Famously streaming-averse Nintendo has finally added the Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 OST to Spotify, but the big picture makes it look like a very weird move

In a surprising move, Nintendo has released a limited selection of music from Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Spotify, marking the company’s first official presence on a major music streaming service. The Spotify playlist contains 130 tracks from both games and is available exclusively on Spotify for a limited time.

The release coincides with two significant milestones: the 40th anniversary of the Super Mario franchise and the launch of the Super Mario Galaxy animated film. Nintendo’s decision to join mainstream music streaming is noteworthy given the company’s historically protective stance toward its intellectual property—Nintendo operates its own dedicated music app, making this an unusual departure from its typical approach.

However, fans are receiving what could be described as a “monkey’s paw” version of what they’ve long requested. Rather than gaining permanent access to complete game soundtracks on streaming platforms, players get only a curated selection of tracks for a limited duration. The temporary nature of the availability and Spotify exclusivity (not appearing on Apple Music or Qobuz) suggest this is a promotional tie-in rather than a broader shift in Nintendo’s music distribution strategy.

The limited-time exclusivity creates urgency for fans to access the music while it remains available, though the exact duration of availability remains unclear. This approach reflects Nintendo’s continued caution regarding its intellectual property while capitalizing on the promotional opportunities presented by the film release and franchise milestone.

Famously streaming-averse Nintendo has finally added the Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 OST to Spotify, but the big picture makes it look like a very weird move

Sources