Editing Checkpoint Flag

{{item infobox
|image=[[File:CheckpointSM3DL.png|115px]]<br>Artwork of a Checkpoint Flag from ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]''
|first_appearance=''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#2006|2006]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury]]'' ([[List of games by date#2021|2021]])
|effect=Lets the player continue from the checkpoint after they lose a life
}}
A '''Checkpoint Flag''' (also known as a '''midway point''',<ref>''New Super Mario Bros.'' instruction booklet. Page 15.</ref><ref>''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' instruction booklet. Page 10.</ref> '''midway flag''',<ref>Knight, Michael. ''Nintendo DS'' Pocket Guide. Page 28.</ref> or '''Warp Flag'''<ref>Walsh, Doug, and Joe Epstein (2017). ''Super Mario Odyssey: Prima Collector's Edition Guide''. Page 93.</ref>) is a recurring object that signifies a [[checkpoint]] in several ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' games. Checkpoint Flags are similar to the [[Midway Gate]]s from ''[[Super Mario World]]''. If [[Mario]] (or any other player character) loses a life after touching a Checkpoint Flag, he restarts where the Checkpoint Flag is. If Mario is in his [[Small Mario|small form]], the flag almost always restores him to [[Super Mario (form)|Super Mario]]. When the player touches a Checkpoint Flag, they will be rewarded with 2,000 [[point]]s in some games.
==History==
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''New Super Mario Bros.''====
[[File:Midway_Point.PNG|frame|left]]
Midway points first appear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' as white flags with a picture of a [[Mushroom]] on them. They are visible on the touchscreen map only after Mario reaches a checkpoint zone (like in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''), although not all courses have checkpoints, such as [[Ghost House]]s. If Mario loses a life, he will restart the course from the checkpoint. However, if the player exits the course, plays another, then returns to said course, or gets a [[Game Over]], they will have to start from the beginning.

====''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''====
[[File:MidwayFlag.png|frame|left]]
Midway points reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''. In this game, they appear as black flags with [[Bowser]]'s symbol on them. The first character who touches a midway point changes the flag's design to their own (Mario and [[Luigi]]'s flags have the same colors and symbols as their caps (red with an "M" for Mario, green with an "L" for Luigi), and the [[Toad (species)|Toads]]' flags become their colors with their heads), and they gain 2000 points. Additionally, if a player character is in [[Small Mario|Small]] form when they touch the midway point, they are restored to Super form, similarly to the Midway Gates in ''[[Super Mario World]]''. Some courses, such as {{world-link|2|castle|World 2-Castle (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}} and the [[Ghost House]]s, do not have midway points.

If the character who touched the flag drops out of the multiplayer session after all players lose a life, the remaining players must start over from the beginning of the level. This is only possible with Luigi and the Toads, as Player 1 has to play as Mario and cannot drop out.
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====''Super Mario Galaxy 2''====
{{multiple image
|direction=horizontal
|footer=A Checkpoint Flag in ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'', before (left) and after being activated (right)
|width=150
|image1=SMG2 Unactivated Checkpoint Flag.png
|image2=SMG2 Activated Checkpoint Flag.png
}}
Checkpoint Flags make their 3D ''Super Mario'' game debut in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', replacing invisible checkpoints from [[Super Mario Galaxy|the previous game]]. Due to the game having a [[Health Meter|health meter]] and no score system, Checkpoint Flags merely save Mario's progress in the mission. Depending on which galaxy and mission the player is playing, there may be anywhere from one to several Checkpoint Flags positioned between the beginning and the end of the level. Some missions, such as [[The Perfect Run]], may not feature any Checkpoint Flags at all. In addition to having Checkpoint Flags activated by Mario or Luigi themselves walking into them, they can also be activated by the [[Co-Star Luma]] or by [[Yoshi]]'s tongue.

====''Super Mario 3D Land''====
Checkpoint Flags reappear in ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'' with a similar appearance as in ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'', acting similar to how they did in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' (as the game lacks a score system), and like before, some stages, like [[World 2-1 (Super Mario 3D Land)|World 2-1]], may not have Checkpoint Flags at all.

====''New Super Mario Bros. 2''====
Checkpoint Flags reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', acting as they do in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''. In [[Coin Rush]], touching the flag does not give points, but adds 50 or 100 seconds to the [[Time Limit|time limit]]. They also do not appear in every level of the game, like in [[Rainbow Course|Rainbow]], [[Ghost House]], and [[Warp Cannon]] Courses and [[World 6-A (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 6-A]].

====''New Super Mario Bros. U''====
[[File:NSMBUDX Unactivated Checkpoint Flag.jpg|left|thumb|70px|A Checkpoint Flag in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe]]'']]
Checkpoint Flags appear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'', acting as they did in prior 2D games. In the [[Coin Battle#New Super Mario Bros. U|Coin Battle]] mode, touching the Checkpoint Flag rewards the player ten coins. The hoist of the flag is now wrapped around the pole.
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====''Super Mario 3D World'' / ''Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury''====
[[File:CheckpointFlagSM3DW.jpg|thumb|125px|A Checkpoint Flag in ''Super Mario 3D World'']]
Checkpoint Flags reappear in ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' and its [[Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury|Nintendo Switch port]], with a revamped appearance based on the ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'' and ''Super Mario 3D Land'' ones, and acting as they did in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''. As in home console ''New Super Mario Bros.'' games, their color and emblem corresponds to the character who touched it. Mario and Luigi retain their flag designs, [[Princess Peach|Peach]] gets a pink flag with [[Peach's Crown|her crown]], [[Toad]] has a blue flag with his face, and [[Rosalina]]'s cyan-colored flag shows a [[Grand Star]]. If two players are in [[Small Mario|Small form]], and one carries the other and touches the Checkpoint Flag while doing so, both players will become their [[Super Mario (form)|Super forms]].<ref>supermario35th (March 4, 2021). [https://www.twitter.com/supermario35th/status/1367263522313408512 【３Ｄワールド】 コースの途中には、中間ポイントが設置されています。 2人がちび状態のときは、仲間を持ち上げて通過してみてください。一緒にパワーアップできますよ！ #スーパーマリオ3Dワールド #フューリーワールド]. ''Twitter''. Retrieved March 4, 2021. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220116092357/https://twitter.com/supermario35th/status/1367263522313408512 Archived] January 16, 2021, 09:23:57 UTC via Wayback Machine.)</ref>

====''Super Mario Maker'' / ''Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS''====
{{Multiframe|&nbsp;[[File:SMM-SMB-Checkpoint-Flag.png]]&nbsp;[[File:SMM-SMB-Checkpoint-Flag-Mario.png]][[File:SMM-SMB3-Checkpoint-Flag.png]][[File:SMM-SMB3-Checkpoint-Flag-2.png]][[File:SMM-SMW-Checkpoint-Flag.png]][[File:SMM-SMW-Checkpoint-Flag-2.png]]&nbsp;|Checkpoint Flags in ''Super Mario Maker''.|size=180|align=left}}
Checkpoint Flags are included in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'' in an update released on November 4, 2015, and return as a base element in ''[[Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS]]'', gaining new sprites for the ''Super Mario Bros.'', ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', and ''Super Mario World'' styles; they replace the [[Midway Gate]] in the latter style, despite the [[Giant Gate]] still being present. They also appear slightly smaller than in ''New Super Mario Bros. U''. They can be placed in a course by shaking an arrow sign, and like an arrow, can be rotated. If a Checkpoint Flag is placed in a level, then in addition to clearing the course normally, players must also be able to clear the course from the checkpoint to upload their levels. Two Checkpoint Flags can be placed per stage, one in the main area of the course and one in a sub-area.{{br|left}}

====''Super Mario Run''====
Checkpoint Flags appear in ''[[Super Mario Run]]'' in Toad Rally mode, having the same design as in the ''New Super Mario Bros.'' games. They are placed roughly halfway through the level, and whichever of the two players passes by the flag first earns 10 coins. Once one player activates it, it has no effect on the other player if they pass by it themselves. If the player activates it first, the flag will change into the current character's respective emblem. If the opponent activates it, the flag will turn gray with Bowser's emblem still on it. Unlike previous games, Checkpoint Flags do not turn Small Mario into Super Mario.

====''Super Mario Odyssey''====
[[File:SMO Odyssey Checkpoint.jpg|thumb|200px|The Odyssey's Checkpoint Flag in ''Super Mario Odyssey'']]
Checkpoint Flags make a reappearance in ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', providing a fast travel system. Every kingdom has multiple Checkpoint Flags (except the [[Dark Side]] and [[Darker Side]], which have none), and one also appears on the exterior of the [[Odyssey]]. When Mario touches one of them, the area's name is displayed, and Mario is able to travel directly to the location by selecting it on the map. Touching checkpoints also restores Mario's health, along with creating a [[bubble]] if it is underwater.

The color of the Checkpoint Flags' poles vary by kingdom, and correspond with the color of the kingdom's [[Power Moon]]. The Odyssey’s flagpole is always yellow, corresponding to either the [[Cap Kingdom]] or the [[Cascade Kingdom]].
{| style="text-align: center; width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="left"
|-
!width="1%"|Kingdom
!width="1%"|Color
!width="1%"|Image
|-
|[[Odyssey]]<br>[[Mushroom Kingdom (Super Mario Odyssey)|Mushroom Kingdom]]<br>[[Cap Kingdom]]<br>[[Cascade Kingdom]]<br>[[Cloud Kingdom]]<br>[[Lost Kingdom]]<br>[[Ruined Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|Yellow|#FFE000}}'''
|[[File:SMO Yellow Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Sand Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|Green|limegreen}}'''
|[[File:SMO Sand Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Lake Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|Pink|#fa8aad}}'''
|[[File:SMO Lake Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Wooded Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|Blue|blue}}'''
|[[File:SMO Wooded Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Metro Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|Brown|#dd8861}}'''
|[[File:Metro Checkpoint.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Snow Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|Orange|orange}}'''
|[[File:SMO Snow Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Seaside Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|Purple|#C453E0}}'''
|[[File:SMO Seaside Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Luncheon Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|Cyan|deepskyblue}}'''
|[[File:SMO Luncheon Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Bowser's Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|Red|#e64b4e}}'''
|[[File:SMO Bowsers Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|-
|[[Moon Kingdom]]
|'''{{color|Beige|#c6bc94}}'''
|[[File:SMO Moon Kingdom Checkpoint Flag.jpg|120px]]
|}
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====''Super Mario Maker 2''====
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=horizontal
|footer=A Checkpoint Flag in the ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' (left) and ''Super Mario 3D World'' (right) styles
|image1=SMM2-NSMBU-Checkpoint-Flag.png
|width1=55
|image2=SMM2-SM3DW-Checkpoint-Flag.png
|width2=70
}}
Checkpoint Flags reappear in ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]''; in the ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' style, the flag is triangular instead of rectangular to better fit with the other checkpoint appearances in other styles. Despite the addition of slopes, Checkpoint Flags can now only be set in four directions instead of eight, and they provide no power-up effect by default in Course Maker. Instead, each Checkpoint Flag can hold a specific power-up, such as a [[Fire Flower]] or [[Super Star]], whose effect will be provided when the player character activates the checkpoint.
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===''Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope''===
{{main|Teleport Flag}}
Objects similar to Checkpoint Flags, named Teleport Flags, appear in ''[[Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope]]'' in every planet except [[Cursa's stronghold]], used as a fast travel system.

==Profiles==
===''New Super Mario Bros.''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''When you reach a midway point on a course, a flag will appear on the action screen, and the midway point will appear on your progress bar. If you replay the course, you'll start from the midway point. However, if you play another course and then return to this course, you'll have to start from the beginning.''

===''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''Courses have flags at their midway points. When you pass a midway point, the image on the flag will change. Then, if you make a mistake and lose a life later in the course, you can start from the flag when you replay the course.''
**''<font color=chocolate>When you pass a flag, you will power up to Super Mario.</font>''
**''<font color=chocolate>Even if you've passed the midway point, if you play another course and return to this course, or if your game ends, you'll have to start over from the beginning.</font>''

===''Super Mario Galaxy 2''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''As you progress through a galaxy, you will eventually see a flag like the one to the right. Touching this flag changes it from a Bowser icon to a Mario icon, and if you lose a life, you will restart from this point until you finish or clear the level.''
**''Returning to the map or getting a game over will force you to restart the mission from the beginning.''

===''Super Mario 3D Land''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''If Mario touches a Checkpoint Flag during a course, you can try again from that point if you lose a life.''
**''<font color=blue>Note:</font> If Mario touches the Checkpoint Flag as Small Mario, he'll transform into his normal size.''
*'''European website bio:''' ''Touching a Checkpoint Flag allows you to continue your game from that point should you make a mistake.''

===''New Super Mario Bros. 2''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''Touch this flag to start at this point if Mario loses a life.''
**''If you play another course and then return to this course, you'll have to start from the beginning.''
**''If Small Mario touches a Checkpoint Flag, he will transform into Super Mario.''

===''New Super Mario Bros. U''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''Touching this will allow you to retry from this point after losing a life.''
**''If you enter a different course, you will lose your checkpoint in the current course.''
**''If you touch a Checkpoint Flag for the first time as Small Mario, you will transform into Super Mario™.''
**''There are no checkpoints in New Super Luigi U.''

===''Super Mario 3D World''===
*'''Instruction manual description:''' ''Once you touch a Checkpoint Flag, you'll be able to start from that point if you lose a life.''
**''If you enter a different course, you'll lose your checkpoint in the current course.''
**''When you touch a Checkpoint Flag as Small Mario, you will transform into Super Mario.''

===''Super Mario Maker''===
*'''[[Play Nintendo]]:<br>''Checkpoints'''<br>Tired of having to start hard levels over from the start? Checkpoint flags let players resume play at a select point rather than going back to the beginning, which should save a lot of hair-pulling during some of the more challenging courses!''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151030235135/http://play.nintendo.com/news-tips/news/super-mario-maker-new-software-update Super Mario Maker just got even more super]. ''Play Nintendo''. Archived October 30, 2015, 23:51:35 UTC via Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 5, 2020.</ref>

==Gallery==
{{more images|section=yes|Needs screenshots of Checkpoint Flags activated by all characters in ''Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury''}}
<gallery>
SMG2 Artwork Checkpoint Flag.png|Artwork from ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''
SMG2 Asset Sprite Checkpoint Flag.png|Sprite from ''Super Mario Galaxy 2''
SM3DW-MidwayFlagStamp.png|Stamp from ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]''
SMO Artwork Checkpoint Flag.png|Artwork from ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
SM3DW BF MidwayFlagStamp.png|Stamp from ''[[Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury]]''
SMB 35th Anniversary Lineup TVCM.jpg|A Japanese commercial promoting the [[Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary|''Super Mario Bros.'' 35th Anniversary]]
Lego SM-71418 Creativity Toolbox.png|[[LEGO Super Mario|LEGO ''Super Mario'']]
</gallery>

===''Super Mario Maker''===
<gallery>
SMM-SMW Checkpoint Flag.gif|Animation of an unactivated Checkpoint Flag in the ''Super Mario World'' style
SMM-SMW Checkpoint Flag 2.gif|Animation of an activated Checkpoint Flag in the ''Super Mario World'' style
SMM-NSMBU-Checkpoint-Flag.png|Sprite of an unactivated Checkpoint Flag in the ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' style
</gallery>

===''New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe''===
<gallery>
NSMBUDX Checkpoint Flag Mario.jpg|A Checkpoint Flag activated by [[Mario]]
NSMBUDX Checkpoint Flag Luigi.jpg|A Checkpoint Flag activated by [[Luigi]]
NSMBUDX Checkpoint Flag Yellow Toad.jpg|A Checkpoint Flag activated by [[Yellow Toad (New Super Mario Bros. series)|Yellow Toad]]
NSMBUDX Checkpoint Flag Blue Toad.jpg|A Checkpoint Flag activated by [[Blue Toad (character)|Blue Toad]]
NSMBUDX Checkpoint Flag Toadette.jpg|A Checkpoint Flag activated by [[Toadette]]
NSMBUDX Checkpoint Flag Nabbit.jpg|A Checkpoint Flag activated by [[Nabbit]]
</gallery>

===''Super Mario Maker 2''===
====''Super Mario Bros.'' style====
<gallery>
SMM2-SMB-Checkpoint-Flag.png|An unactivated Checkpoint Flag
SMM2-SMB-Checkpoint-Flag-Mario.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by [[Mario]]
SMM2-SMB-Checkpoint-Flag-Luigi.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by [[Luigi]]
SMM2-SMB-Checkpoint-Flag-Blue-Toad.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by [[Toad (species)|Toad]]
SMM2-SMB-Checkpoint-Flag-Toadette.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by [[Toadette]]
</gallery>

====''Super Mario Bros. 3'' style====
<gallery>
SMM2-SMB3-Checkpoint-Flag.png|An unactivated Checkpoint Flag
SMM2-SMB3-Checkpoint-Flag-Mario.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Mario
SMM2-SMB3-Checkpoint-Flag-Luigi.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Luigi
SMM2-SMB3-Checkpoint-Flag-Blue-Toad.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Toad
SMM2-SMB3-Checkpoint-Flag-Toadette.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Toadette
</gallery>

====''Super Mario World'' style====
<gallery>
SMM2-SMW-Checkpoint-Flag.png|An unactivated Checkpoint Flag
SMM2-SMW-Checkpoint-Flag.gif|An unactivated Checkpoint Flag
SMM2-SMW-Checkpoint-Flag-Mario.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Mario
SMM2-SMW Checkpoint Flag Mario.gif|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Mario
SMM2-SMW-Checkpoint-Flag-Luigi.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Luigi
SMM2-SMW Checkpoint Flag Luigi.gif|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Luigi
SMM2-SMW-Checkpoint-Flag-Blue-Toad.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Toad
SMM2-SMW Checkpoint Flag Toad.gif|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Toad
SMM2-SMW-Checkpoint-Flag-Toadette.png|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Toadette
SMM2-SMW Checkpoint Flag Toadette.gif|A Checkpoint Flag activated by Toadette
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap={{hover|中間|ちゅうかん}}ポイント<ref>[https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NTR/JPN/A2DJ/A2DJ_J.pdf ''New Super Mario Bros.'' Japanese instruction booklet]. Page 15. ''nintendo.net''. Retrieved August 31, 2022.</ref>
|JapR=Chūkan Pointo
|JapM=Middle Point
|ChiS=中间点
|ChiSR=Zhōngjiān Diǎn
|ChiSM=Middle Point
|ChiT=中間點
|ChiTR=Zhōngjiān Diǎn
|ChiTM=Middle Point
|Dut=Checkpointvlag <small>(''Super Mario Odyssey'')</small><br>Halverwegepunt
|DutM=Checkpoint Flag<br>Halfway point
|Fra=Drapeau relais<br>Point de mi-parcours<br>Drapeau de mi-chemin<ref>''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' instruction booklet. Page 32.</ref>
|FraM=Relay flag<br>Mid-term point<br>Halfway Flag
|Ger=Rücksetzpunkt<br>Halbzeitflagge
|GerM=Reset Point<br>Midway Flag
|Ita=Punto intermedio<br>Tappa intermedia <small>(''New Super Mario Bros.'')</small>
|ItaM=Intermediate point<br>Intermediate stop
|PorA=Bandeirinha
|PorAM=Little Flag
|PorE=Ponto de Controlo
|PorEM=Control Point
|Rom=Steag de punct de control<ref>[https://www.lego.com/ro-ro/product/creativity-toolbox-maker-set-71418 Set de creator Cutia de unelte pentru creativitate § Specificații]. ''lego.com'' (Romanian). Retrieved January 10, 2023. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20230107021847/https://www.lego.com/ro-ro/product/creativity-toolbox-maker-set-71418 Archived] January 7, 2023, 02:18:47 UTC via Wayback Machine.)</ref>
|RomM=Control point flag
|Rus=Контрольный флаг
|RusR=Kontrol'nyy flag
|RusM=Checkpoint flag
|Spa=Banderín de etapa
|SpaM=Stage pennon
}}

==References==
<references/>

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