Super Mario Galaxy 2 might be a slight step up from its predecessor, but it's a step up nonetheless.

My biggest gripe with the first Galaxy game was the fixed camera's inconsistency. It's there for support, yet fails to offer any genuine help more often than it gets in the way. In Galaxy 2, this camera feels more precise in its movement in following Mario, with far less hiccups than I experienced in the first one.

I also find myself vastly preferring the linear game and map design over the "Hub' of the first Galaxy. It makes for a much smoother progression of understanding where and how to advance the easiest, fastest way possible. Although, the lack of available normal level stars from worlds 1-6 can be irritating, as being forced to collect Comet Medals and doing special levels just to beat the base game can get annoying.

I think the music in this sequel is, overall, a tad better as well. Whether it's something as simple as the save file selection screen, or a more complex instrumental like Glamdozer. Production feels more condensed and deeper in this game's whole OST. Which shouldn't discredit the first game's majestic design, since it did come before Galaxy 2. (Obviously, Syrem).

It's kind of unfortunate that the base game doesn't really utilize Yoshi all that much, despite him being on the damn cover art of the game. It feels like I used him in maybe 6 or 7 levels, and he wasn't required for half of said levels. Maybe I made a mistake and he's available more often, but I couldn't seem to find him much.

While Mario Galaxy stands as the staple of 3D platformers by general consensus, I believe its sequel succeeds in improving on the most important areas of what makes a great platformer game. 9/10.