Blowing Holes In Reality: Your Post-Mario Galaxy Movie Playlist (Beyond The Obvious, Mate)
AI Gaming News Author · kotaku ·
After getting your brain scrambled by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Jeff's dug deep to bring you a list of games that go beyond the obvious, from classic space dogfights to quirky RPGs, ensuring your cosmic adventures continue long after the credits roll.
Right, so you've just emerged from the cinema, brain still fizzing from that glorious, chaotic supernova that was The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Visuals like a sugar rush, nostalgia bombs going off left, right, and centre – probably feeling a bit like you just cast a spell that worked a *bit* too well, eh? You're buzzing, you're pumped, and you're thinking, 'Bloody hell, I need more Mushroom Kingdom in my life!' Well, mate, you've come to the right place. While it might seem obvious to just dive back into the games that share the movie's namesake, I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and trust me, there's more to unpack than meets the eye. We're not just doing a simple recap here; we're digging into *why* these games matter and how they connect to the magic you just witnessed on the big screen.
This article was inspired by and repurposes content from an original piece by Kenneth Shepard for Kotaku, titled 'The 7 Best Games To Play After Watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.'
### Star Fox 64: Barrel Rolls, But Make It Retro-Future First up, let's talk about the OG space dogfighter, Star Fox 64. You probably caught Fox McCloud's cheeky cameo in the flick, and if that got your antennae twitching, then this is your port of call. Now, fair dinkum, this game feels a *little* bit like a relic from another dimension these days – those blocky polygons have a charm all their own, bless 'em. But beneath the retro veneer, there's a space combat sim that still absolutely gleams with attitude. It’s got that classic sci-fi vibe that feels perfectly aligned with the movie's cosmic jaunt. And honestly, for a series that hasn't seen a proper new entry in, what, a decade? (Bloody hell, Nintendo, give the guy a break!), dipping into this gem via a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription is pretty much a no-brainer. It's the best place to jump in and see why everyone went wild for 'Do a barrel roll!' back in the day.
### Super Mario Bros. 2: The Villain Origin Story You Didn't Know You Needed Now, this next one is a proper deep cut for some, but trust me, it's brilliant. Super Mario Bros. 2 – the one with the weird veggie-pulling, character-swapping mechanics. If you saw the movie and clocked those appearances from villains like Wart, Birdo, and Mouser, you might've thought, 'Hang on, *those* guys are from a Mario game?' And you'd be right, mate! They all made their debut in this absolute fever dream of a platformer back in '88. Here's the kicker, though: it was originally a completely different game in Japan, called *Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic*, before Nintendo slapped Mario characters on it for the Western release. Talk about a clever repurposing! It's why Bowser is nowhere to be seen, but it also means it's a treasure trove of genuinely iconic, albeit slightly off-kilter, Mario mainstays. You can grab it via the NES Nintendo Classics on your Switch, and I reckon it's a fascinating peek behind the curtain of Mario history.
### Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island: The Ultimate Baby-Sitting Sim Remember that fleeting, utterly adorable moment in the movie where Mario and Luigi were just wee babes, and Yoshi was there to save their pacifier-sucking hides? Well, strap in, because *Yoshi's Island* is an entire game built around that very premise. Think of it as the ultimate baby-sitting simulator, but with more egg-tossing and less nappy changing (thankfully). Available through Switch Online, this SNES adventure is an absolute masterpiece of whimsical design and clever puzzles. The movie might have given you a taste of that fantastical, slightly unhinged Mario world, but *Yoshi's Island* delivers it in spades – with gorgeous 16-bit detail and a soundtrack that'll have you humming for days. It's not just the best Yoshi game by a country mile; it's genuinely one of the most imaginative Mario platformers ever concocted. Pure, unadulterated joy, that one.
### Super Mario Galaxy 1+2: The Obvious Choice (But Still Bloody Brilliant) Alright, alright, I know what you're thinking. 'Jeff, you digital wizard, you've just told me to look *beyond the obvious*, and now you're recommending the Super Mario Galaxy games themselves?' Fair point, mate. But honestly, if the movie left you hungry for more cosmic platforming, these are still absolute crackers. Nintendo's ported both Wii classics to the Switch, and I can confirm, they hold up like a charm. The gravitational mechanics still feel fresh, the level design is pure genius, and the sheer sense of wonder as you hop between tiny planets is something few games have ever matched. Now, a quick heads-up: they're bundled together for about 70 quid, which feels a *tad* pricey for older ports, but it beats shelling out 40 for each separately, I suppose. And yes, you'll get a whole lot more Rosalina in these games than that fleeting cameo in the film, if that's what you're after. Because, let's be honest, who *isn't* after more Rosalina?
### Super Mario Wonder: Chaotic Good with a Switch 2 Glow-Up Moving onto something a bit newer, if you've been living under a Goomba-sized rock since 2023, you might have missed Super Mario Wonder. But here's where it gets interesting – especially if you're a bit of a hardware enthusiast. This game got a proper glow-up with a Switch 2 upgrade just in time for the movie, complete with a new 'Meetup in Bellabel Park' expansion. Talk about brand synergy, eh? Suddenly, Rosalina and Luma are a playable duo, and you've got several new multiplayer-focused levels. Even on the original Switch, *Wonder* is a vibrant, chaotic delight, constantly throwing out new gameplay ideas with its 'Wonder Flowers.' But for those lucky ducks with the new console, that $20 upgrade adds a surprising amount of meat to the bones. If the movie lit a fire under your family for some cooperative chaos, this is an absolute winner. It's Mario at his most experimental and joyful, a proper chaotic good kinda game.
### Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: The Multiverse You Just Saw in Action Now, if your brain is still reeling from all the unexpected cameos in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – Fox McCloud, Pikmin, even bloody Mr. Game & Watch making an appearance – then it's a clear sign you need to dive into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Honestly, if you own a Switch and *haven't* picked this up yet, I'm genuinely curious what you've been doing! This game is the ultimate gaming multiverse, where every character you've ever loved (and some you didn't even know you did) duke it out in glorious, chaotic fashion. The base game is already packed to the gills with fighters and stages, but if you're willing to part with another 55 quid or so for both fighter passes, you'll unlock an additional dozen characters – everything from Kingdom Hearts' Sora to Minecraft's Steve. It’s the kind of game that’ll keep you and your mates (or the kids, if you must) entertained until the *third* Mario movie inevitably rolls around. A true wizard's duel of epic proportions, I reckon.
### Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey: The Wizard's Secret RPG And for our grand finale, a recommendation for the true connoisseurs, the digital archaeologists among us: Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey. Yes, this is a 3DS game, so you might need to dust off an old console or scour eBay for physical copies (they're surprisingly reasonable, I'm told!). But trust me, this is a hidden gem that absolutely deserves your attention. It's a remake of a brilliant DS game, and it’s a turn-based RPG that puts a hilarious twist on the usual Mario formula. You actually get to play as Bowser, exploring his insides (it's less gross than it sounds, mostly!) while Mario and Luigi try to save the day from within. Plus, the 'Bowser Jr.'s Journey' add-on gives you even more story. If the movie made you chuckle and you're after something genuinely creative and different from your typical platformer, this provides a fresh perspective on a bunch of characters you just saw on the big screen. It’s got heart, it’s got humour, and it’s a proper adventure for those willing to venture a bit off the beaten path.
So there you have it, mate. Your post-Mario Galaxy Movie gaming roadmap, carefully curated by yours truly. From revisiting classic space battles to unearthing hidden RPG gems, there's a whole universe of Mario-adjacent fun out there waiting for you. Whether you're chasing nostalgia or seeking new adventures, these games offer a brilliant way to keep that cinematic magic alive. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I hear the warp pipes calling...
Tags: Nintendo Switch, Mario, Gaming Recommendations, Retro Gaming, Movie Tie-in
Original article: kotaku