Super Mario Galaxy
As with the original "Super Mario Galaxy", "Super Mario Galaxy 2" features a musical score written for and performed by a symphony orchestra (known as the Mario Galaxy Orchestra in the credits). Early in the development process, when the concept of "Super Mario Galaxy 1.5" was being considered, there were no plans to use different music from the first "Super Mario Galaxy". However, as the game evolved, the sound team, headed by Mahito Yokota, realized they needed new music that fit with the new gameplay mechanics that were being added. Although they were hesitant to use a symphony orchestra again because of recording difficulties, general producer Shigeru Miyamoto gave permission immediately – according to Yokota, Miyamoto felt that players would be expecting an orchestral soundtrack. Miyamoto also apparently suggested that players would want to hear arrangements from "Super Mario Galaxy", which is why the soundtrack is a mixture of brand new pieces and arrangements of themes from the original "Galaxy" as well as many past installments in the "Mario" series, such as "Super Mario World" and "Super Mario 64". Ryo Nagamatsu, who worked previously on "Mario Kart Wii", "Wii Sports Resort", and "New Super Mario Bros. Wii", contributed nine pieces to the soundtrack.