Top 10 Coolest Things About Mario

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As a gamer, I’ve been playing Mario for years, and what always impresses me is how he keeps reinventing himself. Whether it’s a classic side-scroller or a sprawling 3D world, he’s always learning new moves, teaming up with buddies, and grabbing power-ups that completely change how you approach a level. Seriously, from flipping gravity in space to pulling off crazy jumps in cityscapes, the games are built around rules that are easy to understand, but offer tons of room for skill and creativity. I’ve put together a list of ten of the coolest things Mario can do across all the main Super Mario games.

Jump Mastery

Mario’s jumping ability is a central feature in all his games, allowing designers to create levels that test players’ timing and control. ‘Super Mario 64’ introduced a variety of jumps – regular, double, triple, long jumps, and side flips – each with a different trajectory for reaching various distances or heights. ‘Super Mario Sunshine’ added new moves like hovering and rocket boosts using FLUDD, giving Mario even more control in the air. And in ‘Super Mario Odyssey,’ he can combine cap throws with dives and rolls to stay airborne longer and land exactly where he needs to.

Power Up Arsenal

Mario gains temporary powers through power-ups, and many of these reappear with slight changes in different games. The Super Mushroom makes Mario bigger and tougher, while the Fire Flower lets him shoot fireballs. The Super Star makes him briefly invincible and faster, and he can knock enemies away just by touching them. Other items, like the Tanooki Leaf, Penguin Suit, and Propeller Mushroom, give him new ways to move around, and the game usually introduces these abilities in safe areas before challenging players to use them with precision.

Cappy Capture Moves

In ‘Super Mario Odyssey,’ Mario uses his companion, Cappy, to take control of enemies and objects. This replaces traditional power-ups with the ability to transform and gain new skills. When Mario captures creatures like Chain Chomps, Bullet Bills, or Cheep Cheeps, his movement changes, allowing him to reach previously inaccessible areas. Cappy isn’t just for capturing, though—Mario can also use him as a platform in the air, to stun enemies, or as a guided attack. Finding hidden moons often requires mastering all of a captured creature’s moves, so the game encourages players to experiment with each one in every kingdom.

Gravity Play in Space Adventures

‘Super Mario Galaxy’ and its sequel feature small planets with their own gravity, pulling Mario towards them no matter where he approaches. This allows for unique gameplay, like paths that curve around planets, walking upside down, and puzzles that rely on carrying speed between these little worlds. Mario’s spin move is versatile – he can use it to attack enemies, activate switches, and make small jumps to adjust his position. Instead of simply moving between levels, ‘Launch Stars’ propel Mario on curved paths, making the transitions between areas with different gravity feel smooth and easy to follow.

Yoshi Team Ups

Yoshi first appeared in ‘Super Mario World’ and has since enhanced gameplay with moves like the flutter jump and his ability to grab with his tongue. Different colored Yoshis offer unique powers, such as flying, ground pounds, or using Koopa shells in new ways. In ‘Super Mario Galaxy 2’, Yoshi can gain abilities from fruit that let him reach far distances or quickly climb hills. Even after you stop riding Yoshi, you can keep your momentum, allowing skilled players to link together difficult jumps.

Wall Jumps and Parkour

Wall jumps, first introduced in ‘Super Mario 64’ and further developed in ‘New Super Mario Bros.’ games, allow Mario to scale walls and recover from imperfect jumps. Game designers use visual cues like textures or gaps to show players where they can repeatedly jump off walls. When combined with moves like slides, triple jumps, and canceling ground pounds, these techniques open up faster, alternate pathways. Players attempting speedruns frequently link wall jumps together to quickly navigate tight spaces.

Cat Mario Climbing

In ‘Super Mario 3D World,’ the Super Bell turns Mario into Cat Mario, completely changing how you navigate levels. As a cat, Mario can swipe with his claws for quick, multi-hit attacks and pounce across flat areas to cover ground quickly. He also gains the ability to climb walls and even flags, opening up vertical paths without relying on moving platforms. Hidden secrets are often placed just above where a normal jump would reach, encouraging players to keep the cat form throughout the level.

Cape and Flight Control

In ‘Super Mario World,’ players gain the Cape Feather, which lets Mario fly after building up speed. By repeatedly pressing a button, you can go up and down, allowing you to travel long distances and carefully land over obstacles. This ability encourages exploration, as hidden areas are often located off-screen and require a running start to reach. The Cape can also be spun to defeat nearby enemies, making it useful for both getting around and defending yourself.

Ground Pound Precision

The ‘ground pound’ move, first seen in ‘Super Mario 64’, is now a common way to quickly adjust Mario’s position in mid-air and activate switches. When performed, it creates a downward force that can break certain blocks and even hit enemies below. In most 3D Mario games, the ground pound also stops forward movement, making it easier to land precisely on small platforms after a long jump. Game designers often use switches activated by the ground pound in puzzles that require players to time their movements and understand how their actions create results.

Consistent Feel Across 2D and 3D

Even as the Mario games have evolved with new features and perspectives, the core movement – how Mario accelerates, slides, and jumps – remains consistent and easy to learn. Early games like ‘Super Mario Bros.’ establish basic timing, and later titles, such as ‘New Super Mario Bros. U,’ maintain similar jump heights so players can rely on what they already know. 3D games, like ‘Super Mario 3D Land,’ gradually introduce depth while still using familiar perspectives. This consistency is key because it allows levels to become more challenging without forcing players to relearn the basic controls.

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2025-10-26 06:18