Super Mario Galaxy 63 – Entry 2: Bob-Omb Battlefield Galaxy Complete

Super Mario Galaxy 63 – Entry 2: Bob-Omb Battlefield Complete

Entry 1 got things started. Entry 2 is where things start to take shape, whether I’m ready for it or not.

Watch the Run

Back to the Battlefield

There were still three shine sprites and five star coins left in Bob-Omb Battlefield Galaxy, so it was time to go back in and actually finish the job.

First up was Silver Stars on the Island.

Getting there meant taking a different route. Instead of heading left like before, I went right and picked up the cloud power-up, the first time using it in this run. Three clouds per pickup, which is enough as long as you don’t waste them.

On the way, I climbed a tree and worked through a few cloud jumps to grab another coin, bringing the total up to four. Halfway there, which felt like progress at least.

Once on the island, it’s a straightforward job. Five silver stars, spread around the area. I left the one at the top of the tree until last, mainly because that’s where the shine appears.

No real surprises here. Just a case of getting it done properly this time.

Secret of the Battlefield

Next was Secret of the Battlefield.

The entrance is blocked by bars, so the only way in is to use a Bob-Omb. Nothing complicated there.

The secret area felt familiar in a different way. It reminded me of those moments in Super Mario Sunshine where FLUDD gets taken away and you’re left to deal with the basics again.

The spin is still available, which helps, but it mostly comes down to getting the platforming right.

There are two more star coins here. One is a simple backflip. The other needs three backflips onto rotating blocks. It sounds worse than it is once you get the timing down.

A bit of platforming later, and the shine is mine.

Run, Yoshi, Run

The final shine for this galaxy: Run, Yoshi, Run!

Before getting to Yoshi, there’s a Hungry Luma asking for 100 coins. Once that’s sorted, Yoshi finally shows up.

This turned into a good test for my control setup, especially where I’ve put the Wii Remote “B” button. Using the hot chillies to get Yoshi moving gave me a few chances to get used to it properly.

I picked up the final two coins along the way, bringing the total to eight.

The final section didn’t go quite as planned.

I had one attempt where everything went perfectly. No deaths, clean movement, straight through to the end. Then, just before grabbing the shine, I hit the wrong button and loaded a save state.

All of that progress, gone instantly.

That one was entirely on me.

At least it confirmed the button works.

The next attempt wasn’t as clean. A couple of deaths to the purple goo, which is instant if you touch it, but progress was saved so it wasn’t a complete reset.

This time, I actually got the shine without undoing it myself.

Galaxy Complete

With that, Bob-Omb Battlefield Galaxy is done.

Finishing it has opened up more areas in the castle. I’m not entirely sure where I’m heading next, but this first galaxy has done what it needed to do.

It’s tested the controls, introduced how this hack works, and made it clear that even familiar levels aren’t going to stay that way for long.

So far, this feels like a solid starting point.

Continue the Journey

← Entry 1: Run Begins

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Hub

— All entries in this run.

Super Mario ROM Hacks Archive

— All Mario ROM hack content.

Dolphin Setup Guide

— How this run is even possible.

Entry 3 →

30th Apr 2026 1

Neo Mario Galaxy – Daredevil Edition Entry 1: One Hit Is All It Takes

One hit resets everything. No checkpoints. No second chances.

Back to Neo Mario Galaxy

Ever since I managed to get Super Mario Galaxy ROM hacks running on my Steam Deck, I kept thinking back to Neo Mario Galaxy. It was the first one I tested as a proof of concept.

This time, I wanted to try something different: Daredevil Edition.

At the start, you’re given the choice between Mario or Luigi, along with the option to enable Daredevil Mode. Once it’s on, that’s it. There’s no turning it off later.

I accepted it.

What Daredevil Edition Changes

Daredevil Edition effectively puts every star under Daredevil Comet rules.

One hit, and the star resets. No checkpoints. No recovery.

Every section has to be done cleanly from start to finish. Mistakes don’t slow you down, they send you straight back to the beginning.

No safety net.

First Attempt

The first star takes place in Galactic Garden Galaxy, with the goal of defeating Dino Piranha.

It didn’t take long for the first attempt to go wrong.

I needed to grab a flower and float across to another platform. Simple enough in theory.

In practice, I misjudged the distance and walked straight off the edge.

Didn’t even get hit.

Just fell.

Second Attempt

The second attempt went better.

I made the jump properly this time and reached the next platform without too much trouble. From there, it was on to collecting five launch star bits spread across three giant apples.

There are enemies on each of them, which doesn’t help. After failing once already, the idea of going all the way back again was sitting in the back of my mind the whole time.

Once the launch star was active, the next section introduced a giant Piranha Plant. Not difficult, but enough to keep things tense.

Behind it was a Comet Medal, along with a brief moment as Rainbow Mario. For once, there was no risk. Just a short break from worrying about getting hit.

That didn’t last long.

Successful Attempt

This is the run where it actually goes right.

Dino Piranha, No Mistakes Allowed

Then it was time to face Dino Piranha.

This is probably the first time in a long while I’ve actually had to think about this fight. Under normal conditions, it’s straightforward. With one-hit rules, it feels very different.

I don’t think I’ve ever done a full no-hit run in any game before, so this was new territory.

Thankfully, it went cleanly.

Dino Piranha went down, and the first star of the run was secured.

First Impressions

The hack only has 42 stars in total, but it’s already clear this isn’t going to be straightforward.

Even simple sections feel different when there’s no room for mistakes.

One star down. Plenty left to go.

Continue the Journey

Neo Mario Galaxy – Daredevil Edition Archive

— All attempts in this challenge.

Super Mario ROM Hacks Archive

— All Mario ROM hack content.

Dolphin Setup Guide

— How this is even running on Steam Deck.

Entry 2 →

28th Apr 2026 1

Super Mario Galaxy 63 – Entry 1: Run Begins

It turns out I wasn’t finished with Super Mario 64. I just needed it to get bigger.

Watch the Run

Not Done Yet

Apparently I’ve not had enough of Super Mario 64.

I could have easily gone back and started another randomizer run, but I knew I wanted something different. After getting modded versions of Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 running on my Steam Deck, I had a new direction.

The starting point was obvious: Super Mario Galaxy 63.

A Different Kind of Familiar

Before going further, it’s worth noting that Super Mario Galaxy 63 is a reimagining of Super Mario 63:

Super Mario 63 Wiki

I had never played it. I didn’t even know it existed until I started looking into this hack. If I’m going to work through it properly, it makes sense to understand what inspired it.

Like its inspiration, this run replaces stars with shine sprites. There are also star coins to collect, which unlock bonus levels later on.

That’s enough context. Time to begin.

First Steps

I start in what looks like the Mushroom Kingdom, and I’m given control of Mario immediately.

This is useful. It gives me time to test the control setup properly. This run is not just about the hack itself, it’s also a test of how well this setup holds up before moving into other Galaxy mods.

Along the way, I run into some familiar faces from Galaxy 1 and 2. One of them brings back memories I didn’t ask for: the robot that used to task me with destroying boxes under a time limit. Those stars still linger somewhere in the back of my mind.

The area works well as a tutorial. I get to practice wall kicks, flips, and eventually spinning once I collect the Luma. I’ve mapped spin to a button this time, which already feels like the right decision on Steam Deck.

Back to the Castle

It doesn’t take long for Bowser to show up, kidnap Peach, and set things in motion. Some things don’t change.

There is a cannon just outside the castle, which immediately feels like an invitation I should probably ignore. Naturally, I don’t.

I jump in to see what’s on top of the castle. The plan is simple: launch, land, and have a look around. What actually happens is less controlled.

The aim is off, the angle is wrong, and instead of landing anywhere useful, I end up effectively trying to launch Mario into orbit.

It doesn’t help me, it doesn’t reveal anything useful, but it does confirm one thing early: this setup is going to be tested properly.

Entering the castle feels immediately familiar. That makes sense. I’ve spent more hours here than I can count.

There are locked doors, but one opens as I approach. Inside is a painting.

So yes, we’re doing this again.

Bob-Omb Battlefield, Again

The first world: Bob-Omb Battlefield Galaxy.

There are four shine sprites and eight star coins here, shown clearly on the selection screen. I decide to go left to right, starting with:

Top of the Summit

Inside, a Pink Bob-Omb lets me know that King Bob-Omb is no longer in charge. He’s been replaced by Dino Piranha.

That feels like a fair trade.

I collect my first star coin early, then two more on the way up. Three collected before reaching the summit is a good start.

Dino Piranha is exactly as I remember. No major changes, no surprises. Three hits later, and the first shine sprite is mine.

First Impressions

This feels like a solid introduction to the hack.

It’s familiar enough to settle into quickly, but different enough that I can’t rely entirely on memory. That balance is exactly what I was looking for.

I’m curious to see how other levels are reimagined in this format. There’s still more to uncover within the castle, and if this first step is anything to go by, this might turn into something worth sticking with.

Continue the Journey

Super Mario Galaxy 63 Hub

— All entries in this run.

Mario ROM Hacks Hub

— All Mario ROM hack content.

Dolphin Setup Guide

— How this run is even possible.

Entry 2 →

23rd Apr 2026 1