Red Star

A Red Star (also known as the Flying Star) is an item that appears in Super Mario Galaxy. It 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, as it 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, his Red Shirt remains unchanged. While flying, Mario's hands glow, and he leaves Red streaks following him in the air. By holding the A Button, Mario will stop in middair, and red streaks will point in the direction he is facing. Like the Wing Cap, flight may be activated through use of a Triple Jump, or it can be activated using a Star Spin in the air.

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.