Remember Super Mario Galaxy (not the upcoming movie)? You should. Originally released on Nintendo’s strangest console, the Wii with its TV remote–shaped controller it was groundbreaking. No other platformer has truly matched its wild gravity mechanics, flinging Mario around tiny planets as the camera strained to keep up.
Nearly two decades later, it’s back on the Switch 2, and spinning across a 4K TV feels just as magical as it did on my old CRT in 2007. The visuals are sharper, but the big question is whether swapping the Wii Remote for a Joy-Con 2 changes the feel. Nintendo let me sample one level from both Galaxy titles, now repackaged with upgrades, extras, and a surprisingly steep price tag.
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Gyro Isn’t Quite the Same as the Wii Remote
The original Super Mario Galaxy used the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to handle Mario’s standard jumps and attacks, while the pointer let you scoop up those candy-colored Star Bits and fling them at enemies. The controls were streamlined compared to Super Mario 64 and Sunshine, compensating for the Wii Remote’s lack of buttons. On the Switch 2, the experience can only approximate what the original game felt like.
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers rely on built-in gyroscopes to mimic the old pointer. Motion controls or the X button trigger Mario’s spin attack, while the ZR button launches Star Bits or grabs “Pull Stars.” In Super Mario Galaxy 2, gyro aiming also guides Yoshi’s tongue for snatching enemies and tossing them around.
The Joy-Cons actually feel better suited for Wii-style controls than Nintendo’s Pro controller or third-party pads. Waving a single Joy-Con in each hand is far more natural than awkwardly tilting a full-sized gamepad. Unlike the Wii’s infrared sensor bar, the Switch 2 doesn’t track absolute position. Instead, you reset the cursor with an R button tap. That means you don’t need to aim directly at the TV, though your cursor can drift if your hand does.
In my play session, the Joy-Con 2 occasionally lost sync, but Nintendo claimed this was due to the crowded demo environment, not the final build. I’m inclined to believe them. After all, Galaxy already appeared on the original Switch as part of Super Mario 3D All-Stars.
On Switch 2, though, this version is undeniably superior. The bump from 480p to 4K with native widescreen transforms the game into a luminous storybook. Colors pop, textures shine, and the universe sparkles with a painterly glow that makes the Wii release look almost primitive by comparison.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Shines With Gyro and Mouse
If there’s one feature I wish Metroid Prime 4: Beyond fully embraced, it’s native mouse support. When Nintendo first teased the game at last week’s Direct, mouse controls felt like a given—yet they’re oddly absent in the Switch 2 build. It’s a missed opportunity for a series that thrives on precision.
I played through the first level of Beyond, the same demo Nintendo showcased before the Switch 2 reveal, and it’s clear why this is one of the console’s flagship titles. The game marries Metroid Prime’s iconic lock-on mechanic with gyro aiming that most closely resembles Prime 3: Corruption on the Wii. The real surprise, though, is how seamlessly the game integrates mouse input. By simply setting down the Joy-Con 2 on a flat surface, you can swap instantly from gyro aiming to mouse-level precision.
It’s a system that makes you wonder why more Switch 2 games don’t borrow the idea. Cyberpunk 2077’s port, for instance, desperately needed this kind of easy control swapping. After playing, I’m left hoping Nintendo brings the same setup to future titles or even patches it back into Metroid Prime: Remastered. Beyond proves that the series’ signature exploration and combat feel better than ever with modern control flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Super Mario Galaxy on Switch 2 a remake or a remaster?
It’s closer to a remaster. Nintendo upgraded textures, resolution, and aspect ratio, plus added new Assist features but the core gameplay and level design remain intact.
Can I play Super Mario Galaxy on Switch 2 without motion controls?
Yes. You can use button inputs on the Joy-Con 2 or Switch 2 Pro Controller, though certain actions like aiming or Yoshi’s tongue still feel better with gyro.
Does Metroid Prime 4: Beyond support mouse and keyboard?
Not exactly. The game allows seamless swapping between gyro controls and mouse-like input when the Joy-Con 2 is placed flat, but there’s no full keyboard + mouse support.
Is gyro aiming better than the Wii Remote?
It’s different. The Joy-Con 2 is more comfortable and less reliant on a sensor bar, but pointer accuracy isn’t quite as sharp as the original Wii Remote setup.
When is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond releasing?
Nintendo hasn’t announced a firm release date yet, but the Switch 2 demo suggests it’s well into development.
onclusion
The Switch 2 is proving to be a fascinating hybrid of nostalgia and innovation. Super Mario Galaxy demonstrates that even an 18-year-old game can feel fresh and magical when upgraded to 4K, with Joy-Con 2 gyro controls offering a surprisingly comfortable—but not identical—experience to the Wii Remote. Meanwhile, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond showcases the console’s potential for modern precision, blending gyro aiming with mouse-like input to deliver some of the tightest, most flexible controls Nintendo has offered in years.