All Nintendo Universe Cameos & Characters in Super Mario Galaxy: The Movie

As anticipated, Super Mario Galaxy: The Movie is not only filled with references to the famous Italian plumber's games but also features nods to many other franchises and cameos from characters we've played with for years on Nintendo consoles. Following Donkey Kong and his family's appearance in the first film, Fox McCloud from Star Fox had already been officially revealed for the sequel, and he's not the only surprise character we see. While numerous minor enemies and secondary characters from the Mario games appear throughout the movie—such as Piantas, Shy Guys, Ninjis, Conkdors, Ukikis, etc.—we won't list those to avoid taking hours.

Below is a list of all the significant Nintendo characters featured in Super Mario Galaxy: The Movie, almost as if preparing us for a Super Smash Bros. film—a concept officially denied but one we believe is certainly being considered.

As expected, this article contains spoilers and reveals all cameos and surprises.

Mario's Team

While Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad are prominently featured in all trailers and promotions, this film also introduces Yoshi, Rosalina, Bowser Jr., and Kamek, all crucial characters in the Mario universe.

Donkey Kong

Though not as central as in the previous film, Donkey Kong makes a return cameo during Yoshi's flashback sequence. This scene depicts his post-Bowser defeat invasion of the real world, a clear homage to the classic 1981 arcade game.

Super Mario Bros. 2 Villains

Wart, Birdo, Mouser, and Clawgrip—all bosses from the classic NES game Super Mario Bros. 2 (originally Doki Doki Panic)—appear as a criminal leader and his henchmen in a hidden casino within the Celestial Gate Galaxy. This role is significantly different from their game appearances as invaders of a dream world, and they also seem to be connected to Bowser Jr. in some way.

Notably, Birdo is the first canonically trans character to appear in the Super Mario Bros. movie series.

R.O.B.

The iconic and somewhat infamous NES accessory, R.O.B., which was used to play titles like Gyromite, also appears in Super Mario Galaxy: The Movie as an information clerk in the Celestial Gate Galaxy. His slow turning animation provides a humorous moment that only older audience members would truly appreciate.

Beyond being a controller accessory, R.O.B. has also appeared as a playable character in some Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart games. There's even a Star Fox character that references him.

Fox McCloud

We wished Nintendo had kept it a surprise, but the presence of Fox McCloud from the Star Fox series in Super Mario Galaxy: The Movie was revealed days prior with an official poster. In the film, he explains that a warp engine accident on his Arwing ship caused him to be transported to another galaxy.

The film doesn't specify if this journey took him to an alternate universe or simply many light-years away from the Lylat System (which is presented in a 2D animated sequence). However, it confirms that the Mario and Star Fox universes either share the same universe or at least the same multiverse.

His characterization in the movie is quite different from the games, with a more humorous personality.

Pikmin

Just before introducing Fox, the movie shows a ship landing in the Celestial Gate Galaxy, only to reveal it was tiny and full of Pikmin.

Knowing Shigeru Miyamoto's affection for these little creatures, we have no doubt they were included to please him.

Baby Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Peach

Another surprise revealed by the trailers: thanks to a shot from one of Bowser Jr.'s weapons, which is definitely a Super Scope 6—the Super Nintendo's light gun—Mario, Luigi, and later Toad, are transformed into babies that Yoshi must care for and return to normal.

A baby version of Princess Peach also appears in the movie, but only in flashbacks and not because she was transformed.

Dry Bowser (Bowsitos)

Bowser's skeletal version, which in some games serves as a true final boss or a second phase of the final boss, appears in Super Mario Galaxy: The Movie when Mario and Peach defeat Bowser by throwing him into a lava pit in a battle that references the first Super Mario Bros.

Although Bowser ends the movie in this state, we don't doubt he will regain his original form when the third installment is released.

Mr. Game & Watch

The protagonist of Nintendo's old handheld games appears when Luigi gets hold of Bowser Jr.'s magic brush but isn't able to draw anything more complex with it.

The funniest thing about this character is that when he appears, he does so with the segmented animation he has in his other appearances. This is a reference that the audience will not understand unless they have played those old games or recognize him from Super Smash Bros.

Princess Daisy

Our beloved Princess of Sarasaland appears in the post-credits scene of Super Mario Galaxy: The Movie, where she apprehends a thieving Ukiki in the Celestial Gate Galaxy.

This is a clear confirmation that Daisy will appear in the third Super Mario movie. She first appeared in Super Mario Land for Game Boy and since then had been limited to appearances in sports and party titles like Super Mario Party, Mario Kart, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, etc., until she finally appeared in Super Mario Bros. Wonder as a playable character.

As a fan-favorite Nintendo character, her inclusion in this film will surely bring much joy to many.

Super Mario Galaxy: The Movie premiered in cinemas worldwide on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.