Unveiling the Secrets: What Happens When You Get All 120 Stars in Super Mario Galaxy?
So, you’ve embarked on an epic cosmic journey, conquered gravity-defying platforms, and rescued Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches. You’ve diligently collected every gleaming Power Star scattered across the galaxies. But what awaits you after snagging that final, momentous 120th star in Super Mario Galaxy? The answer is both simple and profound: the adventure is far from over!
Upon collecting all 120 stars with Mario, you unlock the opportunity to face Bowser one last time. Defeating him after collecting all 120 stars unlocks Luigi as a playable character. Collecting all 120 stars and defeating Bowser again as Luigi unlocks the Grand Finale Galaxy, a special level accessible from the Planet of Trials in the Comet Observatory. In this galaxy, you must collect 100 Purple Coins. Successfully gathering all the coins grants you the 121st Star. After obtaining this star, you receive a special congratulatory picture on the Wii Message Board. This picture is different depending on whether you completed the Grand Finale Galaxy as Mario or Luigi. That’s the true ending of Super Mario Galaxy!
Delving Deeper: Frequently Asked Questions
To ensure you’re fully equipped for your star-collecting escapades, let’s explore some frequently asked questions about achieving 100% completion in Super Mario Galaxy.
What is the 121st Star in Super Mario Galaxy?
The 121st Star is the final, true ending star in the game, obtained in the Grand Finale Galaxy after collecting all 120 stars with both Mario and Luigi. You access it through the Planet of Trials. It’s a celebratory level involving collecting 100 Purple Coins.
What exactly happens in the Grand Finale Galaxy?
The Grand Finale Galaxy is a special galaxy accessible only after collecting all 120 stars as both Mario and Luigi. It’s a single level where you must collect 100 Purple Coins. Once you collect all the coins, you receive the final star, the 121st Star.
Is there a special picture after completing the Grand Finale Galaxy?
Yes! After collecting the 121st Star, you will receive a special congratulatory picture sent to your Wii Message Board via the Mailtoad. The picture is different depending on whether you played the Grand Finale Galaxy as Mario or Luigi.
How do I unlock Luigi in Super Mario Galaxy?
Unlocking Luigi as a playable character is one of the more challenging tasks. You must first collect all 120 stars as Mario. After doing so, you must defeat Bowser one more time to unlock Luigi. This triggers the Super Luigi Galaxy mode.
Is Super Mario Galaxy harder with Luigi?
Playing as Luigi presents a unique challenge. Luigi can jump higher and run faster than Mario, but he also handles differently. Luigi can be more slippery, making precise platforming more difficult.
What is Super Luigi Galaxy?
Super Luigi Galaxy isn’t a separate game, but rather the same game with Luigi as the playable character. It’s unlocked after collecting all 120 stars as Mario and defeating Bowser one more time. It allows you to replay the entire game with Luigi’s unique abilities.
What’s the difference between Mario and Luigi in Super Mario Galaxy?
The main difference is in their physics. Luigi jumps higher and runs faster, but he has less traction and stops less quickly. This makes him both more powerful and potentially harder to control.
What happens if I get 9999 Star Bits in Super Mario Galaxy?
If you manage to collect 9,999 Star Bits, all coconuts in the game will permanently become watermelons, even if your Star Bit count later drops below 9,999. This is purely a cosmetic change and doesn’t affect gameplay. Star Bits are mostly used for feeding Hungry Lumas to unlock new areas.
Are there any secret stars in Mario Galaxy besides those needed for completion?
Yes, there are hidden stars! There are a total of 19 Hidden Stars (including the Hungry Lumas that appear next to the game’s six Domes). These hidden stars are required to complete the game fully and reach the 120-star milestone.
How long does it take to 100% Super Mario Galaxy?
On average, focusing on the main objectives of Super Mario Galaxy takes about 14 hours. Achieving 100% completion, including collecting all 120 stars with both Mario and Luigi, finding all hidden stars, and completing the Grand Finale Galaxy, typically requires around 35-40 hours.
What are the hardest levels or stars in Super Mario Galaxy?
Many consider the Purple Coin missions to be among the most challenging. Some specific examples include:
- Battlestation’s Purple Coins (Dreadnought Galaxy)
- Purple Coins In The Bone Pen (Ghostly Galaxy)
- Luigi’s Purple Coins (Toy Time Galaxy)
- Purple Coins On The Battlerock (Battlerock Galaxy)
- Purple Coins On The Puzzle Cube (Super Mario Galaxy)
These levels require precise movements and careful planning to collect all the coins within the time limit.
Is there a secret ending in Super Mario Galaxy?
While there isn’t a drastically different ending, the congratulatory picture you receive after completing the Grand Finale Galaxy is unique, providing a small but satisfying reward for your efforts.
What is the hardest Mario level ever?
Opinions vary, but some of the most notoriously difficult Mario levels include:
- The Impossible Pack (New Super Mario Bros 2)
- 8-Airship (Super Mario Bros 3)
- Grandmaster Galaxy – Perfect Run (Super Mario Galaxy 2)
- Champion’s Road (Super Mario 3D World)
- Luigi’s Purple Coin Chaos (Super Mario Galaxy 2)
- Longest Journey’s End (Super Mario Odyssey)
What happens if Luigi gets 99 lives?
Reaching 99 lives doesn’t have any special effects on Luigi’s appearance or gameplay. Only Mario removes his hat at 99 lives.
Does Super Mario Galaxy have educational value?
Absolutely! While primarily entertainment, Super Mario Galaxy encourages problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and perseverance. Its complex level designs require players to think critically and adapt to changing environments. Organizations like the Games Learning Society ( GamesLearningSociety.org ) explore the educational potential of games like this and promote the use of games as learning tools.