriptions and internal identifiers that keep everything consistent across regions and systems. The key point is that this wording doesn’t promise performance improvements, visual upgrades, or new gameplay. It signals administrative and system-level alignment. The game you know should still be the game you know, just with fewer chances of the system misunderstanding it.
Why this can still be important on a new system
New hardware is like moving into a new apartment: your couch still fits, but the doorways and light switches might not be exactly where you expect. A game can run perfectly most of the time and still hit odd corners where behavior changes, especially when sleep mode, system overlays, or new OS-level handling is involved. Updates that focus on “software information” can help the system treat the game correctly, which is especially relevant when Nintendo is supporting both Switch and Switch 2. Even if we never see the details, these adjustments can prevent annoying friction, like a title that fails a compatibility check or a system prompt that appears when it shouldn’t.
How to check your installed version
If you want to know whether Ver. 1.3.1 is installed, the good news is that Nintendo makes version checking painless. On the HOME Menu, highlight the game icon and open the options menu, where the installed version is shown on the game information screen. This is worth doing even if you think everything is updated, because it removes doubt in seconds. It’s also handy if you’re troubleshooting a situation where Switch 2 refuses to run the game due to the minimum-version requirement. Checking the version first is like checking the weather before leaving the house: it doesn’t take long, and it prevents avoidable frustration.
A quick habit that saves time later
Version checking is one of those tiny habits that pays off when you least expect it. If you ever run into a “why won’t this start?” moment, knowing your version number is the first useful clue. It’s also helpful when you share consoles, because someone else might have canceled a download, paused auto-updates, or played offline for a while. If you’re the kind of person who likes certainty, treat the version number like a label on a jar: you don’t guess what’s inside when you can just read it.
How to update on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2
Updating Super Mario Galaxy 2 is usually automatic if your system is connected online and your settings allow it, but manual updating is straightforward too. From the HOME Menu, you can open the game’s options and choose the update function, which prompts the console to check Nintendo’s servers for the latest version. If Ver. 1.3.1 is available, the system will download and install it. On Switch 2, the same idea applies, and it’s arguably even more important because of Nintendo’s minimum-version rule. The smoothest experience is simple: connect to the internet, update the game, and then play without thinking about it again.
What to do if the update doesn’t show up
Sometimes an update doesn’t appear immediately for everyone, and that can be down to region timing, a temporary connection issue, or system settings that prevent automatic downloads. The fix is usually basic: confirm your console is online, retry the update check from the game menu, and make sure system software isn’t stuck mid-update itself. If you’re on Wi-Fi that behaves like a moody cat – affectionate one minute, vanished the next – moving closer to the router can honestly solve the whole problem. And if you’re preparing for Switch 2 play, it’s worth doing this ahead of time rather than five minutes before you want to launch a level.
Save data, settings, and what stays untouched
Since Nintendo states there are no in-game changes in Ver. 1.3.1, the expectation is that your progress, unlocks, and general experience remain the same as before. In plain terms, the update is not positioned as a reset button. Players usually worry about two things with updates: save safety and surprise changes. Ver. 1.3.1 signals “no surprises,” at least in gameplay terms. That’s reassuring if you’ve built momentum and you don’t want anything messing with your rhythm. It’s also good news for returning players who want the game to feel exactly like they remember, just running in the current ecosystem.
Why “no in-game changes” is calming for returning players
Coming back to a game after a break can feel like visiting an old hometown. You want the familiar corners, not a sudden redesign that makes you feel lost. When patch notes say no in-game changes, it’s a quiet promise that your muscle memory still matters. Your routes through tricky sections should still work. Your instincts for timing and movement should still hold up. So if you’re dusting off the game for another run, Ver. 1.3.1 reads less like a disruption and more like a small maintenance stamp that keeps the doors open on newer hardware.
Why these tiny updates still matter
It’s tempting to dismiss a minimal update as pointless, but that’s like dismissing oil changes because the car still drives today. When Nintendo supports the same game across Switch and Switch 2, the behind-the-scenes details matter more than ever. The update notes explicitly mention Switch 2 compatibility requirements, which means Nintendo is actively maintaining the rules that let the game function properly on the newer system. Even if gameplay is unchanged, keeping that compatibility pipeline healthy is important for players who just want to press A and get to the fun part. Ver. 1.3.1 is a reminder that reliability is built out of small, boring decisions done consistently.
Maintenance is the invisible hero of a smooth launch
No one throws a party for “software information updated,” and that’s fine. The value shows up when nothing goes wrong. The value shows up when you don’t hit a weird error after waking the system from sleep. The value shows up when your game icon behaves normally, your version checks out, and Switch 2 doesn’t block you at the door. If you’ve ever had a game act strange after a system update, you already know how annoying “invisible issues” can be. Maintenance updates exist to keep those issues invisible in the best possible way – by preventing them.
What we should watch for next
Ver. 1.3.1 doesn’t hint at future features, but it does reinforce a pattern: Nintendo is keeping Super Mario Galaxy 2 aligned with Switch 2 requirements, and they’re doing it through small updates with simple notes. If you want to stay ahead of friction, the best approach is to keep auto-updates enabled, check versions occasionally, and make sure you’re at least on Ver. 1.2.0 if Switch 2 is involved. If Nintendo releases another update with equally short notes, the smart assumption is the same: it’s probably maintenance unless stated otherwise. And honestly, with a game like this, we’d rather have stable, predictable play than a random surprise that breaks something that already works.
Conclusion
Super Mario Galaxy 2 Ver. 1.3.1 is a small update with a clear message: software information has been updated, and nothing in the game itself has changed. The real-world impact is mostly about compatibility and readiness, especially because Nintendo repeats the requirement that Switch 2 play needs Ver. 1.2.0 or later. If you’re already updated, this is likely a quick download you’ll forget about in minutes. If you’re not, it’s worth updating now so Switch 2 doesn’t stop you later. Sometimes the best updates are the ones that keep the magic feeling effortless, like a stagehand quietly fixing the spotlight so the show can go on without interruption.
FAQs
- What changed in Super Mario Galaxy 2 Ver. 1.3.1?
- Nintendo states that software information has been updated and no in-game changes were made, so gameplay should feel the same as before.
- Do we need Ver. 1.3.1 to play on Nintendo Switch 2?
- Nintendo’s key requirement is Ver. 1.2.0 or later for Switch 2 play, so Ver. 1.3.1 isn’t the minimum, but updating keeps you current.
- Will this update change levels, controls, or performance?
- The notes say no in-game changes, so we shouldn’t expect gameplay tweaks or new features based on Ver. 1.3.1 alone.
- How do we check which version is installed?
- From the HOME Menu, open the game’s options and check the displayed version information, which confirms whether Ver. 1.3.1 is installed.
- What should we do if the update doesn’t appear?
- Confirm the console is connected to the internet, manually trigger the update check from the game’s options, and retry if the connection is unstable.
Sources
- How to Update Super Mario Galaxy 2, Nintendo Support, February 5, 2026
- Zo werk je Super Mario Galaxy 2 bij, Nintendo (NL) Support, February 6, 2026
- Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Updated To Version 1.3.1, Here Are The Full Patch Notes, Nintendo Life, February 6, 2026
