World 2 (Super Mario Galaxy 2)

“Wow. Take a look at that! We found an entirely new world! Looks like there should be plenty of Power Stars here.”

—Lubba, Super Mario Galaxy 2

World 2: Shooting Through the Stars is the second world featured in Super Mario Galaxy 2. It is located near a solar system different from Mario's, however, a very similar solar system was seen for a second during the ending of Super Mario Galaxy. In this world, there are many different galaxies, the last of which, Bowser's Lava Lair, features the first encounter with Bowser.

Galaxies

Galaxy	Description	Star(s)	Unlocking criterion
Puzzle Plank Galaxy	The galaxy features wooden planks floating in a blue sky, that Mario can stand on them as platforms. However, some sections of these platforms are cut by Grinders that eventually remove a part of the plank that falls to the void.		Defeat Gobblegut in Bowser Jr.'s Fiery Flotilla.
Hightail Falls Galaxy	The bulk of the galaxy accommodates the use of the Dash Pepper.		Collect a Star from the Puzzle Plank Galaxy.
Boulder Bowl Galaxy	The galaxy features the first prominent use of the Rock Mushroom that turns Mario into a solid boulder. Bowling pin-like enemies called Pinheads are found in this galaxy.		Get a Power Star in Puzzle Plank Galaxy.
Cosmic Cove Galaxy	This galaxy is primarily a water-themed level, where players can freeze the water in the first mission to skate on the ice and up water falls, or swim through caverns to find key objects.		Get a Star from either Boulder Bowl Galaxy or Hightail Falls Galaxy.
Wild Glide Galaxy	This galaxy features a jungle with a river, and is one of two galaxies involving Fluzzard Gliding.		Get a Power Star from either Boulder Bowl Galaxy or Hightail Falls Galaxy.
Honeybloom Galaxy	This galaxy introduces the Bee Mushroom. The whole level takes place on one large cube-shaped planet with a side-scrolling view.		Get a Power Star from either Boulder Bowl Galaxy or Hightail Falls Galaxy, then feed the Hungry Luma on the World 2 map 700 Star Bits.
Bowser's Lava Lair	This galaxy is full of lava. There are also Whomps. Giant Bowser is seen sitting on a throne there, which looks like a castle.		Collect 16 Power Stars, including one from Wild Glide Galaxy, Honeybloom Galaxy or Cosmic Cove Galaxy.

Gallery

• SMG2 Map W2.png

  World 2 as viewed from the Grand World Map.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Italian	Mondo 2: Alla Ricerca delle Stelle[?]	World 2: In Search of Stars

Trivia

• The music played on this world's map is identical to World 1's music, until World 1's music is changed after green Prankster Comets appear later in the game.
• The background of this world looks identical to the real life Milky Way Galaxy, though some of the planets are in the wrong orbits.