Shooting Start-off Galaxy (Super Mario Galaxy 3)

Acting as more of an introductory stage to the game, Shooting Start-off Galaxy is the first galaxy encountered in Super Mario Galaxy 3. The planets here are fairly large and varied, allowing the player to get-to-grips with the game's mechanics and controls. Lumas and Signposts will still offer Mario tips and advice as he progresses from planet-to-planet, including Reginald, a unique Signpost who will happily sway from side-to-side whilst he waits for Mario to arrive. The player is able to 'bank' Starbits and 1-Up Mushrooms with Reginald, who will keep them safe until they're withdrawn from him. Yoshi is also introduced here, during the second mission. Many of the planets found in this galaxy are grassy, some of which have patches of flowers, trees, waterfalls, vines and other large water features, allowing the player to become well-versed in underwater controls early-on if they wish, although it's likely this particular skill will prove more useful later when they reach the High Seas Galaxy. Whilst it's easy to pass through Shooting Start-off Galaxy with little issue, Mario will still have his fair share of dangers to worry about, including Flipbugs, Goombas and Piranha Plants, which are in abundance.
==Stats==
World: 1
Stars Required: 0
Total Power Stars: 6
Total Planets: 11
Total Hungry Lumas: 0
Threat Factor: Low
==Missions==
===Shoot-off to a Galactic Start===
The primary aim of this mission is to defeat Squizrock, the galaxy's boss. Mario will need to pass over six planets in order to reach Squizrock, who will yield a Power Star after being defeated. Reginald resides not too far from where Mario will land upon beginning the mission. He will introduce the player to Shortcut Stars, a means of allowing the player to skip initial parts of the mission after completing it normally first. In this instance, the Shortcut Star will sling the player onto the fourth planet, although it is faded when Mario meets Reginald for the first time, and inactive until the Power Star is obtained. Reginald will pop-up again on the planet before Squizrock's, to offer some light advice on the forthcoming battle. On the third planet Mario will reach, a Rainbow Star can be found laying in a sparkling flower bed behind where Mario lands. If the player neglects to investigate the flower bed upon landing, they may miss the Power-Up entirely. Getting it may also prove particularly useful, as the third planet happens to be the one with the most enemies. The Comet Medal is located on the planet after that, and is difficult to miss, lying almost directly in Mario's path, guarded by three Piranha Plants. When Mario does finally encounter Squizrock, the player will be treated to a brief monolgue from the oversized mole before the battle commences, in which Squizrock pelts Mario with rocks. Failure to evade one of Squizrock's incoming projectiles, will cause Mario to lose a health point. Eventually, Squizrock will get fatigued and stop to catch his breath. During this time, Squizrock is vulnerable and Mario can attack.
COMPLETION REWARD(S):
*Squizrock Trophy (Starship Mario Aesthetic)
===The Prize in the Egg===
The primary aim of this mission is to find and break an egg, which holds the Power Star. Landing in the same spot as the first mission, Mario will have to transverse the galaxy as he hunts down a large egg that will reveal a Power Star once broken. There are some notable differences to the surroundings, however, including the addition of Yoshi's Egg. In fact, Yoshi makes his debut during this mission and accompanies Mario throughout the level. Four previously unexplored planets stand in Mario's way, as well as two more the player will already be familar with, one being the starting planet that Mario will land on at the beginning of every mission. On the final planet, the pair (Mario and Yoshi) will stumble upon a shining, golden egg, protected by a lone Magikoopa. The egg can be broken by a simple ground pound and will reveal the Power Star to be inside.
COMPLETION REWARD(S):
*Yoshi (Starship Mario Addition)
===Egg Hunt Speedrun===
The primary aim of this mission is to find and break an egg, within three minutes. Providing that the galaxy's Comet Medal has been collected, then there is a chance that the planet will be visited by a Prankster Comet. (Note: Revisit the details of the first mission, 'Shoot-off to a Galactic Start', if you missed it.) Whilst under the effects of the Comet, the player must play out the second mission again, with some notable differences. Firstly, there is a three-minute time limit. If Mario fails to reach the Power Star before the time runs out, he will lose a life. Secondly, Yoshi isn't present, forcing the player to complete the level without his aid. Even though this would traditionally be impossible on the second mission, a number of blocks and other such pieces have been added to allow Mario to actually reach the end. Reginald doesn't appear whilst the Prankster Comet is active either.
COMPLETION REWARD(S):
*Skipper (Lubba Alternative Outfit)
===Green Star 1===
The primary aim of this mission is to find a Green Power Star, located above a tree. The first Green Star, like the second, can be found during the mission, 'Shoot-off to a Galactic Start'. It isn't particularly difficult to spot, and can actually be seen as Mario comes in to land on the starting planet. The Star is suspended atop a climbable fir tree, situated near where Mario lands, next to a small pond. It is likely the easiest Green Star to aquire within this galaxy.
COMPLETION REWARD(S):
*None
===Green Star 2===
The primary aim of this mission is to find a Green Power Star, located behind a waterfall. This Star can be aquired through replaying 'Shoot-off to a Galactic Start'. It is hidden behind the large waterfall on the starting planet. It isn't particularly hard to find, as Mario will likely pass the waterfall in order to reach the Sling Star nearby, however the player could miss it if they fail to check behind the waterfall, as it isn't completely visible. Before the Green Prankster Comet is active, the Green Power Star is replaced by a 1-Up Mushroom.
COMPLETION REWARD(S):
*Flipbug (Unlockable Enemy in Toadsworth's Arena)
===Green Star 3===
The primary aim of this mission is to find a Green Power Star, aquired by dropping off the side of a planet. The last Green Power Star can be found during 'The Prize in the Egg'. To grab it, Mario will have to reach the final planet. It's wise to use the Shortcut Star, which should now be unlocked after initially completing the mission, as a means of reaching the Power Star faster. The player will be unable to see the Star when Mario is transversing the planet, but when flying towards the planet, the Star is clearly visable. One must simply drop off the side of the planet near to where a row of eight coins are located, and they should get the Power Star.
COMPLETION REWARD(S):
*None
==Passive Characters==
The following passive characters make an appearance:
*Lumas
*Signposts
*Reginald
*Cosmic Spirit
==Enemies==
The following enemies make an appearance:
*Goombas
*Octoombas
*Flipbugs
*Thorny Flowers
*Paragoombas
*Magikoopas
*Piranha Plants
*Wigglers
*Squizrock (Boss)
==Power-Ups==
The following Power-Ups make an appearance:
*Rainbow Star
==Trivia==
*The name of the galaxy is likely a pun on the rare astronomical phenomenon, the shooting star.
*Early concept art for Squizrock depicts him as a brown Shy Guy, although this appears to have been dropped early in development.
Category:Locations
Category:Mario (series)
Category:Mario Locations
Category:Galaxies