For the first time, Nintendo released a second 3D Mario game on the same console, in time for the 25th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. game on the NES. Once again, Mario gets sent back into space to save the Princess and collect the Power Stars, this time with Yoshi and a new crew alongside a redesigned 2-player co-op mode featuring an orange Luma. The game mostly revolves around unused ideas from the first game and features a simpler story.
As the game is directly built off of Super Mario Galaxy, there are a lot of unused leftovers from that game, though there's a bunch of new unused assets as well.
An enhanced port was released on the Nintendo Switch on October 2, 2025, serving as the opening act of the Super Mario Bros. 40th Anniversary celebration.
Prerelease Info
Objects#
Unused Object Features
Unused Objects & ActorsNew objects and duplicates galore.
Leftover Objects & ActorsTons of objects and actors from the first game!
Removed ObjectsRemnants of more than 700 objects!Stages#
Unused Stage FeaturesBoss Blitz Galaxy originally had more bosses?
Unused StagesA few cut zones that were left in the files.
Removed StagesTest maps, E3 trailer stages, and cut Galaxies.Audio#
Unused MusicBosses originally got angrier?
Unused SoundsTons of leftovers and new audio.
Unused Audio DataAn actual E3 remnant? Wow.Graphics#
Unused Models & AnimationsThe load-bearing mushroom persists.
Unused Graphics
Unused Light DataUnused light data comes to light!Code#
Miscellaneous#
Unused Message DataWhat's all the talk about unused message data? And Luma's favorite food is... ham?
Leftover Source FilesThe developers did an oopsie!
Unused BCSV DataThere are still leftovers from Donkey Kong Jungle Beat...
OdditiesOutlandish oddballs from outer space.Version Differences#
Internal Name#
The internal project name for the game is, amusingly, Super Mario Galaxy More.
Exception Handler#
The JSystem exception handler is still included in the game's code, but it's usually disabled and does not appear without code modifications. It can be reenabled by using the following Riivolution memory patches for the American, European, and Japanese versions of the game:
<memory offset="0x804B7D90" value="60000000"/>
<memory offset="0x804B7E54" value="60000000"/>
<memory offset="0x805B66B4" value="60000000"/>(Source: Treeki)
Leftover Super Mario Galaxy Content#
Since Galaxy 2 was built directly off of the previous game, it only makes sense that there would be content left over that the developers either planned to use, forgot to remove, or simply didn't bother to remove. This includes several enemies, items, graphics, functions, powerups, stage pieces, and object features. As there is way too much to list here, all leftovers are detailed on the corresponding subpages.
While the Ice and Flying powerups from the first game were cut, their functionality can be restored by readding their files and collectable items. Notably, both powerups have new remixed music themes for Galaxy 2.
Level Design Changes#
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Intro Galaxy#
The names of empty folders of deleted zones as well as unused texts, indicate that in the intro galaxy you could originally go into Peach's Castle and Bowser stole only the Power Stars for the time being and not Peach.
Sky Station Galaxy Planets#
The second planet in Sky Station Galaxy, which features a grassy path to a curvy house, is called DrumSeparateRocketPlanet despite not looking anything like a rocket. What's more, there are two empty objects that were meant to go with it: DrumSeparateRocketPlanetGravityStep and DrumSeparateRocketPlanetMoveParts. These things together hint that this planet must have received a graphical overhaul at some point, and was likely repurposed to fit earlier in the game.
Puzzle Plank Galaxy Bonus Room#
The bonus room full of steps, featured in Puzzle Plank Galaxy's purple coin run and other galaxies, is named IslandFleetCoinRoomPlanetZone despite never appearing in Sky Station Galaxy.
Upside-Dizzy Galaxy Planet#
The topmost section of Upside-Dizzy Galaxy's first room is called SwitchGravityBombHeiPlanet. Bob-omb (BombHei) is not used anywhere in the level.
Flipsville Galaxy Boss Zone#
According to its name, ChaosBossBussunZone, the boss section from Flipsville Galaxy was originally meant to appear in Upside-Dizzy Galaxy.
Rolling Masterpiece Sphere Planet Zone#
Its name, TamakoroFlipPanel02Zone, references Flipswitch Panels. There is another zone in Rolling Masterpiece that actually has Flipswitch Panels, but that's a separate zone called tamakoroPanel02Zone.
Supermassive Galaxy's Koopa Planet#
The zone containing the second planet of Supermassive Galaxy is called SmallBigMetboZone, indicating that it was meant to have Goombeetles (Metbo) instead of three giant Koopa Troopas. Giant Goombeetles do not exist anywhere in the game's files.
Cloudy Court Galaxy Level Select Banner#
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Level Select Banner |
In-Game Screenshot |
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Cloudy Court Galaxy's level select banner lacks a few aesthetic features, such as the green vines growing up the planets, and the little yellow flowers on the trees. In addition, the grassy hedge wall curling around the wooden platform is taller in the level select banner.
(Source: CometMedal)
Chompworks Galaxy Level Select Banner#
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Level Select Banner |
In-Game Screenshot |
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The level select banner for Chompworks Galaxy depicts the Wanwan Escape Planet with a beige-colored frame, as opposed to the blue frame seen in-game. In addition, there seems to be an object resembling a Comet Medal floating above the Chain Chomp "bazooka".
(Source: CometMedal)
Regional Differences#
Title Screen#
Japan |
US/Europe |
Korea |
Taiwan |
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As with the previous game, the Japanese version's title screen has the game's title in Japanese under the logo. The Taiwanese version follows suit, but in Chinese. And again, the Korean logo was changed completely to accommodate the game's different title.
Wii Channel Audio#
Like the previous game, as a result of the Korean version's title changing into Super Mario Wii 2: Galaxy Adventure Together, the audio for when you select the game on the Wii Menu was edited; however, instead of editing the new voice clip of Mario shouting "Super Mario Galaxy!", it reuses the one from the first game. The "WAHOO!" sound is also different in the Korean version.
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International |
Korean |
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