
Yoshi can use his tongue to grab items and shoot them back at enemies, or to snag attach points and swing across chasms. On some stages, Mario can find an egg, smash it open and hop onto the back of Yoshi. Mario works his way through the various levels, sometimes upside-down, sometimes floating from place to place.

Every level is new, but the game retains the charm, sense of wonder and beauty in line with Mario's history. Mario collects stars as he travels from galaxy to galaxy. Also, after eating a Blimp Fruit power-up Yoshi can swells up and floats like a blimp, taking Mario with him to areas of the game otherwise unreachable. For example, when Yoshi eats a "Dash Pepper" he is able to move at hyper speed allowing the pair to literally run up the side of walls. Yoshi's particular reaction to specific powerups makes for fun with gravity. Once Mario hatches Yoshi from his egg he can ride him through a variety of scenarios. Another key change to gameplay is the ability for Mario to join with his pal Yoshi. Players can expect the return of a variety of powerups from the original game including Bee and Boo Mushrooms, but also many that are new varieties including the Rock Mushroom that temporarily turns Mario into a rock that can smash through barriers.

This allows for both a new direction in action as well as an opening to problem-solving and coin collection. He can also embark on longer jaunts via a small steerable planet in the shape of Mario's head, but as a new twist he can also move into and through planets as well using the new drill mechanism. Mario can move between smaller examples of these by jumping. Platforming takes place between worlds, known as galaxies. Like its predecessor, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is an action platformer set in space. Additional key features include new and returning power-ups, special power-up abilities when teamed with Yoshi and the new drill mechanic that allows Mario burrow into and through planets. Featuring out-of-this-world platforming across a wide array of unique planets and space environments, players can go it alone as Mario or team up with his old buddy Yoshi as they platform and puzzle-solve to their hearts content. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is an action platformer for Wii that continues the space-based fun begun by the 2007 runaway hit Super Mario Galaxy.
