Super Mario Galaxy 2#Reception and legacy

{{See also|Super Mario Galaxy#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay in Super Mario Galaxy}}

The gameplay of Super Mario Galaxy 2 is near-identical to its predecessor's, with a focus on platforming based on and around 3D planets, grouped into levels known as galaxies. Planets and galaxies each have varying themes, sizes, landscapes, and climates. The player controls Mario (or later in the game, his brother Luigi,{{cite web |author=Words: Henry Gilbert, GamesRadar US |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/super-mario-galaxy-2/news/luigi-in-mario-galaxy-2-official-japanese-site-says-yes/a-20100422145740537034/g-2009060210524839056 |title=Luigi in Mario Galaxy 2? Official Japanese site says yes, Super Mario Galaxy 2 Wii News |publisher=GamesRadar |date=April 22, 2010 |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=June 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615194816/http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/super-mario-galaxy-2/news/luigi-in-mario-galaxy-2-official-japanese-site-says-yes/a-20100422145740537034/g-2009060210524839056 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/luigi-gameplay-super-mario/65200 |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 Video Game, Luigi Gameplay | Game Trailers & Videos |publisher=GameTrailers |date=May 5, 2010 |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010212810/https://www.youtube.com/c/gametrailers |url-status=live }} though using him is optional), who has special abilities such as the "Spin" attack, long jump, wall jumps, and a variety of somersaults. As in the original, the objective of the game is to travel to the various galaxies and collect Power Stars, which are awarded by completing levels and accomplishing tasks and are used to gain access to later levels. The game retains various gameplay mechanics introduced in the original, such as the blue Star Pointer that allows the player to collect Star Bits and shoot them at enemies, levels that restrict movement to a 2D plane, balance ball levels, and gravity-reversing background arrows.{{cite web| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review| publisher = GameTrailers| date = May 31, 2016| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXLXL46UCS4| access-date = October 11, 2020| archive-date = October 27, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201027154954/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXLXL46UCS4&gl=US&hl=en| url-status = live}}

The game provides the player access to the game's galaxies through means of a map system similar to that in previous Mario games such as Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros. Wii.{{cite web|first=JC|last=Fletcher|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/miyamoto-explains-super-mario-galaxy-2-new-world-map/|title=Miyamoto explains Super Mario Galaxy 2's new world map|publisher=Joystiq|date=March 29, 2010|access-date=September 8, 2011|archive-date=October 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021064302/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/miyamoto-explains-super-mario-galaxy-2-new-world-map/|url-status=live}} This is navigated via a mobile planet called Starship Mario that serves as a hub world, which can be visited anytime and is expanded when new abilities or levels are unlocked.{{cite web |author=Words: Brett Elston, GamesRadar US |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/super-mario-galaxy-2/preview/super-mario-galaxy-2-light-yoshi-rock-mario-and-more/a-20100330175822274016/g-2009060210524839056/p-2 |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2: Light Yoshi, Rock Mario and more, Super Mario Galaxy 2 Wii Previews |publisher=GamesRadar |date=March 31, 2010 |access-date=April 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615194812/http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/super-mario-galaxy-2/preview/super-mario-galaxy-2-light-yoshi-rock-mario-and-more/a-20100330175822274016/g-2009060210524839056/p-2 |archive-date=June 15, 2011}} The game contains forty-nine galaxies allotted among seven different regions in the universe (called "worlds"), with the general difficulty progressively increasing in each world. The first six worlds end with a boss level, in which the objective is to defeat Bowser or Bowser Jr. (the former being in even-numbered worlds, and the latter being in odd-numbered worlds), which then allows the player to access the next world. When the player collects all 120 Power Stars, 120 Green Star missions are unlocked. These levels, containing Green Stars that are hidden or placed in hard-to-reach areas, require intense exploration and precision and may cause instant death if the player fails. Super Mario Galaxy 2 contains 242 unique Power Stars to collect overall.{{cite web |first=Samuel |last=Claiborn |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/14354736/ |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 Guide |publisher=IGN |access-date=May 28, 2010 |archive-date=August 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812192909/http://guides.ign.com/guides/14354736/ |url-status=live }}

Most of the levels in Super Mario Galaxy 2 offer a unique task based around its theme, and many focus on dynamic environments that change or alternate between various states. For example, some environments change to the beat of the background music, such as sudden shifts in the direction of gravity or the appearance or disappearance of platforms; and others feature a special switch that temporarily slows down time. Prankster Comets, which were featured in the original game and cause variation and tougher challenges in levels, no longer appear randomly in visited galaxies but instead require the collection of a Comet Medal in that galaxy in order for it to appear.{{cite web |first=Stephen |last=Totilo |url=http://kotaku.com/5479475/planet-mario-and-map-suggest-super-mario-galaxy-2-secrets/ |title=Planet Mario And Map Suggest Super Mario Galaxy 2 Secrets – Super Mario Galaxy 2 |publisher=Kotaku |date=February 24, 2010 |access-date=April 8, 2010 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116074025/https://kotaku.com/5479475/planet-mario-and-map-suggest-super-mario-galaxy-2-secrets/ |url-status=live }} In addition, Prankster Comets have become more general and offer any number of variations: while Super Mario Galaxy offered only five mutually exclusive variations, the Prankster Comets in Super Mario Galaxy 2 range to any number of challenges that often mix or overlap. These include defeating all the enemies, collecting 100 Purple Coins, completing the level within a time limit, completing the level with only one maximum health unit, or avoiding Cosmic Clones (doppelgängers of Mario that imitate the player's actions). As a result, both the dynamic environments and the Prankster Comets often create challenges with puzzle elements, requiring precision and strategy in order to overcome them.{{cite web| last = McAllister| first = Jeff| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2 Comet Medal Guide| publisher = GamesRadar| year = 2010| url = http://www.gamesradar.com/f/super-mario-galaxy-2-comet-coin-guide/a-20100524134513853015| access-date = July 15, 2011| archive-date = July 9, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210709082249/https://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-galaxy-2-comet-medal-guide/| url-status = live}}

File:Smg2cloudmario.jpg

All the original transformations in Super Mario Galaxy return, with the exception of Ice Mario and Flying Mario. Three new power-ups and items for Mario are introduced in the game. These include the Spin Drill, which allows the player to burrow through planets and emerge out the other side; Rock Mario, which allows the player to transform into a boulder and smash through enemies and other obstacles; and Cloud Mario, which allows the player to create up to three temporary platforms in midair.{{cite web |first=Mike |last=Fahey |url=http://kotaku.com/5518944/super-mario-galaxy-2-forecast-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-plumbers |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 Forecast Cloudy with a Chance of Plumbers |publisher=Kotaku |date=April 16, 2010 |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116074020/https://kotaku.com/5518944/super-mario-galaxy-2-forecast-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-plumbers |url-status=live }}

Mario is able to ride the dinosaur Yoshi in certain levels. When riding Yoshi, the player's blue Star Pointer is replaced by a red dot, which allows the player to point at various objects and manipulate them with Yoshi's tongue.{{cite web |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 E3 09: Debut Trailer |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-super-mario/50233 |publisher=GameTrailers |date=June 2, 2009 |access-date=June 3, 2009 |archive-date=June 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604095838/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-super-mario/50233 |url-status=live }} Yoshi can also use his tongue to swing across gaps, pull levers, and swallow berries and enemies (with the option to spit the latter back out as projectiles). In addition, Yoshi allows the player to flutter jump.{{cite web |date=May 3, 2010 |title=It's-A Him (Again!): Hands-On with Super Mario Galaxy 2 |url=https://techland.time.com/2010/05/03/it%E2%80%99s-a-him-again-hands-on-with-super-mario-galaxy-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616065239/https://techland.time.com/2010/05/03/it%E2%80%99s-a-him-again-hands-on-with-super-mario-galaxy-2/ |archive-date=June 16, 2024 |access-date=July 28, 2024 |publisher=Time Magazine}} There are also three different power-up fruits available for Yoshi to eat that grant him temporary abilities. These are the Dash Pepper, the Blimp Fruit and the Bulb Berry. The Dash Pepper allows Yoshi to run at an extremely high speed, allowing him to run up walls and on water; the Blimp Fruit allows Yoshi to float in the air for a limited amount of time; the Bulb Berry allows Yoshi to reveal secret pathways.{{cite web |title=Super Mario Galaxy | Nintendo | Wii games |url=http://www.supermariogalaxy.com/#/mario-yoshi/yoshi-power-ups/ |publisher=Official Nintendo Magazine |access-date=July 3, 2011 |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514044828/http://www.supermariogalaxy.com/#/mario-yoshi/yoshi-power-ups/ |url-status=live }} If the player takes damage while riding Yoshi, the player will fall off and Yoshi will run away until the player gets back on him. If the player does not get back on, Yoshi will retreat into his egg and to different nests which can only be found in certain areas of the level.

The Cosmic Guide appears if the player has failed during a particular level a certain number of times, and allows the player to give computer control over Mario to complete the level. The drawback is that the player is awarded a Bronze Star, which is not added to the overall Power Star count, requiring the player to complete the level without using the Cosmic Guide to earn a golden Power Star.{{cite web |first=Mike |last=Fahey |url=http://kotaku.com/5521248/a-look-at-super-mario-galaxy-2s-cosmic-guide-and-cloud-mario |title=A Look at Super Mario Galaxy 2's Cosmic Guide and Cloud Mario |publisher=Kotaku |date=April 21, 2010 |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116073623/https://kotaku.com/5521248/a-look-at-super-mario-galaxy-2s-cosmic-guide-and-cloud-mario |url-status=live }} There are also monitors called "Hint TVs" that will demonstrate how to perform a specific move or optimal ways of using a power-up.{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/fluffy-bluff-super-mario/64801 |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 Video Game, Fluffy Bluff Gameplay Part I (Cam) | Game Trailers & Videos |publisher=GameTrailers |date=April 23, 2010 |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=April 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425000012/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/fluffy-bluff-super-mario/64801 |url-status=live }}

Multiplayer gameplay has also been expanded upon over the original. In Super Mario Galaxy, another player could use a second Wii Remote to control a second Star Pointer and assist Mario by grabbing enemies or collecting and shooting Star Bits. In Super Mario Galaxy 2, the second player now controls an orange Luma who retains all the original abilities, but can also physically attack enemies and collect items, power-ups and 1-ups, making the player's involvement more useful.

In a retelling of the first game's story, Princess Peach invites Mario to share a cake at the Star Festival, a centennial celebration that occurs when Star Bits rain down from the skies over the Mushroom Kingdom. On his way to Peach's castle, Mario finds a lost Baby Luma, who immediately befriends him and grants him the ability to spin. Shortly thereafter, Mario's nemesis Bowser, who has grown to an immense size after abusing the power of the Grand Stars, attacks the castle. Kidnapping Peach, Bowser escapes into outer space to recreate his empire at the center of the universe. After finding two Lumas who offer their help to Mario, one of them transforms into a Launch Star that launches Mario into outer space. After landing on and venturing through the first galaxy and obtaining his first Power Star, Mario arrives on a small planetoid functioning as a spaceship and meets Lubba, a large purple Luma who leads a small band of Lumas. Lubba explains that Power Stars are needed to power the spaceship and that he and his crew were attacked by Bowser earlier, with some Lumas having been thrown overboard. Lubba has realized that Bowser kidnapped Peach and offers his help in tracking him down and saving the princess. He offers to grant Mario temporary ownership of the spaceship in exchange for him bringing back more Power Stars. After Mario agrees, he instructs his Lumas to rebuild the ship in honor of Mario and they do so, rebuilding it in the shape of his head. Mario is then thusly given control of Starship Mario. Starship Mario then sets off on its journey towards the center of the universe to save Peach. As Mario travels the cosmos, explores more galaxies, and obtains more Power Stars, he meets new species and joins up with his companion Yoshi, the Toad Brigade from the original Super Mario Galaxy, and his brother Luigi, all whom join Mario on the starship.

As Mario and his allies travel the universe, he encounters Bowser's son Bowser Jr., who is once again aiding his father in his plan and hinders Mario's progress by fighting him twice, losing both times. Mario also encounters Bowser twice in his own galaxies, also managing to defeat him in battle both times, although he escapes after each defeat. All the while, Mario collects Grand Stars, which are enhanced forms of Power Stars that create portals allowing access to another part of the universe. After traveling through various galaxies throughout the universe collecting Power and Grand Stars, Mario and his allies finally reach Bowser's giant starship generator, which is draining energy from what appears to be a comet. Mario infiltrates the starship and engages Bowser in a third battle. Once again, Mario defeats Bowser and causes him to revert to his normal size and fall to his presumed death. Just as he falls, the last Grand Star appears. Before Mario can grab it, Bowser emerges, having survived the fall. He consumes the Grand Star, once again increasing his size and making him more powerful. A final battle ensues, in which Mario manages to finally defeat Bowser by ground-pounding meteorites onto him, causing him to once again shrink and fall into the abyss. Mario grabs the last Grand Star and saves Peach. They return to Starship Mario and Rosalina and her Comet Observatory from the first game appear before Starship Mario. Rosalina thanks Mario for watching over Baby Luma, who then returns to the Comet Observatory, taking Mario's hat with him. Mario and his friends return to the Mushroom Kingdom and celebrate their victory, whereas Bowser is revealed to once again have survived. However, he is enraged at having been shrunken down to a comically small size. The game ends with Starship Mario flying above Peach's castle, with the Comet Observatory streaking across the sky.

File:Koichi Hayashida E3 2013.jpg

After Nintendo completed Super Mario Galaxy, Shigeru Miyamoto approached the development team and suggested that a follow-up be produced. The game was originally planned to just do variations on the original game's planets and call the game "Super Mario Galaxy More", and was dubbed "Super Mario Galaxy 1.5" during early development, with a projected development time of approximately a year. The first elements that were implemented were anything that was scrapped from the original game, either to ensure game balance or simply because of time constraints, such as Yoshi and the concept of a planet shaped like Mario's head. Over time, more and more new elements and ideas were brought into the game, and it was decided that the game would be a fleshed-out sequel rather than a slightly modified follow-up. Thus, development took two and a half years. Koichi Hayashida and Takeshi Hayakawa served as the director and lead programmer, respectively.{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |url=http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/05/18/iwata_asks_mario_staff/ |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 Staff Quizzed by Iwata |publisher=andriasang |date=May 18, 2010 |access-date=July 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519174042/http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/05/18/iwata_asks_mario_staff/ |archive-date=May 19, 2010}}{{Cite web |title=The secret to Mario level design |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/the-secret-to-i-mario-i-level-design |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com}} Hayakawa created a development tool that allowed different staff members, including visual and sound designers, to easily design and create stages without waiting for programmers, many of which were incorporated into the final game.

In order to help distinguish Super Mario Galaxy 2 from its predecessor, the staff originally wanted the whole game to revolve around the concept of "switching", in which the game's environments would dramatically change under certain conditions. This concept ended up being particularly difficult to implement full-scale, so was relegated to only certain levels.{{cite web |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/vol2_page3.jsp |title=Wii.com – Iwata Asks: Super Mario Galaxy 2 |publisher=US.Wii.com |year=2010 |access-date=July 15, 2011 |archive-date=December 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218153019/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/vol2_page3.jsp |url-status=live }} Another idea that came up early on were cameo inclusions by other Nintendo characters (specifically Donkey Kong and Pikmin). The idea however was nixed by Miyamoto who stated that Pikmin characters wouldn't work within the Mario universe, and that there was no reason for other such cameos.{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=May 26, 2009|title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 Could Have Featured Donkey Kong and Pikmin Cameos, But Miyamoto Said "No" |work=Gametrailers|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/7467/super-mario-galaxy-2-could-have-featured-donkey-kong-and-pikmin-cameos-but-miyamoto-said-no|access-date=August 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913094015/http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/7467/super-mario-galaxy-2-could-have-featured-donkey-kong-and-pikmin-cameos-but-miyamoto-said-no|archive-date=September 13, 2012}} Game tutorials were confined to an optional system called the "Tip Network" in order to benefit players already familiar with the original game.{{cite web |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/vol1_page3.jsp |title=Wii.com – Iwata Asks: Super Mario Galaxy 2 |publisher=US.Wii.com |year=2010 |access-date=July 15, 2011 |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217070151/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/vol1_page3.jsp |url-status=live }} Miyamoto compared Super Mario Galaxy 2 to The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, in that both games use the same engines as their predecessors, yet build upon their foundations.{{cite web |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/vol1_page1.jsp |title=Wii.com – Iwata Asks: Super Mario Galaxy 2 |publisher=US.Wii.com |year=2010 |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524061128/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/supermariogalaxy2/vol1_page1.jsp |url-status=live }}

The game was revealed at E3 2009 on June 2. In Miyamoto's private conference, it was stated that the game was very far along in development, but its release was held back to mid-2010 because of New Super Mario Bros. Wii{{'}}s release in late 2009. Miyamoto also stated that the game has 95–99% new features, with the rest being previous features introduced in Super Mario Galaxy.{{cite web | title=E3 2009: Shigeru Miyamoto Roundtable LiveBlog | url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/989/989996p1.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612002157/http://wii.ign.com/articles/989/989996p1.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 12, 2009 | publisher=IGN | date=June 2, 2009 | access-date=June 3, 2009}} With regard to the original game, Nintendo of America President and CEO Reggie Fils-Aimé stated in an interview that the sequel would be more challenging,{{cite web | first=Matt | last=Casamassina | title=E3 2009: Reggie Fils-Aime on the Record | url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/989/989857p1.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604123349/http://wii.ign.com//articles//989//989857p1.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 4, 2009 | publisher=IGN | date=June 2, 2009 | access-date=June 3, 2009}} and Miyamoto said in a Wired interview that the game would have less focus on plot.{{cite magazine |first=Chris |last=Kohler |url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/06/super-mario-galaxy-2/ |title=Miyamoto: Why I Spiked Mario Galaxy 2's Story |magazine=Wired |date=June 12, 2009 |access-date=June 16, 2009 |archive-date=June 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616045158/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/06/super-mario-galaxy-2/ |url-status=live }} Miyamoto initially hinted that the game might utilize the "Super Guide" feature, introduced in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, into the game,{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=227358%3Fcid%3DOTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS|title=Mario Galaxy 2 will be "really challenging" – Miyamoto|last=Robinson|first=Andy|date=November 16, 2009|publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames.com|access-date=February 6, 2010|archive-date=May 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527234235/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=227358%3Fcid%3DOTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS|url-status=live}} and this was confirmed by Nintendo's Senior Manager of Product Managing, Bill Trinen, who claimed that the feature was implemented differently compared to what New Super Mario Bros. Wii offered. The feature is called Cosmic Guide, where the Cosmic Spirit (Rosalina) takes control of Mario.{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=East |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=239163%3Fcid%3DOTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS |title=Wii News: Mario Galaxy 2 to get Super Guide |publisher=Computer and Video Games |date=March 15, 2010 |access-date=April 8, 2010 |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528004314/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=239163%3Fcid%3DOTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS |url-status=live }}

The game made its playable debut at the Nintendo Media Summit 2010 on February 24, 2010, when a second trailer for the game was released, and its North American release date on May 23, 2010, was finally announced.{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Cabral |url=http://kotaku.com/5479257/super-mario-galaxy-2-hits-north-america-may-23 |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 Hits North America May 23 – Nintendo summit 2010 |publisher=Kotaku |date=February 24, 2010 |access-date=April 8, 2010 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116073219/https://kotaku.com/5479257/super-mario-galaxy-2-hits-north-america-may-23 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/nintendo-media-super-mario/62270 |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 Video Game, Nintendo Media Summit Trailer | Game Trailers & Videos |publisher=GameTrailers |date=February 24, 2010 |access-date=April 8, 2010 |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224104811/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/nintendo-media-super-mario/62270 |url-status=live }} The Japanese, European and Australian versions of the game came packaged with an instructional DVD manual, explaining the basic controls, as well as showing advanced play.{{cite web |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |url=http://kotaku.com/5534999/watch-mario-galaxy-2s-video-instruction-manual |title=Watch Mario Galaxy 2's Video Instruction Manual |publisher=Kotaku |date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107051205/https://kotaku.com/5534999/watch-mario-galaxy-2s-video-instruction-manual |url-status=live }} The voice actors from Super Mario Galaxy reprise their roles for its sequel including Scott Burns (who voiced Bowser in previous games) and Dex Manley (who played Lubba and Lakitu).

In January 2015, late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced at a Nintendo Direct presentation that Super Mario Galaxy 2, alongside other Wii games such as Punch-Out!! and Metroid Prime: Trilogy, would be re-released for download on the Wii U's Nintendo eShop.{{cite web|last1=Schneider|first1=Steven|title='Metroid Prime Trilogy' And 'Super Mario Galaxy 2' Headed To Wii U|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/26512/20150114/metroid-prime-trilogy-and-super-mario-galaxy-2-headed-to-wii-u.htm|website=Tech Times|access-date=January 24, 2015|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128031132/https://www.techtimes.com/articles/26512/20150114/metroid-prime-trilogy-and-super-mario-galaxy-2-headed-to-wii-u.htm|url-status=live}} It was released on January 14, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-14-mario-galaxy-2-metroid-prime-trilogy-headed-to-wii-u-eshop|title=Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid Prime Trilogy headed to Wii U eShop|first=Tom|last=Phillips|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=January 14, 2015|access-date=January 14, 2015|quote=Nintendo will start by selling Super Mario Galaxy 2 starting later today.|archive-date=January 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120234559/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-14-mario-galaxy-2-metroid-prime-trilogy-headed-to-wii-u-eshop|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://ie.ign.com/articles/2015/01/14/super-mario-galaxy-2-metroid-prime-trilogy-coming-to-wii-u|title=Super Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid Prime Trilogy Coming to Wii U|first=Jose|last=Otero|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=January 14, 2015|access-date=January 14, 2015|quote=Super Mario Galaxy 2 is out today.|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709082317/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/14/super-mario-galaxy-2-metroid-prime-trilogy-coming-to-wii-u|url-status=live}}

{{See also|Super Mario Galaxy#Music|l1=Music in Super Mario Galaxy}}

{{Infobox album

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| artist = Mahito Yokota, Ryo Nagamatsu, and Koji Kondo

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| length = 65:00 (Disc 1)
66:39 (Disc 2)

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| next_year =

}}

As with the original Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2 features a musical score written for and performed by a symphony orchestra (known as the Mario Galaxy Orchestra in the credits).Super Mario Galaxy 2 staff roll Early in the development process, when the concept of "Super Mario Galaxy 1.5" was being considered, there were no plans to use different music from the first Super Mario Galaxy. However, as the game evolved, the sound team, headed by Mahito Yokota, realized they needed new music that fit with the new gameplay mechanics that were being added. Although they were hesitant to use a symphony orchestra again because of recording difficulties, general producer Shigeru Miyamoto gave permission immediately – according to Yokota, Miyamoto felt that players would be expecting an orchestral soundtrack. Miyamoto also apparently suggested that players would want to hear arrangements from Super Mario Galaxy, which is why the soundtrack is a mixture of brand new pieces and arrangements of themes from the original Galaxy as well as many past installments in the Mario series, such as Super Mario World and Super Mario 64.{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=May 26, 2010 |url=http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/05/26/iwata_asks_mario_music/ |title=Iwata Asks Koji Kondo About Super Mario Galaxy 2's Music |access-date=July 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630043327/http://andriasang.com/coml19/iwata_asks_mario_music/ |archive-date=June 30, 2012}} Ryo Nagamatsu, who worked previously on Mario Kart Wii, Wii Sports Resort, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, contributed nine pieces to the soundtrack.{{cite web |url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/s/supermariogalaxy2.shtml |title=Game Music :: Super Mario Galaxy 2 Original Soundtrack :: Album Information |publisher=Square Enix Music |access-date=July 15, 2011 |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814230131/https://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/s/supermariogalaxy2.shtml |url-status=live }}

Koji Kondo recruited sixty musicians for the orchestra, ten more than the number of musicians used for the original game's score, with an additional ten musicians providing a big band style of music with trumpets, trombones, saxophones and drums for a grand total of seventy players. The orchestral performances were conducted by Taizo Takemoto, renowned for his work with the Super Smash Bros. Concert in 2002, while Kondo served as a supervisor, while also contributing five pieces to the soundtrack.{{cite web |last=East |first=Thomas |date=May 26, 2010 |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=17417 |title=Mario Galaxy 2: Koji Kondo reveals soundtrack details |publisher=Official Nintendo Magazine |access-date=May 26, 2010 |archive-date=May 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530075418/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=17417 |url-status=live }} The soundtrack was available as a 2-disc set to Japanese Club Nintendo members with seventy songs taken from the game.{{cite web |url=http://club.nintendo.jp/member/exec/index |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 Original Soundtrack – Club Nintendo Japan |publisher=Club Nintendo |access-date=May 26, 2010 |archive-date=August 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814062750/http://club.nintendo.jp/member/exec/index |url-status=live }}

{{Video game reviews

| GR = 97%{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/960551-super-mario-galaxy-2/index.html |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 Reviews |access-date=May 21, 2009 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601051941/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/960551-super-mario-galaxy-2/index.html |archive-date=June 1, 2010 |url-status=dead}}

| MC = 97/100{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/supermariogalaxy2?q=super%20mario%20galaxy%202 |access-date=May 21, 2010 |publisher=Metacritic |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 |archive-date=April 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428184500/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/super-mario-galaxy-2 |url-status=live }}

| 1UP = A

| Edge = 10/10{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesradar.com/f/super-mario-galaxy-2-scores-1010-in-edge-magazine-review/a-20100505194619462064 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013154623/http://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-galaxy-2-scores-1010-in-edge-magazine-review/ |archive-date=October 13, 2012| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2 scores 10/10 in Edge magazine review | access-date = May 18, 2010 | date = May 6, 2010 | publisher = GamesRadar }}

| Fam = 37/40{{cite web| last = Gifford| first = Kevin| title = Japan Review Check: Super Mario Galaxy 2, Alan Wake| publisher = 1UP.com| date = May 19, 2010| url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179380| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130116181807/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179380| url-status = dead| archive-date = January 16, 2013| access-date = May 31, 2010}}

| EuroG = 10/10

| GI = 9.25/10

| GamePro = {{Rating|4.5|5}}

| GSpot = 10/10

| GSpy = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web| last = Scott| first = Ryan| title = Review Super Mario Galaxy 2| publisher = GameSpy| date = May 26, 2010| url = http://uk.wii.gamespy.com/wii/super-mario-galaxy-2/1093165p1.html| access-date = May 31, 2010| archive-date = August 12, 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140812205817/http://uk.wii.gamespy.com/wii/super-mario-galaxy-2/1093165p1.html| url-status = live}}

| GT = 9.7/10

| IGN = 10/10

| Destruct = 10/10{{cite web |url= https://www.destructoid.com/review-super-mario-galaxy-2-174362.phtml |title= Super Mario Galaxy 2 |publisher= Destructoid |access-date= May 28, 2010 |archive-date= February 18, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190218172633/https://www.destructoid.com/review-super-mario-galaxy-2-174362.phtml |url-status= live }}

| NWR = 9.5/10{{cite web |url= http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/23110/super-mario-galaxy-2-wii |title= Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review |publisher= Nintendo World Report |access-date= June 10, 2010 |archive-date= December 29, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112856/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/23110/super-mario-galaxy-2-wii |url-status= live }}

| NLife = {{Rating|10|10}}{{cite web |url= http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wii/super_mario_galaxy_2 |title= Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review |date= May 22, 2010 |publisher= Nintendo Life |access-date= June 4, 2010 |archive-date= December 29, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112430/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wii/super_mario_galaxy_2 |url-status= live }}

| ONM = 97%

| XPlay = {{Rating|5|5}}

| GB = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web |url= https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-2-review/1900-286/ |title= Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review |date= May 21, 2010 |publisher= Giant Bomb |access-date= May 24, 2010 |archive-date= April 15, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210415061058/https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-2-review/1900-286/ |url-status= live }}

| award1Pub = Nintendo Power

| award1 = Game of the Year 2010

| award2Pub = GamesMaster

| award2 = Game of the Year 2010

| award3Pub = Official Nintendo Magazine

| award3 = Game of the Year 2010

| award4Pub = Games Magazine

| award4 = Game of the Year 2010

}}

Like its predecessor, Super Mario Galaxy 2 was widely acclaimed by major video game critics with numerous reviews praising the game for its creativity and technical improvements over the original. Most reviewers agreed that the game either lived up to or surpassed the original Super Mario Galaxy. It has an average critic score of 97% at GameRankings and 97/100 at Metacritic, making it one of the highest-rated games on the sites alongside its predecessor.

Tom McShea from GameSpot called it a "new standard for platformers", giving it a perfect 10, making it the seventh game in the site's history to earn that score.{{cite web| last = McShea| first = Tom| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review| publisher = GameSpot| date = May 22, 2010| url = http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-2-review/1900-6263170/| access-date = January 19, 2014| archive-date = April 26, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160426093748/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-2-review/1900-6263170/| url-status = live}} Other perfect scores came from Edge, stating "This isn't a game that redefines the genre: this is one that rolls it up and locks it away,"{{cite web |url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/review-super-mario-galaxy-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026084337/http://www.edge-online.com/review/review-super-mario-galaxy-2/ |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |title=Review: Super Mario Galaxy 2 |access-date=October 11, 2020 |date=May 6, 2010 |publisher=Edge}} and IGN{{'s}} Craig Harris, who felt that the game "perfectly captures that classic videogame charm, the reason why most of us got into gaming from the start".{{cite web| last = Harris|first = Craig| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review| publisher = IGN| date = May 20, 2010| url = http://wii.ign.com/articles/109/1091239p1.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100522021025/http://wii.ign.com/articles/109/1091239p1.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = May 22, 2010| access-date = May 22, 2010}} IGN later placed Super Mario Galaxy 2 fourth on their "Top Modern Games" list{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/top/modern-games/4|title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 – #4 Top Modern Games – IGN|publisher=IGN|access-date=September 1, 2011|archive-date=October 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001205116/http://uk.ign.com/top/modern-games/4|url-status=live}} and listed it as the greatest Wii game of all time.{{cite web|url = http://wii.ign.com/articles/104/1048874p5.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091127052810/http://wii.ign.com/articles/104/1048874p5.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = November 27, 2009 |title= The Top 25 Wii Games }} The Escapist editor Susan Arendt echoed this view by stating it "doesn't tinker with the established formula very much, but we didn't really want it to",{{cite web| last = Arendt| first = Susan| title = Review: Super Mario Galaxy 2| work = The Escapist| date = May 20, 2010| url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/7585-Review-Super-Mario-Galaxy-2| access-date = May 22, 2010| archive-date = February 2, 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140202215101/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/7585-Review-Super-Mario-Galaxy-2| url-status = live}} while GameTrailers commented that "there's something tremendous for just about everyone and games that we can truly recommend to almost everyone are rare". Ryan Scott at GameSpy regards it a much better game than the first Super Mario Galaxy, stating, "For a series that's explored every conceivable angle of its genre, the Mario games keep coming up with ways to challenge our notions of what a platformer can and should do."

Giant Bomb{{'s}} Ryan Davis particularly praised the improved level designs, commenting that the designers were "bolder" and "more willing to take some weird risks with the planetoids and abstract platforming that set the tone in the original Galaxy",{{cite web| last = Davis| first = Ryan| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review| publisher = Giant Bomb| date = May 21, 2010| url = http://www.giantbomb.com/super-mario-galaxy-2/61-26839/reviews/| access-date = May 22, 2010| archive-date = November 6, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121106082912/http://www.giantbomb.com/super-mario-galaxy-2/61-26839/reviews/| url-status = live}} while Chris Kohler from Wired commented that the level concepts alone "could be made into full games on their own".{{cite magazine| last = Kohler| first = Chris| title = Review: Brilliant Super Mario Galaxy 2 Is Full of Surprises| magazine = Wired| date = May 21, 2010| url = https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/05/super-mario-galaxy-2-review/| access-date = May 22, 2010| archive-date = May 23, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100523045256/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/05/super-mario-galaxy-2-review/| url-status = live}} Additionally, 1UP.com{{'s}} Justin Haywald noted the expanded soundtrack as "sweeping".{{cite web| last = Haywald| first = Justin| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review for the Wii| publisher = 1UP.com| date = May 21, 2010| url = http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3179424&p=44&sec=REVIEWS| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130101182553/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3179424&p=44&sec=REVIEWS| url-status = dead| archive-date = January 1, 2013| access-date = May 22, 2010}} X-Play editor Andrew Pfister awarded Super Mario Galaxy 2 a 5/5, calling it "the culmination of 20 years of Mario gaming into one fantastically-designed and creative platformer".{{cite web| last = Pfister| first = Andrew| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2 Review| publisher = G4tv.com| date = May 21, 2010| url = http://g4tv.com/games/wii/61991/super-mario-galaxy-2/review/| access-date = May 22, 2010| archive-date = April 3, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120403004153/http://www.g4tv.com/games/wii/61991/super-mario-galaxy-2/review/| url-status = live}}

Despite this praise, some critics raised complaints over increased difficulty and the game's similarity to the original Super Mario Galaxy. Chris Scullion from Official Nintendo Magazine called it the "new best game on Wii", but said it lacked the original's impact (though they admitted the extreme difficulty of this, due to the quality of the original).{{cite web| last = Scullion| first = Chris| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2 review| work = Official Nintendo Magazine| date = June 9, 2010| url = http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/17706/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-2-review-review/| access-date = July 15, 2011| archive-date = May 9, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110509040332/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/17706/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-2-review-review/| url-status = dead}} Game Informer editor Matt Helgeson was concerned with some of the challenges being potentially "frustrating",{{cite magazine| last = Helgeson| first = Matt| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2| magazine = Game Informer| date = May 19, 2010| url = https://www.gameinformer.com/games/super_mario_galaxy_2/b/wii/archive/2010/05/19/mario-shines-in-epic-sequel.aspx| quote = Unfortunately, some other sequences that use the motion controller – some flight levels that control with "paper plane" controls and a Super Monkey Ball-style level that uses the Wii remote like a joystick – are imprecise and frustrating.| access-date = May 22, 2010| archive-date = October 10, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221010212809/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/super_mario_galaxy_2/b/wii/archive/2010/05/19/mario-shines-in-epic-sequel.aspx| url-status = live}} particularly towards the end of the game;{{cite magazine| last = Helgeson| first = Matt| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2: Mario Shines in Epic Sequel| magazine = Game Informer| date = May 19, 2010| url = https://gameinformer.com/games/super_mario_galaxy_2/b/wii/archive/2010/05/19/mario-shines-in-epic-sequel.aspx| access-date = May 22, 2010| archive-date = April 15, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210415035610/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/super_mario_galaxy_2/b/wii/archive/2010/05/19/mario-shines-in-epic-sequel.aspx| url-status = live}} similarly, Ben PerLee from GamePro remarked that the "increased difficulty and high proficiency requirement may turn new fans off".{{cite magazine| last = PerLee| first = Ben| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2| magazine = GamePro| date = May 21, 2010| url = http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/215237/super-mario-galaxy-2/| access-date = May 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524022603/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/215237/super-mario-galaxy-2/|archive-date=May 24, 2010}} However, Worthplaying editor Chris DeAngelus praised the game's difficulty, stating that "there are very few sequences where death will feel like a result of bad design instead of player error, which helps keep the frustration down".{{cite web| last = DeAngelus| first = Chris| title = Wii Review – 'Super Mario Galaxy 2'| publisher = Worthplaying| date = May 21, 2010| url = http://worthplaying.com/article/2010/5/21/reviews/74413/| access-date = May 22, 2010| archive-date = April 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210414045822/https://worthplaying.com/article/2010/5/21/reviews/74413/| url-status = live}} McShea opined that the game is "much more streamlined than its predecessor" and therefore "the best thing that can be said about the story is that it mostly stays in the background". Kohler acknowledged that the reduced focus on story "was done with the intent of keeping things laser-focused on the gameplay" but mentioned that "Galaxy showed that the Mario team has some genuinely solid storytelling ability, and they implemented it in a way that didn't distract from the gameplay" and that "in this case it feels like a waste of talent."

In Japan, Super Mario Galaxy 2 sold 143,000 copies on its first day of release and 340,000 copies in its first week,{{cite web| last = Remo| first = Chris| title = Super Mario Galaxy 2 Dominates Charts in Japanese Debut| publisher = Gamasutra| date = June 3, 2010| url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/28821/Super_Mario_Galaxy_2_Dominates_Charts_In_Japanese_Debut.php| access-date = June 4, 2010| archive-date = April 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210414045821/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/28821/Super_Mario_Galaxy_2_Dominates_Charts_In_Japanese_Debut.php| url-status = dead}} about 90,000 more than the first Super Mario Galaxy sold in the same amount of time.{{cite web| last = Sliwinski| first = Alexander| title = Super Mario Galaxy sells 250K first week in Japan| publisher = Joystiq| date = November 8, 2007| url = http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/super-mario-galaxy-sells-250k-first-week-in-japan/| access-date = June 4, 2010| archive-date = November 13, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101113033535/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/super-mario-galaxy-sells-250k-first-week-in-japan/| url-status = live}} In North America, the game sold 650,000 copies during the month of May 2010.{{cite web | author=Magrino, Tom | date=June 28, 2010 | title=May sales rebound led by Red Dead Redemption – Analyst | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6267067.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop%3Btitle%3B14 | publisher=GameSpot | access-date=June 30, 2010 | archive-date=July 9, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709082316/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/may-sales-rebound-led-by-red-dead-redemption-analyst/1100-6267067/ | url-status=live }} In the United Kingdom, Super Mario Galaxy 2 was the third best-selling game among multiplatform releases and the best-selling single platform release for the week ending June 26, 2010.{{cite web | author=Graft, Kris | date=June 28, 2010 | title=Lego Harry Potter: Years 1–4 Ends Red Dead's Five-Week Run In UK | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/29149/Lego_Harry_Potter_Years_14_Ends_Red_Deads_FiveWeek_Run_In_UK.php | publisher=Gamasutra | access-date=June 30, 2010 | archive-date=April 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413230802/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/29149/Lego_Harry_Potter_Years_14_Ends_Red_Deads_FiveWeek_Run_In_UK.php | url-status=dead }} As of July 16, 2010, the game has sold 1 million copies within the USA.{{cite web| last = Thorsen| first = Tor| title = Wii nears 30 million in US, Super Mario Galaxy 2 tops 1 million| publisher = GameSpot| date = July 16, 2010| url = http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6269359.html| access-date = July 22, 2010| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100730014304/http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6269359.html| archive-date = July 30, 2010}} As of April 2011, Super Mario Galaxy 2 has sold 6.36 million copies worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2011/110426e.pdf#page=5|title=Supplementary Information about Earnings Release|publisher=Nintendo|date=April 26, 2011|format=PDF|access-date=April 26, 2011|page=10|archive-date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624162057/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2011/110426e.pdf#page=5|url-status=live}}

Super Mario Galaxy 2 received Game of the Year 2010 awards from Nintendo Power, GamesMaster, Official Nintendo Magazine, Edge,{{cite web |last=East |first=Thomas |title=Wii News: Super Mario Galaxy 2 gets another game of the year award |publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |date=December 23, 2010 |access-date=June 20, 2011 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=281561 |archive-date=December 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225234432/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=281561 |url-status=live }} GamesTM,{{cite web |title=GAMES Game of the Year |publisher=GamesTM |year=2011 |access-date=June 20, 2011 |url=http://www.gamesmagazine-online.com/gameslinks/gameofyear.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502141720/http://www.gamesmagazine-online.com/gameslinks/gameofyear.html |archive-date=May 2, 2015}} Destructoid and Metacritic.{{cite web |last=Bischoff |first=Daniel |title=Metacritic Names Super Mario Galaxy 2 "Best Game of the Year" |publisher=GameRevolution |date=January 31, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2011 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/manifesto/metacritic-names-super-mario-galaxy-2-best-game-of-the-year-4017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926141046/http://www.gamerevolution.com/manifesto/metacritic-names-super-mario-galaxy-2-best-game-of-the-year-4017 |archive-date=September 26, 2012}} It was named best "Wii Game of the Year" by IGN,{{cite web |title=Best Wii Game of the Year |publisher=IGN |year=2011 |access-date=June 20, 2011 |url=http://uk.bestof.ign.com/2010/wii/best-wii-game-of-the-year.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314091306/http://uk.bestof.ign.com/2010/wii/best-wii-game-of-the-year.html |archive-date=March 14, 2012}} GameTrailers,{{cite web |title=Game of the Year |publisher=GameTrailers |date=December 31, 2010 |access-date=June 20, 2011 |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/game-of-game-of-the/708673 |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001002737/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/game-of-game-of-the/708673 |url-status=live }} GameSpot,{{cite web |title=Best Wii Game |publisher=GameSpot |year=2011 |access-date=June 20, 2011 |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/best-of-2010/platform-awards/index.html?page=4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228175310/http://uk.gamespot.com/best-of-2010/platform-awards/index.html?page=4 |archive-date=December 28, 2010}} 1UP.com,{{cite web |title=1UP's 2010 Game of the Year Awards |publisher=1UP.com |date=January 13, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2011 |url=http://www.1up.com/features/1up-2010-game-year-awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101174447/http://www.1up.com/features/1up-2010-game-year-awards |archive-date=January 1, 2013}} and many other media outlets. As of December 2010, IGN awarded Super Mario Galaxy 2 the number 1 Wii game, overtaking its predecessor.{{cite web|title=The Top 25 Wii Games |publisher=IGN |date=November 8, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2011 |url=http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/104/1048874p26.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116002223/http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/104/1048874p26.html |archive-date=November 16, 2010 }} In the March 2012 issue of Official Nintendo Magazine, the publication named Super Mario Galaxy 2 the 'Greatest Nintendo Game Ever Made' ranking at #1 out of 100.{{Cite web|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/36238/super-mario-galaxy-2-is-onms-best-nintendo-game-of-all-time/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309185253/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/36238/super-mario-galaxy-2-is-onms-best-nintendo-game-of-all-time/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2012|title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 is ONM's best Nintendo game of all time – Official Nintendo Magazine|date=March 9, 2012|access-date=March 3, 2019}} The game was nominated for Best Wii Game at the Spike TV Video Game Awards 2010.{{cite web |title=2010 Spike Video Game Awards Winners List |url=https://gamerant.com/2010-spike-video-game-awards-winners-list/ |website=Game Rant |date=December 12, 2010 |access-date=29 August 2023 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829105032/https://gamerant.com/2010-spike-video-game-awards-winners-list/ |url-status=live }} It was also nominated for "Favorite Video Game" at the 2011 Kids' Choice Awards, but lost to Just Dance 2.{{cite web |title=In Full: Kids' Choice Awards Nominees 2011 |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a303161/in-full-kids-choice-awards-nominees-2011/ |website=Digital Spy |last=Still |first=Jennifer |date=February 10, 2011 |access-date=29 August 2023 |archive-date=September 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901163023/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a303161/in-full-kids-choice-awards-nominees-2011/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Kids' Choice Awards 2011: The Show And Winners List |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/wi9lwt/kids-choice-awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829110229/https://www.mtv.com/news/wi9lwt/kids-choice-awards |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |website=MTV.com |last=Semigran |first=Aly |access-date=29 August 2023}} During the 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Super Mario Galaxy 2 for "Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering".{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2011&idGameAwardType=90 |title=2011 Awards Category Details Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120175305/https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2011&idGameAwardType=90 |url-status=live }}

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• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20180124190405/http://www.supermariogalaxy.com/}} (archived)
• [https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/super-mario-galaxy-2-wii-u/ Super Mario Galaxy 2] at nintendo.com

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Category:2010 video games

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