List of references in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

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The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, much like its predecessor, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, is an adaptation of the Super Mario franchise that borrows many aspects from said franchise. In particular, the film heavily takes inspiration from its namesake games, Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Characters from other Nintendo franchises are introduced in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, including Fox McCloud from the Star Fox series and the Pikmin from the series of the same name.

Super Mario-related media

Donkey Kong

• The hammer appeared during the Illumination logo where a minion from the Despicable Me franchise, Dave, is seen wielding a hammer from the game, which is accompanied by "Hammer BGM" from the NES version of the game.
  • A red hammer, similar to the ones from this game, also appears in Bowser Jr.'s arsenal.
• Donkey Kong can be seen jumping on red girders and throwing barrels during the montage of Yoshi exploring Brooklyn.

Super Mario series

Super Mario Bros.

• A piñata of Bowser's sprite appears at Peach's birthday ceremony.
• A hologram of the Goomba's sprite from this game appears.^:0:10
• The sprites of Blooper and Spiny and the coral and ground tiles from underwater levels appear on signs.^:0:11
• The sign Princess Peach and Toad phase through references the Minus World.^:0:11 The entrance to the futuristic city being through a fake wall is also a reference to how the player enters the Minus World by glitching through a wall.
• Sprites from this game appear throughout the film.
• Mario defeats Bowser by destroying a bridge he stands on using an axe, identically to the end of castle courses from this game.
  • The Bowser-centered poster features Bowser holding two axes while standing on a wooden bridge falling into lava, referencing how Bowser (and his fakes) can be defeated in this game by dropping the castle bridge into lava with an axe.
• "Ground BGM", "Underground BGM", "Castle BGM", and "Underwater BGM" are arranged into the score.

Super Mario Bros. 2

• Wart and members of his 8 bits, including Ninjis, Birdo, Mouser, and Clawgrip appear together in the casino, which also references the Bonus Chance minigame.^:1:32
• A turnip is among the produce served to Wart in the casino.^:2:57 Peach throws this turnip into Wart's mouth to knock him down, the exact method needed to defeat Wart in this game.
• The sprite of the Magical Potion appears.^:0:10
• A Phanto mask, taking its design from this game, is seen hanging in a stall in the futuristic city.^:0:13
• When the Ninjis swarm Princess Peach, Ninji's sprite appears on the fixture above.^:3:03
• "Final Boss BGM", "Underground BGM" and "Boss BGM" are arranged into the film's score.

Super Mario Bros. 3

• When Mario and Peach are watching the fireworks from the castle rooftop, there are ones in the shape of the Super Mushroom and Super Star, similar to the goal fireworks in this game.
• The Frog Suit appears.^:1:29
• Chain Chomp's sprite from this game appears on various signs.^:0:15
• A treasure chest from this game appears inside Peach's Castle.^:2:52
• The area in which Mario and Luigi battle the Hammer Bros. is identical to the layout of one of the Enemy Courses from this game.
• "Airship BGM", "Underwater BGM", and "Bros. Battle" are arranged into the score.

Super Mario Land

• "Birabuto Kingdom BGM" is arranged into the film's score, playing as Daisy is revealed in the post-credit scene since this was her debut game.

Super Mario World

• "Title BGM" and "Ground BGM" from this game are arranged in the teaser trailer for the film.
  • A piano arrangement of the first few notes of "Ground BGM" plays in the second trailer for the film.^:1:13
• "Donut Plains (Map Screen)", "Valley of Bowser (Map Screen)", "Ending", "Ground BGM", and "Castle BGM" are arranged into the film's score.
• A Message Block appears and takes its design from this game.^:1:25
• Ninji's promotional artworkMedia:SMW Artwork Ninji.png from this game is displayed on blocks in the casino.^:3:00
• The montage of Peach's Castle being rebuilt is in the style of this game, featuring sprites directly from it.
• At the end of the film, Mario uses a Cape Feather to transform into Cape Mario, an item and form that debuted and primarily appears in this game.

Super Mario 64

• An arrangement of "Peach's Castle" plays after Mario gives Peach her birthday gift.
• An arrangement of "Main Theme" plays during the scene where Bob-ombs appear while Peach and Mario navigate the obstacle course on Planet Bowser, while a short snippet of “Bowser's Road" appears after the crew land on the planet.
• While climbing his miniature castle's staircase, Bowser sings his battle theme.
• Peach's note to Mario is presented like the opening cutscene from this game.
• Yoshi sits on the castle like in this game's 100% completion reward.

Super Mario Sunshine

• Bowser Jr. prominently uses the magic brush as he did in his debut appearance in this game.
• A book with a Shine Sprite on it appears in Rosalina's library.
• The shirt that the sunglasses vendor gives to Mario in this game can be seen in his closet.
• F.L.U.D.D. appears in Bowser Jr.'s arsenal.

New Super Mario Bros. series

• In an NBC commercial for the film and the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Yoshi uses his tongue to grapple onto a snowy hill, originating from the backgrounds of the first three entries' snow worlds.
• The map of the Mushroom Kingdom and the red spots that appear around it are based on the world maps from these games.

New Super Mario Bros.

• Bowser becomes Dry Bowser after Mario drops him into lava during a battle on a bridge, which also happens in this game.

Super Mario Galaxy

Four screenshots referencing Super Mario Galaxy

• The film is titled after and takes inspiration from this game.
• The butterfly in the film's first trailer lands on Mario's hat the same way it does in this game's ending.
• "Overture" is arranged in the first trailer for the film.
• The film's first official trailer premiered on November 12, the same day this game was released in North America and Mexico, over 18 years prior.
• Artwork of Mario performing a spin, which resembles a flipped version of similar artworkMedia:Mario Spin Art - Super Mario Galaxy.png for the game.
  • Another piece of artwork features Mario flying through space, which also resembles a flipped version of similar artworkMedia:SMG+SMG2 Mario Fly.png for the game.
• One piece of artworkMedia:TSMGM Luigi artwork 2.png features Luigi flying through space, which resembles similar artworkMedia:SMG+SMG2 Mario Flip.png of Mario for the game.
• Some of the elements from this game, such as Megaleg, Launch Stars, UFO, Octoguys, Octoombas, Goombeetles, Star Bunnies, Gearmos, Honeyhive Galaxy, Mandibugs, and the Honey Queen all return in the film.
• Star Bits appear falling from the sky in the film.
• The low health alert sound is used to signify red areas on the Mushroom Kingdom map.
• A large UFO abducts Peach's Castle in a similar vein to how it did in the beginning of this game, albeit without the help of Bowser's airships.
• The hedge ring planet from the Gusty Garden Galaxy appears while Peach and Toad are flying through space.
• The planet covered in water that Peach and Toad fly past resembles Drip Drop Galaxy.
• Gateway Galaxy appears in the film, resembles an enlarged version of one's starting planet, with both featuring an amphitheater and a ring of claw-like rock columns.
• Several galaxies from this game appear on departure boards in the Gateway Galaxy:
  • Good Egg
  • Sweet Sweet
  • Beach Bowl
  • Dusty Dune
  • Sea Slide
  • Snowcap^[sic]
• One of the planets Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Yoshi fly through resembles the lava core planet from the Freezeflame Galaxy.^:3:15
• A King Kaliente plushie appears.
• During the climax of the film, the Comet Observatory flies to Planet Bowser in a nearly identical way to how it travels to Bowser's Galaxy Reactor at the center of the universe.
• The Red Star appears.
• "Gusty Garden Galaxy" is briefly quoted when Rosalina fights Megaleg in the official trailer.
• "Super Mario Galaxy", "Rosalina in the Observatory", "The Honeyhive", "Gusty Garden Galaxy", "Gateway Galaxy", "The Toad Brigade", "Melty Molten Galaxy", "Enter Bowser Jr.!", "The Galaxy Reactor", and "Final Battle with Bowser", among other tracks, are arranged into the film's score.
  • The arrangement of "Airship BGM" from Super Mario Bros. 3 resembles "Attack of the Airships" from this game.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

• The Sledge Bro that appears in the Mario-centered poster is posed similarly to how they are posed in their promotional artworkMedia:SledgebrosNSMBW.png for this game.
• As in this game, the celebration of Peach's birthday is a major plot point in the story.
• Mario, Luigi and Yoshi escort a Blue Toad through various platforming areas in a similar manner to how the player(s) can escort a Toad through a level to earn extra lives in this game.
• The Penguin Suit appears.^:3:12
• Artwork of Spiny Eggs for this game can be seen on Bowser Jr.'s bedsheets in a flashback.
• "Bowser Jr. Battle" is arranged into the film's score.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

• The film takes some inspiration from this game.
• ItsGalaxyTime.com features artwork of Yoshi flying through space, which resembles a flipped version of similar artworkMedia:SMG2 Marioyoshi.jpg for the game, but without the Luma and Mario being replaced by Bowser.
• Yoshi can swing his tongue like in this game.
• Several galaxies from this game appear on departure boards in the Gateway Galaxy:
  • Space Storm
  • Boo Moon
  • M. Squared
• The Cloud Flower and Blimp Fruit appear.^:0:06
• A Gobblegut plushie appears.
• The Boomsday Weapon on Planet Bowser is named after the Boomsday Machine.
• "Forest Friends" and "The Starship's Journey" are arranged into the film's score.

Super Mario 3D Land

• The shot of Bowser falling into the lava moat is identical to one of this game's final cutscenes.

New Super Mario Bros. U

• Artwork of Thwomps, Fuzzies, and Grrrols for this game can be seen on Bowser Jr.'s bedsheets in a flashback.
• One of Lemmy's bombs and Roy's Bill Blaster cannon appear in Bowser Jr.'s arsenal.
• Two Grrrol-themed Ferris wheels can be seen on Planet Bowser.

Super Mario 3D World

• A Cannon Box and Slot Blocks appear.^:0:14:3:00
• The red boomerang that Boomerang Mario uses appears in Bowser Jr.'s arsenal alongside the normal blue boomerang.
• Planet Bowser features numerous amusement park rides and attractions, such as a Ferris wheel and a Flying Scooters ride, possibly referencing World Bowser.
• Piranha Creeper-like constructs appear on Planet Bowser.

Super Mario Maker

• Builder Mario's helmet appears in his closet.
• Bowser Jr. creates a castle level to stop Mario and Peach in a similar manner to the level creation in this game. During this process, the Super Mario Bros.-style sprites of Peach, Bob-ombs, and Thwomps from this game reappear. Similarly, when he quotes, "Prepare to meet your maker!", it references the title of the game.
• Rosalina and a Luma wear replicas of the Builder form's helmet.

Super Mario Odyssey

Two screenshots referencing Super Mario Odyssey

• The Sand Kingdom and Cascade Kingdom reappear in this movie, the latter being its own planet.
• Tostarenans and a Moe-Eye make an appearance in the film.^:0:23
• Bowser paints a painting of Mario as a skeleton, which is based on the Skeleton Suit from this game.
• Bubblainians appear in the film.
• Spewart appears on a sign.^:0:15
• The T. Rex, using its design from this game, appears.^:1:54
• A magic paint variant of the Ruined Dragon appears.
• "Jump Up, Super Star!", "Tostarena Ruins", "Battling the Broodals", the beginning of "Mario Meets the World: The Odyssey's Maiden Voyage", and "Rebuffing the Ruined Dragon" are arranged into the film's score.

Super Mario Maker 2

• A sprite of the Rotten Mushroom appears in an LED display.^:0:14
• At the end of the film, the characters rebuild Peach's Castle, similarly to this game's story mode.
• Luigi and Toad's Super Mario World sprites appear during the castle reconstruction montage.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Bowser Jr. in a form resembling Fury Bowser

• Bowser Jr. transforms into a form with Fury Bowser's color scheme near the end of the film.^:0:16

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Wonder Bowser Jr.

• Planet Bowser seems to take inspiration from Castle Bowser, specifically the green horns and mouth-like equator as well as the Boomsday Weapon resembling Wonder Bowser.
• Bowser Jr.'s Wonder form from this game returns in the film.
• The casino area features Piranha Plant statues modeled after the Piranha Plant disco balls in Ninji Jump Party.^:2:56
• A Bulrush plushie appears.
• Mario transforms into Drill Mario using a Drill Mushroom, both of which debuted in this game.^:0:06

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!

• The Baby Luma says that he is "hooked on the brothers", referencing a line from the "Mario Brothers Rap", a song that debuted in this show and received a cover in the previous film.

Mario Kart series

• An Item Box hologram can be seen in the futuristic city.^:0:15
• During Bowser's speech to his army, he mentions Rainbow Road, on which they had ambushed Mario and his friends in the previous film.

Super Mario Kart

• The Banana Peel's item roulette sprite from this game appears on a sign.^:0:14

Mario Kart: Super Circuit

• Boo Lake from this game appears on departure boards in the Gateway Galaxy.

Mario Kart Wii

• Luigi performs a wheelie, a technique exclusive to this game, on his bike.

Mario Kart 7

• Wuhu Loop from this game appears on departure boards in the Gateway Galaxy.

Mario Kart 8

• Mario and Luigi perform one of their tricks from this game when riding around the Desert Area.
• The Galaxy Air and Propeller Toad Transport logos can be seen at the Gateway Galaxy.
• Water Park from this game appears on departure boards in the Gateway Galaxy.
• One of the airlines listed in the boarding times on gatewaygalaxy.com is Boomerang Bros. International Airlines.
• A hologram of the Roy Smooth Sounds logo can be seen above a futuristic city.^:0:15

Mario Kart World

Mario and Luigi's bikes

• The bikes that Mario and Luigi ride in the Desert Area somewhat resemble the Standard Bikes from this game.

Super Mario Bros. (1993 film)

• The Super Scope in this movie works similarly to the Devolution Gun; both are Super Scopes, and both transform their targets back to simpler forms. The only difference is that one reverses the age of the target while the other one reverts the target to an ancestral species.

Yoshi's Island sub-series

• A painting featuring Smiley Flowers and Crazee Dayzees is seen on the top floor of Bowser's miniature castle.
• An Ukiki, which debuted in this sub-series as the Grinder, appears in the Gateway Galaxy.
• Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, using their designs from this sub-series, appear in the Fossil Falls scene.^:1:53

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

• "Bowser's Keep" is arranged into the film's score.^:3:15
• Two Hammer Bros. torment a Toad to rob him before being rescued by the Mario Bros., similar to the Mushroom Way Hammer Bros.
• After being brought back to normal size, Bowser kisses Mario on the cheek out of gratitude similarly to how he kisses Mario in this game after mistaking him for Peach.

Yoshi's Story

• This game's title theme, "Yoshi's Story!", is arranged into the film's score.

Paper Mario series

• A storybook scene resembles the art style of this series, particularly in its depiction of Toads.

Paper Mario

• Peach's room has a table and couch that resemble those of her room in this game.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

• A book with a star within a circle design, resembling the book in this game's intro, appears in Rosalina's library.

Super Paper Mario

• The Dark Prognosticus appears in Rosalina's library, along with a book with a design resembling Tippi.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star

• A book with the Royal Stickers on its spine appears in Rosalina's library.

Paper Mario: The Origami King

• A book with a design resembling Olivia appears in Rosalina's library.

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour

• Bowser chuckles in a manner similar to his par animation in this game after Bowser Jr. tells him he was expelled from boarding school.

Mario & Luigi series

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

• Professor E. Gadd's logo appears on a coffee cup used by Kamek. In this game, E. Gadd owns a coffee shop, Starbeans Cafe.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership

• A book with the Wattanist symbol appears in Rosalina's library.

Super Princess Peach

• One piece of Peach's artworkMedia:TSMGM Peach artwork 3.png is based on artworkMedia:Princess Peach (Floatbrella) - Super Princess Peach.png of her from this game.

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

• King Boo, using his design from this game, appears on various signs and on an attraction in Planet Bowser.^:0:15
• The Poltergust 5000 and its vacuum attachment appear in Bowser Jr.'s arsenal.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

• The Super Pickax is seen in the Mario brothers' closet, albeit with a normal metallic head.

Mario Party series

Super Mario Party

• Drones carrying packages from Sign, Steal, Deliver can be seen on Fox's poster.

Super Mario Party Jamboree

• Creepy Dice Blocks appear on various signs using their design from this game.^:0:15

Super Nintendo World

• Chef Toad appears in a poster and at the birthday ceremony.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

• Some of Peach's official artwork is based on artwork of her from this game.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

• Excerpts and motifs from the first film's score are quoted.
  • Tracks from the first movie are used in promotional material, such as in an NBC commercial that also promotes the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
• Yoshi's backstory continues directly from this film's post-credits scene.
• The BrKLnCouple and their dog Francis appear during Yoshi's backstory scene.
• Bowser's piano from the mid-credits scene appears in his miniature castle as he is walking upstairs to the balcony.
• After hitting Bowser Jr. with his knee, Luigi rubs his knee in pain, which serves as a callback to the first film when he told Mario he has bad knees.
• Footage of Peach's flashback from the first film is reused.
• An instrumental excerpt of "Peaches" plays while Bowser thinks about Peach on the Honeyhive Galaxy.
• The way that Dry Bowser rises from the lava mirrors Bowser's emergence from his castle after it lands in Brooklyn.
• Peach's quote to Mario, "There's a huge universe out there... with a lot of galaxies", was used in the final trailer of the film.

Princess Peach: Showtime!

• A cookbook used by Mario to block an attack from Wonder Bowser Jr. shows a recipe for a cake that resembles the triple-layered cakeMedia:PPS The Dark Baker & the Bewitching Sweets 2.jpg baked by Patissiere Peach in "The Dark Baker & the Bewitching Sweets".
• A book with a design resembling a Sparkle Gem with ribbon trails appears in Rosalina's library.
• A sign resembling the hat of Swordfighter Peach is seen during Peach's birthday party when Mario leans on the bridge.

Non-Super Mario media

Nintendo

• The TV in Mario and Luigi's room has a Nintendo sticker on its side.
• A book with the company's spades logo on its spine appears in Rosalina's library.

Game & Watch

• Mr. Game & Watch appears in the film.

Octopus

• A picture in Mario and Luigi's room depicts the Octopus from this game.

Nintendo Entertainment System

• The console and controllers appear in Mario Bros.' House.
• An NES Controller appears in the ending credits.
• A running gag in the movie involves R.O.B. slowly turning to point at a screen, similar to the turning speed of the actual accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
• Two NES Zappers appear in Bowser Jr.'s arsenal.

Excitebike

• Mario's TV in his and Luigi's room has this game on the screen.
• A poster of the game can also been seen in Mario and Luigi's room.

Ice Climber

• A picture of the polar bear from this game can be seen in Mario and Luigi's room.

Metroid series

• Samus's gunship can be seen leaving the flight deck of the Gateway Galaxy.

Pro Wrestling

• Mario and Luigi's room has a poster of this game like in the first film.

Punch-Out!!

• Little Mac and Doc Louis make a brief cameo during the montage of Yoshi exploring Brooklyn, referencing the training cutscenes originating in the NES versions and later remade in its Wii remake.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

• Bowser Jr. uses a blue-colored Super Scope to turn the Mario Bros. into babies, which is abandoned and later used by Yoshi to change them back.
• A large SNES Controller is built into what appears to be a carriage at the Gateway Galaxy.
• The metallic cover to Bowser Jr.'s security screen features two of the SNES Controller's face buttons.

F-Zero series

• Captain Falcon's helmet and a wing from the Blue Falcon can be seen in Space Junk Galaxy.

Kirby series

• One of the Lumas is seen puffing up and floating in a similar manner to Kirby.

Jurassic Park franchise

• The T-Rex's roar is reused from the franchise.

Star Fox series

• The main protagonist of this series, Fox, appears in the film alongside his Arwing.

Star Fox

• Multiple music tracks are arranged in the film's soundtrack.

Star Fox 64

• In the sequence where Fox introduces his crew, Slippy Toad's portrait from this game makes a brief appearance.
• Toad quotes the line "Do a barrel roll!" to Fox.
• The film's official social media account quotes one of Fox's lines in a post revealing his appearance, "Let's rock and roll!"
• "Opening Theme" is arranged in the film's soundtrack.

Nintendo 64

• A hologram of the Nintendo 64 logo can be seen above a futuristic city.^:0:15

Pikmin series

• Many Yellow, Red, and Blue Pikmin appear exiting the S.S. Dolphin after it lands at the Gateway Galaxy.
• An arrangement of the theme that plays at the end of a day is heard when the Pikmin exit the S.S. Dolphin.

Super Smash Bros. series

• Peach attacks a Ninji by using Peach Bomber, her side special move from this series.
• Mr. Game & Watch's appearance takes cues from his appearance in this series.
• The pose Luigi makes when he is accidentally frozen by Ice Mario is the same as his artwork from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
• Bowser retreats into his shell in a similar way to his Whirling Fortress move.
• When Mario is facing off against Dry Bowser, he mimics his idle fighting pose.

Wii

• The wings of one of the ships leaving the Gateway Galaxy flight deck resemble the Wii Remote's Nunchuck attachment.

Despicable Me series

• The lawn gnome from the mini-movie short Mower Minions can be seen briefly in Bowser's mini-castle.

The Secret Life of Pets

• The Alley cat from the first film returns during Yoshi's journey through Brooklyn while it's in the dumpster.

Nintendo Switch

• The prongs of one of the ships leaving the Gateway Galaxy flight deck resemble the top of the console's Joy-Con.
• Two NES Zappers can be seen in Bowser Jr.'s arsenal that are the same colors as the Neon Blue / Neon Red Joy-Con.