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Dark Seraphim · 12-12-2009, 06:20 PM

Tanooki Suit

First Appearance: Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988)
Latest Appearance: Same

The Tanooki Suit, as well as the Power Leaf its based off of, is one of my favorite power-ups in the Mario franchise! Simply enough, the Tanooki Suit is an upgrade from the Raccoon Leaf previously found in the game, it offers all the same powers as the Raccoon Leaf, but with an extra twist and a new look!

Like the Power Leaf, Tanooki Mario is given the ability to fly by running at high speeds and jumping, wagging (or spinning) his tail to elevate. This is Mario's only way of flying in Super Mario Bros. 3 and its a very useful way to get around, sometimes being able to skip huge chunks of a level just by flying over it, or finding special hidden secrets that would normally be impossible to get. In addition to flight, Tanooki Mario is also able to press down+B to become a heavy statue (based on the Ksh1tigarbha, I had to censor the word because the forum reads there being a naughty word in the middle), which not only gives Mario the chance to hide and confuse enemies who will simply walk passed him, but if timed right, can actually be used over normally unkillable enemies (like Thwomps) and land on them, killing them.

FUN FACT: The Power Wing, another of the Power Leaf's upgrades, can actually be used in conjunction with the Tanooki Suit, giving you access to both extra powers at once!

Sadly, after Super Mario Bros. 3 the Tanooki Suit is never heard of again, except for direct remakes of SMB3 on the Gameboy and Virtual Console. However, in more recent games the concept of the Tanooki can still be seen occasionally. In Super Mario Sunshine there is a race of creatures named the Tanooki that make a small appearance in the game, and in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga there are the Tanoombas, a race of Tanooki-Goomba hybrids. However a direct reappearance of the Tanooki Suit has yet to be seen, but here's hoping eventually Mario will take up the ringtail again!

ONE MORE FUN FACT: in Sonic 2, the character of Miles "Tails" Prowler was originally going to be a Tanuki, however, afraid of a direct accusation of stealing Nintendo's Tanooki Mario, they changed the character from a Tanuki to a Kitsune (Fox)!

Item of the Week #1: Hammer
Item of the week #2: Boo Mushroom
Item of the Week #3: Metal Cap

12-12-2009, 06:20 PM	#1
Dark Seraphim Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Gender: Posts: 431 Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Item of the Week #4 Tanooki Suit First Appearance: Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988) Latest Appearance: Same The Tanooki Suit, as well as the Power Leaf its based off of, is one of my favorite power-ups in the Mario franchise! Simply enough, the Tanooki Suit is an upgrade from the Raccoon Leaf previously found in the game, it offers all the same powers as the Raccoon Leaf, but with an extra twist and a new look! Like the Power Leaf, Tanooki Mario is given the ability to fly by running at high speeds and jumping, wagging (or spinning) his tail to elevate. This is Mario's only way of flying in Super Mario Bros. 3 and its a very useful way to get around, sometimes being able to skip huge chunks of a level just by flying over it, or finding special hidden secrets that would normally be impossible to get. In addition to flight, Tanooki Mario is also able to press down+B to become a heavy statue (based on the Ksh1tigarbha, I had to censor the word because the forum reads there being a naughty word in the middle), which not only gives Mario the chance to hide and confuse enemies who will simply walk passed him, but if timed right, can actually be used over normally unkillable enemies (like Thwomps) and land on them, killing them. FUN FACT: The Power Wing, another of the Power Leaf's upgrades, can actually be used in conjunction with the Tanooki Suit, giving you access to both extra powers at once! Sadly, after Super Mario Bros. 3 the Tanooki Suit is never heard of again, except for direct remakes of SMB3 on the Gameboy and Virtual Console. However, in more recent games the concept of the Tanooki can still be seen occasionally. In Super Mario Sunshine there is a race of creatures named the Tanooki that make a small appearance in the game, and in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga there are the Tanoombas, a race of Tanooki-Goomba hybrids. However a direct reappearance of the Tanooki Suit has yet to be seen, but here's hoping eventually Mario will take up the ringtail again! ONE MORE FUN FACT: in Sonic 2, the character of Miles "Tails" Prowler was originally going to be a Tanuki, however, afraid of a direct accusation of stealing Nintendo's Tanooki Mario, they changed the character from a Tanuki to a Kitsune (Fox)! Item of the Week #1: Hammer Item of the week #2: Boo Mushroom Item of the Week #3: Metal Cap Last edited by Dark Seraphim; 12-12-2009 at 06:30 PM.