Top Ten List #2: Top Ten Most Useful Transformations

[Valigarmander]

It's that time of the week again. I hope you all can kill five minutes reading:

Week #2 (Week of 12-28-08)
Top Ten Most Useful Transformations

#10: Wing Mario (Super Mario 64)

Mario's first 3D flight took form in the cranial comfort of the Wing Cap. Produced from the various red !-Boxes, these items gave Mario the ability to fly upon performing a triple jump. While the flight controls are difficult to master, and it's difficult to gain any altitude, Wing Mario made getting around most levels a breeze, and was the only way to collect some of the game's most precariously-placed items.


#9: Mega Mario (New Super Mario Bros.)

Who's never wanted to grow to a colossal size and crush everything around them? Upon grabbing hold of a Mega Mushroom, Mario will grow as tall as the entire screen, and will be able to smash almost anything in his path, including bricks, enemies, and pipes. The amount of destruction caused determines how many 1-up Mushrooms you win at the end. While scarcely found in actual levels, there are many Toad Houses which offer up a Mega Mushroom for Mario to use at his whim.


#8: Rabbit Mario (Super Mario Land 2: The Golden Coins)

Eating a Carrot in Super Mario Land 2 would make mario sprout a pair of rabbit hears and turn him into Rabbit Mario. While not necessarily a flying power-up, it was in fact one of Mario's greatest recovery items. Use of it can allow Mario to hover mid-air, and move forward and backwards effortlessly. Nevertheless, it made exploring most levels a lot safer for our 8-bit friend.


#7: Bee Mario (Super Mario Galaxy)

While not one of Mario's most masculine disguises, it certainly was a useful one. Bee Mario, as one might have assumed, had all the powers of a bumble bee, including the ability to fly and climb on honeycomb walls. While downsides include limited offensive ability and susceptibility to all forms of water, Bee Mario was more than enough to get Mario where he needed to go.


#6: Metal Mario (Super Mario 64)

Another useful transformation from Super Mario 64, this turned Mario into a being of complete metal. While in his metallic form, Mario was able to walk and breathe underwater, and kill enemies just by touching them (oh, the irony). Not only that, but Metal Mario had the coolest power-up music from any Mario game. Heck yeah.


#5: Tanooki Mario (Super Mario Bros. 3)

The Tanooki Suit was essentially an upgrade of the Super Leaf in Super Mario Bros. 3. Not only did it grant Mario the power of flight, it also let him turn into a statue which would be ignored by passing enemies. He could also turn into a statue mid-air to perform a powerful stomp attack. While it was very rare to come by and only slightly improved from the Super Leaf, it was indeed one of the coolest items in the game.


#4: Cape Mario (Super Mario World)

The Cape Feather transformed Mario into the legendary Cape Mario. While caped, Mario is able to perform a Cape Spin attack, and upon running and jumping, flight. While mid-air, Mario can bob back and forth to stay afloat in the sky, or he could lean down and hit the ground with tremendous force, blasting every enemy on screen. This item became the trademark of Super Mario World and remains one of his most powerful transformations.


#3: Kuribo's Shoe (Super Mario Bros. 3)

Come on, who doesn't remember this? This strange item was one of the most useful and unique items in Super Mario Bros. 3. Stolen from a Goomba, Kuribo's Shoe allowed Mario to hop around unharmed by dangerous terrain and spikey enemies. It's definitely one of the coolest items in the game, but sadly it only appears in one level, and can't be taken with you. So sad, such a waste of an awesome item.


#2: Fire Mario (A lot of games)

The Fire Flower, first appearing in the original Super Mario Bros., gave Mario the ability to shoot fireballs at will, which would destroy most enemies on contact. The item would reappear in later mainstream games like Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Galaxy. In most later games, enemies hit with fireballs would even spout coins. Fire Mario is one of the most useful, awesome, and recognizeable power-ups in any game.


#1: Raccoon Mario (Super Mario Bros. 3)

Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced to the world the Super Leaf, which had the power to transform Mario into Raccoon Mario. With this newfound ability, Mario could spin his raccoon tail to tail-whip enemies, a strong alternative to just jumping on their heads. Tail-whipping could also be used to strike item blocks placed on the floor. But the best addition to Mario's abilities was the ability to fly. Unlike flying in most other Mario games, Raccoon Mario's flight was completely controllable. You're able to fly left and right, ascend and descend just as pleased. This item was far more common than the Tanooki Suit or the P-Wing, making it one of the most convenient and useful items in any Mario game. I'd say, the best ever.


That's all for now. Tune in next week.

[Luigiman7]

Originally Posted by Valigarmander

Metal Mario had the coolest power-up music from any Mario game. Heck yeah.

I agree. But the lack of Hammer Suit dissapoints me.

[Dizzy]

^This.

Also, why don't you have Flying Mario on there?

[X-3]

I agree with the #1 choice.

Flying Mario is a great power-up, but it is wasted in it's limited use. I mean, for crying out loud, hub-only?

[Luigiman7]

They should have a flying power that lets you bombard enemies on the ground with fire.

[Valigarmander]

^^ That part made me sad.

[Dr. Furball]

Heh. I thought this was gonna be about Wario Land at first.

Excellent list, although I would've switched the places of cape and raccoon. Nice to see that my favorite, Fire Mario got so high on the list.

[Stanley the Bugman]

Hmm... it all seems pretty good to me. Although, I think a regular Super Mushroom should be added to the list... I mean, going from regular ol' Mario to Super Mario is quite useful... especially when you only have like, 1 life left on 8-4...

[Vgfian]

^this

[Bomby]

waitnohammerbrosmariodamnyouval!