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Slow Wi-Fi at home? Believe it or not, your houseplants might be to blame - and yes, we're serious

TechRadar News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 08:04
Houseplants can weaken Wi-Fi signals, but walls, interference, and router placement are usually bigger factors than indoor greenery.
Categories: Technology

Zoox's Self-Driving Test Vehicles Are Heading to Washington, DC

CNET News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 08:00
This is the company's eighth testing location. Zoox says DC's "complex and unique street layout" and "seasonal weather challenges" can help hone its tech.
Categories: Technology

Google's AI Mode Can Now Give You More Visual Inspiration

CNET News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 08:00
You can also just chat with the search tool to find and buy the right pair of pants.
Categories: Technology

Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are as magical as ever on Nintendo Switch 2

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 08:00

It is hard to overstate how magical the original Super Mario Galaxy felt when it launched on Wii back in 2007. Gravity-defying levels, soaring orchestrated music, and a sense of wonder that still stands out alongside the other staples in the platforming genre, almost 20 years later.

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: October 2, 2025

In celebration of the Italian plumber's 40th anniversary, Nintendo has re-released this classic alongside Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 in one enhanced package.

I was curious to see if these classics could shine just as brightly two decades later. The good news is they're as magical as ever, offering the same incredible journeys now with gorgeous visuals and the ability to play the sequel on the go for the first time ever.

Cosmic performance

On Switch 2, both games look fantastic. Docked, you get crisp 4K resolution that makes every planet sparkle. Handheld mode delivers smooth 1080p visuals that feel perfectly tuned for portable play.

I encountered no performance hiccups across either adventure. Frame rates remain locked, load times are snappy, and the vibrant art style still feels timeless. These games were stunning on Wii, but the extra fidelity here makes them genuinely pop on modern displays, like my Samsung S90D OLED TV.

It is worth noting that Super Mario Galaxy did appear on Switch once before, as part of the limited Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection. That version didn't reinvent the wheel, but it gave Switch users access to the game alongside Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. Unfortunately, Nintendo no longer sells 3D All-Stars, an odd choice that has led to inflated prices on the second-hand market.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

This new Switch 2 release offers the same core experience, now enhanced with sharper visuals, better performance, and bundled alongside Super Mario Galaxy 2 for the first time on modern hardware. For fans who missed out on 3D All-Stars, or who simply want the most definitive way to play, this collection is a clear step forward.

The sound design has also aged remarkably well. Koji Kondo’s orchestral score is given room to breathe with a cleaner mix, and it feels cinematic in a way that very few modern platformers achieve.

Hearing the soundtrack through my Sonos Arc Ultra is a reminder of just how ambitious Nintendo was with these titles and genuinely brought me back to my childhood.

In my time playing this game, I've been listening to both games' soundtracks on repeat as I work. In fact, as I write this review, I'm bopping my head to Gusty Garden Galaxy - gorgeous.

Galaxies intertwined

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The core adventures remain intact, so if you've played through either game recently, you might not want to jump back in. Nintendo has a solution, however, offering both games as a complete package or as individual titles, perfect for those who luckily own the aforementioned 3D All-Stars.

Super Mario Galaxy's planet-hopping platforming eases players into its gravity-bending tricks, while Super Mario Galaxy 2 embraces creativity and challenge right from the start. Having them bundled together only highlights how well the sequel doubled down on experimentation.

Galaxy 2 adds Yoshi to the mix, alongside power-ups like the Cloud Flower and Rock Mushroom, each of which introduces new mechanics that feel clever even today. Returning to these levels reminded me how bold Nintendo was in the Wii era, layering complexity onto Mario without losing accessibility.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo has added some small but welcome touches for this new release. In Super Mario Galaxy, there is an additional chapter in Rosalina’s picture book that fleshes out her story in a way longtime fans will appreciate.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 goes a step further with a completely new tale in its own picture book, offering fresh lore and a reason to revisit the Comet Observatory between levels. These are not game-changing additions, but they add warmth and make this edition feel more than a simple upscaled port.

Wii controls reimagined

As someone who hasn't played 3D All-Stars in nearly five years, one of my biggest questions going back to these games was how well the controls would translate to modern hardware. The original games were designed with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in mind, leaning heavily on motion controls.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 have some of, if not the, best video game soundtracks of all time. It has been a magical experience reliving my childhood through gorgeous orchestral music that makes me feel just like that famous scene from Pixar's Ratatouille.

On Switch 2, motion is still present with the Joy-Con, but it feels far less intrusive than it once did. You can play comfortably in handheld, docked, or with a Pro Controller, and I found myself gravitating to the latter for longer sessions.

All you need to do is hold down ZR and use the gyro in the Pro Controller to pick up Star Bits. In fact, I much prefer it to the Wii experience, but that might be my cynical 30-year-old brain that no longer appreciates a gimmick.

A trip down memory lane

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The biggest compliment I can give Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Nintendo Switch 2 is that these adventures feel as fresh today as they did at launch in 2007 and 2020, respectively.

The level design is inventive and playful, constantly surprising you with new mechanics that rarely outstay their welcome. Few platformers manage to strike the same balance of accessibility and depth.

Nintendo has not tinkered much beyond resolution, performance, and the new story content, but that restraint works here. The design is so strong that all it needed was a modern coat of paint.

Mario’s journey through the stars is still a cosmic marvel

While part of me would have liked to see some new content like we've seen in the past with the addition of Bowser's Fury in the remaster of Super Mario 3D World, I've just enjoyed the simplicity of replaying these classics in 4k.

If you have never played Super Mario Galaxy or its sequel, this is the definitive way to experience them. And if you have, the combination of rock-solid performance, upgraded visuals, and new story content makes these experiences worth revisiting.

Few platformers feel as inventive, joyful, or downright magical as Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Nearly twenty years on, Mario’s journey through the stars is still a cosmic marvel.

Should you buy Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2?Buy it if...

You’ve never played Super Mario Galaxy or Super Mario Galaxy 2
These games haven't aged a day, providing some of the best platforming experiences you can have on any console. If you've never played Super Mario Galaxy or its sequel, now is the time to jump on board with gorgeous visuals and buttery smooth performance.

You want to relive the nostalgia of youth
I know I keep talking about the magic of both games' soundtracks, but I've had such a blast replaying both and genuinely felt moved hearing some of this music again. The full experience is nothing short of extraordinary and lives up to modern gaming design almost two decades later.

Don't buy it if...

You own 3D All-Stars
If you already own Super Mario 3D All-Stars, then I think you can skip the original Mario Galaxy here. Luckily, Nintendo offers Super Mario Galaxy 2 on its own, albeit digitally, so if you've already experienced the first in the series recently, you can jump into its sequel on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

Accessibility

Not much to write home about in terms of accessibility. Both games include an Assist Mode, which increases your life and bounces you back from falls.

Settings allow you to change the way you interact with the camera via thumbsticks and motion controls.

It would've been nice to see more additions to accessibility, but it appears as if Nintendo has kept even the settings faithful to the originals.

How I reviewed Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

I played around 25 hours total, split between both games, and used my OLED TV for a full 4k experience. I played Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition in a mixture of handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch 2 itself and on one of the best OLED TVs, the Samsung Q90D, using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

I had previously played both games on the Wii and had experienced Super Mario Galaxy on Nintendo Switch as part of Super Mario 3D All-Stars.

First reviewed September 2025

Categories: Reviews

Meet Neurable’s all new brain-hacking headphones: 2-minute daily cognitive snapshots, real-time burnout detection and weekly brain age tracking

TechRadar News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 08:00
Want your cans to spill the tea on how old your brain is, given its overall health and fitness? Meet Neurable's new and improved (but cheaper!) brain-hacking cans
Categories: Technology

Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are as magical as ever on Nintendo Switch 2

TechRadar News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 08:00
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 review on Nintendo Switch 2 featuring stunning 4k visuals and buttery smooth performance.
Categories: Technology

How Norton VPN uses Double VPN and IP Rotation to protect your identity online

TechRadar News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 07:51
It's always nice to get something for nothing, so we're here to explain whether Norton gives you a free VPN when you sign up for one of its antivirus plans.
Categories: Technology

The UN mission appeals to the Taliban to restore internet access in Afghanistan

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 07:51

The outage was the first nationwide shutdown since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021 and was part of their professed crackdown on immorality.

(Image credit: Rahmat Gul/AP)

Categories: News

Anker’s fastest airline-approved power bank has landed for epic flights – and it already has a tempting discount

TechRadar News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 07:31
Anker has just launched two new power banks, and they’re already available now with a 20% discount.
Categories: Technology

The First Ever At-Home Cortisol Test Just Launched. And You Don't Even Need to Draw Blood

CNET News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 07:00
Eli Health's Hormometer lets you track cortisol levels with just saliva and your phone.
Categories: Technology

AI Is Going to Wrap Itself Around You, From Your Glasses to Your Car

CNET News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 07:00
In an exclusive in-car chat at the Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii, Qualcomm CMO Don McGuire paints me a picture of a personal ecosystem of ambient AI.
Categories: Technology

Nothing Phone 3 Update Will Let You Create Apps With AI and Share Them

CNET News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 07:00
The new features, Playground and Essential Apps, are said to be Nothing's first step toward building an AI-focused operating system.
Categories: Technology

With therapy hard to get, people lean on AI for mental health. What are the risks?

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 07:00

People are using ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence apps to help them with emotional issues, but experts say they are not a substitute for therapy or companionship.

Categories: News

Got a buggy iPhone 17 or iPhone Air? Apple’s new iOS 26 update could solve your woes

TechRadar News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 06:57
The first addition to iOS 26 is here, and it fixes some of the problems reported with the 2025 iPhones.
Categories: Technology

Chad Powers creator on comedy inspirations, larger-than-life heroes and the chances of Disney+ renewing the series

TechRadar News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 06:33
I sat down with Chad Powers co-creator Michael Waldron to talk about his next big Disney+ and Hulu show.
Categories: Technology

You can now buy things through ChatGPT with a single click - if you're one of the lucky ones

TechRadar News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 06:33
Users can now buy from Etsy directly through ChatGPT – other merchants and regions to be supported soon.
Categories: Technology

The Best Expert-Approved Weightlifting Shoes for 2025

CNET News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 06:24
The best training shoes have a roomy toe box and some lift for the heel. We've dug deep to find doctor-approved weightlifting shoes that meet this criteria.
Categories: Technology

Philo Adds HBO Max Access to Core Plan, Increases Price

CNET News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 06:18
Ad-based Discovery Plus and HBO Max are now included with a Philo subscription, but customers will have to pay more.
Categories: Technology

Government shuts down tonight barring a deal. And, U.S. military leaders gather in VA

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 06:09

Federal agencies are at risk of running out of funding tonight if Congress does not reach an agreement. And, hundreds of U.S. generals and admirals are gathering for a rare meeting with Trump today.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

Categories: News

A new DualSense wireless controller featuring a removable battery is reportedly releasing this year

TechRadar News - Tue, 09/30/2025 - 06:07
A new leak claims a new DualSense wireless controller will be released this year and feature a removable battery.
Categories: Technology

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