Super Mario Galaxy Trial Galaxy Guide

Once you get all three green stars, the path to the end of the cosmos and the trial galaxies is opened. That is what you may ask? Just three galaxies which have been designed to pass all sanity possible and that are meant to be some of the game's more difficult challenges (and the Grand Finale Galaxy which gets stuck there for no real reason, unless that's a comment on the weirdness of the Mushroom World..) But never the less, hopefully this guide will get you through them without too many lost lives and give you the information you require to enjoy them.

Quick Foreword: Each player is different, and will probably have different galaxies here that they like best. An example is myself, who is pretty good at all them, and a cousin, who is absolutely useless at Manta Ray surfing but created at the ball rolling ones and passed the Rolling Gizmo Galaxy on his third try after ever playing the game twice. Some people will like the Manta Ray surfing and ace that first time. Others may like the Ball rolling stuff and find the Rolling Gizmo Galaxy a total piece of cake. Others still might find the Bubble Blowing of the Bubble Blast Galaxy both easy and fun but the other two challenges insanely difficult. All depends on the person playing the game.

LoopdeeSwoop Galaxy

The Galaxy's Greatest Wave

Minor Level Description: A massive rollercoaster ride of water going across the far end of the skies in an unknown atmosphere, Mario and Luigi will have to master riding Ray the Manta Ray to beat the course in 3 minutes for a star. But the water is rough, and the turns sharp.

The only trial galaxy which records your best ever times, this level is best taken SLOWLY. No joke, while it is tempting, and a 1:30 record is displayed on the course, that time is to be beaten only for a minor bonus, not the star. Take it very, very easy and slow down around the corners otherwise it is easy to go flying off the edge.

Also, if you do happen to go fast enough, you can take a shortcut at the loop by jumping to the track on the left side and skip the loop itself. This gets your time down and can help you get below a minute like the 53 second time I have.

However, if you do really want to go very, very fast, I have some advice. Tilt the controller as far to the direction to turn as possible so you can quickly turn at full speed and won't fly off the track at the other side. Also, it may be wise to go slow on the part just near where it turns high in the air and goes above the starting area of track.

Bonus: If you beat the level in under 1:30, you will get congratulated on the time by the penguin coach (the guy from the Beach Bowl, Loopdeeloop and Grand Finale Galaxy) and a spring star will appear neat some penguins at the start. You can then tour the castle and collect rings of star bits floating high in the sky for some extra lives and plain rewards.

You can supposedly also get into the water without the Manta Ray, but I never managed that myself. Just look it up on Youtube.

Rolling Gizmo Galaxy

Gizmos Gears and Gadgets

Minor Level Description: A gigantic series of floating obstacles and machines, Mario and Luigi have to trek across the floating minefield of obstacles on top of a massive ball with the star in to reach the flag. However, Bowser's troops in full force here, and the heavy weaponry of a Bob-omb Launcher threatens to make this journey an incredibly perilous one.

The king of all obstacle courses and an ideal battle arena for a Mario Kart game, the Rolling Gizmo Galaxy is the toughest ball rolling course yet, and one that won't take no prisoners. You've gone through the fields in the sky. Across the lava plains and through a floating tunnel of doom in the Melty Molten Galaxy, now try trekking across these traps and tricks. Take it very slowly when the path is narrow like at the start, as otherwise you'll fall. Collect all the mushrooms you can see for lives (and only get the coins and star bits that are in your path).

When you see the metal blocks, step up the speed and charge. Jump at them to mow them down and clear your path, then smash down the heavy metal bridge.

When on the moving gears and bridges, take it slow and remember that you can jump. And when you get to the Bob-ombs? Avoid them at all costs, as they'll explode and sent you flying off course (which can easily be fatal). Rails are good though, since you don't have to worry about how you aim the remote when riding and can collect all the floating star bits for lives.

Finally, when you get to the final bridge, forget riding cubes and taking it slow, just charge full speed ahead! You should be able to then get enough height to jump to the final platform without those stupid metal boxes.

Bonus: Don't ride the ball straight away, but go past the blocks and get on top of the bridge. Look down and you can see 50 odd star bits ready to collect for an easy extra life!

C

oin Collecting Tip: At the end, get both the ? coins to make two rings of coins appear on the final gear. Collect them to boost your coin total for the record sites.

Bubble Blast Galaxy

The Electric Labyrinth

Minor Level Description: A floating electric fence lined maze above a black hole, suspended in the far depths of the Marioverse. With many rotating fences, flame throwers, Bullet Bills cannons and amps floating about, Mario and Luigi must guide a bubble past all the early obstacles to get a launch star constructed, then charge through an electric lined obstacle course while being chased by swarms of Bullet Bill missiles for the star. This will not be easy.

If you are like a few FAQ writers and players seem to be, you may have a minor heart attack when entering this galaxy and finally seeing all the obstacles lying ahead of you. Don't fear though, the first section is the literal level version of 'Slow and Steady Wins the Race' and going slow should make it easier. Let's start.

The top pipe leads to an area with many rotating fences, so go slow and try not to get pinned between the fence and obstacle or just the two obstacles, since you are guaranteed to lose if that happens. It should not be too hard, so get the star piece and exit using the spring star.

The top left one leads to an area with moving electric rails. So get past the first rail and get the 1 up, then wait for an opening. Go through to the star piece. You should now wait until it's all clear before going past, and quickly continue going to the spring star.

To the lower left, is the pipe which leads to the flame thrower road. So get in the bubble again and wait for the way to be clear and dash past the line of them to reach another star piece. Keep waiting and then dash back the way you came. The spring star is somewhat behind the starting platform.

The pipe at the top right leads to an area with plenty of familiar obstacles from the first of these levels; mines! So collect the ? coin and generally follow the coins through the mine field (when you can't see more coins, just go through the middle) and do this until you find the star piece. Ignore that you are pretty much directly above a black hole, as you cannot be sucked in. Go to the lower right corner for the spring star.

The final pipe leads to the amp area. Go past the first amp when it's out the way, and then when the second line of them start going up, rush under them to get the star piece. Get back to the main area with the spring star and use the launch star to reach the second obstacle course (oh yes!).

Here, go down and follow the path. Keep moving, and the first two Bullet Bills are almost guaranteed to miss you, so keep going and get the 1 up from the middle of the two red revolving platforms. Keep going now, and post haste, because these Bullet Bills will be a bit more difficult to dodge. You are nearly at the end when you reach the path going more horizontal though, so speed through it to dodge the Bullet Bills and you'll eventually reach the star.

Bonus: There are lines of star bits outside the normal areas in area 1, so collect them for lives.

Bonus 2: The ? coins make normal coins appear to show the path.

Oh, and did you know you can have some right fun jumping around on the obstacles? Yeah, you can get all through the area beyond the north pipe in area 1, and theoretically all the way through area 2 without even touching a bubble!

More difficult Challenges

Try collecting all the coins on the three main trial galaxies for the most sadistic challenge ever.

Grand Finale Galaxy

Once you beat Bowser with Luigi at 120 stars, you can now access this area, where you collect 100 purple coins in the Star Festival from the beginning of the game and meet many non playable characters from the other areas!

Level Description: A short trip down memory lane. Explore Toad Town, talk to all the friendly characters from earlier and receive a letter from the Mailtoad and designers saying how well you did!

There is really nothing much to say here. About 10 coins can be collected, star bits rain from the sky and there is one purple coin on the Star Shroom. The rest is self explanatory. No time limit, no anything here but looking at the view and talking to random characters.