Explanation of Power-Ups in Super Mario 3

Defensive Power-Ups

• Defensive power-ups are scattered throughout every level and should be used immediately. The "Super Mushroom" allows Mario to take an extra hit before dying. The "1UP Mushroom" provides another life. The "Starman" power-up is the most powerful. The player using "Starman" has complete invincibility for a brief time.

Offensive Power-Ups

• "Fire Flower" grants Mario the power to shoot fireballs at enemies and defeat most at a distance. "Kuribo's Shoe" is only found in level 3 of World 5. They let Mario destroy enemies simply by walking over them. The "Hammer Brother Suit" gives Mario the power to throw hammers at enemies just like his foes, the Hammer Brothers.

Travel Power-Ups

• "Super Leaf" gives Mario a raccoon tail. The player wearing it can fly after filling up a gauge at the bottom of the screen. "Magic Wing" is a limited power-up that lets Mario fly without the gauge, and "Tanooki Suit" grants the same boost while also helping the player hide from enemies. "Frog Suit" makes underwater levels far easier to navigate by eliminating the need to constantly press "B" to swim.

Rare Power-Ups

• Some power-ups grant special abilities beyond the standard defensive, offensive, and travel powers. The "Hammer" from the "Boomerang Brothers" is the only way to destroy some rocks that block some map routes. "Jugem's Cloud," which can only be obtained by jumping on "Lakitu's" cloud, is used to skip one level. The "Magic Whistle" found in Worlds 1 and 2 can teleport Mario to any new world on the map.