Nintendo Explains How Motion Controls Work In Super Mario Galaxy On Switch

okay, but what about the analog triggers for sunshine?

"Are you looking forward to revisiting this 2007 Wii title when All-Stars releases later this month?"

I.... don't think so after i have finished the Wii version several months ago and it wasn't really fun to beat Bowser and cleared some courses over there.
It was very punishing by given 4 Marios everytime you loaded the game no matter how many Marios you have accumulated last time, it will back to 4 Marios.
And some courses were very hard to clear and made me stop to continue.
I think i will prioritize the Mario Sunshine as i have never played before.

Actually I am looking forward to revisiting Mario Galaxy... Very muchly.

@Anti-Matter punishing? Don't even bother with Sunshine then.

Galaxy is still a banger in 2020

@Anti-Matter Mario Sunishine does the same thing and is completely full of glitches sometimes to the point of where it's an absolute chore to play

I'm thinking that the right stick will bring up the pointer if you're using the Pro Controller. Although that'll probably be one rare occasion where I would actually use the Joy-Cons.

Not a big fan of motion controls, so I’m glad it allows Pro Controllers. I always felt silly waving the remote around and everyone staring at me

@NImH lol so true. Super Mario Galaxy was incredibly easy compared to Sunshine’s punishing controls and level design.

Switch Lite users won't even be able to play this one.

@Bermanator Did you read the article?

@link3710 Touchscreen sounds very unintuitive when it's about running and jumping... They should have remastered this one. Though I know that would never happen.

I'm much more interested in how they tacked the analogue shoulder button issue in Sunshine.
The pointer controls can be somewhat decently emulated as many games have proven by now (still doesn't hold a candle to the sensorbar setup, but better than nothing).

@Anti-Matter As many already said, if Galaxy was too hard for you, steer clear of Sunshine.
Due to Sunshine's wonky physics and it's over reliance on precision and twitch platforming, some levels can be downright sadistic (Looking at you Sandbird...).

@Bermanator Doesn't mean it's unplayable on Switch Lite. Also, no idea how remaking this would resolve that issue.

@Bermanator I know it says that touch controls exist for switch lite however maybe you didn't notice that motion controls weren't necessary. This in turn would mean the motion emulating touch controls aren't necessary.

Yes, Switch-Lite users can play this game, no "odd" inputs required.

Does anybody know how the controls were implemented for Galaxy on the Shield TV?

My units are slowly starting to drift, so anything that depends on Joycons isn't exactly good news for me. Glad to hear it has Pro Controller compatibility.

Are you kidding me? I can't wait to play 64 and Galaxy again on Switch! I missed Sunshine, just never had it even though I had a GC even back then. So that will be new for me.

Suddenly everyone is in love with motion controls when they hated the whole idea back in 2006. This game is not new or innovative and it's going to cost more than the original because it's a limited run 😆 but hey if you wanna keep wasting your money on old Nintendo games that have been on ebay for the price of a latte go right ahead

@Papichulo If Mario 64 and sunshine is the price of a latte then you've been overpaying for your coffee bud

My main issue with all things wii is that I hated the controller. So this should be more fun now!

I also didn't like all the floating panels, didn't feel like a real place to explore to me, more am obstacle course.
But now that odyssey has fixed that I'm super stoked to try this again!!

@Anti-Matter

I played through it again at the start of lock down to keep myself occupied. Every time I switched it back on Peach had sent me a letter offering me an extra 5 1ups.

I guess she must love me more that you

On a serious note though, as great as Mario Galaxy is in hindsight I wish I hadn't played it now as I feel its spoilt my appetite a little for 3D allstars.

I'll still be smashing my way through 64 & Sunshine but I don't feel in such a hurry to play Galaxy again so soon

@Papichulo It's new for those of us who haven't played the original and not everyone owns a Wii or a Wii U.

Switch is my first Nintendo console since the GameCube as I wasn't a fan of the Wii and Wii U controllers. Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze plays so much better on Switch without the motion controls so hopefully Galaxy on Pro Controller will be the same.

@X68000 the pointer was mapped to the right analogue stick and the shake was mapped to a button (X)

@Marios-love-child
I got 5 1ups from Princess Peach too everytime i booted the game but my current Multiple of Marios will always back to 4 Marios no matter how many multiple Marios i have accumulated previously.

@Anti-Matter

I think we were probably spoilt with the effectively endless lives system on Oddesy.

I suppose the advantage with the Switch version is that we'll be able to put the console to sleep and pick up exactly where you left off providing you don't play something else in between.

"One game in the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection that's got some extra attention so far is Super Mario Galaxy.

Right now, it's mostly because everyone wants to know how motion controls in this game work on the Nintendo Switch across docked, tabletop and handheld play."

No. Right now, it's mostly because everyone wants to know why galaxy 2 was omitted from this compilation. Classic Nintendo.

where's Galaxy 2?

@RickD Sunshine is like the US Mario Bros 2... A weird outlier. It will be interesting to see what new players make of it.

@Bermanator You don't use the touchscreen for running or jumping.

This is one game where I feel motion controls worked great, will be keen to see how much the IR of the remotes are missed though. Playing with those tiny joycon will be nowhere near as comfortable as the remote and nunchuck. Interested to see how good the touchscreen will work too, particularly with blue pull stars, but using touch for star bit aiming will be beyond useless during combat gameplay.

@Scottwood101 @SpaceKaren
The pointer controls for Yoshi's tongue would need to be completely reworked to make it playable in handheld mode.

Galaxy 2 will be in the next collection, due for limited release in April 2021, which will come with the GBA Super Mario Land games, Super Princess Peach and Super Mario RPG

@AndyRogan not forgetting Mario’s FUNdamentals

@somebread they now have 4 shoulder buttons rather than 3. I expect one to be weak spray and one to be strong spray.

I’m curious how the shake to spin in galaxy will work in handheld mode. Maybe it’s mapped to a button or perhaps you just shake the system. (I hope this is not the case as that also shakes the screen around, making difficult to see what’s going on)

Worst implementation would be a touch gesture or onscreen button.
I imagine the touchscreen will only be used for pointing based motion controls like grabbing and shooting starsprites, this is fine

Hope this works out because the original controls literally killed my joy for Galaxy. It was a game that could be perfectly played in normal fashion, the motion controls added no value. Such a shame because the game did look extraordinary good.

I eventually got round to playing and completing SM Sunshine a couple of years ago via my Wii (still hooked up to my TV and currently playing Monster World 4). It's definitely a quirky edition to the Mario series but I really enjoyed it. I just hope Nintendo have fixed the god awful camera for this Switch release. That thing was a real pain to wrestle with. Try as I might, I could never complete the pachinko mini game. The camera always screwed me over. I'm really buzzed for SM3DW though as I never bought a Wii U.

@Scottwood101 Missed opportunity.

I used to play Sunshine a lot. It has aged really well. Even the gc version still has good graphics.

@Einherjar Pachinko machine and Sandbird... Horrifying flashbacks.

I'm guessing it will be like the Nvidia Shield version? So X to spin and then everything else is moved to the right and triggers?

We'll have to see, but pro controller support is great!

Man the graphics still looks amazing!

@somebread Came in here to ask about this. -.-

@Bermanator you don't use the pointer for running and jumping, you use the analogue and jumping. In fact Galaxy barely uses the pointer at all. The only times I can recall you needing it is to fire star bits at enemies, which if anything will be easier and more accurate with a touchscreen

@Toy_Link I agree with your “Yoshi’s Tongue” theory as a possible reason why Galaxy 2 was not included. I recently played through Galaxy 2 on the Wii and it definitely requires you to point and “Click” with the right trigger while still having quick access to the other controls. I think Galaxy 1 required less of this, but I’ve only played the first couple levels of it recently, my last full play through was back when it came out. But from what I remember the pointer controls were less critical to it or were in sort of separate sections where you’d have an opportunity to move your hands.

For example in one early level in Galaxy 1 there are pull stars around the lower star and you need to pull on them to get the power star, but you don’t have to worry too much about other controls in that segment. In Galaxy 2 I think there is one boss fight that relies heavily on pointing and launching projectiles with Yoshi, while also navigating around.

I am really excited this collection. I never played sunshine and really want to try it out. This way I can play it in handheld mode (which is my preferred way to game in general) and not have to pay $70+ for a used copy of it on eBay and also have to buy a GameCube controller to play it on my Wii.

I also didn’t play the original Mario 64 too much because I didn’t quite “get” 3D platforming right away when I was a kid when the N64 came out. I played The DS port a fair in the last couple years, but as the game progressed I had to give it up before completing it due to the control scheme in that version. I’ll be interested to try the original again. I think there is a chance I’ll like it better without the additional characters of the DS version actually.

Nintendo explains how motion controls work in SMG on Switch... but they haven’t explained the absence of Galaxy 2 though have they!

@VulgarProfessor Man, i completely suppressed any memory of that darn pachinko stage...
The one stage where Sunshine's already wonky and unpredictable physics engine has a complete seizure...

But seriously, SMS might be the only platformer without any surface tension whatsoever. It's super fun in open and somewhat flat levels. But as soon as precision platforming is involved, that game really takes a steep nosedive in the fun department for me...

The title of this article is misleading. Pro controller support is confirmed for the game as a whole (meaning probably 64 and Sunshine are guaranteed) but it hasn't been confirmed for Galaxy. In fact, the phrase "motion controls are required for pointer functionality" seems to imply that you CAN'T use the pro controller in Galaxy.

Here's hoping Sunshine will support Gamecube controllers with the adapter (with analog shoulder buttons, same mapping, etc, not thegeneric input everything uses)

Galaxy was fun but motion controls are a travesty.

Just say no to motion controls. They suck.

@Einherjar I agree. I expect the Galaxy controls to work pretty much identically to the way they did on the Wii.

The lack of analogue triggers will present challenges for Sunshine though. I wonder if they'll use the L button somehow along with the ZL, but even that would be so different from what we remember from the GameCube controller.

I do wonder though, if an actual GameCube controller would be compatible via an adapter with the analogue triggers and all. This is the way it works in GRID Autosport for example, so it should be possible.

From what I'm comprehending, it's either motion controls or touch screen for Galaxy. Am I misunderstanding?

I dislike motion controls and I wish they would have converted a way to play with the pro controller and no waggling or pointing. Still worth it and I have my game pre-ordered.

@Einherjar yeah i finished both galaxy games and got everystar. The extreme levels at the end of game can be tough but its a good challenge. Base game is just the right level id say. Never played sunshine or 3d world so will get that! What about galaxy 2?why that not included. Maybe unlocks after finishing 1

If I can do those ball rolling stages without motion control, mario galaxy will be a 15/10

So how does Mario 64s camera work? Have they taken the time to try to fix it?

Hopefully with Nintendo’s experience in porting Super Mario Galaxy to Shield TV in China, which has basic controller support without motion controls, the Mario 3D All Stars will do the same too..

Here’s some info in Chinese: https://www.nvidia.cn/shield/games/

Would personally prefer if motion controls were removed entirely, as an option obviously. I want to use a Pro Controller but the thought of having to use it as a pointer for Galaxy just isn't vibing with me, if that's what they're going with.

Going to wait on more details before pre-ordering as Galaxy is the main selling point for me. Had all three games at the times of release but have the fondest memories of SMG. I always found Sunshine too punishing, didn't like the FLUDD gimmick (yes, I said it) and it l always felt like it was missing something. Loved 64 at the time and like to think I'd get more out of it now I'm a more seasoned gamer with a few decades of 3D gaming under my belt.

I think the All Stars version of Galaxy is likely based off the Nvidia shield version so button controls are likely supported

Perfect. I have a Lite so I wouldn't want to only play 64 and Sunshine.

Hi everyone can anyone confirm that galaxy on switch lite is playable without using the touch screen. Like using the right stick to control the pointer, I’m confused xxx

@somebread I'm hoping you can use the GameCube controller adaptor which is used with Smash Bros to play the game as it was originally intended.
Am curious to know what work around they've done for other controllers though.

@Crockin I'm wondering how it will work. Pointing at stars will be pretty obvious but holding the remote up to move on those beachballs will be interesting.

@hrafnkell That's actually a good point, but then you run into the problem of: What to do with the Switch Lite?

One option would be to map the Z-button (which opened a menu if i remember correctly) to one of the stick buttons, and use L/R for soft, ZL/ZR for hard sprays, which would be a little awkward but doable.

@sanderev I know that. You think I was born yesterday?

@link3710 Remaking it would remove the need to use motion controls. It was a disgusting gimmick to require use of.

Disagree, loved the Wii controls for mario Galaxy so intuitive. Glad the switch will play the same.

@C-Daddy Why the hell was Sunshine so popular? It seems like the game was terrible.

@DrDaisy I think it's 100% nostalgia. If it weren't for the glitches I definetely think it would be a great game but it's awful

@Einherjar Shouldn't be too difficult mapping analogies triggers for a more normal controller setup. I played Sunshine on the dolphin emulator for PC using a Dualshock 4 controller. I mapped ever control so the gameplay felt a bit more natural

Also wondering whether or not the DS content will be part of the SM64 remaster.
(you know how L has already been Real 2004/11 )

@Anti-Matter Haven't played Sunshine?
I guess my opinion is like others on the "secret" stages, where Mario has to platform without the FLUDD: rather difficult.
But probably my favorite version of the SMB theme song.

Though I haven't finished the 3D Mario games, but isn't limited lives less of an issue in the 3D games due to them being more exploration-based than platforming?
Not like I recall NSMB DS where, I kind of learned the hard way due to trying to 100% the game one pass, the kind of stupid limitation of its save system: you can only save ONCE after each castle/tower level (not even like SNES SMW where you could repeat certain levels to save anytime), until after the credits THEN it unlocks unlimited saving.

Or maybe it's just doesn't sound bad to me because I grew up on SNES Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country where the lives counter being reset was what we had to deal with (I believe DKC 1 and 2 on SNES, unknown about GBA, prevented save/backtracking on each world until you unlocked the map locations.)

@C-Daddy I think your analysis of sunshine is a little harsh - I own all 3 games and would say Galaxy was easily the most chore-like one for me. Each game is excellent, in its own right, but they also have annoying little things - example falling through the walls/floors. Even so I would take sunshine over the other 2 any day. Looking forward to playing all 3 on Switch anyways - been hoping for them to release on here for a while now.

@glenny3214 Well, it's certainly not difficult, but definitely a lot less intuitive. Just like the Galaxy touchscreen pointer solution.
It works, but barely.

But that's sadly the crux of Nintendo's recent gimmicks.
They're all clever and good in their own right...until you need to emulate them without the respective hardware

@RareGames I'm with @C-Daddy on this one.
Sunshine has a fantastic, inviting setting and Fludd is a welcome change of pace.
But it's core physics are broken beyond repair.

It's a perfectly fine game if you just want to finish it with the bare minimum of shines. Plenty of good and fun levels to do.
The jank comes in if you want to see all of it. The aforementioned Sandbird and Pachinko stages alone cause people nightmares to this day, as do many of the toybox courses.

Mario's surface tension on anything not 100% flat and even is almost completely unpredictable and unrelyable.
He either sticks to a surface like glue or slips off of it like it's buttered. There rarely is any in between.

And all of that is super fun in the open. Creating puddles and doing high speed belly slides and such. But the game insists on pretending to be a precision platformer constantly, which it simply isn't. Not with iffy physics like that.

All games have their stupid levels and gimmicks. No questions about it. But most critique towards Sunshine isn't aimed at those, it's aimed at the fact that Sunshine has an abundance of stages and challenges it simply isn't good at (again, like the toybox segments).

Glad to see they have a control method that should work, replicating the old Wii setup would be rough (but I'd love to see a way to connect a Wii controller and Nunchuck to a Switch to play it the old way, lol.

man i'm getting a switch lite for christmas and i sorta want this game but i don't want to play galaxy with touch controls that'll be hard to manage for me i'll see how it plays once it comes out hopefully it won't feel clunky, these are the types of games i wanna play in bed

I have similar questions on Metroid prime trilogy and Metroid prime 4 on switch. I'm somebody who absolutely loved the Wii remote controls for Metroid prime trilogy and prime 3 on Wii. It was shining example of what Wii should have been like. (Red Steel 2 is also an exceptional example). I often wonder what will Metroid prime be like without a Wii remote? Joy cons can manage some motion aiming, but what about docked and undocked with pro controller. It will most likely be SOME time before we get real answers to these questions. But for Mario galaxy...anyone who's played it extensively knows it could easily be adapted to non Wii remote play. There's any number of ways they could do it, no need to worry, it'll be fine and nonackward I predict. A better question...why no "Mario galaxy 2"? It was nearly the same game but with higher difficulty level. It's just weird that it's not in the collection.

Call me petty, but this and the limit release scheme is enough for me to not buy this game. I HATED the motion controls in Galaxy and taking my hand off the controls to rub my greasy finger all over the screen every 2 minutes does not seems like a good time to me.

@RareGames Galaxy might be chorish, but it's not a living Hell like Sunshine

@Papichulo What lattes are you drinking that cost $20-$40?

@B_Lindz I’m very on the fence about it, to be honest. I hated Sunshine and Galaxy, so spending $60 for only Mario 64 is absurd to me, especially considering their half-asses port of it.

@TG16_IS_BAE 😆 I guess I got lucky. Found Galaxy complete in great shape on ebay for $6 and I've only played it once in 3 years

@Papichulo lol wow! Good find! I was gonna say those must be the best lattes in the world hahaha

A bit unrelated, but all Wii U ports on the Switch are way better on the Wii U, despite the extra content.

So if they're adapting the pointer controls to handheld mode, what about shaking the Wii remote to attack? I'd rather not shake my whole system just to do the spin move, I'd be liable to accidentally slide the Joy-Cons right off!

@Einherjar The spray was always only on the right side, so they could easliy do R == soft spray; ZR == hard spray; L == map; ZL == ground pound.

@hrafnkell Oh, right. L didn't have analog functions. Yeah, that sounds about right and is probably what they did (if they are sensible).

@Einherjar I wouldn't be surprised if that would be the case. But what I do hope they'll revisit and change is the right analog stick camera movement. This was pretty awful in Sunshine on the GameCube and took some getting used to.

@Bermanator they use the touch screen

@NikHogan Doesn't sound very fun.