Super Mario Galaxy 2

Stages are also more challenging than the first.

Rather than more challenging, I think it is more balanced. Many of SMG1's stages were very easy, but there were also a number that were very hard. In SMG2, there's a far greater balance in difficultly throughout the game with only a few annoyingly hard ones while keeping the challenge level adequate.

The 120+ stars are still a great improvement over Luigi mode in the first, but I still expected a little more innovation in the sequel rather than half steps up which is why I don't regard it as high as many others do.

Currently 242/242 for SMG1 and 182/240? for SMG2.


Also: Yoshi Sacrifice Stars.