Star Spin

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Not to be confused with Spin Jump.
“Jump! Spin! Make 'em flip!”
Star Bunny, Super Mario Galaxy 2
Mario
Rosalina
Mario (Super Mario Galaxy) and Rosalina (Super Mario 3D World) performing a Star Spin.

The Star Spin is a move that Mario Luigi, Yoshi and Rosalina can perform in Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Super Mario 3D World. It is done when the player shakes the Wii Remote or Nunchuk. Mario gains this ability in the Gateway Galaxy, after being entrusted with Luma's care. In addition to being a main method of attacking enemies, performing a Star Spin is the only way to activate Launch Stars, which let Mario fly through the cosmos like a comet and reach new planets and galaxies, making it a vital move throughout the game.

It can also be used to deflect certain projectiles, activate switches, break Item Crystals, swim faster, and even pick up certain items that are nearby. After performing a Star Spin, Mario or Luigi must wait a short period for Luma to return to his hat before he is able to Star Spin again, with Luigi's wait being slightly longer.

It also appears that after his first defeat in Super Mario Galaxy, Bowser took note of Mario's Star Spin and uses the power of a Grand Star to attack Mario with a move similar to Mario's Star Spin. Mario is able to negate this "Star Spin" by performing one of his own.

An extremely useful application of the Star Spin is the ability to stun, freeze, or make enemies dizzy by Star Spinning into them. This gives Mario a chance to escape or attack the enemies. Spinning is needed to defeat some bosses. Star Spinning also causes Mario to skate on icy surfaces. Mario can chain a Star Spin into a Double Kick, and if he spins in midair and immediately ground pounds, he will automatically home in on nearby objects or enemies.

Occasionally, Star Spinning is used to activate or use several power-ups, including the Fire Flower, the Red Star, the Cloud Flower, the Rock Mushroom, and obviously, the Spin Drill. Although not necessary for it to work, Star Spinning while the Ice Flower is in effect causes Mario to skate across water instead of walking, and Star Spinning while the Boo Mushroom is in effect causes Boo Mario to become invisible for a short time. Star Spinning cannot be performed as Spring Mario but this is to be expected.

Mario can Star Spin near a Yoshi to ride it without having to jump on it, and when riding Yoshi, the Star Spin becomes a Head Shake, which has the same affect as a Star Spin (except it cannot be used to give him extra height while jumping).

In Super Mario Galaxy, Mario can collect Coins, Star Bits, and shells with the Star Spin move. Mario can attract only coins and Star Bits when he uses it underwater or when he uses it as Flying Mario, while he can attract shells in any kind of condition. The ability to attract coins and Star Bits by Star Spinning was actually a beta element that the developers accidentally left in the game. This feature was removed in Super Mario Galaxy 2 as the Red Star is absent from the game. However, he can still use it to collect shells.

Mario also uses his Star Spin move in the Mario & Sonic series as his Special Skill since the second installment, where it makes him move faster.

In Super Mario 3D World, Rosalina, the fifth playable character in the game, can also perform this move. Like in the Super Mario Galaxy games, the move allows her to gain a bit of extra height when used in mid-air. It is possible to Star Spin multiple times in one jump though only the first Star Spin will give Rosalina the extra height. The delay between Star Spins has also been made shorter.