10 Perfect Games With Even Better Sequels

Even though Super Mario is Nintendo's bread and butter, the mainstream series usually doesn't do direct continuations. But after Super Mario Galaxy achieved staggering success, the company started working on another.

Naturally, the prospect of swirling across the cosmos and collecting Power Stars again was a cause of celebration. Having said that, topping the first game was a tall order.

After all, Super Mario Galaxy wasn't just great. It was GameRankings highest rated title ever and the first Nintendo game to win a BAFTA. It demonstrated the precision of the Wii's motion controls, making exploration, flying, and puzzle-solving a joy to behold. Nintendo put such care in the level design, gravity mechanics, soundtrack, and missions, it was challenging to find a single thing they could enhance.

And yet, Super Mario Galaxy 2 was an utter triumph. It boasted more imaginative puzzles, an accessible map, a refined difficulty curve, better designed bosses, luscious levels, and addictive power-ups. 

It also threw in Yoshi, which is always a bonus. Rather than using Yoshi sparingly, Mario's dino-buddy plays a pivotal role in many of the most daunting missions. In fact, it's difficult to think of a time where Yoshi was implemented better in the franchise.

And since 120 more Power Stars are unlocked after beating the game, the main campaign will keep completionists entertained for ages.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is such a marvel, it's mind-boggling why it wasn't included it in Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Way to drop the ball, Nintendo.