Grand Star: The Cosmic Treasure Stolen by Bowser

ItemGrand StarSuper Mario Galaxy

It isn't a reward: it's the fuel that powers an entire observatory. A giant version of the Power Star introduced in Super Mario Galaxy on Wii in 2007, the Grand Star powers the Comet Observatory and is the prize Bowser covets to build his cosmic empire. This guide explains how Mario recovers them and what role they play in Galaxy 2.

In the Mario universe, few items are as decisive as the Grand Star (Grand Star in English). Far more than a reward, it is the fuel that sets an entire observatory in motion and the treasure that Bowser covets for his cosmic empire.

Here is a closer look at this oversized golden star, the true headliner of Super Mario Galaxy: an energy source, a story stake and a key to progression all at once.

Contents

• What is the Grand Star?
• The fuel of the Comet Observatory
• The cosmic treasure stolen by Bowser
• How Mario recovers each Grand Star
• The Grand Star in Super Mario Galaxy 2
• Quick facts
• FAQ

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What is the Grand Star?

The Grand Star makes its debut in Super Mario Galaxy, on Wii in 2007. It is a giant, far more powerful version of the Power Star, those golden stars Mario has been collecting since Super Mario 64. Where a Power Star fits in the plumber's hand, the Grand Star towers over him.

That difference in scale reflects a difference in function. The Grand Star concentrates a colossal cosmic energy, able to power entire structures and bend space to open new passages. Its golden glow and massive silhouette immediately mark it as the real engine of the adventure: without it, no great journey between galaxies is possible.

The item is brought back in Super Mario Galaxy 2, also released on Wii in 2010. There it keeps its dual status as energy source and passkey, proof that Nintendo made it a pillar of the whole Galaxy saga rather than a one-off gimmick.

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The fuel of the Comet Observatory

In the first game, Grand Stars power the great beacon at the heart of the Comet Observatory, the home ship of Rosalina and her people of living stars, the Lumas. That beacon commands every movement the observatory makes.

With that energy, the observatory can transform into a comet and cross the cosmos to chase Bowser across the universe. Every Grand Star brought back restarts a part of the machine and revives a whole section of the structure.

• Every Grand Star brought back relights one of the observatory's domes, the themed halls that serve as gateways to the worlds.
• The structure has six domes in all, unlocked one after another as Mario progresses.
• A reactivated dome opens access to new galaxies, and therefore to new levels to explore.

The very first Grand Star is picked up right in the prologue, in the starting galaxy. It is the one that gets the observatory, drained of energy at first, moving again and truly launches the quest.

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The cosmic treasure stolen by Bowser

The origin of the conflict is clear from the opening scene: Bowser attacks the Mushroom Kingdom in the middle of the Star Festival, kidnaps Princess Peach and seizes the stars to serve his ambitions. This is not a simple kidnapping, but a theft on the scale of the universe.

His plan is outsized: building his own empire at the center of the universe. The concentrated power of the Grand Stars and the Power Stars is meant to fuel that personal galaxy, built to cement his reign.

Taking back each Grand Star therefore means tearing a piece out of Bowser's loot and bringing Mario closer to the center of the universe, where the final showdown plays out. The cosmic treasure is both the stake and the reward.

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How Mario recovers each Grand Star

Unlike the 120 Power Stars scattered across the game, the Grand Star is never an optional bonus: it is a mandatory story step, impossible to skip.

Each one is earned at the end of a fortress galaxy, after defeating a major boss — Bowser Jr. as well as Bowser himself. These clashes mark the big milestones of the adventure.

• Once beaten, the boss releases the Grand Star it was jealously guarding.
• Brought back to the observatory, it unlocks the next dome and the wave of galaxies that comes with it.
• The game has seven in total, six of which are enough to finish the main adventure.

The Grand Star thus acts as a gateway of narrative progression: it paces the story and rewards its high points, where Power Stars feed free exploration.

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The Grand Star in Super Mario Galaxy 2

In Super Mario Galaxy 2, the Grand Star changes vehicles but loses none of its importance. This time it powers Starship Mario , a spaceship sculpted in the plumber's likeness, which replaces the Comet Observatory as the home base.

Its energy opens the portals that link one world to the next, shaping the progression through the different regions of the universe. The principle stays the same as in the first game: no Grand Star, no passage.

The sequel adds a spectacular detail: during the final battles, Bowser devours the Grand Stars to grow gigantic. The coveted item then becomes the direct source of his excess, producing titanic duels on a planetary scale.

From one game to the next, the Grand Star therefore remains the common thread of the Galaxy saga: fuel for the ships, driver of the plot and symbol of the endless duel between Mario and Bowser.

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The Grand Star at a glance

French name	Big Star
English name	Grand Star
First appearance	Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007)
Other game	Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii, 2010)
Type	Giant version of the Power Star
Role	Powers the Comet Observatory and opens up the galaxies
How to get it	Defeat a major boss (Bowser Jr. or Bowser)
Antagonist	Bowser, who steals them for his cosmic empire

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FAQ

• Which game does the Grand Star appear in?
  It debuts in Super Mario Galaxy, released on Wii in 2007, then returns in Super Mario Galaxy 2 in 2010.
• What is the difference with a Power Star?
  The Grand Star is a giant, far more powerful version of the classic Power Star. It serves to power the observatory and unlock new areas, whereas Power Stars are mainly rewards to collect.
• Why does Bowser steal the Grand Stars?
  Bowser seizes the stars to build his own empire at the center of the universe. Their energy is meant to fuel that personal galaxy, after he kidnaps Princess Peach.
• How do you get a Grand Star?
  Each Grand Star is earned at the end of a fortress galaxy, by beating a major boss such as Bowser Jr. or Bowser. Once brought back to the Comet Observatory, it relights a dome and opens access to new galaxies.
• What are Grand Stars for in Super Mario Galaxy 2?
  They power Starship Mario and open the portals that lead from one world to the next. During the final battles, Bowser devours them to grow gigantic.

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