The Observatory

Explore The Observatory in Super Mario Galaxy with our comprehensive guide. Learn how to navigate galaxies, collect Power Stars, and defeat bosses.

The Observatory serves as the central hub in Super Mario Galaxy, from which players can access various galaxies and missions. Initially, players will find themselves in an area with several Toads, allowing them to get accustomed to the game's controls. After reaching the castle and a cutscene, players must follow a Luma Bunny to find three hidden Lumas who want to play hide-and-seek. One is in a crater, another in a flower patch with rubber balls, and the third in a pipe. Star bits (SBs) can be used to help catch them. Once all three are found, a tower appears where players can speak with Princess Rosalina. After regaining control, breaking crystals reveals a launch star, which is activated by spinning under it. The next planet involves collecting hidden star chips while avoiding a black hole, with a 1-up available. A launch star then leads to a planet where a key must be found. A pink spike can be spun to stun enemies, or they can be jumped on. The giant Goomba holds the key, which unlocks a pipe. Inside, players must flip yellow switches to blue; stepping on a switch twice reverts it to yellow. Flipping all switches releases the Grand Star. From this point, stages are accessed from the Observatory's domes using pull stars. The black Luma will provide further explanation.

The Observatory also provides access to various galaxies, each containing multiple Power Stars. These include:

1. Gateway Galaxy
2. Sweet Sweet Galaxy
3. Sling Pod Galaxy
4. Drip Drop Galaxy
5. Bigmouth Galaxy
6. Sand Spiral Galaxy
7. Snow Cap Galaxy
8. Boo's Boneyard Galaxy
9. Rolling Gizmo Galaxy
10. Loopdeeswoop Galaxy
11. Bubble Blast Galaxy
12. Bowser's Galaxy Reactor
13. Grand Finale Galaxy

Within the Observatory, players can also find:

• The Terrace, which lists galaxies like Good Egg Galaxy (1 Star), Honeyhive Galaxy (3 Stars), Loopdeeloop Galaxy (Bonus), Flipswitch Galaxy (Bonus), and Bowser Jr.'s Robot Reactor (8 Stars).
• Good Egg Galaxy, featuring stars such as Dino Piranha, A Snack of Cosmic Proportions, King Kaliente's Battle Fleet, Dino Piranha Speed Run, Purple Coin Omelet, and Luigi on the Roof.

The guide for Dino Piranha in Good Egg Galaxy involves going to the underside of the planet. An optional 1-up can be obtained by entering a pipe, getting a ? coin, and collecting music notes. A launch star at the top of a tower leads to the next planet. Here, players collect star chips while dodging boulders. The mud slows movement, and red gems on boulders can be spun to destroy them, though this is difficult. The next planet requires jumping on a piranha plant to reveal a vine, which is spun to climb. Rubber balls can be used as weapons against boulders, but care must be taken to avoid them. A large purple piranha plant requires a rubber ball to create a vine leading to a bean-shaped planet. Ground pounding in dirt here causes the player to get stuck. Spinning near the enemy and then kicking it yields SBs. The objective is to reach the other side, climb blocks, break a crystal, and use a launch star to reach the boss. The boss, Dino Piranha, is defeated by hitting its tail three times, with increasing difficulty.