Rosalina

Rosalina
Species	Human
Hair color	Blonde
Eye color	Blue
Voiced by	Mercedes Rose (2007-2010) Kerri Kane (2011-2018) Laura Faye Smith (2013-Present)
Debut	Super Mario Galaxy

Rosalina is a princess living in outer space who was originally featured as a supporting character in Super Mario Galaxy and has become a recurring character in various spin-off titles of the Super Mario series, while continuing to make occasional (sometimes playable) appearances in other Mario adventures. She makes her home in the Comet Observatory, a spaceship that is capable of traveling across the universe. Aside from Rosalina herself, several Lumas live in the Comet Observatory; Rosalina has taken on the role of surrogate mother for them all.

Background

Rosalina was once a girl who lived on the same planet as the Mushroom Kingdom. She was known to have a pair of parents and a brother. Rosalina's mother died during her childhood, and before she passed, she told Rosalina that she was going to become a star to watch over her. Some time afterwards, a Luma crashed on the planet looking for its own mother, who was supposed to be traveling at a comet. Rosalina decided to help the Luma with its quest. After several years of checking the skies with her father's telescope, Rosalina realized that they should find the celestial mother themselves. So they fixed up the Luma's spaceship and set off on a journey.

They collected Star Bits with a butterfly net as they traveled through space. After some time of searching, Rosalina and the Luma came upon a turquoise comet covered in ice and built a house there. The comet then came into range of an apricot-colored planet from which more of the Lumas emerged, all declaring Rosalina to be their mother. The first Luma followed along, and Rosalina agreed to care for them.

Rosalina often longed for her home and family, which led the first Luma to transform into a new comet that would carry the old one to her home planet. From then on, the comet passed by the planet once every 100 years in an event that became known as the Star Festival in the Mushroom KIngdom. No longer upset, Rosalina accepted the Lumas as her family and cared for them. She baked a cake for each newborn and smiled to each of them as they became old enough to turn into new stars and galaxies.

Super Mario Galaxy

During the Star Festival depicted in Super Mario Galaxy, the Comet Observatory was attacked by Bowser, and the Grand Stars that gave it power were stolen. When Mario found himself at the Gateway Galaxy, the Lumas there led him to Rosalina, who explained what had happened and set him forth to find the first Grand Star with one Luma at his side.

Rosalina watched over Mario's progress throughout the rest of the adventure, and she also kept an eye on the Toad Brigade and Luigi after their arrivals. She would also call Mario and the Lumas into the Library and read to them from a storybook describing her own past. After the Gate was unlocked in the Comet Observatory, Rosalina returned to the Gateway Galaxy and told Mario of her connection to her home planet as well as the regret she felt about Bowser's actions. Seeing that Rosalina trusted Mario, a red Luma offered to trust him as well and gave him access to the Red Star power-up.

Once the Engine Room had regained power, Rosalina flew the Comet Observatory to the Center of the Universe where Bowser had taken Peach's Castle. After Bowser was defeated and his galaxy reactor caused a nearby star to implode into a black hole, Rosalina sent Mario and the others back to the Mushroom Kingdom while the Lumas forced the black hole to close. A new galaxy was born from the remains. While taking Mario back, Rosalina described to him the cycle created by life and the fate of new stars. A special scene would also play if Mario collects all 120 Power Stars, where Rosalina stared down on the Mushroom Kingdom from the Gateway Galaxy, thanking Mario and promising to watch over the planet. She then flew away with the Comet Observatory.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

Rosalina also played a role in Super Mario Galaxy 2, where Bowser once more stole the power of the Stars for galactic conquest. A baby Luma from the Comet Observatory became lost, but was found by and accompanied Mario. Rosalina's exact whereabouts were unknown, but she sent anonymous letters containing Star Bits for the baby Luma throughout the game. She also appeared as a Cosmic Spirit to guide Mario through difficult areas.

In the last level, it was shown that Bowser's Galaxy Generator was trying to suck up the Comet Observatory for more power. Rosalina appeared after Mario defeated Bowser and took the baby Luma back into her fold while thanking Mario for his feat. If Bowser was beaten again after all 120 Power Stars had been collected, an additional scene would play out in the Comet Observatory's Library. There, Rosalina read a story to the Lumas about the Cosmic Jewels, triggering the appearance of Green Prankster Comets in every galaxy.

Rosalina's final appearance in that game was at the end of The Perfect Run in the Grandmaster Galaxy. Once Mario reached the end of the level, a Launch Star would take him to a planetoid resembling the Comet Observatory's Gate. Rosalina awaited him there with the final Power Star and thanked him for his help. She would then appear as a guest on Starship Mario, standing next to Lubba at the helm.

Later Appearances

She later appeared in Super Mario 3D World, where she could be unlocked as a playable character by completing World Star-2: Super Galaxy. She appeared at the end of the level when completing it for the first time and would join the current character in making a victory pose. In Dr. Mario World, a doctor version of Rosalina was made available as a potential playable character through the game's Staffing feature starting in October 2019. Doctor versions of Baby Rosalina and Fire Rosalina (Rosalina with the Fire Flower power-up) were also made available in December 2019 and March 2020, respectively.

In Other Mario-Related Games

Sports, Racing and Party Spin-Offs

Following her introduction to the series, Rosalina gradually started making playable appearances in all of the Mario spin-off series.

• Kart Racing: Rosalina appeared in Mario Kart Wii (where she was unlocked by having Super Mario Galaxy save data and the completing several cups), Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart Arcade GP DX (following an update to the game), Mario Kart 8 (as an unlockable character), Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart Tour (available through the game's gacha or in-game shop starting in October 2019). She is classified as a heavyweight character.
  • In Tour, variants of Rosalina have been made temporarily available as High End characters during certain tours. These variants and their first appearances are: Halloween (wearing a witch's costume; Halloween Tour, October 2019), Aurora (wearing a dress patterned after aurora borealis, the northern lights; Vancouver Tour, February 2020), Swimwear (Marine Tour, July 2020), Fire Rosalina (Rosalina Tour, December 2020), Tanooki Rosalina (Autumn Tour, October 2021), Cat Rosalina (New Year's 2022 Tour, December 2021), Volendam (Amsterdam Tour, April 2022) and Chef (Metropolitan Tour).
  • Mario Kart 8 also introduced an infant counterpart, Baby Rosalina, as an unlockable character, and she reappeared in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Tour (with the same conditions as Rosalina's normal self). In Tour, a Detective variant of Rosalina was also temporarily available as a High End character in March 2020, as part of the Baby Rosalina Tour, and has since been made available in other tours.
• Golf: Rosalina made playable appearances in Mario Golf: World Tour (as a downloadable character) and Mario Golf: Super Rush.
• Tennis: Rosalina was playable in Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash and Mario Tennis Aces.
• Soccer: She was playable in Mario Strikers: Battle League.
• Olympics: She appeared as a playable guest character in Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (for Rhythmic Gymnastics) and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (for Surfing).
• Other Sports: She was playable in Mario Sports Superstars.

Within the Mario Party series, Rosalina initially appeared in a non-playable capacity in Mario Party: Island Tour, where she commemorated the winners of the outer space-themed Rocket Road board. She became a playable character of the series starting in Mario Party 10 and continuing in Mario Party: Star Rush, Mario Party: The Top 100, Super Mario Party and Mario Party Superstars.

Cameos and Non-Storyline Appearances

Rosalina has also made a number of cameo or indirect appearances in other Super Mario games:

• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: An 8-bit sprite of Rosalina could be found wandering around the Double Cherry Spires level.
• Yoshi's Wooly World: Scanning an amiibo of Rosalina will unlock a Yoshi design based on her appearance.
• Super Mario Maker: An 8-bit version of Rosalina and Luma's likeness is available as an Mystery Mushroom transformation for Mario that can be unlocked through the use of a Rosalina & Luma amiibo or as a potential prize for clearing the 100 Mario challenge on Normal or harder.
• Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam: Rosalina was seen with Peach and Daisy on the image for one of the Battle Cards, one which is unlocked by using amiibo to unlock all of the other Peach-themed Battle Cards.
• Mini Mario and Friends: amiibo Challenge: A Mini Toy counterpart of Rosalina appeared as one of the potential playable characters, which was unlocked by scanning any amiibo of Rosalina. Mini Rosalina's special ability was the Lunar Launch, which allowed her to jump very high and pass through platforms.
• Super Mario Odyssey: 8-bit sprites of Rosalina can be spotted in some areas of the moon. Like the other 8-bit character sprites appearing in the game, Mario can strike these sprites with Cappy to make them turn into coins.
• Super Mario Maker 2: A Rosalina Wig is unlockable as a hat for Miis by clearing 3000 courses. It is also believed that Rosalina is Stargazer, one of the course creators who offers jobs in Story Mode. Stargazer's jobs usually involve outer space and/or gravity changes, and she calls out for the player's help in a manner evocative of Rosalina.

Abilities

Rosalina seems to wield considerable magical power. She can float in the air and form bubbles around others, and she also makes a protective field appear around the Comet Observatory. She can alter her height and communicate telepathically as well. During her playable appearance in Super Mario 3D World, Rosalina can jump high while being one of the more slower-moving characters. She also has the special Spin technique from the Super Mario Galaxy games, which can also be used to double-jump in the air, but she cannot use it while she has a power-up.

As a fighter in Super Smash Bros., Rosalina uses her wand and her Luma as weapons. She shows the ability to disappear and reappear in some of her movements. She also uses the following special attacks in battle:

• Standard Special Move: Luma Shot - This move can be charged and involves Rosalina shooting her Luma forward at opponents. It stops whenever it hits someone, and Rosalina will then recall the Luma with her wand.
• Side Special Move: Star Bits - With this move, the Luma shoots out Star Bits at enemies.
• Up Special Move: Launch Star - With this move, Rosalina uses a Launch Star to propel herself into the air, either upwards or to the side.
• Down Special Move: Gravitational Pull - This move summons a Star Cursor that surrounds Rosalina and offers her protection. It will nullify incoming projectiles, and it will also reel in nearby items as well as wayward Lumas.
• Final Smash: Power Star - This is a Final Smash which is activated by using a Smash Ball. With this move, Rosalina summons a giant Power Star which gradually grows while shooting out smaller stars at opponents.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In the Super Smash Bros. series, Rosalina was added as a playable fighter starting in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U. She is partnered with a Luma who is utilized for many of her attacks, and the two are collectively referred to as Rosalina & Luma. The Luma can do some fighting and be KOed independently of Rosalina, and in the latter case a Luma of a different color will eventually spawn as a replacement for Rosalina. Her Final Smash is Grand Star, in which she summons a giant Grand Star that damages all opponents who touch it. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the return as an unlockable fighter, who must be unlocked either through the game's variable-based system for unlocking characters or by awakening her in Adventure Mode.
  • In the 3DS/Wii U installment, Rosalina & Luma had two standard trophies, as well as a trophy of their Final Smash in the Wii U version. In Ultimate, Rosalina has a Fighter Spirit, Baby Rosalina is featured in the art representing the Spirit of the Biddybuggy kart, and Rosalina also is one of the characters present in the image representing the River Survival Spirit.
  • Rosalina's personal route in the Classic Mode of Ultimate is called "One Star After Another". Its theme is battling opponents from other worlds, and the last pre-boss battle is against Bowser in reference to Super Mario Galaxy. The final boss of her route is Marx. Mario will also appear as Rosalina's teammate for the last two battles.
  • In the Adventure Mode of Ultimate, "World of Light", Rosalina is seen in the opening cutscene, where she takes to the air in an attempt to escape from Galeem's beams of light alongside Diddy Kong, but they are both ultimately caught by the beams. Rosalina could later be found in the northern portion of the Dark Realm, and defeating her in battle would awaken her as her true self and cause her to join the playable cast.
• In Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition, Rosalina is unlocked as a helper character by competing the Special World 2-Tower.
• In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the red variant of the tulip surprise block could produce a doll of Rosalina.
• A Rosalina skin is available for the Nintendo releases of Minecraft as part of the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack.
• Rosalina was featured in Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. She spent the duration of the game as part of the main antagonist, Cursa, who absorbed her while she was helping the Sparks (fusions between Lumas and Rabbids) to escape. Roslina was able to temporarily take control the first time Cursa was beaten to make an escape portal for Mario and his friends. She was later freed and helped in the final battle. A Rabbid version of Rosalina, Rabbid Rosalina, was also featured as a playable character. She was depicted as being lazy and apathetic, but she still strongly idolized Rosalina. At the end of the game, Rosalina offered to let Rabbid Rosalina stay at the Comet Observatory, but she chosen to remain with Mario and the others at the Mushroom Kingdom.

Canceled Appearances

• Rosalina was originally considered to be included as a playable character in Mario Tennis Open. The process ultimately took too much time, so they implemented Luma as a playable character instead. Rosalina would end up making her tennis debut in the following game, Ultra Smash.
• Concept art for Super Mario Odyssey indicates that Rosalina was considered to make a full appearance in the game some point. She was depicted wearing ordinary human clothes (a short-sleeved shirt and jeans) and playing a guitar.

Other Media

• Rosalina has appeared within the manga Super Mario-kun, in chapters loosely based on Super Mario Galaxy.

Trivia

• Her name is Rosetta in Japan.
• At one point in the process of Rosalina's creation, the developers considered making her a relative of Peach's. This idea was ultimately dropped, although she still ended up having some physical similarity to Peach.
• Unlike everyone else in Super Mario Galaxy, Rosalina cannot be stomped and will not twirl along with Mario when he uses the spin.
• As a child, the 'essentials' that Rosalina packed for her intergalactic journey consisted of a "telescope, butterfly net, stuffed bunny, bread, milk, jam, and apricot-flavored tea".