Editing Hard Block

{{image|more=yes|appearances in the ''Mario Kart'' series}}
{{distinguish|Stone Block|Rock Block}}
{{item infobox
|image=[[File:SMM3DS Art - HardBlock.png|160px]]<br>Artwork from ''[[Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS]]''
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#1985|1985]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition]]'' ([[List of games by date#2024|2024]])
}}
{{quote|AARGH! I can't hit the [[? Block]]s because those annoying Hard Blocks are in the way.|[[Toad (species)|Purple Toad]]|''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]''}}

A '''Hard Block''' is a type of [[block]] commonly used to make stair-like structures. Unlike [[? Block]]s and [[Brick Block]]s, Hard Blocks cannot contain [[List of items|items]] or [[coin]]s (with the exception of ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''). [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] are not normally able to destroy Hard Blocks, but certain methods, such as entering a [[Mega Mario|Mega]] state or using a [[Big Thwomp]], can be used to destroy them.

==History==
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario Bros.'' / ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels''====
[[File:SMB Hard Block Sprite.png|frame|left]]
The first Hard Blocks appeared in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' Referred to as '''stairblocks'''<ref>{{cite|author=Sase, Shinji, [[Howard Phillips]], and Lynn Griffes, editors|title=''[[How to win at Super Mario Bros.]]''|format=U.S. Edition|date=1987|location=Redmond|publisher=Tokuma Shoten, [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]|isbn=4-19-720003-XC|page=7}}</ref> in the companion book ''[[How to win at Super Mario Bros.]]'', their most notable use is to create stairs at the end of many levels leading to the top of the [[Goal Pole|flagpole]], which itself has a Hard Block as its base. In some levels, they are used to create much more gently-sloped stairs as a minor obstacle. Stairblocks reappear in ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'' with an identical appearance and purpose. They are also incorporated into ''[[Super Mario Bros. Special]]''.

====''Super Mario Bros. 3''====
[[File:SMB3 Wood Block Sprite.png|frame|right]]
[[File:Wooden Block.png|frame|right]]
Hard Blocks also appear in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', where they are known as '''Wood Blocks'''.<ref>{{cite|author=Peterson, Erik|date=2003|title=''Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3'' Player's Guide|page=31|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|isbn=1930206-37-2}}</ref> Some Wood Blocks are bouncy; these blocks bounce Mario or Luigi away if they run against their sides, and are sometimes found near [[pit]]s as an obstacle. Some of these blocks also hold items, only releasing them if they are bumped into or hit with a [[shell]] or [[Raccoon Mario|tail]] [[Tanooki Mario|whip]]. [[Chain Chomp]]s are usually found attached to Wood Blocks. Larger inert Wood Blocks appear in the fourth world, [[Giant Land]].

In the [[Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3|GBA version]], the Hard Blocks' design from the ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' version of ''Super Mario Bros.'' returns in [[Classic World 1-1]], [[Classic World 1-2]], and [[Classic World 2-2]].

====''Super Mario World''====
[[File:SMW Hard Block.png|frame|left]]
Hard Blocks, now called '''Gray Blocks'''<ref>{{cite|title=Nintendo ''[[Mario Mania]]'' Player's Guide|date=August 1991|page=71, 89, 108, 153|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> (alternatively '''gray Block'''<ref>{{cite|title=Nintendo ''Mario Mania'' Player's Guide|page=57|date=August 1991|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> or '''Grey Block'''<ref>{{cite|title=Nintendo ''Mario Mania'' Player's Guide|page=73|date=August 1991|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref>), appear once again in ''[[Super Mario World]]'' with a different redesign, this time resembling blocks of stone. They reprise their purpose from previous games.{{br}}

====''Super Mario Sunshine''====
Hard Blocks (localized as '''orange blocks'''<ref name>{{cite|author=Averill, Alan, and Jennifer Villarreal|title=''Super Mario Sunshine'' Player's Guide|page=73|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|date=2002|isbn=1-930206-23-2}}</ref>) primarily appear in secret courses as platforms and barriers. Many are of atypical shapes (i.e. rectangular or triangular prisms) depending on their purpose. Some shift back and forth. Thin variants appear in "[[The Secret of the Dirty Lake]]" and "[[The Beach Cannon's Secret]]" that function like [[trampoline]]s.

====''New Super Mario Bros.''====
[[File:NSMB Hard Block.png|frame|left]]
Hard Blocks reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' at the end of most levels. Like in ''Super Mario Bros.'', they are often used as a staircase to reach the flagpole. The flagpole itself has a new [[fortress]]-styled base instead of a Hard Block. If Mario gains a [[Mega Mushroom]] and turns into [[Mega Mario]], he can destroy Hard Blocks simply by running into them. [[Volcanic debris]] can also destroy Hard Blocks.

====''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''====
[[File:NSMBW World 8-4 Screenshot ALT.png|thumb|Hard Blocks in World 8-4 of ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'']]
Hard Blocks reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''. In [[World 8-4 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 8-4]], a [[Star Coin]] and several [[Blooper]]s are found caged within Hard Blocks, which can be destroyed by pressing a nearby [[? Switch]]. Hard Blocks also appear in {{world-link|coin|2|World Coin-2 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}, a remake of [[World 1-1 (Super Mario Bros.)|World 1-1]] in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''

====''Super Mario 3D Land''====
[[File:SM3DL 2-3b.jpg|thumb|left|''Super Mario Bros.''-style Hard Blocks in [[World 2-3 (Super Mario 3D Land)|World 2-3]] of ''Super Mario 3D Land'']]
Wood Blocks from ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' return in ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'', where they are usually twice as large (like those in Giant Land) and have a more yellow color, though none contain any items. Hard Blocks with the ''Super Mario Bros.'' design return at the ends of [[World 2-3 (Super Mario 3D Land)|World 2-3]] and [[Special 1-3]], once again as staircases near the courses' Goal Poles.

====''New Super Mario Bros. 2''====
While wooden and stone Hard Blocks return, golden and colored Hard Blocks make their debut in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]''. Pink, green, blue, orange, beige, brown, gold, black, light blue, red and yellow are the only known colors.
{{br|left}}

====''New Super Mario Bros. U'' / ''New Super Luigi U'' / ''New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe''====
[[File:NSLU Piranha Heights Luigi Sighting.png|thumb|An 8-bit Luigi made out of colored stone blocks in ''New Super Luigi U'']]
Hard Blocks return in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'', referred to as '''stone blocks'''.<ref>{{cite|author=New Super Mario Bros. U Channel|date=December 27, 2012|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKXR85iIA4Y|title=New Super Mario Bros. U -- Third Star Coin in Stoneslide Tower|quote=Find the pipe hidden in the ceiling next to the sign. Once inside, use the Screwtop Platform to guide the Grrrols into the stone blocks. When the way opens, grab that coin!|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=May 23, 2022}}</ref> Colored stone blocks also appear in ''[[New Super Luigi U]]'', used mostly for decoration, or to make pixel art such as [[List of Luigi sightings in New Super Luigi U|8-bit Luigi]]s, a common [[Easter egg]] in the game.

====''Super Mario Maker'' / ''Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS''====
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In ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'' and [[Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS|its 3DS version]], all four designs of the Hard Blocks based on the four level styles appear. They can be destroyed by strong enemies, including [[Big Koopa Troopa]] shells, [[Big Thwomp]]s, [[Bob-omb]]s, [[Magikoopa]]s' magic attacks, [[Skewer]]s, and [[Bowser]]. A new method of breaking Hard Blocks is firing a fully charged shot from a [[Fire Koopa Clown Car]]. They can also be destroyed by [[Big Mario]].

====''Super Mario Maker 2''====
[[File:SMM2 Hard Block SM3DW icon.png|thumb|30px]]
Hard Blocks also appear in ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]''. They have the same functionality as they did in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'', except that they cannot be broken by [[Big Mario]] from the side. [[Link]]'s bombs can now also destroy Hard Blocks. [[Giant Spiked Ball]]s, a big [[Blasta Mechakoopa]]'s missile explosion, a big [[Zappa Mechakoopa]]'s laser beam, and [[Ground Pound]]s from some [[Koopalings]] can destroy Hard Blocks. They can also be given wings, and when playing a course, they will fly a few blocks left, then fly twice as many blocks right, then fly that many blocks left, and repeat the last two actions. Hard Blocks can also stop the screen from scrolling, so it is possible to make a course that requires breaking Hard Blocks stopping the screen from scrolling to advance.

In the ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' style, they take the form of [[Rock Block]]s. If the player uses the [[Super Hammer (Super Mario Maker 2)|Super Hammer]], they can break these blocks with a hammer swing. They can also be broken by [[Bomber Bill|Banzai Bill]]s, a [[Porcupuffer]]'s explosion from fireballs, and [[Big Bully|Big Bullies]].

===''Mario Kart'' series===
Hard Blocks have appeared in the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]] with either their ''Super Mario Bros.'' appearance, or as colored blocks that border [[Mario Circuit]].

===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
[[File:HardBlocks W1-1 SSBB.jpg|thumb|left|Hard Blocks in the World 1-1 version of Mushroomy Kingdom in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'']]
[[File:HardBlocks W1-2 SSBB.jpg|thumb|Hard Blocks in the World 1-2 version of Mushroomy Kingdom in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'']]
''Super Mario Bros.''-styled Hard Blocks appear throughout the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]]. 

The [[Mushroom Kingdom (Super Smash Bros.)|Mushroom Kingdom]] stage in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and the [[Mushroom Kingdom (Super Smash Bros. Melee)|Mushroom Kingdom]] stage in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' feature the blocks' classic staircase arrangement in the background. The former also has [[Semisolid Platform#Super Smash Bros. series|pass-through platforms]] made of Hard Blocks ([[Empty Block]]s in ''Ultimate'').

In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', Hard Blocks appear as part of the [[Mushroomy Kingdom]] stage. They are arranged just as in [[World 1-1 (Super Mario Bros.)|World 1-1]] (and in ''Brawl'' only, [[World 1-2 (Super Mario Bros.)|World 1-2]]) of ''Super Mario Bros.'' However, they now appear worn, chipped, and cracked, matching the stage's ruined appearance. The block the [[Goal Pole|flagpole]] stood on in World 1-1 is gone, but only in ''Brawl'' and ''for 3DS''; it is in the background in ''Ultimate''. Additionally, Hard Blocks also form the top two layers of the stage's [[Final Destination]] form in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'', and the [[Battlefield]] form's platforms in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.
{{br}}

===''Mario Clock''===
In ''[[Mario Clock]]'', Hard Blocks appear using their ''Super Mario Bros.'' design as the terrain of the bridge stage theme.

===''Nintendo Badge Arcade''===
Hard Blocks also appear as badges in ''[[Nintendo Badge Arcade]]''. The ''Super Mario Bros.'' Hard Blocks appear as part of the ''Super Mario Bros.'' set, while Gray Blocks appear as part of the ''Super Mario Maker'' set.

==Gallery==
{{Main-gallery}}
<gallery>
SMB Underground Hard Block.png|''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (underground)
SMAS SMB Hard Block.png|''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' (''Super Mario Bros.'')
SMAS SMB Underground Hard Block.png|''Super Mario All-Stars'' (''Super Mario Bros.'') (underground)
SMAS SMB3 Wood Block.png|''Super Mario All-Stars'' (''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'')
SMW2 Hard Block gray.png|''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''
SMW2 Hard Block brown.png|''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island''
SMW2 Hard Block blue.png|''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island''
SMW2 Hard Block toy.png|''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island''
SM3DL-HardBlock.png|''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]''
SMM Hard Block Stamp.png|''[[Super Mario Maker]]'' stamp
SMM3DS Art - HardBlock.png|''[[Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS]]''
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=木目ブロック<ref>{{cite|language=ja|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|date=October 19, 2015|title=''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook'', ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' section|page=41|isbn=978-4-09-106569-8}}</ref>
|JapR=Mokume Burokku
|Jap2=石ブロック<ref>{{cite|language=ja|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|date=October 19, 2015|title=''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook''|page=118, 149, 199, 215|isbn=978-4-09-106569-8}}</ref>
|Jap2R=Ishi Burokku
|Jap3=硬いブロック
|Jap3R=Katai Burokku
|JapM=Woodgrain Block (''Super Mario Bros. 3'')
|Jap2M=Stone Block (''New Super Mario Bros.'' games)
|Jap3M=Hard Block (''Super Mario Maker 2'')
|Ita=Blocco duro
|ItaM=Hard block
|Dut=Hard blok
|DutM=Hard Block
|Kor=딱딱블록
|KorR=Ttakttak Beullok
|KorM=Hard Block
|Rus=Прочный блок
|RusR=Prochnyy blok
|RusM=Solid Block
|SpaA=Bloque duro
|SpaAM=Hard block
|ChiS=坚硬砖块
|ChiSR=Jiānyìng Zhuānkuài
|ChiSM=Hard block
|ChiT=堅硬磚塊
|ChiTR=Jiānyìng Zhuānkuài
|ChiTM=Hard block
|FreE=Bloc solide
|FreEM=Solid block
|Por=Bloco sólido
|PorM=Solid block
}}

==References==
<references/>

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