 Super Mario Galaxy is set in outer space, where Mario travels from galaxy to galaxy in order to collect Power Stars, which are earned by completing tasks or defeating enemies. Each galaxy contains a number of planets and other space matter for the player to explore. The game uses a new physics system that allows for a unique feature: each celestial object has its own gravitational force, allowing the player to completely circumnavigate rounded or irregular surfaces, walking sideways or upside down, a feature only seen before in the Mario series in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. The player is usually able to jump from one celestial object and then fall towards another one close by. Though the main gameplay and physics are in 3D, there are several points in the game in which Mario's movements are restricted to a 2-dimensional axis, reminiscent of 2D Mario games.
Super Mario Galaxy allows the player to fully circumnavigate rounded objects
The game's main hub is the Comet Observatory, which contains six themed domes (Terrace, Fountain, Kitchen, Bedroom, Engine Room, and Garden) that provide access to the forty-two galaxies available in the game.[5] When the player first begins the game, the player has only access to a limited number of galaxies. However, as more and more Power Stars are collected, more galaxies become available for the player to access. Some galaxies are accessed through special means, for example, the star-shaped creatures called "Hungry Lumas" will transform into new galaxies once they are fed enough Star Bits. When 120 Power Stars are collected, the player has the ability to play through again as Luigi and collect a final 121st star. Gameplay is slightly different while playing as Luigi, and some obstacles can be harder or easier to overcome, depending of the character in use.
There are five "Prankster Comets" that appear periodically (Speedy, Daredevil, Cosmic, Fast Foe, and Purple). When one of them comes into orbit with a galaxy, a special challenge is initiated that leads to a Power Star.[6] The Speedy Comet challenges the player to traverse a previous level from the galaxy within a time limit ranging from three to six minutes, depending on the level. The Daredevil Comet challenges the player to replay a level, or in some cases to replay a boss battle, while shrinking Mario's life meter to one unit, where any damage leads to instant death. The Cosmic Comet forces the player to race to the Power Star against a doppelganger of the player's character, made of dark cosmic energy. Fast Foe Comets place Mario in an area of the galaxy where all the enemies move faster than usual. The Purple Comet, accessible only after completing the story half of the game, allots one hundred purple coins (or more, though only 100 are needed) across an area of the galaxy for the player to collect, sometimes within a time limit.
Controls
 The player's character is controlled via the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. While most of Mario's abilities are influenced directly from Super Mario 64, such as the long jump, wall jumps, and a variety of somersaults, Mario is given new moves that take advantage of the Wii Remote's pointer and motion sensing. The most basic control scheme is the Star Pointer, which appears on-screen for the entire game. First and foremost, the Star Pointer is used to pick up special konpeito-shaped objects called "Star Bits", which are then shot to stun enemies, manipulate obstacles, or feed Hungry Lumas. Secondly, the pointer can latch onto objects called "Pull Stars" that gradually pull Mario through space at a slow speed. Lastly, if the player becomes encased in a floating bubble, the Star Pointer is used to blow air at it in order to influence the direction and speed it moves.
An ability that the player gains early in the game is the "Spin" technique, which is activated by shaking either the Wii Remote or the Nunchuk. The Spin is primarily used for melee, as it can stun enemies and shatter objects, and is used to trigger special propellers called "Sling Stars" or "Launch Stars" that launch Mario across large distances through space. The Spin is also used for climbing vines, ice-skating, and for activating several of the power-ups. Other Wii Remote functionalities are available for smaller quests, such as surfing aboard a manta ray or balancing atop a large ball and rolling it through an obstacle course.
Power-ups and lives
 Bee Mario has the ability to hover
Super Mario Galaxy features the most power-ups and transformations of all 3D Mario games to date.[7] Eight power-ups supply Mario with a special costume that grants him new abilities. For example, special Mushrooms bestow the player with a Bee or Boo Suit; the former allows the player to hover through the air, and the latter allows the player to become transparent and move through obstacles.
Mario's health consists of a three-piece power meter, which can be depleted from contact with enemies and hazards. When swimming, Mario has a secondary power meter that designates his air supply, which will lead to quick depletion of his main power meter if it runs out. Mario's health can be restored via collection of coins, while his air supply can be restored by collecting coins, touching bubbles or reaching the surface. When the power meter becomes empty, the player loses a life. The power meter can be temporarily expanded to six units through the use of a Life Mushroom, but shrunk to one unit if playing through a Daredevil Comet challenge. Instant death can occur to Mario by being swallowed by quicksand or dark matter, falling into bottomless pits, which either consist of black holes or leaving a planet's gravitational pull and falling into space, losing a race against a non-player character, or other special challenges. The player can obtain extra lives by collecting 1-Up Mushrooms, 50 Star Bits, or 50 coins while on a single level.
Helper Characters
 Super Mario Galaxy also added an element to the game of supporting characters in addition to non-player characters who appear throughout the galaxies to assist Mario's search for Power Stars. As in Super Mario 64 and its successor, Super Mario Sunshine, characters specific to the game's setting (in this case, Lumas, or on occasion friendly bees or robots) will appear at points to give Mario advice.
Additionally, however, this game introduces the concept of characters following Mario into levels to help. As in Super Mario Sunshine, a multitude of Toads are present, but unlike Sunshine, they appear in galaxies as well as the main 'plaza' area. The "Toad Brigade", as they are named, travel through the galaxies in a mushroom-shaped spaceship named the "Starshroom", captained by the 'main' Toad, who is identified by wearing a light on his head. Although the Brigade are mostly for comedy value, there are certain points where the Bridage or their Starshroom are vital for the acquisition of a Power Star.
Luigi's role in the game is similar; although he actually finds Power Stars himself, he often then gets trapped, and sends letters to Mario to tell him where he is. Upon finding Luigi inside the galaxy in which he found the star, Mario is rewarded with the star, and the two brothers do a simultaneous victory pose. When not finding stars (in reality, for the majority of the game), Luigi can be seen and talked to in the main area near the Starshroom. After finding 4 stars, he does not play a major part in the game again until Mario collects 120 stars, after which you may play as Luigi.
Multiplayer
Super Mario Galaxy has a co-operative two-player option called "Co-Star Mode", in which one player controls Mario and a Star Pointer while the other controls another pointer on-screen to gather Star Bits and shoot them at enemies.[8] While the first player can normally do this except during certain events, the second player can shoot star bits without restriction. The second player is also more efficient in manipulating the environment, such as halting objects and enemy movement. Additionally, the second player can make Mario jump by simply pressing the A button on him, or the height of Mario's jump can be increased if the first and second player press the A button at the same moment. Because of these added abilities, Co-Star Mode is less difficult than single-player mode.
Plot
Mario is presented with a Power Star
Shortly after Mario is invited to the centennial Star Festival that celebrates the comet that passes overhead, Bowser invades the Mushroom Kingdom with a surprise attack in a fleet of airships. Summoning a giant UFO, he rips Princess Peach's entire castle from its foundations and lifts it into outer space. After an unsuccessful rescue attempt, Mario is catapulted across the cosmos and awakens on a small planet. On the planet he meets a mysterious woman called Rosalina ("Rosetta" (ロゼッタ, "Rosetta"?) in the Japanese version) and her companion stars, the Lumas.[9] Rosalina is a watcher of the stars, who uses her mobile Observatory to travel across the universe. However, the Power Stars that act as the Observatory's power source have all been stolen by Bowser, rendering it immobile. Bestowed with the power to travel through space, Mario sets off on an intergalactic adventure across the universe to reclaim the Power Stars and restore power to Rosalina's observatory.
Upon collecting enough Power Stars, Rosalina's Observatory has enough power to transform into a comet and fly to the center of the universe, where the princess is being held captive. Confronting Bowser, Mario learns that Bowser's plan is to rule the entire universe with Princess Peach at his side. Mario manages to defeat Bowser and free the princess. Bowser's planet collapses onto itself, becoming a supermassive black hole and vacuuming everything. All of Rosalina's Lumas destroy the black hole, but are all consumed in the process. Rosalina appears to Mario, stating that stars never die, but are later reborn as new stars. Mario awakens in the restored Mushroom Kingdom alongside the princess and Bowser, welcoming the new galaxy that has emerged in the skies.
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