Launch Star
- This article is about the object from the Super Mario Galaxy games. For Rosalina's up special move in the Super Smash Bros. series, see Launch Star (move).
- “Just hop in and shake the Wii Remote to go flying!”
- —Luma, Super Mario Galaxy 2
A Launch Star is an object that launches Mario or Luigi to different planets in outer space, introduced in Super Mario Galaxy. Launch Stars are large (usually orange) stars that hover just above the ground of a planet, though occasionally they can also appear floating in the air above a planet, or just floating in space.
History
Super Mario series
Super Mario Galaxy
In Super Mario Galaxy, the first time Mario uses a Launch Star, the path of the Launch Star will originally be invisible, but will be traced out in space as Mario is flying to the next planet. However, if Mario later returns to a Launch Star that he has already used to travel to another planet, the path will be visible before he uses it.
They can only be activated by shaking the Wii Remote and causing Mario to spin when he is either in or next to a Launch Star, though any Launch Stars in the level will visibly spin when the Wii Remote is shaken, regardless of whether or not he is necessarily close to one. When activated, a Launch Star will catapult Mario to another planet or planets. When Mario stands directly under a Launch Star, the gravity of the Launch Star will pull Mario into the center of it automatically. If the player does not shake the Wii Remote after a few seconds, the Launch Star will release Mario and he will touch down on the ground again.
Launch Stars are not always readily available for Mario to use. In some cases, Mario must complete a certain task or objective before the Launch Star will appear, such as collecting five yellow Star Chips, eliminating all the enemies on a particular planet, or freeing a yellow Luma or the Launch Star itself from a Crystal or a cage. In addition, yellow Lumas are also able to transform into Launch Stars independently, though this is more common in the game's sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2 (the player will usually have to free the Luma from a cage before they will transform into a Launch Star, though this is not always the case). It is revealed in this game that these Lumas still retain the ability to talk to Mario while in Launch Star form.
Launch Stars often let Mario fly through space for a short time before landing on another planet, unlike their smaller related items, Sling Stars, which often fling Mario directly to another planet, with very little space in between. While flying through space, Mario will occasionally hit a floating Star Piece Cluster that has been placed directly in the path of the Launch Star, which will often release multiple Star Bits that will float around Mario until he lands on the planet. Mario can collect these Star Bits by touching them with the Star Cursor.
After Mario feeds a Hungry Luma, it will transform into a new planet or galaxy and leave behind a pink Launch Star leading to that planet. The only Hungry Luma that will not leave behind a Launch Star after being fed is the one that transforms into the Hurry-Scurry Planet in the Sea Slide Galaxy (Mario must use a cannon to reach the planet instead).
There is also a green Launch Star located onboard the Comet Observatory that will take Mario to the Planet of Trials when activated. This one, as well as the Launch Stars on the Planet of Trials, are the only green Launch Stars in the entire game.
Though usually immovable, a Launch Star always stays (or appears after collecting 5 Star Chips) on its permanent location. However, one Launch Star can actually be moved upwards and downwards with regardless where it sends the player to. In the mission Sunbaked Sand Castle in Dusty Dune Galaxy, the player must go to the second planet and collect 5 Star Chips to make the Launch Star appear on top of the tower. Since the player can make the tower rise or sink by pressing a Ground-Pound Switch, the Launch Star can also rise or sink along with the tower, but it does not sink into the sand.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Launch Stars reappear in Super Mario Galaxy's sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and serve the same function as in Super Mario Galaxy. In this game, the path of each Launch Star that Mario uses appears before he uses it for the first time, as well as each time he uses it following the first time. One exception to this is in the Grandmaster Galaxy, where no path is projected.
Mario Kart Wii
In Mario Kart Wii, a single large Launch Star appears in Rainbow Road, where it acts as a cannon and shoots racers into a rainbow tunnel and through another large Launch Star at the end (the second Launch Star does not launch racers). The design of the railings of this course also has multiple Launch Stars on it.
Although Launch Stars do not appear in future Mario Kart games, the rings on Mario Kart 7's Rainbow Road and Mario Kart 8's version of N64 Rainbow Road resemble Launch Stars.
Mario Tennis series
Mario Tennis Open
Launch Stars make an appearance in the Special Minigame Galaxy Rally in Mario Tennis Open. When the player completes the meter by collecting Star Chips, then the Launch Star is completed. For every consecutive hit by the ball, the Launch Star gives the player five more coins. The Launch Star's meter depletes after a certain amount of time. Once the meter reaches zero, the Launch Star disappears, and Star Chips reappear.
Mario Tennis Aces
Launch Stars appear during Luma's Special Shot animation in Mario Tennis Aces. Three Lumas of different colors appear around the playable Luma and transform into Launch Stars, shooting him from one to another to help him hit the ball with a powerful strike.
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
- Main article: Launch Star (move)
While Launch Stars themselves do not appear in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Rosalina executes a move in a similar manner to a Launch Star for her up special move, in which she propels herself from a pair of rainbow stars, even producing a similar sound effect.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- SmashWiki article: Super Launch Star
In addition to serving as the basis of Rosalina's up special, the Launch Star from the Super Mario Galaxy games appears as an item in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, under the name Super Launch Star. It can be deployed similar to a Bumper by picking it up and throwing it, and points horizontally if it is thrown to the left or right, or vertically if it is thrown upwards or downwards. After it is deployed, any fighter who runs into it is automatically launched in the opposite direction it was thrown.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | スターリング Sutā Ringu スーパースターリング (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) Sūpā Sutā Ringu |
Star Ring Super Star Ring |
| Chinese (simplified) | 弹射星 (Super Mario Galaxy) Tánshè xīng 超级弹射星 (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) Chāojí Tánshè Xīng |
Launch Star Super Launch Star |
| Chinese (traditional) | 彈射星環[1] (Super Mario Galaxy 2) Tánshè Xīng Huán 超級彈射星 (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) Chāojí Tánshè Xīng |
Launch Star Ring Super Launch Star |
| Dutch | Lanceerster |
Launch Star |
| French (NOE) | Super anneau étoile |
Super star ring |
| German | Sternenring Super-Sternenring (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) |
Star ring Super Star ring |
| Italian | Maxistella Lancio (Super Mario Galaxy 2) Stella Lancio (Super Mario Galaxy) |
Maxi Launch Star Launch Star |
| Korean | 스타링 Seuta Ring |
Star Ring |
| Russian | Пусковая звезда Puskovaya zvezda |
Launch Star |
| Spanish | Anillo estelar |
Star ring |
Trivia
- The green Launch Star located on the Comet Observatory in Super Mario Galaxy is the only Launch Star between the two games that is actually inaccessible the first time it is encountered. It can only be restored after Mario has collected all three Green Power Stars hidden throughout the game.
- When a Launch Star spins, it will not rotate perfectly on its axis, but will rather appear to wobble back and forth slightly while spinning around.
- The Launch Star sound, when launched, synchronizes with the current music. This technique is used with a MIDI data inside the music file.[2]
See also
- Cannon, Mario Kart equivalent
References
- ^ Official Chinese website for Super Mario Galaxy 2. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/super_mario_galaxy/2/0
| Mario Tennis Open | ||
|---|---|---|
| Playable characters | Default | Mario • Luigi • Princess Peach • Yoshi • Princess Daisy • Boo • Bowser Jr. • Diddy Kong • Donkey Kong • Waluigi • Wario • Bowser |
| Unlockable | Luma • Baby Mario • Baby Peach • Dry Bowser | |
| Obtained from QR code | Red Yoshi • Blue Yoshi • Light Blue Yoshi • Yellow Yoshi • Pink Yoshi • Black Yoshi • White Yoshi • Metal Mario | |
| Non-playable characters | Toad • Lakitu • Toads • Goomba • Mechakoopa • Penguin • Shy Guy • Koopa Troopa • Piranha Plant • Inky Piranha Plant • Buzzy Beetle • Koopa Paratroopa | |
| Courts | Mario Stadium • Mushroom Valley • Wario Dunes • DK Jungle • Bowser's Castle • Penguin Iceberg • Peach's Palace • Galaxy Arena | |
| Cups | Mushroom Cup • Flower Cup • Banana Cup • Champions Cup • 1-Up Mushroom Cup • Ice Flower Cup • Shell Cup • Final Cup | |
| Special Games | Ring Shot • Super Mario Tennis • Galaxy Rally • Ink Showdown | |
