Start with Super Mario Odyssey if you want another ambitious 3D Mario adventure. It keeps Galaxy’s polished movement, imaginative worlds and collectible hunting, but replaces tightly designed planetoid stages with larger kingdoms to explore and Cappy’s ability to capture enemies, objects and animals. Choose Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury for focused courses, power-ups and multiplayer; choose Kirby and the Forgotten Land for approachable 3D platforming outside the Mario series. If you have not played both original adventures, the Switch and Switch 2 releases of Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are also the most direct next step.
What makes a game feel like Super Mario Galaxy?
“Like Galaxy” can describe several different things, and they do not always point to the same game. Galaxy is remembered for spherical gravity, themed cosmic settings, precise 3D movement, collectible-driven exploration, accessible presentation and cooperative possibilities. A player who mainly wants compact, idea-driven stages may prefer a very different game from someone who wants to roam, search for secrets and spend time in a large world.
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Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo Switch) - Game Only | $51.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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![Super Mario Odyssey - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PWCzEEQ0L._SL160_.jpg)
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Super Mario Odyssey - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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The most useful comparison is therefore structural rather than purely visual. Galaxy presents a sequence of tightly structured stages built around a particular idea. Its successors and alternatives vary in how much freedom they give you, how they handle abilities, whether they support local multiplayer and how demanding their platforming feels.
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| Game | Best fit | What carries over from Galaxy | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Odyssey | Sandbox exploration and inventive 3D Mario movement | Polished movement, collectibles and imaginative themed worlds | Larger open-ended kingdoms and Cappy captures replace focused planetoid stages |
| Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury | Course-based play, local multiplayer or a mix of courses and free roaming | Colorful platforming, power-ups, collectibles and familiar Mario movement | The main mode is a sequence of courses; Bowser’s Fury adds a separate free-roaming format |
| Kirby and the Forgotten Land | Approachable 3D platforming with a different character | Themed stages, 3D movement, collectibles and a welcoming presentation | Kirby’s ability system and stage design create a gentler, distinct rhythm |
| Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 | Players who have not experienced both Galaxy adventures | The same core style and direct continuation | These are re-releases of the original games, not alternatives to Galaxy |
1. Super Mario Odyssey: the best all-around follow-up
Super Mario Odyssey is the safest recommendation because it preserves the qualities most players associate with modern 3D Mario: responsive movement, visual variety, playful mechanics and a constant stream of collectibles. Nintendo describes it as a “sandbox-style 3D Mario adventure” filled with secrets, surprises and new kingdoms to explore. The distinction from Galaxy matters immediately: Odyssey is built around broad kingdoms rather than a chain of small planetoid stages.
#1 Best Overall
- Mario embarks on a new journey through the unknown, running and jumping through huge 3D worlds in the first sandbox-style Mario game since Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine
- Jump out of the Mushroom Kingdom on a journey through mysterious places and new experiences whilst sailing between worlds aboard an airship;Number of Players: 2 players simultaneous; ESRB Content: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief ; Genre: Action, Platformer
- Find something interesting? Toss your cap at it and see what happens! There are lots of fun and surprising ways to interact with your surroundings
- Compatible with the Nintendo Switch only
Why Galaxy players usually click with it
- Exploration remains central. Instead of simply reaching a goal at the end of a stage, you search environments for collectibles and alternate routes. The game rewards looking behind, above and below the obvious path.
- Movement is still the main toy. Odyssey asks you to combine Mario’s movement with the layout of each kingdom, so a familiar jump can become a way to reach a new ledge, shortcut or hidden area.
- The worlds are built around distinct ideas. Galaxy’s stages constantly change their visual and mechanical premise; Odyssey’s kingdoms deliver a similar sense of discovery, but on a larger scale.
- Cappy changes the problem-solving vocabulary. Mario can capture enemies, objects and animals, giving you different ways to cross terrain and interact with a kingdom. This is a much broader ability system than Galaxy’s focused power-up approach.
The adjustment from Galaxy
Players who loved Galaxy’s tightly authored sequence of challenges may initially find Odyssey less directed. A kingdom can contain several possible objectives, and the game often lets you decide what to pursue next. That freedom is the point, but it means the experience is less like moving through a curated list of individual cosmic set pieces.
Nintendo’s product listing supports one-system play for one or two players and lists TV, tabletop and handheld modes. A second player can participate, while the first player remains responsible for the main adventure. Nintendo Life’s 2017 review also discusses optional co-op and Assist Mode, describing them as ways to make the experience more approachable rather than changing its core sandbox structure.
Choose Odyssey if you want
- the closest modern equivalent to Galaxy’s polished 3D Mario feel;
- large areas where exploration and collectible hunting matter as much as reaching a finish line;
- a new central mechanic that changes how you approach obstacles;
- an adventure that works for solo play but can include a second local player.
Choose something else first if your favorite Galaxy moments were the short, highly focused courses and the feeling of being given one precise platforming idea at a time.
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Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is the strongest recommendation when “like Galaxy” means colorful 3D platforming, power-ups and a steady sequence of courses. Nintendo’s Switch listing describes the main 3D World mode as course-based and identifies single-system play for up to four players. It lists TV, tabletop and handheld modes and gives the Switch release date as February 12, 2021.
Why the main 3D World mode fits
The course structure brings back the clarity that some Galaxy players miss in a sandbox. You enter a level with a specific route and objective, learn its central gimmick, collect what you can and move on. That makes the game easy to play in short sessions and easier to coordinate when several people are sharing a screen.
Its colorful presentation, power-ups and collectible goals create the same broad family-platforming appeal as Galaxy without copying the cosmic setting. The levels are more compact and deliberately paced than Odyssey’s kingdoms, so each one tends to communicate its idea quickly.
What Bowser’s Fury adds
Bowser’s Fury supplies the free-roaming contrast that the main mode does not. Nintendo presents it as free-roaming Mario play, making the package useful for players who want both structures in one purchase: discrete courses when they want focus and an open area when they want to explore.
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Choose 3D World + Bowser’s Fury if you want
- local play for up to four people on one system;
- shorter, clearly bounded courses rather than a single large sandbox;
- familiar Mario power-ups and collectible objectives;
- a package that offers a separate free-roaming mode without abandoning course-based design.
It is less suitable if the main attraction of Odyssey is the freedom to spend a long time searching one expansive kingdom. In that case, Bowser’s Fury may appeal, but Odyssey remains the more consistently sandbox-oriented game.
3. Kirby and the Forgotten Land: the best non-Mario alternative
Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the clearest recommendation when you want the shape of a 3D platform game but not another Mario title. Nintendo describes it as a journey through 3D platforming stages in which Kirby discovers a mysterious world, rescues kidnapped Waddle Dees and confronts the Beast Pack. Nintendo’s product page also advertises a free demo, although demo availability should be checked for your region before downloading.
Why it works after Galaxy
- Discrete stages keep the objective readable. You move through themed levels rather than committing to one enormous open world.
- 3D movement makes the transition straightforward. The camera and spaces change from Galaxy’s cosmic stages, but the basic pleasure of navigating a colorful three-dimensional environment remains.
- Collectibles encourage careful play. Looking around for additional objectives gives each stage more to do than simply reaching its exit.
- The presentation is approachable. The game is designed to welcome players who may not want the sharper demands of precision-focused platforming.
How Kirby feels different
Kirby’s ability system is the defining change. Rather than building the adventure around Mario’s movement and Cappy-style captures, the game revolves around Kirby’s own set of abilities and how they interact with each stage. That produces a more forgiving, ability-driven rhythm. It is familiar enough for a Galaxy fan to understand quickly, but distinct enough not to feel like a substitute Mario campaign.
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- Explore 3D kingdoms filled with secrets and surprises, including costumes for Mario and several ways to interact with environments
- Mario's new friend, Cappy, lets you master new moves like cap throw, cap jump and capture
- Visit astonishing new locales, such as the skyscraper-packed New Donk City, and run into familiar friends and foes as you try to save Princess Peach from Bowser's clutches and foil his dastardly wedding plans
- Hand a Joy-Con controller to a friend to enjoy simultaneous multiplayer: Player 1 controls Mario while Player 2 controls Mario’s new ally Cappy
- Unlock even more features with the exclusive new amiibo figures - Mario, Princess Peach and Bowser dressed in their wedding outfits
Because Nintendo offers a demo listing, Kirby is the easiest choice to sample before committing. Availability can vary by country, so use the eShop page for your account’s region rather than assuming the same offer appears everywhere.
Choose Kirby if you want
- 3D platforming with a different cast and tone;
- stage-based progression that is easier to dip into than a large sandbox;
- a gentler entry point for younger or less experienced players;
- the option to try a Nintendo-listed free demo in regions where it is offered.
4. Replay Galaxy and Galaxy 2 before moving on
If you have played only one Galaxy game, the most obvious “next” game may be the other one. Nintendo has re-released Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Nintendo’s current US listing gives the first Galaxy game a Switch release date of October 2, 2025 and states that the listing is compatible with Switch 2. TechRadar also reported recent Switch and Switch 2 re-releases for the Galaxy titles in an April 22, 2026 article.
These releases are not alternatives to Galaxy’s design; they are the direct source games. That makes them the right answer for a reader who wants more spherical gravity, themed cosmic stages and the same tightly structured style rather than a new interpretation of 3D Mario.
When replaying is the better choice
- You finished the first Galaxy but never played its sequel.
- You want the same stage-first structure instead of a sandbox.
- You are introducing someone to the original adventures and want the most direct continuation.
- You are deciding whether your preference is really Galaxy’s format or simply high-quality 3D platforming.
Platform compatibility and edition details can change by market. Nintendo’s US pages establish the Switch edition and Switch 2 compatibility noted above; check the store page for your country before buying a physical or digital copy.
How to choose in under a minute
- Decide whether you want a sandbox or courses. Pick Super Mario Odyssey for large, exploratory kingdoms; pick Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury for a course-based campaign with a separate free-roaming mode; pick Kirby and the Forgotten Land for discrete stages outside Mario.
- Choose the character and ability style. Odyssey keeps you with Mario and adds Cappy’s captures. 3D World stays with familiar Mario power-ups. Kirby uses his own ability system and a more forgiving presentation.
- Decide how many people will play on one system. Odyssey’s Nintendo listing supports one or two players. 3D World’s listing supports up to four. The Galaxy re-releases preserve the original games’ identity, while the Kirby listing cited here does not establish a player-count specification.
- Use a demo when accessibility matters. Kirby’s Nintendo page currently advertises a free demo, subject to regional availability. For the other games, use the official product information and your local store’s return or purchase policies.
- Check whether you have actually played both Galaxy adventures. If not, replaying the other original game may deliver a closer match than any successor.
Which game matches a specific Galaxy preference?
If you loved spherical gravity and cosmic themes
None of the alternatives reproduces Galaxy’s exact spherical-gravity concept. Replay the other Galaxy release for that specific experience. Odyssey is the closest in overall 3D Mario polish, but its kingdoms are grounded, larger spaces rather than a sequence of small planetoids.
If you loved precise, tightly authored stages
Start with Super Mario 3D World or Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Both organize play into discrete stages, although 3D World is the more obvious fit for Mario movement and power-ups. Odyssey is better reserved for readers willing to trade strict stage order for exploration.
If you loved searching for collectibles
Odyssey makes exploration and collectible hunting the central activity in broad kingdoms. 3D World and Kirby also provide collectibles within courses or stages, but their level boundaries make the search more contained.
If you want family-friendly co-op
3D World is the clearest documented choice because Nintendo lists single-system play for up to four players. Odyssey’s listing supports one or two players, and Nintendo Life discusses optional co-op. Choose based on the number of people sharing the system rather than assuming every game handles multiplayer in the same way.
If you want to avoid another Mario game
Kirby and the Forgotten Land preserves the accessible 3D platforming format while changing the character, abilities and stage identity. Its free demo listing gives you a practical way to test whether Kirby’s approach suits you.
Buying and compatibility checks
The cited Nintendo product pages establish game identity, Switch editions and listed play modes; they do not establish a universal price, current physical stock or retailer eligibility. Those details vary by country and can change, so check the Nintendo store page and the retailer serving your region at the time of purchase.
Quick Recap
- Confirm the platform label. The Galaxy listing cited here is for Nintendo Switch and states compatibility with Switch 2. Verify the exact edition shown for your market.
- Check physical versus digital availability. Nintendo lists physical editions for Odyssey and 3D World + Bowser’s Fury in the referenced US pages; local stock can differ.
- Verify demo access. Kirby’s demo is advertised by Nintendo, but the offer may not appear in every region.
- Match the game to your play mode. Odyssey supports one or two players on one system; 3D World supports up to four. Do not infer a player count for a game whose local listing does not state one.
- Look for updates or compatibility notes. Switch 2 support and game updates can be revised after a product page is published.
Final recommendation by player type
| Your priority | Pick | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Another expansive 3D Mario adventure | Super Mario Odyssey | Its kingdoms, collectibles and Cappy captures provide the broadest new interpretation of 3D Mario after Galaxy. |
| Focused courses and up to four-player local play | Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury | The main campaign is course-based, while Bowser’s Fury adds free-roaming Mario play. |
| Approachable 3D platforming outside Mario | Kirby and the Forgotten Land | Its themed stages, ability system and Nintendo-listed demo make it an accessible change of pace. |
| The most faithful continuation | Super Mario Galaxy 2 or the other Galaxy release you have not played | The re-releases retain the original style instead of translating it into a sandbox or a different character’s adventure. |
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.
