Miyamoto says he was surprised Mario Galaxy Movie reviews were even harsher than the first

April 22, 2026 - 19:10

Legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto has revealed his surprise at the critical reception for "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," noting that reviews were even more severe than those for the first animated film. As the creative force behind Nintendo’s iconic plumber, Miyamoto admitted he expected a different reaction to the sequel.

The filmmaker and producer shared that the team approached the second movie with confidence, building on the lessons learned from the initial project. They aimed to delve deeper into the cosmic and whimsical elements of the beloved "Galaxy" games, anticipating that critics and audiences would embrace the ambitious scope and visual spectacle. The intensified criticism, therefore, came as an unexpected setback.

Despite the challenging reviews, Miyamoto emphasized the team’s commitment to the creative vision and the positive fan reactions that have fueled the franchise's success across decades. He underscored that filmmaking, much like game development, is a process of iteration and learning. The critical feedback, while sharper this time, provides valuable insights for future projects. The focus remains on entertaining audiences and faithfully translating the joy of the Mario universe to the big screen, a mission that continues to drive the collaboration between Nintendo and its animation partners.