Super Mario Galaxy 2 Retrospective 

If you want to feel old, the time between today and Mario Galaxy 2 is the same time between Mario 64 and Mario Galaxy 2

The overworld map music from this game is truly unmatched in atmosphere. Great to see how much love the soundtrack got in this video, as it's such an important part of why the Galaxy games are so dang good. I've always been a bit more of a Galaxy 1 guy myself, but the sequel is terrific as well. But I do agree that the original reigns supreme when it comes to forming it's own unique identity. Yet another fantastic retrospective man, great job!

SMG2 is an all-time favorite. Every retrospective or review I've watched or read focuses on the major changes (world map, Yoshi, the story, etc.) - which makes sense - but it's the subtle changes that fascinate me. For one, they've smoothed out almost all the camera issues from the first game. There are spots in SMG1 that feel unwieldy or discombobulating, but I don't recall having that problem (at least in any meaningful capacity) in SMG2. The graphics and effects are more polished. I can't find any video that compares SMG1 & 2 because most people write off the graphics as identical. It's true that many of the graphical changes are subtle, but SMG2's biggest credit is how consistent it is. SMG1 had a few parts that just... don't look good (and didn't look good at the time, either). The big area that comes to mind is the opening walk to the castle: bland swaths of untextured grass, low fidelity background details, and a muddy bloom effect smeared over the entire image. You don't reach these lows in SMG2. A final note: the music in SMG2 hits harder because Nintendo upped the size of their live orchestra by 10 people, which was a 20% increase over SMG1. The difference can be felt in the bombastic tracks (compare the Staff Roll music, for example). Altogether, these little changes add up to have a big effect. Both are still excellent games, but I tend to enjoy the more streamlined and consistent experience SMG2 offers. Great video. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I’ll always adore Galaxy 2 no matter what. I personally struggled a lot with The Perfect Run. Finally beating it after several months of on and off attempts gave me the most satisfying feeling of accomplishment. No other Mario level has made me feel such intense pride after beating it. A great way to cap off a game full of so many fun, memorable stages.

This game is my childhood. I still wish they added it to All Stars. Nintendo better release Mario Galaxy 2 for the Switch during Summer for this year.

Despite only being 4 years old when Galaxy 2 came out I still remember exactly what was going on in real life whenever I played each level, they are all burned into my brain

I still vastly prefer Galaxy 2’s post game content over Galaxy 1’s because hey, at least the Green Stars are in different locations. Playing the entire game again as Luigi just to unlock Grand Finale Galaxy actually sucks.

Fun video! I love the world backgrounds in this game, they're incredibly underrated. They give a great sense of progression throughout the adventure, from the light blue skies of World 1 to the serene galaxy swirling in the background of World 4. Each one feels more distant than the last, like your slowly wandering towards the edge of known space and into uncharted territory. That is, until you reach World 6, and instead of serenity, you find only the colossal jet of a black hole threatening to consume Starship Mario. Galaxy 2 has some great atmosphere, despite what some might say.

I picked up this game on launch day for my 5th birthday. Yeah, 5. i've lost count of how many times i've played through it. Its definitely tied for my favourite game of all time, alongside maybe twilight princess.

These videos just get more and more engaging each time, I especially liked the comparisons between galaxy 1 and 2 where you highlight how each game has their own separate strengths and reasons to play them. I think the main reason Galaxy 2 never stuck with me as much as Galaxy 1 did was that it was one of the last Wii/Nintendo games I played before primarily gaming on PC and I’d started to lose interest a bit in console gaming in general, but after watching this video there were definitely some nostalgic memories resurrected. Another banger man, can’t wait for more :)

I hope whenever you get around to doing 3D Land and 3D World that you give those games the justice they deserve. 3D World specifically is my personal favorite 3D Mario of all time

Its interesting that you mention that you appreciate Galaxy 1 more as you've gotten older because the game takes it time. I found that once I became a father I had less free time to play games and I started to enjoy games with a tighter pace.

It's not easy to take a more critical look at a cherished game and come to a new conclusion. I'm really not a big fan of SMG2 and your honest critiques expressed why that is very well. Great job on this one!

despite being born 6 months before this game i never grew up with a ps4 or an xbox or even a wii u. i had no idea those other game systems existed. when i was about 5 or 6 my dad brought home a wii and like 30 games and that was my life until 2019

I really liked how personal this video was made. I also appreciate how much you talked about the soundtrack in the game because I feel like a lot of other video essays don’t talk about music that much. Yet another great video :)

I personally love the Starship Mario Music. My favorite piece of music from any Mario game. Another great video dude.

I still remember getting this game on launch: may 23, 2010. It was such a rewarding game to 100%

We need more video essay channels like yours

I've always preferred Mario Galaxy 2 over the first one, and for the longest time I just couldn't understand why everyone told me I was so wrong. Like, is it not just Galaxy 1 but better? I wouldn't say you've changed my mind, but you've certainly changed my perspective on why the divide and strong preference for the first game over this masterful sequel. It 100% feels smaller in scope. Anyway, great video as always!

I agree with you, this game holds something special I have three games that make me feel nostalgic Mario and Luigi bowsers inside story, NEW super mario bros ds And galaxy 2 Im also glad I’m not alone on soaking in world 3s amazing music and design

you're a legend and so is this game.

CRIMINALLY under subbed channel

Galaxy 2 is just as good; if not, better than the first game. I know many people prefer Galaxy 1 for it's more story depth, atmosphere & emotional attachment of the adventure and I completely understand that. But IMO, Galaxy 2 does everything Galaxy 1 succeeded, but better. The gameplay was even better. The level designs are even better. I liked the overworld more than the first game for fast paste travel. The power-ups were handled better than in Galaxy 1 ( although I rather have the Ice Flower returning than the stupid Spring Mushroom. ). Yoshi plays very well in this 3D Mario game and not as an downgrade as he was in Sunshine. The difficulty is just about right. Galaxy 1 can be easy at times. So with Galaxy 2 upper the challenge is an nice welcoming addition. The music is just as good as Galaxy 1. Everything about Galaxy 2 is exactly what I wanted in an 3D Mario game and it's nearly perfect. Note I said " nearly ". Cause I agree the Green Star missions are absolutely tedious. If it weren't for that Green Star missions, than i would consider Galaxy 2 the perfect 3D Mario game and perfect Mario game in general. It's still the best 3D Mario game and the best Mario game in my opinion. I hope it comes to the Switch to replay this awesome game again.

I didn’t realize how nostalgic I was for Galaxy 2😭 Loved the video!

It’s a shame this game wasn’t ported with the 3D all stars

You know what'd be awesome? If they remade or remastered this game for the Switch with some QOL improvements as well as some extra content like Rosalina as a playable character? Plus, they could also alter the final boss and make it more climatic since most people didn't like it. If that happened, then it would truly be the best 3D Mario game, IMO.

This video is great! It’s my favorite video game of all time.

Wow what a great video!

Watched for 20 minutes before I realized this video only has 800 views. It deserves way more!!!

Don’t give up, mate!

Galaxy 2 is literally the blue print to 3d land

In many ways I think Super Mario Galaxy 2 is better than the first one. While the first game did introduce the general concept of a Mario game centred around navigating planetoids, the sequel has new additions and gives off vibes which make it more enjoyable. Rosalina’s observatory was more ambient while the Mario head ship was more lush and bright, and using the Mario head ship to navigate a world map made the game more adventurous. Yoshi certainly made the game funner in some of the levels, and player 2 is an orange luma instead of a cursor on the screen who can better interact with player 1. The addition of World S after you defeat Bowser at the end did make it more intriguing, and not make you feel like the game was completely over with a bonus world to explore. You don’t even need all the stars to unlock Luigi like in the first game, but you can play as him on some levels before completing the game and unlock him completely at the end. I also think the galaxies are more memorable than the first game, and probably more interesting with the way they’re designed. The end credits of the game resonated with me more than the first one, since they felt like they added more closure. Much of the music was better than the first game as well, and I thought the reference to Whomp’s Fortress in Throwback Galaxy was nice too. The first game did have its moments though, and was fun in some aspects, but it just doesn’t hold a candle to the joy that the second game brings.

Yet another common Kohana W

Being the first Mario game I played, I assumed bowser was always this size.

I haven't watched this but i love it

How does this only have 5k views

This is my personal favorite Mario game as well. I got every single yellow star except the very last one.

I love that they updated king whomp in galaxy 2. I mean before in mario 64 he just felt like a slightly bigger whomp with three hitpoints instead of one😊

I understand not liking galaxy 2 as much as galaxy 1, but I really like galaxy 2 because it feels easier to me and teaches a lot better.

Objectively the best video game ever.

Tbh half of these tracks are one funky beat away from becoming Danganronpa music

One thing i find to be funny kn galaxy two is when your wii remote battery is luba will come and remind you of it😂

I get the reason why People like Galaxy 2 more then Galaxy 1. But I prefer 1 cause it felt more grand then 2 and each mission on a new galaxy has a story to tell where 2 justs says here is a level and go. Great Video.

WOOOOOOOO

When I was a kid I used to call the Mario head ship “Luigi’s grandpa’s head.” I thought the ship looked more like Luigi than Mario because its hat was green and covered in grass, but my brother said it was “Luigi’s grandma.” However we realised that it looked nothing like a woman, so we then called it “Luigi’s grandpa.”

See, what makes me put Super Mario Galaxy 2 in my top 5 but not top 3 is that it just feels like it's Super Mario Galaxy 1 but worse. The story was a shining gem for the first game, but Miyamota hated that it had too much story, so he stripped it of that shining gem in the second game. Miyamoto wanted the second games to have a more linear map to make it easier for 2D Super Mario players to adjust to Super Mario in 3D, but it robbed the first game of what little open world exploration it had. While the new power-ups and Yoshi were a nice addition, it ultimately felt like more of the same, but less. Therefore, that's why, to me, Super Mario Galaxy 2 felt more like an expansion pak than a sequel, and not a good one at that.

Cool video i will probably replay Galaxy 2 soon. This endless replayability Was mario galaxy for me btw. It was the first one on par with 64. Galaxy 2 did not catch me that much. The next game which did that was Mario 3d world and especially bowsers fury. I bought it last year wirh a switch. Before that I really thought gaming just did not emerge the same sense of wonder anymore. Maybe I was too old in my early 30s I thought. But then I bought the switch and I saw no I was not too old those other games just did not do it the right way for me

I'm in the middle of 100%ing this right now

It took me way too long to realize you did both a positive and negative review for each section. Huh.

Aside from the gameplay and the soundtrack. SMG2 is more disappointing compared to the first.

Galaxy 2 is my least favored of the mainline 3D Super Mario games. It praise unfortunately signaled to Nintendo, people don't care about world building, story, but just a boss rush of level after level after level. All meaningless, but mechanically perfect. The levels are often not even galaxies anymore, but just disjointed platforms. It is like some kind of TikTok of platforming. It is not bad, but it is just a bunch of levels and thats it.

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