Editing P Switch

{{redirect|Switch Block|other uses|[[Switch Block (disambiguation)]]}}
{{item infobox
|image=[[File:P-Switch NSMB2.png|100px]]<br>A P Switch from ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]''
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' ([[List of games by date#1988|1988]])
|latest_appearance=''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (cameo) (2023)
|effect=Swaps [[Brick Block]]s and [[coin]]s and/or reveals [[Blue Coin]]s
}}
'''P Switches''' (alternatively hyphenated as '''P-Switches'''<ref>''Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World'' instruction booklet, page 19.</ref> or '''P-switches'''<ref>M. Arakawa. Nintendo ''Mario Mania'' Nintendo Player's Guide. Page 48.</ref>), originally called '''Switch Blocks'''<ref>''Super Mario Bros. 3'' English instruction booklet. Page 17.</ref><ref>''Super Mario World'' English instruction booklet. Page 22.</ref> and also known as '''P Switch Blocks'''<ref>[https://cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/nintendo_ds_21/Manual_NintendoDS_NewSuperMarioBros_EN.pdf ''New Super Mario Bros.'' British English instruction booklet]. Page 18.</ref> or '''Trample Switches''',<ref>''Super Mario 3D World'' eGuide (Prima Games)</ref> are objects found in several [[Super Mario (series)|''Super Mario'']] games such as ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', ''[[Super Mario World]]'', ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', and ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]''. They are activated by [[jump]]ing on them. Upon activation, they turn all [[Brick Block]]s from an area into [[coin]]s and vice-versa for approximately 10 seconds. On some occasions, they likewise cause arrays or groups of [[Blue Coin]]s to appear onscreen. As these effects are temporary, they are usually accompanied by a characteristic jingle or clock-ticking that marks their duration.

==History==
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario Bros. 3''====
[[File:SMB3 BluePow.png|thumb|left|A Switch Block in the ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' version of ''Super Mario Bros. 3'']]
In ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', the first Switch Block appears in [[World 1-1 (Super Mario Bros. 3)|World 1-1]]. Switch Blocks cause the animations of [[? Block]]s, [[Brick Block]]s, [[Note Block|Jump Block]]s and coins to stop, and also make [[Conveyor Belt]]s stop moving. They also transform [[Muncher]]s into coins while active. In the original NES version, certain Switch Blocks appear in alternate colorations due to palette limitations; for instance, one in [[World 2-3 (Super Mario Bros. 3)|World 2-3]] is purple with tan details. In all versions, Switch Blocks cause the [[Toad House]] theme to play while they are active.

In ''[[Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', Brick Blocks and coins remain animated while a Switch Block is active, and item-holding Brick Blocks don't look like coins. Switch Blocks also vanish after a second once pressed.
{{media table
|file1=Toad House Theme Super Mario Bros 3.oga
|title1=Switch Block BGM
}}

====''Super Mario World''====
''[[Super Mario World]]'' is the first game in which Switch Blocks (also referred to as '''Blue P-Switches''')<ref>''Nintendo Power'' Volume 28, page 23.</ref> can be carried by [[Mario]] (or [[Luigi]]) and saved for later. There is a [[glitch]] making Mario carry a Switch Block after it has been pressed for a short time if he is quick before it disappears. In all other games until the ''Super Mario Maker'' series, Mario cannot carry the switches and must use them on the spot. Coins will turn into [[Empty Block]]s instead of Brick Blocks.

The game introduces [[Gray P Switch]]es, which make most enemies turn into [[Gray Coin]]s. Collecting eight of these coins awards Mario an [[extra life]]. Collecting one more gives Mario two extra lives. After nine coins, Mario will earn three extra lives for each additional coin.
{{media table
|file1=SMW Switch BGM.oga
|title1=Switch Block BGM
}}

====''Super Mario 64'' / ''Super Mario 64 DS''====
{{main|Blue Coin Block}}
Switch Blocks themselves do not appear in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' or ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. However, their ability to cause Blue Coins to appear is given to a similar object called the Blue Coin Block. Unlike how Switch Blocks had previously been depicted, Blue Coin Blocks cannot cause coins and [[block (Super Mario 64)|block]]s to become each other. However, certain [[! Switch#Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS|Purple Switch]]es can cause blocks to appear from thin air in a similar manner.

====''New Super Mario Bros.''====
[[File:PSwitchNSMB.png|frame]]
In ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', "Switch Block" is now an umbrella term for P Switch blocks, [[! Switch|! Switch block]]s, and [[? Switch|? Switch block]]s.<ref>[https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/DS_New_Super_Mario_Bros.pdf ''New Super Mario Bros.'' American English instruction booklet]. Page 17.</ref> In the Japanese version, they are all simply considered Switch Blocks without specific names between them, with their descriptions simply using their sprite.<ref>[https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NTR/JPN/A2DJ/A2DJ_J.pdf ''New Super Mario Bros.'' Japanese instruction booklet]. Page 17.</ref> P Switches have the same function as in previous games, either spawning in blue coins or turning Brick Blocks into coins and vice versa, as well as P Switches having more level-specific functions such as revealing staircases and certain [[Warp Door|door]]s in [[World 3-Ghost House (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 3-Ghost House]]. Unlike in previous games, certain P Switches can be reused multiple times.

====''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''====
[[File:NSMBW P Switch Render.png|frame]]
In ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', P Switches return, acting similarly to their ''New Super Mario Bros.'' appearance.

====''Super Mario 3D Land''====
P Switches appear in ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'', where they are designed as having a flat surface with a light blue "P" printed on it, making them more like buttons. When pressed, they become red. Unlike in previous games, P Switches work more like the [[? Coin]]s of the ''[[Super Mario Galaxy|Super Mario]]'' [[Super Mario Galaxy 2|''Galaxy'' games]], in that they either trigger an event or generate a row of [[note]]s upon activation.

====''New Super Mario Bros. 2''====
[[File:P-SwitchNSMB2.png|frame]]
P Switches return in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', acting similarly to their appearance in ''New Super Mario Bros.''

====''New Super Mario Bros. U''====
In ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'', P Switches return, once again acting similarly to their appearance in ''New Super Mario Bros.''

====''New Super Luigi U''====
P Switches return in ''[[New Super Luigi U]]'', acting similarly to their appearance in ''New Super Mario Bros.''

====''Super Mario 3D World'' / ''Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury''====
[[File:PSwitchSM3DW.jpg|thumb|A P Switch in ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'']]
P Switches appear in ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury]]''. They have the same appearance as they do in ''Super Mario 3D Land'', but with a white "P"; they do not change colors when pressed. In addition to their effects from ''3D Land'', they can once again spawn Blue Coins (except in [[Rainbow Run (level)|Rainbow Run]], where they spawn regular coins from the sky). There are also [[P Panel|orange square panel versions of P Switches]] that require multiple characters or objects to activate simultaneously. Golden P Switches appear in some of the bonus areas entered via golden [[Warp Pipe]]s and in the [[Coin Express]]. When pressed, they spawn a large amount of coins. Similar switches appear in the form of [[Character Switch]]es, which can only be pushed by certain characters.

In the ''Bowser's Fury'' campaign, P Switches appear at the starts of certain islands when their respective Blue Coin Bustle missions are available. They also reset if those missions are not completed in time, letting the player retry them.

====''Super Mario Maker'' / ''Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS''====
P Switches reappear in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS]]'', retaining their functions of changing Brick Blocks to coins and vice versa. They also stop Conveyor Belts from moving, as they did in ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. They can also be carried like in ''Super Mario World'', which applies to the other styles except ''Super Mario Bros.'', where Mario could not carry objects. An update on December 21, 2015 introduced P Warp Doors. These blue doors act as a normal Warp Door, but are only usable when a P Switch is activated. When a P Switch is shaken in edit mode, it transforms into a [[key]]. Their use is required in a part of [[World 5-3 (Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS)|World 5-3]] of [[Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS#Super Mario Challenge|Super Mario Challenge]] in the 3DS version.

They can be used in all four styles, retaining their designs in ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', ''Super Mario World'' (blue version) and ''New Super Mario Bros. U'', after the 1.30 update. During the original release, the P Switch was colored as orange with a brown P in the ''Super Mario Bros.'' style, while [[? Switch]]es appeared in the ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' style, instead of P Switches. The update changed both switches back to the original P Switch appearances from the other games, although the coloring in the ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' style is closer to dark blue than the original's cyan.

[[File:SMMGLAPreview.jpg|thumb|Preview screenshot featuring the blue P Switch]]
Before the announcement of the 1.3.0 update for ''Super Mario Maker'', the original blue design of the P Switch in the ''Super Mario Bros.'' style was accidentally leaked through the preview screenshot of the [[Mercedes-Benz Jump'n'Drive]] Event Course.

====''Super Mario Odyssey''====
[[File:P-Switch SMO.jpg|thumb|left|150px|A P Switch in ''Super Mario Odyssey'']]
P Switches appear once again in ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''. They are now square-shaped rather than circular. They mainly appear in [[Moon Pipe]]s but can appear elsewhere. They act as they do in ''Super Mario 3D Land''.
{{br}}

====''Super Mario Maker 2''====
P Switches appear in ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]''. They appear and function the same as in ''Super Mario Maker'', although like [[POW Block]]s, they now flash in all of the returning styles. In addition, a new design based on the other games is used in the ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' style rather than the flatter appearance. P Switches can be placed on ceilings in this game. They also illuminate the area around them in the night version of the underwater and Ghost House themes.

===''Yoshi''===
[[File:YoshiNES-PSwitch-BType.png|frame]]
P Switches make a minor appearance in ''[[Yoshi (game)|Yoshi]]'', after the player clears levels 28 and higher of the B-Type game, rewarding the player 1,500 points. Likely owing to the game's lack of blue palette for the sprites for the NES version, they appear red.

===''Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games''===
In ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games]]'', P Switches appear on the Coin Street rink of [[Snow Day Street Hockey]]. When hit by a character, they cause specific sets of Brick Blocks to turn into coins. after being used, the P Switches despawn and reappear in a different location on the rink. 

===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
[[File:P Switch SSBU.jpg|thumb|A P Switch in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'']]
A P Switch appears in the [[Golden Plains]] stage in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. If a fighter steps on or attacks one, Blue Coins will temporarily appear among the ordinary coins while the P Switch music plays over the stage music, as in the ''New Super Mario Bros.'' series. A P Switch also appears as a [[Trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophy]] in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS''.
{{br|right}}

===''Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker''===
P Switches also appear in ''[[Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker]]'' and its Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS [[Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Nintendo Switch / Nintendo 3DS)|ports]]. They are generally used to alter the layout of the stage, allowing the player to progress.

===''Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit''===
{{stub|section=y}}
In ''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]'', P Switches appear in some courses. Driving over them causes Blue Coins to appear, as in the ''New Super Mario Bros.'' games.

===''WarioWare: Get It Together!''===
A P Switch makes a minor appearance in the [[Super Mario World (WarioWare: Get It Together!)|Super Mario World]] boss microgame in''[[WarioWare: Get It Together!]]'', where it appears at the end of the first difficulty level's stage, functioning how it did in the game of the same name.

===''Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope''===
In ''[[Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope]]'', P Switches appear in the bonus rooms of the five planets. They all have Blue Coins that must be collected to complete the [[Blue Coin Challenge]] side quests.

===''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''===
{{new subject|section=y|film}}
In ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'', voxelated P Switches can be seen being sold at the antiques store for six [[coin]]s each.<ref>{{media link|The Super Mario Bros Movie teaser poster.jpg|''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'' teaser poster}}</ref>

===Unused appearances===
====''Super Mario Galaxy''====
While P Switches do not appear in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', an [[List of Super Mario Galaxy pre-release and unused content|unused model]]  can be found within the files of the game.

==Effects==
When pressed, a P Switch makes a change in the stage for a limited amount of time. This includes:
*Turning [[Brick Block]]s, [[Empty Block]]s (in ''[[Super Mario World]]''), and [[Rotating Block]]s (in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> ''Super Mario World'' style) into [[coin]]s or vice versa.
*Changing enemies into [[Gray Coin]]s (''Super Mario World'' Gray P Switch only).
*Turning [[Muncher]]s into coins (''Super Mario Bros. 3''; Gray P Switch only in ''Super Mario World'').
*Allowing Mario to access a [[P Warp Door|hidden door]]. (Appears as a white light in remakes of ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', a blue door in ''Super Mario World'' and a blue door with a P in ''Super Mario Maker''. Appears as a normal door in all other games.)
*Making [[Blue Coin]]s appear.
*Making [[Hidden Block|hidden]] [[? Block]]s appear (''Super Mario World'').
*Stopping conveyor belts from moving (''Super Mario Bros. 3'', ''Super Mario Maker'', and ''Super Mario Maker 2'').
*Eliminating all [[Boo|Boos]] and [[Stretch|Stretches]] in the room Mario is in (''Super Mario Run'' Purple P Switch only).
*Causing [[P Block|P Blocks]] to switch between their dotted-line and solid forms (''Super Mario Maker 2'').
*Earns Mario digital coins when jumping while active after scanning the block (only available in the Whomp's Lava Trouble set) ([[LEGO Super Mario|LEGO ''Super Mario'']]).

==Profiles==
===''Super Mario Bros. 3''===
*'''3DS Virtual Console manual:''' ''If you step on these, something special may happen.''

===''New Super Mario Bros. 2''===
*'''Instruction manual:''' ''If you step on it, various environmental changes will occur.''

===''Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker''===
*'''Instruction manual:''' ''Pull up a Pull Switch or step on a P Switch to change the terrain of the course.''

===''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' trophy===
{|border=1 cellpadding=1 cellspacing=0 width=100%
|-
!Name
!Image
!American English description
!British English description
|-
!width="10%"|P Switch
|[[File:PSwitchTrophy3DS.png|100px]]
|''This fun item has been popping up ever since it first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3. Jumping on it produces coins...reveals hidden doors... The effect is different from game to game. On [[Golden Plains]], the P-Switch will make a ton of blue coins appear. This is a great way to get yourself a large stack!''
|''This switch made its debut in Super Mario Bros. 3 and has been a mainstay of the series ever since. Depending on the game, it can have all sorts of effects. In this one, you can step on it (or attack it, if you like) to make tons of blue coins appear. There's no better way to get yourself a formidable stack of coins!''
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Smb3 p switch.png|Blue Switch Block artwork from ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''
SMB3 P Switch.gif|Switch Block sprite from ''Super Mario Bros. 3''
Switch Block SMW art.jpg|Switch Block artwork from ''[[Super Mario World]]''
SMW P Switch.jpg|Switch Block artwork from ''Super Mario World''
SMW P Switch sprite.png|Switch Block sprite from ''Super Mario World''
SMW Gray P Switch sprite.png|[[Gray P Switch]] sprite from ''Super Mario World''
YoshiGB-PSwitch.png|Sprite from ''[[Yoshi (game)|Yoshi]]'' (Game Boy version)
P-Switch SMB3 All-Stars.png|Switch Block sprite from ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' (''Super Mario Bros. 3'')
SMA2 P Switch sprite.png|Switch Block sprite from ''[[Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2]]''
SMA2 Gray P Switch sprite.png|Gray P Switch sprite from ''Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2''
G&WG4 Modern Rain Shower P Switch.png|P Switch from ''[[Game & Watch Gallery 4]]''
SMA4 PSwitch.png|Switch Block sprite from ''[[Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3]]''
SMG Unused P Switch.png|An [[List of Super Mario Galaxy pre-release and unused content|unused]] P Switch from ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
P-Switch NSMB2.png|P Switch from ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]''
P Switch SM3DW Prima.jpg|P Switch from ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]''
PSwitchOldSMM.gif|P Switch from ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'' (''Super Mario Bros.'' style), in versions until 1.21
PSwitchSMM.gif|P Switch from ''Super Mario Maker'' (in versions from 1.30 on) (''Super Mario Bros.'' style)
SMM-SMB3-PSwitch.png|P Switch from ''Super Mario Maker'' (''Super Mario Bros. 3'' style)
SMW and SMM SMW style-P Switch.png|P Switch from ''Super Mario Maker'' (''Super Mario World'' style)
SMM-NSMBU-PSwitch.png|P Switch from ''Super Mario Maker'' (''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'' style)
NSMBUD Item Background.jpg|Background image for ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe]]'' featuring various items
SMM2 Background.png|Background image for ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]''
SMM2 NSMBU P Switch.png|P Switch from ''Super Mario Maker 2'' (''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'' style)
SMM2-NSMBU-PSwitch.gif|P Switch from ''Super Mario Maker 2'' (''New Super Mario Bros. U'' style)
SMM2 SM3DW P Switch.png|P Switch from ''Super Mario Maker 2'' (''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' style)
LSM P-Switch chest icon.png|[[LEGO Super Mario|LEGO ''Super Mario'']]
MKLHC pswitch.png|''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]''
Mario Christmas Puzzle Artwork 2.jpg|Artwork used for a ''Mario'' Christmas-themed puzzle
</gallery>

==Additional names==
===Internal names===
{{internal names
|game1=''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]''<br>''[[Super Mario 3D World]]''<br>''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
|file1=<tt>TrampleSwitch</tt>
|name1=Trample Switch
}}

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=スイッチブロック<ref>''Super Mario Bros. 3'' Japanese instruction booklet. Page 16.</ref><ref>''Super Mario World'' Japanese instruction booklet (fold-out)</ref><br>''Suicchi Burokku''<br>Pスイッチ<br>''P Suicchi''
|JapM=Switch Block<br><br>P Switch
|ChiS=开关砖块 <small>(''New Super Mario Bros. 2'')</small><br>''Kāiguān Zhuānkuài''<br>P开关<br>''P Kāiguān''
|ChiSM=Switch Block<br><br>P Switch
|ChiT=開關磚塊<ref>[https://www.nintendo.com.hk/nsmb2/CTR_ABE_ME_CHT_HP.pdf Chinese online manual for ''New Super Mario Bros. 2'']. ''nintendo.com.hk''. Retrieved Febuary 20, 2020.</ref> <small>(''New Super Mario Bros. 2'')</small><br>''Kāiguān Zhuānkuài''<br>P開關 <small>(''Super Mario Maker 2'')</small><br>''P Kāiguān''
|ChiTM=Switch Block<br><br>P Switch
|Dut=P-schakelaar<ref>Nintendo Nederland (March 9, 2016). [https://youtu.be/xV4Hwg2Y_JA?t=32 Super Mario Maker - Gesloten deuren! Spijkerzuilen! Roze munten! (Wii U)]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 19, 2019.</ref>
|DutM=P switch
|Fra=Bloc P<br>Interrupteur P<br>Bloc d'échanges<br>Bloc rotatif <small>(''Super Mario All-Stars'' instruction booklet)</small>
|FraM=P Block<br>P Switch<br>Exchange block<br>Rotating block
|Ger=P-Block
|GerM=P-Block
|Ita=Interruttore P<br>Blocco Scambi
|ItaM=P Switch<br>Exchange Block
|Por=Interruptor P<br>Bloco de Transformação<br>Bloco de Mudança P <small>(''New Super Mario Bros.'')</small>
|PorM=P Switch<br>Transformation Block<br>P Change Block
|Rus=Переключатель «P»
|RusR=Pereklyuchatel' «P»
|RusM=P switch
|Spa=Interruptor P<br>Interruptor<ref>''Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2'' Spanish instruction booklet.{{page needed}}</ref>
|SpaM=P Switch<br>Switch
}}

==References==
<references/>

{{nav templates|
{{Blocks}}
{{SMB3}}
{{SMW}}
{{Yoshi}}
{{M&W}}
{{NSMB}}
{{NSMBW}}
{{SM3DL}}
{{NSMB2}}
{{NSMBU}}
{{M&SATSOWG}}
{{SM3DW}}
{{CTTT}}
{{SMM}}
{{SMO}}
{{SMM2}}
{{WWGIT}}}}
[[Category:Switches]]
[[Category:Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker objects]]
[[Category:Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games]]
[[Category:Mario & Wario]]
[[Category:New Super Luigi U objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. 2 objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. U objects]]
[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. Wii objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Bros. 3 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Maker objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Maker 2 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Odyssey objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario World objects]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]
[[Category:WarioWare: Get It Together!]]
[[Category:Yoshi (game)]]
[[de:P-Schalter]]
[[it:Interruttore P]]