Disclaimer: This is my very own opinion.

The Mario and Kirby franchises are some of Nintendo's most recognized franchises. Most of the Mario and Kirby characters in their respective franchises are popular. Sometimes the games are similar and have similar items. Mario and Luigi can use fire and ice weapons. Kirby can also use fire and ice weapons. One similar item is the Star Rod. I am going to explore if there is a connection between the Star Rod in the Mario Games and the Star Rod in Kirby Games.

In the game Paper Mario Mario is on a quest to get the Star Rod back from Bowser. To my knowledge this if the first reference to a Star Rod in the Mario Franchise. In Kirby's Adventure Kirby is on a quest to get the Star Rod back and put it back in the fountain of dreams. Some gamers have wondered if there was a connection between the two. In fact gamers on Gamefaq, IGN and other gaming sites have wondered the same. I will be honest It did get me to wondering if there was a connection. As a result I'm going to be exploring that road.

Is the Star Rod in Paper Mario the same as the Star Rod in Kirby Games?

In my opinion that is not likely and here is were I'm going with this. The Star Rods in their respective franchises serve different purposes. In Paper Mario the 7 elite Star Spirits watch over the star rod. It helps the Stars maintain their power and grant wishes. It can also be used to enhance power. This is why the Star Spirits are in a crisis that Bowser has it. In Kirby games the Star Rod helps residents of Dream Land sleep. It also guards residents against nightmares. Kirby has used the Star Rod several times to defeat Nightmare also known as Dark Matter. Given how they serve different purposes they are not likely the same thing.

Second, lets look at the design. The two star rods do not even look the same. The Star Rod in Mario games is multi colored, has jewels on it, and has spheres on it. The Star is a bright yellow star. The shape appears to be more pointed. In most Kirby games the Star rod beams looks like a candy cane and is red and white. Also there are no jewels and spheres. The Star on the star rod in Kirby games is much larger. This is another reason why I do not think they are the same.

However it is possible that each respective Mario franchise has its own star rod. This would make them similar but not the same thing. In Mario the Star Rod is in Star Haven. In Kirby Games its in the Fountain of dreams. I have never played the Legend of Zelda. However, I want to think my friends talked about a similar star rod thing in Link games, but I cannot confirm that. Regardless, it does seem each world has their own star rod. In Mario and Kirby games the star rods can be used as weapons against Bowser and Nightmare/Dark Matter.

What is more likely is that is a reference.

Nintendo loves to make references in other games. Its almost a running gag in the company. This is probably why people wondered if the two star rods were identical. For example, In Nintendo's popular Punch Out series Donkey Kong country is referenced. In the last Punch Out game. Donkey Kong comes out of a DK barrel. Then he cares off Mike the Boxer to the smash game. In another instance King Dedede put on a Mario costume to amuse his guests. Speaking of Kirby Games in some of the arena battles Mario, Luigi, and Koopa Troopas are in the spectators around the arena. In Mario games dream land is referenced.

Considering Kirby games had been around before Paper Mario was released. It is highly likely the Star Rod in Paper Mario is not the same thing, but a reference to the Star Rod in Kirby games. It would be just like Nintendo to create a similar object to reference a similar object in their other games. Most likely, Nintendo created a similar object to function in a similar matter to another infamous object. It is easy to see the reference as both star rods are found in places were stars are.

So are the two star rods the same thing? In my opinion no they are not the same thing. They have different purposes and do not look exactly alike. While they do have some similarities its still obvious they are different. Now with that being said, I do believe it is a reference. I think the Star Rod in Paper Mario was originally a reference to Dreamland in Kirby Games as well as the star rod in those games. After, all Nintendo has a history of making references to other games. What started out as a reference allowed for other appearances in other Mario Games. I also think its possible that each respective franchise may have their own star rod.