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Start with Super Mario Odyssey if you want another ambitious 3D Mario adventure. Galaxy builds tightly structured, idea-driven stages around spherical gravity; Odyssey instead gives you larger kingdoms to explore, with Cappy letting Mario capture enemies, objects, and animals. Choose Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury for focused courses and multiplayer, or Kirby and the Forgotten Land for approachable 3D platforming outside the Mario series. If you missed either original, the Super Mario Galaxy games themselves are also available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2-compatible hardware.
Quick answer: which game should you play next?
There is no single game that reproduces every part of Super Mario Galaxy. Its appeal combines precise 3D movement, collectible hunting, themed environments, unusual gravity, polished family-friendly design, and short stages built around a central idea. The best follow-up depends on which of those qualities you want to preserve.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.82 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Star Fox™ - Nintendo Switch 2 | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Sonic Superstars - Nintendo Switch | $24.68 | Buy on Amazon |
| Game | Best for | What feels similar to Galaxy | Main difference | Local play |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Odyssey | Sandbox exploration and inventive Mario movement | Polished 3D platforming, imaginative worlds, secrets, and collectibles | Larger open-ended kingdoms and Cappy captures replace focused planetoid stages | One system for one or two players |
| Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury | Course-based levels, multiplayer, or a mix of courses and free roaming | Colorful platforming, power-ups, collectibles, and familiar Mario control | 3D World is a sequence of discrete courses; Bowser’s Fury supplies the open-area contrast | One system for up to four players |
| Kirby and the Forgotten Land | Accessible 3D platforming in discrete stages | Themed 3D stages, collectibles, and an approachable presentation | Kirby’s ability system and stage design create a different rhythm from Mario | Player count is not stated on the cited product listing |
| Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 | Readers who have not played both original adventures | The same core style, stages, characters, and gravity-focused design | These are re-releases of the source games, not alternatives to them | Check the edition and regional listing for supported modes |
What does “like Galaxy” mean to you?
Before choosing, separate the features that are often bundled together under “games like Galaxy.” A game can resemble it in one respect while feeling entirely different in another.
Spherical gravity and cosmic experimentation
Galaxy is unusual because its levels are built around planetoids, changing gravity, and compact scenarios that constantly introduce a new physical or spatial idea. None of the other recommendations copies that structure exactly. If gravity-driven level design is the non-negotiable feature, replaying Galaxy or playing its sequel is the closest option.
#1 Best Overall
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Precise 3D platforming
If you mainly want responsive jumping, camera-aware movement, and carefully authored challenges, all three new recommendations qualify. Odyssey gives you the broadest movement sandbox, while 3D World and Kirby present more clearly bounded stages.
Collectibles and exploration
Galaxy guides you through a sequence of stages with optional discoveries. Odyssey moves much more strongly toward exploration: each kingdom contains multiple objectives and hidden routes. Bowser’s Fury also supports free-roaming discovery, whereas the main 3D World campaign stays course-based.
Family accessibility and cooperative play
All three recommendations are designed to be approachable, but their multiplayer models differ. Nintendo lists one-system play for up to two players in Odyssey and up to four in Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. Kirby and the Forgotten Land has a free demo listed by Nintendo, allowing you to check its feel before buying; demo availability can vary by region.
Super Mario Odyssey: the best all-round follow-up
Choose Super Mario Odyssey when you want the most substantial new 3D Mario adventure and are happy to trade Galaxy’s compact stage structure for larger spaces to investigate. Nintendo describes it as a “sandbox-style 3D Mario adventure” filled with secrets, surprises, and new kingdoms to explore.
Why it suits a Galaxy player
- Movement remains the focus: jumping, throwing, climbing, and chaining actions reward experimentation.
- Kingdoms are packed with optional objectives and collectibles, so you can follow the critical path or spend time searching.
- Each area has a strong visual theme and introduces its own hazards, characters, and traversal problems.
- The presentation is polished and readable enough for family play, while optional discoveries provide depth for experienced players.
The important structural change
Galaxy usually asks you to enter a tightly designed stage whose central idea is apparent within minutes. Odyssey gives you a kingdom and lets you decide where to go next. Objectives are distributed across a larger space rather than arranged as a short sequence of self-contained planetoids. That makes Odyssey feel closer to the exploratory roots associated with Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine than to Galaxy’s linear stage rhythm.
Rank #2
- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
How Cappy changes the play
Cappy is more than a conventional power-up. Mario can capture selected enemies, objects, and animals, temporarily taking advantage of their movement or abilities. This creates puzzles and routes that are impossible with Mario alone. The trade-off is that the game’s identity shifts from learning one new platforming gimmick per stage to combining Mario’s moves with a range of captured forms.
Two-player and accessibility notes
Nintendo’s US product listing specifies TV, tabletop, and handheld modes, plus one-system play for one or two players. Nintendo Life’s October 26, 2017 review discusses optional cooperative play and Assist Mode; those are review observations rather than an independent test for this guide. If you are introducing someone to 3D platforming, the second-player option and Assist Mode can make experimentation less intimidating.
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Pick Odyssey if…
- You want a large amount of exploration after finishing a stage.
- You enjoy trying unusual abilities and finding alternate routes.
- You prefer Mario to another playable character.
- You want the strongest single recommendation rather than a direct replay of Galaxy.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury: the flexible choice for courses and co-op
This package is the better choice when you miss the clarity of individual Galaxy stages or want to play locally with a group. Nintendo’s Switch listing describes the main Super Mario 3D World campaign as course-based and Bowser’s Fury as free-roaming Mario play. The Switch version released on February 12, 2021.
Why the main campaign may click
Each 3D World course has a defined start, finish, collectible targets, and a controlled set of obstacles. That makes the game easier to dip into than an open kingdom and closer to Galaxy’s sense of moving from one authored challenge to the next. Power-ups and character movement produce variety without requiring you to manage a large open map.
What Bowser’s Fury adds
Bowser’s Fury changes the pacing with a connected area that you can roam more freely. It is useful if you want to test whether you prefer sandbox exploration without committing to the scale of Odyssey. The contrast inside one package is its main advantage: play tightly bounded courses when you want structure, then switch to open-area discovery.
Rank #3
- Blast off on a high-octane adventure to save a star system from invasion
- Tear through space, soar across planets, and shoot loads of foes out of the sky at every step of the way
- A cinematic take on the Star Fox 64 story, featuring fully voiced dialogue, an epic orchestral soundtrack, and a complete visual overhaul for the Nintendo Switch 2 system
- Enter first-person mode to experience the action from inside the cockpit, and even use mouse controls to fly
- Invite a second player* to join you as a gunner using Nintendo Switch 2 mouse controls
Multiplayer capacity
Nintendo lists TV, tabletop, and handheld modes and one-system play for up to four players. More players change the feel of the courses: coordination can make obstacles easier, while crowded movement can also create mistakes. For a family or group, this is the clearest recommendation on the shortlist.
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Pick 3D World + Bowser’s Fury if…
- You want short, clearly separated courses rather than one large world.
- Local multiplayer for more than two people matters.
- You want both traditional course design and a free-roaming mode in one purchase.
- You prefer power-ups and familiar Mario rules over Cappy’s capture system.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land: approachable 3D platforming beyond Mario
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the right alternative when you want the broad shape of a modern 3D platformer but are ready for a different character and ability system. Nintendo summarizes its premise as exploring 3D platforming stages, rescuing kidnapped Waddle Dees, and defeating the Beast Pack.
Where it overlaps with Galaxy
- Stages are discrete and themed rather than one uninterrupted open world.
- Exploration and collectibles encourage looking beyond the obvious route.
- The presentation is colorful and readable, making it suitable for players who do not want punishing precision.
- Movement takes place in full 3D, so the camera, positioning, and route-finding skills from Galaxy remain relevant.
Why it feels different
Kirby’s copy abilities and transformation-focused design shape every encounter. The game generally emphasizes experimentation and approachability over Mario-style momentum and precision. If you want the exact sensation of controlling Mario around tiny planets, this is not a substitute; if you want a welcoming stage-based adventure with secrets, it is a strong change of pace.
Use the demo before buying
Nintendo currently advertises a free demo on the game’s product page. Check the Nintendo eShop listing for your country before relying on that offer, because demo availability and access can change by region. The demo is especially useful for checking whether Kirby’s float, copy abilities, and stage pace suit you.
Pick Kirby and the Forgotten Land if…
- You want a non-Mario protagonist and a gentler learning curve.
- You prefer discrete stages but do not need Mario’s movement system.
- You want to sample the game through a free demo where available.
- You enjoy collectible objectives and themed environments more than open-world scale.
Should you replay Super Mario Galaxy or play Galaxy 2 first?
If you have not played both original adventures, replaying the source games is a completely valid answer to “what comes after Galaxy.” Nintendo’s current listing gives the first Super Mario Galaxy a Switch release date of October 2, 2025 and states that the listing is compatible with Switch 2. Recent Switch and Switch 2 re-releases also include the two Galaxy titles, according to reporting published April 22, 2026 by TechRadar.
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Rank #4
- A new Spin on a Classic: You've never played classic Sonic like this before!
- Multiply, swim up waterfalls, change form, and more with the powers of the Chaos Emeralds.
- lay as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose, using their unique abilities to explore and uncover new paths and secrets.
- More Friends, More Fun: Play with up to 3 other players in local Co-op and challenge players from around the world in Battle Mode!
Choose the original again when…
- You specifically want spherical gravity, compact cosmic stages, and the original movement feel.
- You finished only one of the two games and want the other before trying a different structure.
- You want to compare a modern recommendation with the design that inspired the question.
These releases are not “similar games” in the usual recommendation sense: they are the original adventures made available on newer Nintendo hardware. Confirm the exact edition, regional availability, and any Switch 2 compatibility details in your local Nintendo listing before purchasing.
Decision guide: choose by the experience you want
For the closest new Mario adventure
Buy Super Mario Odyssey. It preserves polished 3D Mario movement and collectible-driven discovery while deliberately changing the stage structure.
For Galaxy-like stage focus
Buy Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. Spend most of your time in the course-based 3D World campaign, then use Bowser’s Fury when you want connected free-roaming areas.
For four-player living-room sessions
Buy Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, because Nintendo lists one-system support for up to four players. Odyssey is limited to one or two players on one system according to Nintendo’s listing.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFor a different but accessible 3D platformer
Try Kirby and the Forgotten Land, ideally through Nintendo’s free demo where it is offered in your region.
For the gravity and design ideas that made Galaxy special
Play Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 if you have not already. No other game in this shortlist reproduces their planetoid-based structure.
Buying and compatibility checks before you download or order
Product pages establish that the listed games have Nintendo Switch editions, but stock, prices, promotions, and retailer eligibility are separate questions and can change. Check the following immediately before purchase:
Quick Recap
- Region: Nintendo’s cited pages are US listings. Confirm that the edition, language options, demo, and downloadable content apply to your country.
- Hardware: Verify whether you are buying for a standard Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch 2, and read the current compatibility note for that edition.
- Format: Odyssey and 3D World + Bowser’s Fury are listed with physical editions. Confirm whether your chosen retailer has the physical version or a digital code.
- Players: Match the game’s listed one-system player count to your household: one or two for Odyssey, up to four for 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.
- Demo access: Check the local eShop listing for Kirby and the Forgotten Land rather than assuming the demo is offered everywhere.
- Updates: Compatibility, patches, and edition details can change after a product page is published, so use Nintendo’s current listing for the final check.
Bottom line by player type
| If you are this player… | Start here | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You want one major new 3D Mario game | Super Mario Odyssey | It offers the broadest exploration and the most distinctive new movement system. |
| You want structured courses and a group game | Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury | Its main campaign is course-based and supports up to four players on one system. |
| You want a softer, non-Mario introduction to 3D platforming | Kirby and the Forgotten Land | It uses themed stages, collectible goals, and an approachable ability system; a free demo may be available. |
| You have not completed both Galaxy adventures | Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 | They remain the most direct way to get Galaxy’s original gravity-focused design. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
