This page contains speed strategies for individual stars in Super Mario Galaxy 2. These tricks can be done with both Mario and Luigi unless otherwise noted. Note also that most mentions of "infinite fluttering" or just "fluttering" refer to Sideways Infinite Flutter.

World 1

Sky Station

Peewee Piranha's Temper Tantrum

• If the introduction to the level can be skipped (for example, when collecting Green Stars or when doing individual-level runs), the dialogue with the first Luma can be skipped by jumping away as soon as you gain control. Because ending the intro as soon as possible causes a delay in when you gain control, you may need to wait about a second before ending the fly-in scene.
• On the first planet, stand still after talking to the Luma on top of Yoshi's house. This will shorten the pause that occurs when the Launch Star appears by about half a second.
• On the second planet, approach the tower leading to the Launch Star from the left, and reach the top with a backflip and a wall-jump off the left side of the structure. This will cause the Luma to reach the top of the tower sooner. Video
• On the second planet, the next group of small planets can be reached by doing a homing ground-pound off of the Luma as it reaches the top of the tower. If the previous time-saver is used, the Luma will transform before you can set up the ground-pound unless you do a spin and then jump to make the Luma stop for a second. This is a risky trick that saves only about 10 or 15 frames, so it's mostly appropriate for individual-level runs. Video
• Peewee Piranha's shell can be broken with a single ground-pound instead of 2 spins.

Storming the Sky Fleet

• There is no landing stun at the beginning of this stage--avoid attempting a land-cancel.
• On the first planet, the Chomp Pup holding the key can be reached by long-jumping down-right over the fence from the starting point.

Peewee Piranha's Speed Run

• There is no landing stun at the beginning of this stage--avoid attempting a land-cancel.
• Peewee Piranha's shell can be broken with a single ground-pound instead of 2 spins.

Yoshi Star

Saddle Up with Yoshi

• Infinite flutter can be used to travel from the first planet to the third. There are several ways to do this:
  • If the Comet Medal is obtained, start an infinite flutter by bouncing off the small berry facing the third planet by tapping the B button before jumping on to it. This will allow you to reach the third planet in a single flutter. Video Alternatively, flutter to the group of small berries near the Smeech or the large berry at the end of the first planet, and then start another flutter towards the third planet.
  • If the Comet Medal is not obtained, start infinite fluttering from the Yoshi Egg. The third planet can be reached in a single flutter by bouncing off the Smeech or the nearby berries. If the bounce is missed, another infinite flutter will need to be started. Video
• On the last planet, you can get the elevator to descend earlier by infinite fluttering up to it from the landing point. Video

Spiny Control

• Infinite flutter can be used to travel from the first Yoshi Egg to the last planet. Video
• Normally, when you hit the boss, Giga Lakitu, with a Spiny, all other Spinies disappear except for any in Yoshi's mouth. By storing a Spiny in Yoshi's mouth, you can get the last 2 hits against Giga Lakitu quickly. There are 2 methods to set up a storage of a Spiny:
  • After 2 Spinies land on the ground, hit both of them once each with Yoshi's tongue to get the Spinies to retract into their shells. After spitting one towards the boss, quickly swallow the other Spiny before the first one hits. Video
  • When Giga Lakitu throws 2 Spinies, swallow the first one while it's airborne, spit it back to the boss, and quickly swallow the second Spiny before it lands. Video

Spiny Rainbow Romp

• When hitting a Spiny with the Rainbow Star, try to hit a Spiny on its edge because hitting it near the middle will cause you to briefly stop.
• Another subtle problem with this Star is that running through shallow water will slow you down a bit.

Spin-Dig

Digga-Leg's Planet

• The Drill on the first planet can be skipped by triple-jumping to the first Launch Star.
• On the second planet, drilling at the base of a pillar will sometimes push you into the pillar. Video This is most consistently done by jumping backwards against a pillar before drilling.
• On the Toad Brigade's ship, the dialogue with the Captain can be skipped by entering first-person view upon landing, shooting Star Bits at the Captain, and then running away while the Captain is stunned.
• Digga-Leg's hopping phase can be shortened by forcing yourself underneath Digga-Leg.
• Digga-Leg will not deploy any Diggas if the previous ones are still alive. Avoid destroying Diggas as much as possible, but also note that Digga-Leg can destroy the Diggas during its hopping phase, which is luck-dependent.

Silver Stars Down Deep

Digga-Leg's Daredevil Run

• As before, Digga-Leg will not deploy any Diggas if the previous ones are still alive.