Starship Mario

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Starship Mario
Mario, Lumas, Lubba, Yoshi, the Toad Brigade, a Bob-omb Buddy, a Star Bunny, a Whittle, and a penguin on the Starship Mario
First appearance Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010)
Latest appearance Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018)
Ruler Mario, Luigi
Inhabitants Lubba, Yoshi, Baby Luma, Lumas, Toad Brigade, Star Bunnies, penguins, Whittles, Bob-omb Buddy, Jibberjay, Gearmos, Rosalina (if the player achieved 242 Stars)
“Nice spaceship, yeah? More like a faceship! Har har! Well, at least you'll never lose it in a car park! Am I right?”
Lubba, Super Mario Galaxy 2

Starship Mario is a Mario-head-shaped planet and spacecraft that is used to travel across the universe in Super Mario Galaxy 2. Although notably smaller than the previous games' hub areas, it serves as the hub of the game, replacing the Comet Observatory from Super Mario Galaxy. Other than its smaller size, another difference from the Comet Observatory is that it also has changing backgrounds, the appearance of which depends on the world that it is currently in. A flock of gulls can be seen on and around Starship Mario in the first two worlds as well as the final world. Starship Mario is able to access different worlds by traveling through portals between them.

Layout[edit]

After Mario collects his first Power Star from Peewee Piranha, he finds himself on a rocky meteor-battered planetoid. It is captained by Lubba, who commands a crew of Lumas. After beholding the Power Star, and seeing Baby Luma's trust in Mario, he strikes a deal with Mario and hands the ship over to him, reshaping it to look like Mario's head for as long as he continues to collect Power Stars (though it actually remains this way for the remainder of the game).

While on the ship, Mario is able to explore and interact with various non-playable characters, including Lubba and the Co-Star Luma. Some other characters in the game appear after certain Power Stars are collected or a specific goal is met.

Much like in Delfino Plaza from Super Mario Sunshine, Mario can ride Yoshi on Starship Mario. The egg that contains him is located on the "nose" of the ship, having been obtained after Mario rescues Yoshi in the Yoshi Star Galaxy. A small circular platform floating just above Starship Mario has many fruits, as well as three Boards that advise the player on how to control Yoshi. If the player eats all of the fruits on this small platform, they get a 1-Up Mushroom. There is also a room under the area with the pressure switch, which can be accessed only by jumping into a large chimney that leads into the room or by going through a secret door in the bill of the ship's "cap." The room contains a large ball of light similar to the beacon in the Comet Observatory, a telescope, and some books. There are also several platforms near the edge of the room, which later become display cases. Various power-ups, such as the Fire Flower and Rock Mushroom, begin to appear on the display after they are used to obtain certain Power Stars over the course of the game. However, the display cases cannot be penetrated, and thus the power-ups inside cannot be used. A usable Cloud Flower does appear in front of the ship's wheel after Mario has completed Climbing the Cloudy Tower in the Starshine Beach Galaxy, however. This is the only power-up that can actually be used onboard Starship Mario. The Toad Brigade's Starshroom also stays close to the ship. Transfer between the two ships is possible via a Warp Pad located in the ship's right ear.

However, the ship's main feature is to allow Mario to travel between and select galaxies to visit. To leave the ship and go to the World Map, one must step up to the ship's wheel near the top, in front of which is a small weight-activated button. When pressed, the button sends the player to the World Map, from which they can select galaxies to visit. If the game was turned off, the player instead goes to the Grand World Map, from which the player can select worlds to visit. If the player wishes to return to Starship Mario without visiting a galaxy, they must position Starship Mario over an empty point on the World Map and then select it, which brings up the option to return. Mario also automatically returns to the ship if he receives a Game Over at any point during gameplay (unless Peewee Piranha's Temper Tantrum is not cleared, in which case the player returns to the introductory level, just before the Launch Star), as opposed to returning to the title screen as would happen in Super Mario Galaxy.

Engine Room[edit]

Mario and the Co-Star Luma inside the Engine Room of Starship Mario

The ship's engine room can be entered either by entering a small door in the middle of the ship's "cap" or by using the small chimney on the head of the starship as a Warp Pipe (standing on top of it). Inside is a single Luma, whose purpose is to convert the energy from each Power Star into fuel for the spaceship. A small ball resembling the beacon can also be found on the ceiling. In addition, as Mario completes certain missions with power-ups, they appear in the Engine Room under small glass domes (all except for the Rainbow Star, which does not appear here for unknown reasons). However, they cannot be used by the player, so their purpose is thought to be more for viewing purposes as souvenirs. Below are listed the seven power-ups that appear here, as well as the conditions that must be met before they will appear here:

Passengers[edit]

Many of the passengers that visit Starship Mario will appear on the back of the ship's head.

After certain missions have been completed, different species appear on the ship. All creatures stand on tree stumps on the surface of Starship Mario except for the Toad Brigade, who resides on the Starshroom (accessed via a Warp Pad in Starship Mario's right ear); two Lumalees that sell Chance Cubes for coins and Star Bits (accessed via a Warp Pipe in Starship Mario's left ear); and Luigi, who resides in a small door towards the top back of Starship Mario, and switches places with Mario at any point after he has defeated Bowser for the first time.

Below is a full list of every character that makes an appearance on Starship Mario, as well as the conditions that must be met before the characters will appear. All non-playable characters make an appearance on Starship Mario, with the exception of Coach, Penguru, Piantas, Princess Peach, and The Chimp.

Totals Sign[edit]

The Totals Sign as it appears on Starship Mario
“Well now...you've found quite a few of those Power Stars, huh? We'll keep track of how many ya got. That's it, the sign next to the helm right there.”
Lubba, Super Mario Galaxy 2

After Mario has collected sixteen Power Stars, a glowing light-blue signpost appears directly to the left of Starship Mario's wheel. This sign lists all of the Power Stars and Comet Medals that Mario has currently collected, as well as the galaxies that have been unlocked thus far (and whether the galaxies have been completed or not). This sign is used to help the player keep track of how many Stars they have at any various point in the game. The same information can also be accessed by clicking the "Star List" button on the pause menu at any time during gameplay.

Appearances in other games[edit]

Fortune Street[edit]

Main article: Starship Mario (board)

Starship Mario reappears as a default board in Fortune Street.

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Starship Mario in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Starship Mario as seen in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

On the stage Mario Galaxy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Starship Mario can be seen above the main stage in the background. Lubba can also be seen onboard, as well as several other Lumas. It also appears as a trophy. However, it is removed from the stage in 8-Player Smash, alongside Bowser's Airship and the Starshroom.

Starship Mario also appears as an Advanced-class support spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, using its artwork from Super Mario Galaxy 2. When equipped, it increases the fighter's jump height. In World of Light, the Starship Mario spirit is encountered in the outer space region, northeast on the Light Realm map, on the path leading to Falco's battle. To earn the spirit, the player has to beat a Giant Mario on the stage Mario Galaxy.

Gallery[edit]

Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]

Other[edit]

Profiles[edit]

Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]

  • North American website bio:[1] "This grass-sprouted ship sure looks familiar... helmed by Mario himself, the hero and his friends will travel the universe in this majestic spaceship! New friends, secret rooms, and much more will appear as you progress."

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]

Trophy
Starship Mario
Starship Mario trophy from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Category: Stage
(Applies only to the Wii U version) Appears in:
Wii Super Mario Galaxy 2 (05/2010)
(Applies only to the Wii U version) Trophy Box: 12: Super Mario Galaxy 2
How to unlock:
Random
This ship was made for Mario by Lubba, head honcho of the Luma crew. It's fueled by Power Stars, so the more Mario collects, the deeper he can go into space. Also, as he continues his adventure, the ship will fill up with new friends and items from all over the universe. At some point, a Yoshi's Egg will even appear on the ship's nose! (American English)
This ship was made for Mario by Lubba, head honcho of the Luma crew. It's fuelled by Power Stars, so the more Mario collects, the deeper he can go into space. Also, as he continues his adventure, the ship will fill up with new friends and items from all over the universe. At some point, a Yoshi's Egg will even appear on the ship's nose! (British English)

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirit[edit]

Name Image Game Type Class Effect How to obtain Spirit battle
Opponents Battle conditions Stage Song
Starship Mario Starship Mario's Spirit sprite from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Super Mario Series Support (1) Advanced Jump ↑ World of Light (Light Realm) Giant Mario Hazard: Low Gravity
  • Gravity is reduced
  • The enemy is giant
Mario Galaxy (Battlefield) The Starship Sails

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese 星船マリオ
Hoshibune Mario
Starship Mario

Chinese 瑪利歐星艦[2]
Mǎlì'ōu xīng jiàn
Mario Starship

Dutch Mario-ruimteschip
Mario Spaceship
French Vaisseau Mario
Spacecraft Mario
German Raumschiff Mario
Spaceship Mario
Italian Astronave Mario
Spaceship Mario
Korean 우주선 마리오호
Ujuseon Mario-ho
Spaceship Mario

Portuguese Nave Espacial Mario
Mario Spaceship
Russian Звездолёт Марио
Zvezdolot Mario
Starship Mario

Spanish Astronave Mario
Starship Mario

Trivia[edit]

A pre-release screenshot of Starship Mario in Super Mario Galaxy 2.
An early screenshot of Super Mario Galaxy 2, showing a different-looking Mario head planet
  • Yoshiaki Koizumi wanted to include "a platform that was a planet shaped like a head" in the first game, but it did not make the cut.[3] Additionally, in early screenshots for Super Mario Galaxy 2, a much different planet shaped like Mario's head is shown, looking more similar to the actual Mario than the final one but being smaller.
  • Whenever the player selects a galaxy to fly to from the World Map, Starship Mario turns to look at Mario as he flies to the galaxy.
  • The teacups on the ship look empty, but upon the player zooming in, they are filled to the brim with water. They also have the same ripple as other bodies of water in the game.
  • On the cover of Super Mario Galaxy 2, a ? Block and a Goomba both appear on Starship Mario, even though neither of these things ever appears on Starship Mario in the actual game. Also, the Warp Pipe has been repositioned, as it now appears higher up on Starship Mario's cap, as opposed to in Starship Mario's left ear.
  • Much like the music of the Comet Observatory, Starship Mario's music adds more instruments as Mario progresses through the various worlds. However, when the player first visits Starship Mario, a unique theme, "The Starship Appears," plays.
  • Starship Mario always looks like Mario, even when the player is Luigi. This is referenced in Fortune Street, when Luigi says, "Hey! You know what would look good? A spaceship with MY face on it!"
  • Concept art showcased in The Art of Super Mario Odyssey depicts a replica of Starship Mario as a souvenir that was considered for Honeylune Ridge alongside other Super Mario Galaxy-inspired memorabilia.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Nintendo. Starship Mario. supermariogalaxy.com. Retrieved May 28, 2010 snapshot via Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ Official Super Mario Galaxy 2 website. Nintendo HK. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  3. ^ Sahdev, Ishaan (June 9, 2010). Yoshi Originally Intended For First Super Mario Galaxy. Siliconera. Retrieved March 9, 2020.