Rainbow Mario

Not to be confused with Invincible Mario.

Rainbow Mario is a special form of Mario that appears in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Mario can reach this form by obtaining a Rainbow Star. It makes Mario invincible, much like the Starman, but the effects of the Rainbow Star are more extensive and longer-lasting than those of a Starman, and Mario cannot earn extra lives by defeating enemies. As Rainbow Mario, the heroic plumber runs faster, leaves a light trail behind him and breaks through certain objects. However, Mario cannot combine this powerup with any other powerup; if Mario touches one while invincible, the other item will be kicked away off the screen.

Mario getting the Rainbow Star for the first time in Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Rainbow Mario's theme is a re-orchestration of the classic invincibility theme, with the same melody heard in Super Mario 64 as the "Powerful Mario" tune which in turn originated from the from Superstar Baby Mario in the game Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. The music as well as Mario himself will increase in speed while in use, making Mario harder to control until it runs out.

The artwork for Rainbow Mario's artwork is similar to Invincible Mario's artwork; Mario's poses in both artworks are identical, though he faces in different direction in each artwork.

Trivia

• In Super Mario Galaxy, if the player is in rainbow form, Mario's entire body changes color. But in the game's sequel, Mario's entire body is just red but still leaves a rainbow trail.