History YMMV / SuperMarioGalaxy

* SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome: Despite running on ostensibly aged hardware, the game still manages to pack quite a punch in the visuals department, thanks to a [[SugarWiki/AwesomeArt fantastic art style and well-done backgrounds.]] The visuals rival that of even the best-looking UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 titles, and all the game needed was a resolution bump to 1080p in ''3D All-Stars.''

* CharacterRerailment: After suffering some substantial VillainDecay in the RPGs and ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'', Bowser returns to being an [[EvilIsCool impressive]], yet highly [[TheChessmaster effective]] and [[KnightOfCerebus intimidating]] antagonist who poses a legitimate threat to both Mario and the universe as a whole. The main series games from ''Galaxy 2'' onwards would marry the [[LaughablyEvil goofier aspects]] of Bowser from those aforementioned games with his more menacing appearance here to further balance out his character.

** Getting all 150 purple coins in "Luigi's Purple Coins" in Toy Time Galaxy, or "Purple Coins on the Puzzle Cube" in Gusty Garden Galaxy, or all 149 in "Purple Coins Bone Pen" in Ghostly Galaxy (only 100 are required for the star). [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inPSGDUsn24 Yes]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECfQmBbzvcc all]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83dVZpqkSQ0 three]] are actually possible! Not enough for you? Here's [[http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php?topic=7615.0 a bunch more!]]

*** ''WesternAnimation/Wish2023'' features an anthropomorphic star resembling the Lumas... which makes Rosalina [[{{WesternAnimation/Pinocchio}} the Blue Fairy.]]

** Swimming underwater is a major pain in the ass. The worst aspect of it is if you overswim your target by just a little bit, it's next to impossible to turn back around without going way out of your way.

** Beating Bouldergeist the first time is relatively easy. Beating him again with ''one hit point'' for the Daredevil Comet Star achieves controller-breaking levels of frustration.

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: Bowser shooting lightning bolts out of his hands in the opening cutscene. He was never seen using such powers before and never after.

** And finally, [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]], the ultimate combination of [[AllTheWorldsAreAStage every single challenge]] that the game has thrown at you thus far as Mario makes his way to the final showdown with Bowser.

* SignatureScene: Good Egg Galaxy is the one level most often used to represent this game. It helps that it's been shown in a lot of the game's promotional material.

** Gateway Galaxy is not only a gorgeous, epic introduction to the game's mechanics, but it's also the site of the beloved Red Star power-up.
** Good Egg Galaxy, the first full galaxy in the game is an absolute blast thanks to its branching paths and dazzling visuals.

** [[LevelAte Sweet-Sweet Galaxy]], a tasty but of classic ''Mario'' level design as you platform across pieces of cookie dough and jam out to the athletic theme from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3''.

** [[RemilitarizedZone Battlerock Galaxy]], on top of its epic music, is a showcase for Mario's status as a OneManArmy, as he breaks into one of Bowser's most fortified SpaceStations and meticulously blows up each section [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome in glorious fashion]].

* HoYay: [[UnderusedGameMechanic While this only happens to a maximum of five boos throughout the whole game,]] it appears that the typical boo is programmed to ''automatically'' [[EvenTheGuysWantHim fall in love with Mario in his Boo form.]] The only notable exception (not counting Bomb Boos) is the Spooky Speedster, who is explicitly stated to be male according to the wiki page. This does not happen in the sequel.

* BrokenBase: The addition of Rosalina's storybook as a whole. Some found it to be a deeply compelling (for ''Mario'' standards anyway) and emotional backstory that serves to make Rosalina all the more interesting, while others (including Creator/ShigeruMiyamoto [[CreatorBacklash himself]]) felt it was an unnecessary addition whose dramatic tone is unfitting for a ''Super Mario'' game and is too much of a MoodWhiplash with the game's otherwise lighthearted and fun tone (regardless of if it's optional or not). Given the nature of this debate, it tends to frequently boil over into the wider debate on how much should story play a role in the ''Mario'' series, if it should at all.

* ItsEasySoItSucks: While the game has garnered widespread praise from fans and critics alike, many of those same people feel that the game's biggest flaw is that it's on the easier side due to only 60 stars being required to beat it. In fact, since the option to fly to the final level is available as soon as the Bedroom is cleared (though the level can't be ''entered'' without the 60 stars), it's possible to skip the entire last ''third'' of the game.

** The Trial Galaxies, which are unlocked by getting all three green stars. Each of them forces you to use a ScrappyMechanic to get through the levels.
*** Bubble Blast Galaxy, because of the difficulty of guiding the bubble through the electric maze.
*** Loopdeeswoop Galaxy, which has you piloting the Manta from Loopdeeloop Galaxy, due to the sensitive controls and the way the course is designed. Alot of lives will be lost on this level not because of running out of time, but because you keep falling off the course.