Super Mario 3D World Guide How to Play
Power-Ups and Forms
Acrobatic moves are great, but special powers are even better! Along the way, Mario and company will be able to assume different forms. All of these contain their own powers to help you battle Bowser and his minions. Use the best Power-Up for the job!
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Super Mario
This is Mario’s default size, and the one you should get used to seeing most often. In this standard form, Mario (and his friends) can jump, dash, and smash with the best of them. With impressive athleticism and resilience, Mario is capable of overcoming almost any challenge. If a character suffers damage, they’re reduced to a more vulnerable form. When this happens, simply look for a Super Mushroom to get back into full fighting shape.
Small Mario
When Mario takes damage, he becomes Small Mario. In this state, Mario is at his most vulnerable. Small Mario can’t break through blocks, and a single hit can put an end to his adventure. This doesn’t mean Small Mario is defenseless, however. In this form, Mario can still combat enemies, traverse hazardous areas, and perform his acts of customary heroism—he just has to be a little more cautious until he finds a fresh Power-Up. In this form Mario is also small enough to fit in a single block’s height, allowing him to easily walk into places his other forms would have to crouch to get into.
Fire Mario
When Mario collects a Fire Flower, he transforms into Fire Mario. In this form, Mario can use fireballs to attack his enemies from a safe distance. Not all enemies are vulnerable to fireballs, but Fire Mario can easily adapt to these situations. Fire Mario has all of Super Mario’s acrobatic moves, so he’s always ready to switch up his attacks. This rare transformation also makes our hero a bit more durable. When Fire Mario takes damage, he simply reverts to Super Mario.
When in this form, press 
(or 
) to skip a fireball across the ground. Fireballs bounce off walls, making them particularly effective in enclosed spaces. Fireballs can also be used to ignite special pedestals, revealing hidden items or secret areas in the process. You can also throw fireballs through Clear Pipes!
Boomerang Mario
When Mario collects a Boomerang Flower, he becomes Boomerang Mario. Like the Fire Mario transformation, this form allows Mario to attack from a distance. However, Mario can use boomerangs to take out flying enemies that his fireballs could never reach. Boomerangs are also able to pick up collectibles, making this a particularly versatile transformation.
When in this form, press 
(or 
) to throw a boomerang. You can only use one boomerang at a time. After you throw a boomerang, you must wait for it to return or break before you can throw the next one.
Cat Mario
When Mario collects a Super Bell, he changes into Cat Mario. Cat Mario can Claw or Pounce enemies from the ground, or Claw Dive at them from the air. Cat Mario can also climb walls, making it easy to maneuver around enemies and traps, and find secret areas.
Climb vertical surfaces by leaping at them with 
(or 
) and Cat Mario will automatically stick to them; use 
for climbing in any direction. To Claw at an enemy, press 
(or 
) while standing still or walking To Pounce at an enemy on the ground, hold 
(or 
) while dashing. Finally, to Claw Dive at an enemy from the air, jump, then hold 
(or 
) to lunge with claws outstretched!
Tanooki Mario
When Mario collects a Super Leaf, he transforms into Tanooki Mario. In this form, Mario can perform gravity-defying floats and devastating tail attacks! Floating slows Mario’s descent to such an extreme he practically walks on air. Tanooki Mario can use his tail attack to hit enemies and smash blocks. When combined with Mario’s acrobatic skill, the rare Tanooki Power-Up provides one of his most versatile forms.
Float by holding 
(or 
) while in the air. This not only extends the duration of your jump, it also allows you to make midair adjustments for precision landings. To perform a tail attack, tap 
(or 
). Finally, to perform a tail spin that can be done continuously and while mobile, hold ZL (or ZR) and press 
(or 
).
Mega Mario
Upon collecting a Mega Mushroom, Mario becomes Mega Mario. Mega Mario fears nothing. He stomps over enemies, breaks obstacles and parts of the stage, and can even defeat enemies several times his normal size. However in exchange, he moves far more slowly than normal, so keep that in mind. He can also still lose a life by falling down pits.
Lucky Cat Mario and Golden Statue Mario
When Mario collects a Lucky Bell, he undergoes a special Cat transformation. Lucky Cat Mario can perform a ground pound to turn into golden Statue Mario. In this form, Mario can’t move, but he’s immune to all damage. Each golden Statue Mario transformation is only temporary, but the next one is only a ground pound away. As long as you have a Lucky Bell, the golden Statue Mario form can be used whenever you like.
White Tanooki Mario
White Tanooki Mario has all the powers of Tanooki Mario, but is also invincible to enemies and stage hazards. Think of it as having a Super Star for the duration of a stage. Keep in mind that White Tanooki Mario can still lose a life by falling down a pit, falling into lava or a Poison Bog, or touching a wall of Fuzzies.