Red Star

A Red Star is an item that appears in Super Mario Galaxy. It resembles a red Grand Star and holds the power of the Red Luma, who first gives Mario the Red Star in the Gateway Galaxy. It transforms Mario into Flying Mario, who has the ability to fly through the air, similar to the Wing Cap from Super Mario 64. However, unlike the Wing Cap, the Red Star allows Mario to fly more freely, the Red Star gives the player no wings, and is self-propelled, like the P-Wing.

After obtaining the Red Star, Mario's clothing changes. Instead of his normal red cap and blue overalls, he wears a black cap and black overalls, while his red shirt remains unchanged. While flying, Mario's hands glow, and he leaves Red streaks in his path. By holding the A Button, Mario will stop in middair, and red streaks will point in the direction he is facing. Unlike the Wing Cap, flight may only be activated using a Star Spin in the air, instead of a Triple Jump.

Red Stars play a very limited role in the game. Other than allowing Mario to complete a Purple Coin challenge in the Gateway Galaxy, the only other appearance of any Red Stars in the entire game is in the Comet Observatory, where they can be used for exploration, and for reaching a few 1-Up Mushrooms that are otherwise inaccessible.