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Super Mario 3D World Power-Ups and Items Guide

Become familiar with Mario’s tools of the trade.
This article is over 11 years old and may contain outdated information

In franchise tradition, Super Mario 3D World includes a variety of Power-Ups and Items to help you defeat Bowser.  Even better, all characters can use them. Not only do they grant access to boomerangs and fireballs, but you may also need a specific item to obtain Green Stars or reach a new area. Then we have Cat Mario. Meow!

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With this in mind, here’s a list of every Power-Up and Item in Super Mario 3D World.

Super Mario 3D World Power-Ups

Super Mushroom: A Mario staple, this adorable fungus transforms your hero into Super Mario.

Super Bell: This turns your character into a Cat.

What Can I do as Cat Mario?

Claw: Y (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), 1 (Wii Remote), B (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Pounce: ZL + Y (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), B + 1 (Wii Remote), Z + B (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Claw Dive While in Midair: Hold Y (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), Hold 1(Wii Remote), Hold B (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Climb Walls: Tilt L after jumping towards a wall (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), press D-Pad after jumping towards a wall (Wii Remote), Tilt analog stick after jumping towards a wall (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Super Leaf: Yes, the Tanooki Suit makes a welcome reappearance in Super Mario 3D World.

What Can I do as Tanooki Mario?

Tail Attack: Y (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), 1 (Wii Remote), B (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Tail Spin: ZL + Y (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), B + 1 (Wii Remote), Z + B (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Float Down in Midair: Hold B (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), Hold 2 (Wii Remote), Hold A (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Boomerang Flower: As the name implies, this imbues your character with the ability to throw boomerangs.

What Can I do as Boomerang Mario?

Throw Boomerang: Y (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), 1 (Wii Remote), B (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Fire Flower: This one’s just as old as the Super Mushroom. Prepare to toss some fireballs.

What Can I do as Fire Mario?

Throw Fireballs: Y (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), 1 (Wii Remote), B (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Double Cherry: Seeing double? Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with your vision. Picking up the Double Cherry adds another Mario (or Peach/Toad/Luigi) to your team, depending on the character you chose.

Mega Mushroom: Your hero becomes super sized with this Power-Up. Not only can he or she smash through objects, but also enemies without taking damage.

Propeller Box: Use this to fly upwards.

How do I use the Propeller Box?

Fly Upwards: Hold B (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), Hold 2 (Wii Remote), Hold A (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Cannon Box: Enemies won’t stand a chance against an infinite number of cannonballs. This weapon fires automatically, or you can charge up a shot if you prefer.

How do I use the Cannon Box?

Supercharged Shot: Hold Y, then release (Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller), Hold 1, then release (Wii Remote), Hold B, then release (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)

Lucky Bell: Same as Cat Mario, except you can turn into an invincible golden statue.

Beam Box: Shines a ray of light in the direction you face. Lights up dark portions of a stage and permanently destroys Boos.

Super Mario 3D World Items

Gold Coin: Grab 100 of these to receive an extra life.

Blue/Red/Green Coins:You’ll see these coins after jumping into or touching a Star Ring of the same color. Then you must collect all the coins before time runs out. Red coins produce a Power-Up, while Blue and Green coins usually lead to a collectible Green Star.

1-Up Mushroom: Always collect these green mushrooms to score an extra life.

+ Clock:The big green one adds 100 seconds to the timer, while the little blue ones add 10 seconds. Sometimes that’s all you need to reach the Goal Pole.

Super Star: Makes Mario and friends temporarily invincible.

Green Star: Levels feature three of these hidden collectibles, while sub levels (World 1-A, for example) contain one. You’ll need to get them all as part of 100 percent completion of the game. On top of that, you must have a specific number of Stars to unlock key levels in the game.

Stamp:There’s one hidden in every level, though you’ll also be able to snag one here or there. Then you can attach these Stamps to your Miiverse posts.

Ice Skate: Found in the snowy levels, the Ice Skate prevents you from slipping on ice with the tradeoff of reduced jumping ability.

Goomba Mask: Put one of these on to fool enemies into thinking you’re one of them!

Koopa Shells: Did you know Mario and friends can ride inside Koopa Shells and destroy enemies? Pick one up with the Y or X buttons, then hold the ZL or ZR buttons.  You may also find rare gold shells that produce a ton of gold coins when kicked.

For in-depth Super Mario 3D World strategies, including maps for each level, pick up Prima’s Collector’s Edition Official Game Guide.


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Prima Games Staff
The staff at Prima Games.