Super Mario Galaxy is not on the Switch, but similar games are
Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 have not been released for the Nintendo Switch. Both games remain exclusive to the Wii and Wii U, where they originally launched in 2007 and 2009. Nintendo has not announced plans to bring either title to the Switch, despite the console's popularity and the success of other Mario ports.
If you own a Switch and want a 3D Mario experience similar to Galaxy, you have other options available directly on the console. These games share Galaxy's focus on exploration and three-dimensional platforming, though they play differently and use the Switch's unique hardware in their own ways.
Key Takeaways
- Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are only available on Wii and Wii U consoles, not on Switch.
- Super Mario Odyssey is the closest Switch alternative, offering 3D platforming with a possession mechanic instead of gravity-based puzzles.
- Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury both exist on Switch and provide 3D Mario gameplay in different styles.
- You cannot play Galaxy games on Switch even through backwards compatibility or emulation through official Nintendo channels.
What 3D Mario games the Switch actually has
Super Mario Odyssey is the primary 3D Mario game built for Switch from the ground up. It launched in 2017 and uses the Switch's motion controls and detachable Joy-Con controllers as core mechanics. Instead of the gravity-based platforming of Galaxy, Odyssey centers on possessing enemies and objects with Mario's hat, Cappy, to solve puzzles and reach new areas.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury came to Switch in 2021 as a port of the Wii U game. It includes the original 3D World campaign, which plays more like a traditional side-scrolling game with 3D depth, plus a new open-world section called Bowser's Fury. This game is designed for both single-player and multiplayer, and it does not require motion controls.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars was a limited-time release in 2020 that bundled Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy together on one cartridge. However, Nintendo removed this game from sale in March 2021, and it is no longer available through the Nintendo eShop. Physical copies exist but cost significantly more than the original $60 price.
Why Galaxy never came to Switch
The Galaxy games were designed specifically around the Wii's motion controls and pointer functionality. The Wii Remote let players aim and throw star bits at enemies, control gravity-based platforming, and interact with the environment in ways that do not translate directly to the Switch's Joy-Con controllers. While the Switch has motion controls, they work differently and would require significant redesign of the games' core mechanics.
Nintendo has chosen to create new 3D Mario experiences for Switch rather than port the Galaxy titles. Odyssey was built from scratch to use the Switch's hardware, and 3D World was already designed for a traditional controller. This approach lets Nintendo design games that feel native to the Switch rather than adapted from older hardware.
How to play Galaxy games if you want them
Your only official option is to own a Wii or Wii U console and purchase physical copies of the games. Wii copies are widely available used, though prices vary. Wii U copies are less common and typically cost more because the Wii U had a smaller install base.
The Wii U can play both original Wii games and Wii U games, so it is a single console that can run both Galaxy titles. However, Wii U consoles are no longer manufactured, and the online store is closed. You will need to buy used hardware and used game copies from resellers or local marketplaces.
What makes Odyssey different from Galaxy
Super Mario Odyssey does not use gravity-based platforming or the pointer mechanics that define Galaxy. Instead, it focuses on exploration and possession. You move through large, open kingdoms, find hidden areas, and use Cappy to take control of enemies and objects to reach new places. The game rewards exploration and experimentation more than the linear, gravity-puzzle focus of Galaxy.
Odyssey also uses the Switch's motion controls, but in a different way. You can shake the Joy-Con to make Mario perform certain actions, but the game is fully playable with traditional button controls if you prefer. Galaxy, by contrast, required motion controls for core gameplay elements.
Whether to buy Odyssey if you loved Galaxy
If you enjoyed Galaxy's puzzle design and gravity mechanics, Odyssey may feel different enough to be disappointing. Odyssey is more about exploration and creative possession mechanics than solving gravity-based platforming challenges. However, if you liked Galaxy's sense of discovery, large worlds, and 3D movement, Odyssey delivers those elements in a different package.
3D World + Bowser's Fury might appeal more if you prefer structured, level-based gameplay. The original 3D World plays like a traditional platformer with 3D depth, while Bowser's Fury adds an open-world section that encourages exploration. Neither game plays like Galaxy, but both offer solid 3D Mario experiences on Switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Galaxy on Switch through Nintendo Switch Online?
No. Nintendo Switch Online does not include Galaxy games. The service offers NES and SNES games, plus N64 and Sega Genesis titles, but no Wii or Wii U games. Galaxy remains exclusive to those older consoles.
Will Nintendo ever release Galaxy on Switch?
Nintendo has not announced any plans to bring Galaxy to Switch. While the company has ported many older games to the console, Galaxy's reliance on Wii motion controls makes a direct port unlikely without significant redesign.
Is Super Mario 3D All-Stars still available to buy?
No. Nintendo removed 3D All-Stars from the eShop in March 2021 and stopped manufacturing physical copies. Used copies exist but cost well above the original $60 retail price. This was a limited-time release by design.
Does Super Mario Odyssey use motion controls like Galaxy?
Odyssey has motion controls, but they are optional for most gameplay. You can shake the Joy-Con to perform certain actions, but you can also press a button instead. Galaxy required motion controls for core mechanics, making it fundamentally different.
What is the closest Switch game to Galaxy?
Super Mario Odyssey is the closest in terms of 3D exploration and discovery, though it plays very differently. If you want level-based 3D platforming, Super Mario 3D World is more structured. Neither game replicates Galaxy's gravity-puzzle design.