Is Super Mario Galaxy on the Switch? What You Need to Know
Super Mario Galaxy is widely considered one of the greatest video games ever made — so it's no surprise that Switch owners want to know if they can play it. The short answer is yes, but with some important context around how and which version you're actually getting.
Super Mario Galaxy Is Available on Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Galaxy arrived on Nintendo Switch as part of Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a limited-release compilation that Nintendo launched in September 2020 to celebrate Mario's 35th anniversary. The collection bundled together remastered versions of three classic 3D Mario titles:
- Super Mario 64
- Super Mario Sunshine
- Super Mario Galaxy
Each game was updated to run on Switch hardware, with Super Mario Galaxy receiving full HD output support (up to 1080p when docked) compared to its original Wii release. The core gameplay, levels, and content remained faithful to the original.
The Limited Availability Problem 🎮
Here's where things get complicated. Nintendo released Super Mario 3D All-Stars as a limited-time product, both physically and digitally. Physical copies were produced in finite quantities, and the digital version was removed from the Nintendo eShop in March 2021. Nintendo has not re-released it since.
This means:
- You cannot buy it new from the eShop — the digital storefront listing is gone
- Physical copies still exist but are sold through third-party marketplaces, resellers, and used game retailers
- Pricing varies significantly depending on condition, seller, and demand at any given time
If you own a physical cartridge or previously purchased the digital version, you can still play it without any issues on your Switch. But for new buyers, availability depends entirely on the used game market.
How Super Mario Galaxy Plays on Switch
The original Super Mario Galaxy on Wii used the Wiimote and Nunchuk for motion controls — pointing at the screen to collect Star Bits and interact with certain gameplay elements. Switch had to adapt this.
On Switch, the controls work as follows:
| Control Mode | How Star Bits Are Collected |
|---|---|
| Docked (TV mode) | Right Joy-Con acts as pointer via motion controls |
| Handheld mode | Touchscreen tapping collects Star Bits |
| Tabletop mode | Right Joy-Con detached, used as motion pointer |
| Pro Controller | Gyroscope-based pointer aiming |
For most of the game, these adaptations work smoothly. Some players find the pointer controls in handheld mode (touchscreen) more intuitive than expected, while others prefer the gyro-based Pro Controller option for TV play. Super Mario Galaxy 2 — the direct sequel — was not included in the compilation, which is a notable gap for fans who want to continue the story.
Is There Any Other Way to Play It on Switch?
Currently, no. Super Mario Galaxy is not available through Nintendo Switch Online, including the Expansion Pack tier, which does offer access to older Nintendo 64 titles. As of now, Nintendo has not added any version of Galaxy to that service.
There's no standalone Switch release of Super Mario Galaxy either. The only legitimate path to playing it on Switch remains through the Super Mario 3D All-Stars compilation.
What About Super Mario Galaxy 2?
Super Mario Galaxy 2 has never appeared on Switch in any form. It wasn't included in the 3D All-Stars collection, and Nintendo hasn't announced any plans for it on the platform. Fans hoping to play the sequel on Switch currently have no official option.
Key Variables That Affect Your Situation
Whether Super Mario Galaxy on Switch is accessible or practical for you depends on several factors:
Ownership status: If you already own Super Mario 3D All-Stars physically or bought it digitally before March 2021, you're set — just load it up. If you don't own it, you're looking at the used market.
Budget expectations: Used physical copies trade at prices that reflect their limited-release status. Depending on when you're reading this, that cost could vary considerably from the original retail price.
Control preferences: Players who find motion controls awkward may need time to adjust, especially in docked mode where gyro or Joy-Con pointing is required for certain interactions. It's functional, but it's not a traditional controller layout.
Platform alternatives: Super Mario Galaxy was originally a Wii title. If you still own a Wii or Wii U (which had backward compatibility with Wii software), you could play the original version on that hardware instead — potentially at lower cost depending on what you already own.
Switch model: The game runs on all Switch models — original, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED — though the Switch Lite's lack of a dock means you'd be limited to handheld and tabletop play modes, affecting which control options are available to you.
What You're Actually Getting 🌟
Super Mario Galaxy in the 3D All-Stars package is a polished, faithful port of the original game. The visual upgrade to HD is noticeable, the gameplay holds up remarkably well, and the adapted controls work for most scenarios — though they require some adjustment for anyone used to traditional button-only input. You also get Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine in the same package, which affects the overall value calculation depending on your interest in those titles.
Whether that combination — the sourcing challenge, the used market pricing, the control adaptation, and the absence of Galaxy 2 — lines up with what you're looking for depends entirely on your own situation, what hardware you have access to, and how much that specific gaming experience matters to you right now.