Super Mario Galaxy
Wii Cameos

Toy Time Galaxy

In the Toy Time Galaxy, you can see an 8-bit Mario sprite from Super Mario Bros. in the background. This sprite is actually part of the stage, and you have to run around on it for the second Power Star.

The Purple Coin challenge takes place on the reverse side of the sprite, which is coloured as Luigi.

Submitted by Smashchu

Space Junk Yoshi Planet

In the Space Junk Galaxy, feed the Hungry Luma and it transforms into a planet in the shape of Yoshi's head.

Submitted by Wildcat

Luigi's Mansion

When you first meet Luigi, he is cowering in a haunted mansion in the Ghostly Galaxy. This references the game Luigi's Mansion, where Luigi wins a haunted mansion and has to rescue Mario from inside.

Submitted by Smashchu

Music Notes

When you activate the rainbow colored musical notes, quickly collect them all before they disappear. There are three tunes that play as you collect them:

Submitted by Smashchu

Debunked: Buoy Base Galaxy

The Buoy Base Galaxy is a red and white ball that resembles the Poké Ball from the Pokémon series.

However, both the Buoy Base and the Poké Ball are based on a common red/white design for buoys and fishing lures.

Submitted by Wildcat, Dry Mario, Fryguy64

Hokotate Ship

In the Space Junk Galaxy you come across an old, beat-up rocketship. It appears to be based on the design of Captain Olimar's Hokotate ship from Pikmin 2.

Submitted by Kirbychu, TV Eye

Red Shell

The Red Shell item homes in on the nearest enemy when thrown. This homing effect has been borrowed from the Mario Kart series.

Submitted by Teisama

FLUDD Nozzles

Throughout the game, nozzles that shoot fire and bubbles appear. These nozzles are based on FLUDD, the water pump from Super Mario Sunshine.

Submitted by TV Eye, Kirbychu

Red Star

When Mario collects the Red Star, his colour scheme changes to black and red, copying the colour scheme of Mario's sprite in Super Mario Bros. 3, the first game where he could fly.

Submitted by Spud, Arcadenik