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{{Articleabout|the artifact from ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]|the attack|[[Dark Star (attack)|here]]''|the Dark Stars from ''[[Mario Party 7]]''|[[Ztar]]}}
{{about|the artifact from ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''|the move in [[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]|[[Dark Star (move)]]|the dark purple [[Star (Mario Party series)|Star]]s referred to as Dark Stars in the North American version of ''[[Mario Party 7]]''|[[Ztar]]}}
{{character-infobox
{{character infobox
|border=black
|image=[[File:Dark Star MaLBIS.png|200px]]<br>Artwork of the Dark Star from ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''
|titlebg=#5D3954
|first_appearance=''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' ([[List of games by date#2009|2009]])
|secbg=#5D3954
|latest_appearance=''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey]]'' ([[List of games by date#2018|2018]])
|image=[[Image:DarkStar Drawing.jpg|250px]]
|full_name=Dark Star
|first_appearance=''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' (2009)
|species=[[Star (species)|Star]]  
|species=[[Star (species)|Star]]  
|affiliation=[[Fawful]], [[Dark Bowser]]
}}
}}
{{Quote|It was not benevolent. It was a frightful star that hid a great evil.|Princess Peach|Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story}}
{{quote|Long, long ago, a star sleeping deep below the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] was dug up. It was not benevolent. It was a frightful star that hid a great evil. The '''Dark Star'''. It was said that if an evil entity found the Dark Star, the world would plunge into darkness. That [[Dark Bowser|evil-hearted entity]] would rule the world. Fearing that, the [[Star (species)|Star Sprites]] that watch over us sacrificed much over many years. They sealed up the Dark Star deep under the earth in [[Toad Town]].|Princess Peach|Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story}}


The '''Dark Star''' is an artifact featuring prominently in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''. Long before the time of the game, it was discovered by Toad archaeologists. It attacked the kingdom, and was sealed away by the Star Sprites. It was said that if someone evil broke the seal on the Dark Star and allowed it to attack the kingdom once again, the evil entity would receive enormous power.
The '''Dark Star''' is the overarching antagonist in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' and its remake, ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey]]''. It is a sentient artifact of incredible dark power that [[Fawful]] seeks out to aid in his quest for global domination, with the second half of the game focusing on [[Mario]], [[Luigi]], and [[Bowser]] each trying to stop both him and the evil artifact. The Dark Star first appears as a medium-sized violet orb, with a red-eyed black star similar to a [[Ztar]] on the front. It is not capable of speech in its initial form, but gains the ability to do so upon forming [[Dark Bowser]].
 
As a boss, the Dark Star gives the most [[Experience Point|experience points]] of any enemy in the game when defeated (however, the [[Badge#Bonus Badge|Bonus Badge]] does not grant any additional points). A more powerful variant, [[Dark Star X]], can be fought in [[The Gauntlet]] after Mario and Luigi first defeat the Dark Star.


==History==
==History==
===''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story===
===''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story''===
During the events of ''Bowser's Inside Story'', the Dark Star was stolen by [[Fawful]] in order to fulfill his plans. He uses its power to barricade the front door to [[Peach's Castle]] allowing him to use it as a stronghold during the game. [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] eventually use the [[Miracle Cure]] to destroy the barrier. He also kidnapped [[Princess Peach]] in order to break its seal.
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=horizontal
|footer=Images of the Dark Star rampaging throughout the kingdom and being sealed by the Star Sprites.
|width=200
|image1=Dark Star scares Toads MLBiS.png
|image2=DarkStarSealed.png
}}
Long before the events of ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'', the Dark Star was discovered by [[Toad (species)|Toad]] archaeologists in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. Shortly after it was discovered, the Dark Star viciously attacked the kingdom, but was sealed away by the [[Star (species)|Star Sprites]] and kept beneath the depths of the world in [[Toad Town]]. It was said that if any great evil being found the Dark Star and allowed it to attack the kingdom once again, the evil entity would receive enormous power and will rule the world, plunging it into darkness. No one can break the seal on the Dark Star, except for the Mushroom Kingdom's ruler, [[Princess Peach]].
 
[[File:Fawful2.png|thumb|left|200px|Fawful taking the Dark Star from Toad Town Caves.]]
Fawful plots to use the artifact in order to fulfill his plans for global domination. He removes Peach from Bowser's body and kidnaps her, allowing him to break the seal on the Dark Star, which he steals from the [[Toad Town Caves]] after circumventing the security system. Fawful first uses its power to barricade the entrance to [[Peach's Castle]], allowing him to use it as a stronghold. Mario and Luigi eventually assemble all three [[Star Cure]]s from the [[Star Sages]] into the [[Miracle Cure]], using it to break the barricade, as well as curing the [[blorbs]] that Fawful had created earlier; this allows them, and later Bowser, to infiltrate the castle in order to stop Fawful and the Dark Star.
 
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=horizontal
|width=200
|image1=Fawful3.png
|caption1=Fawful and Midbus watch as they try to awaken the Dark Star.
|image2=FawfulabsorbDarkstar.png
|caption2=Fawful absorbing the Dark Star's energy to turn into Dark Fawful.
}}
Fawful then places the Dark Star into a machine that he designed to transfer Princess Peach's power into it, which would awaken it and allow him to harness its power; when Bowser finally confronts Fawful and [[Midbus]], Fawful turns his minion into [[Blizzard Midbus]] to stop the Koopa King. Once Bowser defeats Midbus, however, Fawful then attempts to absorb the Dark Star's power; while doing so, Bowser seemingly punches through him, causing him to vanish. As Bowser laughs at how good it feels "finally punching out that weirdo", the partially-drained Dark Star awakens and escapes from the machine, circling Bowser before forcing its way down his throat and into his chest; this causes Bowser to experience heartburn-like pains, which he relieves by inhaling some of the frigid air from Blizzard Midbus's snout, allowing Mario, Luigi, and [[Starlow]] to enter the previously inaccessible [[Airway (Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story)|Airway]] in pursuit of the Dark Star.
 
[[File:Dark Bowser Pieces.PNG|thumb|left|The Dark Star turning into the pieces of Dark Bowser.]]
Within the Airway, the Mario Bros. repeatedly try and fail to trap the Dark Star, which eludes their grasp by copying Bowser's DNA in order to enhance its own powers; this ranges from punching to breathing purple fire and body slamming the barriers, and Starlow soon begins to suspect as much. Eventually, the Mario Bros. confront the Dark Star at the very back of the Airway and battle it; despite the Bros. defeating the Dark Star, it simply escapes from Bowser's body and transforms into [[Dark Bowser|a Bowser-esque apparition]].


[[Image:DarkStarSealed.png|left|thumb|The Dark Star was sealed by the Star Sprites in an attempt to stop its malevolent rampage throughout the kingdom.]]
[[File:Dark Star Core Explosion.PNG|thumb|The Dark Star Core defeated.]]
When [[Bowser]] confronts Fawful and [[Midbus]] near the end of the game, the Dark Star escapes from the machine that Fawful has been using to drain its power. While Bowser is distracted fighting [[Blizzard Midbus]], Fawful absorbs some of the Dark Star's power and is converted to [[Dark Fawful]]. He flies off in search of the missing star. However, while he is gone, the Dark Star returns and invades [[Bowser's body]].  Thus, Mario and Luigi venture to the final unexplored area of Bowser's body, [[Airway]]. Here, they discover the Dark Star absorbing pieces of Bowser's DNA. They attempt to capture it several times, but each time it escapes using one of Bowser's powers. [[Starlow]] theorizes that it is somehow incorporating Bowser's DNA into its own body, apparently interested in Bowser's massive strength and other abilities.
When Dark Fawful is defeated by Bowser and flees the [[Conference Hall]], Dark Bowser inhales him, and the Dark Star inside his body merges with Fawful's bug form, completing Dark Bowser and creating the [[Dark Star Core]]; this fact is not revealed until the final battle. When Dark Bowser is KOd, the Dark Star Core's powers allow him to recover and double in size; once Bowser punches the enlarged Dark Bowser's stomach, he expels Dark Fawful, who Bowser can then inhale into his body. Within Bowser's body, Mario and Luigi confront Dark Fawful, who transforms into the Dark Star Core, and manage to progressively weaken them before attacking the Dark Star directly, eventually defeating them both.


Eventually, the Mario bros. confront Dark Star at the very back of the Airway. They attempt to destroy it, but it simply escapes from Bowser's body. Outside, it transforms into an apparition of [[Dark Bowser]] and escapes, freeing Bowser from the room he was trapped in in the process.
After the Dark Star Core takes enough damage, it explodes inside Bowser's body, which causes Dark Bowser to become unstable and allows Bowser to finish him off. Dark Bowser then reverts back into the Dark Star, which rises above Peach's Castle and explodes, restoring the Mushroom Kingdom to normal. Dark Fawful manages to survive long enough to make one last attempt at destroying Mario and Luigi by self-destructing, but this undoes the effects of the [[Vacuum Shroom]] Fawful had given Bowser at the very beginning, safely expelling Mario, Luigi and the [[Toad (species)|Toads]] from Bowser's body.


Later, when Bowser defeats Dark Fawful, he becomes a small blob of dark power, the [[Dark Fawful Bug]], and escapes. The still incomplete Dark Bowser absorbs Fawful and uses the power he took to complete his body.
===''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey''===
[[File:MLBISBJJDarkStar.png|frame|right]]
In addition to reprising its role in the [[Nintendo 3DS]] remake, ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey'', the Dark Star is indirectly referenced in ''Bowser Jr.'s Journey'', with Dark Bowser's spread of darkness occurring around the time Bowser Jr., the Koopalings, and Kamek arrived to stop the [[Best Fitness Friends]] at Bowser's Castle. The group also witnesses the Dark Star's ultimate destruction at Bowser's hands from afar, shortly after the Best Fitness Friends are themselves defeated.


The Dark Star's final appearance is during the final battle. After Bowser deals critical damage to Dark Bowser, what remains of Fawful heals him fully and causes him to double in size. At this point, Bowser attacks Dark Bowser's belly, causing him to expel Dark Fawful. Bowser absorbs Dark Fawful for the Mario bros. to handle. Here, he transforms into a giant insectoid mass of dark power, still with his manic grin and now crimson eyes. His only weakness is the Dark Star Core, which sits on an antenna high above his head.  As with the final bosses in the previous two games, Mario and Luigi must progressively disable the different parts of Dark Fawful before attacking this weakness.  It is likely that it still has a distinct intelligence from Fawful's, since he is visibly displeased whenever it decides to flee. It is eventually destroyed along with [[Dark Bowser]].
The Dark Star now has its own boss battle theme called "Destroy the Dark Power!", and is one of two such bosses to be given a new theme, with the other being Dark Fawful; however, Dark Star X still uses the standard boss theme.
{{br|right}}


==Battle==
==Battle==
{{bisenemy
:''For the battles as part of the final boss, see [[Dark Bowser]] and [[Dark Star Core]].''
|title='''''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story|Bowser's Inside Story]]'' Enemy'''
[[File:Dark Star battle.png|thumb|240px|Mario & Luigi battling the Dark Star]]
|image=[[Image:DarkStar.gif]]
In battle, the Dark Star cannot usually be damaged. To expose its vulnerability, the Mario Bros. must destroy the [[Dark Satellmite]]s that surround it. With sufficient damage, the Dark Satellmites will use a kamikaze attack that consists of throwing a [[bomb]] (or electric sphere in the remake) at one Mario brother, and throwing their own body at the other, in order to bait an attack. Ordinarily, both will miss, but either brother can attack the projectile launched at him. If the bomb or electric sphere is attacked, it will explode, doing damage to either Mario or Luigi. If the Satellmite is attacked, it will be knocked flying into the Dark Star. After being hit in such a way twice, the Star will become vulnerable and immobile for a turn; in the original game, the hits also pierce its invulnerability and damage it.  
|location=[[Airway]]
|hp=1,248
|power=180
|defense=119
|speed=95
|experience=9,999
|coins=2,000
|items=[[Star Candy]]
|gear=[[Clothing|D Star Wear]]
|related=[[Dark Satellmite]], [[Dark Bowser]]
}}
[[Image:DarkStar2.gif|left|thumb|]]
[[Image:DarkStar3.gif|left|thumb|]]
In battle, the Dark Star can not usually be damaged. To expose its vulnerability, the Marios must destroy the [[Dark Satellmite]]s that surround it. With sufficient damage, the Dark Satellmites will use a Kamikaze attack that consists of throwing a bomb at one Mario brother, and throwing their own body at the other. Ordinarily, both will miss, but either brother can attack the projectile launched at him. If the bomb is attacked, it will explode, doing damage to Mario and Luigi. If the satellmite is attacked, it will be knocked flying into the Dark Star. After being hit in such a way twice, the Star will become vulnerable and immobile for a turn.


===Attacks===
One of the Dark Star's attacks consists of it splitting into five (or seven, with sufficient damage) as a thick fog fills the battlefield. Each Dark Star copy then flies slowly at Mario or Luigi, vanishing into the fog as it approaches them. [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] must then counter this attack by using their [[hammer]]s on the hidden fake Dark Stars exactly 2 seconds after they disappear.  
One of the Dark Star's attacks consists of it splitting into five as a thick fog fills the battlefield. Each Dark Star then flies slowly at Mario or Luigi, vanishing into the fog as it draws near. The Marios must counter this attack by using their hammers on the hidden Stars.


In another attack, the Dark Star will shine a bright light at the Marios, causing their shadows to come to life. The shadows will then move in a circle around the Dark Star, which will attack them with beams of electricity. The Mario Bros. must jump to avoid the electricity, as any damage done to the shadows will hurt the real Mario Bros. as well.
In another attack, the Dark Star will shine a bright light at Mario and Luigi, causing their shadows to come to life. The shadows will then move in a circle around the Dark Star, which will attack them with beams of electricity. The Mario Bros. must jump to avoid the electricity that the Dark Star shoots, as any damage done to the shadows will hurt the real Mario Bros. as well.


The Dark Star may also send red and green energy balls into the air. It will then fly through these balls in order, sending them at the correspondingly colored brother. They may be countered using jump.
The Dark Star may also send red and green energy balls into the air. It will then fly through these balls in order, sending them at the correspondingly colored brother. They can be avoided by jumping.


When the Dark Star has been immobilized, whoever attacks it, it will shoot out a laser at the bro. who gave the order to attack.
When the Dark Star is immobilized, it will shoot out a simple laser at Mario or Luigi, depending on who attacked it last.


After receiving sufficient damage, the Dark Star will use a laser attack that fills up the entire touch screen. Starlow will appear just before this attack activates, suggesting that Mario and Luigi grab on to her. When they do so, Starlow will fly up in the air (top screen) therefore avoiding the attack. After the attack is through, the Dark Star will look up and attempt to ram into the bros. The Mario bros. must release their hold on Starlow to avoid making contact with the Dark Star.  This attack deals massive damage and may also inflict the [[Poison (status effect)|Poison]] status.
After receiving sufficient damage, the Dark Star will use a laser attack that fills up the entire touch screen. [[Starlow]] will appear just before this attack activates, suggesting that Mario and Luigi grab on to her. When they do so, Starlow will fly into the air to avoid the attack, becoming visible on the top screen; after the laser attack finishes, the Dark Star will look up and attempt to ram into Starlow. The Bros. must release their hold on Starlow to avoid the ramming attack, which deals massive damage and can inflict the [[Poison (status effect)|Poison]] status.


Just before it is defeated, the Dark Star will use a vacuum attack on both Mario and Luigi. This must be countered by pressing ''A'' and ''B'' repeatedly or the brothers will take massive damage. The Dark Star will then be defeated.
Just before it is defeated, the Dark Star will use one last vacuum attack on both Mario and Luigi. This must be countered by pressing {{button|ds|A}} and {{button|ds|B}} repeatedly, or the brothers will take massive damage. Once the attack ceases, the Dark Star is defeated.


==Dark Star X==
==General information==
{{bisenemy
===Appearance===
|title='''''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story|Bowser's Inside Story]]'' Enemy'''
{{multiframe
|image=[[Image:DarkStarXBattle.gif]]
|[[File:Dark Star MLBIS sprite.png]] [[File:MLBISDarkStar.png]] [[File:DarkStar2.gif]] [[File:DarkStar3.gif]]
|name=Dark Star X
|align=right
|location=[[Challenge Node]]
|hp=3,993
|power=304
|defense=164
|speed=135
|experience=0
|coins=12,000
|items=None
|gear=None
|related=Dark Star
}}
}}
'''Dark Star X''' is the sixth boss located in [[the Gauntlet]], which is inside the [[Challenge Node]] It is the second-strongest boss in the game (after Bowser X). It is recommended for the player to be level 40 at minimum to challenge it. To start, 2500 [[coins]] must be paid to battle Dark Star X. The bros. have up to 12 turns to destroy Dark Star X. If you somehome defeat the dark star X, you will unlock challenge 7. In challenge 7, the player will have to defeat all the enemies (X) like the player did before and then defeat Bowser X.
When first seen, both in cutscenes and the overworld, the Dark Star is a medium-sized violet orb with a black star on the front that possesses red eyes; while conscious, the orb grows large spikes that rotate around it, giving it a sun-like appearance. In the remake, its eyes flicker as part of its in-battle animation. The Dark Star begins to take on a similar appearance to Bowser while copying his DNA, slowly transforming into Dark Bowser.
 
When encountered later as part of the final battle, the Dark Star appears as a spiky black orb with a white-eyed violet star, situated on top of Dark Fawful's antenna. In this state, the Dark Star seems to be partly synchronized with Fawful, closing its corresponding eye when the Mario Bros. shatter each of Fawful's lenses. After Dark Bowser is defeated and dissolves, the Dark Star makes one last appearance before exploding, taking the form a blackish-purple star with black eyes, a weak purple aura, and a weary expression; in the remake, it reverts to its initial state prior to exploding, though it retains the weakened purple aura.
 
===Personality===
The Dark Star does not have any form of dialogue in the game or exhibit any concrete personality until it begins its transformation into Dark Bowser. However, when fought as the Dark Star Core, it is implied to act against Fawful's wishes when fleeing back into Dark Bowser during the fight, based on Fawful's expression.
 
===Powers and abilities===
The Dark Star is said to have incredible dark powers, which it used to threaten the Mushroom Kingdom before being sealed away. It is capable of taking on the form and appearance of others, such as Bowser, by copying their DNA. It can also create smaller minions known as Dark Satellmites, and likely also created some of the enemies encountered within the Airway, specifically [[Air Cheep]]s, [[Stonk]]s and [[Air Cannon]]s (which all have a similar black star on their faces). The Dark Star later merges with Dark Fawful to form the core of Dark Bowser; they can revive Dark Bowser when he is knocked out, and can escape from Bowser's body and back to Dark Bowser during the fight. The Dark Star has an ambiguous amount of control over the Core form, based on Fawful's upset expression when they flee, despite him exhibiting control of the Core elsewhere. Its defeat by the Mario Bros. causes Dark Bowser to become unstable, allowing Bowser to both defeat him and destroy the Dark Star for good.
 
==Statistics==
===''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story''===
{{:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story bestiary|transcludesection=Dark Star|align=horizontal|image=[[File:DarkStar.gif]]}}


During the battle, Dark Star X is the exactly same as original Dark Star, just tougher and with a different coloration. It has more health, more defense, and more attack power than the original, and it's attacks are more challenging to dodge. There isn't much time to go easy and be more defensive, since it must be beat in 12 turns. If it isn't destroyed in time, or the bros. die before time's up, they lose the challenge. If they lose, they will just have to retry again later.
===''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey''===
{{:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey bestiary|transcludesection=Dark Star|align=horizontal|image=[[File:Dark Star Animated.gif|60px]]}}


Some notorious changes are the fact that the Dark Satellmites X's energy beams travel slower, just as the Dark Star's clones. When the bros' shadows come to life, they automatically split in two, something the original Star only did until it was weak. It will also always make six clones of itself, rather than the occasional four of its original. These clones move a lot faster and cause more damage if they hit the bros. Finally, it uses its laser attack much more than the original.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Happy New Year MLBIS.jpg|New Year's card made by developers of ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''
</gallery>


==Trivia==
==Theme==
*Dark Star's beam attack is similar to [[Rob|R.O.B's]] [[Final Smash]].
{{media table
*The Dark Star is the only final boss in the ''Mario & Luigi'' series that did not possess Bowser. However, it did take on a [[Dark Bowser|form resembling Bowser]].
|file1=MLBISBJJ Destroy the Dark Power!.oga
|title1=Destroy the Dark Power!
|description1=The Dark Star's battle theme, which is exclusive to the 3DS remake.
|length1=0:30
}}


==Names in Other Languages==
==Names in other languages==
{{foreignname
{{foreign names
|Jap=ダークスター<br/>''Dāku Sutā''
|Jap=ダークスター
|JapR=Dāku Sutā
|JapM=Dark Star
|JapM=Dark Star
|Spa=Estrella Oscura
|Spa=Estrella Oscura
Line 93: Line 115:
|Ita=Stella Oscura
|Ita=Stella Oscura
|ItaM=Dark Star
|ItaM=Dark Star
|FraE=Astre Noir
|FreE=Astre Noir
|FraEM=Black Star
|FreEM=Black Star
|FraA=Etoile Sombre
|FreA=Étoile Obscure
|FraAM=Dark Star
|FreAM=Dark Star
|Ger=Finsterstern
|Ger=Finsterstern
|GerM=Dark Star
|GerM=Dark Star
|Dut=Donkere ster
|DutM=Dark star
|Kor=다크스타
|KorR=Dakeu Seuta
|KorM=Dark Star
}}
}}
<br clear=all>
 
{{ML:BIS}}
==Trivia==
{{RPG Villains}}
*The player can [[glitch]] the Dark Star's beam attack so they can drop right when the attack ends and the Dark Star does not ram the top screen.
*In ''[[Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam]]'', [[King Boo]] has an attack similar to the Dark Star's cloning attack, where he vanishes in the fog.
 
{{Stars}}
{{M&LBIS}}
[[Category:Artifacts]]
[[Category:Artifacts]]
[[Category:Stars]]
[[Category:Stars]]
[[Category:Bosses]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story bosses]]
[[Category:RPG Bosses]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story characters]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi Series Bosses]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey characters]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]
[[de:Finsterstern]]
[[it:Stella Oscura]]

Latest revision as of 20:28, November 18, 2024

This article is about the artifact from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. For the move in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, see Dark Star (move). For the dark purple Stars referred to as Dark Stars in the North American version of Mario Party 7, see Ztar.
Dark Star
Dark Star artwork from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story.
Artwork of the Dark Star from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Species Star
First appearance Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (2009)
Latest appearance Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey (2018)
“Long, long ago, a star sleeping deep below the Mushroom Kingdom was dug up. It was not benevolent. It was a frightful star that hid a great evil. The Dark Star. It was said that if an evil entity found the Dark Star, the world would plunge into darkness. That evil-hearted entity would rule the world. Fearing that, the Star Sprites that watch over us sacrificed much over many years. They sealed up the Dark Star deep under the earth in Toad Town.”
—Princess Peach, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

The Dark Star is the overarching antagonist in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and its remake, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey. It is a sentient artifact of incredible dark power that Fawful seeks out to aid in his quest for global domination, with the second half of the game focusing on Mario, Luigi, and Bowser each trying to stop both him and the evil artifact. The Dark Star first appears as a medium-sized violet orb, with a red-eyed black star similar to a Ztar on the front. It is not capable of speech in its initial form, but gains the ability to do so upon forming Dark Bowser.

As a boss, the Dark Star gives the most experience points of any enemy in the game when defeated (however, the Bonus Badge does not grant any additional points). A more powerful variant, Dark Star X, can be fought in The Gauntlet after Mario and Luigi first defeat the Dark Star.

History[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story[edit]

Images of the Dark Star rampaging throughout the kingdom and being sealed by the Star Sprites.
Images of the Dark Star rampaging throughout the kingdom and being sealed by the Star Sprites.
Images of the Dark Star rampaging throughout the kingdom and being sealed by the Star Sprites.

Long before the events of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, the Dark Star was discovered by Toad archaeologists in the Mushroom Kingdom. Shortly after it was discovered, the Dark Star viciously attacked the kingdom, but was sealed away by the Star Sprites and kept beneath the depths of the world in Toad Town. It was said that if any great evil being found the Dark Star and allowed it to attack the kingdom once again, the evil entity would receive enormous power and will rule the world, plunging it into darkness. No one can break the seal on the Dark Star, except for the Mushroom Kingdom's ruler, Princess Peach.

Fawful taking the Dark Star from Toad Town Caves.

Fawful plots to use the artifact in order to fulfill his plans for global domination. He removes Peach from Bowser's body and kidnaps her, allowing him to break the seal on the Dark Star, which he steals from the Toad Town Caves after circumventing the security system. Fawful first uses its power to barricade the entrance to Peach's Castle, allowing him to use it as a stronghold. Mario and Luigi eventually assemble all three Star Cures from the Star Sages into the Miracle Cure, using it to break the barricade, as well as curing the blorbs that Fawful had created earlier; this allows them, and later Bowser, to infiltrate the castle in order to stop Fawful and the Dark Star.

Fawful3.png
Fawful and Midbus watch as they try to awaken the Dark Star.
Fawful absorbing the power of the Dark Star.
Fawful absorbing the Dark Star's energy to turn into Dark Fawful.

Fawful then places the Dark Star into a machine that he designed to transfer Princess Peach's power into it, which would awaken it and allow him to harness its power; when Bowser finally confronts Fawful and Midbus, Fawful turns his minion into Blizzard Midbus to stop the Koopa King. Once Bowser defeats Midbus, however, Fawful then attempts to absorb the Dark Star's power; while doing so, Bowser seemingly punches through him, causing him to vanish. As Bowser laughs at how good it feels "finally punching out that weirdo", the partially-drained Dark Star awakens and escapes from the machine, circling Bowser before forcing its way down his throat and into his chest; this causes Bowser to experience heartburn-like pains, which he relieves by inhaling some of the frigid air from Blizzard Midbus's snout, allowing Mario, Luigi, and Starlow to enter the previously inaccessible Airway in pursuit of the Dark Star.

The Dark Star split into Dark Bowser's pieces.
The Dark Star turning into the pieces of Dark Bowser.

Within the Airway, the Mario Bros. repeatedly try and fail to trap the Dark Star, which eludes their grasp by copying Bowser's DNA in order to enhance its own powers; this ranges from punching to breathing purple fire and body slamming the barriers, and Starlow soon begins to suspect as much. Eventually, the Mario Bros. confront the Dark Star at the very back of the Airway and battle it; despite the Bros. defeating the Dark Star, it simply escapes from Bowser's body and transforms into a Bowser-esque apparition.

The Dark Star Core exploding in battle during its defeat.
The Dark Star Core defeated.

When Dark Fawful is defeated by Bowser and flees the Conference Hall, Dark Bowser inhales him, and the Dark Star inside his body merges with Fawful's bug form, completing Dark Bowser and creating the Dark Star Core; this fact is not revealed until the final battle. When Dark Bowser is KOd, the Dark Star Core's powers allow him to recover and double in size; once Bowser punches the enlarged Dark Bowser's stomach, he expels Dark Fawful, who Bowser can then inhale into his body. Within Bowser's body, Mario and Luigi confront Dark Fawful, who transforms into the Dark Star Core, and manage to progressively weaken them before attacking the Dark Star directly, eventually defeating them both.

After the Dark Star Core takes enough damage, it explodes inside Bowser's body, which causes Dark Bowser to become unstable and allows Bowser to finish him off. Dark Bowser then reverts back into the Dark Star, which rises above Peach's Castle and explodes, restoring the Mushroom Kingdom to normal. Dark Fawful manages to survive long enough to make one last attempt at destroying Mario and Luigi by self-destructing, but this undoes the effects of the Vacuum Shroom Fawful had given Bowser at the very beginning, safely expelling Mario, Luigi and the Toads from Bowser's body.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[edit]

Sprite of the Dark Star from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey

In addition to reprising its role in the Nintendo 3DS remake, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, the Dark Star is indirectly referenced in Bowser Jr.'s Journey, with Dark Bowser's spread of darkness occurring around the time Bowser Jr., the Koopalings, and Kamek arrived to stop the Best Fitness Friends at Bowser's Castle. The group also witnesses the Dark Star's ultimate destruction at Bowser's hands from afar, shortly after the Best Fitness Friends are themselves defeated.

The Dark Star now has its own boss battle theme called "Destroy the Dark Power!", and is one of two such bosses to be given a new theme, with the other being Dark Fawful; however, Dark Star X still uses the standard boss theme.

Battle[edit]

For the battles as part of the final boss, see Dark Bowser and Dark Star Core.
The battle with the Dark Star
Mario & Luigi battling the Dark Star

In battle, the Dark Star cannot usually be damaged. To expose its vulnerability, the Mario Bros. must destroy the Dark Satellmites that surround it. With sufficient damage, the Dark Satellmites will use a kamikaze attack that consists of throwing a bomb (or electric sphere in the remake) at one Mario brother, and throwing their own body at the other, in order to bait an attack. Ordinarily, both will miss, but either brother can attack the projectile launched at him. If the bomb or electric sphere is attacked, it will explode, doing damage to either Mario or Luigi. If the Satellmite is attacked, it will be knocked flying into the Dark Star. After being hit in such a way twice, the Star will become vulnerable and immobile for a turn; in the original game, the hits also pierce its invulnerability and damage it.

One of the Dark Star's attacks consists of it splitting into five (or seven, with sufficient damage) as a thick fog fills the battlefield. Each Dark Star copy then flies slowly at Mario or Luigi, vanishing into the fog as it approaches them. Mario and Luigi must then counter this attack by using their hammers on the hidden fake Dark Stars exactly 2 seconds after they disappear.

In another attack, the Dark Star will shine a bright light at Mario and Luigi, causing their shadows to come to life. The shadows will then move in a circle around the Dark Star, which will attack them with beams of electricity. The Mario Bros. must jump to avoid the electricity that the Dark Star shoots, as any damage done to the shadows will hurt the real Mario Bros. as well.

The Dark Star may also send red and green energy balls into the air. It will then fly through these balls in order, sending them at the correspondingly colored brother. They can be avoided by jumping.

When the Dark Star is immobilized, it will shoot out a simple laser at Mario or Luigi, depending on who attacked it last.

After receiving sufficient damage, the Dark Star will use a laser attack that fills up the entire touch screen. Starlow will appear just before this attack activates, suggesting that Mario and Luigi grab on to her. When they do so, Starlow will fly into the air to avoid the attack, becoming visible on the top screen; after the laser attack finishes, the Dark Star will look up and attempt to ram into Starlow. The Bros. must release their hold on Starlow to avoid the ramming attack, which deals massive damage and can inflict the Poison status.

Just before it is defeated, the Dark Star will use one last vacuum attack on both Mario and Luigi. This must be countered by pressing A Button and B Button repeatedly, or the brothers will take massive damage. Once the attack ceases, the Dark Star is defeated.

General information[edit]

Appearance[edit]

Dark Star MLBIS sprite.png Dark Star's battle sprite, from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. DarkStar2.gif DarkStar3.gif

When first seen, both in cutscenes and the overworld, the Dark Star is a medium-sized violet orb with a black star on the front that possesses red eyes; while conscious, the orb grows large spikes that rotate around it, giving it a sun-like appearance. In the remake, its eyes flicker as part of its in-battle animation. The Dark Star begins to take on a similar appearance to Bowser while copying his DNA, slowly transforming into Dark Bowser.

When encountered later as part of the final battle, the Dark Star appears as a spiky black orb with a white-eyed violet star, situated on top of Dark Fawful's antenna. In this state, the Dark Star seems to be partly synchronized with Fawful, closing its corresponding eye when the Mario Bros. shatter each of Fawful's lenses. After Dark Bowser is defeated and dissolves, the Dark Star makes one last appearance before exploding, taking the form a blackish-purple star with black eyes, a weak purple aura, and a weary expression; in the remake, it reverts to its initial state prior to exploding, though it retains the weakened purple aura.

Personality[edit]

The Dark Star does not have any form of dialogue in the game or exhibit any concrete personality until it begins its transformation into Dark Bowser. However, when fought as the Dark Star Core, it is implied to act against Fawful's wishes when fleeing back into Dark Bowser during the fight, based on Fawful's expression.

Powers and abilities[edit]

The Dark Star is said to have incredible dark powers, which it used to threaten the Mushroom Kingdom before being sealed away. It is capable of taking on the form and appearance of others, such as Bowser, by copying their DNA. It can also create smaller minions known as Dark Satellmites, and likely also created some of the enemies encountered within the Airway, specifically Air Cheeps, Stonks and Air Cannons (which all have a similar black star on their faces). The Dark Star later merges with Dark Fawful to form the core of Dark Bowser; they can revive Dark Bowser when he is knocked out, and can escape from Bowser's body and back to Dark Bowser during the fight. The Dark Star has an ambiguous amount of control over the Core form, based on Fawful's upset expression when they flee, despite him exhibiting control of the Core elsewhere. Its defeat by the Mario Bros. causes Dark Bowser to become unstable, allowing Bowser to both defeat him and destroy the Dark Star for good.

Statistics[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story enemy
Dark Star
The Dark Star's idle sprite. HP 1,248 (1,872) POW 180 (450) DEF 119 (179) SPEED 95 (143)
Coins 2,000 (3,000) Level 30 Fire Normal Burn? Immune
Role Boss Battled by Mario and Luigi Location(s) Airway Dizzy? Immune
Stat down? Half KO? Immune Experience 9,999 Item drop Star Candy - 80.0%
D-Star Wear - 20.0%
Notice: The second set of numbers next to the enemy's HP, POW, DEF, SPEED and Coins are stat increases from the Challenge Medal accessory; a 50% increase for HP, DEF, SPEED and Coins earned, and a 150% increase for POW.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey enemy
Dark Star
Dark Star Animated HP 1600 POW 180 DEF 131 SPEED 95 Experience 9999
Fire Normal Jump Normal Hammer Normal Battled by Mario & Luigi Coins 2000
Burn Immune Dizzy Immune Stat down 0,5x Speed down 0,5x Item drop None - 0%
D-Star Wear - 100%
Level           31 Location(s) Airway

Gallery[edit]

Theme[edit]

Audio.svg Destroy the Dark Power! - The Dark Star's battle theme, which is exclusive to the 3DS remake.
File infoMedia:MLBISBJJ Destroy the Dark Power!.oga
0:30
Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ダークスター[?]
Dāku Sutā 		Dark Star
Dutch Donkere ster[?] Dark star
French (NOA) Étoile Obscure[?] Dark Star
French (NOE) Astre Noir[?] Black Star
German Finsterstern[?] Dark Star
Italian Stella Oscura[?] Dark Star
Korean 다크스타[?]
Dakeu Seuta 		Dark Star
Spanish Estrella Oscura[?] Dark Star

Trivia[edit]

  • The player can glitch the Dark Star's beam attack so they can drop right when the attack ends and the Dark Star does not ram the top screen.
  • In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, King Boo has an attack similar to the Dark Star's cloning attack, where he vanishes in the fog.
[Edit]
Stars
Characters Angry Sun • Baby Luma • Co-Star Luma • Comet Tico • Dark Star • Geno • Lubba • Millennium Star • Monstar • Polari • Star Spirits (Eldstar · Kalmar · Klevar · Mamar · Misstar · Muskular · Skolar) • Star Temple gate • Star World leader • Starlow • Sun • Sun (Wario Land 3) • Sutakichi • Twink
Species Luma (Hungry Luma · Lumalee) • Star • Star Kid • Star (enemy) • Wish Star
Items and objects 10-Point Star • 20-Point Star • Beanstar • Big Paint Star • Big Star • Bonus Star • Boost Star • Bronze Star • Cat Shine • Cobalt Star • Coin Rush Star • Comet Piece • Crystal Stars (Crystal Star · Diamond Star · Emerald Star · Garnet Star · Gold Star · Ruby Star · Sapphire Star) • Goal (Yoshi Topsy-Turvy) • Goal Star • Grand Star • Green Star • Jumbo Star • Launch Star • Mario's Star • Mega Star • Mini Paint Star • Mini Star • Mini Ztar • Miracle Cure • Power Star • Pull Star • Rainbow Star • Red Power Star • Red Star • Red Yoshi Star • Sapphire Star (Wario: Master of Disguise) • Shine Sprite • Shooting Star • Silver Star • Sling Star • Soda Star • Star (Donkey Kong franchise) • Star (Mario & Wario) • Star (Mario Party series) • Star (Yoshi's Island series) • Star Bit • Star Block (Super Paper Mario) • Star Block (Mario Party DS) • Star Chip • Star Cure • Star Hana • Star Lift • Star Piece (Paper Mario series) • Star Piece (Super Mario RPG) • Star Piece Cluster • Star Rod (Mario Party 8) • Star Rod (Paper Mario) • Super Star • Yoshi Star • Ztar
Related Eternal Star • Space Zone • Star Coin • Star Haven • Star Marker • Star Point • Star Pointer • Star Road (Super Mario RPG) • Star Road (Super Mario World) • Star Way • Star World
[Edit]
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story / Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
Characters (Bowser's Inside Story) Protagonists Bowser • Luigi • Mario
Antagonists Dark Star (Dark Bowser) • Fawful • Midbus
Supporting characters Broggy • Broque Madame • Broque Monsieur • Chakron • Corporal Paraplonk • Dr. Toadley • Dr. Toadley's intern • Fawful • Giant Sockop • Guardian • Hide-and-seek Toad • Jerry • Kamek • Koopa Paratroopa Trio • Kuribo • Kuzzle • Monty Bros. • PR Toad • Princess Lipid • Princess Peach • Private Goomp • Sergeant Guy • Starlow • Toadbert • Toadsworth • Yikk
Species Bee • Blitty • Bob-omb • Brock • Emoglobin • Evoglobin • Goomba • Magikoopa • Malodorous Fibbian# • Nutsoglobin • Shy Guy • Totemglobin • Toad • Virus
Characters (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) Protagonists# Bowser Jr. • Iggy Koopa • Larry Koopa • Lemmy Koopa • Ludwig von Koopa • Morton Koopa Jr. • Roy Koopa • Wendy O. Koopa
Antagonists# Best Fitness Friends (Beef · Dieter · Kaley)
Supporting characters# Dry Bowser
Special Attacks Bowser Bob-omb Blitz • Broggy Bonker • Goomba Storm • Koopa Corps • Magikoopa Mob • Shy Guy Squad
Mario and Luigi Falling Star • Fire Flower • Green Shell • Jump Helmet • Magic Window • Mighty Meteor • Snack Basket • Spin Pipe • Super Bouncer • Yoo Who Cannon
Bosses Giant bosses Bowser's Castle • Fawful Express • Fawful Mountain • Super Peach's Castle of Fury • Tower of Yikk
Bosses Alpha and Beta Kretin • Biffidus • Blizzard Midbus • Bowser • Bowser Memory M and Bowser Memory L • Chakron • Dark Bowser • Dark Fawful • Dark Satellmite • Dark Star • Dark Star Core • Durmite • Junker • Junker Can • Leaf Guy • Midbus • Scutlet • Sea Pipe Statue • Shroob • Snawful • Vacuum Helmet • Wiggler • Wisdurm
X bosses Alpha and Beta Kretin X • Biffidus X • Bowser X • Bowser Memory MLX • Dark Satellmite X • Dark Star X • Durmite X • Junker X • Junker Can X • Wisdurm X
Bowser Jr.'s Journey# Beef • Kaley • Dieter • King Bob-Omb • Best Fitness Friends
Locations Mushroom Kingdom Badge Shop • Blubble Lake • Bowser Path • Bowser's Castle • Broggy's Shop • Broque Monsieur's Shop • Bumpsy Plains • Cavi Cape • Conference Hall • Dimble Wood • Fawful Theater • Gear Shop • Peach's Castle • Peach's Castle Garden • Princess Peach's room • Plack Beach • Project K • Star Shop • Tea Kiosk • Toad Town • Toad Town Caves • Toad Town Mall • Toadles Boutique • Toadley Clinic • Tower of Yikk • Treasure Chamber • Tunnel
Bowser's body Airway • Arm Center • Challenge Node • Chest Station • Cholesteroad • Energy Hold • Flab Zone • Flame Pipe • Funny Bone • Gut Check • Joint Tower • Leg Outpost • Lumbar Nook • Memory Banks • Nerve Cluster • Nose Deck • Pipe Yard • Pump Works • Rump Command • The Gauntlet • Toad Square • Trash Pit
Enemies Mushroom Kingdom Alarm Bob-omb • Beehoss • Borp • Broggy • Broque Monsieur • Chain Chawful • Choomba • Chuboomba • Coalbit • Crawful • Dark Fawful Bomb • Dark Fawful Guy • Dark Mechawful • Dark Mechawful.5 • Dark Trashure • Drillbit Crab • Fawflant • Fawflopper • Fawfulcopter • Fawful Guy • Flifit • Flying Snifit • Glam Lakitu • Jailgoon • Lakitu King • Magifoofa • Mawful Mole • Mechawful • Metal Mawful Mole • Naplock • Nooz • Pendril • Scutlet • Sneed • Sniffle Thwomp • Sockop • Toothy • Trashure • Treevil
Bowser's body Airnapse • Air Cannon • Air Cheep • Bone Thwomp • Bubble Blooper • Calorite • Cholesteron • Dried Blooper • Elite Goombule • Goombule • Napse • Pep • Piranha Plorp • Protobatter • Pwallop • Spike Blop • Stonk • Tenderling
Bowser Jr.'s Journey# Alarm Bob-omb • Bandit • Beehoss • Big Boo • Big Tail Goomba • Bob-omb • Bomb Boo • Boo • Boomerang Bro • Borp • Broozer • Broque Madame • Bully • Buzzy Beetle • Captain Boo • Captain Goomba • Captain Koopa Troopa • Captain Shy Guy • Chain Chomp • Chargin' Chuck • Cheep Cheep • Choomba • Chuboomba • Crawful • Drillbit Crab • Dry Bones • Elite Captain Quartet • Fawflant • Fawful Guy • Fawfulcopter • Fire Bro • Fire Stalking Piranha Plant • Fly Guy • Goomba • Goomba Tower • Green Magikoopa • Hammer Bro • Horned Ant Trooper • Ice Bro • King Bob-omb • Koopa Paratroopa • Koopa Paratroopa Trio • Koopa Troopa • Lakitu • Lakitu King • Magifoofa • Magikoopa • Mechakoopa • Nabbit • Ninji • Oho Jee • Para-Beetle • Para-Biddybud • Parabones • Paragoomba • Pendril • Pokey • Red Magikoopa • Scutlet • Shroob • Shy Guy • Sockop • Spear Guy • Spike • Spike Top • Spiny • Swoop • Tail Boo • Toothy • Treevil • Urchin • White Magikoopa
Items Consumables 1-Up Deluxe • 1-Up Mushroom • Boo Biscuit# • Cheese# • Cheesy Drumstick# • Defense Bean# • Fiery Drumstick • Flex Bean# • Heart Bean • Hot Drumstick • Max Mushroom • Max Nut • Max Syrup Jar • Miracle Cheese# • Mushroom • Nut • Power Bean • Refreshing Herb • Refreshroom • Retry Clock* • Special Bean • Speed Bean# • Star Candy • Super Cheese# • Super Mushroom • Super Nut • Supersyrup Jar • Syrup Jar • TNT Drumstick • Ultra Cheese# • Ultra Mushroom • Ultra Nut • Ultrasyrup Jar
Key items Attack Piece • Banzai Bill • Birdley • Blitty • Blue Key • Green Key • Hammers • Miracle Cure • Mushroom Ball • Puzzle Sack • Red Key • Star Cure • Star Panel • Stingler • Vacuum Block • Vacuum Shroom
Blocks 99 Block • Attack Piece Block • Command Block • Hidden Block • L Block • M Block • Rally Block • Save Block • Shell block • Shop Block
Other 10 Coin • 50-Coin • Blorbs • Boo-ray Machine • Cake • Chakroad • Chombone • Donut • Ever Ice# • Five Coin • Giga-carrot • Launch Fit • Liftoglobin • Malatone Formula:X# • Meat • Mushroom Tea • Negative Ions • Nubbin • Omega-onion# • Poison Mushroom# • RenewaLeaf# • Scratch Card/Bonus Card • Seesaw Fit • Skeletone Formula:D# • Squid Fit • Vegetable • Whirlwind
Stats Bros. Point • Brawl Point • Defense • Experience Point • Heart Point • Power • Rank • Speed • Spirit# • Stache/Horn
Status Burn • DEF-Down • DEF-Up • Dizzy • Fury • Invisible# • KO • Poison • POW-Down • POW-Up • Prohibited Command • SPD-Down • SPD-Up • Sick • Trip
Moves Balloon Mario • Body Slam • Counterattack • Drill Bros. • Emergency Guard# • Finishing Move# • Fire Breath • Fire Mario • Flee • Hammer • Jump • Mini-Mario • Pump Mario • Punch • Shell defense • Shell Mario • Sliding haymaker • Spike Ball • Spin Jump
Other Beanhole locations (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) • Bestiary (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) • Block locations (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) • Bros. Badge • First officer# • Gallery (Bowser Jr's Journey) • Gear (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) • Glitches (Bowser Jr's Journey) • Mario & Luigi RPG: Sound Selection • Pre-release and unused content • Quotes (Bowser Jr's Journey) • Shops (Bowser Jr.'s Journey) • Sound test# • Special Skill# • Staff (Bowser Jr's Journey) • Star menu • Story summaries
* Exclusive to Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
# Exclusive to Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
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