Today, I’m adding one more game to the list of games that have seen improvements when played on Nintendo Switch 2. Let’s have a look!

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Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Genre: Compilation / 3D Platformer

Players: 1-2 Co-Op (Local)

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Review:

In 2025, Super Mario Galaxy received its own separate release on Nintendo Switch, as well as being a part of a bundle with its direct sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2. That release received a patch to improve the resolution on Nintendo Switch 2 and add Mouse Mode support for its multiplayer co-op “Co-Star Mode”. While that’s nice and all, it surely must make a lot of the owners of Super Mario 3D All-Stars feel left behind, having purchased a collection with a now-inferior version of Super Mario Galaxy.

However, let’s put that aside and instead of being frustrated about what we don’t have, let’s check to see what we do have. In other words, what improvements, if any, does the Super Mario 3D All-Stars bundle receive on Nintendo Switch 2?

Well, first and foremost I want to make it clear that no, Super Mario 3D All-Stars did not receive the same patch to improve Super Mario Galaxy as the 2025 release of Super Mario Galaxy. All of the games in this bundle look exactly the same as they do on Nintendo Switch, save for one exception.

Perhaps it’s just me, but I think Super Mario Sunshine’s area-covering shadows look much better on Nintendo Switch 2 – they seem to be lighter and don’t have as stark a contrast with the well-lit areas. This isn’t the only improvement that Super Mario Sunshine receives here either – on Nintendo Switch 2, this game fully supports the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo GameCube Controller, including the ability to use the analog triggers to control the flow of water you spray.

Beyond these additions to Super Mario Sunshine, the main difference you’ll find playing this game on Nintendo Switch 2 is in loading times – on Nintendo Switch, it takes 5 seconds to load to title screen, another 11 seconds to load up Super Mario 64, 11 seconds to load up Super Mario Sunshine, and 14 seconds to load up Super Mario Galaxy. On Nintendo Switch 2, all of those times are slashed – 2 seconds, 6 seconds, 6 seconds, and 6 seconds, respectively.

So all of that is to say that while Super Mario 3D All-Stars doesn’t benefit from any sort of Nintendo Switch 2 patch, it still gets improved loading times and a few small improvements to Super Mario Sunshine. And while that may not be what owners of the game might hope for… it’s not nothing.

tl;dr – Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a compilation of Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy, all with improved resolution and full game soundtracks, and not much else. These games are legends, although of the three only Galaxy remains every bit as good as that legend. However, given the games’ age, the lack of enhancements, the lack of extra content, the high $60 price tag and the outrageous promise to yank the game from stores in a half a year, this otherwise must-have collection seems a lot less enticing than it should. It’s still a trio well worth owning for any fan of Platformers, but it’s one that’s hard for me to enthusiastically recommend.

Grade: A-

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I hope you enjoyed this latest Nintendo Switch 2 Difference Mini-Review, and found it to be helpful! Want to see all Nintendo Switch 2 Difference comparisons? Check out this page for links to every article where I’ve included these comparisons!

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