Rosalina

Lore & Background

Rosalina's backstory is deeply rooted in her time at the Comet Observatory, where she cares for the Lumas. In Super Mario Galaxy, a storybook reveals she grew up with two parents and a younger brother before traveling through space to help a lost Luma find its parents, eventually hiding that she had lost her own mother. As she felt lonely, other Lumas joined her, leading her to build the Comet Observatory as their home. She understands the circle of life and the death and rebirth of stars, a perspective that informs her presence in Mario Kart. Her design shares similarities with Princess Peach due to early development considerations where the team contemplated making them related, though this was ultimately removed from the final story. In Super Mario Galaxy 2, she appears as the 'Cosmic Spirit' to aid players and sends letters containing 50 Star Bits to Baby Luma.

In Their Own Story

The racing circuits of the Mushroom Kingdom gained a new dimension when Rosalina joined the fray. Her journey into karting began with her unlockable appearance in Mario Kart Wii, where she entered as a Heavyweight character. Later, Mario Kart 8 introduced a baby version of Rosalina, while Mario Kart 7 featured a namesake track called 'Rosalina's Ice World.' In these games, she maintains her composed and wise persona, treating competition as a friendly gathering rather than a battle for dominance. Unlike the typical damsel in distress narrative often associated with female characters in the franchise, Rosalina brings her own lore and agency to the track. Her presence is so well-regarded that Joystiq noted it was nice to see another 'Nintendo character join the obscenely large roster of folks showing their faces in the game.'

Reader's Guide

In Mario Kart Wii, players must unlock Rosalina by completing specific challenges to race with her as a Heavyweight driver. Her stats favor raw power and momentum, making her ideal for straightaways but requiring careful handling on tight corners. By Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, she became available by default, allowing immediate access to her unique driving style. She also appears in Mario Kart Tour, where special vehicles highlight her connection to star power. While specific control schemes vary across titles, her role as a Heavyweight remains consistent, offering stability and speed at the cost of agility. Fans appreciate her distinctive aesthetic, featuring a purple gown and star accessories that set her apart from standard racers. Her inclusion in the series was driven by her popularity following Super Mario Galaxy and her recent appearances in other spin-offs like Mario Kart.

Did You Know?

• Rosalina is known as 'Rosetta' (ロゼッタ) in Japan.
• She was created by Yoshiaki Koizumi, who wrote her backstory storybook late at night so no one would find out about it.
• In Mario Kart 8, a baby version of Rosalina was introduced alongside the original character.
• Rosalina has a namesake racing track in Mario Kart 7 called 'Rosalina's Ice World'.
• She is available by default in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, unlike her unlockable debut in Mario Kart Wii.