History YMMV / SuperMarioGalaxy2

** Bowser's Galaxy Generator could come off as this to some, especially when compared to Bowser's Galaxy Reactor. While it definitely has some of those features that stand out as a final Bowser level (i.e., ominous icon in the World Map, epic music, fun build-up to the FinalBattle), the stakes seem to be far less and don't have much of a cinematic feel compared to the first game, in addition to the fact that while Bowser's Galaxy Reactor is an AllWorldsAreAStage level with unique planets reflecting back from previous galaxies, Bowser's Galaxy Generator can come off as just another Bowser's Castle level no different from its predecessors. Doesn't help that the FinalBoss battle is an [[AntiClimaticBoss Anti-Climatic]] [[ZeroEffortBoss Zero Effort bout]] that you '''cannot even lose''' without trying.

** One of the most divisive aspects of the game is the decision by Miyamoto to forgo the more atmospheric and story-centric aspects of ''Galaxy'' for this game in favor of it being a more traditional ''Mario'' game (ExcusePlot and all) out of a desire to keep Mario fun and gameplay-centric. Some either agree with him or don't mind it and feel the variety and gameplay more than makes up for it, while others are disappointed that much of what made the original ''Galaxy'' special is lost here and feel Miyamoto's moves have only hurt the game and prevented it from being on par with the original game.

* ContestedSequel: Players and critics are divided on whether this game is even better than [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy the original game]] due to better level design and the inclusion of Yoshi; just as good; or ''inferior'' to the first game as a result of losing things like an explorable hub world and a compelling (for Mario) story, and for having [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks too many borrowed ideas]]. More and more does the general opinion shift towards the latter as the gaming sphere pushes a greater emphasis on narrative.

** [[spoiler:Grandmaster Galaxy]] is something of a That One Level by itself. The Daredevil Run merely makes things ''worse'', since you have to complete several challenges with [[OneHitPointWonder only 1 hit point]] and ''[[CheckpointStarvation no]]'' [[CheckpointStarvation checkpoints]]. Heck, the Hammer Bros section ''alone'' is tough to do without dying.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: A common criticism of this game is that it feels more like a glorified expansion pack for the original [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy Galaxy]] instead of a proper sequel.

** Peewee Piranha, up until it decides to chase you back.

** Lubba isn't exactly hated by fans, but he's considered bland compared to Rosalina. It would have been even the slightest bit interesting to provide him with the same sort of backstory Rosalina had in the original game.

* ContestedSequel: Players and critics are divided on whether this game is even better than [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy the original game]] due to better level design and the inclusion of Yoshi; just as good; or ''inferior'' to the first game as a result of losing things like an explorable hub world and a compelling (for Mario) story, and for having [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks too many borrowed ideas]]. More and more does the general opinion shift towards the latter as the gaming sphere pushes a greater emphasis on narrative. Though ultimately this is [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]] compared to other examples, as most people agree that both games are great and lamented that ''2'' was excluded from ''3D All-Stars'' in 2020.

* ContestedSequel: Players and critics are divided on whether this game is even better than [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy the original game]] due to better level design and the inclusion of Yoshi; just as good; or ''inferior'' to the first game as a result of losing things like an explorable hub world and a compelling (for Mario) story, and for having [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks too many borrowed ideas]]. More and more does the general opinion shift towards the latter as the gaming sphere pushes a greater emphasis on narrative.

** The Whomp King, who has rather easy to dodge attacks and an easy enough to hit weak point. While he is harder than he was in ''[[VideoGame/SuperMario64 64]]'', they didn't make him THAT much harder. And they made him a boss in the final world of the main game, so one would expect a more challening fight.

** One of the Green Stars on Stone Cyclone Galaxy has you ''perfectly'' time a Triple Jump off of a moving Tox Box to get the star.

* ReplacementScrappy: Lubba is widely disliked for replacing [[EnsembleDarkhorse Rosalina]], as well as constantly spouting bad jokes/puns, generic encouragement, and reminders to take a break or change the Wii Remote's batteries.

** The Whomp King, who has rather easy to dodge attacks and an easy enough to hit weak point. While he is harder than he was in ''[[VideoGame/SuperMario64 64]]'', they didn't make him THAT much harder. And they made him a boss in the final world of the main game, so he should be a cakewalk.

* BreatherLevel: Most Prankster Comets in the game are highly challenging. Bulb Berry's Purple Coin Glow, from the Sweet Mystery Galaxy, however, has ''no time limit'', turning what would have been a fairly difficult trip across invisible platforms to collect purple coins into a leisurely stroll. The level also contains no enemies whatsoever.

* EndingFatigue: Think you've beaten the game after getting every Power Star and defeating Bowser twice? Think again because you still got 120 Green Stars to find as well as clearing [[BrutalBonusLevel the Grandmaster Galaxy]] after that.

*** Given the game's origins as an update/expansion for the original ''Galaxy'', the full focus was on the levels themselves rather than what tied them together, so when the decision was made to make it a standalone game there wouldn't be much time or wiggle room to come up with an intriguing narrative wrapper for it all. And even with that, the game DOES still include a fair share of atmospheric levels like the Slimy Spring, Cosmic Cove, and Shiverburn Galaxies, along with the atmosphere of World 3's map.

** Fiery Dino Piranha. Just as difficult as in the first ''Galaxy'', and because he's the last boss in the TimedMission BossRush level, by the time you get to him, you may have only thirty seconds or so to work with, largely due to luck-based factors in the earlier fights.
** Bouldergeist, also fought in Boss Blitz Galaxy, has the most luck involved in-battle, meaning you need to do perfectly on Dino Piranha, King Kaliente, and Major Burrows so you have as much time as possible for Bouldergeist and Fiery Dino Piranha.

*** Given the game's origins as an update/expansion for the original ''Galaxy'', the full focus was on the levels themselves rather than what tied them together, so when the decision was made to make it a standalone game there wouldn't be much time or wiggle room to come up with an intriguing narrative wrapper for it all.

* ContestedSequel: Players and critics are divided on whether this game is even better than [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy the original game]] due to better level design and the inclusion of Yoshi; just as good; or ''inferior'' to the first game as a result of losing things like an explorable hub world and a compelling (for Mario) story, and for having [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks too many borrowed ideas]]. More and more does the general opinion shoft towards the latter as the gaming sphere pushes a greater and greater emphasis on narrative.

* ContestedSequel: Players and critics are divided on whether this game is even better than [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy the original game]] due to better level design and the inclusion of Yoshi; just as good; or ''inferior'' to the first game as a result of losing things like an explorable hub world and a compelling (for Mario) story, and for having [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks too many borrowed ideas]].

* AuthorsSavingThrow: A few mechanics were changed from the first game to be more accommodating.
** Prankster Comets are no longer fleeting. Once they're in a galaxy, they stay, and the missions generated from the comets can be played at any time. You are also no longer forced to get the comet star to play the other missions again.
** The first-person camera now lets you turn 360 degrees, rather than stopping at 180.
** Checkpoints are now triggered by flags instead of an automatic save based on your level progression. This can be useful for some missions (particularly a few Cloud Flower Green Stars) that would require an exit from the level if the player failed past the checkpoint — here, the flags are avoidable.

** [[{{Unperson}} This game doesn't exist]]. [[labelnote:Explanation]]The exclusion of this game from ''Super Mario 3D All-Stars'', a CompilationRerelease of 3D ''Mario'' games for the Switch, as well as its exclusion from the ending montage of the Nintendo Direct meant to celebrate the series' 35th anniversary, all despite it being one of the series' most beloved entries, has led to jokes about how Nintendo is bent on denying the game's existence and systematically removing all mentions of it.[[/labelnote]]

** Throwback Galaxy. Is it a NostalgiaLevel capable of making players weep with joy once they hear the MusicalNod, or is it proof that Nintendo is running out of ideas and is too lazy to make a new, creative level? Or was it a poor choice for a remade level, when some would have preferred a Bob-omb Battlefield remake instead?

** Nintendo couldn't get the rights to the Throwback Galaxy.[[note]]A companion joke to the above, which serves as a double joke. Firstly, rights are a problem with games when they're rereleased, and secondly, the idea that Nintendo couldn't get the rights to a level from a game that's included in the compilation that they themselves made is comedically absurd.[[/note]]

** Nintendo couldn’t get the rights to the Throwback Galaxy.[[note]]A companion joke to the above, which serves as a double joke. Firstly, rights are a problem with games when they’re rereleased, and secondly, the idea that Nintendo couldn’t get the rights to a level from a game that’s included in the compilation that they themselves made is comedically absurd.[[/note]]

** The melody of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJSrra_RrnE Yoshi Star Galaxy]] is rather similar to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHqUnfGNybk Danse Nègre]] from Creator/SamuelTaylorColeridge's African Suite, Op. 35.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: A common criticism of this game is that it feels more like a glorified expansion pack for the original [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy ''Galaxy'']].