Editing Super Mario Galaxy

{{italic title}}
{{FA}}
{{redirect|Mario Galaxy|the stage in [[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]] and [[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]|[[Mario Galaxy (stage)]]}}
{{redirect|Super Mario Wii|the game released in 2009|[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]}}
{{game infobox
|image=[[File:Super Mario Galaxy NA Box Art.jpg|250px]]
|developer=[[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD Tokyo]]
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|release='''Original release:'''<br>{{flag list|Japan|November 1, 2007<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rmgj/index.html|title=スーパーマリオギャラクシー|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|language=ja|accessdate=October 2, 2007}}</ref>|USA|November 12, 2007<ref name=iwata/>|Mexico|November 12, 2007<ref>{{cite|author=Carlos Rodriguez, Antonio, editor|title="Las recomendaciones de Club Nintendo para el mes de noviembre" ''[[Club Nintendo (Mexican magazine)|Club Nintendo]]''|format=192|language=es|location=Mexico City|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]|date=Nov. 2007|page=54}}</ref>|Europe|November 16, 2007<ref>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe GmbH]]|url=www.nintendo.com/nl-nl/Nieuws/2007/Een-rondleiding-bij-Nintendo-op-de-GC-2007-250101.html|title=Een rondleiding bij Nintendo op de GC 2007|publisher=Nintendo Official Site|language=nl|date=24 Aug. 2007|accessdate=20 Nov. 2024}}</ref>|Australia|November 29, 2007<ref>{{cite|author=PALGN editors|archive=web.archive.org/web/20080112183455/http://palgn.com.au/games.php?id=2071|title=Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=PALGN|date=2007|accessdate=20 Nov. 2024}}</ref>|South Korea|September 4, 2008<ref name=korea>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Korea Co., Ltd.]]|url=www.nintendo.co.kr/switch/avp3a/detail03/index.html|title=슈퍼 마리오 Wii 갤럭시 어드벤처|language=ko|publisher=『[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars|슈퍼 마리오 3D 컬렉션]]』|date=2020|accessdate=20 Nov. 2024}}</ref>}} '''[[Nintendo Selects#Wii|Nintendo Selects]]:'''<br>{{flag list|USA|August 28, 2011<ref>{{cite|author=Newton, James|title=Wii Budget Range Grows with Super Mario Galaxy and More|publisher=Nintendo Life|url=www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/08/wii_budget_range_grows_with_super_mario_galaxy_and_more|date=16 Aug. 2011|accessdate=20 Nov. 2024}}</ref>|Europe|September 16, 2011<ref>{{cite|author=Newton, James|title=Super Mario Galaxy and Twilight Princess Go Budget in Europe|publisher=Nintendo Life|url=www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/08/super_mario_galaxy_and_twilight_princess_go_budget_in_europe|date=16 Aug. 2011|accessdate=20 Nov. 2024}}</ref>|Australia|November 7, 2013<ref>{{cite|author=Jones, Thomas|title=New Nintendo Selects Titles Coming to Australia and New Zealand|publisher=Nintendo Life|url=www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/10/new_nintendo_selects_titles_coming_to_australia_and_new_zealand|date=17 Oct. 2013|accessdate=20 Nov. 2024}}</ref>|Czech Republic|April 30, 2014<ref>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Mojenintendo.cz]]|date=2014|title=''Super Mario Galaxy Select''|url=www.mojenintendo.cz/wii-super-mario-galaxy-select/|publisher=Mojenintendo.cz|language=cs}}</ref>|South Korea|April 23, 2015<ref>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|@Nintendo_Korea]]|title=Wii  소프트웨어 페이지에  새로운 「Nintendo Selects」 소프트웨어 정보가 추가되었습니다|archive=i1.ruliweb.com/img/5/5/1/C/551CAB3C3352320002|archiver=Ruliweb|language=ko|publisher=Twitter|date=2 Apr. 2015}}</ref>}} '''Wii U (digital download):'''<br>{{flag list|Japan|May 31, 2015<ref name=wiiuJP>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd.]] [Nintendo 公式チャンネル]|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBl3jNhi73Q|title=スーパーマリオギャラクシー 紹介映像|language=ja|publisher=YouTube|date=31 May 2015|accessdate=6 Mar. 2021}}</ref>|USA|December 24, 2015<ref name=wiiuUS>{{cite|author=Nintendo of America|archive=web.archive.org/web/20160309231304/http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/super-mario-galaxy-wii-u|title=Super Mario Galaxy (Wii U)|publisher=Nintendo Official Site|date=2015|accessdate=13 Dec. 2015}}</ref>|Europe|February 4, 2016<ref name=wiiuEU>{{cite|author=Whitehead, Thomas|url=www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/02/nintendo_download_4th_february_europe|title=Nintendo Download: 4th February (Europe)|publisher=Nintendo Life|date=1 Feb. 2016}}</ref>|Australia|February 5, 2016<ref>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|@NintendoAUNZ]]|title=Super Mario Galaxy is now available to download on #WiiU! What are your favourite Galaxy memories?|archive=nitter.poast.org/NintendoAUNZ/status/695728688088944645#m|archiver=Nitter|publisher=Twitter|date=5 Feb. 2016}}</ref>}}'''Nvidia Shield TV:'''<br>{{flag list|China|March 22, 2018<ref name=shield>{{cite|author=Nvidia [英伟达SHIELD]|url=weibo.com/6154885380/G8y23yTnm?ssl_rnd=1616376742.279&type=comment|title=#NVIDIA SHIELD# #任天堂#《超级马力欧银河》今天正式登陆SHIELD国行版。全新中文体验+1080p高清重置画面，仅供SHIELD中国玩家专享，现在进入NVIDIA游戏中心即可购买。在这款重力弯曲、翱翔银河的满分神作里，玩家的征途真的是星辰大海！|language=zh|publisher=Sina Visitor System|date=22 Mar. 2018|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref>}}
|languages={{languages|en_us=y|en_gb=y|es_es=y|es_latam=y|fr_ca=y|fr_fr=y|de=y|it=y|jp=y|zh_simp=y|zh_simp_note={{footnote|main|1}}|kr=y}}{{footnote|note|1|Only in the Nvidia Shield TV version.}}
|genre=[[Genre#Platform games|Platformer]], action-adventure
|modes=Single player, two-player co-op
|ratings='''Original release:'''{{ratings|esrb=E|pegi=3|usk=6|cero=A|acb=G|rars=0+|grac=all}} '''Nintendo Selects:'''{{ratings|classind=L}} '''Wii U (digital download):'''{{ratings|acb=PG}}
|platforms=[[Wii]], [[Wii U]], {{wp|Nvidia Shield TV}} (Mainland China only)<ref>{{cite|author=浪玩堂|archive=web.archive.org/web/20171207175754/http://overseas.weico.cc/share/11183651.html?weibo_id=4181546857933690|title=英伟达全球副总裁，中国区总经理张建中先生在现场为我们介绍国行英伟达SHIELD的最新消息，来看看他的游戏阵容！任天堂Wii上游戏将在SHIELD上与我们见面！|language=zh|publisher=Sina Visitor System|date=5 Dec. 2017|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref>
|format={{format|wii=1|wiiudl=1|nvshield=1}}
|input={{input|nunchuk=1|wiiununchuk=1|wiimote=1|wiiumote=1|nvshield=1}}
|serials={{flag list|Japan|RVL-RMGJ-JPN}}
}}
'''''Super Mario Galaxy''''' is a 3D action-adventure [[Genre#Platform games|platform game]] for the [[Wii]], first released in Japan on November 1, [[List of games by date#2007|2007]]. It is the eleventh entry in the [[Super Mario (series)|''Super Mario'' series]],<ref name=encyclopedia>{{cite|author=Sakai, Kazuya (ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors|title=『[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック]]』|language=ja|location=Tokyo|publisher=Shogakukan|date=2015|isbn=978-4-09-106569-8}}</ref>{{ref page|11–13}}<ref>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]]|title=HISTORY → Series → ''Super Mario''|url=www.nintendo.com/jp/character/mario/en/history/index.html|publisher=Mario Portal|accessdate=6 Nov. 2024|archive=web.archive.org/web/20241003115239/https://www.nintendo.com/jp/character/mario/en/history/index.html}}</ref> the third 3D platformer, and the first of what would be recognized in retrospect as the "course clear-style" games of the series.<ref name=switch>{{cite|author=Nintendo of America|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuC4YLLkqME|title=Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017|publisher=YouTube|date=17 Jan. 2017|accessdate=30 Jan. 2021}}</ref><ref name=hakoniwa>{{cite|author=[[Bill Trinen|Trinen, Bill]]|url=nintendotreehouse.tumblr.com/post/161799433482/whats-in-a-box|title=What's in a Box?|publisher=Nintendo Treehouse Log|date=14 Jun. 2017|accessdate=30 Jan. 2021}}</ref> In this game, the player controls [[Mario]] in outer space, moving across spherical planetoids with their own centers of [[gravity]]. The [[level]]s are more linear than those found in its 3D predecessors ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' (1996) and ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' (2002). Similar to prior games, Mario collects [[Power Star]]s to rescue [[Princess Peach]] from [[Bowser]], who is trying to establish his own [[galaxy]] at the center of the universe. Mario is aided by [[Luigi]],  a [[Toad Brigade|brigade of Toads]], star-shaped creatures called [[Luma]]s, and a mysterious woman named [[Rosalina]]. The save data description for the game is "Launch into a cosmic adventure!"

Upon its release, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was met with critical acclaim and commercial success. It received various awards and accolades, including from the {{wp|Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences}}, the {{wp|Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association}}, and the {{wp|British Academy of Film and Television Arts}}. It has sold 12.8 million copies, making it the ninth-best-selling Wii game.<ref name=sales>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd.]]|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/wii.html|title=IR Information : Financial Data - Top Selling Title Sales Units - Wii Software|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd|date=31 Mar. 2020|accessdate=6 Mar. 2021}}</ref> It was rereleased in 2011 under the [[Nintendo Selects]] branding for having sold so well. It is one of the few Wii titles to have been [[Reissue#Re-releases|rereleased]] on the {{wp|Nvidia Shield TV}} console in 2018. Another rerelease with upscaled graphics was included in ''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]'' alongside ''Super Mario 64'' and ''Super Mario Sunshine'' on September 18, [[List of games by date#2020|2020]], to correspond with the [[Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary|35th anniversary]] of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1985).<ref name=3DAS>{{cite|author=Nintendo of America|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_UcjEq2Dgk|title=Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Direct|publisher=YouTube|date=3 Sep. 2020}}</ref> After its original release, a dedicated sequel, ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', was developed and released for the Wii on May 22, [[List of games by date#2010|2010]].

''Super Mario Galaxy'' has gone on to be considered one of the {{wp|List of video games considered the best|greatest video games of all time}} and a masterpiece.<ref name=cremin>Cremin, Colin (Jan. 2012). [https://doi.org/10.1177/1555412012440309 The Formal Qualities of the Video Game: An Exploration of ''Super Mario Galaxy'' With Gilles Deleuze]. ''Games and Culture, 7''(1), SAGE Publishing. Page 72–86.</ref><ref name=Polygon>{{cite|author=Polygon Staff|archive=web.archive.org/web/20180303210843/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/27/16158276/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-500-401|title=The 500 Best Video Games of All Time|publisher=Polygon|date=27 Nov. 2017|accessdate=30 Dec. 2022}}</ref><ref name=asahi>{{cite|author=TV Asahi staff|title=国民5万人がガチ投票！テレビゲーム総選挙|language=ja|publisher=TV Game Sousenkyo『乃木坂46 賀喜遥香』|date=27 Dec. 2021}}</ref><ref name=ashcraft>{{cite|author=Ashcraft, Brian|url=kotaku.com/poll-here-are-japans-top-100-video-games-of-all-time-1848275437|title=Poll: Here Are Japan's Top 100 Video Games Of All Time|publisher=Kotaku|date=28 Dec. 2021|accessdate=30 Dec. 2022}}</ref>
==Story==
'''From the instruction booklet'''
<blockquote>Every hundred years, a huge comet flies by in the skies above the Mushroom Kingdom. One year, that comet filled the entire sky, and from it fell a stream of shooting stars. The Toads scooped up the Star Bits and brought them to the castle, where they were reborn as a great Power Star. It was a happy time in the Mushroom Kingdom. Then one night Mario received a letter...

Dear Mario, I'll be waiting for you at the castle on the night of the Star Festival. There's something I'd like to give you. From Peach

With invitation in hand, Mario headed off to the castle just as the Star Festival was getting into full swing. Surrounded by Toads gleefully trying to catch falling Star Bits, Mario was looking forward to the night's festivities.

But then, something happened...</blockquote>
[[File:SMG Prolog1.png|thumb|upright=1.1|left|Castle Gardens, the beginning area.]]
Every century, on the eve of the [[Star Festival]], a comet passes over the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] and causes stars to fall to the [[Earth|planet]] below. [[Princess Peach]] invites [[Mario]] to her [[Peach's Castle|castle]] to join in the festivities and receive a special gift. As Mario arrives in the [[Castle Gardens]], [[Bowser]] suddenly attacks the [[Toad (species)|Toad]]s with his [[airship]]s and encases them in [[Crystal (Super Mario Galaxy)|crystal]]s. He "invites" Peach to the creation of his brand new galaxy and uses a [[UFO]] to lift the castle off the ground and carry it to the center of the universe, taking her and two Toads with it. Mario manages to reach the castle just before it is taken into outer space, but before he can get to Peach, [[Kamek]] suddenly appears and casts a spell at him, knocking him off the castle and deep into space. An [[Baby Luma|apricot-colored Luma]], whom Peach was carrying before her abduction, flees to look for Mario before Kamek uses another spell to warp the castle away.

[[File:SMG Unknown Floating Object.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Peach's castle being lifted into space by Bowser.]]
Mario is awoken by the apricot-colored Luma on a [[Gateway Galaxy#Starting Planet|small, grassy planet]]. Here, he meets other [[Luma]]s and [[Rosalina]], a mysterious woman who acts as the protector of the [[galaxy|galaxies]] and the mother of the Lumas. She tells Mario that her ship, the [[Comet Observatory]], had its [[Power Star]]s stolen by Bowser. Without them, the Comet Observatory is unable to move through space. Rosalina asks him to reclaim her Power Stars and offers to help rescue Peach and defeat Bowser in exchange. To help him on his quest, Rosalina gives Mario the apricot-colored Luma, who grants Mario the ability to [[spin]] and travel through space. Together, they travel to various galaxies in opened [[dome]]s to obtain Power Stars. Once a mission is completed in one galaxy, Mario collects a Power Star and unlocks the next mission. Most domes contain five galaxies. Once Mario has collected enough Power Stars, the next galaxy in the current dome is one of Bowser's Strongholds<ref name=soundtrack/>, where the [[Grand Star]]s, which are larger and more powerful versions of Power Stars, would be in the possession of either Bowser or [[Bowser Jr.]] Rescuing a Grand Star unlocks the next dome, and when enough Power Stars are collected, the Comet Observatory is able to take Mario to the center of the universe.

[[File:SMG Mario and Peach fly through space.png|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Mario flying with Peach after rescuing her.]]
After arriving at and traversing through Bowser's [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor|brand new galaxy]], Mario defeats him, retrieves the last Grand Star, and rescues Peach. Just as they are about to leave, however, a large sun in Bowser's near-complete galaxy undergoes a supernova and becomes a supermassive [[black hole]], which begins pulling in everything in sight. The Lumas from the Comet Observatory, including the apricot-colored Luma, throw themselves into the black hole in order to neutralize it, and it soon evaporates in a massive explosion. Mario appears in front of Rosalina, who saves him from the cataclysm and tells him that this is not the end, but a new beginning for the universe, which repeats its cycle indefinitely and slightly different across each repetition.

Mario later awakens in the Mushroom Kingdom near Peach's Castle, where he witnesses the various friends and foes he met throughout his adventure celebrating together. He then notices Bowser and Peach lying next to him as they begin to stir. When he looks into the sky, he notices a newborn galaxy and hears Rosalina's words echoing in his mind. Mario stands up and exclaims, "Welcome! Welcome new galaxy!" as the camera pans out into space, revealing the reconstructed universe. After 120 Power Stars have been collected, a special cutscene plays after the staff roll: Rosalina [[Fourth wall|thanks the player]] and says, "I will watch over you from beyond the stars," before flying off with the Comet Observatory. Alone in the rubble left by the supermassive black hole, an apricot-colored Luma appears behind a decrepit [[Starshroom|starship]]. This alludes to the idea of how the universe repeats itself. The events of the [[Rosalina's Story|past]] will carry out anew, with the lost apricot Luma searching for its mother.
{{br}}

==Gameplay==
[[File:SMG Space Junk Pull Stars.png|thumb|left|Mario navigating a level with [[Pull Star]]s, environmental objects controlled with the Star Pointer.]]
The player controls [[Mario]],<ref name=luigi group=note>Unless explicitly specified otherwise, any mentioning of Mario is equally applicable to [[Luigi]] during his playthrough.</ref> who mainly traverses across spherical planetoids and he [[level]]s by collecting [[Power Star]]s. His [[jump]]ing actions allow him to hop between [[platform]]s and [[stomp]] enemies. Most enemies that cannot be stomped on can be taken out or dazed with a [[spin]], a move new to the series. Rather than performed with button inputs, shaking the [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]] makes Mario spin. In addition to taking out enemies, spinning makes Mario engage switches, parry certain attacks, [[skate]] on ice, throw held items, and perform an extra [[Spin Jump|small jump]] in the air. Several actions in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are not strictly tied to button inputs and are instead performed by shaking, tilting, or rotating the remote. The game's camera organically pans across levels, but the player can manually angle it with {{button|wii|Pad}}. Pressing {{button|wii|C}} centers the camera behind Mario and pressing {{button|wii|Padup}} enters a first-person perspective.

There are scenarios in the game that change what button inputs do. In some missions, Mario rides on top of a [[Star Ball|Rolling Ball]], surfs on the back of a [[Ray|manta ray]], or travels through the air in a giant [[bubble]]. [[List of power-ups|Power-ups]] change his appearance and give him a unique set of abilities in place of his usual ones (see [[#Power-ups|below]]). While in water, Mario can [[swim]]. Pressing {{button|wii|Z}} makes him dive. Pressing {{button|wii|A}} makes Mario perform a breaststroke, propelling him forward.
 
[[File:SMG Artwork Mario (Spin).png|thumb|Artwork of Mario spinning.]]
Pointing the Wii Remote at the screen makes an on-screen reticle appear called the [[Star Pointer]]. It gives the player a way to engage with the game that is not tied to Mario. Passively moving the Star Pointer over [[Star Bit]]s, small colorful items, automatically collects them. Pressing {{button|wii|B}} fires a Star Bit from the pointer. There are non-playable characters called [[Hungry Luma]]s that transform into new levels when shot at with Star Bits - their source of food. Most enemies become dazed when shot by a Star Bit. Mario [[kick]]s a stunned enemy just by making contact with it, defeating it and releasing collectible Star Bits.

Mario's health is represented by a three-segmented [[Health Meter|life meter]]. Receiving damage removes one section, and losing all makes him lose a life. Collecting a [[Life Mushroom]] replenishes any lost health and adds a second health meter, giving Mario a total of six bars. If Mario is reduced to three bars again, the second meter permanently disappears and the effect of the Life Mushroom is lost. He does not take damage by falling from high areas, a departure from proceeding 3D games. While underwater, he gains an air meter that decreases and starts to deplete Mario's normal life meter when it hits zero. 

Most levels are clusters of small planetary bodies with their own centers of [[gravity]], causing Mario to organically bend around them as he moves or jumps. Not all planetary bodies are spherical, but they at least have rounded edges to compliment the concept.<ref name=black>{{cite|author=Black, Fletcher|title=''Super Mario Galaxy: PRIMA Official Game Guide''|format=Collector's Edition|isbn=978-0-7615-5713-5|location=Roseville|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|date=2007}}</ref>{{ref page|12}} Planets with sharp edges only have one gravitational plane, like the courses in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''. Mario will fall and lose a life if he jumps off the edges of these planets. Some planetoids are so close to each other that Mario can simply jump between them, but others are very distant. In most cases, he can reach them by using [[Launch Star]]s, yellow objects that fire Mario through the sky. The levels in the game can be accessed by [[dome]]s scattered across the [[Comet Observatory]], the game's hub world. For more detail on level structure, galaxies, and the hub, see "[[#Locations|Locations]]" below.
===Co-Star Mode===
The game has a multiplayer mode called Co-Star Mode. Connecting a second Wii Remote allows another player (P2) to join in and assist the first one (P1) by controlling a second Star Pointer. There are a number of actions that are available only to the second player. When Co-Star Mode is active, "<font color=Blue>1P</font>" appears below Player 1's Star Pointer, and "<font color=Orange>2P</font>" appears below Player 2's Star Pointer to help differentiate between them. Like the first player, P2 can collect Star Bits and fire them at enemies to briefly stun them. When P2 directs their Star Pointer at Mario and presses {{button|wii|A}}, he performs a unique action called the [[Co-Star Super Jump]]. Combining both jump techniques can make Mario jump higher than when controlled with only one controller. This works in midair, but it can be done only once before the player touches a horizontal surface.<ref>{{cite|author=Juliusaurus|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRantJ0Acm8|title=Super Mario Galaxy Co-op Fun: Midair Jumps|publisher=YouTube|date=4 Jan. 2009|accessdate=6 Mar. 2021}}</ref>
===Luigi===
[[File: SMG Freezeflame Frosty Cosmic Luigi Race.png|thumb|left|Luigi about to race against Cosmic Luigi in Freezeflame Galaxy.]]
Completing "[[The Fate of the Universe]]" after 120 Power Stars have been collected allows the player to replay the entire game as Mario's brother, [[Luigi]], who otherwise appears as a non-playable character that assists Mario. Luigi can jump higher than him but has worse traction, making him skid. He also runs slightly faster than Mario but takes longer to reach top speed. Luigi loses air faster while underwater and loses a chunk of air every time he spins underwater. [[Cosmic Luigi]], one of the rival characters, is more challenging than Cosmic Mario, and Luigi receives twenty [[1-Up Mushroom]]s from Princess Peach instead of Mario's usual five (although if Luigi's life counter is too high, he only receives five). Outside of these changes, the storyline is almost completely unchanged and even includes the original NPC Luigi, who will now react with confusion at seeing a copy of himself (although his height is marginally different). When the player collects 120 Power Stars and replays "[[The Fate of the Universe]]," [[Grand Finale Galaxy]] becomes available for both Mario and Luigi, allowing the 121st Power Star to be collected by each of them.

This mode is referred to by [[Rosalina]] as "another world." In the Japanese version, she describes it as the world where Mario may come across his alternate self who is not him.<ref>{{cite|author=リンカー Linker / 紫月リン Rin Shizuki|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHRw7Mw6bfY|title=スーパーマリオギャラクシーを実況プレイ Part52|language=ja|publisher=YouTube|date=6 Oct. 2011|accessdate=27 Oct. 2019}}</ref>
{{br}}

===Controls===
When playing on a [[Wii]] or [[Wii U]] console by oneself (P1), the game requires one to use the [[Wii Remote]] attached to the [[Nunchuk]]. If the player attempts to access the game without the Nunchuk attached, it will prompt the player to do so before proceeding. One will not be able to access the rest of the game unless they do so. In Co-Star Mode, the second player (P2) is not required to have the Nunchuk attached to their Wii Remote but it still must be held vertically.

The controller for the {{wp|Nvidia Shield TV}} has a more conventional layout, cannot display a pointer on screen, and lacks the same motion-sensing capabilities of the Wii Remote. To compensate, actions that originally involved shaking the Wii Remote are performed by pressing the X button. Actions involving the [[Star Pointer]] are instead performed with the right analog stick. In Co-Star Mode, both analog sticks can be used to control the Star Pointer.<ref>{{cite|author=Chinese Nintendo [@chinesenintendo]|url=twitter.com/jhstjh/status/978431140959805440|title=For some reasons, the A button when choosing a Galaxy has been bound to RT instead of A. (The second image is the same text from the original English release)|publisher=Twitter|date=24 Mar. 2018|accessdate=6 Mar. 2021}}</ref> The original tilt controls in the game is also replaced by the regular left analog stick control.<ref>{{cite|author=Chinese Nintendo [@chinesenintendo]|url=twitter.com/chinesenintendo/status/1019812333621669888|title=And yes, tilting in Super Mario Galaxy has been replaced by simply the left analog stick on Nvidia Shield|publisher=Twitter|date=19 Jul. 2018|accessdate=6 Mar. 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=ドラガリキノピコ|url=youtu.be/OryQXvTC-t4|title=スーパーマリオギャラクシー Part2 ワールド2 バスルーム|language=zh|publisher=YouTube|date=21 Jun. 2018|accessdate=6 Mar. 2021}}</ref>

For the control scheme of the iteration included in ''Super Mario 3D All-Stars'' for [[Nintendo Switch]] systems, click [[Super Mario 3D All-Stars#Super Mario Galaxy|here]].
<center>
{|class="wikitable"style="width:65%;text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan=2 width=20% style="background:red;--darkbg:#600;color:white;"|Action(s)
!colspan=4 style="background:red;--darkbg:#600;color:white;"|Input(s)
|-
!width=40% style="background:red;--darkbg:#600;color:white;"|Wii Remote + Nunchuk
!width=40% style="background:red;--darkbg:#600;color:white;"|Nvidia Shield controller
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Mario and Luigi controls
|-
|Move
|{{button|wii|Stick}}
|{{button|nvshield|leftstick}}
|-
|[[Spin]], engage object, throw item, [[skate]], climb [[Sproutle Vine]]
|Shake {{button|wii|Wiimote}}
|{{button|nvshield|x}}
|-
|[[Kick]]
|colspan=4|Make contact with stunned enemy
|-
|[[Jump]], speak, read, [[swim]]
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|[[Double Jump (consecutive)|Double jump]]
|{{button|wii|A}} when making contact with the ground while moving<br>(repeat twice)
|{{button|nvshield|A}} when making contact with the ground while moving<br>(repeat twice)
|-
|[[Triple Jump|Triple jump]]
|{{button|wii|A}} when making contact with the ground while moving<br>(repeat thrice)
|{{button|nvshield|A}} when making contact with the ground while moving<br>(repeat thrice)
|-
|[[Backward Somersault|Backward somersault]]
|{{button|wii|Z}} + {{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|nvshield|LeftBumper}} + {{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|[[Wall Jump|Wall jump]]
|{{button|wii|A}} against a wall
|{{button|nvshield|A}} against a wall
|-
|[[Side Somersault|Side somersault]]
|{{button|wii|Stick}} (in reverse direction) + {{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|nvshield|LeftStick}} (in reverse direction) + {{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|[[Long Jump|Long jump]]
|{{button|wii|Z}} + {{button|wii|A}} while running
|{{button|nvshield|LeftBumper}} + {{button|nvshield|A}} while running
|-
|[[Spin Jump|Spin jump]]
|Shake {{button|wii|Wiimote}} in midair
|{{button|nvshield|X}} in midair
|-
|[[Ground Pound|Ground pound]]
|{{button|wii|Z}} in midair
|{{button|nvshield|LeftBumper}} in midair
|-
|Homing ground pound
|Shake {{button|wii|Wiimote}} + {{button|wii|Z}} in midair
|{{button|nvshield|X}} + {{button|nvshield|LeftBumper}} in midair
|-
|Grab or release [[pole]]
|{{button|wii|A}} alongside a pole
|{{button|nvshield|A}} alongside a pole
|-
|[[Crouch]], dive underwater
|{{button|wii|Z}}
|{{button|nvshield|LeftBumper}}
|-
|Crawl
|{{button|wii|Z}} + {{button|wii|Stick}}
|{{button|nvshield|LeftBumper}} + {{button|nvshield|LeftStick}}
|-
|[[Sweep Kick|Sweep kick]]
|{{button|wii|Z}} + shake {{button|wii|Wiimote}}
|{{button|nvshield|LeftBumper}} + {{button|nvshield|X}}
|-
|Move camera
|{{button|wii|Pad}}
|{{button|nvshield|Pad}}
|-
|Enter first-person view
|{{button|wii|Padup}}
|{{button|nvshield|PadUp}}
|-
|Reset camera
|{{button|wii|C}}
|{{button|nvshield|Y}}
|-
|[[Star Ball|Rolling ball]]
|Tilt {{button|wii|Wiimote}}
|Tilt {{button|nvshield|LeftStick}}
|-
|[[Ray|Ray surfing]]
|{{button|wii|A}} + tilt {{button|wii|Wiimote}}
|{{button|nvshield|A}} + tilt {{button|nvshield|LeftStick}}
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Power-up controls
|-
|Hover in [[Bee Mario|Bee form]]
|Hold {{button|wii|A}}
|Hold {{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|Float in [[Boo Mario|Boo form]]
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|Phase through [[Bars (Boo Mario)|walls]] in Boo form
|Shake {{button|wii|Wiimote}}
|{{button|nvshield|X}}
|-
|Toss [[fireball]] in [[Fire Mario|Fire form]]
|Shake {{button|wii|Wiimote}}
|{{button|nvshield|X}}
|-
|Bounce in [[Spring Mario|Spring form]]
|{{button|wii|A}} when colliding with the ground
|{{button|nvshield|A}} when colliding with the ground
|-
|[[Fly|Takeoff]] or ground in [[Flying Mario|Flying form]]
|Shake {{button|wii|Wiimote}}
|{{button|nvshield|X}}
|-
|Change direction in Flying form
|{{button|wii|A}} while in flight
|{{button|nvshield|A}} while in flight
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Star Pointer controls
|-
|Collect a [[Star Bit]]
|Move {{icon|SMG-Pointer}} over a Star Bit
|Move {{button|nvshield|RightStick}} over a Star Bit
|-
|Shoot a Star Bit
|{{icon|SMG-Pointer}} + {{button|wii|B}}
|{{button|nvshield|RightStick}} + {{button|nvshield|B}}
|-
|Rapidly shoot Star Bits
|{{icon|SMG-Pointer}} + hold {{button|wii|B}}
|{{button|nvshield|RightStick}} + hold {{button|nvshield|B}}
|-
|Enter a [[Pull Star]], blow air to direct [[bubble]] (P1 only)
|{{icon|SMG-Pointer}} + hold {{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|nvshield|RightStick}} + hold {{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|Fire [[cannon]] (P1 only)
|{{icon|SMG-Pointer}} + {{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|nvshield|RightStick}} + {{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|Fire from [[Sling Pod]] (P1 only)
|Hold {{button|wii|A}} + pull back with {{icon|SMG-Pointer}} → release {{button|wii|A}}
|Hold {{button|nvshield|A}} + pull back with {{button|nvshield|RightStick}} → release {{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|Stop an enemy (P2 only)
|Move {{icon|SMG-Pointer2}} over an enemy + hold {{button|wii|A}}
|Move {{button|nvshield|RightStick}} over an enemy + hold {{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|Make Mario jump (P2 only)
|Move {{icon|SMG-Pointer2}} over Mario + {{button|wii|A}}
|Move {{button|nvshield|RightStick}} over Mario + {{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|Make Mario spin (P2 only)
|Move {{icon|SMG-Pointer2}} over Mario while he is midair + {{button|wii|A}}
|Move {{button|nvshield|RightStick}} over Mario while he is midair + {{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|Make Mario do a [[Co-Star Super Jump|powerful jump]] (P2 only)
|Move {{icon|SMG-Pointer2}} over Mario + {{button|wii|A}} while P1 presses {{button|wii|A}}
|Move {{button|nvshield|RightStick}} over Mario + {{button|nvshield|A}} while P1 presses {{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
!colspan=5 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Menu controls
|-
|Navigate menu
|{{icon|SMG-Cursor}}
|{{button|nvshield|RightStick}}
|-
|Confirm command
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|nvshield|A}}
|-
|Cancel command
|{{button|wii|B}}
|{{button|nvshield|B}}
|-
|Select [[galaxy]]
|{{button|wii|A}}
|{{button|nvshield|RightTrigger}}
|-
|Display HOME menu
|{{button|wii|Home}}
|{{button|nvshield|home}}
|-
|Display pause menu
|{{button|wii|+}} / {{button|wii|-}}
|{{button|nvshield|start}} / {{button|nvshield|back}}
|}
</center>

==Locations==
===Setting===
[[File:SMG Artwork Outer Space.png|x150px|thumb||right|Key artwork of outer space as presented on the game's boxart.]]
[[File:Ch2 5.png|x90px|thumb||right|Rosalina netting Star Bits as she rides in a starship.]]
''Super Mario Galaxy'' is set in outer space. With the exception of [[Grand Finale Galaxy]], which is [[Princess Peach]]'s [[Castle Gardens]] in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]], all levels, which are referred to in the game as "galaxies," are staged on worlds far removed from [[Mario]]'s [[Earth|home planet]]. This is the first entry in the [[Super Mario (series)|series]] to explicitly include an outer space setting since the [[Space Zone]] in ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'' (1992) and the first time it has been realized by [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD]], the studio responsible for most of the preceding ''Super Mario'' games.<ref name=iwata/>

A galaxy is an isolated cluster of small planets and other planetary bodies. Some planets are shaped like spheres, but many are not. Most have their own [[Gravity|gravitational pull]], which lets Mario return to his starting position by continuing to move forward and prevents him from falling off the edge. Mario's movement, physics, and trajectory bend organically around a planet's shape.<ref name=montreal/><ref name=jasper/> Because they have their own pull, Mario can directly travel between sufficiently close planets just by [[jump]]ing. More distant planets are reached by using objects such as [[Launch Star]]s and [[Pull Star]]s. Not all planets pull Mario inwards. When inside a planet, gravity may be inverted so that Mario walks on the underside of the ground. Many other planets are shaped like the more traditional courses of ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', and thus have only one gravitational plane, which is communicated by sharp edges and steep drops along their sides. In contrast, planets that have their own gravity, even if they are not spheres, have rounded edges.<ref name=jasper/> Some planets are on 2D planes and Mario's movement options are restricted accordingly (i.e. the player cannot tilt {{button|wii|Stick}} down to make him walk toward the camera and fall off the side). [[Gravity field]]s occur in the 2D sections of five galaxies that shift the direction of gravity from the floor to another plane.

The theme of space is communicated in various ways throughout ''Super Mario Galaxy''. Many galaxies include distant asteroid belts or views of massive, unreachable planets orbiting suns that peek over their horizons. Depending on the distance from the game's camera, the light from a visible sun retracts, mimicking the behavior of real sunlight. The skyboxes of the galaxies feature nebulas, auroras, and starry skies. Three-dimensional objects, including Mario himself, exhibit a soft {{wp|Fresnel lantern|Fresnel}}-like glow in certain positions as if struck by the light from distant stars. In many galaxies, [[black hole]]s are present in place of [[pit|bottomless pit]]s. ''Super Mario Galaxy'' includes some motifs associated with science fiction, such as [[Gearmo|humanoid robots]], fortified battle facilities, [[UFO]]s, starships, an [[#Music|orchestrated soundtrack]], and {{wp|theremin}}-like synthesizers. Much of the game's setting includes whimsical, tranquil, and surreal elements comparable to those found in children's books.<ref name=kohler1>{{cite|author=Kohler, Chris|url=www.wired.com/2007/12/interview-super/|title=Interview: ''Super Mario Galaxy'' Director On Sneaking Stories Past Miyamoto|publisher=WIRED|date=4 Dec. 2007|accessdate=27 Feb. 2021}}</ref><ref name=geller>{{cite|author=Geller, Jacob|url=youtu.be/IZ1y75vxO0o|title=The Quiet Sadness of Mario Galaxy|publisher=YouTube|date=15 Feb. 2019|accessdate=30 Jan. 2021}}</ref><ref name=ruben>Meintema, Ruben Aize (Apr. 2010). [https://doi.org/10.7557/23.6121 Planets as small as your house: A review of Super Mario Galaxy]. ''Eludamos: Journal for Computer Game Culture, 4''(1), University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway. Pages 125–28.</ref> Locations are reached via a palace-like starship called the [[Comet Observatory]], the game's {{wp|Overworld|hub world}}. It is overseen by a princess named [[Rosalina]] and is a nursery for spacefaring star children called [[Luma]]s. In lieu of aliens, the people found living in the galaxies include [[Star Bunny|Star Bunnies]], [[Honeybee]]s, and [[penguin]]s. [[Star Bit]]s, small collectibles that fall from the sky like shooting stars, resemble {{wp|Konpeitō|konpeitō candies}} and can be fed to the Lumas. There are [[:File:Moving Cake Planet.png|planets]] and [[Sweet Sweet Galaxy|entire galaxies]] that look like desserts.

According to director [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]], the primary goal behind ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was to create a ''Super Mario'' game with spherical worlds. It was thought that these worlds would make it less likely for players to get disoriented or have to reposition the camera. These were issues he observed during the development of ''Super Mario 64'', ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}'' (1998), and ''Super Mario Sunshine'' that prevented complete immersion and intimidated inexperienced players.<ref name=montreal>{{cite|author=[[Yoshiaki Koizumi|Koizumi, Yoshiaki]]|date=27 Nov. 2007|archive=youtu.be/A25Ab7RyUPs|title=''Super Mario Galaxy: The Journey from Garden to Galaxy''|location=Montréal|publisher=Montreal International Games Summit, Alliance numériQC|archiver=YouTube by Eric St-Cyr and A Hover|archivedate=24 Sep. 2016|accessdate=27 Feb. 2021}}</ref><ref name=jasper>{{cite|author=Ashworth, Michael [Jasper]|url=youtu.be/QLH_0T_xv3I|title=How Spherical Planets Bent the Rules in Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=YouTube|date=29 Sep. 2020|accessdate=27 Feb. 2021}}</ref> The decision to stage the game in outer space was made because the development team thought that the spherical worlds would most intuitively make sense as planets.<ref name=iwata>{{cite|author=[[Satoru Iwata| Iwata, Satoru]]|url=iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/super_mario_galaxy/0/0/|title=Wii interviews: Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=Iwata Asks|date=2007|accessdate=7 Mar. 2012}}</ref> In 2017, a [[:File:3D Mario Infograph.jpg|figure]] was released by Nintendo that conveys that ''Super Mario Galaxy'' is structurally viewed as a different type of 3D ''Super Mario'' game from its immediate predecessors – the "sandbox-style" games ''Super Mario 64'' and ''Super Mario Sunshine''. Nintendo aligns it with the succeeding games ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'' (2010), ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'' (2011), and ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' (2013) as a more linear, "course clear-style" game.<ref name=switch/> However, many of the levels in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are structured similarly to the ones in its predecessors, particularly in the robust six-mission galaxies and the large planets that do not have their own centers of gravity.<ref name=jasper/> The principals of the sandbox-style games derive from hakoniwa, or "box gardens," and Koizumi directly cites them as an influence behind the worlds in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' as well.<ref name=montreal/><ref name=kohler1/><ref name=hakoniwa/>

===Galaxies===
====Overview====
{{main|Galaxy}}
{{multiframe
|[[File:SMG Terrace Exterior.png|150px]][[File:SMG Terrace Overview.png|150px]]<br>[[File:SMG Figure Galaxy types and access within the Terrace.png|250px]]
|'''Top row''': the exterior of the Terrace dome on the Comet Observatory (left) and a display of the galaxy-selection screen within it (right).<br>'''Bottom row''': a figure of the Terrace's galaxies conveying their positioning from the Pull Star; how they are accessed; the correlations involving their distance from the Pull Star; and the three different types of galaxies within domes. These attributes generally are representative of all domes in the game.
|size=300
|align=right
}}
Galaxies are accessed inside of [[dome]]s on the [[Comet Observatory]]. They are spatially distributed across the hub, similar to the access points for levels in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''. However, with the exception of the [[Garden (Super Mario Galaxy)|Garden]], each dome contains a set of five different galaxies instead of just one dedicated course. Domes are unlocked unilaterally as the player completes certain criteria. These make the domes analogous to the worlds of the 2D ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' games like ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' (1988). However, as in its 3D predecessors, the player is not restricted to linear course progression in ''Super Mario Galaxy''.

Each galaxy contains objectives referred to as [[mission]]s. Completing a mission has [[Mario]] acquire one of the galaxy's [[Power Star]]s, the same tokens used in ''Super Mario 64'' for unlocking levels. One mission correlates with one Power Star. The start of each mission has a brief cinematic preview of the galaxy that hints at the location of the Power Star, as was similarly done in ''Super Mario Sunshine''. Once a specified number of Power Stars has been accumulated, a new galaxy becomes unlockable at the player's discretion. Only half of the Power Stars in the game are required for progression. The minimum number of Power Stars needed to access the game's final level is 60 out of the game's total of 120. Consequently, completing as many missions as possible within one dome can result in all of the galaxies within the next dome being immediately unlockable upon entry.

At the center of every dome is a [[Pull Star]] that, upon being entered, brings Mario to an interactive selection screen of all the dome's galaxies, which all orbit around the Pull Star (the {{wp|Origin (mathematics)|origin}}; see right). The display is directly comparable to models of solar systems, with each galaxy following a circular trajectory around the Pull Star. The distance of these orbital lines from the Pull Star has a positive correlation with the number of Power Stars required to unlock the galaxies and a negative correlation with the number of missions available within them. As such, the galaxies closest to the origin typically have the greatest number of missions and require the lowest number of Power Stars to unlock, while the galaxies furthest from the origin contain the fewest missions and require the highest number of Power Stars to unlock. Using the [[Terrace (Super Mario Galaxy)|Terrace]] as an example, a dome contains three different types of galaxies:
*"'''{{conjectural|Robust galaxies}}'''" that contain at least six missions. They either feature a high number of visitable planets or a small selection of large ones to explore. The missions build off of each other environmentally or narratively, meaning that the events that occur in one mission foreshadow the events of the subsequent mission. Two or more of the six missions typically involve a boss battle. Most domes contain two or three of these galaxies, and they are all listed together on the first page of the in-game [[Star List]]. They are the only galaxies orbited by [[Prankster Comet]]s. The robust galaxies of the Terrace are [[Good Egg Galaxy]] and [[Honeyhive Galaxy]].
*"'''{{conjectural|Mystery galaxies}}'''" that each contain one mission. Before being unlocked, they are represented by course preview models shaped like [[? Block]]s. These galaxies are highly distinctive in theme and mission. Some of them entail minigames like [[ray surfing]] or [[Star Ball|ball rolling]]. Others are athletic obstacle courses. Mystery galaxies usually require completing a certain mission in another galaxy in addition to accumulating a specific number of Power Stars to unlock. Each dome contains one or two mystery galaxies. In the Terrace, they are [[Loopdeeloop Galaxy]] and [[Flipswitch Galaxy]].
*'''Bowser's Strongholds'''<ref name=soundtrack/> that each contain one mission. They have tilted orbits and feature linear obstacle courses that lead to a boss battle. Half of them involve [[Bowser Jr.]], either directly or as the inciter for another boss (such as [[Megaleg]] or [[King Kaliente]]). The other half of them feature [[Bowser]] himself. With the exception of the Garden, each dome contains one stronghold and it is always on the dome's outermost ring. These galaxies have the highest or second-highest Power Star threshold, and completing the mission in these galaxies is a criterion needed to unlock a subsequent dome and is required for game progression. The preview model in orbit resembles a bust of Bowser's head with glowing eyes. Bowser's Stronghold in the Terrace is [[Bowser Jr.'s Robot Reactor]].

[[File:SMG Fat Hungry Luma.png|thumb|250px|left|A Hungry Luma outside the Terrace, almost completely stuffed with Star Bits. Feeding it the requested number of Star Bits makes the Luma transform into a wholly new galaxy.]]
Certain galaxies can be accessed outside of the domes. With the exception of [[Gateway Galaxy]], these ones can also be categorized as mystery galaxies or Bowser's Strongholds. Most of them are unlocked by feeding [[Hungry Luma]]s a requested number of [[Star Bit]]s. These Lumas appear on the Comet Observatory once certain criteria are met within the dome galaxies (as seen in the chart below). There is a Hungry Luma associated with every dome, essentially functioning as an extra level for each one. A tiny house called the [[Gate (Super Mario Galaxy)|Gate]] rests on a grassy platform orbiting the observatory. It grants Mario access to Gateway Galaxy. This galaxy is the first level of the game, but it can only be revisited via the Gate once "[[King Kaliente's Spicy Return]]" is completed. Though it is not a dome, there is a Hungry Luma associated with it as well. A planetoid called the [[Planet of Trials]] orbits the observatory and has three galaxies of its own. It becomes reachable once all three of the secret [[Green Star|Green Power Star]]s have been collected. A Launch Star leading to [[Grand Finale Galaxy]] appears here after the player has collected 120 Power Stars as both [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]]. [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]] is only reachable by speaking to [[Rosalina]] after 60 Power Stars have been collected.

Mario encounters his brother in four galaxies: Good Egg Galaxy, Honeyhive Galaxy, [[Battlerock Galaxy]], and [[Ghostly Galaxy]]. In Ghostly Galaxy, Luigi is at the end of the mission "[[Luigi and the Haunted Mansion]]" and gives Mario a Power Star when reached. After Luigi is rescued, he appears in the observatory and offers to help Mario collect Power Stars. Whenever Luigi visits a galaxy, he gets stuck and sends a letter to Mario asking for help, with each letter including a picture that hints at his location. Finding him within a galaxy awards Mario with a secret Power Star.
{{br}}

====Table====
There are 42 dedicated galaxies in the game. Of this total, 15 are robust galaxies, 20 are mystery galaxies, and 6 are Bowser's Strongholds. If the Comet Observatory, its [[Library (Super Mario Galaxy)|library]], and its domes are considered individual levels, then the true total number is 50. Some galaxies have tiny otherworldly subareas reached via [[Warp Pipe|pipes]] that contain an interactive side objective. If each of these areas were to be considered levels as well, then the true number is even higher. The table below lists the galaxies of the game roughly as they are listed on the Star List. Each galaxy is given a brief description, an in-game screenshot, and a list of their missions. There is a legend at the bottom of the table detailing what the symbols used in it represent.
<center>
{|width=65% class="wikitable"
!colspan=3 style="background:red;--darkbg:#600;color:white"|Galaxies
|-
|colspan=3 style="background:#70D105;--darkbg:#400"|[[File:SMG Terrace Dome Model.png|25px]] '''{{color link|white|Terrace (Super Mario Galaxy)|The Terrace}}'''
|-
!width=16% style="background:#B5F987"|01. [[Good Egg Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×19 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×3
!colspan=2"width=34% style="background:#B5F987"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:Good Egg Galaxy Starting Planet.png|x90px]]
|width=17%|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Dino Piranha (mission)|Dino Piranha]]
|width=17%|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[A Snack of Cosmic Proportions]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[King Kaliente's Battle Fleet]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometS}} [[Dino Piranha Speed Run]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Purple Coin Omelet]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Luigi on the Roof]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A galaxy in low orbit of an [[earth]]-like planet. Each planet is highly distinctive, but most of them have grassy knolls and are shaped like food. It introduces the reoccurring [[Octoomba|Electrogoomba]]s, [[Dino Piranha]], and [[King Kaliente]].<br>'''Unlock criterion''': complete "Grand Star Rescue"
|-
!width=16% style="background:#B5F987"|02. [[Honeyhive Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×7 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×2
!colspan=2"width=34% style="background:#B5F987"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Honeyhive Starting Planet.png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Bee Mario Takes Flight]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Trouble on the Tower]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Big Bad Bugaboom]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometC}} [[Honeyhive Cosmic Mario Race]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[The Honeyhive's Purple Coins]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Luigi in the Honeyhive Kingdom]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|The Honeyhive Kingdom – a forested galaxy inhabited by [[Honeybee]]s. Its planets have large trees and clear bodies of water. Some areas are covered in [[honey]]. The kingdom is invaded by [[Mandibug]]s.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 3 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#B5F987"|03. [[Loopdeeloop Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×3
!colspan=2 style="background:#B5F987"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Loopdeeloop Overview.png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Surfing 101]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A looping stretch of water. [[Penguin]]s surf on the backs of [[Ray|rays]] here. [[Coach (Super Mario Galaxy)|Coach]] explains the basics to [[Mario]].<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 5 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#B5F987"|04. [[Flipswitch Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#B5F987"| Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Flipswitch Galaxy Mission.png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Painting the Planet Yellow]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Flipswitch Panel]]s arranged like a cube around a [[black hole]]. [[Spike Trap|Spike]]s move along suspended tracks over the panels.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 7 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#B5F987"|05. [[Bowser Jr.'s Robot Reactor]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×2 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#B5F987"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bowser Jr.'s Robot Reactor (Megaleg's Moon).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-StarGrand}} [[Megaleg's Moon]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A metal sphere with [[Bill Blaster]]s and an artificial moon orbiting an earth-like planet. [[Bowser Jr.]]'s robot, [[Megaleg]], is on the moon.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 8 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#B5F987|{{icon|SMG-LumaH}} [[Sweet Sweet Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×3
!colspan=2 style="background:#B5F987"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Sweet Sweet Galaxy (Rocky Road).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Rocky Road (mission)|Rocky Road]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|An athletic course made of cakes, cookies, and other sweets. It has long stretches of continuously moving platforms with shapes cut out of them.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': complete "Trouble on the Tower" and feed the Hungry Luma 400 Star Bits
|-
|colspan=3 style="background:#5AB0F7;--darkbg:#400"|[[File:SMG Fountain Dome Model.png|25px]] '''{{color link|white|Fountain|The Fountain}}'''
|-
!style="background:#8FC9F9"|06. [[Space Junk Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×16 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#8FC9F9"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Space Junk Galaxy (Pull Star Path).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Pull Star Path]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Kamella's Airship Attack]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Tarantox's Tangled Web]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometS}} [[Pull Star Path Speed Run]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Purple Coin Spacewalk]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Yoshi's Unexpected Appearance]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A stretch of rocks and space debris. Large portions of the galaxy are navigated via [[Pull Star]]s and [[Sling Pod]]s. A [[Tarantox|giant spider]] lives here and traps members of the [[Toad Brigade]] in its web.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': collect 9 Power Stars and complete "Megaleg's Moon"
|-
!style="background:#8FC9F9"|07. [[Rolling Green Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×4
!colspan=2 style="background:#8FC9F9"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Rolling Green End Overview.png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Rolling in the Clouds]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Flat, grassy planets arranged like a golf course. They can only be navigated by riding the [[Star Ball|Rolling Ball]]. Most planets have flowerbeds and groups of [[Goomba]]s.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 11 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#8FC9F9"|08. [[Battlerock Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×7 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×11 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#8FC9F9"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=4 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Battlerock Overview.png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Battlerock Barrage]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Breaking into the Battlerock]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Topmaniac and the Topman Tribe]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometD}} [[Topmaniac's Daredevil Run]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Purple Coins on the Battlerock]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Battlerock's Garbage Dump]]
|-
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-MissionG}} [[Luigi under the Saucer]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A battle facility equipped with electric traps and artilleries. [[Cannon]]s and Bill Blasters line the Battlerock and start firing when Mario is in close proximity. The galaxy introduces the [[Topman Tribe]].<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 12 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#8FC9F9"|09. [[Hurry-Scurry Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#8FC9F9"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Hurry-Scurry Galaxy (Shrinking Satellite).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Shrinking Satellite]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center |[[Shrinking platform]]s arranged into a {{wp|rhombicuboctahedron}}. A black hole is at the center of the planet. [[Note]]s cover the tiles. Collecting each one causes the black hole to disappear.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 18 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#8FC9F9"|10. [[Bowser's Star Reactor]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×4 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#8FC9F9"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bowser's Star Reactor (The Fiery Stronghold).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-StarGrand}} [[The Fiery Stronghold]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A stone fortress orbiting a giant sun. It features a twisting path and [[gravity field]]s. [[Fire Bar]]s and [[Thwomp]]s obstruct the path. It feeds into a big staircase leading to [[Bowser]].<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 15 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#8FC9F9|{{icon|SMG-LumaH}} [[Sling Pod Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#8FC9F9"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Sling Pod Galaxy (A Sticky Situation).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[A Very Sticky Situation]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A cluster of Fire Bars, [[Space Mine]]s, and cannons above a black hole. The galaxy is only traversable with Sling Pods.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': complete "Tarantox's Tangled Web" and feed the Hungry Luma 400 Star Bits
|-
|colspan=3 style="background:#DFD50B;--darkbg:#400"|[[File:SMG Kitchen Dome Model.png|25px]] '''{{color link|white|Kitchen (Super Mario Galaxy)|The Kitchen}}'''
|-
!style="background:#F7F05F"|11. [[Beach Bowl Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×3
!colspan=2 style="background:#F7F05F"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Beach Bowl Galaxy Heavenly Beach Planet.png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Sunken Treasure]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Passing the Swim Test]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[The Secret Undersea Cavern]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometF}} [[Fast Foes on the Cyclone Stone]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Beachcombing for Purple Coins]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Wall Jumping up Waterfalls]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A beach galaxy inhabited by penguins. Its largest planet is a hemisphere filled with [[water]]. The second is an obstacle course with Thwomps and [[Tox Box]]es. A third, secret planet has waterfalls and [[Cataquack]]s.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': collect 16 Power Stars and complete "The Fiery Stronghold"
|-
!style="background:#F7F05F"|12. [[Bubble Breeze Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#F7F05F"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Bubble Breeze Aerial 1.png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Through the Poison Swamp]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|One giant planet covered in toxic sludge. Areas are separated by stone columns. It can only be navigated in a [[bubble]]. Space Mines and rotating objects within the areas can pop the bubble.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 19 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#F7F05F"|13. [[Ghostly Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×12 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#F7F05F"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Ghostly Galaxy (Beware of Bouldergeist).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Luigi and the Haunted Mansion]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[A Very Spooky Sprint]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Beware of Bouldergeist]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometD}} [[Bouldergeist's Daredevil Run]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Purple Coins in the Bone Pen]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Matter Splatter Mansion]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center| Decrepit planets orbiting a dimly-lit sun. [[Luigi]] is held captive in the largest planet, a [[Ghost House|haunted mansion]]. The [[Bouldergeist|ghost]] that captured him lives in this galaxy.<ref name=geist>{{cite|quote=Luigi was kidnapped by the monster that lives here.|author=[[Captain Toad|Toad Brigade captain]] during "[[Beware of Bouldergeist]]"|title=''Super Mario Galaxy'' by [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD Tokyo]]|format=North American Localization|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=12 Nov. 2007|accessdate=02 Mar. 2021}}</ref><br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 20 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#F7F05F"|14. [[Buoy Base Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×2 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#F7F05F"|Missions
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Buoy Base Galaxy (The Floating Fortress).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[The Floating Fortress]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionG}} [[The Secret of Buoy Base]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Two planets filled with water. Its largest planet is a hemisphere with a fortress at its center. It is equipped with rotating platforms, [[Water Shooter]]s, and other hazards. The second is a sphere equipped with [[Ball Beamer]]s.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': collect 30 Power Stars and complete "Sunken Treasure"
|-
!style="background:#F7F05F"|15. [[Bowser Jr.'s Airship Armada]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×4 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#F7F05F"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bowser Jr.'s Airship Armada (Sinking the Airships).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-StarGrand}} [[Sinking the Airships]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Bowser's [[airship]] fleet. Airships must be boarded to navigate the fleet, each one carrying enemies. A [[lift]] brings Mario to Bowser Jr. A tiny planetoid can be visited that has a bouncy surface.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 23 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#F7F05F|{{icon|SMG-LumaH}} [[Drip Drop Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#F7F05F"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Drip Drop Galaxy (Giant Eel Outbreak).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Giant Eel Outbreak]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|An ocean planet where penguins swim. The birds are troubled by [[Gringill]]s. A sunken ship and damaged [[Starshroom]] rest at the bottom of the ocean.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': complete "Sunken Treasure" and feed the Hungry Luma 600 Star Bits
|-
|colspan=3 style="background:#9C4AD6;--darkbg:#400"|[[File:SMG Bedroom Dome Model.png|25px]] '''{{color link|white|Bedroom (Super Mario Galaxy)|The Bedroom}}'''
|-
!style="background:#CB9FE9"|16. [[Gusty Garden Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×20 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#CB9FE9"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Gusty Garden Galaxy (Bunnies in the Wind).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Bunnies in the Wind]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[The Dirty Tricks of Major Burrows]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Gusty Garden's Gravity Scramble]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometD}} [[Major Burrows's Daredevil Run]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Purple Coins on the Puzzle Cube]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[The Golden Chomp]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Flowery planets above a sea of clouds. [[Fluff (object)|Floaty Fluff]]s grow here: they can be used to travel on gusts of wind to reach other planets. [[Star Bunny|Star Bunnies]] live in this galaxy and grow flowers. They are chased by [[Undergrunt]]s.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': collect 24 Power Stars and complete "Sinking the Airships"
|-
!style="background:#CB9FE9"|17. [[Freezeflame Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×5 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#CB9FE9"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Freezeflame Galaxy (The Frozen Peak of Baron Brrr).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[The Frozen Peak of Baron Brrr]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Freezeflame's Blistering Core]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Hot and Cold Collide]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometC}} [[Frosty Cosmic Mario Race]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Purple Coins on the Summit]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Conquering the Summit]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A galaxy with cold and hot planets. The cold planet features Freezy Peak, a snowy mountain with [[freezing water]] at its base. The hot planet is a molten sphere split in half. Stone platforms enable traversal between the two halves.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 26 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#CB9FE9"|18. [[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×7 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×14
!colspan=2 style="background:#CB9FE9"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=4 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Dusty Dune Galaxy (Soaring on the Desert Winds).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Soaring on the Desert Winds]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Blasting through the Sand]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Sunbaked Sand Castle]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometS}} [[Sandblast Speed Run]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Purple Coins in the Desert]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Bullet Bill on Your Back]]
|-
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-MissionG}} [[Treasure of the Pyramid]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Sandy planets under a desert sun. Shifting and rising sand makes platforms move rapidly or sink underground. One planet is a floating pyramid that can be entered, and some are covered in [[quicksand]].<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 29 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#CB9FE9"|19. [[Honeyclimb Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×3
!colspan=2 style="background:#CB9FE9"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Honeyclimb Galaxy (Scaling the Sticky Wall).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Scaling the Sticky Wall]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Giant slabs of [[Honey wall|honeycombs]]. The [[Bee Mushroom]] appears here. [[Meteor]]s and Mandibugs appear as hazards.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 42 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#CB9FE9"|20. [[Bowser's Dark Matter Plant]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×5 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#CB9FE9"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bowser's Dark Matter Plant (Darkness on the Horizon).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-StarGrand}} [[Darkness on the Horizon]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A dark world containing a trap-filled obstacle course. It features gravity fields and concentrations of [[dark matter]]. Most of the course is on a two-dimensional plane. The course leads to Bowser.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 33 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#CB9FE9|{{icon|SMG-LumaH}} [[Bigmouth Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#CB9FE9"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bigmouth Galaxy (Bigmouth's Gold Bait).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Bigmouth's Gold Bait]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A giant stone fish orbiting a massive ocean planet. The belly of the fish contains two lakes, [[whirlpool]]s, beds of seaweed, and [[Boo]]s. [[Penguru]] comes here when he wants to be alone.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': complete "Soaring on the Desert Winds" and feed the Hungry Luma 800 Star Bits
|-
|colspan=3 style="background:#D24134;--darkbg:#400"|[[File:SMG Engine Room Dome Model.png|25px]] '''{{color link|white|Engine Room|The Engine Room}}'''
|-
!style="background:#DD7169"|21. [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#DD7169"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Gold Leaf Galaxy (Star Bunnies on the Hunt).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Star Bunnies on the Hunt]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Cataquack to the Skies]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[When It Rains, It Pours]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometC}} [[Cosmic Mario Forest Race]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Purple Coins in the Woods]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[The Bell on the Big Tree]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Wooded planets inhabited by Honeybees. Its largest planet mirrors the Honeyhive Kingdom. Cataquacks live on the surrounding wooden planets.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': collect 34 Power Stars and complete "Darkness on the Horizon"
|-
!style="background:#DD7169"|22. [[Sea Slide Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×3
!colspan=2 style="background:#DD7169"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Sea Slide Galaxy (The Silver Stars of Sea Slide).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Going after Guppy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Faster Than a Speeding Penguin]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[The Silver Stars of Sea Slide]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometC}} [[Underwater Cosmic Mario Race]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Purple Coins by the Seaside]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Hurry, He's Hungry]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|An ocean galaxy with penguins. Its largest planet is a cavernous sphere with a looping stretch of water feeding through it. There is a teardrop-shaped planet with tidal pools at the galaxy's center.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 36 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#DD7169"|23. [[Toy Time Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×14 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#DD7169"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Toy Time Galaxy (Mario Meets Mario).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Heavy Metal Mecha-Bowser]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Mario Meets Mario]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Bouncing Down Cake Lane]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometF}} [[Fast Foes of Toy Time]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Luigi's Purple Coins]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[The Flipswitch Chain]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A playroom galaxy. Its planets are shaped like wooden blocks, puzzle pieces, colored pencils, and model trains. Some areas resemble cakes and other sweets. The galaxy is maintained by [[Gearmo]]s, some of which are trapped within a [[Toy Time Galaxy#Mecha-Bowser|giant robot]].<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 40 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#DD7169"|24. [[Bonefin Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×2 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#DD7169"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Kingfin Planet Overview.png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Kingfin's Fearsome Waters]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A cavernous planet with conical mountains. Beneath its surface is an ocean with hydrothermal vents. The shark [[Kingfin]] swims here.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': collect 55 Power Stars and complete "Giant Eel Outbreak"
|-
!style="background:#DD7169"|25. [[Bowser Jr.'s Lava Reactor]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×3 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#DD7169"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bowser Jr.'s Lava Reactor (King Kaliente's Spicy Return).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-StarGrand}} [[King Kaliente's Spicy Return]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A [[lava]] planet that looks like a {{wp|red giant}}. Metal platforms dot the planet's surface. They sink into the lava when stepped on. King Kaliente is in the northern pole of the planet. A rocky planetoid orbits the lava planet.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 45 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#DD7169|{{icon|SMG-LumaH}} [[Sand Spiral Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×4
!colspan=2 style="background:#DD7169"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Sand Spiral Galaxy (Choosing a Favorite Snack).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Choosing a Favorite Snack]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A galaxy with several [[power-up]]s. Its biggest planet is a giant [[barrel]] filled with Boos and quicksand. A glowing moon orbited by rocky paths lies at the back of the barrel. Its starting planet is a damaged airship.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': complete "Luigi and the Haunted Mansion," "Faster Than a Speeding Penguin," and feed the Hungry Luma 1000 Star Bits
|-
|colspan=3 style="background:#FF93CD;--darkbg:#400"|[[File:SMG Garden Dome Model.png|25px]] '''{{color link|white|Garden (Super Mario Galaxy)|The Garden}}'''
|-
!style="background:#FFCDE8"|26. [[Deep Dark Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×3
!colspan=2 style="background:#FFCDE8"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Deep Dark Galaxy (The Underground Ghost Ship).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[The Underground Ghost Ship]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Bubble Blastoff]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Guppy and the Underground Lake]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometD}} [[Ghost Ship Daredevil Run]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Plunder the Purple Coins]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Boo in a Box]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A galaxy of strange planets. Its largest has a rocky beach with an underwater lake and a wrecked airship. Other planets include a replica of Gateway Galaxy and a hollow sphere containing a [[watermelon]].<br>'''Unlock criteria''': collect 46 Power Stars and complete "King Kaliente's Spicy Return"
|-
!style="background:#FFCDE8"|27. [[Dreadnought Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×15 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#FFCDE8"|Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Dreadnought Galaxy (Revenge of the Topman Tribe).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Infiltrating the Dreadnought]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Dreadnought's Colossal Cannons]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Revenge of the Topman Tribe]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometS}} [[Topman Tribe Speed Run]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Battlestation's Purple Coins]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Dreadnought's Garbage Dump]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Topman facilities. Its largest planet is a dreadnought equipped with cannons. Its interior contains gravity fields. A large landing strip mounted with [[Pulse Beam]]s and smaller planetoids surround the dreadnought.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 48 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#FFCDE8"|28. [[Matter Splatter Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×4
!colspan=2 style="background:#FFCDE8"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Matter Splatter Galaxy (Watch Your Step).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Watch Your Step (mission)|Watch Your Step]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Stone ruins within a dark void. The ruins materialize and become tangible when struck by bouncing droplets of matter. Contact is accompanied by a flash of green light.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': collect 50 Power Stars and complete "Heavy Metal Mecha-Bowser"
|-
!style="background:#FFCDE8"|29. [[Melty Molten Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×6 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×14 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#FFCDE8"| Missions
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Melty Molten Galaxy (The Sinking Lava Spire).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[The Sinking Lava Spire]]
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Through the Meteor Storm]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Fiery Dino Piranha]]
|{{icon|SMG-CometD}} [[Lava Spire Daredevil Run]]
|-
|{{icon|SMG-CometP}} [[Red-Hot Purple Coins]]
|{{icon|SMG-MissionS}} [[Burning Tide]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Several sun-like planets covered in lava. [[Lava burst|Plumes of lava]] travels between pools and suns at various sites. One planet has a sinking mountain called the Lava Spire, and another has a path for the Rolling Ball.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect 52 Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#FFCDE8|{{icon|SMG-LumaH}} [[Snow Cap Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#FFCDE8"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Snow Cap Starting Planet.png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Star Bunnies in the Snow]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A capsule-shaped planet covered in light [[snow]]. The snow can be removed with the [[Star Pointer]]. Star Bunnies live here. The starting area is a planetoid resembling a glass orb.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': complete "The Sinking Lava Spire" and feed the Hungry Luma 1600 Star Bits
|-
|colspan=3 style="background:#00D5B7;--darkbg:#400;color:white"|[[File:SMG Asset Model Comet Observatory.png|25px]] '''{{color link|white|Comet Observatory|The Comet Observatory}} and {{color link|white|Gate (Super Mario Galaxy)|the Gate}}'''
|-
!style="background:#97FFF0"|30. [[Gateway Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×2 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×4
!colspan=2 style="background:#97FFF0"|Missions
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Gateway Galaxy (Grand Star Rescue).png|x90px]]
|{{icon|SMG-StarGrand}} [[Grand Star Rescue]]
|{{icon|SMG-StarRed}} [[Gateway's Purple Coins]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|The first course of the game. Its starting planet is an ethereal sphere covered in flowers and small cottages. This sphere orbits [[Earth|Mario's homeworld]] and is frequented by [[Rosalina]]. A hollow planetoid and artificial planets covered with Goombas appear in "Grand Star Rescue."<br>'''Unlock criteria''': complete the prologue (first visit); complete "King Kaliente's Spicy Return" (revisit)
|-
!style="background:#97FFF0"|31. [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×10 {{icon|SMG-totalB}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#97FFF0"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bowser's Galaxy Reactor (The Fate of the Universe).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-StarGrand}} [[The Fate of the Universe]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Bowser's galaxy generator at the center of the universe. It contains a series of [[gravity]]-bending traps and a system of environmental planets: one covered in lava; one in ice; and one in quicksand. It orbits a large sun.<br>'''Unlock criteria''': collect 60 Power Stars and complete "Darkness on the Horizon"
|-
!style="background:#97FFF0|{{icon|SMG-LumaH}} [[Boo's Boneyard Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×2 
!colspan=2 style="background:#97FFF0"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Boo's Boneyard Galaxy (Racing the Spooky Speedster).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Racing the Spooky Speedster]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A skull-shaped planet in a starless sky. Its interior is a network of interconnected caverns navigated by the [[Spooky Speedster]].<br>'''Unlock criteria''': complete "Luigi and the Haunted Mansion," "Gateway's Purple Coins," and feed the Hungry Luma 1200 Star Bits
|-
|colspan=3 style="background:#84D660;--darkbg:#400"|[[File:SMG Asset Model Planet of Trials.png|25px]] '''{{color link|white|Planet of Trials}}'''
|-
!style="background:#C2EAB0"|[[Rolling Gizmo Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×4
!colspan=2 style="background:#C2EAB0"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Rolling Gizmo Galaxy (Gizmos, Gears, and Gadgets).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[Gizmos, Gears, and Gadgets]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|One of the [[Trial Galaxies]]. It is a Rolling Ball course similar to Rolling Green Galaxy, but it resembles a {{wp|Rube Goldberg machine}} with many shifting platforms.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect all 3 Green Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#C2EAB0"|[[Bubble Blast Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×2
!colspan=2 style="background:#C2EAB0"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bubble Blast Galaxy (The Electric Labyrinth).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[The Electric Labyrinth]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|Another Trial Galaxy, this one navigated via bubble. It is similar to Bubble Breeze Galaxy, but involves navigating a maze bordered by electric fields that destroy the bubble on impact.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect all 3 Green Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#C2EAB0"|[[Loopdeeswoop Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×6
!colspan=2 style="background:#C2EAB0"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Loopdeswoop Galaxy (The Galaxy's Greatest Wave).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[The Galaxy's Greatest Wave]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|A Trial Galaxy similar to Loopdeeloop Galaxy, where Ray is surfed along a watery course. This course has sharper turns, spikes, and twists that makes it more challenging than its predecessor in the Terrace.<br>'''Unlock criterion''': collect all 3 Green Power Stars
|-
!style="background:#C2EAB0"|[[Grand Finale Galaxy]]<br>{{icon|SMG-totalS}}×1 {{icon|SMG-totalP}}×1
!colspan=2 style="background:#C2EAB0"|Mission
|-
|align=center style="background:white"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Grand Finale Galaxy (The Star Festival).png|x90px]]
|colspan=2|{{icon|SMG-Mission}} [[The Star Festival]]
|-
|colspan=3 align=center|[[Princess Peach]]'s [[Castle Gardens]] in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. A small village of [[Toad (species)|Toad]]s and a large lake flank the road to the castle. The locals are in the midst of celebrating the [[Star Festival]].<br>'''Unlock criteria''': begin a new save file (first visit); collect 120 Power Stars as Luigi (revisit)
|-
|colspan=3 style="background:#E4E4E4; color:black"|'''Table information and legend''': Galaxies accessed from inside a dome are designated with a number that correlates with the galaxy's distance from its dome's origin. It roughly correlates with their order on the [[Star List]]. Galaxies accessed by feeding [[Hungry Luma]]s are not located within domes and are denoted with {{icon|SMG-LumaH}}. Trial Galaxies lack numerical designation because they are unlocked concurrently and can be accessed in any order. Three symbols convey attributes about each galaxy: {{icon|SMG-totalS}} denotes the total number of obtainable [[Power Star]]s; {{icon|SMG-totalP}} denotes the total number of reachable planets and/or areas; and {{icon|SMG-totalB}} denotes the number of boss battles. The name of each mission is accompanied by a star symbol indicating the type of mission it is and the type of Power Star obtained.
|}
</center>

===Prankster Comets===
{{main|Prankster Comet}}
Prankster Comets are objects that interfere with a galaxy by either altering its attributes or giving it a new one. All 30 of the [[Prankster Comet|Comet Star]]s are obtained by completing special missions in the robust galaxies, namely speed runs, in which the Power Star must be reached within a given time limit; "daredevil" runs, in which Mario is defeated if he takes a single hit; races against [[Cosmic Mario]]; and missions in which the speed of enemies and obstacles is doubled. These only appear after the corresponding normal mission (e.g. Ghostly Galaxy's "Beware of Bouldergeist") is completed, either immediately or at a later point in the game. In some cases, such as in Space Junk Galaxy, all normal missions within a galaxy must first be completed before a comet can appear. Prankster Comets appear and disappear every other time a mission is completed, meaning that if a mission is completed while a Prankster Comet is active, all Prankster Comets disappear until a second mission is beaten. There are two Prankster Comets in each of the 15 robust galaxies: one of the comet types just described, plus a [[Prankster Comet#Purple Comet|Purple Comet]] where [[Mario]] must collect 100 [[Purple Coin]]s. These comets only begin to appear after "The Fate of the Universe" is completed at least once. The location and selection of Prankster Comets that appear can be manipulated by feeding [[Comet Luma]] 20 [[Star Bit]]s.

===The Comet Observatory===
{{main|Comet Observatory}}
[[File:SMG Comet Observatory Bedroom Overview.png|x180px|thumb||right|The Comet Observatory as viewed from a circular platform by the Bedroom.]]
The Comet Observatory is the hub world of the game. It is a bridge between [[dome]]s and serves as a place for the player to rest in between missions.<ref name=geller/> It is a sprawling structure similar to a palace, with a tall central spire and ornamental architecture. These attributes visually make it reminiscent of [[Peach's Castle]], the hub of ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. The core of the observatory is a comet called the [[Beacon (Comet Observatory)|beacon]] that is fueled by [[Power Star]]s. The beacon is what allows the Comet Observatory to travel through space, but it remains in orbit around [[Earth|Mario's home planet]] throughout most of the game. The observatory has two extraplanetary satellites: the [[Planet of Trials]] and a grassy platform that holds the [[Gate (Super Mario Galaxy)|Gate]]. The platform is directly anchored to the observatory via [[Warp Pad]]s, unlike the Planet of Trials.

Including Gateway Galaxy, there are nine galaxies that can be directly accessed from the Comet Observatory, six of which come from the [[Hungry Luma]]s affiliated with each dome. Unlike the hub worlds of ''Super Mario Galaxy''{{'}}s predecessors, there are no hidden Power Stars directly found on the observatory, though accessing the Planet of Trials, entering the Gate, and the arrival of Hungry Lumas are framed similarly. Five [[1-Up Mushroom]]s are hidden in the observatory. Most of the observatory is obscured by darkness when Mario first arrives due to the abduction of its Power Stars, leaving the [[Terrace (Super Mario Galaxy)|Terrace]] as the only accessible room. As Mario collects Power Stars, energy is restored to the observatory and new areas become lit to convey that they are now accessible. Throughout the Comet Observatory are several Warp Pads, which can be used to quickly reach adjacent locations on the hub. A [[Red Star]] appears above the [[Bedroom (Super Mario Galaxy)|Bedroom]] once Mario completes "[[Gateway's Purple Coins]]." Touching it transforms him into [[Flying Mario]] and allows him to freely soar through the skies of the observatory. Mario cannot take damage while on the observatory and is safely returned to solid ground if he falls off its edge.

[[File:SMG Library Mario Cutscene.png|x100px|thumb||left|Frame from the introductory cutscene that plays when Mario enters the library after a new chapter has been unlocked.]]
The Comet Observatory is a nursery ground for [[Luma]]s, who are cared for by [[Rosalina]] as if they were her children. As light is restored to the observatory, more and more Lumas appear. The Comet Observatory was built by Rosalina during her childhood with an [[Baby Luma|apricot-colored Luma]]. Over time, as more Lumas arrived and needed care, she expanded its size. The Comet Observatory visits Mario's home world once every hundred years, which is celebrated in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] as the [[Star Festival]]. When the beacon is at its maximum size, Rosalina can make the observatory fold into the shape of a rocket ship and soar through space like a comet. The domes are framed as an extension of the observatory that provide a view of the cosmos. Each one is themed around rooms in a house, such as a bedroom, kitchen, and so on. There are two locations similar in concept that are not domes on the observatory: the [[Garage (Super Mario Galaxy)|garage]] and the [[Library (Super Mario Galaxy)|library]]. The garage is framed as an intergalactic repair shop that [[Starshroom|starships]] can dock to. This is where the [[Toad Brigade]] and [[Luigi]] establish themselves once "[[Bee Mario Takes Flight]]" and "[[Luigi and the Haunted Mansion]]," respectively, are completed.

The library is a closed off space behind the beacon that becomes accessible once "[[The Fiery Stronghold]]" is completed. Although it is entered like a dome, the library does not contain any galaxies or tangible incentives for visiting it, and as such, the player is never required to enter it. This is where Rosalina reads a [[Rosalina's Story|storybook]] to the Lumas. New chapters become available as Mario<ref name=luigi group=note/> collects more Power Stars. The book details her personal backstory, the history of the Comet Observatory, and provides insight into the past of the apricot-colored Luma that travels with Mario. This part of the game was created by [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]] and included at the discretion of [[Shigeru Miyamoto]].<ref name=kohler1/> While Miyamoto considers complex narrative elements to be extraneous for a ''Super Mario'' game, Koizumi believes they help the player foster an emotional resonance with the game that keeps them motivated.<ref>{{cite|author=Byford, Sam|url=www.theverge.com/2017/8/28/16213402/nintendo-yoshiaki-koizumi-super-mario-odyssey-interview-gamescom-2017|title=Nintendo's Yoshiaki Koizumi on Super Mario Odyssey and the Future of the Switch|publisher=The Verge|date=28 Aug. 2017|acessdate=6 Jan. 2024}}</ref> In his view, the optional storybook chapters do this without burdening disinterested players, as well as {{wp|Flavor text|contextualize}} the game's premise.<ref name=kohler1/> Rosalina's Story is noted for its heartfelt and melancholy elements.<ref name=geller/> The illustrations on the pages<ref name=ruben/> and narrative themes of the story have been likened to ''{{wp|The Little Prince}}''.<ref name=geller/><ref>{{cite|author=Beaumont, Peter|url=www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/01/little-prince-return-multimedia|title=Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince poised for a multimedia return to Earth|publisher=The Observer|date=31 Jul. 2010|accessdate=22 Dec. 2023}}</ref>

==Characters==
===Playable characters===
{|class="wikitable col2left" style="--bg1:white;--darkbg1:#444444;width:100%;text-align:center"
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!width=12%|Name
!Description
|-
|style="background:#f4a9ae"|[[File:SMG Asset Model Mario.png|90px]]<br>'''[[Mario]]'''
|style="background:#ffe4e1"|The game's protagonist. [[Princess Peach]] invites him to [[Peach's Castle|her castle]] to celebrate the [[Star Festival]], but the celebration is cut short when [[Bowser]] arrives and kidnaps her. After a failed rescue attempt, Mario winds up on a [[Gateway Galaxy#Starting_Planet|tiny planet]] far from [[Earth|home]]. It is here that he meets an [[Baby Luma|apricot-colored]] [[Luma]] and his caretaker - the mysterious [[Rosalina]]. With the Luma giving him the power to travel through space, Mario sets off to collect [[Power Star]]s, rescue Princess Peach, and stop Bowser from creating his galaxy at the [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor|center of the universe]].
|-
|style="background:#c0eabd"|[[File:SMG Asset Model Luigi (Playable).png|90px]]<br>'''[[Luigi]]'''
|style="background:#def3df"|Mario's younger twin brother. The player can replay the game as Luigi after they have collected 120 Power Stars and completed "[[The Fate of the Universe]]" as Mario. He can jump higher and run faster than Mario, but at the cost of poorer acceleration and traction. This causes Luigi to skid as he moves, thus increasing the risk of him falling off of a platform or colliding with an obstacle. In addition, the [[Spin Jump]]'s height difference between shaking the Wii Remote and Nunchuk is switched. He otherwise appears as a supporting character who goes on quests to locate Power Stars for his brother. He still fulfills this supporting role during Luigi's playthrough, leading to a situation where [[:File:SMG Screenshot Ghostly Galaxy (Luigi and the Haunted Mansion) as Luigi.jpg|there are two of them]]. Luigi can be quite cowardly and is afraid of ghosts.
|}

===Non-playable characters===
With the exception of Princess Peach, Toads, and penguins, all of the characters encountered by the player are completely new to the ''Super Mario'' franchise. Most characters are met within galaxies, although Rosalina, the Toad Brigade, and the Lumas are found on the [[Comet Observatory]]. In addition to the characters listed below, [[Yoshi]] has a [[Yoshi's Unexpected Appearance|cameo]] in [[Space Junk Galaxy]] and can be set as the [[:File:YoshiIcon-SMG.png|file select icon]] for the player's saved file. [[Mii]]s can also be set as the file select icon, marking their first appearance in a ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' game.

Some non-playable characters can be spoken to by pressing {{button|wii|A}} while in close proximity, but many will share a brief line of dialogue when Mario is near without prompting. These lines appear as text boxes above their heads and do not inhibit the player's movements. Almost all characters can be [[jump]]ed on or [[Spin|spun]], and will react accordingly. However, this does not harm them or change how they interact with Mario. Some characters, such as Toads, seem to enjoy being spun.
{|class="wikitable col2left" style="--bg1:white;--darkbg1:#444444;width:100%;text-align:center"
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!width=12%|Name
!Description 
!width=15%|Locations
|-
|[[File:SMG Luma.jpg|100x100px]]<br>[[Baby Luma|Apricot Luma]]
|Mario's traveling companion – a young Luma who resides under [[Mario Cap|his cap]]. He grants Mario<ref name=luigi group=note/> the ability to [[spin]] and travel through space. Before being kidnapped, Princess Peach intended to give this Luma to Mario as a gift during the Star Festival. It is [[Rosalina's Story|implied]] that he is a reincarnation of the first Luma that Rosalina ever encountered.
|All galaxies
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Peach.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Princess Peach]]
|The ruler of the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. She is kidnapped by [[Bowser]] on the night of the [[Star Festival]] and taken to the center of the universe, leading to Mario's quest to save her. She periodically sends letters of encouragement to Mario that contain five [[1-Up Mushroom]]s. She sends letters containing twenty 1-Up Mushrooms during Luigi's playthrough, but they specifically remain addressed to Mario. Rosalina refers to Peach as Mario's "[[Princess Peach#Friends and love interests|special one]]."
|[[Castle Gardens]], [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:Princess Rosalina Super Mario Galaxy.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Rosalina]]
|A mysterious woman who serves as the guardian of the cosmos. She travels through space in the [[Comet Observatory]], a vessel she built for the Lumas. It is abruptly stopped and stripped of its power source, the [[Power Star]]s, by Bowser, leaving it stranded in space. When she meets Mario, they make an arrangement where he will collect Power Stars to restore power to the observatory. In exchange, Rosalina will help him stop Bowser and rescue Princess Peach. Her past is revealed to the player via [[Rosalina's Story]] as they accumulate Power Stars. The Lumas recognize Rosalina as their mother, who in turn sees them as her family.
|[[Comet Observatory]], [[Gateway Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Yellow Luma Alt Artwork.png|x100px]]<br>[[Luma]]s
|Star children that make their home in the Comet Observatory. Lumas appear in some galaxies to aid Mario, typically by transforming into [[Launch Star]]s, [[Sling Star]]s, and [[Pull Star]]s. Lumas become {{wp|Astronomical object|celestial bodies}} when they grow up, and which ones they become is dependent on their [[Luma#Color variations|color]]. Lumas eat [[Star Bit]]s and squeal with delight when fed via the [[Star Pointer]].
|[[Comet Observatory]], [[Good Egg Galaxy]], [[Battlerock Galaxy]], [[Bowser's Star Reactor]], [[Bowser Jr.'s Airship Armada]], [[Bowser's Dark Matter Plant]], [[Gateway Galaxy]], [[Dreadnought Galaxy]], [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Polari.jpg|100x100px]]<br>[[Polari]]
|An elderly Luma who serves as Rosalina's advisor. He appears within each dome of the observatory and grants access to the map when prompted. He teaches the player how to use the Star Pointer.
|[[Comet Observatory]]
|-
|[[File:HungryLuma.png|x100px]]<br>[[Hungry Luma]]s
|Big Lumas. The ones on the Comet Observatory transform into galaxies when fed a specified number of [[Star Bit]]s. When encountered in [[dome]] galaxies, they transform into planets. Visiting them triggers a hidden mission.
|[[Comet Observatory]], [[Good Egg Galaxy]], [[Space Junk Galaxy]], [[Battlerock Galaxy]], [[Dusty Dune Galaxy]], [[Sea Slide Galaxy]], [[Toy Time Galaxy]], [[Melty Molten Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:Lumalee.png|x100px]]<br>[[Lumalee]]s
|Big Lumas that run Luma Shops. One typically proceeds a boss encounter and transforms into a [[mushroom]] of choice in exchange for thirty Star Bits.
|[[Battlerock Galaxy]], [[Ghostly Galaxy]], [[Bowser Jr.'s Airship Armada]], [[Melty Molten Galaxy]], [[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Comet Tico.png|x100px]]<br>[[Comet Luma]]<br>{{derived}}
|A Hungry Luma that is knowledgeable about [[Prankster Comet]]s. It provides details on these comets to the player when prompted. Alternatively, it can shift where a Prankster Comet appears in exchange for twenty Star Bits.
|[[Comet Observatory]]
|-
|[[File:Super Mario Galaxy Toad Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Toad (species)|Toads]]
|Denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom. They are mushroom people that come in a variety of colors. Toads are celebrating the [[Star Festival]] when Peach is abducted. [[:File:SMG Asset Texture Prologue 04.png|Pink-capped Toads in red dresses]] appear in the prologue that look like [[Toadette]].
|[[Castle Gardens]], [[Grand Finale Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:LuigiRosalinaSMG.png|x100px]]<br>[[Toad Brigade|The Toad Brigade]]
|A five-member team of Toads looking for Princess Peach. They travel through space in search of Power Stars aboard their [[Starshroom]]s, mushroom-shaped starships built for them by the Lumas. Outside of the red-capped leader and purple-capped mail carrier, the brigade contains three other Toads: [[Hint Toad|a knowledgeable blue Toad]] who typically provides information on an area of interest; [[Banktoad|a green Toad]] who carries a pickaxe and constructs [[cannon]]s for Mario; and [[Yellow Toad (Toad Brigade)|a sleepy yellow Toad]].
|[[Comet Observatory]], [[Honeyhive Galaxy]], [[Sweet Sweet Galaxy]], [[Space Junk Galaxy]], [[Hurry-Scurry Galaxy]], [[Bubble Breeze Galaxy]], [[Ghostly Galaxy]], [[Bowser Jr.'s Airship Armada]], [[Freezeflame Galaxy]], [[Dusty Dune Galaxy]], [[Bigmouth Galaxy]], [[Sea Slide Galaxy]], [[Toy Time Galaxy]], [[Sand Spiral Galaxy]], [[Deep Dark Galaxy]], [[Grand Finale Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Toad Brigade (Captain Toad).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Captain Toad|Toad Brigade captain]]
|The captain of the Toad Brigade. This red Toad self-designated himself as the brigade captain and typically sends his teammates into dangerous situations without his direct involvement. According to the blue Toad, the captain is the most cowardly member of the team.
|All galaxies that feature the Toad Brigade
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Toad Brigade (Mailtoad).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Mailtoad]]
|A member of the Toad Brigade who runs a postal service for Mario on the Comet Observatory, delivering mail from Princess Peach or Luigi. He also periodically sends his own letters to the player through the [[Wii#Wii Message Board|Wii Message Board]]. When out on missions with the brigade, the Mailtoad is not carrying his satchel and sometimes wears a snorkel.
|All galaxies that feature the Toad Brigade
|-
|[[File:SMG Star Bunny Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Star Bunny|Star Bunnies]]
|Spacefaring [[rabbit]]s that like to play and typically award Mario a Power Star for catching them. The Star Bunnies of [[Gusty Garden Galaxy]] like to garden and are hunted by [[Undergrunt]]s. Some Star Bunnies are Lumas in disguise. Unlike them, the real rabbits often end their sentences with "boiyoing" or wear vests.
|[[Gateway Galaxy]], [[Bowser Jr.'s Airship Armada]], [[Gusty Garden Galaxy]], [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]], [[Snow Cap Galaxy]], [[Grand Finale Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:Bee Artwork - Super Mario Galaxy.png|x100px]]<br>[[Honeybee]]s
|[[Bee]] people that collect [[honey]] and teach Mario how to use his [[Bee Mario|Bee form]]. Most Honeybees are members of the [[Honeyhive Galaxy|Honeyhive Kingdom]] and are in the midst of a dispute with [[Mandibug]]s. The bees of [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]] keep [[Cataquack]]s as pets.
|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]], [[Sea Slide Galaxy]], [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]], [[Grand Finale Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:QueenBee.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Honey Queen|Queen Bee]]
|The ruler of the Honeyhive Kingdom. She has a large body that can be clung to by the player while in their Bee form. When she meets Mario for the first time, she mistakes him for a physician and asks him to take care of an "[[Star Chip|itchiness]]" for her.
|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Board.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Boards (characters)|Boards]]
|Talking boards that explain unique mechanics to Mario, with each board covering a different topic: Gil Board teaches Mario how to [[Wall Jump]]; Bill Board teaches him how to use the [[Star Ball|Rolling Ball]]; Phil Board teaches him how to use the [[Bubble]]; and Jill Board reminds him how to use his [[Boo Mario|Boo form]].
|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]], [[Rolling Green Galaxy]], [[Bubble Breeze Galaxy]], [[Gusty Garden Galaxy]], [[Melty Molten Galaxy]], [[Boo's Boneyard Galaxy]], [[Rolling Gizmo Galaxy]], [[Bubble Blast Galaxy]], [[Grand Finale Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:RaySMG.png|x75px]]<br>[[Ray]]
|The [[Manta|manta ray]] that Mario surfs on during [[ray surfing]]. Safely reaching the finish line within a specified time limit awards Mario with a Power Star.
|[[Loopdeeloop Galaxy]], [[Loopdeeswoop Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Penguin Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Penguin]]s
|Flightless birds who love to swim. Some penguins share swimming techniques with Mario when prompted, while others try to play with him. Most penguins are young and slightly shorter than Mario, while the two adult penguins, Coach and Penguru, tower over him. The penguin in [[Freezeflame Galaxy]] calls Mario an "old man" and challenges him to a race.
|[[Loopdeeloop Galaxy]], [[Beach Bowl Galaxy]], [[Buoy Base Galaxy]], [[Drip Drop Galaxy]], [[Freezeflame Galaxy]], [[Sea Slide Galaxy]], [[Loopdeeswoop Galaxy]], [[Grand Finale Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Coach Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Coach (Super Mario Galaxy)|Coach]]
|A big penguin who has a paternal disposition and teaches the young penguins how to swim. Coach is the host of the ray surfing minigame and gives Mario a tutorial on how to move Ray.
|[[Loopdeeloop Galaxy]], [[Beach Bowl Galaxy]], [[Loopdeeswoop Galaxy]], [[Grand Finale Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:Penguru SMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Penguru]]
|An elderly penguin who likes to fish. While he oversees young penguins, he prefers spending time by himself.
|[[Drip Drop Galaxy]], [[Bigmouth Galaxy]], [[Sea Slide Galaxy]], [[Grand Finale Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Penguin Racer (Captain).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Penguin Racers]]
|A four-member swimming team. While most penguins are blue, each member of this team is a different color. Mario can compete with them when he talks to the red-colored leader. This penguin awards Mario a Power Star for outswimming them.
|[[Sea Slide Galaxy]], [[Grand Finale Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:Gearmo Artwork - Super Mario Galaxy 2.png|x100px]]<br>[[Gearmo]]s
|Maintenance robots. Gearmos can be found upkeeping battle stations affiliated with the [[Topman Tribe]], but they themselves are not enemies. The Gearmos of [[Toy Time Galaxy]] teach the player how to use their [[Spring Mario|Spring form]]. An overworked Gearmo hosts [[Bob-omb Blasting]], while another helps maintain the Comet Observatory's [[Engine Room]]. One Gearmo in [[Battlerock Galaxy]] refers to herself as an "iron old lady."
|[[Comet Observatory]], [[Battlerock Galaxy]], [[Buoy Base Galaxy]], [[Toy Time Galaxy]], [[Dreadnought Galaxy]], [[Grand Finale Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Big Green Caterpillar.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Worm (Super Mario Galaxy)|Worm]]
|A giant caterpillar with its own [[Gravity|gravitational pull]] that enables Mario to walk along its body. It lives inside one of the [[:File:Apple planets.png|apple-shaped planets]] in Gusty Garden Galaxy, where [[Ground Pound]]ing a [[stump]] forces the worm to the surface and tunnel into the next nearest planet. This creates a permanent bridge between them.
|[[Gusty Garden Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Spooky Speedster Artwork.png|x100px]]<br>[[Spooky Speedster]]
|An [[Big Boo|Atomic Boo]] who challenges Mario to a race when prompted. He begrudgingly gives Mario a Power Star if he reaches the finish line before him. When Mario races him in "[[A Very Spooky Sprint]]," he must use [[Pull Star]]s to reach the goal. In "[[Racing the Spooky Speedster]]," he is in his [[Boo Mario|Boo form]].
|[[Ghostly Galaxy]], [[Boo's Boneyard Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:GuppySMG.png|x75px]]<br>[[Guppy]]
|An {{wp|orca}} who bullies the Penguin Racers. He only relents if Mario can complete his [[Going after Guppy|eight-ring swim challenge]], as well as award him a Power Star. Unlike most other characters, Guppy cannot be jumped on and knocks Mario back if touched, although this does not cause damage.
|[[Sea Slide Galaxy]], [[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Cosmic Mario Model.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Cosmic Mario]]
|An entity that resembles Mario and mirrors his abilities. He challenges him to a footrace to a Power Star when a [[Prankster Comet#Cosmic Comet|Cosmic Comet]] is in orbit during Mario's playthrough. Making contact with Cosmic Mario during the race makes him release Star Bits.
|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]], [[Freezeflame Galaxy]], [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]], [[Sea Slide Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Cosmic Luigi Model.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Cosmic Mario|Cosmic Luigi]]
|An entity that resembles Luigi. Like Cosmic Mario, he only appears when a Cosmic Comet is in orbit during Luigi's playthrough. Unlike Cosmic Mario, Cosmic Luigi makes more frequent use of shortcuts and [[Long Jump]]s, making him a more challenging opponent.
|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]], [[Freezeflame Galaxy]], [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]], [[Sea Slide Galaxy]]
|}

==Enemies and obstacles==
===Enemies===
Roughly ninety enemies are in ''Super Mario Galaxy''. Most enemies drop [[coin]]s if [[stomp]]ed on or [[Star Bit]]s if spun into. If an enemy actively tracks [[Mario]],<ref name=luigi group=note/> it will usually stop moving for a moment after successfully causing damage, allowing the player time to recover before responding. Some enemies, such as Piranha Plants, laugh at Mario when they successfully land a hit.

About fifty of the enemies and varieties in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are wholly new to the series. Some of them are incorporated into subsequent ''Super Mario'' games or have inspired staple elements. Notable groups include: octopus enemies that spit rocks; spinning top-like enemies; and stationary beamers that discharge rings of electricity. Some of the new enemies are derivative of creatures that appeared in earlier ''Super Mario'' games in both design and behavior, such as Goombeetles and Pumpkinhead Goombas being Goombas with respective [[Buzzy Beetle]]-like helmets and jack-o'-lantern helmets, Bomb Boos being explosive Boos unbothered by being stared at, and Spiny Piranha Plants being hefty, thorned versions of the normal Piranha Plants. Many new enemies also appear as extraterrestrial counterparts to previously established enemies, such as Electrogoombas resembling alien versions of Goombas, Monty and Undergrunt being similar to [[Rocky Wrench]] and [[Monty Mole]], respectively, and Gringill being similar to [[Maw-Ray|Unagi]]. Some of them even resemble recurring enemies in ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda (series)|The Legend of Zelda}}'' series, such as bats (which resemble [[Keese]]) and the octopus enemies (which resemble [[Crossovers with The Legend of Zelda#Octoroks|Octorok]]s). The Japanese name for Rocto directly derives from "Octorok." In addition, most of the new "alien" enemies are highly incorporated into certain settings and environments; for example, Topmen and Beamers are mainly found in highly militarized locations like the [[Battlerock Galaxy]] and the [[Dreadnought Galaxy]], Slurples and [[Flipbug]]s are found almost exclusively in grassy, natural locations like the [[Honeyhive Galaxy]] and [[Gusty Garden Galaxy]] galaxies, while the Jammyfish and Jam-o'-War are only found in dark, abyssal waters.

''Super Mario Galaxy'' makes use of the ''Super Mario'' series' back catalog of enemies. This game represents the first instance that some of these enemies were ever integrated into a 3D platformer. There are enemies in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' that, with the exception of rereleases or remakes, never appeared outside of their debut titles. The enemies that are incorporated contrast greatly with the ones in the [[Super Mario Sunshine#Enemies and obstacles|previous 3D ''Super Mario'' game]], a title that made a conservative use of past enemies and introduced ones that largely never appeared again. Some of the returning enemies from previous games are different from before in minor or major ways, such as Micro-Goombas being almost as big as normal [[Goomba]]s with a more rounded body shape, chainless Chomps that act like [[boulder]]s, Urchins rolling along the seafloor rather than swimming freely, Spiny Cheep Cheeps as balloon-like porcupinefish, and Mecha-Bowsers being much more bulky and able to breath fire.

Sorting the "galaxy" columns organizes them by occurrence in-game, not alphabetically.
{|class="wikitable col2left sortable" style="--bg1:white;--darkbg1:#444444;width:100%;text-align:center"
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!rowspan=2 width=10%|Name
!rowspan=2 class=unsortable|Description
!colspan=2 class=unsortable|Galaxies
!rowspan=2 class=unsortable|Spoils
!rowspan=2|New
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!width=6%|First
!width=6%|Last
|-
|data-sort-value=Mic|[[File:SMG Micro Goomba.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Mini Goomba|Micro Goomba]]
|Little Goombas. Like normal-sized ones, they charge towards Mario. They are defeated when spun.
|data-sort-value=00|[[Gateway Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=38|[[Rolling Gizmo Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Gooa|[[File:SMG Goomba Model.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Goomba]]
|Squat mushroom creatures that chase Mario when he is in their line of sight. A Goomba is defeated when stomped. Spinning or shooting one with a Star Bit knocks it over and makes it spin like a top, leaving it vulnerable to being kicked.
|data-sort-value=00|[[Gateway Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=38|[[Rolling Gizmo Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3<br>{{icon|SMG-Key}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Gra|[[File:SMG Goomba Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Mega Goomba|Grand Goomba]]
|A giant Goomba. It is defeated only when spun and kicked. Only one Grand Goomba appears in the whole game.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=00|[[Gateway Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Key}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Pum|[[File:PumpkinheadGoomba.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Jack O'Goomba|Pumpkinhead Goomba]]
|Slow-moving Goombas with [[Pumpkin|jack-o'-lanterns]] covering their heads. A Pumpkinhead Goomba sometimes drops a blue flame behind it that burns Mario on contact. [[Ground Pound]]ing one defeats it. Spinning one breaks the pumpkin and reverts it into a normal Goomba.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=15|[[Ghostly Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Gooe|[[File:SMG Goombeetle Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Goombeetle]]
|Helmeted Goombas that cannot be stomped. Spinning one flips it upside down, exposing its vulnerable underside.
|data-sort-value=05|[[Bowser Jr.'s Robot Reactor]]
|data-sort-value=32|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=E|[[File:Electrogoomba.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Octoomba|Electrogoomba]]
|Goomba-like octopus enemies. An Electrogoomba shuffles side to side along a set path and keeps its eyes locked onto Mario when he is near. When in close proximity, it attempts to strike him with the hair-like appendage on its head. Electrogoombas are defeated when stomped or spun.
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=27|[[Toy Time Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Roc|[[File:SMG Octopus Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Rocto]]
|Big octopuses that sit in [[barrel]]s. Roctos spit [[coconut]]s<ref name=fruit group=note>Any mentioning of coconuts is equally applicable to [[watermelon]]s, which replace all coconuts if the player accumulates 9999 [[Star Bit]]s.</ref> and flaming rocks at Mario. The coconuts can be ricocheted back with a well-timed spin. This is the only way to defeat a Rocto.
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=32|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|None
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Oct|[[File:Octoguysmg.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Octoguy]]
|Red octopuses that spit rocks. Octoguys shuffle backward from Mario when approached and only stop to attack Mario. One is defeated when stomped or spun. They usually occur in groups.
|data-sort-value=02|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Slu|[[File:SMG Slurple Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Slurple]]
|Leech-like octopuses. They latch onto Mario and gradually deplete his life meter. Spinning defeats them.
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=26|[[Sea Slide Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Rub|[[File:SMG Asset Model Boulder.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Boulder|Ruby Rock]]
|Boulders with red gems in their center. Ruby Rocks roll around in circles or off the sides of platforms, damaging Mario on contact. Spinning into the gem of one breaks it. There are caves that indefinitely release Ruby Rocks in several galaxies.
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=34|[[Melty Molten Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×7
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Pir|[[File:SMG Piranha Plant Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Piranha Plant]]
|Carnivorous plants that try to bite Mario when near and laugh if they land a hit. They idly hold their heads skyward like normal flowers until they are approached. Piranha Plants are defeated when stomped or spun, and stunned when struck by a Star Bit. Defeating a Piranha Plant sometimes causes a Sproutle Vine to erupt from the ground.
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=25|[[Gold Leaf Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3<br>{{icon|SMG-Vine}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=SpiP|[[File:Spiny Piranha Plant Galaxy.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Spiny Piranha Plant]]
|Large Piranha Plants that slam their heads into the ground. Spinning one stuns it and leaves it vulnerable to being stomped.
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=19|[[Gusty Garden Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×7<br>{{icon|SMG-Vine}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Tra|[[File:SMG Asset Model Petapeta.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Tracks (enemy)|Tracks]]
|Invisible purse-like creatures. Tracks are only visible when the stop moving. They are otherwise only perceptible by tracking their footsteps. Defeating one awards Mario with a large number of Star Bits.
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=00|[[Gateway Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×20
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Pokeyn|[[File:SMG Big Pokey Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Big Pokey|Pokeynut]]
|Giant [[Pokey]]s. A Pokeynut slam its body forward to strike Mario. It falls apart when struck by a coconut<ref name=fruit group=note/>, causing its head to fall and become embedded in the surrounding sand. Stomping the head defeats it.
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=21|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-StarL}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Pokeyp|[[File:SMG Pokey.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Pokeyplant]]
|A red Pokey. It shimmies away from Mario while attempting to slam him. The Pokeyplant can be defeated by destroying each of its body segments, or by stomping on its head from above. If reduced to just a head, it attempts to flee the area.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=21|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×7
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Pokey|[[File:SMG Asset Model Pokey Head.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Pokey Head]]
|Green Pokeys. They are buried with only their flowers visible. When approached by Mario, they burst out of the ground and start hopping towards him. A Pokey Head bounces in place if it successfully strikes Mario. They are defeated when stomped or spun.
|data-sort-value=19|[[Gusty Garden Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=21|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Cho|[[File:SMG Asset Model Chomp.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Chain Chomp|Chomp]]
|Rolling metal enemies. They bark when in close proximity. Chomps are defeated only when struck by [[Rainbow Mario]].
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=15|[[Ghostly Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×7
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Gol|[[File:GoldChompSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Gold Chomp|Golden Chomp]]
|A Chomp made of gold. It is destroyed by Mario only if he collides with it in his Rainbow form.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=19|[[Gusty Garden Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Star}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Min|[[File:SMG Asset Model Mini Wanwan.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Small Chomp|Mini Chomp]]
|Little Chomps that roll out of [[Chomp box|doghouses]]. Mini Chomps are destroyed only when all nearby [[Flipswitch Panel]]s are activated.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=32|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Bul|[[File:SMG Bullet Bill.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bullet Bill]]
|Missiles fired from [[Bill Blaster]]s. Bullet Bills directly target Mario when he is within their proximity. Mario can lure Bullet Bills towards cages and fences to break them. Their eyes flash red and their bodies twirl when they lock onto Mario.
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=39|[[Bubble Blast Galaxy]]
|None
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Ban|[[File:BanzaiBillSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bomber Bill|Banzai Bill]]
|Slow-moving missiles. Their line of trajectory is fixed in one direction, and they slowly rotate as they move.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=37|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|None
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Tor|[[File:SMG Asset Model Torpedo Ted.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Torpedo Ted]]
|Underwater missiles. Their eyes flash red and they home in on Mario when he is in close proximity. They can be lured towards cages to break them.
|data-sort-value=16|[[Buoy Base Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=18|[[Drip Drop Galaxy]]
|None
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Lav|[[File:SMG Asset Model Lava Bubble.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Lava Bubble]]
|Floating drops of lava. Lava Bubbles appear during the battle with [[King Kaliente]].  Shooting one with a Star Bit defeats it. They otherwise burnout and disappear on their own.
|data-sort-value=01|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=34|[[Melty Molten Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Fli|[[File:Flipbug.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Flipbug]]
|Insect enemies that dislike bees. Flipbugs attempt to flee from Mario when he is near, ultimately tiring out and collapsing upside-down on the ground. If spotted in his [[Bee Mario|Bee form]], they chase him.
|data-sort-value=02|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=25|[[Gold Leaf Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Man|[[File:Mandibug.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Mandibug]]
|Big {{wp|stag beetle}} enemies. Mandibugs charge at Mario after making visual contact, snapping their jaws. They are defeated when Ground Pounded. One trembles if Mario stands on its back, but eventually shakes him off.
|data-sort-value=02|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=25|[[Gold Leaf Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Wi|[[File:SMG2 Wiggler Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Wiggler]]
|Caterpillars that walk around in circles. Performing a Ground Pound on nearby earth or directly spinning a Wiggler flips it onto its back. If it is not defeated within five seconds, it becomes angry and uprights itself. An enraged Wiggler is faster and cannot be harmed. It calms down after a few seconds. Ground Pounding a Wiggler defeats it in a single blow.
|data-sort-value=02|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=25|[[Gold Leaf Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×7
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Wa|[[File:Watershooter.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Water Shooter]]
|Mounted nozzles that shoot [[Water Ball]]s over great distances. A ball traps Mario if he is within its trajectory and carries him with it. He is freed if he spins.
|data-sort-value=02|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=30|[[Sand Spiral Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Fir|[[File:Firearc.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Fire Shooter]]
|Mounted flamethrowers that shoot streams of fire. The flames recede in set intervals that can be timed.
|data-sort-value=11|[[Bowser's Star Reactor]]
|data-sort-value=39|[[Bubble Blast Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=SpringV|[[File:Sentry Beam.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Spring Vault]]
|Topman-like beamers. Jumping on one's head launches Mario high into the air.
|data-sort-value=04|[[Flipswitch Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=32|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|None
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Sen|[[File:SMG Sentry Garage model.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Sentry Garage]]
|A Spring Vault that expels Topminis. Its head bounces Mario into the air.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=16|[[Buoy Base Galaxy]]
|None
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Spo|[[File:SpoingSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Spoing]]
|Spiders that hop up and down. A Spoing is stunned when shot by a Star Bit. It is defeated when stomped. Spoings stop to laugh if they strike Mario.
|data-sort-value=07|[[Space Junk Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=15|[[Ghostly Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Spa|[[File:SMG Sprangler.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Spangler]]
|Spiders hanging from silk. Spanglers sway back and forth to strike Mario. Spinning one stuns it. It otherwise can be stomped.
|data-sort-value=15|[[Ghostly Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=26|[[Sea Slide Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Z|[[File:SMG Asset Model Big Amp.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Zap Ball]]
|Large, faceless Amps that travel in circles and damage Mario on contact. Zap Balls typically occur in pairs.
|data-sort-value=07|[[Space Junk Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=27|[[Toy Time Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Amp|[[File:AmpSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Amp]]
|Smiling, electrical orbs. They typically travel in circular patterns.
|data-sort-value=16|[[Buoy Base Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=39|[[Bubble Blast Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Mag|[[File:Magikoopa Artwork - Super Mario Galaxy.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Magikoopa]]
|Robed [[Koopa (species)|Koopa]]s that teleport. Magikoopas toss magical fireballs at Mario with their wand, which they also use to block shot Star Bits. The Magikoopa in one of the opening cutscenes is localized into English as "[[Kamek]]."
|data-sort-value=07|[[Space Junk Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=30|[[Sand Spiral Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=KooG|[[File:SMG Koopa Troopa Models.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Koopa Troopa]] (Green)
|Green-shelled turtles. Koopa Troopas walk back and forth in straight lines. One retreats into its shell when stomped, allowing Mario to pick it up.
|data-sort-value=07|[[Space Junk Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=24|[[Bigmouth Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-ShellG}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=KooR|[[File:SMG Asset Model Koopa Troopa (Red).png|100x100px]]<br>Koopa Troopa (Red)
|A red-shelled Koopa Troopa that walks around in a circle. Jumping on it gives Mario access to a Red Shell.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=26|[[Sea Slide Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-ShellR}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=D|[[File:SMG Dry Bones Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Dry Bones]]
|Undead Koopa Troopas. Dry Bones chase down and tackle Mario on sight. If one is stomped, spun, or hit with a shell, it crumbles into a pile of bones, but reassembles after a few seconds. There are three ways to truly defeat a Dry Bones: by luring a Bullet Bill into it, by running into it as Rainbow Mario; or by luring it into [[quicksand]].
|data-sort-value=21|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=37|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Top|[[File:Topmini.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Topmini]]
|Little Topmen. Topminis cannot damage Mario and are immediately defeated when spun.
|data-sort-value=09|[[Battlerock Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=32|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Spik|[[File:SpikyTopman.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Spiky Topman]]
|Top enemies. Spiky Topmen do not directly harm Mario, but they can knock him into hazards or off platforms. The spike on one's head protects it from being stomped and damages Mario on contact. Spiky Topmen are defeated if knocked into an [[electric rail]] or off the side of a platform.
|data-sort-value=09|[[Battlerock Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=32|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Spr|[[File:SMG Asset Model Topman (Spring).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Spring Topman]]
|Green Topmen that continuously produced by small portals. Stomping a Spring Topman stuns it and allows Mario to use it like a [[springboard]]. Some Spring Topmen produce Topminis.
|data-sort-value=16|[[Buoy Base Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=32|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|None
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Spa|[[File:Mine Artwork SMG2.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Space Mine]]
|Faceless Mikey Mines that occur floating in space. Most are inert, but some move along purple streaks of light. Space Mines explode when touched, causing damage. Shooting one with a Star Bit destroys it.
|data-sort-value=09|[[Battlerock Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=39|[[Bubble Blast Galaxy]]
|None
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Mik|[[File:SMG Underwater Mine Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Mikey Mine]]
|{{wp|Naval mine}}s that bob up and down on chains. Mikey Mines keep their eyes shut unless Mario is in close proximity. They regenerate after detonating.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|None
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Bob|[[File:SMG Bob-Omb Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bob-omb]]
|Walking bombs. Bob-ombs actively pursue Mario until they explode. Stomping one disengages it, turning it into a grabbable [[bomb]].
|data-sort-value=09|[[Battlerock Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=38|[[Rolling Gizmo Galaxy]]
|None
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Mon|[[File:SMG Asset Model Monty.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Monty]]
|Moles that sit in hatches and throw wrenches at Mario. One retreats into the hatch when approaches. Ground Pounding nearby earth stuns Montys, leaving them open to attack. They are also stunned when struck by Star Bits.
|data-sort-value=09|[[Battlerock Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=32|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Und|[[File:SMG Asset Model Undergrunt.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Undergrunt]]
|Burrowing Montys. Undergrunts leave trails of disturbed dirt as they dig. Ground Pounding nearby earth forces them to the surface, dazed and vulnerable. Their spiked helmets protects them from stomps. The helmets protrude from the ground as the Undergrunts burrow, allowing one to track their movements.
|data-sort-value=19|[[Gusty Garden Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=25|[[Gold Leaf Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Sen|[[File:LaserRobot.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Sentry Beam]]
|Hovering beamers that fire lasers at Mario when he is close. Standing on top of a Sentry Beam temporarily prevents it from firing.
|data-sort-value=09|[[Battlerock Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=27|[[Toy Time Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Thw|[[File:SMG Thwomp Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Thwomp]]
|Grimacing stones. Thwomps suspend themselves above ground and periodically slam into the earth below. Crushing Mario fully depletes his [[Health Meter|life meter]]. The tops and sides of a Thwomp can be used as platforms and walls. Slightly smaller ones appear in the 2D sections of several galaxies.
|data-sort-value=11|[[Bowser's Star Reactor]]
|data-sort-value=37|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Gri|[[File:Gringill SMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Gringill]]
|{{wp|Congridae|Conger eel}} enemies. Gringills lunge at Mario if he approaches the mouth of their caves. They can only be defeated by projectile shells. In some galaxies, Gringills occur swimming in open water.
|data-sort-value=13|[[Beach Bowl Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=24|[[Bigmouth Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×7
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Gia|[[File:SMG Asset Model Gringill (Big).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Big Gringill|Giant Gringill]]
|Large Gringills restricted to underwater caves. They snap at Mario when approached. Giant Gringills react slower than the normal-sized ones.
|data-sort-value=13|[[Beach Bowl Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-1Up}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Urc|[[File:Galaxy Urchin.jpg|100x100px]]<br>[[Urchin]]
|Sea creatures with protractible spines. Urchins roll towards Mario when in close proximity. They are damaged only by shells and fireballs.
|data-sort-value=13|[[Beach Bowl Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×5
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Gro|[[File:RedUrchins.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Ground Urchin]]
|Red Urchins found in warm areas. When Mario draws near, they protract their spines and roll towards him. Ground Urchins can only be defeated by fire and [[lava]]. There is a box-like stone sculpture in Freezeflame Galaxy that continuously expels Ground Urchins.
|data-sort-value=20|[[Freezeflame Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×5
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Cla|[[File:SMG Asset Model Clampy.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Clampy]]
|A giant oyster that opens and closes its mouth. [[Star Chip]]s or coins can be found inside it. Snapping shut with Mario inside damages him.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=13|[[Beach Bowl Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Bat|[[File:SMG Bat Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bat (Super Mario Galaxy)|Bat]]
|Hog-nosed bats that roost in caves. They swoop down to attack Mario. A bat stops to laugh when it lands a hit. Stomping or spinning one defeats it.
|data-sort-value=13|[[Beach Bowl Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=27|[[Toy Time Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=IcA|[[File:SMG Ice Bat.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Ice bat]]
|White bats. Making direct contact freezes Mario. They are defeated only by fire.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=20|[[Freezeflame Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Cat|[[File:CataquackSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Cataquack]]
|Duck-like creatures that toss Mario high into the air. Cataquacks immediately charge towards Mario after making visual contact. They otherwise idly walk in circles or sleep on the ground. Spinning one or performing a Ground Pound dazes it. They drown if led into water.
|data-sort-value=13|[[Beach Bowl Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=25|[[Gold Leaf Galaxy]]
|None
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Tox|[[File:Tox Box SMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Tox Box]]
|Stone boxes that roll around in set trajectories. Tox Boxes are the same width of the paths they travel, making them difficult to avoid. One of their sides is open and can be safely stood under.
|data-sort-value=13|[[Beach Bowl Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=27|[[Toy Time Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Boo|[[File:BooSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Boo]]
|Ghost enemies. Boos pursue Mario when his back is turned towards them. If Mario looks directly at one, it stops moving and shields its eyes. Spinning one shifts its position and forces it through nearby walls, but it is undamaged. Boos are weak only to light – including the headlamp of the [[Captain Toad|Toad Brigade captain]]. Some Boos are found underwater. Mario can transform into one via the [[Boo Mushroom]], which causes nearby Boos to become enamored and give chase.
|data-sort-value=15|[[Ghostly Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=30|[[Sand Spiral Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Key}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Bom|[[File:SMG Bomb Boo Model.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bomb Boo]]
|Explosive Boos that pursue Mario on sight. Unlike normal Boos, Bomb Boos do not cower when Mario looks at them. When spun, Mario grabs onto a Bomb Boo's tongue and swings it like a {{wp|lasso}}. It detonates if it is swung into an object or wall. If Mario does not release the Bomb Boo, it is pulled in closer and damages him. Bomb Boos are conjured by [[Bouldergeist]] and can destroy the boss's stone armor.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=15|[[Ghostly Galaxy]]
|None
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Ato|[[File:SMG Asset Model Big Boo.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Big Boo|Atomic Boo]]
|A large Boo. It is defeated only with a light source. The [[Spooky Speedster]] is an Atomic Boo.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Star}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Bom|[[File:SMG Asset Model Bomp.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bomp]]
|Stones that shift in and out of walls. They cannot damage Mario directly, but they are positioned to push him off of platforms and solid ground. The tops of their bodies can be stood on.
|data-sort-value=16|[[Buoy Base Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=20|[[Freezeflame Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Bal|[[File:SMG Bolt Beam model nut.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Ball Beamer]]
|Yellow beamers that discharge wide-range shockwaves on the surface of spherical planets. The shockwaves damage Mario on contact and are discharged in consistent, three-part intervals that can be timed. Most Ball Beamers lack interactive components, but there is one in Buoy Base Galaxy with a [[Screwtop|gold screw]] on its top. Spinning it disengages the Ball Beamer and opens up the metal planet it is fastened to.
|data-sort-value=16|[[Buoy Base Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Pul|[[File:SMG Ring Beam model.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Pulse Beam]]
|Spiked beamers that discharge shockwaves. One damages Mario when touched.
|data-sort-value=27|[[Toy Time Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=32|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Blo|[[File:BlooperSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Blooper]]
|Underwater squids. Bloopers swim erratically when approached by Mario to strike him. Spinning one or striking it with a shell defeats it. They release a cloud of ink when defeated. 
|data-sort-value=16|[[Buoy Base Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=SpiC|[[File:SMG Asset Model Spiny Cheep Cheep.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Spiny Cheep Cheep|Spiny Cheep-Cheep]]
|{{wp|Porcupinefish}} enemies that protract their spines and charge towards Mario on sight. They are only found within sunken [[treasure chest]]s.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=18|[[Drip Drop Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×7
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Che|[[File:SMG Cheep Cheep.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Cheep Cheep]]
|Pudgy red fish. Underwater, they passively swim in circles. On land or shallow water, they bounce around in a set trajectory. They are defeated when stomped or spun.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=IcU|[[File:BrrrBit.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Li'l Brr|Ice Bubble]]
|Floating ice enemies that freeze Mario on contact. Spinning an Ice Bubble neutralizes its icy cloud and grounds it, leaving it vulnerable to being kicked. Neutralized Ice Bubbles propel themselves towards the nearest pools of [[freezing water]] to restore their clouds.
|data-sort-value=20|[[Freezeflame Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=27|[[Toy Time Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Li|[[File:BurnBit.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Li'l Cinder]]
|Floating fire enemies that burn Mario on contact. Li'l Cinders otherwise behave like Ice Bubbles. Grounded Li'l Cinders hop towards the nearest lava to reignite.
|data-sort-value=20|[[Freezeflame Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=34|[[Melty Molten Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Clu|[[File:SMG Asset Model Cluckboom.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Cluckboom]]
|[[Plurp]]-like enemies that lay explosive eggs. Cluckbooms fly in set paths, fluttering back and forth. One falls to the ground when shot be a Star Bit, leaving it open to attack.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=21|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1<br>{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Bon|[[File:SMG Asset Model Tweester.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bone Twister]]
|Whirlwinds that move along set paths. Bone Twisters trap Mario on contact, but this does not damage him. Mario is propelled high into the air like a {{wp|bamboo-copter}} if he spins while inside. Some Bone Twisters carry jagged rocks that damage Mario if he makes contact.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=21|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|{{icon|cross}}
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=CraR|[[File:SMG Asset Model Crabber (Red).png|100x100px]]<br>Crabber (Red)
|Sidestepping [[crab]]s that scuttle away from Mario. Crabbers have hard shells that protect them from stomps and spins head-on, but their fleshy rears are exposed and can be struck. Red Crabbers actively pursue Mario but move slowly.
|data-sort-value=21|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=24|[[Bigmouth Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×3
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=CraB|[[File:SMG Asset Model Crabber (Blue).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Crabber]] (Blue)
|Blue Crabbers appear in smaller amounts than the red ones and bury themselves underground in an attempt to escape and resurface shortly after.
|data-sort-value=21|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=24|[[Bigmouth Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-1Up}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Jammy|[[File:Jammyfish Bigmouth SMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Jammyfish]]
|[[Jellyfish]] that swim in schools along set paths. They damage Mario on contact but do not actively pursue him.
|data-sort-value=24|[[Bigmouth Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Jam-o|[[File:SMG Jellyfish Model.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Jam-o'-War]]
|Large Jammyfish that idly float in place and electrocute Mario when touched. Striking a Jam-o'-War with a shell twice defeats it. The first strike turns it green.
|data-sort-value=24|[[Bigmouth Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=31|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|{{icon|new}}
|-
|data-sort-value=Mec|[[File:Mecha-KoopaSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Mechakoopa|Mecha-Bowser]]
|Mechanical Koopas that breathe fire. Spinning Mecha-Bowsers swing their heads back and delay their fire attack. They are defeated when Ground Pounded.
|data-sort-value=27|[[Toy Time Galaxy]]
|data-sort-value=32|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Coin}}×1
|—
|-
|data-sort-value=Bon|[[File:SMG Asset Model Kobone.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bonefin]]
|Undead sharks. They appear alongside [[Kingfin]], who summons them from a hydrothermal vent as he accumulates damage. Bonefins lock onto Mario when he is near. Striking one with a shell defeats it, as does leading it to the water's surface defeats it. All Bonefins disappear when Kingfin is defeated.
|colspan=2 data-sort-value=28|[[Bonefin Galaxy]]
|{{icon|SMG-Bit}}×7
|{{icon|new}}
|}

===Obstacles===
{|class="wikitable col2left" style="--bg1:white;--darkbg1:#444444;width:100%;text-align:center"
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!rowspan=2 width=10%|Name
!rowspan=2|Description
!colspan=2|Galaxies
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!width=8%|First
!width=8%|Last
|-
|[[File:SMG Banzai Blaster.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Banzai Bill Cannon]]
|Giant cannons that shoot [[Bomber Bill|Banzai Bill]]s.
|colspan=2|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bars.png|100x100px]][[File:SMG Screenshot Wall.png|100x100px]]<br> [[bars (Boo Mario)|Bars / Crystal]]
|Thin barriers that can only be phased through by [[Boo Mario]] while he is invisible.
|[[Ghostly Galaxy]]
|[[Boo's Boneyard Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Bill Blaster.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bill Blaster]]
|Cannons that shoot [[Bullet Bill]]s. Bill Blasters are mounted onto the surface of planets, integrated into the walls of terrain, and attached to the sides of [[airship]]s. Many Bill Blasters are built into the body of [[Megaleg]]. The cannons do not shoot more than one Bullet Bill at a time.
|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|[[Bubble Blast Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Sprite Black Hole.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Black hole]]
|Bottomless voids with their own [[gravity]]. [[Mario]] is pulled into black holes if he gets too close and lose a life. They exist in the center of several spherical planets and function similarly to [[bottomless pit]]s.
|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|[[Bubble Blast Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bone.png|100x100px]]<br>Bone<ref name=black/>{{ref page|145}}
|Floating barriers in courses where Mario races the [[Spooky Speedster]]. They can obstruct Mario's path. Most bones have simple designs and are purely obstructive, but some are ribs that shift up and down. Some are encased in [[meat]] that bounce Mario on contact. Few are cackling skulls.
|[[Ghostly Galaxy]]
|[[Boo's Boneyard Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bramble.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bramble]]
|Thick, thorn-covered vines that damage Mario on contact.
|colspan=2|[[Gusty Garden Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bumper.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bumper (Super Mario series)|Bumper]]
|Floating objects that bounce Mario on contact.
|colspan=2|[[Bubble Blast Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Burner.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Burner]]
|Cannons that create small explosions. It takes a few seconds for them to charge up.
|colspan=2|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Cannon Firing Cannonball.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Cannon]]
|Enemy cannons that shoot [[cannonball]]s. They are built into the sides of terrain. Cannons fire continuously in set intervals that can be timed. Shooting a cannonball with a Star Bit destroys it and releases a coin.
|[[Battlerock Galaxy]]
|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Chomp Cannon.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Chomp box]]
|Giant turrets that release [[Chain Chomp|Chomps]]. Little doghouse-like Chomp boxes release [[Small Chomp|Mini Chomp]]s.
|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Crushing Pillar.png|100x100px]]<br>Crushing pillar<ref name=black/>{{ref page|111}}
|Walls that shift up and down. Mario loses a life if crushed.
|[[Battlerock Galaxy]]
|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Dark Matter.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Dark matter]]
|Dark matter disintegrates Mario on contact, costing him a life.
|colspan=2|[[Bowser's Dark Matter Plant]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Electric Ball.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Electric Ball]]
|Metal orbs that spin around the sides of disc-shaped planetoids. They are similar to [[Amp]]s and electrocute Mario on contact.
|[[Battlerock Galaxy]]
|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Electric Rail (Green).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Electric rail]]
|Electric barriers. They emit either green or red electricity and move horizontally in some galaxies. [[Spiky Topman|Spiky Topmen]] are defeated when spun into electric rails. This is also the only way to damage [[Topmaniac]].
|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|[[Bubble Blast Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Eye Beamer Model.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Eye Beamer]]
|Beamers with flat backs that are suspended above ground. Eye Beamers fire electric beams that damage Mario on contact. Some move while others are stationary. Their backs are nondamaging and can be used as platforms.
|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Fire Bar screenshot.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Fire Bar]]
|Rotating bars of fireballs that burn Mario on contact.
|[[Battlerock Galaxy]]
|[[Sling Pod Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Steam Jet.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Fire geyser]]
|Hot steam forced from the ground. Making contact burns Mario.
|[[Space Junk Galaxy]]
|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Freezing Water.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Freezing water]]
|[[Water]] so frigid that it gradually depletes Mario's [[Health Meter|life meter]] if he tries to swim through it. When Mario enters freezing water, the screen is briefly disrupted by a static-like visual effect, readily differentiating it from normal bodies of water. During "[[Hot and Cold Collide]]," this water [[water tide|rises and falls]] on one of the planets.
|colspan=2|[[Freezeflame Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Honey.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Honey]]
|A sweet substance collected by [[Honeybee]]s. Honey reduces Mario's movement the same way mud does.
|colspan=2|[[Honeyhive Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Ice Sphere.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor#Ice sphere|Ice sphere]]
|An ice planet. The surface is so cold that direct contact makes Mario leap as if he was burned and reduces his life meter.
|colspan=2|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Lava.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Lava]]
|Direct contact with lava burns Mario and makes him bounce into the air with his hands on his rear. Some small planets are completely covered in it. On others, the lava rises and falls like the [[lava tide|tide]].
|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|colspan=2|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Fireball.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Lava burst]]
|Trailing balls of lava. They move slowly and burn Mario on contact. They typically move in arcs.
|[[Freezeflame Galaxy]]
|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Lava Geyser.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Lava Geyser]]
|Lava Geysers rise and fall in set intervals that can be timed. A rise is always proceeded by rapid bubbling on the lava's surface.
|[[Freezeflame Galaxy]]
|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Meteor.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Meteor]]
|Fiery space rocks. [[Bowser]] shoots them from his mouth to destroy the big staircase in Bowser's Star Reactor, and Bowser Jr. fires them from the cannons in his [[airship]]. They otherwise occur raining from the sky. 
|[[Gateway Galaxy]]
|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Moving Sand.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Moving sand]]
|Rapidly flowing sand. Mario can stand on it but is brought down his intended trajectory and potentially into hazards. During "[[Treasure of the Pyramid]]," the [[sand tide|sand rises]] inside of a pyramid.
|colspan=2|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Mud.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Mud]]
|Mario's movement speed and jump height is reduced while he is in mud. This puts him at potential risk if dangerous enemies are nearby.
|colspan=2|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Poison.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Poison (obstacle)|Poisonous swamp]]
|Toxic sludge. If Mario falls into a poisonous swamp, he sinks and loses a life.
|[[Bubble Breeze Galaxy]]
|[[Toy Time Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Prickly Thorn Plant.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Thorny flower|Prickly plant]]
|Plants with damaging, needle-like flowers. One is destroyed only through the use of projectiles, like [[rubbery bulb]]s. Destroying a prickly plant can reward Mario with three Star Bits, a coin, or a [[Sling Star]]. Some plants are [[giant prickly plant|giant]] and drop seven Star Bits when destroyed. Airborne ones appear in Gusty Garden Galaxy.
|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Quicksand.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Quicksand]]
|Shifting sands. It functions identically to poison in that it rapidly causes Mario to sink and lose a life.
|[[Dusty Dune Galaxy]]
|[[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Snow.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Snow]]
|Powdery snow that reduces Mario's speed when walked through. The snow is cleared when the [[Star Pointer]] is waved over it or with [[fireball]]s.
|colspan=2|[[Snow Cap Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Spike Trap.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Spike Trap|Spikes]]
|Spikes damage Mario on contact, and generally appear attached to terrain and shifting objects. [[Lift]]s with spikes embedded into their sides appear in a few galaxies, and {{wp|Iceberg|bergy bits}} in "[[Wall Jumping up Waterfalls]]" are covered in ones made of ice.
|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|[[Toy Time Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Spotlight.png|100x100px]]<br>Spotlight
|The light defeats enemy [[Boo]]s, but it also forces Boo Mario back into his [[Mario|normal form]].
|[[Ghostly Galaxy]]
|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Banekiti.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Spring (Super Mario Galaxy)|Spring]]
|Floating springs in narrow caverns. They knockback Boo Mario on contact but do not cause damage.
|colspan=2|[[Boo's Boneyard Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Torpedo Hasshadai.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Torpedo tube]]
|Underwater cannons that shoot [[Torpedo Ted]]s.
|colspan=2|[[Buoy Base Galaxy]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Whirlpool.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Whirlpool]]
|Swirling vortices of water. Contact pushes Mario and temporarily stuns him, but it does not cause damage.
|[[Sea Slide Galaxy]]
|[[Deep Dark Galaxy]]
|}

===Bosses===
[[File:GalaxyBosses.jpg|thumb|200px|Wallpaper of Mario before most of the game's bosses]]
Similar to previous titles, most of the bosses in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are stronger counterparts to normal enemies, and all except the [[Mandibug Stack]] have the background music change when encountered. Most tactics to defeat bosses are subtly conveyed in the level design before they are reached, giving the player an understanding of what to do to defeat them. For instance, prior to facing Dino Piranha in the Good Egg Galaxy, a player taking the galaxy's main path will encounter a [[Spiny Piranha Plant]] surrounded by [[rubbery bulb]]s that can be used to damage and defeat it, which is echoed with how Dino Piranha's clubbed tail must be swung against to damage the boss. Some of these examples are even done between multiple missions and in different galaxies. Kingfin's "tutorial," for example, is in the [[Drip Drop Galaxy]] rather than the [[Bonefin Galaxy]] where he is encountered, and to ensure the player has completed said instructional mission, the Bonefin Galaxy does not become available until it is completed.

Most bosses take three hits to their weak point to defeat, like in most previous games. The Mandibug Stack only takes two, however, and both Megaleg and Mecha-Bowser instead must be climbed and destroyed with a certain attack at the top. Most bosses become faster and more offensive the more hits they have taken, which is often reflected with them becoming visibly enraged and sometimes even glowing red. Some even switch tactics completely midway through the fight, such as Bugaboom taking flight or Bouldergeist spawning a massive pair of hands. Some will also spawn minions the further their battle goes.

Some bosses are fought more than once, and if fought again in a later galaxy will have additional tactics and mechanics to make the battle harder. Ones with especially apparent differences to their fights even get a color change and are listed as separate bosses in official paratext, despite sharing a name and a base model. Otherwise, most rematches are done with the added rules from a [[Prankster Comet]], specifically a [[Prankster Comet#Speedy Comet|Speedy Comet]] or a [[Prankster Comet#Daredevil Comet|Daredevil Comet]].

For each hit, bosses will always let out a flurry of [[Star Bit]]s. When defeated, they normally give some form of [[Power Star]] to end the mission; the exception is the Water Bazooka in "[[Bubble Blastoff]]," which is fought at the beginning of the mission and instead grants access to a usable [[cannon]].

Bosses are listed in the order that they are first encountered.
{|class="wikitable col2left" style="--bg1:white;--darkbg1:#444444;width:100%;text-align:center"
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!width=10%|Name
!Description
!width=16%|Missions
|-
|[[File:DinoPiranha.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Dino Piranha]]
|A [[Piranha Plant]] boss with a clubbed tail. It charges after [[Mario]] when he is in its line of sight. [[Spin]]ning into its club knocks it at its head, damaging it. It charges faster after the first strike.
|[[Dino Piranha (mission)|Dino Piranha]], [[Dino Piranha Speed Run]]
|-
|[[File:KingKalienteProfile.png|100x100px]]<br>[[King Kaliente]]
|A giant [[Rocto]] that sits in [[lava]]. He shoots [[coconut]]s<ref name=fruit group=note/> and flaming rocks at Mario. Spinning into a coconut sends it back and damages him. He starts to parry these attacks as the fight progresses.
|[[King Kaliente's Battle Fleet]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Mandibug (Parent and Child).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Mandibug Stack]]
|A [[Mandibug]] that carries its child on its back. Both can be defeated by performing a [[Ground Pound]]. Defeating the child angers the parent and makes it harder to strike.
|[[Trouble on the Tower]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Bugaboom Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bugaboom]]
|A giant, winged Mandibug that tries to bite Mario with its jaws and can be damaged with a Ground Pound. Bugaboom takes flight after being struck once and starts releasing explosive droppings as it flies.
|[[Big Bad Bugaboom]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Megaleg and Moon Model.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Megaleg]]
|A giant robot. Its legs are covered with gravitational panels that enable Mario to walk up its body. [[Bill Blaster]]s are built into its body. A [[Grand Star]] is caged on its head that can be freed with a lured Bullet Bill.
|[[Megaleg's Moon]]
|-
|[[File:Kamella SMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Kamella]]
|A [[Magikoopa]] boss. She launches magical fireballs and [[Green Shell]]s from her wand. Striking her with shells is the only way to damage her. She starts to erratically teleport as the fight progresses.
|[[Kamella's Airship Attack]], [[The Underground Ghost Ship]], [[Ghost Ship Daredevil Run]]
|-
|[[File:TarantoxSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Tarantox]]
|A giant spider cocooned in silk. The green orbs covering its body are its weak points, which Mario can damage by launching himself at them with [[Sling Pod]]s. It spits acid after being hit once.
|[[Tarantox's Tangled Web]]
|-
|[[File:Topmaniac.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Topmaniac]]
|A large [[Topman]] with serrated edges. Jumping on its head makes the blades retract, allowing Mario to safely spin it into an [[electric rail]].
|[[Topmaniac and the Topman Tribe]], [[Topmaniac's Daredevil Run]], [[Revenge of the Topman Tribe]], [[Topman Tribe Speed Run]]
|-
|[[File:Bowser - Super Mario Galaxy.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bowser]]
|The fire-breathing king of [[Koopa (species)|Koopa]]s. He launches himself to the sky and back to generate shockwaves. Luring him above a glass panel causes him to crash through and burn his tail on lava. This leaves him vulnerable to a spin attack. He can conjure stone armor and roll like a [[Ruby Rock]]. He refers to Mario as his "[[Bowser#Foes|archenemy]]."<ref>{{cite|quote=Not bad! I guess I chose the right guy to be my archenemy.|author=[[Bowser]] during "[[Darkness on the Horizon]]"|title=''Super Mario Galaxy'' by [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD Tokyo]]|format=North American Localization|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=12 Nov. 2007|accessdate=18 May 2023}}</ref>
|[[The Fiery Stronghold]], [[Darkness on the Horizon]], [[The Fate of the Universe]]
|-
|[[File:Bouldergeist SMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bouldergeist]]
|A ghost covered in rocks. It launches rocks and erects stone spikes from the ground to damage Mario. Attacking it with [[Bomb Boo]]s destroys its armor and leaves it vulnerable to attack. During the second phase, it constructs giant hands to attack Mario and protect its body. It is the one who kidnaps [[Luigi]].<ref name=geist/>
|[[Beware of Bouldergeist]], [[Bouldergeist's Daredevil Run]]
|-
|[[File:SMG BowserJr.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bowser Jr.]]
|Bowser's son. He rides a miniature [[airship]] that fires Bullet Bills and [[cannonball]]s at Mario. Magikoopas aide Bowser Jr. during the fight. Throwing shells at the airship damages it and eventually makes it sink. Bowser Jr. otherwise has a recurring story presence throughout the game.
|[[Sinking the Airships]]
|-
|[[File:Major Burrows Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Major Burrows]]
|A giant [[Undergrunt]] chasing a [[Star Bunny]]. He burrows towards Mario before bursting from the ground with swiping claws. Performing a [[Ground Pound]] on the earth when his head is exposed forces him to the surface and leaves him vulnerable to a spin attack.
|[[The Dirty Tricks of Major Burrows]], [[Major Burrows's Daredevil Run]]
|-
|[[File:Baron Brrr.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Baron Brrr]]
|A big [[Li'l Brr|Ice Bubble]]. He fires ice balls that freeze Mario on contact. If close, he thrusts himself downward and generates a freezing shockwave. Being close to the ground leaves him vulnerable to being spun, which extinguishes his icy aura.
|[[The Frozen Peak of Baron Brrr]]
|-
|[[File:Undergrunt Gunner.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Undergrunt Gunner|Water Bazooka]]
|Blue rotating [[cannon]]s operated by [[Undergrunt Gunner]]s. They fire drops of water that trap Mario on contact. The glass-encased cockpit is the weak point.
|[[When It Rains, It Pours]], [[Bubble Blastoff]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Mecha-Bowser.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Toy Time Galaxy#Mecha-Bowser|Mecha-Bowser]]
|An enormous robot modeled after Bowser. [[Gearmo]]s are trapped inside of its mouth. To free them and destroy the robot, the stack of [[stone wheel]]s on top of its head must be Ground Pounded.
|[[Heavy Metal Mecha-Bowser]]
|-
|[[File:Undergrunt Gunner Close-Up.jpg|100x100px]]<br>[[Undergrunt Gunner|Electric Bazooka]]
|A yellow cannon operated by an Undergrunt Gunner. This one shoots balls of electricity that home-in on Mario.
|[[Bouncing Down Cake Lane]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Kingfin Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Kingfin]]
|A massive shark that is guarded by a school of [[Bonefin]]s. It is vulnerable to shells. As it swims, it destroys underwater pillars. It does not actively pursue Mario, but it summons more Bonefins as the battle progresses.
|[[Kingfin's Fearsome Waters]]
|-
|[[File:SMG Burnt Kaliente.jpg|100x100px]]<br>Black King Kaliente
|A stronger variant of King Kaliente. He launches more projectiles and can immediately parry attacks. He causes [[meteor]]s to rain from the sky during the battle.
|[[King Kaliente's Spicy Return]]
|-
|[[File:Firey Dino Piranha.png|100x100px]]<br>Black Dino Piranha
|A speedy Dino Piranha. Its clubbed tail periodically catches fire. The flames burn Mario and prevent him from spinning the club. After making a successful strike, the Dino Piranha becomes faster, leaving walls of flames in its wake as it spews giant fiery balls. Defeating this boss without being damaged requires well-timed precision.
|[[Fiery Dino Piranha]]
|}

==Items and objects==
===Items===
These are collectibles, pickups, and health-restoring objects.
{|class="wikitable col2left" style="--bg1:white;--darkbg1:#444444;width:100%;text-align:center"
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!width=12%|Name
!Description
|-
|[[File:PowerstarSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Power Star]]s
|Objects that power the [[Comet Observatory]]. They are stolen by [[Bowser]] to create a galaxy of his own at the [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor|center of the universe]]. Collecting them completes missions and unlocks new levels. It is inferred that yellow [[Luma]]s can become Power Stars at the end of their lifespans.
|-
|[[File:Greenstar.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Green Star|Green Power Star]]s
|Hidden Power Stars. Collecting one attracts a green-colored Luma to the observatory. Collecting all three grants [[Mario]]<ref name=luigi group=note/> access to the [[Planet of Trials]] and its [[Trial Galaxies]]. The green Lumas become these Power Stars at the end of their lifespans.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Power Star (Red).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Red Power Star]]
|A Power Star affiliated with the [[Red Star]] power-up. Only one mission involves this Power Star, and collecting it makes the Red Star available in the Comet Observatory. Red Lumas can become these at the end of their lifespans.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Silver Star.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Silver Star]]s
|Small Stars that represent one-fifth of a Power Star and are contained in bubbles. Silver Stars squeal like Lumas and trail after Mario when he pops their bubbles. When five are collected, they merge to form a full Power Star.
|-
|[[File:GrandStar.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Grand Star]]s
|Giant Power Stars of considerable energy. They are usually in the possession of bosses. Collecting them makes the beacon expand in size, restores light to the observatory, and unlocks new domes.
|-
|[[File:StarBits.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Star Bit]]s
|Colorful objects that are eaten by Lumas. They are found floating in space and raining from the sky. They are collected when Mario makes physical contact or when they are touched with the [[Star Pointer]]. The Star Pointer works like a {{wp|reticle}}: pressing {{button|wii|B}} shoots a Star Bit at its on-screen positioning, and holding the button shoots them rapidly. Most enemies are stunned when struck by Star Bits. Fired Star Bits can be recovered by spinning, but only while using a Red Star or swimming underwater. [[Hungry Luma]]s transform into planets and galaxies when fed a requested number of Star Bits. Mario does not lose accumulated Star Bits if he loses a life during a mission, and they are added to total when he returns to the observatory. Collecting fifty Star Bits gives Mario an extra life.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Coin.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Coin]]s
|Collecting a coin restores one bar to Mario's life meter. Collecting fifty during a mission gives Mario an extra life. If Mario loses a life during a mission, he loses all of the coins he collected within that specific mission.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Purple Coin.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Purple Coin]]s
|Coins that only appear in a galaxy when [[Prankster Comet#Purple Comet|Purple Comet]]s are in orbit. Collecting 100 awards Mario with a Power Star.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Question Coin.png|100x100px]]<br>[[? Coin]]s
|Big coins with inconsistent properties. Making contact with one has different results depending on the level. Touching one can make a power-up, mushroom, note, or another ? Coin appear. They do not contribute to Mario's coin count.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Note.gif|100x100px]]<br>[[Note]]s
|Music notes which can appear when Mario touches a ? Coin. They appear in trails in the immediate vicinity and disappear after a few seconds. Collecting every note before they can disappear awards Mario with a power-up, a mushroom, or a Power Star.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Green Shell.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Green Shell]]s
|Shells of green [[Koopa Troopa]]s. Mario grabs one when he makes contact or [[Spin|spins]] near it. Shaking {{button|wii|wiimote}} makes Mario throw it. Green Shells travel in a continuous forward trajectory and defeats enemies on contact. Holding a Shell while underwater makes Mario automatically propel forward at a faster speed than if he were to swim on his own. It also emits a light from the front of the shell that helps orient the player and can defeat [[Boo]]s.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Red Shell.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Red Shell]]s
|Shells of red Koopa Troopas. They home-in on nearby targets when thrown. They give Mario a greater speed boost underwater than Green Shells.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Gold Shell.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Gold Shell]]s
|Golden Koopa Shells. Of all the shells, these ones give Mario the greatest speed boost. They function identically to a Green Shell when thrown.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Bomb.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bomb]]s
|Disengaged [[Bob-omb]]s that can be picked up and tossed. They explode on impact. Bombs are used during [[Bob-omb Blasting]] to clear [[trash]].
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model 1-Up Mushroom.png|100x100px]]<br>[[1-Up Mushroom]]s
|Green mushrooms that give Mario an [[extra life]] when obtained. They are sold at [[Lumalee|Luma Shops]].
|-
|[[File:SMG Life Shroom Artwork.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Life Mushroom]]s
|Red mushrooms that doubles the amount of bars in Mario's health meter from three to six. If Mario loses three bars, they cannot be restored. The life meter returns to just three bars when Mario completes the mission, even if at full health. This mushroom is sold at Luma Shops.
|-
|[[File:SMG Bubble.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bubble]]s
|Air bubbles appear underwater, often released by [[Bubbler (object)|bubblers]] on the seafloor. Making contact with one refills Mario's air meter.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Key.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Key]]s
|Collecting a key opens a corresponding case or Key Door, granting Mario access to a new area.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Star Chip (Yellow).png|100x100px]]<br>Yellow [[Star Chip]]s
|Star fragments that each represent one-fifth of a [[Launch Star]] or [[Sling Star]]. Collecting five causes them to merge into either depending on the level context.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Star Chip (Blue).png|100x100px]]<br>Blue Star Chips
|Collecting five Blue Star Chips turns them into a [[Pull Star]].
|}

===Power-ups===
Items that transform Mario's appearance and give him unique abilities.
{|class="wikitable col4left" style="--bg:white;--darkbg:#444444;--bg4:#f5f5f5;--darkbg4:#333333;width:100%;text-align:center"
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!width=12% rowspan=2|Power-up
!width=20% colspan=2|Form
!rowspan=2|Description
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!{{icon|SMG-Mario}}
!{{icon|SMG-Luigi}}
|-
|[[File:SMG BeeSuit.jpg|100x100px]]<br>[[Bee Mushroom]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Bee Mario.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Bee Mario]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Bee Luigi.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Bee Mario|Bee Luigi]]
|Touching the Bee Mushroom transforms [[Mario]]<ref name=luigi group=note/> into Bee Mario. Holding {{button|wii|A}} makes Mario hover, and his movement is controlled by tilting {{button|wii|stick}}. The [[:File:SMG Bee Mario Fly Meter.png|Flying Meter]] depletes as Mario hovers. He falls when the Meter is empty, but it is refilled when he makes contact with the ground or wall. Bee Mario can cling to [[honey wall]]s and stand on [[Cloud Lift|clouds]]. The radius of the [[spin]] move is reduced in this form. Receiving damage or making contact with water makes Mario lose the power-up.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Rainbow Star.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Rainbow Star]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Rainbow Mario.gif|110x110px]]<br>[[Rainbow Mario]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Rainbow Luigi.gif|110x110px]]<br>[[Rainbow Mario|Rainbow Luigi]]
|Making contact with the Rainbow Star transforms Mario into Rainbow Mario for thirty seconds. He is invincible and can defeat enemies on contact. [[Run]]ning in this form makes Mario build speed and shortens the height of his [[jump]]. Attempting to collect a different power-up in this form will instead launch it up without collecting it.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Boo Mushroom.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Boo Mushroom]]
|[[File:BooMarioSMG.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Boo Mario]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Boo Luigi.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Boo Mario|Boo Luigi]]
|Mario is transformed into a [[Boo]] when he touches the Boo Mushroom. Shaking {{button|wii|wiimote}} makes Boo Mario become intangible for five seconds, enabling him to phase through [[bars (Boo Mario)|walls]]. Continuously pressing {{button|wii|A}} makes Boo Mario hover, and he can read boards written in "Booish." Enemy Boos become infatuated with Boo Mario and pursue him. Receiving damage or making contact with a light source makes Mario lose the power-up.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Ice Flower.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Ice Flower]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Ice Mario.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Ice Mario (Super Mario Galaxy)|Ice Mario]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Ice Luigi.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Ice Mario (Super Mario Galaxy)|Ice Luigi]]
|Contact with the Ice Flower transforms Mario into Ice Mario for thirty seconds. In this form, Mario creates hexagonal ice platforms when he makes contact with water or [[lava]], enabling him to [[Wall Jump|wall jump]] between waterfalls. Because he produces ice under his feet, Ice Mario can continuously [[skate]] over water and lava.
|-
|[[File:FireFlowerSMG.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Fire Flower]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Fire Mario.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Fire Mario]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Fire Luigi.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Fire Mario|Fire Luigi]]
|The Fire Flower transforms Mario into Fire Mario for thirty seconds. Shaking {{button|wii|wiimote}} makes Mario toss a [[fireball]]. The fire lights [[lantern|torches]] and defeats enemies on contact. This is the only power-up to have appeared in prior ''Super Mario'' games.
|-
|[[File:Spring Mushroom.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Spring Mushroom]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Spring Mario.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Spring Mario]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Spring Luigi.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Spring Mario|Spring Luigi]]
|Making contact with the Spring Mushroom transforms Mario into Spring Mario. Mario continuously jumps in this form. Pressing {{button|wii|A}} when he strikes the ground makes Spring Mario jump to a great height. His horizontal movement is slowed in this state. Receiving damage or making contact with water strips Mario of the power-up.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Red Star.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Red Star]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Flying Mario.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Flying Mario]]
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Flying Luigi.png|110x110px]]<br>[[Flying Mario|Flying Luigi]]
|The Red Star transforms Mario into Flying Mario for sixty seconds. Shaking {{button|wii|wiimote}} makes Mario [[Fly|soar]] without any corresponding meter or limitation. Holding {{button|wii|A}} makes Flying Mario stop in midair and change directions. [[Purple Coin]]s are drawn to Flying Mario while he is airborne. Shaking {{button|wii|wiimote}} while flying makes Mario fall back to the ground.
|}

===Objects===
Objects are interactable elements of the environment that cannot be picked up or collected by [[Mario]]. For objects that primarily function as obstructions or hazards, see [[#Obstacles|above]].
{|class="wikitable col2left" style="--bg1:white;--darkbg1:#444444;width:100%;text-align:center"
|-style="color:white;background:red;--darkbg:#600"
!width=12%|Name
!Description
|-
!colspan=3 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Transportation objects
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bubble.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bubble]]
|Big bubbles that are moved by the [[Star Pointer]]. Mario becomes stuck inside one when he touches it. The Star Pointer turns into an air-blowing nozzle ({{icon|SMG-PointerB}}) that pushes the bubble with {{button|wii|A}}. Pressing {{button|wii|Z}} releases Mario.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Cannon.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Cannon]]
|Cannons that launch Mario to distant areas. They are accessed like pipes. Entering one shifts the screen perspective to inside the cannon and turns the Star Pointer into a reticle symbol ({{icon|SMG-PointerC}}). Aiming the reticle on screen and pressing {{button|wii|A}} launches Mario.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Floaty Fluff (Airborne).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Fluff (object)|Floaty Fluff]]
|Dandelion seeds that are carried on gusts of [[wind]]. Mario grabs onto one by spinning. It slowly descends as it floats. It ascends briefly by shaking {{Button|wii|Wiimote}}, but only up to four times. Pressing {{button|wii|B}} makes Mario let go of the Floaty Fluff.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Gravity Spotlight.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Gravity spotlight]]
|Blue beams of light that have their own [[gravity]]. When Mario walks into one, he is pulled towards the direction that the light is being beamed. It enables him to walk on walls and ceilings, but only where the light is being directly struck.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Divot.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Divot|Hole]]
|Indentations in the ground for the Rolling Ball. Yellow-rimmed holes launch the Rolling Ball from one planetoid to another. The blue-rimmed ones are the final [[goal]]s of their courses. They break the Rolling Ball and allow Mario to collect its Power Star.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Key Door.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Key Door]]
|Doors that open when Mario makes contact with a [[key]].
|-
|[[File:LaunchStar.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Launch Star]]
|Floating stars near the surface of planets. They launch Mario to distant areas when [[Spin|spun]] near. Some yellow [[Luma]]s transform into Launch Stars when freed by Mario.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Warp Pipe.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Warp Pipe|Pipe]]
|Entering a pipe brings Mario to a new area. He enters one when {{button|wii|A}} is pressed while on top of one. Some pipes lead Mario to otherworldly subareas.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Pull Star.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Pull Star]]
|Floating stars that are interacted with the Star Pointer. Moving the cursor over a Pull Star and holding {{button|wii|A}} pulls Mario to it. Gently pressing {{button|wii|A}} again, pressing {{button|wii|Z}}, or spinning releases Mario from the Pull Star. A Pull Star is at the center of every dome on the [[Comet Observatory]]. Blue Lumas can transform into them.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Star Ball.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Star Ball|Rolling Ball]]
|Mario takes control of a Rolling Ball when he jumps on top of it. It is steered by shifting the {{Button|wii|Wiimote}}. It is carried between platforms on metal [[track]]s. Reaching the goal causes the Rolling Ball to break and release its Power Star.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Sling Pod.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Sling Pod]]
|Clumps of spider silk. Mario becomes stuck to one when he makes contact with it. Pointing on the Sling Pod with the Star Pointer and holding {{button|wii|A}} pulls the Spring Pod back. Releasing {{button|wii|A}} slings Mario a great distance.
|-
|[[File:SMG Artwork Sling Star.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Sling Star]]
|Small Launch Stars that sling Mario towards a neighboring planet when spun near.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Tornado.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Tornado]]
|Tornados moves back and forth along set paths. Making contact traps Mario within its gusts. He is propelled high into the air like a {{wp|bamboo-copter}} if he tries to spin, enabling him to reach distant platforms and avoid hazards. Tornados function similarly to [[Bone Twister]]s, but have no means of harming Mario.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Ring.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Underwater ring]]
|Dash rings found suspended in water. Swimming through one gives Mario a burst of speed.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Warp Pad.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Warp Pad]]
|Transport panels that move Mario along a curved beacon of light from one part of the [[Comet Observatory]] to another. More Warp Pads become available as energy is restored to the observatory.
|-
!colspan=3 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Blocks and containers
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Question Block.png|100x100px]]<br>[[? Block]]
|Floating blocks that contain items. They release their contents when Mario jumps underneath them. ? Blocks that contain [[coin]]s and some that have [[Star Bit]]s can be jumped under in rapid succession to release more than one. Most ? Blocks become empty blocks when their contents are exhausted. There are ? Blocks containing Star Bits that burst immediately when jumped under. Some are invisible and only become viewable once interacted with.
|-
|[[File:UsedblockSMG.jpg|100x100px]]<br>[[Empty Block|Block]]
|Blocks that contain nothing and cannot be broken. Coin Blocks and some ? Blocks become these when their contents are exhausted.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Brick Block.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Brick Block]]
|Some are [[Coin Block]]s that contain multiple coins like ? Blocks. Others are empty and fall apart when jumped under.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Glass Cage.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Cage|Case]]
|Cloche domes that trap Lumas, Power Stars, and other objects of interest. Most open when Mario acquires a nearby key, but some require the completion of a more cryptic task.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Crate.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Crate]]
|Crates contain items or [[Goomba]]s. They release their contents when spun near or ground-pounded. Crates are only found on the ground and break completely when struck.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Gold Treasure Chest.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Gold Treasure Box]]
|A treasure chest that only opens when struck by a [[Gold Shell]]. It contains a Power Star and the [[Captain Toad|Toad Brigade captain]].
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Sliding Block.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Sliding block]]
|Flat blocks only found on a planet in [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]]. They slide across the surface like {{wp|hockey puck}}s and can damage Mario on impact. Striking one with a [[Ground Pound]] releases an item.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Snow Block.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Snow sculpture]]
|Blocks in [[Snow Cap Galaxy]] that melt when struck by [[fireball]]s. Each snow sculpture contains a coin.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Stone Block.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Rock Block|Stone block]]
|Big blocks in [[Rolling Gizmo Galaxy]]. They are destroyed when struck by the Rolling Ball.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Treasure Chest.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Treasure chest]]
|Wooden treasure chests that contain items. One opens when a [[Koopa Shell]] is thrown at it.
|-
!colspan=3 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Strikable and spinnable objects
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Screw.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Screwtop|Bolt]]
|Mario pushes bolts into the ground when he spins on top of them. Doing so grants him access to new areas or triggers nearby events.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Bowser Statue.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bowser Statue]]
|Stone statues of [[Bowser]] that contain items. They are destroyed when struck by [[Bomb Boo]]s or [[Bullet Bill]]s.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Cage.png|100x100px]]<br>[[glass case|Cage]]
|Glass spheres. They contain objects of interest such as pipes, Star Bits, or Power Stars. In one mission, [[Luigi]] is trapped in a cage. They shatter when hit by Bullet Bills.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Coconut.png|100x100px]][[File:SMG Asset Model Watermelon.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Coconut]] / [[Watermelon]]
|Green fruits that can be launched when spun. Some enemies and bosses fire coconuts. Watermelons permanently replace them once Mario accumulates 9999 Star Bits on one save file. One otherwise appears in the center of a transparent planet in Deep Dark Galaxy.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Crystals.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Crystal (Super Mario Galaxy)|Crystal]]
|Gemstones that break when spun into. Most crystals are small, contain Star Bits, and are broken with a single spin. Others are large, contain Power Stars, and require three spins to be broken.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Leaf Pile.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Leaf pile]]
|Leaf piles release Star Bits or coins when spun in.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Stalagmite.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Rock spire]]
|Stalagmites. They fall apart when spun into. Some contain items.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Rubbery Bulb Plant.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Rubbery bulb]]
|Bulbous plants. Spinning into one flings it forward and return with the same force exerted. Mario receives knockback if hit by the rebound. The plants rebound is halted if it collides with an enemy or object. They can be used to break objects and defeat enemies.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Shock Wave Generator.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Shock Wave Generator]]
|Spires that release waves of electricity when struck, stunning nearby enemies.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Snowman.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Snowman]]
|Snowmen are destroyed with fireballs. They obstruct narrow paths in some instances.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Star Piece Cluster.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Star Piece Cluster]]
|Giant Star Bits that float in the set trajectory of Launch Stars. Colliding with one breaks it into seven collectible Star Bits.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Small Rocks.png|100x100px]][[File:SMG Screenshot Shell Circle.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Stone circle|Stone circle / Shell circle]]
|A circle of eight objects embedded in the ground. Spinning inside the circle transforms the objects into Star Bits.
|-
|[[File:SMG2 Asset Model Coin Spot.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Golden peg|Tiny lamp]]
|A shimmering protrusion in the ground. Firing a Star Bit at a tiny lamp turns it into a coin.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Torch.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Lantern|Torch]]
|Lighting torches with fireballs solves puzzles and sometimes provides access to new areas.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Trash.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Trash]]
|Piles of garbage from [[Bob-omb Blasting]]. They are cleared with [[bomb]]s.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Water Valve.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Valve]]
|Most valves release Star Bits when spun into the ground. One prevents the flow of water in [[Sea Slide Galaxy]].
|-
!colspan=3 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Ground-poundable objects
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Stone Wheel.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Stone wheel]]
|Stone discs. Ground Pounding one breaks it and usually releases an item. Breaking a stone wheel sometimes changes an element of the area it is in. In some galaxies, there are multiple stone wheels stacked on top of each other.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Stump.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Stump]]
|Ground Pounding a stump either produces a coin or triggers an event that enable level progression, similar to Ground-Pound Switches.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Tennis Ball.png|100x100px]]<br>Tennis ball
|Yellow balls within a clear planet in [[Deep Dark Galaxy]]. Ground Pounding one launches it at a watermelon in the planet's center and makes it expand.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Trampoline.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Trampoline]]
|Trampolines bounce Mario into the air. Ground Pounding the surface of a trampoline launches Mario higher.
|-
!colspan=3 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Climbable objects
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Banandelion.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Banandelion]]
|Big dandelions. Mario grabs onto one by spinning. Continuing to spin makes Mario ascend up the flower and flings him.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Nails.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Wire|Bar]]
|Metal rods embedded into the caverns of [[Deep Dark Galaxy]]. Mario can swing from them to reach higher areas.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Texture Swing Rope.png|100x100px]]<br>[[swinging vine|Hanging vine]]
|A rope swing that Mario grabs onto when he jumps towards it. Moving the {{button|wii|Stick}} causes him to swing.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Honeycomb Wall.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Honey wall]]
|Hexagonal panels attached to the side of walls within levels. Mario can cling and crawl on them while in his Bee form.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Pole.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Pole]]
|Mario clings to a pole by jumping onto it. He can ascend, descend, and change which face of the pole he is on by moving {{button|wii|Stick}}. Pressing {{button|wii|A}} makes Mario jump from whichever face he is on.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Sproutle Vine.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Sproutle Vine]]
|Twisting vines that sprout from the base of defeated [[Piranha Plant]]s. Mario grabs and swings up one by spinning. Sproutle Vines enable Mario to travel from one area to another.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Trapeze Bar.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Trapeze|Swing]]
|Trapezes made out of vines and flowers. Mario grabs onto one automatically when he makes contact with it. Moving {{button|wii|Stick}} back and forth makes him swing. A swing bar can be used to bring Mario over gaps between platforms.
|-
!colspan=3 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Switches
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Blue Switch.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Blue switch (Super Mario Galaxy)|Blue switch]]
|Blue [[! Switch]]es. Ground Pounding one usually triggers a timed event or changes an element in the area it is encountered.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Flipswitch Panel (Blue).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Flipswitch Panel]]
|Blue panels that turn yellow when Mario steps on them. Stepping on all of the panels in a confined area turns the switches green and triggers access to a new area or the appearance of a Power Star.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Gravity Arrow (Green).png|100x100px]][[File:SMG Asset Model Gravity Arrow (Red).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Gravity switch]]
|Switches that shift the [[gravity|gravitational pull]] from the floor to the ceiling. They only occur in areas on 2D planes.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Ground-Pound Switch.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Ground-Pound Switch]]
|Buttons that trigger a change in the surrounding environment when Mario Ground Pounds them. A Ground-Pound Switch is only useable once. There are wooden and stone variants that are destroyed when activated.
|-
|[[File:SMG Lever Switch off.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Lever Switch]]
|Levers that physically change the surrounding area, usually by granting Mario access to a new area by making a door or bridge appear. Mario uses one by spinning near it.
|-
!colspan=3 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Platforms
|-
|[[File:SMG Airship Model.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Airship]]
|Bowser's flying ships. Enemies patrol the decks. Some are equipped with cannons that fire hazardous projectiles. There are hatches on the floors of some airships. Ground-pounding one brings Mario inside the cargo hold.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Bolt Lift.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bolt Lift]]
|Three giant bolts on a metal rod. The rod connects two distant areas. Walking perpendicular to the rod on the bolts makes them rotate, allowing Mario to travel between the areas.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Cloud.png|100x100px]][[File:SMG Asset Model Gray Cloud.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Cloud Lift|Cloud]]
|Floating platforms that Mario is normally too heavy to stand on. He can only do so in his Bee form. There are raining gray variants that move along set paths.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Conveyor Belt.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Conveyor Belt]]
|Platforms with moving surfaces. A blue Conveyor Belt has giant chocolate bars built into it.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Assembly Block (Red).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Cosmic block]]
|Multi-shaped [[platform]]s. They initially float in space far away from Mario, but will immediately assemble into an established configuration if he approaches the intended space. They fall away if Mario moves away from the intended space, meaning the player does not have a permanent visual as to where the platforms are going to appear.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Float.png|100x100px]]<br>Float<ref name=black/>{{ref page|159}}
|Floats sink in water when stepped on, then rise back up.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Flower.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Flower (platform)|Flower]]
|Floating flowers that recede if Mario makes contact with them. He can only stand on them while in his Bee form.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Ice.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Ice]]
|Ice reduces Mario's traction and causes him to slide, but spinning causes Mario to start [[Skate|skating]].
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Lift.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Lift]]
|Moving platforms. Their designs and environmental context for moving depends on where they are encountered. Four wooden lifts attached to a pivot point appear in [[Honeyhive Galaxy]] that spin continuously, and there are similar lifts that look like lollipops in [[Toy Time Galaxy]].
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Gravity Ramp.png|100x100px]]<br>Ramp<ref name=black/>{{ref page|42}}
|Wooden ramps that enable traversal between two gravitational planes.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Ocean Small Turtle.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Robot turtle]]
|Buoyant [[Koopa (species)|Koopa]]-like platforms that moves across the surface of water.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Sinking Rock Platform.png|100x100px]]<br>Rock platform<ref name=black/>{{ref page|298}}
|Rock platforms that sink into lava once stood on.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Shrinking Platform.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Shrinking platform]]
|Checkerboard platforms that disappear once stood on.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Starshroom (Red).png|100x100px]]<br>[[Starshroom]]
|[[Mushroom]]-shaped starships with their own centers of gravity. They were created by the Lumas for the [[Toad Brigade]].
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Metal Platform.png|100x100px]]<br>Steel platform<ref name=black/>{{ref page|251}}
|Platforms that sink in lava when stepped on, then rise back up.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Waterfall.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Waterfall]]
|Water overflowing the sides of elevated drops. In [[Beach Bowl Galaxy]], a series of waterfalls can be ascended when Mario [[Wall Jump|wall jumps]] between them in his [[Ice Mario (Super Mario Galaxy)|Ice form]].
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Flip Tile.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Yellow square]]
|Checkerboard tiles that flip downwards and turn indefinitely when stepped on.
|-
!colspan=3 style="background:#FF7733;--darkbg:#400"|Other objects
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Arrow Sign.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Arrow Sign]]
|Signs that direct players towards the intended focus of the mission they enter.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Beacon (5 Grand Stars) 2.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Beacon (Comet Observatory)|Beacon]]
|The comet at the center of the [[Comet Observatory]] that gives it its energy. Collected Power Stars are fed to it. [[Grand Star]]s make it grow larger and unlocks new areas of the observatory to explore.
|-
|[[File:SMG BobOmb Dispenser.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bob-omb dispenser]]
|[[Bob-omb]] dispensaries. A single Bob-omb dispenser only releases one Bob-omb at a time: the current one out must explode before it releases another one. The Bob-ombs are usually active, but the Bob-omb dispensers in [[Bob-omb Blasting]] only release [[Bomb|legless variants]] that can be picked up by Mario.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Bubbler.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Bubbler (object)|Bubbler]]
|Creates air bubbles.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Butterfly.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Butterfly]]
|Butterflies are sometimes found near flowers. In galaxies, trailing a butterfly with the Star Pointer causes it to release a Star Bit. Mario will automatically direct his gaze towards a butterfly if it is in his vicinity. One may land on his head if he falls asleep near it.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Flowerbed.png|100x100px]][[File:SMG Screenshot Grass.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Flower (environmental object)|Flower / Grass]]
|Flora that rustles when walked through. Some release Star Bits or coins when disturbed.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Matter.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Matter]]
|Matter can take two forms: bouncing droplets that reveal circular parts of the planet's terrain, and spotlights that move in a set path revealing parts of the planet in their range.
|-
|[[File:SMG Asset Model Painting.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Painting|Portrait]]
|A painting of a [[1-Up Mushroom]]. Touching a nearby [[? Coin]] makes a 1-Up Mushroom emerge from it. Portraits of [[Boo]]s and [[Bomb Boo]]s also occur, and continuously release the enemies in the areas they are found.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Board.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Sign]]
|Posted signs that contain information on actions. Most signs are inanimate objects that give Mario insight on his surroundings or actions when read. However, a few signs are [[Boards (characters)|speaking characters]] that give specific instructions on how to use objects or power-ups that change how Mario is controlled.
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Water Spigot.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Water spout]]
|Mario is briefly carried into the air when he enters a water spout. When in his Ice form, Mario can freeze the surface of the water to form temporary [[Ice Meteor|ice platforms]].
|-
|[[File:SMG Screenshot Wind.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Wind]]
|Wind is usually generated by fans triggered by switches. Riding the currents in a bubble or with a Floating Fluff brings Mario to distant areas.
|}

==Music==
{{Main|Super Mario Galaxy Original Soundtrack}}
[[File:ClubNintendoGalaxyOST.jpg|x130px|thumb|Album and disc for ''Super Mario Galaxy Original Soundtrack''.]]
The majority of the music in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was composed and arranged by [[Mahito Yokota]], who penned the entirety of the soundtrack for [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD Tokyo]]'s first title, ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]'' (2004). Longtime series composer [[Koji Kondo]] contributed four tracks himself and mentored Yokota in developing a sound appropriate for the title. It is the first ''Super Mario'' game to feature a fully orchestrated soundtrack.<ref name=iwata/> The game's {{wp|orchestra}} performed at the Sound Inn Studios in {{wp|Tokyo}} and consisted of roughly fifty members dubbed the [[Mario Galaxy Orchestra]]. Koji Haishima, who had conducted pieces from [[Square Enix]]'s ''{{wp|Final Fantasy}}'' series and [[Capcom]]'s ''{{wp|Monster Hunter}}'' series, served as conductor.<ref name=soundtrack>{{cite|author=[[Mario Galaxy Orchestra]]|title=''[[Super Mario Galaxy Original Soundtrack]]''|archive=vgmdb.net/album/18649|archiver=VGMdb|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe GmbH]]|date=31 Jan. 2008}}</ref> Some of the pieces are orchestral arrangements of Kondo's compositions from ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', and ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.

Yokota was professionally trained in orchestral composition and championed the use of an orchestra to producer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] during the game's development. He was met with reluctance due to the anticipated expenses and the thought that it would detract from the player's immersion, which is why live instrumentation had seen only occasional use in prior Nintendo games.<ref name=iwata/> It was ultimately decided that a live orchestra would be appropriate for ''Super Mario Galaxy'' after Yokota spent three months trying to develop the best sound with little success. Based on the music of prior titles in the series, Yokota's first attempts derived from {{wp|Latin music|Latin}} and {{wp|pop music}}. Though approved by director [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]], Kondo was displeased. When Yokota presented his work to him, he said, "Yokota-san, if somewhere in your mind you have an image that Mario is cute, please get rid of it... Mario is cool." This experience and the strenuous three months of work briefly made Yokota consider leaving the project.<ref name=iwata/> A musical direction was definitively established when Yokota presented Miyamoto with three pieces – one orchestral, one a mix of orchestral and pop, and one entirely pop – and asked which he felt was the best style for ''Super Mario Galaxy''. Miyamoto chose the fully orchestrated one, remarking that it sounded "the most space-like." This piece, titled "[[Egg Planet]]," was penned by Koji Kondo. It accompanied the game's debut trailer during E3 2006 and is incorporated as the level theme for [[Good Egg Galaxy]] in the final product.<ref name=iwata/><ref name=soundtrack/> Miyamoto's preference for it is what allowed Yokota to find his sound.

Mahito Yokota oversaw the recording of his compositions at Sound Inn. Unlike most orchestras, a metronome was used during recording sessions that was set to a tempo adjacent to [[Mario]]'s running speed. He did this because he did not want the music to sound like a passive background element – he wanted it to sound like an organic part of the game.<ref name=iwata/> Another major way this was accomplished was with the music itself being an influenceable element.<ref name=napolitano>{{cite|author=Napolitano, Jayson|url=www.originalsoundversion.com/a-blast-from-the-past-koji-kondo-and-mahito-yokota-super-mario-galaxy-interview/|title=A Blast from the Past: Koji Kondo and Mahito Yokota Talk Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=Original Sound Version|date=23 Mar. 2010|accessdate=8 Apr. 2023}}</ref> For example, there are three variations of "[[Rosalina in the Observatory]]," the {{wp|waltz}} that plays on the Comet Observatory. The [[:File:Comet Observatory 1 Super Mario Galaxy.oga|first variation]] is what plays in the earliest portion of the game, when many areas are inaccessible and the observatory is largely cast in shadow. This variation is simplistic in orchestration. As the player accumulates more [[Power Star]]s and more areas on the Comet Observatory become accessible to the player, the variation that plays is progressively more richly orchestrated.<ref name=reale>Reale, Steven (2021). [https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108670289.014 Analytical Traditions and Game Music: Super Mario Galaxy as a Case Study]. ''The Cambridge Companion to Video Game Music'', Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Page 193–219.</ref> Within the levels themselves, unique sound effects and musical queues correlate with the actions performed by the player in real-time. Sound director Masafumi Kawamura established this by building on what he had integrated in ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker}}'' (2003) and ''Jungle Beat'', which comparably included instances where the player's actions would influence the music in limited, context-specific instances. In ''Super Mario Galaxy'', the player can influence sound throughout the majority of the game. It was accomplished by synchronizing a stream of the raw recording data from the orchestra with {{wp|MIDI|Musical Instruments Digital Interface (MIDI)}} data. This effect enhances the player's sense of rhythm and immersion within the game world.<ref name=iwata/><ref name=reale/><ref name=napolitano/>

On January 31, 2008, two soundtracks were made available in Japan through [[Club Nintendo (rewards program)|Club Nintendo]]. One is a standard edition with 28 tracks on a single disc. The other is a "platinum edition" that has 81 tracks across two discs. The platinum edition was released in Europe on the same date.<ref name=soundtrack/> The standard edition eventually saw a localized release in the United States on October 23, 2011 through its inclusion in a [[Wii]] console bundle.<ref name=meyer>{{cite|author=Meyer, John|url=www.wired.com/2011/10/wii-redesign/|title=Nintendo Bundles Redesigned Wii With Mario|publisher=WIRED|date=12 Oct. 2011|accessdate=8 Apr. 2023}}</ref> The platinum edition would not become available in the US until the release of ''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]'' on September 18, 2020. Select pieces from ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are included in ''[[Super Mario History 1985-2010#CD track listing|Super Mario History 1985-2010 Sound Track CD]]'', ''[[Nintendo Sound Selection: Endings & Credits]]'', and ''[[The 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Music]]''. Music from ''Super Mario Galaxy'' has been rearranged and incorporated into succeeding video games by Nintendo, including ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'', ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'', ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' (2014), ''[[Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker]]'' (2014), ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' (2014), ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' (2017), and ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]'' (2019). Film composer {{wp|Brian Tyler}} incorporated select compositions into melodies he penned for ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]''. Music from ''Super Mario Galaxy'' has been performed live in concert by the {{wp|Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra}}, the {{wp|WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln}}, and the {{wp|London Philharmonic Orchestra}}.<ref name=pressstart>{{cite|author=Famitsu|url=www.famitsu.com/game/news/1218410_1124.html|title=PRESS START 2008 -SYMPHONY OF GAMESの詳細リポートをお届け！|language=ja|publisher=Famitsu|date=29 Sept. 2008|accessdate=9 Apr. 2023}}</ref><ref name=greening>{{cite|author=Greening, Chris|url=www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/thomasboecker6.shtml|title=Interview with Symphonic Legends Producer (September 2010)|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|date=Sept. 2010|accessdate=9 Apr. 2023}}</ref><ref name=lane>{{cite|author=Lane, Gavin|url=www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/12/video_listen_to_the_london_philharmonics_super_mario_medley_from_abbey_road Video|title=Listen To The London Philharmonic's Super Mario Medley From Abbey Road|publisher=Nintendo Life|date=11 Dec. 2020|accessdate=9 Apr. 2023}}</ref> ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was one of seven ''Super Mario'' games included on the [[Nintendo Music]] app when it launched on October 30, 2024.
===Media===
{{main-media}}
{{media table
|file1=SMG Trailer.ogv
|title1=Super Mario Galaxy
|description1=Trailer
|length1=3:12
|file2=Title Screen Super Mario Galaxy.oga
|title2=Overture
|description2=The song that is played on the game's title screen.
|length2=0:30
|file3=Prologue Super Mario Galaxy.oga
|title3=Prologue
|description3=The song from the prologue.
|length3=0:30
}}

==Staff==
{{main|List of Super Mario Galaxy staff}}
''Super Mario Galaxy'' was developed by [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD Tokyo]], a development team established in 2003 that previously developed ''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat''.<ref name=iwata/> It is smaller than the Kyoto branch of the same name that developed the majority of the previous ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' games and consists of younger, less experienced staff.

Series creator [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] conceived of the game and served as one of its producers. [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]], a friend and protégé of Miyamoto who has been involved with the series since ''Super Mario 64'', served as director. This represents the first time he would serve as the sole director of a ''Super Mario'' game, after having co-directed ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' with [[Kenta Usui]]. He previously directed ''Jungle Beat'' and believed that that game's development allowed the staff of Nintendo EAD Tokyo to get familiar enough with each other to confidently pursue a game as complex as ''Super Mario Galaxy''.<ref name=iwata/>

This is the first ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' game to feature the current voice actors for Princess Peach, Bowser, and Bowser Jr.: [[Samantha Kelly]], [[Kenneth W. James|Kenny James]], and [[Catey Sagoian]], respectively.

The staff credits in the Nvidia Shield TV version shows three people in charge of Chinese localization as well as an "iQue testing group." It is possible that the game was fully translated for the [[iQue]] Wii release before the console was canceled.<ref>{{cite|author=Chinese Nintendo [@chinesenintendo]|url=twitter.com/chinesenintendo/status/980318144131620864|title=iQue appears in the credits of Super Mario Galaxy on Nvidia Shield. It seemed that the game was fully translated for the iQue Wii release before the console was cancelled.|publisher=Twitter|date=1 Apr. 2018|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref>

==Development==
===1997–2004: ''Super Mario 128'' and ''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat''===
[[File:SM128 Screen.png|thumb|Screenshot of the ''Super Mario 128'' tech demo from SpaceWorld 2000.]]
''Super Mario Galaxy'' was developed to address the problems with 3D game design established by ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.<ref name=montreal/> That game was one of the first 3D titles ever published and has had a significant foundational influence on how 3D games are made, not just at [[Nintendo]] but throughout the entire industry.<ref name=barton>{{cite|author=Barton, Matt|title="Super Mario 64: No Disc, No Problem." ''Vintage Games 2.0: An Insider Look at the Most Influential Games of All Time''|format=2nd ed.|location=United Kingdom|publisher=CRC Press|date=2019}}</ref><ref name=ruben/><ref name=Polygon/><ref>{{cite|author=Bycer, Joshua|title="11.3 The Mario 64 Formula." ''Game Design Deep Dive: Platformers''|location=United States|publisher=CRC Press|date=2019}}</ref><ref name=swink>{{cite|author=Swink, Steve|title=''Game Feel: A Game Designer's Guide to Virtual Sensation''|location=United Kingdom|publisher=CRC Press|date=2008|page=265–68}}</ref> Despite its influence, some members of Nintendo's staff observed that the game caused a divide between potential players that did not exist during the 2D era of video games, with some people feeling that 3D games are too difficult for them to play. [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]], one of the assistant directors on ''Super Mario 64'', believed that this perceived difficulty came from their attempts to keep the player from experiencing depth misperception, getting lost, and feeling motion sickness. The solutions created to mitigate these problems, most significantly camera controls, resulted in systems that were too cumbersome or at least intimidating for players.<ref name=montreal/><ref name=iwata/>

After ''Super Mario 64'' was released, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] assembled a team within [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD]] to develop a successor tentatively titled ''[[Super Mario 128]]'' to address this problem.<ref name=pakwatch>{{cite|author=[[Leslie Swan|Swan, Leslie]], and Scott Pelland, editors|title="Pak Watch E3 Report 'The Game Masters'." ''[[Nintendo Power]]''|format=99|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=Aug. 1997|page=104–05}}</ref><ref name=dunkey>{{cite|author=DidYouKnowGaming|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU1IML3xlp0|title=Super Mario 128 Ft. Dunkey - DidYouKnowGaming|publisher=YouTube|date=10 Oct. 2020|accessdate=17 Apr. 2023}}</ref> At {{wp|Nintendo Space World|SpaceWorld 2000}}, it was presented to the public as a {{wp|technology demonstration}} for the [[Nintendo GameCube]]. Directed by Koizumi, the player controlled 128 [[Mario]]s on a saucer-shaped platform that dynamically changed its shape over the course of the demo. This iteration of ''Mario 128'' was never released as a full game, but Miyamoto did extrapolate the idea of having Mario run around "spherical worlds" from the demo.<ref name=GDC2007>[[Shigeru Miyamoto|Miyamoto, Shigeru]] (8 Mar. 2007). ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En9OXg7lZoE&list=PL861C5A6AE33D385D A Creative Vision]''. San Francisco: Game Developers Conference, Informa. Archived by CARSLOCK. ''YouTube'', 9 May. 2011. Retrieved 17 Apr. 2023.</ref><ref name=gantayat06>{{cite|author=Gantayat, Anoop|url=www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/21/miyamoto-opens-the-vault|title=Miyamoto Opens the Vault|publisher=IGN|date=21 Aug. 2006|accessdate=17 Apr. 2023}}</ref><ref name=dunkey/> It was believed that this concept would resolve many of the problems with previous 3D games in deemphasizing the need to control the camera and decreasing the likelihood of the player getting lost. When shared with Koizumi, he agreed this had the potential to become a full game, but was technically near-impossible.<ref name=iwata/>

While ''Super Mario 128'' continued development, Nintendo published ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' for the GameCube in 2002. It was the first entry in the ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' series released since ''Super Mario 64'' and shared many elements with it. However, Miyamoto asserted that ''Super Mario Sunshine'' was unrelated to ''Super Mario 128'' and was best viewed as a continuation of ''Super Mario 64'', not a proper successor that built on the concepts it introduced.<ref name=gantayat02>{{cite|author=Gantayat, Anoop|url=www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/10/nintendo-talks-pikmin-2-and-mario-128|title=Nintendo Talks Pikmin 2 and Mario 128|publisher=IGN|date=10 Dec. 2002|accessdate=17 Apr. 2023}}</ref><ref name=powersNWR>{{cite|author=Powers, Rick|url=www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/8097/miyamoto-confirms-two-sequels|title=Miyamoto Confirms Two Sequels|publisher=Nintendo World Report|date=10 Dec. 2002|accessdate=17 Apr. 2023}}</ref> ''Super Mario Sunshine'' was the last 3D-related project Koizumi helped develop for several years, having served as one of its co-directors. He regretfully oversaw the integration of a camera system in ''Super Mario Sunshine'' that he felt was even more cumbersome than ''Super Mario 64''{{'}}s and came to the perspective that it was too difficult to produce the "perfect 3D control environment," where the game was both fun to play and not needlessly stressful for the player.<ref name=montreal/><ref name=iwata/>

Koizumi's next project was at the newly-formed branch Nintendo EAD Tokyo where he directed ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]'', a 2D action-adventure platformer released in 2004 for the GameCube. The player controlled [[Donkey Kong]] with the [[Nintendo GameCube#DK Bongos|DK Bongos]], a controller with fewer input options than the conventional GameCube controller. The experience of directing ''Jungle Beat'' made Koizumi realize that one could create a robust action game with only a few button inputs required of the player. They had established what Koizumi called "contextual binding," where available player actions change depending on the context, resulting in more diverse ways of play without increasing the number of buttons. Koizumi also observed that an exaggerated presentation delighted bystanders that were not directly playing the game, allowing more people to gain from the experience than just the player. These were concepts he brought to Miyamoto, who was still working on ''Super Mario 128'' as its sole director.<ref name=dunkey/> In 2003, before they had started development on ''Jungle Beat'', a staff member expressed interest in making the next ''Super Mario'' game. The experience of working together as a team for ''Jungle Beat'' made Koizumi realize that this was something they could do. They had the technical skill needed to succeed the struggling ''Super Mario 128'' project and bring Miyamoto's spherical world concept to fruition.<ref name=montreal/><ref name=iwata/>

===2005–2007: Super Mario Revolution===
[[File:SMG Concept Artwork Proposal.jpg|thumb|left|Yoshiaki Koizumi's proposal documents for "Super Mario Revolution," circa 2005.]]
In 2005, Koizumi prepared an outline for "'''Super Mario Revolution'''" for the GameCube's successor, the [[Wii]]. Adapted from the ''Super Mario 128'' demo and building on what EAD Tokyo had accomplished with ''Jungle Beat'', the core concept of "Super Mario Revolution" was for it to be a 3D action platformer with Mario running around spherical worlds. These worlds would have their own centers of [[gravity]] that prevent Mario from falling off the edge.<ref name=jasper/><ref name=montreal/> There would be few walls or ceilings on the worlds to obstruct Mario's path. If he kept moving forward in one direction, he would return to his starting position. This would mitigate the chances of the player becoming lost. After the project was greenlit by Nintendo's executives, Koizumi spent three months creating a small prototype with several other EAD Tokyo employees to present to Miyamoto for his feedback. The prototype was set in space because it was believed that most players would interpret the spherical worlds as small planets. This set a precedent where Miyamoto would be the first one to {{wp|playtest}} all of the game's builds. A system was eventually set up that allowed the staff to send him a build from the Tokyo studio to his office in Kyoto as soon as it was finished. In the last few months of development, Miyamoto made frequent in-person visits to EAD Tokyo.<ref name=iwata/>

Development progressed with the involvement of more staff. It succeeded the indefinitely-stalled ''Super Mario 128'' project and was recognized as the "true" successor to ''Super Mario 64'' by Miyamoto during development.<ref name=kohler1/><ref name=GDC2007/> At some point it was renamed ''Super Mario Galaxy'' to reflect the game's outer space setting. An important tenet that informed development was to prioritize what Koizumi refers to as "ease of play" - to make the control system as unobtrusive to the player as possible. The number of button inputs required by the player was kept to a minimum. The [[spin]] move was added to supplement [[jump]]ing actions, which Koizumi believes can be imprecise in a 3D environment.<ref name=montreal/> Originally they made it so that Mario could spin indefinitely by shaking the [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]], but Miyamoto had them integrate a delay after the spin to make the game more challenging.<ref name=iwata/> Employing contextual binding resulted in the development of scenarios within the game that change what button inputs do, such as in the [[Star Ball|rolling ball]] levels, [[ray surfing]], and controlling [[power-up]]s. [[Star Pointer|Pointer]] controls were thoroughly integrated into ''Super Mario Galaxy'' to supplement or even replace traditional button inputs, as the team felt they were more intuitive.<ref name=iwata/><ref name=montreal/> To keep the player from "thinking about the camera," another tenet of development, EAD Tokyo developed a new camera system called the "planet camera." It gently follows Mario as he runs across a spherical world without sudden jerks or obscuring his positioning. It requires no input from the player.<ref name=montreal/> This element of the game was very important to the staff because they did not want any players to experience motion sickness. To ensure the game was comfortable to play, they heavily relied on the feedback of playtesters, something that was also employed extensively during ''Jungle Beat''{{'}}s development.<ref name=iwata/>

In concert with Nintendo's goal of making the Wii appeal to demographics beyond their core consumers, the team wanted ''Super Mario Galaxy'' to appeal to people who do not play video games.<ref name=iwata/><ref name=GDC2007/> One of the ways they did this was by integrating a cooperative multiplayer mode called [[#Co-Star Mode|Co-Star Mode]]. One player controls Mario and a pointer (P1) while a second player only has a pointer (P2). It was seen as a good way for family and friends to play together even if one of them was inexperienced with games.<ref name=montreal/> Co-producer [[Takao Shimizu]] originally envisioned pointer controls being the same for both players, but Miyamoto had them restrict some actions to P2. This completely changed the balance of the game. For example, they originally allowed P1 to hold moving obstacles in place with the pointer. Staff felt that restricting this action to P2 improved the game's flow.<ref name=iwata/> The desire to engage non-players also informed '' Super Mario Galaxy''{{'}}s theatrical cutscenes and lively character animations. This made the game fun for bystanders to watch.<ref name=montreal/>

There were concentrated efforts to make the game easily accessible for beginners, such as with the integration of [[Bee Mario]]. Believing that one of the joys of a ''Super Mario'' game was simply moving around, Koizumi oversaw the integration of areas without enemies or objectives. The earliest builds of the game were too easy, however. Miyamoto reminded staff that it was important for a game to feel challenging to play, otherwise the player might feel disengaged. Measures were subsequently taken to ensure the game was still healthily challenging, such as by reducing the [[life meter]] from eight bars (as was done in ''Super Mario 64'' and ''Sunshine'') to three. [[Coin]]s were made rarer, health-restoring items.<ref name=iwata/>

EAD Tokyo was pressured to finish the game close to the Wii's launch, as several executives were disappointed by ''Super Mario Sunshine'' not being a GameCube launch title and thought that an earlier release could have helped the console's commercial performance. When ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was first shown off to the public during {{wp|E3|E3 2006}}, Miyamoto stated it would release within six months of the Wii's launch. However, EAD Tokyo felt it was more important to make a game they were really happy with, resulting in it launching eleven months after the Wii.<ref name=iwata/>

==Pre-release and unused content==
{{main|List of Super Mario Galaxy pre-release and unused content}}
When first showcased at {{wp|E3|E3 2006}}, Toads with star-shaped spots appeared in the game that provided the player hints and could transform into rabbits. Lumas serve this role in the final game. Rosalina was originally conceived as "related" to Princess Peach and had a {{file link|Rosalina Preliminary Design.jpg|similar design}} reflecting this. Bonefin Galaxy was intended to be much darker, as was Deep Dark Galaxy. These were changed in the interest of playability. Guppy was first envisioned as a friendly character and had a design comparable to the [[Dolphin]]s from ''[[Super Mario World]]'' (1990). Artwork of Sea Slide Galaxy and Beach Bowl Galaxy suggests that they were conceived as a single galaxy, with Beach Bowl's main planet in the center of Sea Slide's ring. The staff were sentimental for {{file link|SMG Concept Art 41.jpg|a piece of concept art}} titled ''Fortress'' because it was one of the first drawings made during development.<ref name=black/>{{ref page|350}} The planet shown in the art is not in the final game, but it has some similarities to Good Egg Galaxy, Beach Bowl Galaxy, and Bowser Jr.'s Robot Reactor. The development team wanted to incorporate [[Yoshi]] and he appears in the 2005 "Super Mario Revolution" proposal documents, but he is relegated to cameos in the final release.<ref>{{cite|author=[[Satoru Iwata|Iwata, Satoru]]|url=iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/supermariogalaxy2/0/0/|title=Wii interviews: Super Mario Galaxy 2|publisher=Iwata Asks|date=2010|accessdate=18 Apr. 2023}}</ref>

==Glitches==
{{Main|List of Super Mario Galaxy glitches}}
===Floating Toad===
[[File:SMG Floating Toad Glitch.png|thumb|The floating green Toad.]]
To perform this glitch, the player should go to the mission "[[Tarantox's Tangled Web]]." Mario should go to the final planet where [[Tarantox]] is fought and launch the green Toad onto the platform. Then, the player should jump into the sling pod and launch Mario onto the same platform so it breaks. If the player looks at Toad closely, he can be seen floating.

===Freezeflame Galaxy out of bounds===
To perform this glitch the player should go to the Freezeflame Galaxy's mission "[[Hot and Cold Collide]]." Mario should reach the second planet and triple-jump in the walkway between the sides of the planet. The player should use the slope-climbing glitch to reach the top of the planet. When the player walks on the planet, random textures of ice water will appear. The planet surface will also appear in the wrong spot or be invisible.

==Notable promotions==
===Trading cards===
{{main|List of Super Mario Galaxy trading cards}}
Trading cards were developed by EnterPlay to correspond with the release of ''Super Mario Galaxy''. Each pack (called Fun Paks) contained two regular cards, a trivia card, a standee, and a temporary tattoo.<ref>{{cite|author=Enterplay, LLC|url=enter-play.com/products/mariogalaxy.html|title=Super Mario Galaxy Trading Card Fun Paks!|publisher=EnterPLAY|date=19 Apr. 2007|accessdate=18 Apr. 2023}}</ref>

===Buzz Aldrin promotional events===
To correspond with its release in the United States, [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] hosted an event with {{wp|MTV}} in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3, 2007 where someone dressed as Mario entered the {{wp|reduced-gravity aircraft}} G-Force One with former astronaut {{wp|Buzz Aldrin}}.<ref>{{cite|author=Jonathan|url=www.gamefront.com/games/gamingtoday/article/mario-and-buzz-aldrin-take-it-to-zero-g|title=Mario and Buzz Aldrin Take It to Zero-G|publisher=GameFront.com|date=7 Nov. 2007|accessdate=19 Oct. 2023}}</ref><ref>"{{cite|author=MTV|url=www.mtv.com/video-clips/ata8ev/multiplayer-mario-in-zero-g|title=Multiplayer: Mario in Zero-G - (Video Clip)|publisher=MTV|date=6 Nov. 2007|accessdate=19 Oct. 2023}}</ref> It was coordinated with the {{wp|Zero Gravity Corporation}}, who owns the aircraft.<ref>{{cite|author=Sablan, Kevin|url=www.ocregister.com/2007/11/05/creating-buzz-for-super-mario-galaxy/|title=Creating Buzz for 'Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=The Orange County Register|date=5 Nov. 2007|accessdate=18 Apr. 2023}}</ref> Patches labeled "Super Mario Galaxy Flight Team" were created for the suits worn by Aldrin and the assisting crew.<ref>{{cite|author=adolfin4ever|url=www.reddit.com/r/GamePreservationists/comments/kzz7x1/heres_a_super_mario_galaxy_flight_team_sewing/|title=Here's a Super Mario Galaxy "Flight Team" sewing patch which was worn by crew (including Buzz Aldrin) during a promotional shoot for the game which consisted of bringing a giant Mario costume into a Zero-G plane. Thanks to Galaxy Master for the photo of the patch!|publisher=Reddit|date=18 Jan. 2021|accessdate=18 Apr. 2023}}</ref>

On November 13, 2007, Aldrin attended a press event held by [[Nintendo|Nintendo Ibérica]] in Madrid, Spain alongside marketing director Nicolás Wegnez and [[Wii]] brand manager Ernesto Fernández, during which they demonstrated Co-Star Mode. Aldrin shared his impression of ''Super Mario Galaxy'', noting that while he found it "quite the challenge" for someone who did not play video games, he felt it encouraged him to problem solve from new perspectives.<ref>{{cite|author=Polo, Fernando Borrego|url=as.com/meristation/2007/11/13/noticias/1194956760_069593.html|title=Mario alcanza las estrellas de la mano de Buzz Aldrin|language=es|publisher=MeriStation|date=13 Nov. 2007|accessdate=19 Oct. 2023}}</ref> He also felt that the game invoked one's imagination about space travel, similar to the science fiction comics of his youth.<ref>{{cite|author=q256|url=www.ionlitio.com/buzz-aldrin-aterriza-en-la-presentacion-de-super-mario-galaxy/|title=Buzz Aldrin aterriza en la presentación de 'Super Mario Galaxy'|language=es|publisher=Ion Litio|date=13 Nov. 2007|accessdate=19 Oct. 2023}}</ref>

===Press Start 2008 concert===
On September 14, 2008, {{wp|Famitsu}} hosted the concert {{wp|Press Start: Symphony of Games|Press Start 2008 -Symphony of Games-}} at Bunkamura Orchard Hall. It was an intercompany celebration of video game music. One of Nintendo's contributions to the setlist was "Super Mario Galaxy 2008," a medley of the game's music arranged by [[Mahito Yokota]] and conducted by [[NWiki:Taizo Takemoto|Taizo Takemoto]]. [[Koji Kondo]] and Yokota attended the event as guests.<ref name=pressstart/> A recording of this piece is featured on a [[SUPER MARIO BROS. 25th Anniversary Special Sound Track PRESS START Edition|compact disc]] included with the ''Super Mario 25th Anniversary Commemorative Book'' published in 2010.

===''Super Mario-kun'' adaptation===
The events of the game are adapted in three volumes of the manga ''[[Super Mario-kun]]''. The first volume, 38, was published October 28, 2008 and follows the conclusion of a story arc based on ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' (2007). It sees Mario becoming demoralized after failing to rescue Princess Peach during the Star Festival, but his confidence is restored by Rosalina and the Lumas. He travels across various galaxies alongside them and other characters from ''Super Mario Galaxy''. In vol. 39, published March 27, 2009, Mario plays with most of the game's power-ups and rescues Luigi. The arc concludes in vol. 40, published November 27, 2009, and is followed by a storyline adapted from ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' (2009).

==Reception==
===Reviews===
''Super Mario Galaxy'' is universally acclaimed. It has an aggregated score of 97.64% from 78 reviews on {{wp|GameRankings}}. By the time of its closure in 2019, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was the highest rated game on the site to have at least 20 different reviews.<ref>{{cite|author=GameRankings|archive=web.archive.org/web/20191206040748/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/915692-super-mario-galaxy/index.html|title=Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=GameRankings|date=3 Mar. 2009|accessdate=3 Mar. 2019}}</ref> Similarly, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' has a Metascore of 97/100 on {{wp|Metacritic}} from 73 accredited outlets and 91% from 3,434 site users as of January 7, 2024, reaching the threshold for "Universal Acclaim" on both accounts.<ref>{{cite|author=Metacritic|archive=web.archive.org/web/20240110005603/https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mario-galaxy/|title=Super Mario Galaxy|url=www.metacritic.com/game/super-mario-galaxy/|publisher=Metacritic|date=2007|accessdate=9 Jan. 2024}}</ref> As of January 9, 2024, it has the fourth highest Metascore on the site, following ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}'', ''{{wp|Soulcalibur (video game)|SoulCalibur}}'' (1999), and ''{{wp|Grand Theft Auto IV}}'' (2008).<ref>{{cite|author=Metacritic|archive=web.archive.org/web/20240110010533/https://www.metacritic.com/browse/game/|title=Best Games of All Time|url=www.metacritic.com/browse/game/|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=9 Jan. 2024}}</ref>

Reviewers have consistently praised the game's artistic fidelity, complimenting the character animations, lush vistas, environmental effects, enemy designs, audio design, and orchestrated soundtrack.<ref name=navarro>{{cite|author=Navarro, Alex|url=www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-review/1900-6182474/|title=Super Mario Galaxy Review|publisher=GameSpot|date=7 Nov. 2007}}</ref><ref name=casamassina>{{cite|author=Casamassina, Matt|url=www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/08/super-mario-galaxy-review|title=Super Mario Galaxy Review|publisher=IGN|date=8 Nov. 2007}}</ref><ref name=dickens>{{cite|author=Dickens, Anthony|url=www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wii/super_mario_galaxy|title=Super Mario Galaxy Review|publisher=Nintendo Life|date=12 Nov. 2007}}</ref><ref name=robertson>{{cite|author=Robertson, Margaret|url=www.eurogamer.net/super-mario-galaxy-review|title=Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=Eurogamer|date=23 Nov. 2007}}</ref><ref name=orry>{{cite|author=Orry, Tom|url=www.videogamer.com/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-review/|title=Super Mario Galaxy Review|publisher=VideoGamer|date=2007|accessdate=10 Jan. 2024}}</ref> Aaron Linde of ''{{wp|Destructoid}}'' described ''Super Mario Galaxy'' as "one of the most beautiful games [he]'s seen in years,"<ref name=linde>{{cite|author=Linde, Aaron|url=www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-super-mario-galaxy|title=Destructoid review: Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=Destructoid|date=12 Nov. 2007}}</ref> while Penki Yamamoto of ''{{wp|Famitsu}}'' remarked that the game looked so nice that it was enjoyable to just watch other people play.<ref name=kamikaze>{{cite|author=Kamikaze, Nagata, Maria Yoshiike, Penki Yamamoto, and Gazō Aoyama|url=www.famitsu.com/games/t/449/reviews/|title=スーパーマリオギャラクシーのレビュー・評価・感想|language=ja|publisher=Weekly Famitsu|format=986|date=Oct. 2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> Controlling [[Mario]] was notably intuitive and comfortable, being instantly understandable for people who do not have a lot of experience with platform games while also {{wp|Game feel|feeling}} excellent for seasoned players.<ref name=casamassina/><ref name=dickens/><ref name=linde/><ref name=kamikaze/> The level design of ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was widely praised as some of the best of any 3D platformer at the time, and regularly subverted the player's expectations.<ref name=linde/><ref name=dickens/> Several reviewers felt that there was no certainty on the scope or unique gameplay mechanic that would be introduced in a [[galaxy]]. "You just follow the fun, chasing star trails and distant glimmers across oceans of empty sky. Levels form and dissolve under your feet, rotating and revolving," as put by Margaret Robertson for ''{{wp|Eurogamer}}''.<ref name=robertson/> This unpredictability and variety was widely acclaimed.<ref name=navarro/><ref name=casamassina/><ref name=kamikaze/> The game was often likened to ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', succeeding the game in many respects and building upon the foundation of what it had established in the 3D platform genre.<ref name=navarro/><ref name=kamikaze/> It was asserted to be a superior game to ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', which had a more tepid response from critics.<ref name=casamassina/><ref name=dickens/><ref name=robertson/><ref name=orry/>

The controls that come directly from the unique capabilities of the [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]], namely [[spin]]ning and moving the [[Star Pointer]], were viewed as some of the best integrations of the console's features at the time, and starkly contrasted with Wii games from other developers.<ref name=kamikaze/><ref name=orry/> ''{{wp|Edge (magazine)|Edge}}'' elaborated that the Pointer allowed the player to engage with the game in two different ways simultaneously, all without making it feel cumbersome.<ref name=edgereview>{{cite|author=Edge Staff|archive=web.archive.org/web/20120609021824/http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-review|title=Super Mario Galaxy Review|publisher=Edge|date=25 Nov. 2007|accessdate=10 Jan. 2024}}</ref> [[Star Ball|Ball rolling]] and [[ray surfing]] were praised as some of the best examples of motion controls on the console.<ref name=robertson/><ref name=casamassina/><ref name=rogers>{{cite|author=Rogers, Tim|url=www.actionbutton.net/?p=295|title=Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=Action Button Dot Net|date=Dec. 2007}}</ref> The game's camera, and the ease with which it automatically followed the player, was viewed positively. ''Edge'' even described it as flawless.<ref name=edgereview/> However, most reviewers noted that it would struggle in areas that would benefit from more manual control,<ref name=linde/><ref name=navarro/> such as in the sprawling [[Honeyhive Galaxy]].<ref name=orry/> For {{wp|Matt Casamassina}} of ''{{wp|IGN}}'', the camera was one of the few issues he had with an otherwise near-flawless experience. In the decade following his review, he anticipated that ''Super Mario Galaxy'' would be celebrated as a classic, much like some of its predecessors.<ref name=casamassina/>

''Famitsu'' gave ''Super Mario Galaxy'' a score of 38/40, with critics highlighting the variability of mechanics and accessibility of the controls.<ref name=kamikaze/><ref>{{cite|author=Dickens, Anthony|url=www.nintendolife.com/news/2007/10/famitsu_gives_super_mario_galaxy_3840|title=Famitsu Gives ''Super Mario Galaxy'' 38/40|publisher=Nintendo Life|date=24 Oct. 2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> Chris Scullion of ''[[NWiki:Official Nintendo Magazine|Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' gave the game a 97%, referring to it the best game of the decade while praising its visuals, sound, and gameplay elements.<ref>{{cite|author=Scullion, Chris|archive=web.archive.org/web/20141007110829/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/|title=Super Mario Galaxy review|publisher=Official Nintendo Magazine|format=23|date=Dec. 2007|page=72–77|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Higginbotham, James|url=purenintendo.com/nintendo-magazine-uk-super-mario-galaxy-review/|title=Nintendo Magazine UK: Super Mario Galaxy Review|publisher=Pure Nintendo|date=2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> In 2011, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was ranked number fifty-first in ''{{wp|Game Informer}}''{{'}}s "Top 200 Games of All Time."<ref>{{cite|author=McNamara, Andy, editor|title="Top 200 Games of All Time." ''Game Informer''|location=Minneapolis|publisher=GameStop|format=200|date=Dec. 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=dantebk|url=www.giantbomb.com/profile/dantebk/lists/game-informers-top-200-games-of-all-time/32009/|title=Game Informer's Top 200 Games of All Time|publisher=Giant Bomb|date=2011|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' ranked it as best mainline ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' game in its May 2012 issue and deemed [[Rosalina]] the "Best Supporting Character," stating "there are a lot of things in the Super Mario series that are fun, but very few are emotionally powerful; Rosalina is one of them."<ref>{{cite|author=Slate, Chris, editor in chief|title="Ultimate Super Mario." ''[[Nintendo Power]]''|format=278|location=San Francisco|publisher=Future US|date=May 2012|page=60–69}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=White, Reggie, Jr.|url=gamingrockson.blogspot.ae/2012/05/nintendo-power-ranks-super-mario-series.html?m=1|title=Nintendo Power Ranks the Super Mario Series|publisher=GAMING ROCKS ON|date=18 May 2012|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> In their final issue, they ranked ''Super Mario Galaxy'' as the third greatest game of all time.<ref>{{cite|author=Thomason, Steve, editor in chief|title="NP's Favorite Games of All Time." ''[[Nintendo Power]]''|format=285|location=San Francisco|publisher=Future US|date=Dec. 2012|page=10–28}}</ref> In Japan, a 2021 poll conducted by {{wp|TV Asahi}} with over 50,000 participants found ''Super Mario Galaxy'' amongst the top 100 video games of all time, ranked number 56.<ref name=asahi/><ref name=ashcraft/> The game has been praised by [[Gregg Mayles]], {{wp|Warren Spector}}, and {{wp|Tim Schafer}}.<ref>{{cite|author=Kim, Shane|archive=web.archive.org/web/20080705161926/http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=188055&site=cvg|title=Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts Q&A|publisher=Computer and Video Games|date=13 May, 2008|acessdate=9 Jan. 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Gillen, Kieron|url=www.rockpapershotgun.com/rps-exclusive-warren-spector-interview-2|title=RPS Exclusive: Warren Spector Interview|publisher=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=13 Feb. 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Schafer, Tim [TimOfLegend]|url=www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/40i8ej/comment/cyuudv6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3|title=I LOVE the Mario Galaxy games (even though Psychonauts did relative gravity first :D {And I think Ratchet did it before us}). I like the more challenging platformers too, but I think those would have to be an optional thing, like on a harder difficulty setting, so they don't exclude more story-minded players|publisher=Reddit|date=11 Jan. 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Turczyn, Coury|url=www.popcultmag.com/posts/qa-tim-schafers-never-ending-quest-to-inject-storytelling-into-video-games/|title=Q&A: Tim Schafer's never-ending quest to inject storytelling into video games|publisher=PopCult|date=26 Dec. 2017}}</ref>

In terms of criticism, the opening cutscenes of ''Super Mario Galaxy'' were viewed as superfluous and overdrawn by some.<ref name=robertson/><ref name=dickens/> The lack of scripted voice acting for dialogue was more consistently criticized, especially during these cutscenes.<ref name=rogers/><ref name=casamassina/> Writing for ''VideoGamer'', Tory Orry believed that ''Super Mario Galaxy'' would have benefited from having a more centralized, character-driven story like other games of its {{wp|Seventh generation of video game consoles|generation}}.<ref name=orry/> Others believed narrative elements, such as [[Rosalina's Story]], felt forced<ref name=rogers/><ref name=nitrorad>{{cite|author=Lewell, James [Nitro Rad]|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYsYaAZlUkE|title=Super Mario Galaxy - Nitro Rad|publisher=YouTube|date=19 Jan. 2018}}</ref> and needlessly dark in an otherwise joyful experience.<ref name=casamassina/> {{wp|Tim Rogers (writer)|Tim Rogers}} had a negative assessment of the game, feeling it spent too much time explaining actions to the player rather than building courses that intuitively convey them, as was done in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' and ''Super Mario 64''.<ref name=rogers/> He also felt ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was easy to a disengaging degree,<ref name=rogers/> a sentiment partially shared by some positive outlets as well.<ref name=casamassina/><ref name=edgereview/> That being said, most critics felt the game struck an ideal, comfortable balance between being needlessly difficult and easy.<ref name=robertson/><ref name=kamikaze/> In a 2018 review on his {{wp|YouTube}} channel Nitro Rad, James Lewell noted that the levels in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' tend to funnel players down specific paths and do not encourage exploration in the same way its 3D predecessors do. Even if it was a more refined experience, he felt the open sandbox-styled design of ''Super Mario Sunshine'' was a superior direction for 3D ''Super Mario'' games.<ref name=nitrorad/> Scores and comments from some of the review outlets discussed above are provided below.
{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;text-align:center"
!colspan=4 style="font-size:120%;text-align:center;background-color:silver;--darkbg:#600"|Reviews
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|Release
|Reviewer, Publication
|Score
|Comment
|-
|[[Wii]]
|Aaron Linde, ''[https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-super-mario-galaxy-53550.phtml Destructoid]''
|9.6/10
|align="left"|"''To say that they've succeeded almost isn't enough; Super Mario Galaxy is so incredible that it improves upon flaws in [[Super Mario 64|Mario 64]] that I hadn't even noticed until, y'know, Galaxy did it better. And though there's little in the way of "innovation" of the genre, it's the refinement of the genre that solidifies Galaxy as the most essential platforming experience yet created.''"
|-
|Wii
|''[https://web.archive.org/web/20120609021824/http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-review Edge]''
|10/10
|align="left"|"''Since the end of the [[Nintendo 64|N64]] era, as Nintendo has explored new pastures and methodically tended old ones, it's been easy to forget the times when every major release from the company felt like this. It's a bravura piece of design that pulls off stunts no one else has even thought of.''"
|-
|Wii
|Margaret Robertson, ''[https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/super-mario-galaxy-review?page=2 Eurogamer]''
|10/10
|align="left"|"''The great challenge in making a follow-up to Mario 64 was always that to do it justice, you'd have to make a game which is as much its own as Mario 64 was. That's no easy task when you also have to integrate the traditions of two decades of Mario games and the expectations of millions of fans. Sunshine, despite its dazzle, ultimately collapsed under that weight, becoming repetitive and sometimes cumbersome as it tried to find the balance. Where Galaxy matches Mario 64 is not quite in its quality of execution - alongside the brilliance of some stars are others which fall a bit flat, and there isn't the overall sense of implacable perfection that that game had - but in its confidence and originality. Another decade needs to go by before we'll know whether it will come to be as revered as 64 did. For now, all that matters is that the waiting is finally over.''"
|-
|Wii
|Alex Navarro, ''[https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-review/1900-6182474/ GameSpot]''
|9.5/10
|align="left"|"''The stellar presentation and fantastic level designs combine to make Super Mario Galaxy the Wii's game to beat and one of Mario's greatest adventures yet.''"
|-
|Wii
|Matt Casamassina, ''[http://ign.com/articles/2007/11/08/super-mario-galaxy-review IGN]''
|9.7/10
|align="left"|"''Galaxy isn't quite perfect. There are some minor issues -- tiny blemishes, if you will, hiding on the backside of a supermodel. There's the auto-camera, which works exceptionally well most of the time, but every so often stumbles. And there's the overall difficulty -- a little too easy to 60 stars and to defeat bosses for my tastes. But even with these potential drawbacks, Nintendo's Tokyo studio has created a platformer that deserves its place among the very best and will surely be remembered in another decade as a classic.''"
|-
|Wii
|Anthony Dickens, ''[https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wii/super_mario_galaxy Nintendo Life]''
|10/10
|align="left"|"''Super Mario Galaxy is a fantastic game, a game that displays Nintendo's continuing ambition to explore the possibilities of a 3D platformer, something that no-one else has really managed to do. It's considerably better than Super Mario Sunshine on all accounts, with the new emphasis on gravity it becomes once again a game that requires skill and timing rather than just an exploratory mind. This will be an instant hit and surely go down as one of the best Mario games. A must have for all.''"
|-
|Wii
|Tom Orry, ''[https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/super-mario-galaxy-review VideoGamer]''
|9/10
|align="left"|"''In the hands of anyone who's been longing for a true sequel to Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy could well be the game of the year, but it's nowhere near as revolutionary as Mario 64.''"
|-
!colspan=4 style="background-color:silver;--darkbg:#600;font-size:120%;text-align:center"|Aggregators
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|colspan=2|Compiler
|colspan=2|Platform / Score
|-
|colspan=2|Metacritic
|colspan=2 style="background-color:LimeGreen"|[http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/super-mario-galaxy 97]
|-
|colspan=2|GameRankings
|colspan=2|[https://web.archive.org/web/20191206040748/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/915692-super-mario-galaxy/index.html 97.64%]
|}

===Sales===
''Super Mario Galaxy'' was a commercial success, selling 350,000 units in Japan within its first few weeks of sale.<ref>{{cite|author=Kohler, Chris|url=www.wired.com/2007/11/super-mario-gal/amp|title=''Super Mario Galaxy'' Makes Sales Splash In America|publisher=WIRED|date=21 Nov. 2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> In the United States, the game sold over 500,000 units within its first week of release, earning it the highest first-week sales for a ''Super Mario'' game in the country at the time.<ref name=raby>{{cite|author=Raby, Mark|archive=web.archive.org/web/20171208122419/http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/Wii-Mario-Nintendo,news-26933.html|title=Super Mario Galaxy sees record first week sales|publisher=Tom's Hardware|date=27 Nov. 2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> Within its first two days on sale in the United Kingdom, the game was the fifth best selling piece of software.<ref>{{cite|author=Martin, Matt|url=www.gamesindustry.biz/super-mario-galaxy-breaks-500k-sales-in-first-week|title=Super Mario Galaxy breaks 500k sales in first week|publisher=GamesIndustry.biz|date=21 Nov. 2007|accessdate=8 Jan. 2024}}</ref> In 2008, [[Nintendo]] reported that the game was one of the titles that significantly contributed to a rise of console sales for the proceeding fiscal year.<ref>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd.]]|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/annual0803e.pdf|format=PDF|title=Analysis of Operations and Financial Review|publisher=Annual Report 2008|date=2008}}</ref> ''Super Mario Galaxy'' has the ninth best lifetime sales of all [[Wii]] software and the third best of software to have never been bundled with the console, having sold 12.8 million copies worldwide as of September 30, 2023.<ref>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd.]]|archive=web.archive.org/web/20231205011609/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html|title=IR Information : Financial Data - Top Selling Title Sales Units - Wii Software|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html the original|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd|date=30 Sept. 2023|accessdate=8 Jan. 2024}}</ref>

===Accolades===
Among game media outlets, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was regarded as 2007's "{{wp|List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year}}" by the editing staff of ''{{wp|IGN}}'',<ref>{{cite|author=IGN staff|archive=web.archive.org/web/20080113203707/http://bestof.ign.com/2007/overall/25.html|title=IGN Best of 2007|publisher=IGN|date=13 Jan. 2008|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> ''{{wp|GameSpot}}'',<ref>{{cite|author=Editing staff|archive=web.archive.org/web/20091130095636/http://www.gamespot.com/best-games-of-2007/gameoftheyear/index.html?page=2|title=GameSpot's Best of 2007|publisher=GameSpot|date=2008|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> ''{{wp|Kotaku}}'',<ref>{{cite|author=Crecente, Brian|archive=web.archive.org/web/20121008051051/http://kotaku.com/338725/kotakus-overall-game-of-the-year|title=Kotaku's Overall Game of the Year – 2007 Goaties|publisher=Kotaku|date=28 Dec. 2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> ''{{wp|Yahoo! Games}}'',<ref>{{cite|author=Silverman, Ben|archive=web.archive.org/web/20071224063905/http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/game-of-the-year-2007/best-overall-game-of-2007/1177115/2|title=Best Overall Game of 2007|publisher=Yahoo! Games|date=18 Dec. 2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> ''{{wp|GameTrailers}}'',<ref>{{cite|author=GameTrailers|archive=www.gametrailers.com/video/game-of-gametrailers-game/29286|title=GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2007|publisher=GameTrailers|date=1 Jan. 2008|accessdate=7 Jan. 2024}}</ref> and ''{{wp|Edge (magazine)|Edge}}''. It received the award for "Best Audio Design" from ''Edge'' as well in their annually published Edge Awards.<ref>{{cite|author=Edge Staff|archive=web.archive.org/web/20121018165751/http://www.edge-online.com/features/edge-awards-2007/3/|title=THE EDGE AWARDS 2007|publisher=Edge Online|date=20 Dec. 2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref>

Within a month of the game's release, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' won two awards at {{wp|Paramount Network|Spike TV}}'s {{wp|Spike Video Game Awards|2007 Video Game Awards}} in the United States.<ref name=technews>{{cite|author=Digital Tech News staff|archive=web.archive.org/web/20180928225501/http://www.digitaltechnews.com/news/2007/12/spike-tv-vga-20.html|title=Spike TV VGA 2007 - Video Game Awards Winners|publisher=Digital Tech News|date=8 Dec. 2007|accessdate=4 Jan. 2024}}</ref> The game subsequently received thirteen nominations from six different organizations throughout 2008. On February 8th, the game won the award for "{{wp|D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|Adventure Game of the Year}}" from the {{wp|Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences}} at the {{wp|11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards}}.<ref name=humblebrag>{{cite|author=Nintendo of America|archive=web.archive.org/web/20080213222404/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/LDsHV_120iafJ387QDMH-z467zT5F5r1|title=Did You Know? Nintendo Wins Two Interactive Achievement Awards|publisher=Nintendo Official Site|date=8 Feb. 2008|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> It was nominated in five other categories, including "{{wp|D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Overall Game of the Year}}" for which it was a finalist.<ref name=aias>{{cite|author=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|url=www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2008&idGame=934|title=Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=2008 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref> At the {{wp|Game Developers Choice Awards|8th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards}} on February 22, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' received nominations in two categories, one of which was another "Game of the Year" award.<ref name=gdca>{{cite|author=Informa Tech|url=gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_8th|title=Archive - 8th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards|publisher=Game Developers Choice Awards|date=28 Apr. 2021|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref> In March, the game was nominated for five awards and won two at the 7th Annual NAVGTR Awards from the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers.<ref name=navgtr>{{cite|author=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers|url=navgtr.org/2007-awards/|title=2007 Awards|publisher=NAVGTR|accessdate=8 Jan. 2024}}</ref> In Japan, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' won "Game of the Year" alongside [[Capcom]]'s ''{{wp|Monster Hunter Freedom 2}}'' at the {{wp|Famitsu scores#Famitsu Awards|2007 Famitsu Awards}}. It was graciously accepted by [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]].<ref name=famitsuawards>{{cite|author=Famitsu|url=www.famitsu.com/game/news/1214807_1124.html|title=【動画追加】'ファミ通アワード2007'の大賞は『モンスターハンターポータブル 2nd』と『スーパーマリオギャラクシー』に決定！|language=ja|publisher=Famitsu|date=14 May 2008|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref> At the {{wp|Japan Game Awards|Japan Game Awards 2008}}, the game received the "award for excellence" in the Game of the Year Division from the {{wp|Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association}}.<ref name=cesa>{{cite|author=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association|url=awards.cesa.or.jp/2008/english/press_081009n.html|title=Japan Game Awards 2008 'Games of the Year Division' Award Winners Chosen|publisher=Japan Game Awards 2008|date=9 Oct. 2008|accessdate=4 Jan. 2024}}</ref> The game was nominated for three awards at the {{wp|Golden Joystick Awards|Golden Joystick Awards 2008}} later that year.<ref name=joystick>{{cite|author=GamesRadar_UK|url=www.gamesradar.com/all-the-golden-joystick-awards-winners/|title=All the Golden Joystick Awards Winners|publisher=GamesRadar+|date=31 Oct. 2008|accessdate=4 Jan. 2024}}</ref>

During 2009, in what was recognized as a "surprise" by the {{wp|BBC}},<ref name=ward>{{cite|author=Ward, Mark|url=news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7933672.stm|title=As it happened: Bafta Game Awards|publisher=BBC News|date=10 Mar. 2009|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref><ref name=oduba>{{cite|author=Oduba, Ore, Leah Gooding, Sonali, Hayley Cutts, and Ricky Boleto|url=news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7930000/newsid_7936600/7936675.stm|title=Super Mario Galaxy's surprise win|publisher=CBBC Newsround|date=11 Mar. 2009|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref><ref name=cellan-jones>{{cite|author=Cellan-Jones, Rory|url=news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7936204.stm|title=Three Baftas for Call of Duty 4|publisher=BBC News|date=11 Mar. 2009|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref> ''Super Mario Galaxy'' won "Best Game" at the {{wp|5th British Academy Games Awards}} and was the first Nintendo game to ever receive the award.<ref name=nelson>{{cite|author=Nelson, Randy|url=www.engadget.com/2009/03/11/super-mario-galaxy-voted-best-game-by-bafta/|title=Super Mario Galaxy voted 'best game' by BAFTA|publisher=Engadget|date=11 Mar. 2009|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> It was accepted on behalf of the development team by senior product manager Rob Lowe, who took the opportunity to defend the title against claims that it is not a "gamer's game."<ref name=ward/> ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was nominated for the "Gameplay" and "Use of Audio" awards as well, but lost to {{wp|Activision}}'s ''{{wp|Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare}}'' and {{wp|Electronic Arts}}' ''{{wp|Dead Space (2008 video game)|Dead Space}}'', respectively.<ref name=bafta>{{cite|author=British Academy of Film and Television Arts|url=awards.bafta.org/award/2009/games|title=Games in 2009|publisher=BAFTA Awards|accessdate=6 Jan. 2024}}</ref> At the {{wp|2012 Kids' Choice Awards}}, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was nominated for "{{wp|Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Video Game|Favorite Video Game}}" a year after its [[Super Mario Galaxy 2|sequel]] was.<ref name=goodacre>{{cite|author=Goodacre, Kate|url=www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a366300/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2012-nominations-in-full|title=Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2012: Nominations in Full|publisher=Digital Spy|date=17 Feb. 2012|accessdate=4 Jan. 2024}}</ref> It lost to ''{{wp|Just Dance 3}}''.<ref name=goldderby>{{cite|author=Gold Derby News Desk|url=www.goldderby.com/article/2012/kids-choice-awards-2012-complete-list-of-winners/|title=Kids' Choice Awards 2012: Complete List of Winners|publisher=GoldDerby|date=31 Mar. 2012|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref> Each organization to recognize ''Super Mario Galaxy'' and its respective award nominations are listed below.
{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;text-align:center"
!colspan=7 style="font-size:120%;text-align:center;background-color:silver;--darkbg:#600"|Awards
|-style="background-color:#E6E6E6"
|Date
|Organization
|Country
|Award
|Result
|Ref.
|-
|rowspan=2|9 Dec. 2007
|rowspan=2|{{wp|Spike Video Game Awards}}
|rowspan=2|United States
|Best Action Game
|style="background:#BBFF99"|Won
|rowspan=2|<ref name=technews/>
|-
|Best Wii Game
|style="background:#BBFF99"|Won
|-
|rowspan=6|8 Feb. 2008
|rowspan=6|{{wp|D.I.C.E. Awards|Interactive Achievement Awards}}
|rowspan=6|United States
|Overall Game of the Year
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|rowspan=6|<ref name=aias/>
|-
|Console Game of the Year
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|Adventure Game of the Year
|style="background:#BBFF99"|Won
|-
|Outstanding Innovation in Gaming
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|Outstanding Achievement in Game Play Engineering
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|rowspan=2|22 Feb. 2008
|rowspan=2|{{wp|Game Developers Choice Awards}}
|rowspan=2|United Kingdom
|Game of the Year
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|rowspan=2|<ref name=gdca/>
|-
|Game Design
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|rowspan=5|25 Mar. 2008
|rowspan=5|NAVGTR Awards
|rowspan=5|United States
|Game of the Year
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|rowspan=5|<ref name=navgtr/>
|-
|Control Design
|style="background:#BBFF99"|Won
|-
|Control Precision
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|Game Design
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|Game Sequel Children's
|style="background:#BBFF99"|Won
|-
|26 Apr. 2008
|{{wp|Famitsu scores#Famitsu Awards|Famitsu Awards}}
|Japan
|Game of the Year
|style="background:#BBFF99"|Won
|<ref name=famitsuawards/>
|-
|9 Oct. 2008
|{{wp|Japan Game Awards}}
|Japan
|Award for excellence
|style="background:#BBFF99"|Won
|<ref name=cesa/>
|-
|rowspan=3|31 Oct. 2008
|rowspan=3|{{wp|Golden Joystick Awards}}
|rowspan=3|United Kingdom
|The Sun Family Game of the Year
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|rowspan=3|<ref name=joystick/>
|-
|Nintendo Game of the Year
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|BBC 1Xtra Soundtrack of the Year
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|rowspan=3|10 Mar. 2009
|rowspan=3|{{wp|British Academy Games Awards}}
|rowspan=3|United Kingdom
|Best Game
|style="background:#BBFF99"|Won
|rowspan=3|<ref name=bafta/>
|-
|Gameplay
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|Use of Audio
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|-
|31 Mar. 2012
|{{wp|Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards}}
|United States
|Favorite Video Game
|style="background:#FF9797"|Nominated
|<ref name=goldderby/>
|}

===Controversy===
''Super Mario Galaxy'' was the first ''Super Mario'' game to be officially localized to French for {{wp|Quebec}}. This region had previously received games in English. This followed a deal between the {{wp|Office québécois de la langue française}} and the video game industry to have every game available for that region in French by 2009. In the Quebec localization, non-playable characters (particularly the [[Luma]]s and the [[Toad Brigade]]) make heavy use of {{wp|Joual}}, a {{wp|Sociolect|social dialect}} of {{wp|Quebec French}}. This localization choice sparked a minor controversy, with representatives of the Office québécois de la langue française and the {{wp|Union des artistes}} criticizing it for promoting poor literacy to children.<ref name=parent>{{cite|author=Parent, Marie-Joëlle|archive=archive.is/GOXD|title=Nouveaux jeux Nintendo: un français lamentable|language=fr|publisher=Canoë|date=8 Nov. 2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> [[Nintendo|Nintendo of Canada]] marketing director Farjad Iravani stated that Joual was integrated to "localize the game for the market" in mind, with Quebec making up 25% of Canadian sales for Nintendo at the time.<ref name=parent/>

Following the negative press surrounding ''Super Mario Galaxy'' and the similarly localized ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass}}'' (2007), nearly all subsequent Québécois releases have been in {{wp|standard French}}. As of 2024, the only exception has been ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'' (2012), which also features the Joual dialect.

==Themes==
[[File:Mario looking at Luma.png|x130px|thumb|left|Mario after being stirred by the Apricot Luma towards the beginning of the game, with his home world far in the distance and unreachable.]]
''Super Mario Galaxy'' has been noted for its {{wp|Theme (narrative)|narrative themes}}, the very presence of which has been described as exceptional when compared to other titles in the ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' series.<ref name=kohler1/><ref name=nitrorad/> The game explores themes of isolation, {{wp|grief}}, {{wp|Family of choice|found family}}, {{wp|acceptance}}, and {{wp|Reincarnation|rebirth}}.<ref name=geller/><ref name=benfell>{{cite|author=Benfell, Grace|url=www.gamespot.com/articles/super-mario-galaxy-showed-us-something-the-series-hadnt-before-and-hasnt-since/1100-6509083/|title=Super Mario Galaxy Showed Us Something the Series Hadn’t Before, and Hasn’t Since|publisher=GameSpot|date=12 Nov. 2022}}</ref><ref name=kim>{{cite|author=Kim, Minsoo|url=medium.com/@almkim/super-mario-galaxy-and-why-its-important-to-me-3c4a7c1d59eb|title=Super Mario Galaxy (and why it’s important to me)|publisher=Medium|date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref name=webb>{{cite|author=Webb, Sophie|url=www.redbrick.me/super-mario-galaxy-in-space-no-one-can-hear-you-mamma-mia/|title=Super Mario Galaxy: In Space No-One Can Hear You Mamma Mia|publisher=Redbrick|location=University of Birmingham Guild of Students|date=13 Nov. 2023}}</ref>

The game invokes feelings of isolation and sadness through its [[#Setting|outer space setting]]. Most [[galaxy|galaxies]] are enveloped by vast, dark skies pierced by stars and distant suns. There are story scenarios, [[mission]]s, locations, and musical cues interlaced in the game that intentionally draw attention away from its more vigorous, joyful elements to focus on the dispassionate coldness of space, amplifying [[Mario]]'s relative insignificance to a vast, endless universe. Video essayist Jacob Geller notes that these conditions give the player a moment to decompress after action-orientated gameplay and foster contemplativeness. Such conditions are interpreted as existentialistic and sad,<ref name=nitrorad/> but not despairing.<ref name=geller/><ref name=kim/><ref name=webb/> Grace Benfell of ''{{wp|GameSpot}}'' describes the evoked feeling as an "existential, joyful melancholy."<ref name=benfell/>

Benfell also comments on the integration of [[Luma]]s in the game.<ref name=benfell/> The childlike creatures are predestined to become celestial bodies at the end of their life cycles. The objects Mario directly interacts with are implied (and sometimes even directly demonstrated) to have once been Lumas themselves, with [[Launch Star]]s having once been yellow Lumas, [[Pull Star]]s once blue ones, and so on. As a gameplay mechanic, [[Hungry Luma]]s permanently transform into wholly new planets and [[Galaxy|galaxies]] once fed a requested number of [[Star Bit]]s. These planets are instantaneously lush with flora and sometimes already bear communities of [[#Non-playable characters|people]] and [[#Enemies and obstacles|creatures]] living on them. As Benfell argues, this mechanic implies ''everything'' in the game, from whole worlds to animals to small objects, are "made" out of Lumas.<ref name=benfell/> This interpretation is confirmed directly in the game.<ref>{{cite|quote=The Luma that's been traveling with you may also grow up to become a star someday. Some Lumas become planets...some become comets...and a few become Power Stars.|author=[[Rosalina]] during "[[Gateway's Purple Coins]]"|title=''Super Mario Galaxy'' by Nintendo EAD Tokyo|format=North American Localization|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=12 Nov. 2007|accessdate=Retrieved 4 Jan. 2024}}</ref> The cycle of rebirth in Lumas likely derives from the {{wp|Stellar evolution|life cycle of real stars}} and the knowledge that the majority of {{wp|Chemical element#Origin of the elements|elements}}, including all the ones that make up living things, were created and distributed across the universe by dying stars.<ref>{{cite|author=Melina, Remy|url=www.livescience.com/32828-humans-really-made-stars.html|title=Are we really all made from stars?|publisher=Live Science|date=15 June 2023}}</ref> Benfell equates transformation with death, an often negative theme in art. However, she elaborates that it is in dying that new life comes to be, including newborn Lumas, so it is an essential component to how the universe functions in an {{wp|Entropy|entropic}} cycle of continuous rebirth.<ref name=benfell/>

The game's themes are most deeply and explicitly channeled through the characterization of [[Rosalina]].<ref name=nitrorad/><ref name=geller/><ref name=benfell/><ref name=webb/> As overseer of the domestic [[Comet Observatory]] and caretaker of the Lumas, she is widely perceived as a maternal figure that supports a warm, securing environment only amplified by the contrasting, cold backdrop of space. She is also presented as a figure of reliable support with godlike abilities. She is omnipotent, wise, and a timeless entity that has lived for centuries.<ref name=benfell/><ref name=webb/> Mario cannot be harmed on the Comet Observatory, and it is implied that she is the one who brings him back to safety if he falls off the side. No harm can come to the player as long as they are with her.<ref name=geller/>

However, despite the security and warmth she radiates, she is simultaneously presented as reserved, longing, and melancholic. The context for this is not explained to the player unless they enter the library on the observatory, an optional element of the game not tied to any [[completion]] criteria.<ref name=geller/> It is here that she reads a [[Rosalina's Story|storybook]] detailing her past. Long ago, Rosalina lived on [[Earth|Mario's home world]]. Her mother died while she was a child, and she was still grieving that loss when she encountered one of the [[Baby Luma|Apricot Luma]]'s predecessors. He too had lost his mother before crash-landing on her world, and he was waiting for her to return to him. Rosalina befriended and chose to wait for her with him. After several years of waiting, they traveled into space to directly look for her. It is while in space that Rosalina takes on the role of "mama" for the Luma, when he comes to tearfully accept that his mother is really gone. Over time, more lost Lumas come to Rosalina and recognize her as their mother. Towards the story's emotional climax, with Rosalina overwhelmed with memories of her mother, the Apricot Luma transforms into a comet so that she may be able to travel the stars and visit her home world again. It is through this selfless act that Rosalina realized that she was not truly alone. She realized her own purpose in life,<ref name=benfell/><ref name=webb/> embracing the role of mother for the Lumas, her family,<ref name=kim/> as her own mother did for her.

Sociologist Ciara Cremin adapted {{wp|Gilles Deleuze}}'s analysis of cinema to ''Super Mario Galaxy'', providing a foundation for how video games can be studied as a discrete artform. She understood it to be a masterpiece of the form.<ref name=cremin/>

==Legacy==
[[Shigeru Miyamoto]] considers ''Super Mario Galaxy'' to be the "true" sequel to ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', not ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''.<ref name=kohler1/> Though originally not characterized as such,<ref name=kohler1/><ref>{{cite|author=Hoffman, Chris|date=Oct. 2007|title="Reach for the Stars." ''[[Nintendo Power]]''|format=220|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America|page=34–39}}</ref><ref name=slate>{{cite|author=Slate, Chris|date=Oct. 2011|title="Keys to the Kingdom." ''[[Nintendo Power]]''|format=272|location=San Francisco|publisher=Future US|page=48–54}}</ref><ref name=kohler2>{{cite|author=Kohler, Chris|date=21 Nov. 2013|title=Nintendo, Please Make Me a Single-Player Mario Game Again|url=www.wired.com/2013/11/mario-3d-world/|publisher=WIRED}}</ref><ref name=phillips>{{cite|author=Phillips, Tom|date=5 Sept. 2015|title=Super Mario Galaxy 3 possible, but not before Nintendo's next console|url=www.eurogamer.net/super-mario-galaxy-3-opportunity-as-hardware-technology-gets-better-and-advances|publisher=Eurogamer}}</ref> the game has been internally recognized as a different type of 3D game from its predecessors and for having directly informed the structure of the subsequent three 3D ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' games, collectively called the course clear-style games.<ref name=switch/> One of these games, ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', is a direct sequel and the first one to have been released on the same console as its predecessor since ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]''.{{footnote|note|§}} Building upon the first game's design principals, its courses are more linear and reliant on 2D sections. The outer space theming is subdued. Gameplay components like the world map and [[Prankster Comet]]s are less complex. The [[Starship Mario|hub world]] is smaller than the Comet Observatory, and the unique narrative elements of ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are muted. These changes were made to further foster accessibility to a wider audience and reduce dependency on camera controls.

The design of 3D ''Super Mario'' was further streamlined in ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'', the other two course clear-style games. They were perceived to have adopted more design principals from the concurrent ''[[New Super Mario Bros. (series)|New Super Mario Bros.]]'' games than the hakoniwa ones of their 3D predecessors.<ref name=slate/><ref name=kohler2/><ref name=hakoniwa/> ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' was the first 3D game to not be explicitly tied to ''Super Mario Galaxy'' in fifteen years, but it still incorporated elements derived from the game. The [[Moon Kingdom]] was created to contrast with ''Super Mario Galaxy'' specifically, with more realistic topography.<ref>{{cite|author=[[Rikuto Yoshida|Yoshida, Rikuto]]|date=2019|title="Moon Kingdom" in ''[[The Art of Super Mario Odyssey]]'' by Kazuya Sakai, kikai, Rachel Roberts, and Jenny Blenk, editors|format=First English Edition|location=Milwaukie|publisher=[[Dark Horse Books]]|page=281}}</ref> [[Gravity]] is generally weaker in the lunar kingdoms, making [[jump]]s floatier, and a few 2D areas include spherical worlds.  [[Kenta Motokura]] cites the game as the inspiration behind [[Snapshot Mode]].<ref>{{cite|author=Z|date=20 Oct. 2017|title=The Power of Fun: Kenta Motokura and Yoshiaki Koizumi Talk 'Super Mario Odyssey'|url=geekdad.com/2017/10/super-mario-odyssey-developer-interview/|publisher=GeekDad}}</ref> [[Multi Moon]]s are analogous to [[Grand Star]]s, as are the [[Royal Seed]]s of ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'' (2023).

Iconography from ''Super Mario Galaxy'' has been incorporated into nearly all space-themed settings in subsequent spinoff games. [[Rosalina]] has become a recurring character in the mainline games and spinoffs. She often appears alongside older ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' characters in physical Nintendo advertisements, such as at {{wp|Narita International Airport}}.<ref>{{cite|author=iggynosuupu|title=Mario and Friends Now Welcoming Visitors to Narita Airport|url=nintendosoup.com/mario-and-friends-now-welcoming-visitors-to-narita-airport/|date=17 Sept. 2019|publisher=NintendoSoup}}</ref> [[Luma]]s, [[Star Bit]]s, and the [[Toad Brigade]] have also become recurring elements in the franchise. The [[Captain Toad|Toad Brigade captain]] has appeared in five subsequent mainline games and even starred in a [[Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker|dedicated title]]. The starting planet of [[Gateway Galaxy]] appears on the Yoshi's Adventure ride at [[Super Nintendo World]], and [[Ray]] appears in the Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge ride. For more specific callbacks to ''Super Mario Galaxy'', see [[#References in later media|below]].

''Super Mario Galaxy'' was the last game directed by [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]], who has taken on producorial roles for subsequent ''Super Mario'' projects. From 2013 to 2023, he was the representative director at [[1-UP Studio]], a sister studio to [[[[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD]] largely dedicated to developing 3D ''Super Mario'' games. The level-design director for ''Super Mario Galaxy'', [[Koichi Hayashida]], inherited the role of director for all subsequent course clear-style 3D titles. ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was the last ''Super Mario'' title to see "serious" involvement from Miyamoto until ''[[Super Mario Run]]'' (2016).<ref>{{cite|author=Kohler, Chris|date=15 Dec. 2016|title=''Super Mario Run'' Is Here — and Shigeru Miyamoto Told Us 7 Surprising Things About It|url=www.wired.com/2016/12/miyamoto-interview-2/|publisher=WIRED}}</ref>

''Super Mario Galaxy'' was not the first video game to integrate spherical worlds that pan under the player character's feet. However, it is often ''{{wp|de facto}}'' example of spherical world design, with games that touch upon similar concepts often likened to ''Super Mario Galaxy'' even if they were published before it. That being said, few games have even attempted to integrate the 3D spherical world design of ''Super Mario Galaxy''. From [[Nintendo]] themselves, ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'' was the last game to incorporate those types of levels.<ref name=phillips/> In 2008, {{wp|Fantawild}} published a knockoff for the Chinese market titled ''Duludubi Star'' that includes spherical worlds.<ref>{{cite|author=DidYouKnowGaming|date=29 Feb. 2020|title=China's Super Mario Galaxy Rip-Off - Region Locked ft. @ashens|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbKc7-sW1Ds|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> [[Rosalina]] was proposed as a new playable character in the earliest phases of ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]'', explicitly with the desire to replicate the {{wp|Game feel|feel}} of ''Super Mario Galaxy'' in her aerial movements.<ref>{{cite|author=djmurr and PushDustIn, translators|title="Image Transcriptions of Project Proposal for Smash for Wii U/3DS"|url=sourcegaming.info/2015/07/04/english-smash4-project-proposal-slides/|publisher=Source Gaming|date=4 Jul. 2015|accessdate=28 Apr. 2023}}</ref> The game has been cited as a source of inspiration for ''{{wp|Armillo}}'' (2014),<ref>{{cite|author=McFerran, Damien|url=www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/01/developer_interview_fuzzy_wuzzy_games_talks_armillo_and_developing_for_the_wii_u_eshop|title=Developer Interview: Fuzzy Wuzzy Games Talks Armillo And Developing For The Wii U eShop|publisher=Nintendo Life|date=18 Jan. 2013|accessdate=6 Jul. 2023}}</ref> ''{{wp|Gravity Ghost}}'' (2015),<ref>{{cite|author=Hamilton, Kirk|title=A Fresh Look At ''Gravity Ghost'', The Little Indie ''Mario Galaxy'' That Could|url=kotaku.com/a-fresh-look-at-gravity-ghost-the-little-indie-mario-g-514116801|date=18 Jun. 2013|publisher=Kotaku}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Game Developer Staff|title=7 examples of great game physics that every developer should study|url=www.gamedeveloper.com/design/7-examples-of-great-game-physics-that-every-developer-should-study|date=20 Apr. 2016|publisher=Game Developer}}</ref> ''{{wp|Gears 5}}'' (2019),<ref>{{cite|author=Sinclair, Brendan|url=www.gamesindustry.biz/rod-fergusson-keynote|title=Making Gears of War click for more than the hardcore|publisher=GamesIndustry.biz|date=19 Nov. 2019|accessdate=28 Apr. 2023}}</ref> ''{{wp|Solar Ash}}'' (2021),<ref>{{cite|author=Wood, Austin|url=www.gamesradar.com/solar-ash-lives-up-to-its-dumb-elevator-pitch-of-super-mario-galaxy-meets-shadow-of-the-colossus/|title=Solar Ash lives up to its "dumb elevator pitch" of Super Mario Galaxy meets Shadow of the Colossus|publisher=GamesRadar+|date=15 Sept. 2021|accessdate=28 Apr. 2023}}</ref> and ''[[Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope]]'' (2022).<ref>{{cite|author=Deschamps, Marc|url=comicbook.com/gaming/news/mario-rabbids-sparks-of-hope-david-soliani-interview-nintendo-switch/|title=Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Director David Soliani Reveals Inspirations, Nintendo's Limits, and More|publisher=ComicBook.com|date=27 Oct. 2022|accessdate=28 Apr. 2023}}</ref>

{{footnote|note|§|While ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' was released in 1995 on the same console as ''[[Super Mario World]]'', it is not recognized as an entry in the ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' series.<ref name=encyclopedia/>{{ref page|238, 241}}}}

==Rereleases and ports==
[[File:Box NA-Super Mario 3D All-Stars.png|thumb|North American box art for ''Super Mario 3D All-Stars''.]]
===Wii U eShop===
The game was added to the [[Wii U]] [[Nintendo eShop|eShop]] in late 2015 and early 2016, five months after [[Super Mario Galaxy 2|its sequel]] was released on the console.<ref name=wiiuJP/><ref name=wiiuUS/><ref name=wiiuEU/> It remained available for purchase on the eShop until its closure on March 27, 2023. It was the seventh Wii game distributed on the eShop and one of the 35 overall to ever be released. The eShop version runs off the Wii U’s backwards compatibility with nearly all Wii software as if the game disc was physically inserted, loads it through the Wii Menu, and accesses any save data already present on the console. The [[Wii U#Wii U GamePad|Wii U GamePad]] can be used to pause the game and return to the Wii U Menu, but it otherwise can only be controlled with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.

===Nvidia Shield TV===
''Super Mario Galaxy'' was rereleased to the {{wp|Nvidia Shield TV}} microconsole and digitally distributed on March 22, 2018, exclusively in China.<ref name=shield/> It was the first of six Wii games to be made available on the Nvidia Shield TV. It remained available for download until late 2021, when all Wii games were removed from the Shield. The game was emulated on the console, enabling it to run at {{wp|1080p}}. Sprites and textures were upscaled to match the higher-definition display. Inputs have been modified for the more conventional Shield controller, which cannot track motion like the Wii Remote can (see [[#Controls|above]]). Unused assets present in the data of the Wii release were removed. The game was officially localized into Chinese (Simplified Chinese) by [[iQue]]. As the Shield does not support [[Mii]]s, they are not available for save file icons in this version of ''Super Mario Galaxy''.<ref name=brian>{{cite|author=Chinese Nintendo [@chinesenintendo]|url=twitter.com/chinesenintendo/status/977408083176509441|title=Super Mario Galaxy (Nvidia Shield) screenshots. Images provided by @brian02031|publisher=Twitter|date=24 Mar. 2018|accessdate=15 Mar. 2021}}</ref> The copyright information displays "© 2007-2008 Nintendo." It is unclear what 2008 means in this context, but it potentially refers to the year ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was planned for release on the iQue Wii before the console failed to make its way into the Chinese market.<ref name=brian/>

===''Super Mario 3D All-Stars''===
{{main|Super Mario 3D All-Stars}}
In correspondence with the [[Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary|35th anniversary]] of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', Nintendo released ''Super Mario 3D All-Stars'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]] on September 18, 2020 worldwide.<ref name=3DAS/> It is a compilation that includes upscaled versions of ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' in addition to ''Super Mario Galaxy''. This version of the game is comparable to the Nvidia Shield TV release and they share similar revisions, though it does not include the Chinese localization. It only offers menu translation for the Chinese-speaking audience. This is reportedly due to the translation not being fully owned by Nintendo.<ref>{{cite|author=Old_Bag_EN [@MetalMarioJSKR]|url=twitter.com/MetalMarioJSKR/status/1302445969770913792?s=20|title=I got in touch with people who worked on Nintendo's Chinese localization. SM3D All-Starts arrived at the localization team very early. Everyone thought they could just slap the existing Chinese ROMs from iQue/Nvidia, but negotiations weren't successful|publisher=Twitter|date=5 Sept. 2020|accessdate=19 Apr. 2023}}</ref> Like the Shield version, Miis cannot be chosen as save icons even though the Switch has an integrated Mii creation tool. The compilation had a limited physical release at retail outlets and was available to download on the Switch's eShop until March 31, 2021.<ref name=3DAS/> The official description of ''Super Mario Galaxy'' in the compilation is as follows:
<blockquote>
It's the night of the [[Star Festival]], and [[Star Bit]]s are falling from the sky! As everyone celebrates, Bowser suddenly appears and lifts the castle—and Princess Peach—into space, leaving Mario stranded in orbit! It's here that Mario meets a curious star child, [[Baby Luma|Luma]], and a [[Rosalina|mysterious woman in blue]]...This game introduced new ways to control Mario, like pointing and shaking the Wii Remote, as he explores miniature planets with fun forms of gravity.</blockquote>

==References to other games==
*''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'': [[Fire Mario]] appears. One side of a [[Toy Time Galaxy#8-Bit Mario Bros. Planet|planet]] looks like [[Small Mario]]'s sprite while the other resembles Small Luigi's. The [[:File:SMG Flipswitch Galaxy Mission.png|backgrounds]] of several galaxies are based on the sprites in this game. "[[:File:Super Mario 2007 Super Mario Galaxy.oga|Super Mario 2007]]" is an arrangement of "[[Ground BGM (Super Mario Bros.)|Ground BGM]]." "[[:File:Space Athletic Super Mario Galaxy.oga|Space Athletic]]" is an arrangement of "[[Underground BGM]]." "[[:File:Cosmic Comet Super Mario Galaxy.oga|Cosmic Comet]]" incorporates both pieces. Collecting [[note]]s sometimes plays the "Underground Theme" or "[[Underwater BGM]]."
*''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda}}'': [[Octoomba|Electrogoomba]]s and [[Rocto]]s resemble [[Crossovers with The Legend of Zelda#Octoroks|Octoroks]]. [[Bat (Super Mario Galaxy)|Bat]]s resemble [[Keese]].
*''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'': Luigi jumps higher and has worse traction than Mario.
*''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'': Luigi [[Scuttle|scuttles]] his legs when he performs a [[Triple Jump]].
*''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'': [[Airship]]s appear. [[Monty]]s behave like [[Rocky Wrench]]es. "[[:File:Blue Sky Athletic Super Mario Galaxy.oga|Blue Sky Athletic]]" and "[[:File:Airship Armada Super Mario Galaxy.oga|Airship Armada]]" are arrangements of "[[:File:Overworld Theme 2 Super Mario Bros 3.oga|Athletic Theme]]" and "[[:File:Airship Theme Super Mario Bros 3.oga|Airship Theme]]," respectively.
*''[[Super Mario World]]'': Yoshi makes several cameos. [[Magikoopa]]s, [[Mechakoopa|Mecha-Bowsers]], [[Torpedo Ted]]s, and [[Urchin]]s appear.
*''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series: [[Red Shell]]s home-in on nearby targets when thrown.
*''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'': The Magikoopa in the opening cutscene is localized in English as "[[Kamek]]."
*''[[Super Mario 64]]'': Princess Peach invites Mario to [[Peach's Castle|her castle]] at the beginning of the game. Levels are completed by collecting [[Power Star]]s. [[Rabbit]]s,  a [[Manta|manta ray]], [[penguin]]s, [[Tox Box]]es, and [[Bomp]]s appear. [[Tarantox]] has suction cup-like feet, a trait shared with [[Scuttlebug]]s and [[Skeeter]]s. "[[:File:The Fiery Stronghold Super Mario Galaxy.oga|The Fiery Stronghold]]" is an arrangement of "[[:File:SM64-Bowser's Road.oga|Koopa's Road]]." After the credits, an ending screen is displayed where Mario says "Thank you so much for playing my game!"
*''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}'': [[Ice bat]]s resemble {{iw|zeldawiki|Ice Keese}}.
*''[[Paper Mario]]'': Bowser abducts Princess Peach by pulling her castle into the sky. A race of celestial [[Star Kid|star children]] have a prominent role in the story.
*''[[Luigi's Mansion]]'': "[[Luigi and the Haunted Mansion]]" parodies and subverts this title, with Mario rescuing Luigi from a [[Bouldergeist|powerful ghost]].
*''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'': [[Cataquack]]s and [[Pokey Head]]s appear. Variants of [[Plurp]]s and [[Wind Spirit]]s called [[Cluckboom]]s and [[Bone Twister]]s, respectively, are introduced. [[Fire Shooter]]s and [[Water Shooter]]s resemble [[F.L.U.D.D.|FLUDD]]. The [[Dino Piranha|first boss]] resembles [[Petey Piranha]]. The goal in [[ray surfing]] is shaped like a [[Shine Sprite]].
*''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'': [[:File:SMG Asset Texture Prologue 04.png|Several Toads]] in the prologue resemble [[Toadette]].
*''{{iw|pikipedia|Pikmin 2}}'': The [[:File:SMG Planet Rocket.png|rocket ship]] found in the Space Junk Galaxy is asserted to be the {{iw|pikipedia|Hocotate Ship}}.<ref>{{cite|quote=In one area, you can actually go to Olimar and Louie's ship from Pikmin 2 and you can run around on it.|author=Nintendo of America kiosk representative|date=11 May. 2019|title=Super Mario Galaxy (working title) Gameplay Movie|url=www.gamespot.com/videos/super-mario-galaxy-working-title-gameplay-movie/2300-6150620/|timestamp=3:00|website=Gamespot|accessdate=3 Mar. 2025}}</ref>
*''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'': [[Silver Star]]s appear.
*''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]'': [[Banandelion]]s appear. [[Guppy]] has the same Japanese name as [[Orco]].
*''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'': Design elements of the [[? Block]] introduced in this game and its artwork, in particular its chamfers and the design of the question mark printed on it, return in this game and in subsequent games. The sound effect that [[Dry Bones]] make when they revitalize themselves is the same in both games, being a reversal of the sound effect they make when they crumble with an extra note at the end.

==References in later media==
[[File:TournamentJune1.png|right|thumb|250px|Screenshot of the June 2008 Tournament from ''Mario Kart Wii'', featuring Spiky Topmen on Galaxy Colosseum.]]
[[File:SSB4 Rosalina Key Art.jpg|right|thumb|Promotional poster of [[smashwiki:Rosalina & Luma (SSB4)|Rosalina & Luma]] in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U'', an allusion to the original game's boxart.]]
*''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}'': If the player has saved data for the game on their system, a sticker of Mario's emblem appears on {{iw|metroidwiki|Samus's Gunship}}.
*''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'': [[Rosalina]] is a playable character and is easier to unlock if the player has ''Super Mario Galaxy'' save data on their system. [[Star Bit]]s surround [[Wii Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]], and "Egg Planet" is incorporated as a countermelody to the course's [[:File:MKW Rainbow Road Theme.oga|theme music]]. [[Spiky Topman|Spiky Topmen]] appear as bosses in multiple [[List of Mario Kart Wii tournaments|online tournaments]] on a course named [[Galaxy Colosseum]]. The countdown sequence for [[ray surfing]] and [[Bob-omb Blasting]] was repurposed for the sequence for starting races and battles in this game.
*''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'': [[Bowser]] can use a [[Spike Ball (move)|rolling move]] similar to one he can perform during "[[The Fate of the Universe]]."
*[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)|''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games'' (Wii)]]: Both the [[Dream Ski Jumping (Individual)|Individual]] and [[Dream Ski Jumping (Team)|Team]] versions of Dream Ski Jumping take place in the [[Good Egg Galaxy]]. Several music tracks from ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are available in the in-game shop.
*''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'': During the credits, [[Princess Peach]] can be heard reading a version of the letter she sends to Mario at the beginning of ''Super Mario Galaxy''. [[Clampy]]s return in this game.
*''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'': A dedicated sequel with many shared elements.
*''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'': An [[:File:SM3DL-Ghost House Theme.oga|arrangement]] of "Waltz of the Boos" is used for this game's [[Ghost House]]s.
*[[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii)|''Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games'' (Wii)]]: [[Dream Spacewalk]] takes place in Synchro Battle Galaxy, a location partially based on Good Egg Galaxy. The event also features sound effects from ''Super Mario Galaxy'' and characters can [[spin]]. [[Dream Hurdles]] takes place in the Battlerock Galaxy. Rearrangements of the music pieces "Dino Piranha," "Battlerock Galaxy," and "Purple Comet" appear in the game. A Mii outfit based on Bee Mario can be unlocked in the game, and Mario's special dash has also been updated to resemble the spin.
*''[[Mario Kart 7]]'': [[Honey Queen|Queen Bee]] can be unlocked as a playable character. The Comet Observatory, Gateway Galaxy's starting planet, a [[Starshroom]], and several domes appear in the background of [[3DS Rosalina's Ice World|Rosalina's Ice World]].
*''[[Mario Party 9]]'': "Enter Bowser Jr.!" was [[:File:MP9 Bowser Jr. Battle 2.oga|rearranged]] for some of the minigames with [[Bowser Jr.]]
*''[[Mario Tennis Open]]'': A [[Luma]] can be unlocked as a playable character. [[Galaxy Arena]] is based on this game, with "[[Rosalina in the Observatory]]" rearranged for the court's [[:File:MTO Galaxy Arena Court Theme.oga|background music]]. "Egg Planet" was remixed for the [[:File:MTO Galaxy Rally Theme.oga|music]] in [[Galaxy Rally]], itself influenced by ''Super Mario Galaxy''. The Comet Observatory appears in the background of the title screen.
*''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'': "Waltz of the Boos" was arranged for part of [[the Enigmansion]]'s background music. Another, big-band-styled version plays when the [[Boo]]s escape from the [[Book of Sealing]].
*''[[Mario Party: Island Tour]]'': [[Rocket Road]] is based on this game and "Egg Planet" is incorporated into the board's background music. Rosalina and Lumas appear in the background.
*''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'': Rosalina and the [[Captain Toad|Toad Brigade captain]] appear as playable characters. Rosalina's unique attack is the spin. [[Octoomba|Electrogoombas]], Lumas, and the Comet Observatory appear in [[Super Galaxy]], itself based on ''Super Mario Galaxy''. Star Bits appear in the background of special worlds that occur in outer space. The original "Rosalina in the Observatory" plays in [[World Crown]]. "[[:File:Super Mario 3D World - Champions Road.oga|Champion Road]]" is an arrangement of "[[Gusty Garden Galaxy (theme)|Gusty Garden Galaxy]]." "[[:File:SM3DW Captain Toad Theme.oga|Captain Toad Goes Forth]]" is an elaboration on "The Toad Brigade."
*''[[Mario Golf: World Tour]]'': Rosalina is a DLC character. [[Mario's Star (golf course)|Mario's Star]] uses elements from ''Super Mario Galaxy''. "The Honeyhive" was rearranged for the background music of [[Wiggler Park]].
*''[[Mario Kart 8]]'': The airline company [[List of sponsors debuting in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe#Galaxy Air|Galaxy Air]] uses a Luma as its mascot. "Gusty Garden Galaxy" was rearranged for a portion of "Cloudtop Cruise."
*''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]'': [[Rosalina#Super Smash Bros. series|Rosalina & Luma]] appear as newcomers. In the [[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U|Wii U version]], [[Mario Galaxy (stage)|Mario Galaxy]] is based on this game and resembles Gateway Galaxy's starting planet. [[smashwiki:List of SSB4 trophies (Super Mario Bros. series)|Trophies]] of Apricot Luma, The Toad Brigade, Bee Mario, Boo Mario, Spring Mario, and Rainbow Mario appear in the game. There is a [[smashwiki:Trophy Box|Trophy Box]] dedicated to this game. "Rosalina in the Observatory / Luma's Theme" and "Egg Planet" are rearrangements of the original game's music.
*''[[Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker]]'': The red Starshroom appears.
*''[[Mario Party 10]]'': An arrangement of "Rosalina in the Observatory" titled "Rosalina's Theme" can be heard when Rosalina's [[amiibo]] is being controlled in [[amiibo Party]].
*''{{iw|nwiki|Style Savvy: Fashion Forward}}'': A yukata based on Rosalina was released as free DLC. A Luma is embroidered on the sash.
*''[[Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition]]'': Rosalina, Bee Mario, and Boo Mario appear as Helpers for the player's team. "Gusty Garden Galaxy" music is used in the game's credits.
*''[[Super Mario Maker]]'': The victory and death themes from ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are used when the Rosalina [[Costume Mario|costume]] completes a level or loses a life, respectively.
*''[[Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games]]'': An arrangement of "Rosalina in the Observatory" is available as a track.
*''[[Mario Party: Star Rush]]'': "Gusty Garden Galaxy" is one of the songs in the Rhythm Recital mode for this game.<ref>{{cite|author=Koopman, Daan [NintenDaan]|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PGHIjHK1Vc|title=<nowiki>[Mario Party: Star Rush]</nowiki> Rhythm Recital Gameplay 2|publisher=YouTube|date=22 Sept. 2016|accessdate=24 Sept. 2016}}</ref>
*''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]'': [[Bee Mushroom]]s can be found on tubes of honey.
*''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'': An [[8-bit character]] of Rosalina appears in [[Dark Side]] and [[Darker Side]]. "The Odyssey: Power Up!" is an arrangement of the fanfare that plays when Mario collects a new power-up. The [[regional coin]]s in the [[Moon Kingdom]] are shaped like Star Bits. There is a musical [[Easter egg]] on the pause menu where when pausing and selecting options, a simple arrangement of "Rosalina in the Observatory" can be heard.
*''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'': With the exception of trophies, all of the elements related to ''Super Mario Galaxy'' from ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'' - including Rosalina & Luma - return. They have a revised [[Final Smash]] that uses the [[Grand Star (move)|Grand Star]]. Boo Mario, Luma, Hungry Luma, and Queen Bee appears as [[smashwiki:List of spirits (Super Mario series)|spirits]] and use their artwork from ''Super Mario Galaxy''. Queen Bee runs a [[smashwiki:Master Spirit|Dojo]].
*''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]'': The Wii sound effect causes "Gusty Garden Galaxy" music to play on a level.
*''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'': [[Ice Mario (Super Mario Galaxy)|Ice Mario]] is a playable driver.
*''[[Dr. Mario World]]'': [[World 8 (Dr. Mario World)|World 8]] is based on the game. The Comet Observatory and planets from Good Egg Galaxy appear in the background. [[Rosalina|Dr. Rosalina]] and [[Luma|Dr. Luma]] were introduced with World 8 in October, 2019.
*''[[Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope]]'': [[Rabbid Rosalina]] is a playable character. The antagonist [[Cursa]] possesses Rosalina herself for most of the game. [[Spark (Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope)|Sparks]] are part Luma. An arrangement of "Rosalina in the Observatory" plays when Rabbid Rosalina obtains a [[Purified Darkmess Energy Crystal]]. A music box rendition of the main melody's first three notes also plays when Rabbid Rosalina uses her [[Ennui]] move. An arrangement of the theme also plays when Rabbid Rosalina is introduced in the game's cinematic trailer.
*''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'': A [[Lumalee]] and [[Bat (Super Mario Galaxy)|bats]] are in the movie. "The Toad Brigade" is incorporated into "Strange New World." The piece overall is associated with [[Toad]]. An arrangement of "Gusty Garden Galaxy" plays in the credits.

==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
SM3DAS-SMG-MarioBlueLuma.png| [[Mario]] floating with a blue Luma
Bee Luigi Super Mario Galaxy.png| [[Bee Luigi]]
SMG Concept Art 31.jpg| Concept art of the [[Toad Brigade]] in their [[Starshroom]]
Ch9 1.png| Illustration from chapter 9 of [[Rosalina's Story]]
MarioPeachSMG.png| Wii Message Board award for collecting 240 Power Stars
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jpn=スーパーマリオギャラクシー<ref name=encyclopedia/>
|JpnR=Sūpā Mario Gyarakushī
|JpnM=Super Mario Galaxy
|Kor=슈퍼 마리오 Wii 갤럭시 어드벤처<ref name=korea/>
|KorR=Syupeo Mario Wii Gaelleoksi Eodeubencheo
|KorM=Super Mario Wii: Galaxy Adventure
|ChiT=超級瑪利歐銀河<ref>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo (Hong Kong) Limited]]|url=www.nintendo.com.hk/topics/article/a_200904_01.html|title=《超級瑪利歐64》、《超級瑪利歐陽光》和《超級瑪利歐銀河》。3款歷代的3D瑪利歐收錄在Nintendo Switch的《超級瑪利歐 3D 收藏輯》，將於9月18日發售！|language=zh|publisher=任天堂(香港)有限公司網站|date=4 Sept. 2020|accessdate=Sept. 2020}}</ref>
|ChiTR=Chāojí Mǎlìōu Yínhé
|ChiTM=Super Mario Galaxy
|ChiS=超级马力欧银河<ref>{{cite|author=Nvidia|url=shield.nvidia.cn/games/geforce-now/supermariogalaxy|title=超级马力欧银河|language=zh|publisher=NVIDIA SHIELD|date=2018|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref>
|ChiSR=Chāojí Mǎlìōu Yínhé
|ChiSM=Super Mario Galaxy
}}

==Notes==
[[File:Luigi in the Honeyhive Kingdom easter egg.png|thumb|Luigi talking to Mario after he fell into the black hole before collecting Luigi's Power Star in Honeyhive Galaxy.]]
*Coincidentally, a game titled "Super Mario Galaxy" was first mentioned in a fan letter written to ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' in 1991. The letter details a fantasy game console called the Raw Power System that would come bundled with a game named "Super Mario Galaxy," otherwise known as "Super Mario Bros. 24."<ref>{{cite|author=Peterford, Jimmy|title="If Only We Had 27 Fingers!" ''[[Nintendo Power]]''|format=31|date=Dec. 1991|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America|page=6}}</ref>
*{{wp|Insomniac Games}}' marketing director, Ryan Schneider, believed the game's spherical world concept potentially derived from ''{{wp|Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando}}'' and ''{{wp|Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal|Up Your Arsenal}}'', which he thought was "flattering."<ref>{{cite|author=Doree, Adam|url=archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/ratchet_ps3_iv_p1.asp|title=Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction for PS3: Insomniac Interview, October 2007|publisher=Kikizo|date=3 Oct. 2007|accessdate=7 Jan. 2024}}</ref> When asked if this was a correct observation in an interview with ''{{wp|Official Nintendo Magazine}}'', [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] shared he was unfamiliar with the ''{{wp|Ratchet & Clank}}'' games and did not even know what consoles they were on.<ref>{{cite|author=Jackson, Mike|archive=web.archive.org/web/20071230065735/https://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=177554|title=Miyamoto's 'never seen' Ratchet and Clank|publisher=Computer and Video Games|date=14 Dec. 2007|accessdate=7 Jan. 2024}}</ref>
*An automated phone message sent to people who preordered the game at {{wp|GameStop}} incorrectly stated ''Super Mario Galaxy'' is a Mature-rated game.<ref>{{cite|author=GoNintendoRMC|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVbQTeKXwZI|title=Super Mario Galaxy - rated Mature?!|publisher=YouTube|date=14 Nov. 2007|accessdate=30 Dec. 2015}}</ref>
*The galaxy image in [[:File:SMG Logo.png|the ''Super Mario Galaxy'' wordmark]] derives from [https://t.co/spMNj4aJS3?amp=1 this photograph] of the {{wp|Andromeda Galaxy}}.<ref>{{cite|author=Captain Byte! [@CometMedal]|url=twitter.com/CometMedal/status/1296637781842722822|title=I found the full image of the galaxy depicted in Super Mario Galaxy's logo - an edited image of Andromeda Galaxy taken by Robert Gendler in 2005. It took some tricky work to confirm, but I pulled it off|publisher=Twitter|date=20 Aug. 2020|accessdate=15 Mar. 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Captain Byte! [@CometMedal]|url=twitter.com/CometMedal/status/1335745247708667908|title=Here's the exact edited image used by Nintendo, from Sonzaijiten, Vol. 21 (Space / Planets)|publisher=Twitter|date=6 Dec. 2020|accessdate=15 Mar. 2021}}</ref>
*''Super Mario Galaxy'' has been used in {{wp|Neuroscience|neurobiology}} research to investigate how consistent engagement with interactive stimuli affects {{wp|grey matter}} in elderly people.<ref name=west>West, Greg L., Benjamin Rich Zendel, Kyoko Konishi, Jessica Benady-Chorney, Veronique D. Bohbot, Isabelle Peretz, and Sylvie Belleville (6 Dec. 2017). [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187779 Playing Super Mario 64 increases hippocampal grey matter in older adults]. ''PLOS ONE, 12''(12). Public Library of Science.</ref><ref name=diarra>Moussa, Diarra, Benjamin Rich Zendel, Jessica Benady-Chorney, Caroll-Ann Blanchette, Franco Leporé, Isabelle Peretz, Sylvie Belleville, and Greg L. West (15 Dec. 2018). [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-018-5453-6 Playing Super Mario increases oculomotor inhibition and frontal eye field grey matter in older adults]. ''Experimental Brain Research, 237''(3), Springer Science+Business Media. Page 723–33.</ref>
*This game does not have a Dutch translation, as Nintendo of Europe did not localize games into that language at the time. Despite this, one single message in the game was translated, being the prompt to insert the Nunchuk into the Wii Remote.
*The game was released under the name ''Super Mario Wii: Galaxy Adventure'' in South Korea because "galaxy" was already a registered trademark there.<ref>{{cite|author=Patent Trial and Appeal Board|title=2006년 상표출원 제0063212 SUPER MARIO GALAXY|language=ko|url=kdtj.kipris.or.kr/kdtj/grrt1000a.do?method=biblioJMFrame&masterKey=2007101010469&index=26&kindOfReq=J&valid_fg=N|date=13 Dec. 2006|location=Daejeon|publisher=Korean Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board}}</ref>
*If Mario<ref name=luigi group=note/> saves Luigi in a mission but then falls into a black hole before collecting the Power Star, Luigi will ask him if he is okay the next time he is spoken to.

==Footnotes and references==
===Footnotes===
<references group=note/>

===References===
<references/>

==External links==
{{NIWA|NWiki=1|StrategyWiki=1}}
{{TCRF}}
*[https://www.nintendo.com/jp/character/mario/en/history/galaxy/index.html Mario Portal Game Archive (EN)] [https://archive.is/IMSwG (archive)]
*[https://www.nintendo.com/jp/character/mario/history/galaxy/index.html Mario Portal Game Archive (JP)]
*[https://noclip.website/ noclip.website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190704221508/http://shield.nvidia.cn:80/games/geforce-now/supermariogalaxy Official Chinese site (archived)]
*[https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/RVL/JPN/RMGJ/RMGJ_J.pdf Official Japanese instruction booklet]
*[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rmgj/ Official Japanese site]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160411142621/http://www.nintendo.co.kr/Wii/software/supermario/main.php?nn=0 Official Korean site (archived)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100410080938/http://www.nintendo.com/sites/supermariogalaxy/ Official North American English site (archived)]
*[https://csassets.nintendo.com/noaext/image/private/t_KA_PDF/Wii_Super_Mario_Galaxy?_a=BATCtdAA0 Official North American instruction booklet (EN/FR/ES)]
{{SMG}}
{{Super Mario games}}
{{Wii}}
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[[it:Super Mario Galaxy]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy|*]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Wii games]]
[[Category:Platforming games]]
[[Category:2007 games]]
[[Category:2008 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Selects]]