Super Mario 3D World guide: power-ups and items

Become familiar with Mario’s tools of the trade.

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!

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.

Head back for the rest of our Super Mario 3D World guide.