Rosalina

"May the stars shine down on you."

- Rosalina

Rosalina is a character that debuted in Super Mario Galaxy. She first appears in the Gateway Galaxy, and she is also the adopted mother of the Lumas. Rosalina commands the Comet Observatory. She is a very powerful figure, as her duty is to watch over and protect the cosmos as well as the Lumas.

Rosalina's back-story is chronicled in her storybook told by her in the Comet Observatory's Library in Super Mario Galaxy. Nine chapters are unlocked throughout the game, and the last is unlocked by completing the game.

Since her debut, Rosalina has become a recurring character in the Mario series.

Super Mario Galaxy
During one of her centennial visits to the Mushroom World, the Comet Observatory is attacked by Bowser, who steals the observatory's Power Stars and Grand Stars. Rosalina later appeared to Mario/Luigi after Peach is kidnapped. In order to aid Mario/Luigi she gives him Luma, the same one seen with Peach at the Star Festival. After Mario/Luigi collects enough stars to power the ship, Rosalina flies the observatory to the center of the universe for the final confrontation with Bowser.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
Rosalina appears during the ending sequence of Super Mario Galaxy 2. Lubba reveals at this time that he and Rosalina had met before, but the details of their meeting remain unknown. Rosalina also frequently sends letters to the Baby Luma that's with Mario, but she does not reveal her identity in them.

When the player manages to get 120 Power Stars and beats the final boss again, a scene is shown after the ending credits, showing Rosalina and her Lumas in the Library, revealing that she was telling the story of Super Mario Galaxy 2. Then, she decides to narrate how Mario (and Luigi) collect every Green Star to her Lumas. If Mario, Yoshi, and Luigi manage to collect every single star in the game, and survive the Grandmaster Galaxy's Daredevil Comet, Rosalina will thank and join them on Starship Mario.

Players can also use Rosalina to represent their file on the file select screen. However, the Rosalina avatar can only be used on save files in which the player has collected 120 stars, and unlocked the Green Star Prankster Comets.

This game also features a cosmic entity that highly resembles Rosalina, known as the Cosmic Spirit.

Super Mario 3D World
Rosalina appears as a unlockable playable character in Super Mario 3D World. She is unlocked after the player has completed World Star-2 (Super Galaxy), which is unlocked after World Star-1 (Rainbow Run) is completed. She controls just like Luigi but also has the ability to use the Spin attack, similar to that of Mario and Luigi in the Super Mario Galaxy games. She is, however, slower than the other playable characters. This is also the first time Rosalina is playable in a Mario platformer. As with the other characters, she can use all the power-ups in the game, but when she gets one (excluding the Mega Mushroom, Double Cherry, and the Super Star), she loses her Spin Attack.

If the player beats Meowser in World Bowser after Rosalina has been unlocked, she will be seen with two Lumas in the end credits, at the end of the first split of the Clear Pipe, replacing three Sprixie denizens.

Mario Kart Wii
Rosalina makes her first playable appearance in Mario Kart Wii, where she is a Large-sized unlockable character. Here, the player must win 1st Place with at least 1 Star Rank in all Mirror Grand Prix Cups, have a Super Mario Galaxy save file and play 50 Races, or play 4,950 Races. Rosalina rides in Large vehicles, and is the first female character to ever be in this class. While racing, a Luma orbits around Rosalina. Rosalina's racing symbol is a Grand Star. Like Peach and Daisy, Rosalina appears in a biker suit while racing on any of the motorbikes, only that the color scheme is different to the overall color scheme of her main dress. Her signature bike is the Shooting Star and her signature kart is the Honeycoupe. Rosalina is the staff ghost character for Rainbow Road.

Mario Kart 7
Rosalina returns in her second Mario Kart game appearance in Mario Kart 7 for the Nintendo 3DS. She is a Cruiser-type character, and this time, she appears without a Luma accompanying her in the races. Rosalina has an advantage bonus for the weight, along for speed. Just as in Mario Kart Wii, Rosalina is an unlockable character, which the player must win the Star Cup of the 150cc class to unlock her. In this game, she has her personal racecourse called Rosalina's Ice World, a track that makes allusion to the Super Mario Galaxy series, where she has appeared prominently.

Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
Rosalina appears in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX following an update to the game. She is classified as a heavyweight character, meaning she has exceptional speed, but poor acceleration and handling.

Mario Kart 8
Rosalina will return to be a playable racer in Mario Kart 8.

Mario Party: Island Tour
Rosalina appears in Mario Party: Island Tour for the Nintendo 3DS. She is a non-playable character on the space themed board, Rocket Road, where she waits at the end of the board for the winner and also appears in the celebration for a victory on this board.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Rosalina was announced to be the fourth newcomer fighter in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U on December 18th, 2013 during Nintendo Direct, alongside Luma. Little is known about her yet, but it was shown that a variety of her abilities use a Luma, particularly to aid in combos.

Rosalina and Luma can be controlled individually, similar to the Ice Climbers from past Super Smash Bros. installments. Luma can be attacked and defeated, and can eventually be re-summoned by Rosalina. However, like attacking Nana and Olimar's Pikmin, the damage does not count towards Rosalina's damage percentage.

It has been seen that the partner Luma can be yellow, apricot, green, red, and blue, but it has not been shown if this difference is purely cosmetic or if it has some sort of function like Olimar's Pikmin.

Rosalina seems to retain her appearance from the Mario series, with the exception of glittery stars adorning the bottom of her dress. This is unlike Princess Peach, whose appearance is different from that in the Mario series.

It has been confirmed that Rosalina will be a lightweight fighter. However, it is currently unknown how light she will be.

Other appearances
Rosalina was intended to appear instead of Luma in Mario Tennis Open but was replaced for the same reason that Birdo didn't make it to installments after Mario Tennis; the developers did not have enough time to model another complex character. Rosalina appears in volume 38 of the Japanese manga, Super Mario-Kun. After Bowser uses a flyswatter to knock Mario away to a planet, Mario loses his motivation, despite Luma's efforts to get him back. Rosalina sends a hologram of a Giant Goomba for Mario, thus making him use his Star Spin technique to make it disappear (much to Mario's surprise). She later helps him on the adventure.

Physical description
Rosalina is taller than most characters, around as tall as Waluigi or Iggy Koopa, and bears a resemblance to Princess Peach. However, Rosalina's skin is paler, her eyes are a lighter shade of blue, and her hair, red in her childhood, is a lighter blonde than Peach's. She wears purple nail polish and has a large bang which obscures her right eye.

Clothing
Rosalina wears a gown said to be a color that only exists when the sun peers out of the clouds. Her brooch, crown, and earrings are star-shaped. The brooch and crown and silver, as are her high heels, while the earrings are yellow. Rosalina also wears a number of jewels, including a yellow jewel inside the brooch and crown jewels that are pink and turquoise. Her gown cuts off at the top of her chest, where a powder-blue flap loops around, and has long sleeves with wide openings at the bottom, which are topped with powder-blue frills. At the bottom is another frill that loops around until turning up to a point at the middle; under this a layer of an undergown is visible. In Super Mario Galaxy, Rosalina holds a silver wand with a golden star at the top.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U the bottom of her dress sports glittery star shapes similar to her wand.

Motorbike gear
In Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 8 each adult human female participant is depicted in a jumpsuit if riding on any of the bikes. Like Peach and Daisy, Rosalina's jumpsuit has the same general design. Her jumpsuit, gloves, and boots are the same color as the gown she wears in the Super Mario Galaxy games. Differentiating her from Peach and Daisy are a teal scarf, a white heart on the back of the outfit, and her star-shaped jewelry.

Development
Although Rosalina's design has not been changed since her debut, when she was originally being created for Super Mario Galaxy, her concept design was vastly different compared to what she looks like now.

She was depicted with a beehive hairstyle along with short, straight-cut bangs, and long, curly ear-tails. She had more unique facial features including eyes with three length-varying lashes as opposed to the facial features she has now which are more similar to Peach's. However, her outfit design was indeed more similar to Peach and Daisy. Having a similar base for her dress aside from unique star-shaped frills coming out of her sleeves similar to Daisy's, and a star-shaped ruffle at the bottom of her dress. Her jewelry was more simple, having a star-shaped brooch, and earrings in the same shape. Instead of a crown, she had a tiara with a single star jewel at the center. Her gloves were long, and shaped just like Peach's. She also had a light collar which stretched up the back of her head and it opened at her brooch. Aside from these details it was not clear what colors were intended other than blue tones and lighter colors.

A final concept drawing depicted Rosalina very similarly to the way in which she appears now, though it contained minor differences, most of which were color-related.

Personality and traits
Rosalina is generally wise, kind, thoughtful and mother-like. She has an intimate knowledge of the universe and cares deeply for the Lumas. Rosalina is also a friend of Mario and Luigi; towards the end of Super Mario Galaxy, she aids Mario/Luigi to reach Bowser in order to save Peach. Her outward strength and inner sorrow is most likely due to the loss of her mother, as Rosalina is often described as feeling lonely.

It has also been shown that Rosalina's voice is rather monotone, even when she is excited. Like most players, Rosalina enjoys special activities, but in a very humble manner.

Powers and abilities
Rosalina has special powers as seen in Super Mario Galaxy. For example, once sufficient power is restored to the Comet Observatory, Rosalina is able to use her powers to surround the observatory in a force field, transforming it into a starship as a form of transportation. Also, she can be protected by a force field that resembles a bubble. If the player attempts to jump on her, the bubble would appear. Rosalina can also form these bubbles around Mario if he falls off the Comet Observatory; it will then levitate and drop him back to where he was standing. Rosalina also has the ability to float in mid-air, just like the Lumas. Finally, Rosalina is shown to be skilled with her wand and can deflect Star Bits with it if the player shoots them at her. She can also use the spin move from the Super Mario Galaxy games, as seen in Super Mario 3D World.

Luigi


Rosalina also befriended Luigi who acts just as Mario does in his run-through of Super Mario Galaxy. Luigi tells Mario upon being rescued that he can only have his Power Star if he tells Rosalina that he obtained it for her. Rosalina is also seen alongside Luigi in a secret picture with the Toad Brigade at Peach's Castle that could be obtained upon collecting all 121 power stars with both Mario and Luigi.

Lumas
One of Rosalina's most notable relationships is with the Lumas. Rosalina has cared for the Lumas since she was a little girl, when she found one looking for its mother. The two quickly bonded and they searched the galaxies together in search of their missing mothers. The Luma comforted her when she cried about her mother and the two soon found more Lumas. Rosalina then decided to build a home for the Lumas and care for them for eternities to come. When Rosalina once again mourned for her mother, all of the Lumas embraced her and together, they baked a cake topped with Star Bits. Rosalina also reads them bedtime stories every night in the Library to help them sleep. One of her most trusted advisors is also the Luma, Polari. A Luma also revolves around her in Mario Kart Wii.

Mario


Mario befriended Rosalina during the events of Super Mario Galaxy. When Rosalina was in need of help to recover her lost Grand Stars that power the Comet Observatory, Mario came to her aid. With his help, Rosalina was able to power the Comet Observatory and continue her orbit around the universe. In return for Mario's help, Rosalina helped Mario in his adventure to rescue Princess Peach, by using the Comet Observatory to destroy a fleet of Bowser's airships and transport him to where Peach was being held captive by Bowser. At the end of the adventure, Rosalina appears one more time in front of Mario, and speaks to him about the stars. After that, she bids him goodbye.

Polari
Polari is Rosalina's advisor and acts like a father to Rosalina, caring for her very much. Polari always appears by Rosalina's side when the two are at the Comet Observatory, except when Polari is in a Dome helping Mario or during the cutscenes before and after Mario heads to Bowser's Galaxy Reactor.

Lubba
After Bowser is defeated in Super Mario Galaxy 2, it is revealed that Lubba has met Rosalina before. Where and when they first met is unknown. Also, when the player obtains the final Power Star from the Grandmaster Galaxy and Rosalina boards Starship Mario, Lubba thanks Mario for bringing "The Lady of the Shooting Stars" onto the ship.

Portrayals
The following voice actresses have lent their talents to portray Rosalina in the Mario game series:
 * Mercedes Rose (Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2)
 * Kerri Kane (Mario Kart 7)
 * Laura Faye Smith (Super Mario 3D World, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U )

Super Mario Galaxy bio

 * "Not much is known about Rosalina, the lonely princess who wanders the cosmos in the Comet Observatory, a giant starship that travels the celestial expanse. She is a great friend of the Luma, taking them in and caring for them as if they were her children. But there is a sadness behind her eyes. What has she lost out among the stars?"

Mario Kart Wii

 * Class: Large-sized
 * Stats:
 * Acceleration: */***
 * Top Speed: ***/***
 * Off-Road */***
 * Actual Bonuses
 * Speed: +3
 * Handling: +3
 * Mini-Turbo: +3
 * Game Bio: "Making her debut on the track, Rosalina shows her experience of space travel translates well to rocketing round the race course. With a friendly Luma by her side, Rosalina is right at home on the track!"
 * Guide Bio: "Watching over and protecting the cosmos sure gets tiring! But with Mario's help, Rosalina can spend some time with her new hobby: riding only the biggest, baddest bikes!"

Super Mario Galaxy trading card description

 * "Rosalina's home is the Comet Observatory, a very important place that serves as the launching pad for all of Mario's adventures throughout the universe. She has an expansive knowledge of the universe and is known as a kind and motherly figure, especially to the Lumas-those cute little stars that she adopted who help Mario throughout his journey to save the princess."

Mario Kart 7

 * Class: Cruiser
 * Stat Boosts
 * Speed: 3.75
 * Acceleration: 2.5
 * Weight: 3.75
 * Handling: 2.5
 * Off-Road: 3.75
 * Site Bio:
 * Flag of USA.png "While gentle and sweet, Rosalina has a tall and commanding presence behind the wheel."
 * Flag of Europe.png "Tougher than she looks, Rosalina can take hard knocks and makes up for what she lacks in acceleration with great top speed."

Quotes

 * "Do you hear the baby stars? These newborns will grow up to become galaxies someday. When stars die, they turn to stardust and scatter across the cosmos. Eventually, that stardust reforms to create a new star... And so the cycle of life continues. But the cycle never repeats itself in quite the same way.... So...you'll see."
 * "Yes... All new life... Carries the essence of stars... Even all of you..."
 * "I will watch over you from beyond the stars."
 * "This﻿ planet... It's very dear to me. I looked forward to visiting this planet with the Lumas every one hundred years... The Luma that's been traveling with you may also grow up to become a star someday. Some Lumas become planets...some become comets...and a few become Power Stars. I'm traveling with them while they look for a place to be reborn. But I never thought all this would happen..."