Super Mario Galaxy: Difference between revisions

'''''Super Mario Galaxy''''' is a 3D action-adventure [[Genre#Platform games|platform game]] for the [[Wii]], first released in Japan on November 1, [[List of games by date#2007|2007]]. It is the eleventh entry in the [[Super Mario (series)|''Super Mario'' series]],<ref name=encyclopedia>{{cite|author=Sakai, Kazuya (Ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors|title=『[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック]]』|language=Japanese|location=Tokyo|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|date=2015}}</ref> the third 3D platformer, and the first of what would be recognized in retrospect as the "course clear-style" games of the series.<ref name=switch>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo of America]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuC4YLLkqME|title=Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017|publisher=YouTube|date=17 Jan. 2017|accessdate=30 Jan. 2021}}</ref><ref name=hakoniwa>{{cite|author=[[Bill Trinen|Trinen, Bill]]|url=https://nintendotreehouse.tumblr.com/post/161799433482/whats-in-a-box|title=What's in a Box?|publisher=Nintendo Treehouse Log|date=14 Jun. 2017|accessdate=30 Jan. 2021}}</ref> In this game, the player controls [[Mario]] in outer space, moving across spherical planetoids with their own centers of [[gravity]]. The [[level]]s are more linear than those found in its 3D predecessors ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]]) and ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' ([[List of games by date#2002|2002]]). Similar to prior games, Mario collects [[Power Star]]s to rescue [[Princess Peach]] from [[Bowser]], who is trying to establish his own [[galaxy]] at the center of the universe. Mario is aided by [[Luigi]],  a [[Toad Brigade|brigade of Toads]], star-shaped creatures called [[Luma]]s, and a mysterious woman named [[Rosalina]]. The save data description for the game is "Launch into a cosmic adventure!"

Upon its release, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was met with critical acclaim and commercial success. It received various awards and accolades, including from the {{wp|Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences}}, the {{wp|Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association}}, and the {{wp|British Academy of Film and Television Arts}}. It has sold 12.8 million copies, making it the ninth-best-selling Wii game.<ref name=sales>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd.]]|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/wii.html|title=IR Information : Financial Data - Top Selling Title Sales Units - Wii Software|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd|date=31 Mar. 2020|accessdate=6 Mar. 2021}}</ref> It was rereleased in 2011 under the [[Nintendo Selects]] branding for having sold so well. It is one of the few Wii titles to have been [[Reissue#Re-releases|rereleased]] on the {{wp|Nvidia Shield TV}} console in 2018. Another rerelease with upscaled graphics was included in ''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]'' alongside ''Super Mario 64'' and ''Super Mario Sunshine'' on September 18, [[List of games by date#2020|2020]], to correspond with the [[Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary|35th anniversary]] of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#1985|1985]]).<ref name=3DAS>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo of America]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_UcjEq2Dgk|title=Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Direct|publisher=YouTube|date=3 Sep. 2020}}</ref> After its original release, a dedicated sequel, ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', was developed and released for the Wii on May 22, [[List of games by date#2010|2010]].

|Phase through walls in Boo form

''Super Mario Galaxy'' is set in outer space. With the exception of [[Grand Finale Galaxy]], which is [[Princess Peach]]'s [[Castle Gardens]] in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]], all levels, which are referred to in the game as "galaxies", are staged on worlds far removed from [[Mario]]'s [[Earth|home planet]]. This is the first entry in the [[Super Mario (series)|series]] to explicitly include an outer space setting since the [[Space Zone]] in ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'' ([[List of games by date#1992|1992]]) and the first time it has been realized by [[Nintendo EAD]], the studio responsible for most of the preceding ''Super Mario'' games.<ref name=iwata/>

A galaxy is an isolated cluster of small planets and other planetary bodies. Some planets are shaped like spheres, but many are not. Most have their own [[Gravity|gravitational pull]], which lets Mario return to his starting position by continuing to move forward and prevents him from falling off the edge. Mario's movement, physics, and trajectory bend organically around a planet's shape.<ref name=montreal/><ref name=jasper/> Because they have their own pull, Mario can directly travel between sufficiently close planets just by [[jump]]ing. More distant planets are reached by using objects such as [[Launch Star]]s and [[Pull Star]]s. Not all planets pull Mario inwards. When inside a planet, gravity may be inverted so that Mario walks on the underside of the ground. Many other planets are shaped like the more traditional courses of ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', and thus have only one gravitational plane, which is communicated by sharp edges and steep drops along their sides. In contrast, planets that have their own gravity, even if they are not spheres, have rounded edges.<ref name=jasper/> Some planets are on two-dimensional planes and Mario's movement options are restricted accordingly (i.e. the player cannot tilt {{button|wii|Stick}} down to make him walk toward the camera and fall off the side).

According to director [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]], the primary goal behind ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was to create a ''Super Mario'' game with spherical worlds. It was thought that these worlds would make it less likely for players to get disoriented or have to reposition the camera. These were issues he observed during the development of ''Super Mario 64'', ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' (1998), and ''Super Mario Sunshine'' that prevented complete immersion and intimidated inexperienced players.<ref name=montreal>{{cite|author=[[Yoshiaki Koizumi|Koizumi, Yoshiaki]]|date=27 Nov. 2007|archive=https://youtu.be/A25Ab7RyUPs|title=''Super Mario Galaxy: The Journey from Garden to Galaxy''|location=Montréal|publisher=Montreal International Games Summit, Alliance numériQC|archiver=YouTube by Eric St-Cyr and A Hover|archivedate=24 Sep. 2016|accessdate=27 Feb. 2021}}</ref><ref name=jasper>{{cite|author=Ashworth, Michael [Jasper]|url=https://youtu.be/QLH_0T_xv3I|title=How Spherical Planets Bent the Rules in Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=YouTube|date=29 Sep. 2020|accessdate=27 Feb. 2021}}</ref> The decision to stage the game in outer space was made because the development team thought that the spherical worlds would most intuitively make sense as planets.<ref name=iwata>{{cite|author=[[Satoru Iwata| Iwata, Satoru]]|url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/super_mario_galaxy/0/0/|title=Wii interviews: Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=Iwata Asks|date=2007|accessdate=7 Mar. 2012}}</ref> In 2017, a [[:File:3D Mario Infograph.jpg|figure]] was released by Nintendo that conveys that ''Super Mario Galaxy'' is structurally viewed as a different type of 3D ''Super Mario'' game from its immediate predecessors – the "sandbox-style" games ''Super Mario 64'' and ''Super Mario Sunshine''. Nintendo aligns it with the succeeding games ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'' (2010), ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'' ([[List of games by date#2011|2011]]), and ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' ([[List of games by date#2013|2013]]) as a more linear, "course clear-style" game.<ref name=switch/> However, many of the levels in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are structured similarly to the ones in its predecessors, particularly in the robust six-mission galaxies and the large planets that do not have their own centers of gravity.<ref name=jasper/> The principals of the sandbox-style games derive from hakoniwa, or "box gardens", and Koizumi directly cites them as an influence behind the worlds in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' as well.<ref name=montreal/><ref name=kohler1/><ref name=hakoniwa/>

Galaxies are accessed inside of [[dome]]s on the [[Comet Observatory]]. They are spatially distributed across the hub, similar to the access points for levels in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''. However, with the exception of the [[Garden (Super Mario Galaxy)|Garden]], each dome contains a set of five different galaxies instead of just one dedicated course. Domes are unlocked unilaterally as the player completes certain criteria. These make the domes analogous to the worlds of the 2D [[Super Mario (series)|''Super Mario'' games]] like ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' ([[List of games by date#1988|1988]]). However, as in its 3D predecessors, the player is not restricted to linear course progression in ''Super Mario Galaxy''.

About fifty of the enemies and varieties in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are wholly new to the series. Some of them are incorporated into subsequent ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' games or have inspired staple elements. Notable groups include: octopus creatures called [[Octoomba|Electrogoomba]]s, of which several varieties fire rocks; mechanical, spinning enemies called [[Topman|Topmen]]; and stationary enemies that discharge rings of electricity called [[Pulse Beam]]s. Some of the new enemies are derivative of creatures that appeared in earlier ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' games in both design and behavior, with a particular focus on ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. Some of them even resemble recurring enemies in ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda (series)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' series, such as [[bat (Super Mario Galaxy)|bat]]s (which resemble [[zeldawiki:Keese|Keese]]) and the Electrogoombas (which resemble [[zeldawiki:Octorok|Octoroks]]). The [[Rocto#Names in other languages|Japanese name for Rocto]] directly derives from the name "Octorok".

|Lava Geysers rise and fall in set intervals that can be timed. A rise is always preceeded by rapid bubbling on the lava's surface.

|Balls that contain Power Stars. Mario takes control of one when he jumps on top of it. The ball is steered by shifting the {{Button|wii|Wiimote}}. Reaching the goal causes the Rolling Ball to break and release its Power Star.

|Frozen surfaces. Ice reduces Mario's traction and causes him to slide, but spinning causes Mario to start [[Skate|skating]].

|align=center style="background:#FFFFFF"|[[File:SMG Screenshot Board.png|100x100px]]<br>[[Travel Tip|Sign]]

The majority of the music in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was composed and arranged by [[Mahito Yokota]], who penned the entirety of the soundtrack for [[Nintendo EAD|Nintendo EAD Tokyo]]'s first title, ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]'' ([[List of games by date#2004|2004]]). Longtime series composer [[Koji Kondo]] contributed four tracks himself and mentored Yokota in developing a sound appropriate for the title. It is the first ''Super Mario'' game to feature a fully orchestrated soundtrack.<ref name=iwata/> The game's {{wp|orchestra}} performed at the Sound Inn Studios in {{wp|Tokyo}} and consisted of roughly fifty members dubbed the "[[Mario Galaxy Orchestra]]". Koji Haishima, who had conducted pieces from [[Square Enix]]'s ''{{wp|Final Fantasy}}'' series and [[Capcom]]'s ''{{wp|Monster Hunter}}'' series, served as conductor.<ref name=soundtrack>{{cite|author=[[Mario Galaxy Orchestra]]|title=''[[Super Mario Galaxy Original Soundtrack]]''|archive=https://vgmdb.net/album/18649|archiver=Video Game Music Database|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe]]|date=1 Jan. 2008}}</ref> Some of the pieces are orchestral arrangements of Kondo's compositions from ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', and ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.

On January 31, 2008, two soundtracks were made available in Japan through [[Club Nintendo]]. One is a standard edition with 28 tracks on a single disc. The other is a "platinum edition" that has 81 tracks across two discs. The platinum edition was released in Europe on the same date.<ref name=soundtrack/> The standard edition eventually saw a localized release in the United States on October 23, 2011 through its inclusion in a [[Wii]] console bundle.<ref name=meyer>{{cite|author=Meyer, John|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/10/wii-redesign/|title=Nintendo Bundles Redesigned Wii With Mario|publisher=WIRED|date=12 Oct. 2011|accessdate=8 Apr. 2023}}</ref> The platinum edition would not become available in the US until the release of ''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]'' on September 18, 2020. Select pieces from ''Super Mario Galaxy'' are included in ''[[Super Mario History 1985-2010#CD track listing|Super Mario History 1985-2010 Sound Track CD]]'', ''[[Nintendo Sound Selection: Endings & Credits]]'', and ''[[The 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Music]]''. Music from ''Super Mario Galaxy'' has been rearranged and incorporated into succeeding video games by Nintendo, including ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'', ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'', ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' ([[List of games by date#2014|2014]]), ''[[Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker]]'' (2014), ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' (2014), ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' ([[List of games by date#2017|2017]]), and ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]'' ([[List of games by date#2019|2019]]). Film composer {{wp|Brian Tyler}} incorporated select compositions into melodies he penned for ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]''. Music from ''Super Mario Galaxy'' has been performed live in concert by the {{wp|Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra}}, the {{wp|WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln}}, and the {{wp|London Philharmonic Orchestra}}.<ref name=pressstart>{{cite|author=Famitsu|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1218410_1124.html|title=PRESS START 2008 -SYMPHONY OF GAMESの詳細リポートをお届け！|language=Japanese|publisher=Famitsu|date=29 Sept. 2008|accessdate=9 Apr. 2023}}</ref><ref name=greening>{{cite|author=Greening, Chris|url=https://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/thomasboecker6.shtml|title=Interview with Symphonic Legends Producer (September 2010)|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|date=Sept. 2010|accessdate=9 Apr. 2023}}</ref><ref name=lane>{{cite|author=Lane, Gavin|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/12/video_listen_to_the_london_philharmonics_super_mario_medley_from_abbey_road Video|title=Listen To The London Philharmonic's Super Mario Medley From Abbey Road|publisher=Nintendo Life|date=11 Dec. 2020|accessdate=9 Apr. 2023}}</ref>

When first showcased at {{wp|E3|E3 2006}}, Toads with star-shaped spots appeared in the game that provided the player hints and could transform into rabbits. Lumas serve this role in the final game. Rosalina was originally conceived as "related" to Princess Peach and had a [[:File:Princess Rosalina Concept Artwork.png|similar design]] reflecting this. Bonefin Galaxy was intended to be much darker, as was Deep Dark Galaxy. These were changed in the interest of playability. Guppy was first envisioned as a friendly character and had a design comparable to the [[Dolphin]]s from ''[[Super Mario World]]'' ([[List of games by date#1990|1990]]). Artwork of Sea Slide Galaxy and Beach Bowl Galaxy suggests that they were conceived as a single galaxy, with Beach Bowl's main planet in the center of Sea Slide's ring. The staff were sentimental for [[:File:SMG Concept Art 7.png|this piece of concept art]] titled ''Fortress'' because it was one of the first drawings made during development.<ref>Black, page 350</ref> The planet shown in the art is not in the final game, but it has some similarities to Good Egg Galaxy, Beach Bowl Galaxy, and Bowser Jr.'s Robot Reactor. The development team wanted to incorporate [[Yoshi]] and he appears in the 2005 "Super Mario Revolution" proposal documents, but he is relegated to cameos in the final release.<ref>{{cite|author=[[Satoru Iwata|Iwata, Satoru]]|url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/supermariogalaxy2/0/0/|title=Wii interviews: Super Mario Galaxy 2|publisher=Iwata Asks|date=2010|accessdate=18 Apr. 2023}}</ref>

===Out of bounds in Freezeflame Galaxy===

The events of the game are adapted in three volumes of the manga ''[[Super Mario-kun]]''. The first volume, 38, was published October 28, 2008 and follows the conclusion of a story arc based on ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' (2007). It sees Mario becoming demoralized after failing to rescue Princess Peach during the Star Festival, but his confidence is restored by Rosalina and the Lumas. He travels across various galaxies alongside them and other characters from ''Super Mario Galaxy''. In vol. 39, published March 27, 2009, Mario plays with most of the game's power-ups and rescues Luigi. The arc concludes in vol. 40, published November 27, 2009, and is followed by a storyline adapted from ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' ([[List of games by date#2009|2009]]).

''Famitsu'' gave ''Super Mario Galaxy'' a score of 38/40, with critics highlighting the variability of mechanics and accessibility of the controls.<ref name=kamikaze/><ref>{{cite|author=Dickens, Anthony|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2007/10/famitsu_gives_super_mario_galaxy_3840|title=Famitsu Gives ''Super Mario Galaxy'' 38/40|publisher=Nintendo Life|date=24 Oct. 2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> Chris Scullion of ''[[NWiki:Official Nintendo Magazine|Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' gave the game a 97%, referring to it the best game of the decade while praising its visuals, sound, and gameplay elements.<ref>{{cite|author=Scullion, Chris|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007110829/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/|title=Super Mario Galaxy review|deadlink=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/|publisher=Official Nintendo Magazine|format=23|date=Dec. 2007|page=72–77|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Higginbotham, James|url=https://purenintendo.com/nintendo-magazine-uk-super-mario-galaxy-review/|title=Nintendo Magazine UK: Super Mario Galaxy Review|publisher=Pure Nintendo|date=2007|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> In 2011, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was ranked number fifty-first in ''{{wp|Game Informer}}''{{'}}s "Top 200 Games of All Time".<ref>{{cite|author=McNamara, Andy, editor|title="Top 200 Games of All Time." ''Game Informer''|location=Minneapolis|publisher=GameStop|format=200|date=Dec. 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=dantebk|url=https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/dantebk/lists/game-informers-top-200-games-of-all-time/32009/|title=Game Informer's Top 200 Games of All Time|publisher=Giant Bomb|date=2011|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' ranked it as best mainline ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' game in its May 2012 issue and deemed [[Rosalina]] the "Best Supporting Character", stating "there are a lot of things in the Super Mario series that are fun, but very few are emotionally powerful; Rosalina is one of them."<ref>{{cite|author=Slate, Chris, editor in chief|title="Ultimate Super Mario." ''[[Nintendo Power]]''|format=278|location=San Francisco|publisher=Future US|date=May 2012|page=60–69}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=White, Reggie, Jr.|url=http://gamingrockson.blogspot.ae/2012/05/nintendo-power-ranks-super-mario-series.html?m=1|title=Nintendo Power Ranks the Super Mario Series|publisher=GAMING ROCKS ON|date=18 May 2012|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> In their final issue, they ranked ''Super Mario Galaxy'' as the third greatest game of all time.<ref>{{cite|author=Thomason, Steve, editor in chief|title="NP's Favorite Games of All Time." ''[[Nintendo Power]]''|format=285|location=San Francisco|publisher=Future US|date=Dec. 2012|page=10–28}}</ref> In Japan, a 2021 poll conducted by {{wp|TV Asahi}} with over 50,000 participants found ''Super Mario Galaxy'' amongst the top 100 video games of all time, ranked number 56 out of 100.<ref name=asahi/><ref name=ashcraft/> The game has been praised by [[Gregg Mayles]], {{wp|Warren Spector}}, and {{wp|Tim Schafer}}.<ref>{{cite|author=Kim, Shane|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705161926/http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=188055&site=cvg|title=Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts Q&A|deadlink=http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=188055&site=cvg|publisher=Computer and Video Games|date=13 May, 2008|acessdate=9 Jan. 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Gillen, Kieron|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rps-exclusive-warren-spector-interview-2|title=RPS Exclusive: Warren Spector Interview|publisher=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=13 Feb. 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Schafer, Tim [TimOfLegend]|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/40i8ej/comment/cyuudv6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3|title=I LOVE the Mario Galaxy games (even though Psychonauts did relative gravity first :D {And I think Ratchet did it before us}). I like the more challenging platformers too, but I think those would have to be an optional thing, like on a harder difficulty setting, so they don't exclude more story-minded players|publisher=Reddit|date=11 Jan. 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Turczyn, Coury|url=https://www.popcultmag.com/posts/qa-tim-schafers-never-ending-quest-to-inject-storytelling-into-video-games/|title=Q&A: Tim Schafer's never-ending quest to inject storytelling into video games|publisher=PopCult|date=26 Dec. 2017}}</ref>

Within a month of the game's release, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' won two awards at {{wp|Paramount Network|Spike TV}}'s {{wp|Spike Video Game Awards|2007 Video Game Awards}} in the United States.<ref name=technews>{{cite|author=Digital Tech News staff|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928225501/http://www.digitaltechnews.com/news/2007/12/spike-tv-vga-20.html|title=Spike TV VGA 2007 - Video Game Awards Winners|deadlink=http://www.digitaltechnews.com/news/2007/12/spike-tv-vga-20.html|publisher=Digital Tech News|date=8 Dec. 2007|accessdate=4 Jan. 2024}}</ref> The game subsequently received thirteen nominations from six different organizations throughout 2008. On February 8th, the game won the award for "{{wp|D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|Adventure Game of the Year}}" from the {{wp|Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences}} at the {{wp|11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards}}.<ref name=humblebrag>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo of America]]|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213222404/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/LDsHV_120iafJ387QDMH-z467zT5F5r1|title=Did You Know? Nintendo Wins Two Interactive Achievement Awards|deadlink=http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/LDsHV_120iafJ387QDMH-z467zT5F5r1|publisher=Nintendo Official Site|date=8 Feb. 2008|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> It was nominated in five other categories, including "{{wp|D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Overall Game of the Year}}" for which it was a finalist.<ref name=aias>{{cite|author=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2008&idGame=934|title=Super Mario Galaxy|publisher=2008 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref> At the {{wp|Game Developers Choice Awards|8th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards}} on February 22, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' received nominations in two categories, one of which was another "Game of the Year" award.<ref name=gdca>{{cite|author=Informa Tech|url=https://gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_8th|title=Archive - 8th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards|publisher=Game Developers Choice Awards|date=28 Apr. 2021|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref> In March, the game was nominated for five awards and won two at the 7th Annual NAVGTR Awards from the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers, an organization made up of game journalists in the United States.<ref name=navgtr>{{cite|author=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers|url=https://navgtr.org/2007-awards/|title=2007 Awards|publisher=NAVGTR|accessdate=8 Jan. 2024}}</ref> In Japan, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' won "Game of the Year" alongside [[Capcom]]'s ''{{wp|Monster Hunter Freedom 2}}'' at the {{wp|Famitsu scores#Famitsu Awards|2007 Famitsu Awards}}. This award was graciously accepted by [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]].<ref name=famitsuawards>{{cite|author=Famitsu|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1214807_1124.html|title=【動画追加】'ファミ通アワード2007'の大賞は『モンスターハンターポータブル 2nd』と『スーパーマリオギャラクシー』に決定！|language=Japanese|publisher=Famitsu|date=14 May 2008|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref> At the {{wp|Japan Game Awards|Japan Game Awards 2008}}, the game received the "award for excellence" in the Game of the Year Division from the {{wp|Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association}}.<ref name=cesa>{{cite|author=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association|url=https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2008/english/press_081009n.html|title=Japan Game Awards 2008 'Games of the Year Division' Award Winners Chosen|publisher=Japan Game Awards 2008|date=9 Oct. 2008|accessdate=4 Jan. 2024}}</ref> The game was nominated for three awards at the {{wp|Golden Joystick Awards|Golden Joystick Awards 2008}} later that year.<ref name=joystick>{{cite|author=GamesRadar_UK|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/all-the-golden-joystick-awards-winners/|title=All the Golden Joystick Awards Winners|publisher=GamesRadar+|date=31 Oct. 2008|accessdate=4 Jan. 2024}}</ref>

During 2009, in what was recognized as a "surprise" by the press,<ref name=ward>{{cite|author=Ward, Mark|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7933672.stm|title=As it happened: Bafta Game Awards|publisher=BBC News|date=10 Mar. 2009|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref><ref name=oduba>{{cite|author=Oduba, Ore, Leah Gooding, Sonali, Hayley Cutts, and Ricky Boleto|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7930000/newsid_7936600/7936675.stm|title=Super Mario Galaxy's surprise win|publisher=CBBC Newsround|date=11 Mar. 2009|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref><ref name=cellan-jones>{{cite|author=Cellan-Jones, Rory|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7936204.stm|title=Three Baftas for Call of Duty 4|publisher=BBC News|date=11 Mar. 2009|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref> ''Super Mario Galaxy'' won "Best Game" at the {{wp|5th British Academy Games Awards}} and was the first Nintendo game to ever receive the award.<ref name=nelson>{{cite|author=Nelson, Randy|url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/03/11/super-mario-galaxy-voted-best-game-by-bafta/|title=Super Mario Galaxy voted 'best game' by BAFTA|publisher=Engadget|date=11 Mar. 2009|accessdate=21 Mar. 2021}}</ref> It was accepted on behalf of the development team by Rob Lowe, the senior product manager at [[Nintendo|Nintendo UK]], who reportedly took the opportunity to defend the title against claims that it is not a "gamer's game."<ref name=ward/> ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was nominated for the "Gameplay" and "Use of Audio" awards as well, but lost to {{wp|Activision}}'s ''{{wp|Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare}}'' and {{wp|Electronic Arts}}' ''{{wp|Dead Space (2008 video game)|Dead Space}}'', respectively.<ref name=bafta>{{cite|author=British Academy of Film and Television Arts|url=https://awards.bafta.org/award/2009/games|title=Games in 2009|publisher=BAFTA Awards|accessdate=6 Jan. 2024}}</ref> At the {{wp|2012 Kids' Choice Awards}}, ''Super Mario Galaxy'' was nominated for "{{wp|Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Video Game|Favorite Video Game}}" a year after its [[Super Mario Galaxy 2|sequel]] was.<ref>{{cite|author=Still, Jennifer|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a303161/in-full-kids-choice-awards-nominees-2011/|title=In Full: Kids' Choice Awards Nominees 2011|publisher=Digital Spy|date=10 Feb. 2011}}</ref><ref name=goodacre>{{cite|author=Goodacre, Kate|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a366300/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2012-nominations-in-full|title=Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2012: Nominations in Full|publisher=Digital Spy|date=17 Feb. 2012|accessdate=4 Jan. 2024}}</ref> It lost to ''{{wp|Just Dance 3}}''.<ref name=goldderby>{{cite|author=Gold Derby News Desk|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2012/kids-choice-awards-2012-complete-list-of-winners/|title=Kids' Choice Awards 2012: Complete List of Winners|publisher=GoldDerby|date=31 Mar. 2012|accessdate=5 Jan. 2024}}</ref> Each organization to recognize ''Super Mario Galaxy'' and its respective award nominations are listed below.

Following the negative press surrounding ''Super Mario Galaxy'' and the similarly localized ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass]]'' (2007), nearly all subsequent Québécois releases have been in {{wp|standard French}}. As of 2024, the only exception has been ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'' ([[List of games by date#2012|2012]]), which also features the Joual dialect.

The game invokes feelings of isolation and sadness through its [[#Setting|outer space setting]]. Most [[galaxy|galaxies]] are enveloped by vast, dark skies pierced by stars and distant suns. There are story scenarios, [[mission]]s, locations, and musical queues interlaced in the game that intentionally draw attention away from its more vigorous, joyful elements to focus on the dispassionate coldness of space, amplifying [[Mario]]'s relative insignificance to a vast, endless universe. Video essayist Jacob Geller notes that these conditions give the player a moment to decompress after action-orientated gameplay and foster contemplativeness. Such conditions are interpreted as existentialistic and sad,<ref name=nitrorad/> but not despairing.<ref name=geller/><ref name=kim/><ref name=webb/> Grace Benfell of ''{{wp|GameSpot}}'' describes the evoked feeling as an "existential, joyful melancholy."<ref name=benfell/>

The design of 3D ''Super Mario'' was further streamlined in ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'', the other two course clear-style games. They were perceived to have adopted more design principals from the concurrent ''[[New Super Mario Bros. (series)|New Super Mario Bros.]]'' games than the hakoniwa ones of their 3D predecessors.<ref name=slate/><ref name=kohler2/><ref name=hakoniwa/> ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' was the first 3D game to not be explicitly tied to ''Super Mario Galaxy'' in fifteen years, but it still incorporated elements derived from the game. The [[Moon Kingdom]] was created to contrast with ''Super Mario Galaxy'' specifically, with more realistic topography.<ref>{{cite|author=[[Rikuto Yoshida|Yoshida, Rikuto]]|date=2019|title="Moon Kingdom" in ''[[The Art of Super Mario Odyssey]]'' by Kazuya Sakai, kikai, Rachel Roberts, and Jenny Blenk, editors|format=First English Edition|location=Milwaukie|publisher=[[Dark Horse]]|page=281}}</ref> [[Gravity]] is generally weaker in the lunar kingdoms, making [[jump]]s floatier, and a few 2D areas include spherical worlds.  [[Kenta Motokura]] cites the game as the inspiration behind [[Snapshot Mode]].<ref>{{cite|author=Z|date=20 Oct. 2017|title=The Power of Fun: Kenta Motokura and Yoshiaki Koizumi Talk 'Super Mario Odyssey'|url=https://geekdad.com/2017/10/super-mario-odyssey-developer-interview/|publisher=GeekDad}}</ref> [[Multi Moon]]s are analogous to [[Grand Star]]s, as are the [[Royal Seed]]s of ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'' ([[List of games by date#2023|2023]]).

''Super Mario Galaxy'' was not the first video game to integrate spherical worlds that pan under the player character's feet. However, it is often the ''{{wp|de facto}}'' example of spherical world design, with games that touch upon similar concepts often likened to ''Super Mario Galaxy'', even if they were published before it. That being said, few games have even attempted to integrate the 3D spherical world design of ''Super Mario Galaxy''. From [[Nintendo]] themselves, ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'' was the last game to incorporate those types of levels.<ref name=phillips/> In 2008, {{wp|Fantawild}} published a derivative {{wp|Counterfeit consumer good|knockoff}} for the Chinese market titled ''Duludubi Star'' that includes spherical worlds.<ref>{{cite|author=DidYouKnowGaming|date=29 Feb. 2020|title=China's Super Mario Galaxy Rip-Off - Region Locked ft. @ashens|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbKc7-sW1Ds|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> [[Rosalina]] was proposed as a new playable character in the earliest phases of ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]'', explicitly with the desire to replicate the {{wp|Game feel|feel}} of ''Super Mario Galaxy'' in her aerial movements.<ref>{{cite|author=djmurr and PushDustIn, translators|title="Image Transcriptions of Project Proposal for Smash for Wii U/3DS"|url=https://sourcegaming.info/2015/07/04/english-smash4-project-proposal-slides/|publisher=Source Gaming|date=4 Jul. 2015|accessdate=28 Apr. 2023}}</ref> The game has been cited as a source of inspiration for ''{{wp|Armillo}}'' (2014),<ref>{{cite|author=McFerran, Damien|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/01/developer_interview_fuzzy_wuzzy_games_talks_armillo_and_developing_for_the_wii_u_eshop|title=Developer Interview: Fuzzy Wuzzy Games Talks Armillo And Developing For The Wii U eShop|publisher=Nintendo Life|date=18 Jan. 2013|accessdate=6 Jul. 2023}}</ref> ''{{wp|Gravity Ghost}}'' (2015),<ref>{{cite|author=Hamilton, Kirk|title=A Fresh Look At ''Gravity Ghost'', The Little Indie ''Mario Galaxy'' That Could|url=https://kotaku.com/a-fresh-look-at-gravity-ghost-the-little-indie-mario-g-514116801|date=18 Jun. 2013|publisher=Kotaku}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Game Developer Staff|title=7 examples of great game physics that every developer should study|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/7-examples-of-great-game-physics-that-every-developer-should-study|date=20 Apr. 2016|publisher=Game Developer}}</ref> ''{{wp|Gears 5}}'' (2019),<ref>{{cite|author=Sinclair, Brendan|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/rod-fergusson-keynote|title=Making Gears of War click for more than the hardcore|publisher=GamesIndustry.biz|date=19 Nov. 2019|accessdate=28 Apr. 2023}}</ref> ''{{wp|Solar Ash}}'' (2021),<ref>{{cite|author=Wood, Austin|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/solar-ash-lives-up-to-its-dumb-elevator-pitch-of-super-mario-galaxy-meets-shadow-of-the-colossus/|title=Solar Ash lives up to its "dumb elevator pitch" of Super Mario Galaxy meets Shadow of the Colossus|publisher=GamesRadar+|date=15 Sept. 2021|accessdate=28 Apr. 2023}}</ref> and ''[[Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope]]'' (2022).<ref>{{cite|author=Deschamps, Marc|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mario-rabbids-sparks-of-hope-david-soliani-interview-nintendo-switch/|title=Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Director David Soliani Reveals Inspirations, Nintendo's Limits, and More|publisher=ComicBook.com|date=27 Oct. 2022|accessdate=28 Apr. 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Box NA-Super Mario 3D All-Stars.png|thumb|North American box art for ''Super Mario 3D All-Stars'', a compilation that includes ''Super Mario Galaxy''.]]

*''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'': [[Fire Mario]] appears. One side of a [[Toy Time Galaxy#8-Bit Mario Bros. Planet|planet]] looks like [[Small Mario]]'s sprite while the other resembles Small Luigi's. The [[:File:SMG Flipswitch Galaxy Mission.png|backgrounds]] of several galaxies are based on the sprites in this game. "[[:File:Super Mario 2007 Super Mario Galaxy.oga|Super Mario 2007]]" is an arrangement of "[[Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros.)|Ground Theme]]". "[[:File:Space Athletic Super Mario Galaxy.oga|Space Athletic]]" is an arrangement of "[[Underground Theme]]". "[[:File:Cosmic Comet Super Mario Galaxy.oga|Cosmic Comet]]" incorporates both pieces. Collecting trailing [[Note]]s sometimes plays the "Underground Theme" or "[[Underwater Theme]]".

*''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'': [[Airship]]s appear. [[Monty]]s behave like the [[Rocky Wrench]] enemy. "[[:File:Blue Sky Athletic Super Mario Galaxy.oga|Blue Sky Athletic]]" and "[[:File:Airship Armada Super Mario Galaxy.oga|Airship Armada]]" are arrangements of "[[:File:Overworld Theme 2 Super Mario Bros 3.oga|Athletic Theme]]" and "[[:File:Airship Theme Super Mario Bros 3.oga|Airship Theme]]", respectively.

*''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'': The same "Z"s appear above Mario's head while he sleeps. [[Cataquack]]s and [[Pokey Head]]s appear. Variants of the [[Plurp]] and [[Wind Spirit]] enemies called [[Cluckboom]] and [[Bone Twister]], respectively, are introduced. [[Fire Shooter]]s and [[Water Shooter]]s resemble [[F.L.U.D.D.|FLUDD]]. The [[Dino Piranha|first boss]] resembles [[Petey Piranha]]. The goal in [[ray surfing]] is shaped like a [[Shine Sprite]].

*''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'': An 8-bit sprite of Rosalina appears in [[Dark Side]] and [[Darker Side]]. "The Odyssey: Power Up!" is an arrangement of the fanfare that plays when Mario collects a new power-up. The [[regional coin]]s in the [[Moon Kingdom]] are shaped like Star Bits. There is a musical [[Easter egg]] on the pause menu where when pausing and selecting options, a simple arrangement of "Rosalina in the Observatory" can be heard.