Super Mario Galaxy 2 & Final Fantasy Tactics on Switch: Why Not?

Last Updated: November 4, 2025

For years, two specific games have topped the wish lists of Nintendo Switch owners, becoming modern-day legends whispered about in forums and endlessly speculated upon in videos. They are the "holy grails" of ports: the sublime platforming sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and the genre-defining strategy RPG, Final Fantasy Tactics. While rumors of their arrival frequently ignite fan excitement, the reality is that both remain tantalizingly out of reach.

This is the definitive story of why these two masterpieces are the most-wanted games on the Nintendo Switch—and the current status of their long-awaited return.

The Missing Galaxy: Why Was Mario's Greatest Sequel Left Behind?

In 2020, Nintendo celebrated the plumber’s 35th anniversary with Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a collection bundling Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. The compilation was a massive commercial success, but it was haunted by a single, glaring omission: Super Mario Galaxy 2.

The 2010 Wii sequel is not just another Mario game; to many, it is the pinnacle of 3D platforming. It took the brilliant, gravity-bending concepts of its predecessor and refined them to near-perfection, adding Yoshi, more inventive level designs, and a streamlined world map. Its absence from a collection meant to be a definitive celebration of 3D Mario was, and remains, a significant point of contention for fans.

Nintendo’s official reasoning has been vague. In interviews, executives have alluded to the project's scope and the desire to focus on specific anniversary milestones. However, the decision left the 3D Mario saga incomplete on the Switch. Super Mario 3D All-Stars itself was delisted from the eShop and retail in a controversial limited-release strategy on March 31, 2021, making the original Galaxy digitally inaccessible for new players and leaving its superior sequel stranded on the Wii. To this day, the call to "Free Galaxy 2" continues, as players hope for a standalone release that would finally complete the collection and bring one of gaming's highest-rated titles to a modern, hybrid console.

The War for Ivalice: The Heavily Rumored Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster

While Mario’s absence is a mystery, the saga of Final Fantasy Tactics is a tale of persistent rumors and tantalizing leaks. Originally released for the PlayStation in 1997, this masterpiece from Square Enix (then Square) defined the console strategy RPG with its deep job system, mature political storyline set in the world of Ivalice, and challenging grid-based combat.

Its enhanced PSP port, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, further cemented its legacy with an improved script and new content. For years, fans have clamored for a modern release, and evidence suggests one has long been in the works. The most credible sign came from the infamous "Nvidia GeForce Now" leak in 2021, a massive list of potential games in the service’s database that included a "Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster." Many other titles from that leak, such as Tactics Ogre: Reborn, have since been officially announced and released, lending immense credibility to the prospect of an FFT revival.

Square Enix has demonstrated a clear strategy of revitalizing its classic catalog for the Switch with titles like Live A Live, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition, and the aforementioned Tactics Ogre: Reborn. This successful track record makes the existence of a Final Fantasy Tactics remaster feel not just possible, but inevitable. The portable nature of the Switch is the perfect home for its deep, strategic gameplay, allowing players to meticulously plan their next move on the go. Yet, despite the smoke, there has been no official fire from Square Enix, leaving fans in a state of perpetual anticipation.

A Landmark Opportunity for the Switch Library

The enduring demand for these two titles highlights their timeless quality and their perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch. Super Mario Galaxy 2’s breathtaking cosmic vistas would look stunning in HD, while the optional Joy-Con pointer controls could replicate the original Wii remote’s precision. A Final Fantasy Tactics remaster would give a new generation the chance to experience a foundational SRPG on a platform tailor-made for its bite-sized battles and complex party management.

The simultaneous release of these two titans remains a fan's dream. In reality, their absence underscores a gap in the Switch's otherwise stellar library of classics. One is a first-party masterpiece inexplicably left behind, while the other is a third-party legend caught in a cycle of rumor and speculation. As the Switch era continues and talk of a successor console grows, the question for Nintendo and Square Enix remains: will they finally answer the call of millions of players and give these legendary games the modern home they so richly deserve? For now, the quest continues.