Star Pointer
- “Use
to grab them!” - —Toad, Super Mario Galaxy 2
The Star Pointer,[1] also called the pointer[1] or Cursor,[2] is a cursor that appears on the screen in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Its position is controlled by the wireless motion sensitivity of the Wii Remote, so the player can move it around the screen by aiming the Wii Remote at different angles. In the Super Mario 3D All-Stars version, the Star Pointer is controlled via the Joy-Con/Nintendo Switch Pro Controller's motion controls in TV and tabletop mode and the touchscreen in handheld mode. In the former mode, it can be activated/reset by pressing 
. The Star Pointer enables the player to perform a variety of actions, including collecting Star Bits, shooting Star Bits at enemies to stun them, activating Pull Stars, and controlling Sling Pods. The player is able to collect large numbers of Star Bits at once simply by moving the Star Pointer over them. When the Star Pointer is used to activate Pull Stars, it temporarily changes to a hand icon, and it changes back when there are no more Pull Stars to grab. It serves an important role in a few galaxies centered around the bubble, including the Bubble Breeze Galaxy and the Bubble Blast Galaxy; after Mario (or Luigi) has entered a bubble, the Star Pointer acts as a wind blower to propel the bubble along.
In Co-Star Mode, P2's Pointer[3] appears. This cursor is orange, and it allows a second player to perform all the tasks that the first player's pointer can, along with some that it cannot. For instance, it can manipulate the environment and freeze enemy movement to aid the first player as needed. Both players' pressing the 
button at the same time allows Mario or Luigi to perform the Co-Star Super Jump, as explained by the in-game instructions on how to use Co-Star Mode on the file-selection screen of Super Mario Galaxy. Unlike the first player's pointer, P2's Pointer begins to spin when it is positioned over an object, item, character, or enemy in the environment that it can affect in some way.
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, the Star Pointer has essentially the same functionality as it does in Super Mario Galaxy, with some minor differences. For instance, the Star Pointer is replaced by a small red dot while the player rides Yoshi; while the player cannot shoot Star Bits as long as this dot is present, they can still collect Star Bits and point at enemies or fruits that Yoshi can eat to produce Star Bits, as well as flowers that he can grapple on with his tongue. Additionally, in Super Mario Galaxy 2's Co-Star Mode, the second player's orange Star Pointer is effectively used to control the Co-Star Luma, which performs actions along with the Star Pointer where the Star Pointer itself would perform the actions in Super Mario Galaxy's Co-Star Mode. For instance, when holding an enemy back, instead of the player simply stopping the enemy's movement with the Star Pointer, the Co-Star Luma now flies to the location of the Star Pointer and visibly holds on to the enemy to stop its movement. The Star Pointer is slightly larger (and a different shade of orange) in this game than in the first game.
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rosalina uses the Star Pointer to perform her Gravitational Pull move.
Gallery[edit]
Sprite from Super Mario Galaxy
Sprite from Super Mario Galaxy (nozzle peripheral for bubble)
Instructional page texture for Co-Star Mode from Super Mario Galaxy
Instructional page texture for Co-Star Mode from Super Mario Galaxy
Instructional page texture for Co-Star Mode from Super Mario Galaxy
Instructional page texture for Co-Star Mode from Super Mario Galaxy
Instructional page texture for Co-Star Mode from Super Mario Galaxy
P1 dialogue sprite from Super Mario Galaxy 2
P2 dialogue sprite from Super Mario Galaxy 2
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Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ポインター[4][5] Pointā |
Pointer | |
| Italian | Cursore del giocatore 1[6] | Player 1's cursor | |
| Puntatore[7][8] | Pointer |
- 2P's Pointer
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 2Pのポインター[9] 2P no Pointā |
2P's Pointer | |
| Italian | Cursore del giocatore 2[6] | Player 2's cursor | |
| Cursore del G2[10] | P2's cursor |
References[edit]
- ^ a b 2007. Super Mario Galaxy instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (English). Page 6.
- ^ Super Mario Galaxy 2 for Beginners DVD, Pointing at the Screen.
- ^ 2010. Super Mario Galaxy 2 instruction booklet. Nintendo (English). Page 5.
- ^ 2007. スーパーマリオギャラクシー (Sūpā Mario Gyarakushī) instruction booklet. Nintendo (Japanese). Page 9.
- ^ 2010. スーパーマリオギャラクシー２ (Sūpā Mario Gyarakushī Tsū) instruction booklet. Nintendo (Japanese). Page 9.
- ^ a b 2007. Super Mario Galaxy instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 8.
- ^ 2007. Super Mario Galaxy manual. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 9.
- ^ 2010. Super Mario Galaxy 2 Italian manual. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 9.
- ^ 2010. スーパーマリオギャラクシー２ (Sūpā Mario Gyarakushī Tsū) instruction booklet. Nintendo (Japanese). Page 8.
- ^ 2010. Super Mario Galaxy 2 Italian manual. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 8.
