# Super Mario Galaxy’s Unique Memory Trick Honors Nintendo Legends

Mario games are renowned for their hidden secrets and clever design nuances, captivating fans for decades. Among these secrets, the *Super Mario Galaxy* series holds an intriguing and somewhat inefficient detail: the game constantly loads the complete credits text into memory while you play. Though surprising from a technical standpoint, this quirk has an *inadvertently heartwarming* effect—it constantly preserves and honors the Nintendo legends who crafted the beloved platformer.

## The Always-Loaded Credits: An Unusual Programming Choice

According to Mario trivia expert Mario Broth, who shared the information on social platform Bluesky citing developer HEYimHeroic, “the staff credits text is always loaded into RAM despite not being needed until the ending.” This means that during the entire gameplay experience, the credits entries reside in the Wii console’s memory.

### Why is this Considered “Horribly Inefficient”?

– The original *Super Mario Galaxy* includes around **4,643 lines of text** loaded at all times.
– This occupies roughly **1/400th of the Wii’s RAM**, which could have been utilized for additional game objects or features.
– Typically, game credits are loaded only at the conclusion to optimize memory use and performance.

However, this seemingly suboptimal approach might have been a deliberate nod to the game’s creators, ensuring their contributions were ever-present in the digital realm of the game.

## How *Super Mario Galaxy 2* Improved Efficiency

The sequel tackled this inefficiency by organizing the text files by each in-game galaxy. But even then, **the credits remain constantly loaded** in memory, suggesting persistent reverence for the development team. This reflects Nintendo’s broader philosophy of giving *proper credit* to creators—a practice that has gained renewed emphasis in recent years amid industry conversations about recognizing original devs (GamesRadar, 2025).

## Real-World Impact: The Art of Game Credits in Industry

The practice of including credits throughout gameplay is rare but not unheard of. As game development grows more complex, memory and resource management becomes critical. Studies, such as a 2023 survey by Gamasutra, indicate that **memory overheads like always-loaded assets can introduce up to a 5% performance cost** in console games, often avoided unless intentional.

**Nintendo’s choice, therefore, illustrates a unique balance—prioritizing homage over technical efficiency.** This reflects a broader cultural shift within game development, where honoring creators openly becomes integral to the player experience.

### Case Study: Credits in Modern Games

– *Celeste* (2018) randomly displays developer names during gameplay, engaging players with the team’s effort.
– *Hollow Knight* (2017) uses subtle in-game nods and collectibles referencing developers rather than overt credits.

These methods contrast with *Super Mario Galaxy*’s persistent credits text memory, highlighting the latter’s distinctiveness.

## Why This Matters for Fans and Game Preservation

This memory quirk not only showcases development dedication but also enriches the player’s connection to the game’s heritage. In a world increasingly focused on **game preservation and digital legacy**, such design decisions provide an evergreen tribute to the teams behind iconic titles.

## Key Takeaways

– **Super Mario Galaxy always loads its credits text in background memory**, a rare programming choice for a game.
– This inefficiency occupies significant RAM but underscores Nintendo’s commitment to respecting its creators.
– *Super Mario Galaxy 2* improved text file management but retained the always-loaded credits.
– Similar practices in gaming emphasize honoring developers, fostering a deeper player-developer connection.

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Super Mario Galaxy’s unique design choice reminds us that behind every beloved game, there lies a passionate team whose work deserves continuous recognition. This subtle yet powerful tribute enriches the platforming experience, preserving Nintendo’s legacy *within* the game world itself.

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**References:**
– Mario Broth (@mariobrothblog.bsky.social), Bluesky posts, 2025.
– GamesRadar, “Nintendo emphasizes proper crediting,” 2025.
– Gamasutra Developer Survey, “Memory management and performance,” 2023.
– Celeste, Studio Maddy Makes Games, 2018.
– Hollow Knight, Team Cherry, 2017.