Walked out of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie with stars in your eyes? You’re not alone. If you’re itching to keep that momentum going, these seven picks hit the sweet spot between easy access on modern hardware and smart ties to what you just saw on the big screen.
Star Fox 64 Takes The Cockpit
Before Mario ever hopped across planetoids, Nintendo was already sending players into space dogfights. Star Fox 64 remains the series high point, and it’s playable on Switch and Switch 2 through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. It’s a little creaky by modern standards, sure, but the Arwing’s tight rolls, branching routes, and squad chatter still have that "retro-future" charm.
If you’ve never touched Star Fox, this is "the best place to start." The subscription route keeps it simple, and the campaign’s score-chasing loop holds up when you’re hunting for a quick, arcade-style hit between longer Mario sessions.
Classic Mario Picks With Movie Ties
Super Mario Bros. 2 (via the NES library on Switch) is the one that’ll have you pointing at the screen. Wart, Birdo, and Mouser—recognizable faces after the movie—debuted here back in 1988. Because it began life as Japan’s Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic before being reworked with Mario characters, you won’t see Bowser. You will, however, get a playful grab-and-throw platformer that still feels delightfully off-kilter within the series.
Craving more of that baby Mario and Luigi gag from the film? Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (available through the SNES Switch Online app) turns that bit into a full adventure, layering inventive level ideas on top of clever platforming and gentle puzzles. The hand-drawn look is ageless, and the soundtrack is a breezy earworm. Plenty of fans still call it "far and away the best Yoshi game," and it’s an easy recommendation if you want heart and whimsy without the movie’s breakneck pace.
Galaxy-Era Headliners On Switch
Let’s get to the big one. Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 have landed on Switch in a $70 bundle, or you can buy each for $40. That’s not pocket change, but both Wii-era platformers remain magical—smart, dazzling, and packed with set-piece ideas. You’ll also get a lot more Rosalina than the film gives you. Motion tricks translate cleanly to modern controls, and hopping between gravity-warped planetoids still feels fresh.
Don’t sleep on Super Mario Wonder either. If you picked it up on Switch in 2023, there’s now a Switch 2 upgrade that adds the "Meetup in Bellabel Park" expansion with several multiplayer-focused stages and, yes, Rosalina and Luma as a playable duo. That’s pure "brand synergy," and it works. The upgrade runs $20 if you already own the original, turning an already excellent 2D platformer into an even better couch co-op pick for families buzzing from the movie.
Crossover Chaos And A Handheld Gem
If those film cameos from Fox, Pikmin, and Mr. Game & Watch got you thinking about a mega-mashup, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is still a no-brainer on Switch. The base roster is enormous and easy to enjoy casually, but there’s serious depth if you want to grind. Pick up both Fighter Passes for about $55 more and you’ll add a dozen characters, including Sora from Kingdom Hearts and Steve from Minecraft. It’s the kind of party fighter you’ll keep returning to—"you and the kids will probably still be playing this one when the third movie eventually comes out."
One more curveball for anyone with a 3DS handy: Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey. This remake of the DS classic includes a new side campaign starring Bowser Jr., and physical copies are still floating around online for semi-reasonable prices. The turn-based combat punches above its weight with well-timed inputs, while the writing is consistently funny and, at times, surprisingly sharp. If the movie reminded you how deep Mario’s bench of characters goes, this RPG parades them in style.
There’s no shortage of ways to keep chasing that stardust, whether you want a comfort-food classic or something that broadens the Mushroom Kingdom’s scope. With Galaxy’s glow back in the spotlight, it’s a great time to see how Nintendo keeps reimagining its mascot—across space routes, paper-thin worlds, and gravity-bending orbs. If the next film goes bigger, these picks will have you more than ready.
