Recreating Mario Galaxy’s Launch Star | Mix and Jam

In Super Mario Galaxy, Mario uses a Launch Star to fly from one planet to another. The whole animation feels very magical and it’s a great moment to appreciate the game’s environment. I wanted to try and replicate this mechanic and see if I could achieve a similar effect using Unity!
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PROJECT REPOSITORY
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github.com/mix...
REFERENCES
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Jammo Character | u3d.as/1G8A
Launch Star Model | skfb.ly/6P7IY
EXTRA FOOTAGE
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Super Mario Galaxy - Dolphin 5.0
• Super Mario Galaxy - D...
MUSIC
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Gusty Garden Galaxy Medley Jazz Arrangement || insaneintherainmusic
• Gusty Garden Galaxy Me...
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[@mixandjam]

This is such an important video for me because not only is this one of my favorite games of all times - but also my first project using the new Mix and Jam character! Hope you all enjoy the video!!! ❤️

[@artsyomni]

I'm so proud of our boy.

[@greenmerGameDev]

OMG! These are really incredible! Thank you for your tutorial! Clear and Awesome!

[@ludologian]

Really like the character, it fits your channel theme . Really a good idea

[@Danidev]

Dude that ended up fantastic! Really cool to see Jammo being put to use

[@mixandjam]

Thanks Dani!

[@ludologian]

Dani use the character as an easter egg 😄lol

[@Thonder]

Oh hi Dani!

[@TheEarlPH]

Daniiiiii!!!

[@thepaperempire7954]

Henlo

[@AXLplosion]

"And after a bit of adjustments..." It's always the best part of the video!

[@amazingagent1404]

Hey so first, awesome video. I just wanted to say I have actually spent quite a lot of time working with Mario Galaxy code, and I have to say your method of implementing a launch star path is wayyyyy more optimized than they do it in the actual game. Every pair of points has its own ‘length’ and curve data. So you have to specify how long it takes for mario to travel between each segment along the line, as well as make sure the segments line up with eachother along the curve. It was an absolute headache to make it work, let alone visually appealing. Nice job on this project!👍

[@artsyomni]

I assume you're describing the process of modding SMG launch star paths? It makes me wonder if the developers of the game had a much more intuitive method of editing the curve in their editor, and modding has to deal with the output of that editor directly, rather than a more flexible UI. For comparison, editing a bezier curve with a GUI is infinitely more simple than editing a bezier curve by changing the values in the code.

[@amazingagent1404]

Yeah I thought the same thing too but after someone shared the actual raw values in game there’s no doubt that they had to write each piece individually. Launch star paths take in way more data than they probably should. Every point has 9 values assigned to it. And yes I know what you mean but I just don’t see why they would have duplicate values anyway. Actually I can remember one example in the original game where a launch star changed its trajectory at a single point. It was a subtle change so it might have been a typo, but I do think that it shows these values are manually input.

[@mixandjam]

Thank you! That is great information - thanks for sharing! Would love to know more about it! Do you have any articles or such that I can take a look?

[@amazingagent1404]

Well by no means am I an official source of information; I am very much just a hobbyist. A few years ago I used to work with a small group of people on dissecting original SMG. One of my friends in real life was close friends with this guy named Aurum, who was a big name in the SMG research community, and he introduced me to it all. I wasn’t much of a help to the effort as I was around 15 at the time and was still learning code, but I was able to learn a lot about the game. While i am not sure if any articles were written, I do know that all of the findings were documented on a site made by Aurum. I can reach out to him and see if he can give me more information on the topic as my memory is a little fuzzy. I will let you know. I mention Aurum because I believe he had a KZbin channel that documented some of the more interesting findings. He’s not the Aurum that does glitch videos tough.

[@Yggdr4zyl]

@@amazingagent1404 Hello ! I am definitely interested by learning more about SMG's code. Any way you could point me in a specific direction ? (Aurum's email / contact, a dedicated forum... ) Thanks a lot !

[@innocent4892]

Jammo is such a cool character Can’t wait to see him in upcoming videos

[@ZachHixsonTutorials]

You should totally attempt the planet gravity effect from Mario Galaxy as well. That has always been really interesting to me

[@1upedro798]

Someone made that... IN SUPER MARIO 64

[@YoshisaurUnderscore]

@@1upedro798 Woah, WHAT? Is there a ROM hack for it?

[@vaflov]

Great job on this one! The final result is splendid. I love how you you integrated cinemachine and dotween. The only thing I don't love about this is jammo's running. It feels floaty. I think the run animation is a bit too slow.

[@mixandjam]

Thank you! I also don’t think the animation is the best - it’s all from Mixamo. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to make some custom animations for Jammo!

[@Pixelith]

What you're telling me is I really gotta learn to use DOTween and Cinemachine as they make everything 100x easier.

[@Pixelith]

@@bezoro-personal I use DOTween now, but don't really care for Cinemachine.

[@SealDev]

Oh wow! I never knew about Dolly Track Cart in cinemachine! That can have so many potentially amazing ways of usage!

[@hiiammatthew8735]

Damn that landing is so smooth and juicy. Love it!

[@LemauDev]

Love your video , i hope you give us more advance tips using DoTween Plugin on next video someday

[@SnutiHQ]

Incredible how big a difference the "polish" step makes, it just feels right! Amazing 🌟✨

[@renatusdev]

Andre! your stunning work is always a motivation for my own game dev! Amazing content once again!

[@mixandjam]

That is so sweet! Thank you Gaminart! I'm glad I can help!

[@Mokey]

I love Mix and Jam so so much :) Always get exited when a new video drops and can be sure to have a smile on my face when i see the final result. Awesome work as always.

[@elijahbyrd3370]

You should definitely do sonics acceleration or homing attack

[@ironsfamily6]

Dude! That looks SO cool! Possibly better than the original. Now I want an HD Mario Galaxy remaster...

[@jorucr1470]

That character animation is so fluid, it looks just like the original, maybe even better

[@rensaito9009]

Not better than original but really good!!

[@chuck_muckle]

I really love these videos, and the editing is terrific, but I think you should probably not put the finished gameplay in the beginning of the video, because it may deter some viewers. Great video!

[@hace1821]

The result mixed with the music gave me an *askdksjdksjsksjmadia amazingggg* feeling, good job! ✨

[@joelgimenez]

You’re so talented that I can’t decide if I should get inspired or give up already .

[@mixandjam]

Inspired!!! Together we can all help each other to be better game devs!

[@NB-ti3ck]

what about controlling the character when it's flying ? xd

[@DannoTA]

This is extra epic! And the character is awesome!

[@cihanemreozen3152]

yaay ! welcome Jammo :) it makes me so excited when you upload a new video and this one is special, because its the first video you use Jammo :) you are the greatest when it comes to polishing btw :) your videos are so encouraging and informative, god i love "Mix and Jam". i recommend this channel to every one who is into game development.(Step by step to 100k subs)

[@MsPoiko]

Teach us how to make a MetroidVania game, like Hollow knight with, combat system and upgrades and that thing where the screen is separate from another area in blocks and when you pass the limit the screen move (similar to Celeste) i know i am asking a lot, but is justing ideas, Love your work keep getting big

[@MidasButSilver]

Everythings looking nice. I feel like you could have given the stars some idle animation though (dont they rotate in the game actually when idle?) But otherwise, very nice video.

[@강창수-z3l]

Please, Sekiro Parring system!!

[@ACatWithACrown]

BRUH. Jammo is best boy and this came out amazing. Great work!

[@codesteel]

You should do a remake of the Physgun from Garry's Mod. That would include the object pickup, rotation, freezing, the physbeam, and outlining objects. That sounds awesome in Unity!

[@RoyalMunjask]

Hey, This video is really important. It teaches a lot. But i a am bad at animations and i can’t replace your model properly to a mario one... How can i do this ? Thanks for your content ! I’m impressed by so much talent !

[@amnesiacsandwich66]

Now, THAT'S what I call a really good job! Impresive!

[@davidffortesmeireles5328]

Incrivel cara parabens espero chegar no seu nivel um dia 👏👏.uma coisa bacana seria refazer o modo de combate do assassin creed

[@TheAlphaTeamPlays]

Can you do super Mario odyssey’s capture mechanic next (or after whatever you have planned next)

[@bengoodwin2141]

What about some kind of script that creates a curve between 2 points for the path, and avoids other objects? This could give some kind of “default path” for the launch star just given a destination

[@adv78]

What do you think of Hollow Knight combat or ambientation. Or maybe Mario Odyssey movement? Ohhh, and Jammo's so cool, i like the idea of having this symbol character and i love this design. Buuut, i really curious, how you will fit him in different games styles, this model make sense in Super Mario Galaxy, but for more taller/different shaped characters you can work in future projects, will you adapt the model to different genres?

[@RamblePrism]

Wouldn't it be amazing if all of the things from the Mix and Jam videos were combined into one game

[@Alibi_47]

Can you try and recreate the Neon Dash from inFAMOUS Second Son? I love your videos so much!!! Keep up the good work!

[@SuperZeve]

I have a request for an episode in the future. My request is the "Crush" Mechanic from the Crush 3D. This ability lets you Crush the 3d world into 2d and back. Thanks for reading.

[@samuel-tome]

Never seen the game but I'm assuming they just change the camera position? They could simply change the camera type to orthographic (or not) and put in perspective that looked 2D. A 2-states camera, a mere illusion.

[@EnderElectrics]

Can't believe this channel isn't even a year old yet.

[@mathiassappia4252]

Love ur vids !!

[@silaszinn]

Amazing video. You're doing a fantasty channel about game development. Keep doing ;)

[@ThanaOfficial]

Really awesome!! But please, can you explain us how to recreate classic 3d fighting game with combo and the right animation timing like tekken, soul calibur, bloody roar, dead or alive etc series? There isn't any material online about that.. Or if you want, you can also explain a fighting system such as naruto storm series or dragonball tenkaichi series? thank you for all , you are really powerful developer!

[@francomidi]

Loved it. I'm in a game developing community and we love your videos! Greetings from La Rioja, Argentina! ^_^

[@lvbboi9]

You should try to create a perspective shift in the style of Superliminal, Im sure it would be a very interesting and tricky one :)

[@Magma-uw7yo]

My Only Boy ! GG Ahaha I love realy your work, just a simple question, where are you learn all those things and (because I am) are you Indian ?

[@calebh_]

You're intro jingle (0:00) is very similar to the Google Duo outgoing ringtone. Probably just a coincidence, but that caught me off guard.

[@alessandromazza4557]

As always you did a great job. I love your videos because you explain what you did just enough to make everyone understand how you made it, and for me just now starting to pick up Unity that's perfect.

[@bunnybreaker]

Gonna have to use some of these techniques for my Mario Galaxy inspired game. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqjNc61jZ86optU Thanks for another great video.

[@Rook1e0ne]

i know it might be like super hasd but you should try to mimic the swinging arround of insomniac's spiderman game of 2018

[@denischen8196]

Can you make Launch Stars play the chords of the background music?

[@atrioberlyn9151]

I don't have words... They should hire you... Everyone should hire you The metal gear one and galaxy just with unity

[@mathpc4047]

6:16 What the hell is that song Amazing work though!

[@dBradbury]

When in doubt, check the video description! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5PHfYqYaddrj68 at 1:38

[@no00ob]

Could you by any means try to make fludd the "water gun" from super Mario sunshine I made my own implementation a while back but would love to see your approach to it!

[@gabrielbaez8849]

Great video

[@Chengi]

great video as always!

[@吕松-j7g]

I downloaded a few of your projects, you are strong ah. Many of your methods are quite efficient and unexpected, and the plugins are surprisingly easy to use. I hope you can do better and better

[@cesarsfalcao]

Fantastic!!! Video request - how to setup a 3rd person character movement and facial animations!

[@hellothxsorry]

First of all, thank you for your videos, you are a real inspiration! Please, make a recreation of Quantic Dream games' mechanics of interraction

[@ktmochiii]

Can't help but smile through the entire video. Loved mario galaxy.

[@2ksp235]

Awesome Tutorial i love it . Please can you do something like the game LOL ? Great Regards

[@luizfelipeduarte8752]

I wonder how you would do the Y-gun from Gantz:O Can you consider?

[@fraiak]

I don't know if you take requests, but can you recreate mk 11's krushing blows in unity?

[@Ambo100]

What I love about these videos is they give you just enough information to work out a concept but not too much so that you can figure out the details yourself.

[@Jabersson]

I mean, if you're gonna make a Mario Galaxy video, why not also make the gravity system?

[@Alex-eb8ix]

Thank you, really, Thank you for this video, this is awesome!!!

[@mondobe]

Plot twist- he just works at every game studio ever at the same time and just copies and pastes his code

[@fernandopadilha230]

Make a Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle combat system

[@yoeymeme]

Can you guys try to recreate the Mario 64 physics movement?

[@hy3cinth]

I'm impressed you got post-processing to work without any compiler errors. Lol

[@irenemcnelis5848]

how did you save Jammo's custom poses to the flying and rolling animations?

[@A158W]

Dude can you please make a video about mirrors edge catalyst's first person parkour movement in unity

[@drhollow_on_hogwarts8778]

this is Great ,I have a question , is DOPath a good alternative of the dolly track ?

[@RemeykerEntertainment]

Já que tu é brasileiro, poderia adicionar umas legendas em português nos demais videos pra ajudar a gente aqui também, né? Vídeo muito bom, manja muito.

[@uhkihku6498]

Can you do Sonic The Hedgehog Grinding Rails ?

[@brinst_ar]

It looks great, i would give the screen a little more shake in the launch but that's a nitpick.

[@nerdydrow]

Excuse the noobiness but can't use Timeline instead of DOTween ?

[@TheSlimshader]

says: "I want to try to replicate this mechanic" background: shows replicated mechanic

[@danitbh7877]

Now all we need to do is Mario Galaxy's collision things to walk around the whole planet

[@ElefanT1396]

Hey really nice video! ever considered to make "Bad North"?

[@Skeffles]

This is an awesome recreation of that mechanic. I love it!

[@jamesklark6562]

cool, I'm gonna do this with wario and he's gonna eat a garlic and fart his way to the next planet

[@CereEnder]

Dude you make this things like its super easy to do them. Super video.

[@maistrogaming7911]

U hepled me alot....thanks dude...it a honor to watch ur video

[@cortano2878]

How long does it take you to do a project like this from start to finish?

[@IOSoraOI]

Don't stop making videos!!!!!

[@primusavenged]

Think you could do something like the bolt collection from Ratchet and Clank, where the bolts bounce once then follow a curved path directly to the player object?

[@mixandjam]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@creativecipher]

If you don't watch out uncle nintendo is gonna sue

[@KewlSokudo]

please make a super mario galaxy game holy shit

[@Tailsmetroid]

It looks beautiful!!, Awesome video!

[@shrikantmaurya4376]

Very informative Thanks for sharing bro

[@rockrheadHD]

Man! Make a game with ALL These Things!!!

[@nickst2797]

Do you prefer Unity over UE4? If yes, why?

[@ankitr1999]

What about superluminal mechanics 🧐

[@d-o-n-u-t]

11k views and only 4 dislikes has to be a historic feat

[@lucaschagas8588]

Amazing! Have u tutorials on unreal engine 4?

[@ludologian]

Nice job, can we got full tutorial on Dotween from you

[@FrankopxD]

Not related but could anyone help me with an edge hanging and climbing 2d platformer system that doesn't relay on premade climbable edges?(with that I mean that I should be able to climb any platform edge with a plane surface) I've been struggling with this for a long time, everything I try just isn't reliable.

[@FrankopxD]

Any suggestions are also welcomed

[@mohammedsami9420]

Yours is better than the original one Go on, I am a big fan

[@playonce4186]

One word! *BEAUTIFUL*

[@Matojeje]

This is such a great recreation!

[@guigamer0077]

can you make a swimming system for 2d game?