Academic paper debunks the physics of Super Mario Galaxy

By Will Fulton November 26, 2014

academic paper debunks physics super mario galaxy — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Physics students at the University of Leicester have written a paper that examines the physics behind Nintendo’s hit platformer, Super Mario Galaxy. Called “It’s a-me Density,” the paper speculates about the conditions required for the game’s minuscule planetoids to exert the demonstrated level of gravity on the player. (via Eurogamer)

Because Mario experiences Earth-like gravity on the game’s tiny planets, they would need to be extremely dense for the physics to make sense. The paper asks: “If a planet with the density of a white dwarf, a 50m radius, and Earth-like gravity were to be constructed what would happen?” Nothing good, apparently.

Gravity would vary across Mario’s height, causing blood to pool in Mario’s face. “It is possible that this is the source of Mario’s baby-like complexion,” the paper rationalizes.

More dramatically, the planets themselves would be wildly unstable. While theoretically it is possible to create such a small, dense planetoid, “the planet would survive for only a very brief moment before violently destroying itself and any short plumbers who happen to be running about on its surface.”

These questionable physics are just one small blemish on the Mario franchise’s otherwise firm commitment to documentary realism.

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Will Fulton is a New York-based writer and theater-maker. In 2011 he co-founded mythic theater company AntiMatter Collective…

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