Although Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto states there are currently no plans for a Super Smash Bros. movie – or a film uniting many Nintendo characters – it’s difficult to accept that after seeing Illumination’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The film includes a surprising number of references to Nintendo history, with at least 16 cameos from characters who appear in the Super Smash Bros. series.
Let’s explore all the nods to the Super Smash Bros. series hidden within The Super Mario Bros. Movie – details that might just make you dream of a Smash Bros. movie! Imagine Princess Peach getting restless with her comfortable life and craving adventure. She asks Mario and Luigi to gather the most powerful fighters from the Mushroom Kingdom and other worlds for a fun tournament at her castle.
Mario and his friends encounter famous Nintendo heroes like Samus, Link, Kirby, and Pit. As a battle begins, a story unfolds revealing a team of villains intent on causing trouble. It’s up to the heroes to defeat them, including major threats like Master Hand, Wario, King Dedede, Ganondorf, and the ever-present Bowser. It’s a classic showdown!
Anyway, let’s get into these cameos, shall we?
Be warned: the following contains significant spoilers for the plot and after-credits scenes of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Continue at your own risk!
Rosalina and Luma – Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie begins with Rosalina being separated from her baby Lumas by the villainous Bowser Jr. While she doesn’t appear often, whenever we see Rosalina, she’s incredibly powerful, easily battling enemies… until she’s ultimately captured.
- Rosalina made her Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U in 2014.
Mario – Donkey Kong (1981) as Jumpman / Luigi – Mario Bros (1983)
Mario and Luigi have been staples of the Super Smash Bros. series since its launch, and they’ve both played major roles in the Mario movies – so it’s hardly necessary to detail their presence in the Galaxy film.
- Mario and Luigi made their Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. for the N64 in 1999.
Peach – Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Princess Peach demonstrates her fighting abilities throughout the movie, facing off against various enemies – even the villains from the Super Mario Bros. 2 game. Early in the film, Mario gives her a pink parasol, which she quickly puts to use as a weapon, similar to how she fights in Super Smash Bros.
- Peach made her Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. Melee for the GameCube in 2001.
Yoshi – Super Mario World (1991)
Yoshi, who appeared briefly after the credits of the first Mario movie, officially becomes part of the team in the Galaxy movie. He helps rescue Rosalina from Bowser Jr. and provides a lot of the film’s humor, surprisingly voiced by Donald Glover.
- Yoshi made his Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. for the N64 in 1999.
Donkey Kong – Donkey Kong (1981)
Donkey Kong appears in a quick flashback showing Yoshi’s adventures in New York City before he met Mario and Luigi – he’s shown causing some playful trouble in the city. There’s talk of him getting his own animated movie in the next year or two, but Universal Pictures and Nintendo haven’t officially confirmed it yet.
- DK made his Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. for the N64 in 1999.
Little Mac – Punch-Out!! (1984)
During a quick scene in Yoshi’s New York adventure, Little Mac makes a brief appearance running in the background, wearing his famous pink hoodie. His trainer, Doc Louis, is riding a bicycle right behind him.
- Little Mac made his Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U in 2014.
Bowser – Super Mario Bros (1985)
At the beginning of the movie, Bowser pretends to be helpful, even teaming up with Mario and his friends. However, once he reconnects with his son, he drops the act and returns to being Mario’s enemy, working with his son to battle him. The movie ultimately teaches us that Bowser can’t be trusted.
- Bowser made his Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. Melee for the GameCube in 2001.
Bowser Jr. – Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
In the Super Mario Galaxy movie, Bowser Jr. is the primary antagonist. He’s attempting to harness Rosalina’s powers to fuel a massive, destructive cannon, all while trying to reunite with his father, Bowser, and prove how powerful he’s become.
- Bowser Jr. made his Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U in 2014.
R.O.B. – (Robotic Operating Buddy – 1985)
R.O.B. appears in the Gateway Galaxy as a helper, guiding Mario around, but he’s quite slow and funny while doing it.
- R.O.B. made his Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. Brawl in 2008.
Fox and Falco – Star Fox (1993) Gateway Galaxy
Despite being revealed by Nintendo before the movie’s release (which was a bit of a spoiler!), Fox McCloud makes a notable appearance in the Gateway Galaxy sequence with his Arwing, and continues to show up throughout the rest of the film. He even gets a lively introduction that briefly explains his backstory and introduces his teammates, including Falco Lombardi, who is also featured in the Super Smash Bros. series.
- Fox made his Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. for the N64 in 1999. Falco showed up in its 2001 sequel, Melee.
Captain Falcon – F-Zero (1990)
Fans have spotted a cool Easter egg when the team first visits the Gateway Galaxy shipyard to meet Fox McCloud: Captain Falcon’s Blue Falcon ship is visible in the background. I didn’t notice it when I first watched the movie, but I’m definitely going to rewatch to confirm it’s there!
- Captain Falcon made his Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. for the N64 in 1999.
Samus – Metroid (1986)
It’s a quick sighting, but some players have noticed Samus’ ship briefly flying across the screen during the Fox introduction in the Gateway Galaxy.
- Samus Aran made her Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. for the N64 in 1999.
Olimar and Pikmin – Pikmin (2001)
Although Captain Olimar doesn’t appear in the movie, his spaceship, the S.S. Dolphin, does! We see it, along with a group of Pikmin, when Mario and friends arrive at the shipyard in the Gateway Galaxy. Since the Pikmin also assist Olimar in Super Smash Bros., we’re considering this a cameo for him!
- Captain Olimar made his Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. Brawl in 2008.
Mr. Game & Watch – Ball for Game & Watch (1980)
Mr. Game & Watch is a classic Nintendo character who first appeared in the early 1980s. In the Super Mario Bros. Movie, Luigi unexpectedly brings him to life during a fight with Bowser Jr. when he grabs Bowser Jr.’s paintbrush and unintentionally creates Mr. Game & Watch as an ally.
- Mr. Game & Watch made his Smash debut in Super Smash Bros. Melee for the GameCube in 2001.
Daisy – Super Mario Land (1989)
In the Galaxy movie, Luigi expresses a desire for a close relationship similar to Mario and Peach’s – not necessarily romantic, but with someone he could be affectionate with, maybe even sharing a friendly kiss on the cheek now and then.
The Mario Galaxy Movie has a post-credits scene featuring Princess Daisy, hinting she’ll likely be a key character in a future third movie. This raises the question of whether Luigi will develop a crush on her – we’ll have to wait and see!
- Daisy made her Smash debut as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Switch in 2018. However, she was technically available as an alternate color for Peach in Melee.
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2026-04-03 20:06