Moves and Controls

Using the Wii U GamePad

The Wii U GamePad can be used in special ways during Story Mode, Boost Rush, Coin Rush, and Boost Mode Challenges. In each of these modes, the player who uses the Wii U GamePad can place special objects called Boost Blocks in the environment. Boost Blocks are intended to serve as platforms for Mario and friends to help them move through levels with greater ease. Boost Blocks can also be used in other ways—for example, placing them over the players’ heads can prevent falling objects from harming them. Get creative and see how crafty you can be with your Boost Blocks!

In addition to making Boost Blocks appear, the player who uses the Wii U GamePad can also stun enemies. Simply tap an enemy to stun it, and you’ll help your buddies out. You can also stun or destroy certain environmental hazards as well, such as falling Bowser’s Flames, or fireballs thrown by enemies. Try tapping everything you see—you never know what might happen!

Mario’s Moves

Run

Move the analog stick right or left to make Mario run in that direction. The more pressure you apply to the analog stick, the faster Mario will move!

Dash

Hold the dash button while running to dash. Now you’re really moving! Unless you feel the need for caution, it helps to simply hold the dash button at all times. That way, you’ll always be moving at top speed!

Pick Up/Throw

Mario can pick up certain objects by approaching them while holding the dash button. Common objects that Mario can carry include Koopa shells, POW Blocks, Baby Yoshis, Trampolines, stunned Bob-ombs, and smaller enemies that Ice Mario has frozen with his iceballs. Simply hold the dash button to pick up and carry the object around, and release the dash button to throw it.

Jump

Jumping is what Mario does best! Tap the jump button to perform a short hop, or hold the button to perform a longer leap. Dash before jumping to build up momentum and leap for longer distances!

Jump while standing beneath Blocks to bump them—something good might pop out! Mario can also smash certain Brick Blocks by jumping up and hitting them from below, but only after he has grown in size by collecting a Power-Up, such as a Super Mushroom or Fire Flower.

Double Jump/Triple Jump

Mario can perform double and triple jumps by jumping in quick succession. Press the jump button the moment Mario lands from a jump to perform a double jump. Press the jump button again after Mario lands from a double jump to perform a triple jump! These jumps are longer than normal jumps, and can help Mario cover more ground.

Spin Jump

While Mario’s feet are on the ground, press the ZR Button (or shake the Wii Remote) to perform a spin jump. This type of jump has a lower arc than a normal jump, and can be useful in certain situations, such as when you’re trying to avoid bumping into overhead obstacles. For the most part, though, traditional jumps are the best way to go.

Wall Jump

Jump into a wall, then press the jump button again to wall jump off it. Wall jumps are great for reaching high areas, so keep an eye out for places where they can be used. When two walls are close to each other, Mario can wall jump back and forth between them, leaping up to incredible heights!

Stomp

Stomps are Mario’s main method of attack. Simply jump onto an enemy, and Mario will stomp it with his feet. Depending on the enemy, a stomp might either stun it or defeat it. Not all enemies can be stomped, mind you—fiery and spike-covered foes will often harm Mario if he tries to stomp them!

Ground Pound

Anytime Mario finds himself in midair, he can tuck into a powerful downward attack called a ground pound. Simply press down on the analog stick while Mario is airborne, and the plumber will plummet downward at high speed, rump first. Mario can defeat enemies with ground pounds just the same as he can with stomps. After Mario has collected a Power-Up and grown in size, his ground pounds gain the extra oomph needed to smash through certain types of Blocks.

Crouch

Press down on the analog stick to make Mario crouch. This is a useful move when you need to avoid overhead obstacles. Sometimes you need to crouch while riding on moving platforms to slip through tight spaces.

Slide

Crouch while running downhill to make Mario slide. Mario will defeat most enemies he slides into, except for fiery or spike-covered foes. Sliding is a fast, fun way to travel, so be on the lookout for places to slide!

Enter Pipe

You’ll see plenty of Pipes in Mario’s world, some of which are actually Warp Pipes that Mario can use to visit special areas. Simply crouch while standing atop a Pipe to see if Mario can enter it. Walk straight into sideways Pipes to see if they can be entered, and hold up on the analog stick to try entering overhead Pipes. Who knows where you’ll pop out?

Enter Door

Mario encounters Boss Doors at the top of every tower and at the end of each castle. To enter a door, simply stand in front of it and press up on the analog stick. As their name suggests, Boss Doors always lead to boss battles. Be certain you’re prepared before you enter!

Grab Rope/Fence

Mario can grab onto chains, ropes, and fences, and then start climbing around on them. Move Mario close to such objects, then press up on the analog stick to make him grab on and begin to climb. You can also jump from these objects if you like.

Swim

Certain stages are filled with water—good thing Mario is an excellent swimmer! While traveling under the sea, each press of the jump button makes Mario swim forward and upward a little bit. Just keep pressing the jump button to build up speed. Mario quickly sinks when he isn’t swimming, so stop pressing the jump button if you wish to dive. And don’t worry—Mario never runs out of air!

Using Yoshi

Mario’s pal Yoshi appears in several stages. Once you discover Yoshi, jump on him and start riding around. Yoshi can jump higher and farther than Mario, and he can also gobble up enemies with his long, sticky tongue. Yoshi can also spit out enemies he eats, turning them into projectiles that can defeat distant foes!

Baby Yoshis

Baby Yoshis come in three flavors: Balloon Baby Yoshi, Glowing Baby Yoshi, and Bubble Baby Yoshi. Each Baby Yoshi has unique abilities, but they all share a few similar traits. For starters, Mario must pick up a Baby Yoshi before he can use him. Also, Baby Yoshis will gobble up any enemies that Mario walks into while he is carrying them! Not every enemy can be eaten, mind you, but many can. Press the ZR Button while carrying a Baby Yoshi to use his special ability.

Balloon Baby Yoshi fills up with hot air, and can carry Mario through dangerous stages with ease!

Glowing Baby Yoshi can light up dark areas. The intense light he gives off can stun some nearby enemies and repel others! However, Glowing Baby Yoshi’s powers won’t affect enemies or the environment when used in fully illuminated areas.

Bubble Baby Yoshi blows out bubbles that can turn enemies into Coins or Power-Ups! Mario can bounce off of these bubbles to reach greater heights.

Mini Mario

Collect a Mini Mushroom to transform into Mini Mario. You’re highly vulnerable in this form, but only Mini Mario can enter tiny Warp Pipes! Mini Mario is also so light that he can dash straight up walls and jump for great distances. Mini Mario can bump Blocks to check them for goodies, but he can’t smash through them.

Small Mario

This is Mario’s default form. Small Mario is highly vulnerable, and he can’t smash Brick Blocks. Look around for Power-Ups and transform him quick!

Super Mario

Collect a Super Mushroom to transform into Super Mario. In this form, Mario can smash through certain Brick Blocks by hitting them from below with a jump or landing on them with a ground pound from above. Mario is less vulnerable in this form because he won’t be defeated if he’s hit—he’ll be reduced to Small Mario instead.

Fire Mario

Grab a Fire Flower to transform into Fire Mario. Now you can throw powerful fireballs by pressing the dash button! These fireballs will bounce along the ground until they hit something, which allows Fire Mario to defeat enemies from afar. This includes enemies that can’t be defeated with stomps, such as Piranha Plants. As you can see, Fire Mario is quite a powerful form!

Ice Mario

Ice Flowers transform Mario into Ice Mario. This form is similar to Fire Mario, except that Ice Mario throws iceballs instead of fireballs. These projectiles vanish shortly after bouncing, so they have a shorter range than fireballs—however, iceballs are far more versatile because they can freeze Mario’s enemies solid! Once an enemy has been frozen, Mario can usually pick it up, carry it around, and then toss it to defeat other foes. Larger frozen enemies that can’t be carried can still be defeated by smashing them with a ground pound (or by jumping into them from below). Frozen enemies can also be used as platforms, helping Mario reach high areas or traverse dangerous passages more easily. Enemies that can’t be defeated with fireballs can sometimes be defeated by Ice Mario when he freezes and smashes them (Dry Bones, for example).

Flying Squirrel Mario

Mario can glide through the air in this excellent form, covering great distances with ease. Grab a Super Acorn to become Flying Squirrel Mario, then simply hold the jump button to glide. Press the ZR Button (or shake the Wii Remote) to perform a flying squirrel jump, and Mario will soar up into the sky! Mario loses the ability to glide after performing a flying squirrel jump, however, and only one flying squirrel jump can be used before Mario must land.

Power Squirrel Mario

Consume a P-Acorn to transform into Power Squirrel Mario. This form is exactly like Mario’s Flying Squirrel form, except that Power Squirrel Mario can perform unlimited flying squirrel jumps in midair, and never loses the ability to glide! This allows Power Squirrel Mario to fly wherever he wants, for as long as he wants. How cool is that?

Penguin Mario

Don the Penguin Suit to transform into Penguin Mario. In this rare form, Mario has the ability to throw iceballs, and can also slide on his belly for far greater distances than he could normally slide. Penguin Mario is also a fantastic swimmer—he can swim faster than normal and travels in a straight line the whole time. In short, Penguin Mario is ideal for icy and watery stages—but the Penguin Suit is a rare Power-Up that can only be acquired from Toad when you visit Superstar Road!

Propeller Mario

Slip into the Propeller Suit to transform into Propeller Mario. This form allows Mario to fly upward with a spin of his propeller and quickly gain plenty of height. Propeller Mario can also dive straight down with a drill-like spin that can destroy Brick Blocks and defeat enemies. The Propeller Suit is another rare Power-Up that can only be obtained by visiting Toad at Superstar Road.