SUPER MARIO GALAXY 2

Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010) - direct sequel released just three years after the original Galaxy. Rare move for Nintendo. Added Yoshi riding mechanics into 3D space platforming. More complex level design. More power-ups. More creative galaxy concepts. Nintendo's willingness to iterate quickly on successful formula.

At 29 years old, mid-level architect at this point. Many consider this the best 3D Mario ever made. More focused than Galaxy 1. More challenging. Pure gameplay refinement. No motion control gimmicks - just tight platforming in space. 242 Power Stars to collect. Green Stars added brutal post-game challenge.

Yoshi in 3D space - Dash Pepper for speed runs, Blimp Fruit for floating, Bulb Berry for light puzzles. Cloud Mario creates temporary platforms. Rock Mario rolls through obstacles. Most diverse power-up variety in any 3D Mario. Refined gravity mechanics from first Galaxy.

Green Stars post-game - 120 hidden stars requiring perfect platforming skills. More challenging than main game. No hand-holding. Level design peak - every galaxy felt unique. Throwback Galaxy revisited Mario 64 aesthetics. Grandmaster Galaxy final challenge separated casual players from veterans. This was Nintendo showing mastery.

No remake yet - still Wii exclusive. Influenced Odyssey's creativity with power-ups and diverse level design. Represents peak of linear 3D Mario design before open-world shift with Odyssey. Many speedrunners consider this the ultimate Mario challenge. Not included in 3D All-Stars collection - criminal oversight. This is the game they should remaster first. Still trapped on Wii hardware.

"At 29, mid-level architect, Galaxy 2 taught me about iterative improvement versus revolutionary change. When to refine versus when to reinvent. Galaxy 1 was revolutionary - Galaxy 2 was refinement. Both necessary. Both valid. In systems engineering: don't fix what works, enhance it. Add features users actually want. Cut the bloat. This game is lesson in focused iteration. Nintendo knew Galaxy 1 formula was gold - they polished it to perfection rather than chasing novelty."