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9 Easter Eggs & Cameos In 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' You Might’ve Missed!
Written by Marley James. Published: April 11 2026
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(Photo: Universal
Pictures/Illumination)
The new Super Mario Galaxy Movie isn’t subtle about what it’s doing. It’s not just a sequel -- it’s basically a full-on Nintendo showcase. The movie is packed with references, deep cuts, and random cameos that range from obvious to "you’d only catch this if you’ve played everything since 1998." Some are quick background details. Others are full-on character appearances that kind of change what this franchise could become going forward.
Here are the 9 best Easter eggs and cameos you might’ve missed!
1. Donkey Kong Arcade
A quick visual callback to Donkey Kong shows up in
the background during one of the early city sequences, tucked into
a corner as part of the environment design. The scene recreates the
original platform layout with the classic girders. It’s easy to
miss, but it’s a direct nod to Mario’s first-ever appearance and a
reminder of how far back the character’s history goes.
2. R.O.B.
R.O.B. appears briefly running an information desk. For anyone
unfamiliar, R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy) was a physical
accessory released by Nintendo in the 1980s to pair with the NES.
He’s not really a character in the traditional sense, which is why
his inclusion feels like such a deep cut. It’s a quick moment, but
it shows the movie is pulling from Nintendo history beyond just
games and characters.
3. Pikmin
A group of Pikmin can be spotted in the background during one
of the busier crowd scenes. The Pikmin are from their own separate
Nintendo franchise, where they act as small plant-like creatures
that follow the player’s commands. Their appearance here doesn’t
impact the story, but it stands out because it’s a crossover that
goes outside the Mario universe.
4. Birdo
Birdo shows up during the casino sequence. The appearance is
brief, but it’s very intentional, especially considering how
inconsistently Birdo has been used across the games. It’s another
clear callback to Super Mario Bros. 2, and it helps bring
one of the series’ more overlooked characters back into the
spotlight.
5. Wart
The character played by Luis Guzmán is
actually Wart, which is a pretty deep pull. In Super Mario
Bros. 2, Wart is the main villain, but he’s barely appeared
since. The movie reimagines him as a casino boss, which makes him
feel more grounded while still keeping the reference intact.
6. Minor Enemy Round-Up
A handful of smaller enemies show up throughout the film,
including Monty Mole, Ninjis, and Ukiki. For example, Monty Mole
can be seen popping up during one of the outdoor travel sequences,
while Ninjis appear briefly in the casino environment. None of them
are central to the story, but they’re placed deliberately
throughout different scenes as background details.
7. Cap Kingdom
The opening world is clearly inspired by the Cap Kingdom from Super Mario Odyssey, with its darker color palette and
skeleton-like residents. The visual design closely matches the
game’s version, especially in the way it contrasts with the
brighter environments later on. Starting the movie here immediately
signals that it’s pulling from newer Mario entries, not just the
classics.
8. Ruined Dragon
The Ruined Dragon appears during one of the larger action
sequences in the middle of the film, showing up as a major obstacle
rather than a quick background detail. It’s one of the standout
boss fights from Super Mario Odyssey, and the design is
nearly identical to the game version. Even without much
explanation, it’s a recognizable moment for anyone familiar with
the source material.
9. Star Fox
Star Fox appears outright, with Fox McCloud and his ship
showing up in a full cameo during one of the film’s later
sequences. This isn’t just a background reference — it’s a full
crossover moment. It’s easily the biggest signal that the movie
isn’t planning to stay contained within Mario, and that Nintendo is
at least open to blending its different franchises together moving
forward.
Individually, these are just fun Easter eggs. But taken
together, they point to something bigger. This movie isn’t just
referencing past Mario games; it’s testing how far it can
stretch the universe. Pulling from Odyssey, Galaxy, Super Mario Bros. 2, and even completely
different Nintendo franchises suggests this isn’t staying contained
for long. It’s less about telling one story and more about building
something expandable. And if this keeps going, the next "cameo"
probably won’t feel like a cameo at all.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is in theatres
now!