Editing Fourth wall

Sometimes, characters from the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]] perform an action that implies that they are aware that they are fictional characters. This is known as breaking the '''{{wp|fourth wall}}''', a phrase originating from stageplays. Because traditional {{wp|Box set (theatre)|box set}} stages have a wall at the back and another on each side, an imaginary "fourth wall" at the front turns the stage, and thereby the world of the story, into an enclosed space separate from the audience. The term is used, in many forms of media even beyond theater, to refer to a separation between the fictional characters and setting, and the work of fiction as it is experienced by the audience. As such, when the former acknowledges the latter, the metaphorical fourth wall is broken.

'''''Note:''' Video games frequently break the fourth wall in order to address the player with directions (e.g. "Press B to jump"). These instances are not to be recorded here, unless the characters otherwise show awareness that they are in a video game due to the remark.''

==History==

===[[Super Mario (series)|''Super Mario'' series]]===

====''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''====

[[File:SMAS LL World 9-4 Thank You Screenshot.png|thumb|250px|アリガトウ！, the message.]]

In the final level of [[World 9 (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World 9]], [[World 9-4 (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels)|World 9-4]], groups of tile blocks can be found spelling out "アリガトウ！" (''Arigato!'', meaning "Thank You" in Japanese). Also, the opening of World 9-1 features a message saying "WE PRESENT FANTASY WORLD. LET'S TRY '9' WORLD WITH ONE GAME.", and the [[Game Over]] screen for World 9 has a message saying "YOU'RE A SUPER PLAYER! WE HOPE WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN. MARIO & STAFF."

[[File:SMW You are a super player.png|thumb|240px|The "YOU ARE A SUPER PLAYER!!" message at the end of Funky in ''Super Mario World'']]

After the [[Yoshi's Egg]]s hatch during the ending sequence, the words "THANK YOU" appear as Mario gives the V for victory sign to the player while Princess Toadstool (or Peach in the GBA remake) waves to the player. At the end of the remake, ''[[Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2]]'', there is no text, though the princess still waves at the player and Mario and [[Luigi]] still flash the peace sign. In the last level of the [[Special Zone]], [[Funky (level)|Funky]], a group of coins spells out the phrase "YOU ARE A SUPER PLAYER!!" near the end of the level. In the Japanese version, the "A" is absent.

 

In the two versions, after Bowser is defeated in [[Bowser in the Sky]], he exclaims, "''C'mon, troops! Let's watch the ending together! Gwa ha ha!''" Additionally, if Mario retrieves all 120 or 150 Power Stars and then defeats Bowser, he says, "''Just you wait until next time. Until then, keep that Control Stick smokin'! Bwaa ha ha!''" In the case of ''Super Mario 64 DS'', Bowser mentions the Touch Screen instead of the Control Stick, as the [[Nintendo DS]] does not feature a control stick; in the ''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]'' version of ''Super Mario 64'', he specifically refers to the L Stick.

After the end credits in both versions, Mario is heard saying, "''Thank you so much-a for-to playing my game!''" He uses the same phrase in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', and ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', though he removes the "-a" from "much" and the "to" from "for."

In the N64 version, after Mario collects all 120 Stars, shoots to the top of the castle, and talks to Yoshi, he gives Mario the following message: "''Thanks for playing Super Mario 64! This is the end of the game, but not the end of the fun. We want you to keep on playing, so we have a little something for you. We hope you like it! Enjoy! --The Super Mario 64 Team''" This is followed by Mario's lives counter going up to 100 and getting an enhanced triple jump.

In the case of ''Super Mario 64 DS'', upon closing the [[Nintendo DS]] while playing, Mario says "''Buh-bye!''" to the player, after which the system goes into standby. When the system is opened, he says "''It's-a me, Mario!''" This also happens in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]''

When the player defeats the [[King Bob-omb|Big Bob-omb]] in [[Bob-omb Battlefield]], the Big Bob-omb says, "''Just select this Star from the menu.''"

In ''Super Mario 64 DS'', if the player talks to [[Koopa the Quick]] after a race, he tells the player, "''If you want to race me again, come back later. All you have to do is press START to pause and then select Exit Course.''"

 

After Mario defeats Bowser and Bowser Jr. or enters [[Corona Mountain]] for the first time, a certain yellow [[Pianta]] in [[Delfino Plaza]] ponders whether the game is over and expresses his hopes of something else happening when Mario talks to him.

In the intro, when Mario is hit by the green shell, the words "Super Mario Bros." fall from the sky. A few seconds later, [[Small Mario]] runs near it, notices it is misaligned, and jumps to hit the words and straighten them, also causing "New" to appear next to "Super". This only happens after waiting a few seconds on the title screen.

After the end credits, the Touch Screen shows [[Bowser Jr.]] dragging his unconscious father back to [[Bowser's Castle|their home]]. Bowser Jr. looks to the camera and threateningly growls at the player. He then resumes dragging Bowser.

Similar to ''Super Mario 64 DS'', Mario also says "Buh-bye!" to the player when closing the [[Nintendo DS]]. He also says "It's-a me! Mario!" when the player opens the DS and resumes the game, similar to the opening title screen in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and similar to that in [[Super Mario 64 DS|its remake]].

The enemies and power-ups do a small dance when there is a little "[[Paah]]" vocal (or a windchime when underwater) in the music, such as Goombas jumping up in the air and Koopa Troopas turning to the screen for a split second and rocking their fists.

====''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''====

Much like the ending to ''Super Mario 64'', after the credits roll, Mario or Luigi says "''Thank you so much for playing my game''" (Luigi, however, removes the "so much" part of the sentence). When 120 Power Stars are collected, after Mario or Luigi thanked the player, Rosalina also thanks the player and says  "''I will watch over you from beyond the stars.''"

====''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''====

In the credits, the players play a minigame where they break blocks to earn coins. These blocks have the credits written on them. If less than four players are playing, the characters not controlled will dance to the music.

The enemies still do a dance to the "Paah" vocals in the music, along with the items and flowers bouncing and blooming to the beat. Also, when underwater, the [[Cheep Cheep]]s do a spin whenever there is a windchime in the music and [[Dry Bones]] rotate their head when a xylophone sound plays in the [[Tower|fortresses]].

If the player's [[Wii#Wii Remote|Wii Remote]] batteries are low, and they talk to [[Lubba]], he warns the player about the batteries running out in a dangerous place. He frequently makes these kinds of references, such as suggesting that the player go to bed when it is late, or to turn off the game after a certain playing time, especially after getting a [[Game Over]], or tell the player to take a break before playing again. Additionally, if the player plays the game at an early time, [[Lubba]] says he is sleepy and that it is rather late to be adventuring.

Sometimes, when the player gets [[Extra life|extra lives]] while there are either two or three save files in the game, [[Mailtoad]] says "''So this person you share a special bond... Could it be someone from another save file?''".

If the player has 70 to 120 [[Power Star]]s, then at the end of the credits, Mario says "''Thank you so much for playing my game''", much like in the previous game and ''Super Mario 64'' and ''Super Mario 64 DS''. When playing as Luigi, he says the same thing as its predecessor.

If the player gets a [[Game Over]] or goes to a [[world]] for the first time, [[Lubba]] speaks to the player.

Before the final battle in [[World 8-Bowser: Part 2]], as the floor beneath him and [[Mario]] begins to crack, [[Bowser]] looks at the player with a worried look.

In [[Special 8-Crown]], a group of [[Flip Panel (platform)|Flip Panel]]s near the end activate to spell out the phrase "THANK YOU!!" similar to other thanking messages in ''Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels'' and ''Super Mario World''.

[[File:Roy on a D.png|thumb|left|Roy's tail on the letter "D"]]

Near the end of the game intro, [[Ludwig|Ludwig von Koopa]] uses his [[magic wand]] to make the title and multiple [[coin]]s fall from the sky. This only happens when watching the intro after a few seconds on the title screen.  

In the credits, [[Roy|Roy Koopa]] hangs off the D of EAD with his tail.  

After Bowser's battle in the [[Gold Classics Pack|Gold Classics]] [[Coin Rush]] pack, many coins form the sentence "THANK YOU!!" once again.  

The enemies still do a dance at the "Paah" vocals.

====''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'' / ''[[New Super Luigi U]]'' / ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe]]''====

[[File:NSMBU Mario Looking at the Player.png|thumb|250px|Early screenshot showing Mario staring at the screen.]]

On the title screen, the characters ground pound to make the title and two [[Super Acorn]]s appear.  

During a level, if any of the characters are left idle when the player does not pause the game, after a certain amount of time, they will turn and stare at them.  

The enemies still do a dance to the vocals in the music. [[Baby Yoshi]]s have an added choir to all the music that they mouth to.

In the credits, the characters not being played dance to the music, and when a character being played runs near the credit letters, they spin around.

====''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' / ''[[Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury]]''====

When the player starts up the game, [[Mario]], [[Luigi]], [[Princess Peach]], and [[Toad]] yell out the game's name, followed by one of them saying, "Meow!", along with [[Rosalina]] if the player has unlocked her.  

The flowers and bushes move along to the music.<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1XoHPJSAbQ|author=Mankalor|date=June 15, 2014|title=''Super Mario 3D World'' - More Details You May Not Have Noticed|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=June 26, 2024|language=en}}</ref>

The green [[Sprixie Princesses|Sprixie Princess]] waves to the screen near the end of the credits scene.

Upon completion of [[Bowser's Lava Lake Keep]] for the first time, once the transition occurs, shortly after, Bowser's voice can be heard as he pulls back the transition to reveal that he has captured the Sprixies once more.

At the end of [[Champion's Road]] is a series of [[Clear Pipe]]s forming the message "THANK YOU!!" just before the [[Goal Pole]] area.

During the credits for ''Bowser's Fury'', [[Bowser Jr.]] appears and hums to the music. He waves to the player before he leaves.

====''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''====

Like the previous game, when the player starts up the game, Mario yells out the game's name.

In the E3 demo for ''Super Mario Odyssey'', a [[New Donker]] says, "We'll have to wait for the full game to go any further."<ref>{{cite|language=en|author=Nintendo World Report TV|date=June 21, 2017|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA6wrwwbggc&t=265|timestamp=04:25|title=''Super Mario Odyssey'' Finding Pauline's Band (E3 2017)|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref>

 

The Mario 64 Cap and Outfit could possibly be considered a fourth wall break, as it is a reference to the polygonal textures used in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', where the outfit originated. Additionally, the Toad blocking the doorway to the Courtyard room in the Mushroom Kingdom states that he misses "Mario's blocky polygonal look", which also refers to the block like textures used in said game.

 

In a similar vein to the Mario 64 Cap and Outfit, the 8-Bit Mario Cap could possibly also be considered a fourth wall break as well, as it is a reference to the sprites used in ''Super Mario Bros.'', which was the outfit's origin.

 

In the [[Darker Side]], a series of power lines that Mario must travel across by [[capture|capturing]] a [[spark pylon]] spell out the message "THANK YOU" just before the [[Warp Pipe]] that leads Mario to the area containing the "[[Long Journey's End]]" [[Multi Moon]].

 

After the credits that appear after the player completes the main game, Mario says, "Thank you so much for playing my game!" like several other games in the series.

 

====''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]''====

 

*If the player turns off their voice in the menu, a flower will exclaim, ''"Oh! Was it something I said?"''

*In the [[Badge House in Pipe-Rock Plateau]], one of the Talking Flowers instructs the player on how to use the [[Badge (Super Mario Bros. Wonder)#Action Badges|Parachute Cap badge]] by saying "''Press {{button|switch|R}} in midair!''" before commenting "''What is {{button|switch|R}}, anyway?''"

 

The final area is [[Novato]] in 1993 (1994 in the ''Deluxe'' re-release), where the game itself is being developed. [[Bowser]] had used the [[timulator]] to steal the [[Floppy Disk]] containing the final version of the game in an attempt to prevent the game from ever existing so that Mario cannot stop him. Mario encounters several of the game's developers, including [[David Grenewetzki]], [[Andrew Iverson]], [[Don Lloyd]], and [[Jeff Griffeath]], and helps them finish development of the game, eventually returning the Floppy Disk to David Grenewetzki so that the game can be released.

 

===''[[Hotel Mario]]''===

During the intro of the game, after [[Mario]] says that they must find [[Princess Peach|Princess Toadstool]], [[Luigi]] points to the screen and says "''And you gotta help us!''" In turn, Mario says "''If you need instructions on how to get through the hotels, check out the enclosed instruction book.''"

 

Throughout the other cutscenes of the game, Mario and Luigi continue to speak with the player. These lines include Luigi saying "''Looks can be deceiving when Koopas are involved''" whilst facing the screen, and Mario saying "''Remind me to check''", "''You know what they say, all toasters toast toast''", "''Get the hint?''", and "''Be careful! When you pinch [[Wendy]]'s [[Penny (enemy)|pennies]], they pinch back''" whilst facing the screen.

 

At the end of the game, after Princess Toadstool thanks Mario and Luigi for saving her, she turns to the screen and thanks the player as well. Mario, Luigi, and Princess Toadstool then all wave to the player while saying "''You're the best player ever!''"

HM Luigi.png|"And you gotta help us!"

HM Ending.png|"You're the best player ever!"

 

After Mario and [[Mallow]] join [[Geno]] while he is fighting [[Bowyer]], Bowyer retorts that a three-on-one fight is not fair. To compensate for this, the Y, X, and A buttons of the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] controller appear in front of him. Bowyer then fires an [[Aero]] at one of the buttons, which effectively locks the ability to use that button's commands (magic, items, or attacks). Only one button can ever be locked at once, although Bowyer continually fires Aeroes at the buttons every few turns until he is defeated. This also happens when fighting [[Machine Made]] copies of Bowyer.

 

Upon defeating [[Culex]], he mentions that "Perhaps in another time, another game, [he and Mario] may have been mortal enemies...", which also references how Culex parodies bosses from the ''Final Fantasy'' franchise.

During the ending sequence, there is a scene where Mario, Princess Toadstool, Yoshi, Toad, and the [[Chancellor]] wave at the player, with the words "''THANK YOU''" displayed at the top of the screen. The scene ends as the camera irises out on Mario, who then winks at the player.

In [[Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)|the Nintendo Switch remake]], [[Guerrilla]]'s Thought Peek quote, "Don't confuse me with [[Donkey Kong|someone else]]!", is changed to "I am a work of fiction. Any resemblance to preexisting apes is purely coincidental." This is a more accurate translation of their thought quote in the Japanese version of the original game.

SMRPG Dodo OoB.png|thumb|Dodo beyond the room's boundaries

MarioRPGEndingScreen.png|The ending screen

===[[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]]===

====''[[Mario Kart 64]]''====

After the credits, [[Mario]] says, "Hey, you're very good! See you next time!"

====''[[Mario Kart 7]]''====

[[File:MK7 endscreen.png|thumb|The ending screen of ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', with all of the characters.]]

After the credits, Mario shouts "Thanks for playing! Way to go!" or "Thanks for playing! You're the best! Ha ha!" depending on how much the player has progressed during the game, and the default characters or all of the characters wave to the player, including their own [[Mii]].

====''[[Mario Kart 8]]''====

Mario yells out the game's name when the game starts; additionally, Mario has the chance to say "Start your engines!", followed by Toad saying, "Let's go!" After playing the ''Mario Kart 8'' demo, Mario also says, "Hey! Thanks for playing!"

In {{classic-link|N64|Toad's Turnpike}}, trucks with ''Mario Kart 8'' on the back and sides can be seen.

While in [[Mario Kart TV]], the player can tap on the [[Mii]]s to elicit an annoyed response from them.

Additionally, some tracks feature posters of the ''Mario Kart 8'' box art.

===[[Mario Golf (series)|''Mario Golf'' series]]===

====[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|''Mario Golf'' (Nintendo 64)]]====

At the end of the game's intro, [[Wario]]'s voice is heard quietly saying, "''It should've been called Wario Golf. ...You're gonna love it!''"

====''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]''====

Most celebrations have the characters facing the screen at the end of each hole. For example, if [[Waluigi]] gets an [[eagle]] or better, he dances and spins all across the green until he points to the player, turning around upon realizing he is pointing the wrong way. Prior to the opening, Wario and Waluigi hold up signs for both [[Nintendo]] and [[Camelot Software Planning|Camelot]], respectively. This also occurs at the start of ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]''.

This is done in the same manner as in the previous game. For example, if [[Bowser]] gets an eagle or better, he runs to the screen and [[Fire Breath|breathes fire]], or punches the screen if he gets a [[List of golfing terms#Bogey|bogey]] or worse.

[[Birdo]] breaks the fourth wall by kissing the screen if she gets an eagle or better, or shoots eggs at the screen if she gets worse than a bogey. [[Yoshi]] breaks the fourth wall by turning into an egg and rolling into the screen if he gets worse than a bogey. [[Bowser Jr.]] breaks the fourth wall by using his [[magic brush]] to paint the screen if he gets an eagle, albatross, hole in one, or bogey.

===[[Paper Mario (series)|''Paper Mario'' series]]===

In every game except ''Super Paper Mario'', Mario would turn to the camera and give a thumbs up pose.

====''[[Paper Mario]]''====

[[File:PM Paper Bowser Sequel.png|thumb|left|The Koopa Bros.' "Paper Bowser" quote]]

[[File:PM Jr Troopa Fourth Wall.png|thumb|Jr. Troopa noticing his depleted HP]]

While Mario is fighting [[Bowser???]], the [[Koopa Bros.]] try to lower his confidence by telling him that the phony Bowser is invincible. One of the lines they say is "''The sequel should be called Paper Bowser!''"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*[[Vivian]]: "''Maybe I'm missing something... Are you talking to no one?''"

Frankly then yells at them, saying to disregard it as he continues. Later during the chapter, [[Lord Crump]] (under his alias, "Four Eyes") tells the player that they had better not tell Mario who he really is, though it is impossible to even use Mario to attack him until the end of the chapter. This line was also changed in the [[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch)|remake]] to mention a screen instead of a TV.

 

 

After [[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door#Chapter 6: 3 Days of Excess|Chapter 6]], when Bowser makes it to [[Rawk Hawk]]'s secret training facility, Rawk Hawk appears. As soon as he appears, he points at the camera insultingly asking the player if they forgot him. If the player returns to the [[Excess Express]], a young [[Toad (species)|Toad]] appears in Cabin 007. Should the player talk to him, he asks Mario a quiz: "''What did [[Bowser]] nab in the last [[Paper Mario]]''?" The options are "The Star Cookie", "The [[Star Rod (Paper Mario)|Star Rod]]", and "Someone's Lunch".

 

In the [[Palace of Shadow]], if Mario allows the [[Dry Bones]] to force him to the center of the room, Mario's partner warns him that the floor will swallow them up. If Mario does not move to prevent this, his partner screams that they are doomed. If [[Yoshi Kid]] is Mario's partner at the time, he says, "''Awww, game over, man! WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAA!''" However, this one may be a reference to a famous line from ''{{wp|Aliens (film)|Aliens}}''.

 

Several characters, the first one being [[Bestovius]], refer to a certain button when explaining how to perform an action. When Mario asks what they mean by pressing that certain button, the [[List of characters|character]] assures them not to worry, and that the great being that watches them (the player) will know what it means. For example, when encountered, [[Thoreau]] says: "''What's this {{button|wii|1}}, you say? You need not worry. The great being that watches us will know what it is.''" However, during [[Garson]]'s story "Stylish Moves," he states that Mario can perform one by shaking the Wii Remote; when Mario asks what the remote is, Garson replies, "''What? What's a {{button|wii|Wiimote}}? ...Don't worry. As long as the player gets it, we're fine,''" outright stating the existence of the player rather than alluding to them.

Before fighting him in [[The Bitlands|Chapter 3-1]], [[Bowser]] shouts to Mario, "''No more sequels!''" and that he will finish him off, describing himself as "''Grade A, 100% prime-cut final boss.''" Later, during [[Fort Francis|Chapter 3-4]], the last option for Princess Peach on the [[Swoon.exe]] results in her angrily demanding to know who is picking these answers for her.

The [[Sammer Guy]] [[List of Sammer Guys#Mystical Whistle|Mystical Whistle]] claims that no one can beat him without using hacks, a reference to players who use cheat codes and devices to make games easier. Another Sammer Guy named [[List of Sammer Guys#Invisible Brock|Invisible Brock]] claims that no one could find him without using a game guide.

[[The Underwhere]] itself is a break in the fourth wall, because its inhabitants say that their game had ended. As with the rest of the series, death is referred to as getting a game over.

During the introduction, after [[Bowser]] wears the [[Royal Sticker]], a [[Toad (species)|Toad]] can be seen stuck on the top-left corner of the screen for a few seconds before flying away.

If the player refuses to hear the [[Battle Spin]] tutorial four times, [[Kersti]] says "You know what? Forget you! Here--pick one of these answers so we can move on." The resulting answers are "Yes" and "Yeah", forcing the player to do the tutorial anyway.

When [[Mario]] uses a [[Slaphammer]] sticker and manages to do a "Nice" move or better, the enemy is flung in the air, and crash into the screen. This also happens with Mario when [[Bowser]] slaps him in the final phase of his fight.

When Mario uses any cutting Thing sticker in battle, it attacks by cutting the screen to pieces.

During a battle against a [[Snifit]] or a [[Shy Guy]], after the player's turn of 3 stickers ends, they might attack by shoving away the last attack panel; this forces the player to use only one sticker during their next turn, and Shy Guys and Snifits can do this repeatedly until there is only one attack panel.

In [[The Enigmansion]], when Mario is about to fight [[Big Boo]], the whole environment pauses as soon as Kamek passes by the screen, and resumes playing after leaving.

If Mario runs away from the fight with [[Bowser Jr.]] during [[Bowser Jr.'s Flotilla]], he proclaims himself final boss.

====''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]''====

[[File:PMCS Huey fourth wall.png|thumb|Huey breaks the fourth wall after he saves Mario.]]

Certain Thing Cards break the fourth wall when used in battle:

*When the Fan Thing Card is used, all of the enemies fly into the screen before falling.

*When the Turnip Thing Card is used, it slices the screen to pieces, much like the cutting Things in the previous games.

*When the Washing Machine Thing Card is used, the screen is rolled up and placed in the machine, which proceeds to wash it.

When [[Huey]] realizes that the red [[Mini Paint Star ]] in [[Ruddy Road]] has lost most of its color, he exclaims, "What in [[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels|The Lost Levels]] is going on here?"

At [[the Crimson Tower]], after Morton breaks the bridge, Mario can get advice from [[Huey]]. He says, "Morton broke the floor, so we can't get to the top! I wish life was a video game. Then we could just press {{button|wiiu|y}} to make a staircase appear!"

Before Mario falls in [[Kiwano Temple]], [[Huey]] saves him and says that Mario would have seen the [[Game Over]] screen if not for him.

When Mario fights a [[Slurp Snifit|Blue Slurp Snifit]] in battle, one of the things it says is "This is not a game!" due to the game itself having goofy humor.

On [[Vortex Island]], a purple Toad wants to reach the [[Save Block]] behind a metal pole. He is worried and resists the urge to "power off," and goes to save his progress once Mario hammers down the pole.

In ''[[Snifit or Whiffit]]'' at the [[Cobalt Base]], the [[Snifit]] warns Mario that making a mistake in the Bonus Round gives him an instant Game Over and the save file will disappear forever. Shortly after he says this, he says he is just kidding about the disappearing save file, but is serious about the instant Game Over in the Bonus Round.

[[File:PMCS Mustard Cafe Mario jail.png|thumb|A Snifit in the [[Snifit Undersand Hideout]] breaking the fourth wall.]]

Underneath the [[Mustard Café]], a yellow Snifit throws Mario in jail and threatens him not to escape before realizing that they cannot do anything other than throwing him in jail without changing the age rating of the game.

[[File:PMCS Larry fourth wall.png|left|thumb|Larry breaks the fourth wall.]]

If Mario runs away from Larry and comes back, Larry says, "The Sunset Express and the Big Paint Star both belong to me! But if you're really itching to see that Game Over screen, come at me!"

When Mario repaints a green [[Toad (species)|Toad]] at the beginning of [[Mossrock Theater]], the Toad says that the forest is creepy. He continues, "I mean, just listen to this music!" referring to the music in the level.

After the green [[Big Paint Star]] is collected and the final memory is seen, Huey says that the game's events would not have happened if a "no mixing colors" sign was put next to the Prisma Fountain.

When the player beats the game, the Toad with the ''[[Prisma Times]]'' in [[Port Prisma]] says "Prisma Fountain Restored! Game Beaten! Not sure what "game beaten" means, but would you like to watch the Prisma Splash parade again?"

====''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]''====

[[File:PMTOK Bowser fourth wall.png|thumb|Bowser breaks the fourth wall in ''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]'']]

If Mario tries to go through the locked door on the right of Peach's Castle, Bowser mentions that there is probably nothing on the other side and they should patch the rest of the castle in, referring to the developers of the game.

In Toad Town, if Mario is attacked by the Paper Macho Goomba with a Shy Guy stuck in it, the Shy Guy says, "Don’t get a game over before you save me!"

After Mario defeats [[Colored Pencils]], he states that Mario is better when he was a side-scroller.

If Mario constantly refuses to allow [[Bob-omb (Paper Mario: The Origami King)|Bob-omb]] to join the party in the Toad Tram, Olivia states they will never reach [[Autumn Mountain]] at this rate, urging the player to let Bob-omb join in order to progress with the game.

Before the performances in [[Shogun Studios]], one of the rules that [[Rubber Band]] states is that opening the menu while on stage is prohibited. This also happens with the [[Shangri-Spa Toad]] statue at [[Scuffle Island]].

Moments after [[Bowser Jr.]] gets deprived of his color and energy at the [[Spring of Jungle Mist]], [[Kamek]] will react with a blank text box, then state that he was so shocked that all of the color drained from his "typeface" just then.

Just before the second phase of [[King Olly]]'s boss fight, Bowser (just after being folded into a giant origami sumo wrestler by Olivia) declares to show the former how a "real final boss fights".

===[[Mario Party (series)|''Mario Party'' series]]===

====''[[Mario Party]]''====

On [[Peach's Birthday Cake]], landing on a Happening Space and purchasing a Strawberry Seed for 30 coins to grow a Piranha Plant prompts the Goomba to say "''Isn't it a pretty flower?''", followed by the player's character slowly turning around and awkwardly looking at the player. In this game only, the same action occurs when being forced into buying a Ztar on [[Mario's Rainbow Castle]].

====''[[Mario Party 3]]''====

If the player completes Story Mode with all S's, the [[Millennium Star]] tells the player, "''You're spectacular. Truly spectacular. I imagine the development staff of Mario Party 3 is pleased as well. Keep up the good work.''"

On the character select screen, each character says "Good choice!" when chosen (except Yoshi and Donkey Kong). They say this again in ''[[Mario Party 4]]'' and ''5''.

In dark rooms and hallways, Luigi hums or whistles the [[Main Theme (Luigi's Mansion)|Main Theme]] while exploring, even if the music is not playing. [[Melody Pianissima]] plays songs from the earlier ''Super Mario'' games and asks Luigi what game it appeared in. (''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', ''[[Super Mario World]]'', etc.). She also plays the ''Luigi's Mansion'' theme while Luigi is in the hallway next to the vase with the picture above it.

 

 

During part of [[Professor Elvin Gadd|E. Gadd]]'s opening dialog, Luigi faces the player, points to E. Gadd, and performs the cuckoo motion.

 

Luigi hums the elevator's background music when the player stays idle for a few seconds if the elevator is not moving.

 

Also, at the end of the credits, Luigi says, "Bye, everybody!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of Credits 1 and Credits 2, Mario says "''Thanks very much for-to playing my game!''", a line similar to the one at the end of ''[[#Super Mario 64/DS|Super Mario 64]]''. Also, Mario makes several remarks at the credits in Credits 2 as they pop up (such as "''Oh, the engineering! Mamamia!''" and "''Ooh, don't forget to thank [[Shigeru Miyamoto|Mr. Miyamoto]].''"). Also, Mario breaks the fourth wall in every level (bar the [[Mini Mario (toy)|Mini-Mario]] and boss levels) by smashing the [[Crystal Ball]] against the screen to break it.

 

 

 

 

In his singles celebration, after eating Luigi, Yoshi looks at the player and shrugs. Donkey Kong also looks at the player and scratches his head in his singles celebration after grabbing his trophy from Toad, causing him to pass out. Also, outtakes occur during the credits.

Bloopers1-MPT.png|Mario hits Luigi's face.

Bloopers15-MPT.gif|A Koopa Paratroopa pops up behind Wario, Bowser, and Waluigi.

 

 

 

 

Sometimes, the team captains look at the screen, making it seem that they are looking at the player. One example is if the player scores a goal against [[Waluigi]], it triggers one of his animations where he looks at the screen and then proceeds to punch it while shouting "Cheese!" in frustration.

 

During Wario's home entrance, he hums to his own theme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout the franchise, from ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' onward, whenever the player visits [[Cranky Kong]] he constantly remarks about how the games of yesteryear are superior to modern games, and often whines about how the game that he is in is too easy for someone like him to complete. The instruction booklets also contain even more remarks of this nature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the player gets a perfect score in every stage, a message comes up saying "''Congratulations! What an amazing job! You are the [''number''] Yoshi to adventure on Yoshi's Island.''" The number to be shown here is the number of lives spent before the game's completion plus one (for example, if the player has lost 300 lives before completing the game, the message says that they are the 301st Yoshi).

 

 

 

====''[[Yoshi's Woolly World]]'' / ''[[Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World]]''====

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the microgame "[[Heads Up]]," if the player fails to catch the ball and it goes out of bounds, it breaks a hole in the screen and the catcher looks at it.

 

 

In [[Orbulon]]'s story, the [[Alien Bunny]] he orders to massage him is not doing so strong enough. Orbulon then tells the player, "You out there, take over."

 

In the microgame [[High-Speed Chase]], if the player fails to run from the chasing object, Wario is sent towards the screen, breaking it.

 

 

 

In [[Kat & Ana]]'s stage, losing a microgame causes a turtle to be hit by a cannonball and fly into the screen.

 

In Level 2 of the microgame "[[Skip It]]", if the player successfully makes the hippo jump over the rope twice, she kisses the screen, leaving a lipstick stain on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout the game, [[Wario]] speaks to the player, and is even aware of the player clearing the levels.

In the microgame "[[Parking Lot Problems]]", if a player fails to choose any car by the end of the microgame, the person stops and angrily looks towards the player.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

=====''[[WarioWare: Get It Together!]]''=====

 

 

 

 

=====''[[WarioWare: Move It!]]''=====

In the microgame "[[Cheers!]]", if the player fails to touch their cup with the other person's, the drink will splatter all over the screen.

 

In the microgame "[[Octoblocker]]", if the player does not whack the tentacle in time, does not smack the Wario Octopus in time, or does not knock back the cannonball, the screen will crack.

 

In the microgame "[[Blow It Up]]", if the player selects the wrong trigger, some of the objects would break the fourth wall in certain ways.

 

After the Volcano Wario stage is cleared, Wario responds to the narrator's claim that "everyone" lived happily ever after.

 

Many voice clips from ''WarioWare Gold'' are reused when the player wins or loses a microgame, including those that reference the player.

 

In the microgame "[[Throw Down]]", if the player swings too early, the two characters look at the camera confused.

 

 

Whenever the player pauses the game, Wario constantly sings "Na Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na Na!" If the player listens for about 50 minutes, Wario eventually says "Sorry" and stops singing.

 

When a character is KO'd by being sent off the top blast line, they may occasionally hit the screen before falling and losing one of their stocks. This is called a screen KO.

 

A few [[Assist Trophy|Assist Trophies]] interfere with the display, such as Devil who moves the screen by pointing in a certain direction, and Nintendog, which blocks the screen to prevent players from viewing the battlefield and their characters.  

 

Just like in his original games, one of [[Sonic]]'s idle animations has him looking at the player and tapping his foot impatiently. His other animation has him turning to the camera and waving his finger in a patronizing manner.

When [[Mr. Resetti]] is released from an Assist Trophy, he may tell the players to stop resetting, as he considers it to be a form of cheating in the ''Animal Crossing'' games. Additionally, if the game is being played late at night, he may tell the player to "get some shut-eye".

When using [[Solid Snake]]'s codec on [[Sonic|Sonic the Hedgehog]] on [[Shadow Moses Island]], [[Otacon]] says that people are excited that he is in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''. In the codec on Mario, [[smashwiki:Colonel Roy Campbell|Colonel Roy Campbell]] says that Mario made his first appearance in [[List of games by date#1981|1981]], and in [[Jigglypuff]]'s codec, he says that it takes all kinds of energy in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''; Colonel also mentions the ''[[WarioWare (series)|WarioWare]]'' games in Wario's codec. In [[Pit (character)|Pit]]'s codec, Otacon says that Pit has gone through "''countless trials over the years''", to which Snake replies, "''And by 'trials', you mean '[[Game Over]]s'?''" Finally, when Snake uses his codec on [[Mr. Game & Watch]], Otacon talks about his first appearance, 1980, and his console, [[Game & Watch]]. There are other Codec Conversations that break the fourth wall as well.

There is a scene in [[smashwiki:Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary|The Subspace Emissary]] mode where Snake reveals himself after being hidden in his cardboard box for a long time. While facing towards the screen, he says "''Kept you waiting, huh?''" There are no other characters in his vicinity during the scene, so he must have been talking to the player - in reference to the fact that a brief scene of him hidden in the cardboard box was shown much earlier in the Subspace Emissary storyline. This is the only time the characters say a full sentence, excluding [[bulbapedia:Pokémon (species)|Pokémon]].

In a similar manner, before facing [[Wolf O'Donnell]] in The Subspace Emissary, Wolf appears to look at the screen, and strikes a pose at the challenger. Since Wolf does not interact with anyone directly, this is likely a sign of breaking the fourth wall.

During gameplay, super heavy characters, such as [[Bowser]], shake the screen when they hit the ground after jumping, due to their high weight.

====''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' / ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U|Wii U]]''====

[[File:Shadow Mario Paint Wii U.jpg|thumb|Bowser Jr. paints a giant "X" on the screen.]]

[[Bowser Jr.]]'s [[Final Smash]], [[Shadow Mario Paint]], involves painting a giant "X" across the screen itself.

In [[Duck Hunt (character)|Duck Hunt]]'s reveal trailer, the dog and the duck actually dodge their introduction statement.

In the [[List of Palutena's Guidance conversations#Link|Palutena's Guidance conversation]] for [[Link]], [[Pit (character)|Pit]] mentions how both of them were "born around the same time". [[Palutena]] also mentions [[Pac-Man]]'s creation date during his conversation.

In the [[List of Palutena's Guidance conversations#Samus|Palutena's Guidance conversation]] for [[Samus]], Viridi mistakenly refers to Samus as Metroid, with Pit correcting her name. Additionally, Palutena says that [[Link]]'s name is not [[Zelda]] and Viridi states that Pit's name is not Icarus. This is a reference to the fact that many people mistakenly refer to the protagonists by the series' name.

Similarly to the previous game, [[Bowser]]'s footsteps cause the screen to shake.

====''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''====

In the [[List of Palutena's Guidance conversations#Simon|Palutena's Guidance conversation]] for [[Simon Belmont|Simon]], [[Pit (character)|Pit]] mentions how he and Simon "hit the scene around the same time", referring to their shared launch year (1986) of their respective franchises.

In the [[List of Palutena's Guidance conversations#Corrin|Palutena's Guidance conversation]] for [[Corrin]], Pit says, "For Nohr! For Hoshido! I make my own fate!" along with Palutena claiming that Pit has found all three paths, referencing the three story paths of ''Fire Emblem Fates''.

In the [[List of Palutena's Guidance conversations#Ridley|Palutena's Guidance conversation]] for [[Ridley]], Viridi mentions the various versions of Ridley throughout the ''Metroid'' games and mentions a robot version of Ridley which was invented by Ridley himself. After it is mentioned, Pit wonders if that incarnation is canon to the ''Metroid'' series.

In the new [[List of Palutena's Guidance conversations#Link|Palutena's Guidance conversation]] for [[Link]], Palutena mentions that the Master Sword is the sword that seals Calamity Ganon's power. Pit asks if the sword is overpowered against Ganondorf, with Palutena stating that Ganondorf is from a different game (''Ocarina of Time'') and that this tactic would not work.

When fighting [[Master Hand]], one of his moves involve throwing balls of ink. When the player gets hit by one of the balls, the ink splatters all over the screen.  

The Squid Sisters Assist Trophy has the camera zooming into them so that the players can easily get KO'd.

[[Bowser Jr.]]'s Final Smash, Shadow Mario Paint, returns in this game, functioning similarly to the last game.

[[Solid Snake]]'s codec calls from ''Brawl'' return in this game, retaining the fourth wall breaks made in them.

At the end of the episode, Mario, upon hearing the mention of dinner, comes running up to [[Pronto]] and an old man at a very high speed. After making his entrance, Mario then says to the viewers "''And you thought Pronto was fast!''".

After Luigi correctly guesses that Mario had been speaking to [[Tommy Lasagna]] on the phone, Mario turns to the viewers and gripes "''But how does he always know?''", much like he did previously in "Defective Gadgetry".

The term "[[Real World]]" can be considered breaking the fourth wall, as it implies the characters know they are in a make-believe world.

When [[Princess Peach|Princess Toadstool]] is talking to [[Bowser|King Koopa]] about the election to be [[Mushroom Kingdom]]'s ruler, [[Larry Koopa|Cheatsy Koopa]] looks at the viewer and says, "''Bad King Dad? (laughs) Are you kidding?''". After he says this, King Koopa says, "''What are you laughing at?''" because he does not understand that Cheatsy was laughing at the audience.

When Mario and the gang see the large fire pit they must cross, Luigi takes note of the Fortress music in the background and nervously shouts, "''Stop the music!''", to which the music stops. Luigi tells Mario that they cannot cross that pit, but [[Toad]] sees some [[? Block]]s that can help them. Mario calls out for the music to start up, and a variation of the [[Sky Land]] ground music plays.

At the end of the episode, Luigi asks if people in the [[Earth|Real World]] will ever accept others regardless of their color, to which Mario, while facing the camera, responds, "''Yeah, when humans get as smart as [[Toad (species)|Mushroom]]s.''"

At the end of the episode, the [[Statue of Liberty]] comes to life to tell the audience, "''Those Mario Bros. '''are''' super!''"

When Mama Fireplant tells her the cave people will freeze without her, Kootie Pie tells the audience that she will have a fire sale if the cave people freeze.

When Bowser is luring the cavepeople of [[Dome City]] to his [[Koopalings|Koopaling]] Bros. Circus, he says to the audience "''This is easier than talking [[Wendy O. Koopa|Kootie Pie]] into a shopping spree!''".

When [[Oogtar]] exclaims "Merry Cave Christmas, Mario-dude!", Mario tells the audience, "Wouldn't it be nice if every day were Christmas?"

When the cave-people buy fast food from Scoopa Koopa's Fast Food, Bowser turns to the camera after watching the cave-people buying food and says "''...it makes me filthy rich at the same time! (laughs) Wait 'til you see the side effects! (laughs) Those bird-brains don't even know what hit 'em! (laughs)''". Also, when Mario refers to Bowser's bill as highway robbery, Bowser responds by saying "''Well I call it inflation...''" before turning to the audience and continuing with "''...in more ways than one! Wait 'til the calories start piling up in his waistline!''".

When [[Larry Koopa|Cheatsy]] is spying on Mario and Yoshi, he stops to tell the audience "''I am the Emperor of Eavesdropping!''", then goes back to spying.

At the end of the episode, Luigi shrugs to the audience.

===''[[Donkey Kong Country (television series)|Donkey Kong Country]]''===

After Krusha explains that the Kongs will take over [[Donkey Kong Island|Kongo Bongo Island]] and turn them into matching luggage if they succeed in finding the treasure, King K. Rool turns to the audience and says, "He does have his moments," indicating that Krusha can be sharp-witted at times.

Shortly after [[Donkey Kong]] loses his memory, [[Diddy Kong|Diddy]] rushes off to find Cranky, telling DK that he has got problems. DK responds by looking at the camera and saying "''I'd say ''he's'' the one with the problems.''"

When Bluster steals the Crystal Coconut, he whispers to the audience at the start of the music.

During the songs "I'm Gonna Be a Star" and "Be a Bad Guy", the characters look, point, and even refer to the viewer many times.

At the end of the episode, [[Donkey Kong]] winks at the screen.

During the second song of the episode, King K. Rool, [[General Klump|Klump]], and [[Krusha]] sneeze on the camera. Soon after, Donkey Kong cleans it with a scarf.

 

''[[Super Mario-kun]]'' frequently breaks the fourth wall usually by heads-up display placement. For instance, in story arcs related to ''Super Mario 64'', Mario's health displays often, at low health. In several instances during the arc based on ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'', the [[Nintendo DS|Nintendo DS Lite]] occasionally illustrates two simultaneous events, mimicking the game. A recurring theme within ''Super Mario-kun'' is the preview for the future volume; a character partially "rolls" the page in the future volume, covering some of it.