User:Nintendo101

Casual Nintendo historian. Otherwise an artist and a professional zoologist. Bio degree. I've had an account here since 2012.

I wrote the character sections for Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and Super Mario Odyssey. I contributed much of the article for Super Mario Sunshine and am currently working on Super Mario Galaxy.

I have been a fan of Nintendo since a very young age. My first Mario games (and three of the first video games I ever owned) were Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, Super Mario 64 DS, and Mario Kart DS. These games were good company for a young kid who moved around a lot and had difficulty keeping long-lasting friends.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I sequentially played some of my favorite games in the Super Mario series to 100% completion. This includes, in order, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. I will complete this marathon with Super Mario Odyssey. It's been really fun so far! These are great games, and I always wanted to marathon a series like this before but never had the time. It has been interesting to see where the series began and where it has ended up. The design philosophies, the characters, the art directions, world building, level design, narrative, etc. All good stuff. It might be fun to write something about it some day.

My favorite video game character is Yoshi.

Sandbox for current project

Setting

Prerelease screenshot of Mario long jumping across a flowery planet in Supermassive Galaxy.

Screenshot of Upside Dizzy, a galaxy staged on a two-dimensional plane.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is set in outer space. With the exception of the prologue staged in the Mushroom Kingdom, all levels – referred to as "galaxies" in this game – occur on distant, offworld lands. A galaxy is a cluster of planetary objects and other celestial bodies that can be traveled between. Most of these objects have their own gravitational pull. This prevents Mario from falling off their edge and mitigates the chances of the player getting lost. There are few walls or ceilings on the planets to obstruct Mario's path, and if he keeps moving forward in one direction, he will return to his starting position. Most planets are spherical or at least have rounded edges to compliment this concept. Not all planets are structured like this: some are structured like traditional Super Mario courses and have their center of gravity below their mass.

Many galaxies take place on two-dimensional planes and Mario's movement options are restricted accordingly (i.e. when Mario is on a 2D side-scrolling plane, the player cannot use towards the z-axis to make him fall off the side). There are galaxies entirely on 2D planes, but also ones that feature both 2D and traditional 3D segments. Which one is usually restricted to specific planets and conveyed through environmental context. Many galaxies feature switches mounted into the landscape that change the entire level when interacted with. Some shift which direction gravity is pulled from the floor to the ceiling. Others slow down time, or shift placement when Mario spins.

The theme of space is more subtle in Super Mario Galaxy 2 than it is in its predecessor. While there are galaxies that feature skyboxes with nebulas and stars, the most recurring backdrop is a blue skybox with fluffy clouds. The game does convey the outer space setting in ways distinctive from the first Super Mario Galaxy. As Starship Mario, the game's hub, travels through space, it passes asteroid belts, falling stars, and a supermassive black hole. Lumas, star children introduced in its predecessor, appear in nearly all galaxies and on the hub. The game's thematic core is surreal and whimsical. Rather than resemble a spacecraft, the hub is a grassy planetoid shaped like Mario's head and has a wooden bow like a seafaring vessel. Gulls fly alongside the ship, as if it on the open ocean. The whole game is framed from the perspective of an unseen narrator reading a storybook to the player, and many locations have Carrollian elements. A pair of robots have tea together in a garden on Starship Mario. Several galaxies resemble topiaries and dollhouses. There are planets that look like wooden blocks, candies, clouds, and musical intrsuments.

According to producer Shigeru Miyamoto, the integration of 2D levels derived from a desire to make Super Mario Galaxy 2 more accessible and less daunting to players inexperienced with 3D platformers. Integration of elaborate switch elements bore from the desire to differentiate Super Mario Galaxy 2 from its predecessor similarly to how The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask was differentiated from Ocarina of Time. Many elements not present in the first Super Mario Galaxy informed the setting of the courses that feature them. For example, the first galaxy to feature the Spin Drill item, Spin-Dig Galaxy, visually alludes to construction sites and has enemies that tunnel through soil.

Galaxies

Departure from proceeding 3D games - the hub is not a sprawling area with individual level access points - it is more like a home. On the Grand World Map, its a stand-in for Mario himself, similar to sprite icons in past games, moving from galaxy to galaxy

Simplified "world" layout comparable to those of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Yoshi's Island (rather unilateral: not as complex as Super Mario World or Super Mario Land 2)

Organization of levels becomes a little more complex with each world, but it always begins with a normal galaxy and ends with a boss castle galaxy; no worlds can be skipped over to reach the credits

Bonus "World S", similar in concept to Star Road or World 9 from NSMBW

Normal galaxies have two normal missions, a prankster comet, and two "needle in hay stack" styled Green Stars unlocked once all normal Power Stars have been collected

Galaxies
World 1: The Great Space Journey Begins
01. Sky Station Galaxy ×6 ×9 ×2				Missions		02. Yoshi Star Galaxy ×6 ×8 ×2 ×1				Missions
				Peewee Piranha's Temper Tantrum ( ∙ )						Saddle Up with Yoshi ( ∙ ∙ )
				Storming the Sky Fleet ()						Spiny Control
				Peewee Piranha's Speed Run (×5)						Spiny Rainbow Romp (×2)
A grassy galaxy under a blue sky. Planets feature observation decks and windmill-like structures. It is implied to be near Mario's home world, and Yoshi's House is on the starting planet. Unlock criterion: complete the prologue						Lush planets embedded with fossils and bone-shaped rocks. Lakitus and Spinies are common in this galaxy, and their king appears as a boss. Yoshi is sealed away here during his attempt to help the Lumas. Unlock criterion: complete "Peewee Piranha's Temper Tantrum"
03. Spin-Dig Galaxy ×6 ×7 ×2				Missions		04. Fluffy Bluff Galaxy ×6 ×4				Missions
				Digga-Leg's Planet ( ∙ )						Search for the Toad Brigade Captain ( ∙ ∙ )
				Silver Stars Down Deep ()						Every Planet Has Its Price
				Digga-Leg's Daredevil Run (×3)						The Chimp's Stomp Challenge
Mining facilities in the center of a giant, cavernous planet. The soil on the planets is soft and be tunneled through with the Spin Drill. Diggas are prominently featured enemies. The Toad Brigade first appears in this galaxy. Unlock criteria: collect 3 Power Stars and complete "Saddle Up with Yoshi"						Conical, alpine planets in a sea of clouds. Waterfalls and fountains are at the base of the mountains. The traversable terrain narrows higher up the bluffs. It is in this galaxy that Mario first encounters the Chimp. Unlock criterion: complete "Digga-Leg's Planet"
05. Flip-Swap Galaxy () ×4 ×1				Missions		06. Rightside Down Galaxy ×4 ×2				Missions
				Think Before You Shake ( ∙ )						Breaking the Laws of Gravity ( ∙ )
				Purple Coin Flip 'n' Sprint (×8)						The Great Crate Incinerator
A linear, athletic galaxy lined with Flip-Swap Panels. Electric rails and dark voids that continuously expel Chomps appear in the the latter-half of the galaxy. A blue Star Bunny here teaches Mario spinning techniques. Unlock criteria: collect 3 Power Stars, complete "Saddle Up with Yoshi", and feed the Luma 300 Star Bits						A complex made out of wooden blocks. Both walls and ceilings of Rightside Down have their own gravity conveyed by colored walls. The crate-burning minigame occurs here. Unlock criterion: complete "Digga-Leg's Planet"
07. Bowser Jr.'s Fiery Flotilla ×4 ×2 ×2				Missions
				Gobblegut's Aching Belly ( ∙ )
				Fiery Flotilla Speed Run (×20)
A linear battle facility overseen by Bowser Jr. It features an airship-like structure, a gate lined with puzzle blocks, and a sun-like planet covered in lava. The course leads to a rocky planetoid where Mario fights Bowser Jr.'s dragon, Gobblegut. Unlock criteria: collect 7 Power Stars and complete a mission in Fluffy Bluff
World 2: Shooting Through the Stars
08. Puzzle Plank Galaxy ×6 ×6 ×2				Missions		09. Hightail Falls Galaxy ×6 ×7 ×3				Missions
				The Puzzling Picture Block ( ∙ ∙ )						Hot-Stepping Dash Pepper ( ∙ ∙ )
				Purple Coin Shadow Vault						Hightail Falls Speed Run
				Bugaboom's Back						Silver Stars in Hightail Falls
A galaxy similar to a carpenter's workshop with large insect enemies. Some platforms are equipped with Grinders that saw through them when Mario is in proximity. Unlock criterion: complete "Gobblegut's Aching Belly"						Wooden bridges and walls surrounded by waterfalls. Some platforms collapse when stepped on. The Dash Pepper is found here, as is a hidden planet covered in Kleptoads. Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Puzzle Plank
10. Boulder Bowl Galaxy ×6 ×6 ×1				Missions		11. Cosmic Cove Galaxy ×6 ×4				Missions
				Rock and Rollodillo ( ∙ ∙ )						Twin Falls Hideaway ()
				Rolling Crabber Romp						Exploring the Cosmic Cavern ( ∙ )
				C'mere, Goomba						Catch That Star Bunny
Mining sites. Planets are composed of craggy rock and have destructible elments on their surfaces: crystals, stone pillars, wooden fences, and an iron bridge. The Rock Mushroom occurs here, and Rollodillo is found on a metal sphere. Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Puzzle Plank						An ocean galaxy inhabited by Penguins. The pools contain coral reefs and various aquatic enemies. A switch on the main planet freezes its surface and makes certain areas above water more accessible. Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Hightail Falls or Boulder Bowl
12. Wild Glide Galaxy ×4 ×1				Missions		13. Honeybloom Galaxy () ×4 ×2				Missions
				Fluzzard's First Flight ( ∙ )						Bumble Beginnings ( ∙ )
				Jungle Fluzzard Race						The Secret Wall Jump
A lush, jungle planet inhabited by tropical birds. Mario glides with Fluzzard in this galaxy, and is given instructions by an overeager Jibberjay. A competitive flock challengs Mario and Fluzzard to a race. Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Hightail Falls or Boulder Bowl						Green scrublands with hexigonal rocks, mountain streams, grape vines, and carnivorous plants. The Bee Mushroom occurs here. Various platforms are only tangible to Mario in his bee form. Honeybees appear here in search of a Power Star for their queen. Unlock criteria: complete a mission in Hightail Falls or Boulder Bowl and feed the Luma 700 Star Bits
14. Bowser's Lava Lair ×4 ×7 ×1				Missions
				Bowser's Big Lava Power Party ( ∙ )
				Lava Lair Speed Run
nihil Unlock criteria: collect 14 Power Stars and complete a mission in Cosmic Cove, Wild Glide, or Honeybloom
World 3: The Far Reaches of the Universe
15. Tall Trunk Galaxy ×6 ×5 ×1				Missions		16. Cloudy Court Galaxy ×6 ×5				Missions
				The Flotacious Blimp Fruit ( ∙ )						Head in the Clouds ( ∙ ∙ )
				Tall Trunk's Big Slide ()						The Shadow Lining
				Tall Trunk's Purple Coin Slide						Silver Stars in the Purple Pond
nihil Unlock criterion: complete "Bowser's Big Lava Power Party"						nihil Unlock criterion: complete "Bowser's Big Lava Power Party"
17. Haunty Halls Galaxy ×6 ×4 ×1				Missions		18. Freezy Flake Galaxy ×6 ×6 ×1				Missions
				A Glimmer of Bulb Berry ( ∙ )						Bowser on Ice ( ∙ )
				Sneaking Down the Creepy Corridor ()						Sorbetti's Chilly Reception ()
				Spooky Cosmic Clone Chase						The Chimp's Skating Challenge
nihil Unlock criteria: complete a mission in Tall Trunk or Freezy Flake						nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Cloudy Court or Haunty Halls
19. Rolling Masterpiece Galaxy ×4 ×9				Missions		20. Beat Block Galaxy () ×4 ×3 ×1				Missions
				Silver Chomp Grudge Match ( ∙ )						Step to the Beep ( ∙ )
				Masterpiece Speed Run						Silver Stars in Double Time
nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Freezy Flake						nihil Unlock criterion: complete "A Glimmer of Bulb Berry" and feed the Luma 1000 Star Bits
21. Bowser Jr.'s Fearsome Fleet ×4 ×5 ×2 ×2				Missions
				Bowser Jr.'s Mighty Megahammer ( ∙ )
				Megahammer's Daredevil Bash
nihil Unlock criteria: collect 28 Power Stars and complete "Bowser's Big Lava Power Party"
World 4: The Many Mysteries of the Cosmos
22. Supermassive Galaxy ×6 ×5				Missions		23. Flipsville Galaxy ×6 ×8 ×1				Missions
				Huge Trouble with Big Wigglers ( ∙ ∙ )						Flip-Flopping in Flipsville ( ∙ ∙ )
				Big Wigglers Speed Run						Flipsville's New Digs
				In Full Bloom						Purple Coin Spin Speed Run
nihil Unlock criterion: complete "Bowser Jr.'s Mighty Megahammer"						nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Supermassive or Sweet Mystery
24. Starshine Beach Galaxy ×6 ×2 ×2				Missions		25. Chompworks Galaxy ×6 ×5				Missions
				Surf, Sand, and Silver Stars ( ∙ )						Where the Chomps Are Made of Gold ( ∙ )
				Climbing the Cloudy Tower ()						Spring into the Chompworks ()
				Purple Coin Beach Dash						Cosmic Clones in the Chompworks
nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Flipsville or Honeyhop						nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Flipsville or Honeyhop
26. Sweet Mystery Galaxy () ×4 ×2 ×2				Missions		27. Honeyhop Galaxy ×4 ×2				Missions
				Bulb Berry's Mysterious Glow ( ∙ )						The Sweetest Silver Stars ( ∙ )
				Bulb Berry's Purple Coin Glow						The Chimp's Score Challenge
nihil Unlock criteria: complete "Bowser Jr.'s Mighty Megahammer" and feed the Luma 1200 Star Bits						nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Supermassive
28. Bowser's Gravity Gauntlet ×4 ×4 ×1				Missions
				Breaking into Bowser's Castle ( ∙ )
				Gravity Star Speed Run
nihil Unlock criteria: collect 40 Power Stars and complete a mission in Starshine Beach or Chompworks
World 5: Trial of the Galaxies
29. Space Storm Galaxy ×6 ×5				Missions		30. Slipsand Galaxy ×6 ×5 ×2				Missions
				Follow Me, Bob-omb ()						Squizzard's Sandy Sinkhole ( ∙ ∙ )
				To the Top of Topman's Tower ( ∙ )						Sailing the Sandy Seas
				C'mere, Topman						Squizzard's Daredevil Run
nihil Unlock criterion: complete "Breaking into Bowser's Castle"						nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Space Storm
31. Shiverburn Galaxy ×6 ×4 ×1				Missions		32. Boo Moon Galaxy ×6 ×5				Missions
				Prince Pikante's Peppery Mood ( ∙ ∙ )						Silver Stars Pop-Up ( ∙ ∙ )
				Octo-Army Icy Rainbow Romp						Haunting the Howling Tower
				The Chimp's Ultimate Skating Challenge						The Star in the Sinking Swamp
nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Space Storm						nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Space Storm
33. Upside Dizzy Galaxy ×4 ×2				Missions		34. Fleet Glide Galaxy () ×4 ×1				Missions
				A Walk on the Weird Side ( ∙ )						Fluzzard's Wild Battlefield Glide ( ∙ )
				Burning Upside Dizzy						Fastest Feathers in the Galaxy
nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Space Storm						nihil Unlock criteria: complete a mission in Space Storm and feed the Luma 1500 Star Bits
35. Bowser Jr.'s Boom Bunker ×4 ×6 ×2				Missions
				Bowser Jr.'s Boomsday Machine ( ∙ )
				Boomsday Machine Daredevil Run
nihil Unlock criteria: collect 55 Power Stars and complete a mission in Space Storm
World 6: Bowser in Your Sights
36. Melty Monster Galaxy ×6 ×9 ×2				Missions		37. Clockwork Ruins Galaxy ×6 ×8 ×2 ×1				Missions
				The Magnificent Magma Sea ( ∙ )						Time for Adventure ( ∙ ∙ )
				A Stroll Down Rolling Lane ()						The Adventure of the Purple Coins
				The Chimp's Bowling Challenge						The Ledge Hammer Trap
nihil Unlock criterion: complete "Bowser Jr.'s Boomsday Machine"						nihil Unlock criterion: complete a mission in Melty Monster
38. Throwback Galaxy ×6 ×7 ×2				Missions		39. Battle Belt Galaxy ×6 ×4				Missions
				Return of the Whomp King ( ∙ )						Mini-Planet Mega-Run ( ∙ ∙ )
				Silver Stars in the Whomp Fortress ()						Mini-Planet Daredevil Run
				Whomp Silver Star Speed Run						Snacktime for Gobblegut
nihil Unlock criteria: collect 60 Power Stars and complete a mission in Clockwork Ruins						nihil Unlock criteria: collect 65 Power Stars and complete "Return of the Whomp King"
40. Flash Black Galaxy () ×4 ×1				Missions		41. Slimy Spring Galaxy ×4 ×2				Missions
				Jumping Around in the Dark ( ∙ )						The Deep Shell Well ( ∙ )
				Dark Octo-Army Romp						The Chimp's Coin Challenge
nihil Unlock criteria: complete a mission in Melty Monster and feed the Luma 1800 Star Bits						nihil Unlock criterion: complete "Jumping Around in the Dark"
42. Bowser's Galaxy Generator ×4 ×2 ×2				Missions
				Bowser's Fortified Fortress ( ∙ )
				Bowser's Big Bad Speed Run
nihil Unlock criteria: collect 70 Power Stars and complete a mission in Battle Belt or Slimy Spring
World S: Here We Go!
43. Mario Squared Galaxy ×4 ×1				Missions		44. Rolling Coaster Galaxy ×4 ×1				Missions
				Make Mario a Star ( ∙ )						The Rainbow Road Roll ( ∙ )
				Luigi's Purple Coin Chaos						Purple Coins on the Rainbow Road
nihil Unlock criterion: complete "Bowser's Fortified Fortress"						nihil Unlock criteria: collect 75 Power Stars and complete a mission in Mario Squared
45. Twisty Trials Galaxy ×4 ×4 ×1				Missions		46. Stone Cyclone Galaxy ×4 ×1				Missions
				Spinning and Spinning and Spinning ( ∙ )						Silver Stars on the Cyclone ( ∙ )
				Turning Turning Double Time						Tox Box Speed Run
nihil Unlock criteria: collect 80 Power Stars and complete a mission in Rolling Coaster						nihil Unlock criteria: collect 90 Power Stars and complete a mission in Twisty Trials
47. Boss Blitz Galaxy ×4 ×6 ×10				Missions		48. Flip-Out Galaxy () ×4 ×2				Missions
				Throwback Throwdown ( ∙ )						Wicked Wall Jumps ( ∙ )
				Throwback Throwdown Speed Run						Cosmic Clone Wall Jumpers
nihil Unlock criteria: collect 100 Power Stars and complete a mission in Stone Cyclone						nihil Unlock criteria: collect 110 Power Stars, complete a mission in Boss Blitz, and feed the Luma 2000 Star Bits
49. Grandmaster Galaxy ×2 ×7 ×2				Missions
				The Ultimate Test
				The Perfect Run
nihil Unlock criterion: collect 240 Power Stars

Prankster Comets

No galaxy has more than one non-green Prankster Comet

Starship Mario

Hub terraformed to look like Mario's head by Lubba

Rouge group of Lumas live on it, inc. Lubba and Baby Luma

As Mario progresses, power-ups are added to the engine room. Cloud Flower and Yoshi Egg become usable. Visual mark of progress.

Stowaways

Another mark of progress - NPCs permently board the ship once specific criteria are met (what are they? Just finishing certain missions or are they tied to Power Stars?)

The NPCs share tricks on level progression and actions: some allude to late-game secrets, or are marks of progress for the player

As the Starship becomes more lively, the music becomes more flourished and complex

(include mini list for NPCs, unlock criteria, and their quotes - no pictures. The pictures for characters are in the following section)

No Piantas :< mw-collapsible mw-collapsed navbox mario border-collapse:collapse

No.	Name	Unlock criterion	Placement	Dialogue
01	Yoshi	Complete "Saddle Up with Yoshi".	tip of nose	none
02	Yellow Toad	Complete "Digga-Leg's Planet".	below right ear	"Hey--everyone's waiting for you on the Starshroom! We found a , so we're keeping it there for you."
03	Banktoad	Accumulate 7 Power Stars.	small patch of white flowers on the deck	"Hello from your friendly Banktoad! I can help share your stash of Star Bits with other adventurers!"
04	Mailtoad	Accumulate 13 Power Stars.	patch of red flowers on the deck	"Hello! I've held on to every I've recieved! Here--look…"
05	Star Bunny	Complete "Think Before You Shake".	under right ear lobe	"Shake when you're in midjump! Spinning will give you just a little more OOMPH! How do you think I jump so high, boiyoing? Try it with me!"
06	Honeybee	Complete "The Secret Wall Jump".	left of the middle engine	"Bet you'd like to know our secret… When we get coins in the air, we can fly farther!"
07	Penguin	Complete "Exploring the Cosmic Cavern".	back of the head, near the tea set	"Shake when you're in the water for a burst of speed! A lot of penguins don't know that…"
08	Jibberjay	Complete "Jungle Fluzzard Race".	near the path above the left sideburn	"Listen up! Listen up! There's a trick to going fast with Fluzzard! Point down to dive! Keep diving to go fast! Dive! Dive whenever you can! Fast! Fast!"
09	First Lumalee	Collect one Power Star in World 3.	Pipe Room in the left ear	"Lumalee! ♪ Lumalop! ♪ Welcome to the Luma Shop! Care to spin a Chance Cube for only 30 Star Bits?"
10	Whittle	Complete "Tall Trunk's Big Slide".	behind the left ear	"Collect many ? Comet arrive! First time in galaxy… Always one somewhere! Look hard."
11	Gold Gearmo	Complete "C'mere, Goomba".	at tea set	"I kinda dig those guys!"
12	Silver Gearmo	Complete "C'mere, Topman".	at tea set	"I just love the way those li'l red guys spin!"
13	Second Lumalee	Complete "The Magnificent Magma Sea".	Pipe Room in the left ear	"Care to spin 5 Chance Cubes for only 100 coins?"
14	Bob-omb Buddy	Complete "Return of the Whomp King".	near bridge, north of tea set	"Have you heard of this mythical, legendary world? It sounds like an amazing place, but I wonder how you get there…"
15	First Green Luma	Complete "Throwback Throwdown".	left of the stern, by the tree	"Seeking the cosmic jewels…it's been our lifelong pursuit… There is a saying that 'they can be found when all the stars have been collected…'"
16	Second Green Luma	Accumulate 120 Power Stars.	left of the stern, by the tree	"The universe is so full of joy… Have you ever seen a cosmic jewel? They have such a happy shine! And if you listen closely, you can hear the wonderful tinkling sound when one is nearby! Seriously!"
17	Rosalina	Complete "The Perfect Run".	big patch of white flowers on the deck	"I want to give you my thanks."