Boulder: Difference between revisions

From the Super Mario Wiki, the Mario encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
m (Adding categories)
Tag: Mobile edit
No edit summary
 
(39 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 6: Line 6:
|latest_appearance=''[[Mario Party Superstars]]'' ([[List of games by date#2021|2021]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Mario Party Superstars]]'' ([[List of games by date#2021|2021]])
}}
}}
'''Boulders''', also referred to as '''Rolling Boulders''',<ref>Musa, Alexander. ''Mario Kart 8'' PRIMA Official Game Guide. Page 130. "'''''Rolling Boulders:''' Near the end of the course, boulders begin to roll downhill towards you.''"</ref> are large rocks found throughout various ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' games, usually serving as obstacles.
'''Boulders''', also referred to as '''Rolling Boulders''',<ref>{{cite|author=Musa, Alexander|title=''Mario Kart 8'' PRIMA Official Game Guide|page=130|date=May 30, 2014|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|quote='''Rolling Boulders:''' Near the end of the course, boulders begin to roll downhill towards you.|isbn=978-0-804-16328-6|language=en-us}}</ref> appear in the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]] as obstacles that roll down areas, usually sloped ones, and are capable of harming the player characters.
==History==
==History==
===''Super Mario'' franchise===
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario'' series====
====''Super Mario World''====
=====''Super Mario World''=====
'''Rocks'''<ref name=mania>{{cite|date=August 1991|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en|title=Nintendo ''[[Mario Mania]]'' Player's Guide|page=114|quote=Some Chargin' Chucks in the Dinosaur Land underground dig up rocks and toss them at passing plumbers.}}</ref> in ''[[Super Mario World]]'' are dug up by [[Chargin' Chuck|Diggin' Chuck]]s to attack the player character.<ref name=mania/> Rocks continue bouncing in a direction, changing direction upon hitting a wall, but either [[Cape Mario|Caped Mario]]'s attack or [[lava]] can stop them.
'''Rocks'''<ref>M. Arakawa. Nintendo ''Mario Mania'' Player's Guide. [[Media:SMW2 Guide 126.jpg|Page 114]].</ref> first appear in ''[[Super Mario World]]'', where they are dug up by [[Chargin' Chuck|Diggin' Chuck]]s as a form of attack. They continuously bounce on the ground in one direction (turning the other way when they bump into a wall) until they are hit by [[Cape Mario|Caped Mario]]'s attack or sink into [[lava]].


=====''Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins''=====
====''Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins''====
[[File:SML2Boulder.png|frame]]
[[File:SML2Boulder.png|frame]]
In ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'', they are dug up by [[Goronto]]s and act the same as in ''Super Mario World''.
Boulders in ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'' are are dug up and kicked by [[Goronto]]s,<ref>{{cite|quote=Ants can toss objects many times their own weight.|date=December 1992|author=Tilden, Gail, et al.|title=''Nintendo Power'' Volume 43|page=47|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref> in the same manner as a Diggin' Chuck.


=====''Super Mario 64'' / ''Super Mario 64 DS''=====
====''Super Mario 64'' / ''Super Mario 64 DS''====
[[File:SM64DS Hazy Maze Cave Star 6.png|thumb|left|200px|A rock rolling towards Mario in the Hazy Maze Cave]]
[[File:SM64 Asset Model Boulder.png|thumb|left|Appearance in ''Super Mario 64'']]
'''Rolling rocks'''<ref>(June 10, 1998). [https://web.archive.org/web/19980610064632/http://www.nintendo.com/n64/super_mario64/6-6.html Course 6 - Star 6: Watch for Rolling Rocks]. ''Nintendo: Super Mario 64 Strategy'' (Internet Archive: Wayback Machine). Retrieved February 23, 2018.</ref> also appear in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'' within the course the [[Hazy Maze Cave]]. They are found in a large area, endlessly rolling down a slope and then falling into a [[pit]]. If Mario, [[Yoshi]], [[Luigi]], or [[Wario]] tries to climb the slope, the rocks deliberately roll in his direction, so he has to dodge them. The Hazy Maze Cave has a mission called [[Watch for Rolling Rocks]], where the goal is for Mario to avoid the rocks and grab the [[Power Star]] on a nearby corner. In ''Super Mario 64 DS'', the Power Star is obtained differently: Mario, Luigi, or Wario must grow from a [[Super Mushroom|mushroom]] and break three or four rocks to reveal the Power Star. Alternatively, Wario can break the rocks by punching them. Also, in the DS version of the mission [[Swimming Beast in the Cavern]], Wario must punch a rock on the island in the center of the Underground Lake to reveal a Power Star.
'''Rolling rocks'''<ref name=website>{{cite|quote=Find the hidden Star in the room with the rolling rocks.|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/19980610064632/http://www.nintendo.com/n64/super_mario64/6-6.html|title=Course 6 - Star 6: Watch for Rolling Rocks|publisher=Nintendo: Super Mario 64 Strategy|accessdate=February 23, 2018|language=en-us}}</ref> are obstacles in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. An endless number of them roll down a corridor in a wide room of [[Hazy Maze Cave]] before falling into a [[pit]].<ref>{{cite|quote=An unlimited supply of huge rolling boulders comes crashing down this corridor to fall into a bottomless pit.|title=''Super Mario 64'' Player's Guide|page=56|author=Pelland, Scott, and Dan Owsen|date=1996|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en}}</ref> Rolling rocks are featured in the mission [[Watch for Rolling Rocks]], where the goal is to avoid them in a corridor and collect the [[Power Star]] nearby.<ref name=website/> In ''Super Mario 64 DS'', five rolling rocks have to be broken by [[Wario]] for the Power Star to appear instead.<ref>{{cite|timestamp=19:15-19:30|url=youtu.be/4FEXhpKMH2E?feature=shared&t=1155|title=''Super Mario 64 DS'' - 100% Walkthrough - Course 6 Hazy Maze Cave|author=NintenU|date=March 1, 2022|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref> The remake also covers the Power Star in [[Swimming Beast in the Cavern]] with a rock,<ref>{{cite|url=youtu.be/4FEXhpKMH2E?feature=shared&t=100|title=''Super Mario 64 DS'' - 100% Walkthrough - Course 6 Hazy Maze Cave|timestamp=01:40}}</ref> which is breakable by only Wario.
{{br}}
 
====''Super Mario Galaxy''====
[[File:Boulder Planet.png|thumb|Ruby Rocks rolling around a planet in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'']]
In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', '''Ruby Rocks'''<ref name=Portal>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/galaxy/?lang=en|title=English ''Super Mario Galaxy'' entry on the official Mario Portal|publisher=nintendo.co.jp|accessdate=August 13, 2022|archive=archive.today/2022.08.12-233909/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/galaxy/?lang=en}}</ref> and '''Big Ruby Rocks'''<ref name=Portal/> roll on open or closed circuits, coming out infinitely out of tunnels in the former case and falling into an abyss afterwards. Ruby Rocks are somewhat common and appear in several galaxies, including the [[Good Egg Galaxy]] and the [[Honeyhive Galaxy]]. If [[Mario]] touches a Ruby Rock, it knocks him backward and takes away a wedge of his [[Health Meter]], but hitting the red area of a Ruby Rock destroys it.<ref>{{cite|quote=Better yet, spin into the red surface of the boulders to destroy them—they release a lot of star bits.|author=Black, Fletcher|title=''Super Mario Galaxy: PRIMA Official Game Guide''|format=Collector's Edition|location=Roseville|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|language=en-us|date=November 9, 2007|page=42|isbn=978-0-7615-5713-5}}</ref> Boulders can also be destroyed if either [[Rainbow Mario]] collides with them, a [[rubbery bulb]] is knocked into them, or an improvised tactic of using a [[Star Pointer]] to hold a Ruby Rock in place so that a second Ruby Rock can collide with it, destroying both Ruby Rocks. Ruby Rocks have some subtle size differentiation in different levels, though one in the underground section of the [[Dusty Dune Galaxy]] is especially large. One of [[Bowser]]'s attacks in the first part of his final battle involves surrounding himself with rock fragments and rolling around the planet much like a Ruby Rock in an attempt to squash Mario. Bowser's head sticks out of the rock in the same area where the red spot would be on an actual Ruby Rock. Mario must spin Bowser's head to break him out of his rock shell.


=====''Super Mario Galaxy''=====
====''Super Mario Galaxy 2''====
{{multiple image
In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', Ruby Rocks<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/galaxy2/?lang=en|title=English ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'' entry on the official Mario Portal|publisher=nintendo.co.jp|accessdate=August 13, 2022|archive=archive.today/2022.08.12-233946/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/galaxy2/?lang=en}}</ref> reappear in the [[Boulder Bowl Galaxy]]. They can be destroyed by [[Rock Mario]], a form that gives Mario a similar shape to a Ruby Rock, except with his head poking out in place of the red spot. Rock Mario rolls around like a Ruby Rock, but with more movement control.
|align=right
|direction=vertical
|image1=Boulder Planet.png
|width1=180
|caption1=Ruby Rocks rolling around a planet in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
|image2=SMG2 Boulder Bowl Rolling Rocks Planet.png
|width2=180
|caption2=Ruby Rocks in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''{{'}}s [[Boulder Bowl Galaxy]]
}}
In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', '''Ruby Rocks'''<ref name=Portal>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/galaxy/?lang=en English ''Super Mario Galaxy'' entry on the official Mario Portal]. nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved August 13, 2022. ([https://archive.ph/IMSwG Archived] August 12, 2022, 23:39:09 UTC via archive.today.)</ref> and '''Big Ruby Rocks'''<ref name=Portal/> roll on open or closed circuits, coming out infinitely out of tunnels in the former case and falling into an abyss afterwards. If [[Mario]] touches them, he is knocked away and loses one wedge of his [[Health Meter]]. Ruby Rocks are semi-common obstacles that appear in several galaxies, including the [[Good Egg Galaxy]] and the [[Honeyhive Galaxy]]. They can be destroyed if Mario [[spin]]s their weak spot, a circular red area. They can also be destroyed if [[Rainbow Mario]] collides with them, a [[rubbery bulb]] is knocked into them, or the second player uses their [[Star Pointer]] to hold one in place, allowing a second Ruby Rock to collide with it, destroying both Ruby Rocks. Upon destruction, Ruby Rocks leave a large number of [[Star Bits]]. Ruby Rocks in this game have some subtle size differentiation in different levels, though one in the underground section of the [[Dusty Dune Galaxy]] is especially large.


During the first part of the final [[Bowser]] battle, one of Bowser's attacks involves surrounding himself with rock fragments and rolling around the planet much like a Ruby Rock in an attempt to squash Mario. Bowser's head sticks out of the rock in the same area where the red spot would be on an actual Ruby Rock. Mario must spin Bowser's head to break him out of his rock shell.
====''New Super Mario Bros. 2''====
Boulders appear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' as common obstacles in an underwater level, [[World 3-5 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 3-5]]. They are only way to obtain certain [[Star Coin]]s that are enclosed in blocks.<ref>{{cite|timestamp=01:02|url=youtu.be/z4NxakWbmFY?feature=shared&t=62|title=''New Super Mario Bros. 2'' - Star Coin Guide - World 3-5 - Walkthrough|author=IGN Guides|date=August 17, 2012|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite|timestamp=02:31|url=youtu.be/z4NxakWbmFY?feature=shared&t=151|title=''New Super Mario Bros. 2'' - Star Coin Guide - World 3-5 - Walkthrough|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> Boulders can be destroyed using a [[Gold Flower]]<ref>{{cite|url=youtu.be/DKloNy8sy8Q?feature=shared&t=55|title=''New Super Mario Bros. 2'': World 3-5 100% Walkthrough (w/ Star Coins)|author=Elijah Paskevich (video game enthusiast)|timestamp=0:55|date=May 2, 2023|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref> or [[Invincible Mario|invincibility]].


=====''Super Mario Galaxy 2''=====
====''Super Mario Odyssey''====
[[File:SMG2 Boulder Artwork.png|thumb|left|100px|A Ruby Rock from ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'']]
[[File:Boulder SMO.png|thumb|left|A boulder captured by Mario in ''Super Mario Odyssey'']]
In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', Ruby Rocks<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/character/mario/archives/galaxy2/?lang=en English ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'' entry on the official Mario Portal]. nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved August 13, 2022. ([https://archive.ph/2UaOd Archived] August 12, 2022, 23:39:46 UTC via archive.today.)</ref> reappear in the [[Boulder Bowl Galaxy]], a galaxy that is appropriately centered around boulders, as well as the [[Rock Mushroom]]. This time, the Ruby Rocks can also be destroyed by [[Rock Mario]]. The boss of this galaxy, [[Rollodillo]], attacks in the same way as a Ruby Rock, and can be defeated only by using Rock Mario. [[Sorbetti]], the boss of the [[Freezy Flake Galaxy]], also uses a similar strategy during the boss battle.
Boulders in ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' have various roles. One specific boulder that takes the form of a large, oblong rock is found in front of a tree in the [[Deep Woods]] in the [[Wooded Kingdom]] and can be [[capture]]d, which allows it to be moved to reveal a tunnel containing a [[Power Moon]]. Many rolling boulders also appear in the [[Underground Moon Caverns]] in the [[Moon Kingdom]] and in the segment where Mario captures Bowser in the cave on the [[Darker Side]] of the [[moon]]. These round boulders can be destroyed by ramming into them as a [[Chargin' Chuck]] or by clawing them as Bowser, and may produce a [[heart (item)|heart]] in the latter case. Additionally, during the first battle against Bowser in the [[Cloud Kingdom]], Bowser occasionally attacks Mario by throwing brick-like boulders at him (the second battle in the Moon Kingdom replaces the brick boulders with burning Bowser shells), and many boulders fall down at the end of the game when Mario captures Bowser in the Moon Kingdom as the caves collapse, serving as obstacles, with yellow markers appearing where they are set to land.


When Mario collects a [[Rock Mushroom]], he transforms into [[Rock Mario]], taking the form of a round Ruby Rock-like object which enables him to roll into obstacles and enemies, much like Bowser does in ''Super Mario Galaxy''{{'}}s final battle. Mario's head sticks out of the rock where the red spot is normally on a regular Ruby Rock.  
===''Donkey Kong Land''===
{{br}}
Boulders appear in ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' as indestructible obstacles in [[Mountain Mayhem]] and [[Landslide Leap]]. They down from above periodically and bounce briefly upon hitting a surface.<ref>{{cite|timestamp=0:33|url=youtu.be/pl7fhjB1F3M?feature=shared&t=33|title=''Donkey Kong Land'' - Monkey Mountains & Chimpanzee Clouds - Mountain Mayhem|author=[[User:VideoGamePhenomHD|VideoGamePhenom]]|date=May 9, 2019|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref> A boulder damages a [[Kong]] on contact.


=====''New Super Mario Bros. 2''=====
===''Mario Kart'' series===
[[File:NSMB2-W3-5.png|thumb|left|200px|A boulder and a [[Blooper]] chasing Mario in World 3-5]]
====''Mario Kart 64''====
Boulders make their next sidescroller appearance in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]''. They appear in [[World 3-5 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 3-5]], which is an underwater level. They are common obstacles here but they are also necessary to obtain several [[Star Coin]]s as they are enclosed in blocks that cannot be broken by Mario. Boulders can be destroyed using a [[Super Star]], an [[Invincibility Leaf]], or a [[Gold Flower]].
Boulders appear as obstacles at the [[N64 Choco Mountain|Choco Mountain]] course in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]''. They flatten player characters on contact.<ref>{{cite|author=Owsen, Dan, et al.|title=''Mario Kart 64'' Player's Guide|date=1997|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en|page=42}}</ref>
{{br}}


=====''Super Mario Odyssey''=====
====''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''====
[[File:Boulder SMO.png|thumb|200px|A boulder captured by Mario]]
Boulders in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' are obstacles in [[GCN DK Mountain|DK Mountain]]. They function like in ''Mario Kart 64''.
Boulders appear again in ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''. One specific boulder that takes the form of a large, oblong rock is found in front of a tree in the [[Deep Woods]] in the [[Wooded Kingdom]] and can be [[capture]]d, which allows it to be moved to reveal a tunnel containing a [[Power Moon]]. Many rolling boulders also appear in the [[Underground Moon Caverns]] in the [[Moon Kingdom]] and in the segment where Mario captures Bowser in the cave on the [[Darker Side]] of the [[moon]]. These round boulders can be destroyed by ramming into them as a [[Chargin' Chuck]] or by clawing them as Bowser, and may produce a [[heart (item)|heart]] in the latter case. Additionally, during the first battle against Bowser in the [[Cloud Kingdom]], Bowser occasionally attacks Mario by throwing brick-like boulders at him (the second battle in the Moon Kingdom replaces the brick boulders with burning Bowser shells), and many boulders fall down at the end of the game when Mario captures Bowser in the Moon Kingdom as the caves collapse, serving as obstacles, with yellow markers appearing where they are set to land.


====''Mario Kart'' series====
====''Mario Kart DS''====
=====''Mario Kart 64''=====
Boulders in ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'' return as obstacles at {{classic|N64|Choco Mountain}}. Similar large [[Metal ball|pinballs]] appear as obstacles in [[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]].
Boulders make their first [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'']] appearance in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', where they appear as obstacles in [[N64 Choco Mountain|Choco Mountain]]. When the player is hit by a boulder, they will be flattened.


=====''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''=====
====''Mario Kart Wii''====
Boulders return in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' as obstacles in [[GCN DK Mountain|DK Mountain]].
Boulders in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' retain their role in {{classic|GCN|DK Mountain}}.


=====''Mario Kart DS''=====
====''Mario Kart 7''====
In ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', boulders return in Choco Mountain, which is a [[classic course]] in this game. Large [[Metal ball|pinballs]] similar to boulders appear in [[DS Waluigi Pinball|Waluigi Pinball]].
''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' also features boulders as obstacles, this time integrating them at [[3DS Rock Rock Mountain|Rock Rock Mountain]] and [[Maka Wuhu]] towards the end of the track. In this game and following ''Mario Kart'' games, boulders spin out racers on contact instead of flattening them.


=====''Mario Kart Wii''=====
====''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''====
Boulders reappear once more in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' in DK Mountain, which appears as a retro course.
[[File:BoulderMK8.png|thumb|200px|A boulder on the Bowser's Castle course from ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'']]
Rolling boulders are obstacles in the [[Bowser's Castle (Mario Kart 8)|Bowser's Castle]] course of ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''. In these games, they resemble their ''Super Mario Galaxy'' counterparts in texture, but without the red jeweled side. [[Millstone]]s similar to boulders appear in [[Thwomp Ruins]]. Rolling boulders also appear in {{classic|N64|Choco Mountain}}, {{classic|3DS|Rock Rock Mountain}}, {{classic-link|Tour|Athens Dash}}, and {{classic|GCN|DK Mountain}} in the ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass]]'' DLC.


=====''Mario Kart 7''=====
{{classic-link|Tour|Sydney Sprint}} features a type of boulder<ref name="MKT">Displayed as an [[Mario Kart Tour race points system#Object interactions|action]] in ''Mario Kart Tour''</ref> that is stationary and has an elongated shape. Such boulders appear on the grassy, off-road portions of the {{wp|Barangaroo, New South Wales#Barangaroo Reserve|Barangaroo Reserve}} segment. They slow down racers when driven into, but do not crash them like rolling rocks do. They can be launched into the air by hitting them with a [[Spiny Shell (blue)|Spiny Shell]] or a [[Super Horn]], or by touching them while under the effects of a [[Bullet Bill]] or [[Super Star]].
In ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', boulders make yet another appearance as obstacles in [[3DS Rock Rock Mountain|Rock Rock Mountain]] and [[Maka Wuhu]] towards the end of the track. Starting from this game, boulders no longer cause the player to be flattened when hit. Instead, the player will spin out.


=====''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''=====
====''Mario Kart Tour''====
[[File:BoulderMK8.png|thumb|200px|A boulder on the Bowser's Castle course from ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'']]
In ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'', rolling rocks<ref name="MKT"/> appear as obstacles at {{classic|3DS|Rock Rock Mountain}}, {{classic|N64|Choco Mountain}}, {{classic|GCN|DK Mountain}} and Athens Dash 2. The player can destroy a rolling rock and get bonus points in the process by hitting it with a Spiny Shell, [[Bowser's Shell]], [[Bob-omb]], Super Horn, [[Giga Bob-omb]], or [[Super Bell]], or by ramming into one while under the effects of a [[Frenzy (Mario Kart Tour)|Frenzy]], [[Mega Mushroom]], Bullet Bill, or Super Star.
Boulders appear in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and its enhanced port, ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'', as an obstacle in [[Bowser's Castle (Mario Kart 8)|Bowser's Castle]]. They resemble their ''Super Mario Galaxy'' counterparts in texture, but without the red jeweled side. [[Millstone]]s similar to boulders appear in [[Thwomp Ruins]]. Boulders also appear in N64 Choco Mountain, 3DS Rock Rock Mountain, and Tour Athens Dash in the [[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]] for ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''.


=====''Mario Kart Tour''=====
The boulders<ref name="MKT"/> seen in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''{{'}}s rendition of {{classic|Tour|Sydney Sprint}} also appear in ''Mario Kart Tour'' on Sydney Sprint 3 and its variants. In this game, they can be launched into the air by almost the same means used to destroy rolling rocks, except with Bob-ombs, and they grant bonus points in the process.
Rolling rocks reappear in ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' as obstacles in 3DS Rock Rock Mountain, N64 Choco Mountain, GCN DK Mountain and [[Athens Dash|Athens Dash 2]]. The player can get points by hitting rolling rocks while invincible.


====''Mario Party'' series====
===''Mario Party'' series===
Boulders appear in some [[minigame]]s in the ''[[Mario Party (series)|Mario Party]]'' series. In [[Boulder Ball]] in ''[[Mario Party 3]]'' and ''[[Mario Party Superstars]]'', the solo player must use a machine to fling boulders at the team players to prevent them from reaching the top of a slope. In [[Granite Getaway]] in ''[[Mario Party 6]]'', the players need to run away from a giant rolling boulder. In [[Rocky Road (minigame)|Rocky Road]] in ''Mario Party 6'', ''[[Mario Party: The Top 100]]'', and ''Mario Party Superstars'', teams need to [[punch]] and [[kick]] boulders blocking the road to destroy them so they can reach the finish line. In [[Block and Roll]] in ''[[Mario Party 9]]'', the rivals must roll boulders down to the solo player to prevent them from transporting three blocks from one side to the other.
Boulders appear in some [[minigame]]s in the ''[[Mario Party (series)|Mario Party]]'' series. In [[Boulder Ball]] in ''[[Mario Party 3]]'' and ''[[Mario Party Superstars]]'', the solo player must use a machine to fling boulders at the team players to prevent them from reaching the top of a slope. In [[Granite Getaway]] in ''[[Mario Party 6]]'', the players need to run away from a giant rolling boulder. In [[Rocky Road (minigame)|Rocky Road]] in ''Mario Party 6'', ''[[Mario Party: The Top 100]]'', and ''Mario Party Superstars'', teams need to [[punch]] and [[kick]] boulders blocking the road to destroy them so they can reach the finish line. In [[Block and Roll]] in ''[[Mario Party 9]]'', the rivals must roll boulders down to the solo player to prevent them from transporting three blocks from one side to the other.


===''Donkey Kong'' franchise===
===''Wario Land'' series===
====''Donkey Kong Land''====
====''Wario Land II''====
[[File:MountainMayhem-6.png|thumb|left|A falling boulder in Mountain Mayhem]]
In ''[[Wario Land II]]'', boulders fall from holes in the walls of underground areas in [[Avoid the rocks!]] and [[The Final Battle!!]]. Large ones squash [[Wario]] into [[Flat Wario]], but small ones can be held and thrown by him to defeat enemies or [[Enemy Block]]s.
Boulders are present as obstacles in [[Mountain Mayhem]] and [[Landslide Leap]], two levels from ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]''. They periodically fall down from holes in the background wall, bouncing briefly on any platform they fall onto. They will damage the [[Kong]]s upon contact and are completely indestructible, even against [[Rambi the Rhino]].


====''Donkey Kong 64''====
====''Wario Land 3''====
{{quote|Can pick up a boulder with relative ease. Makes crushing rocks seem such a breeze!|DK Rap}}
In ''[[Wario Land 3]]'', boulders are small, lumpy objects appearing only in [[Above the Clouds (Wario Land 3)|Above the Clouds]], working as they did in ''Wario Land II''.
[[File:DK64 Chunky Boulder.png|thumb|200px|[[Chunky Kong]] holding a boulder in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'']]
In ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', boulders appear as stationary obstacles, often appearing on various pads, which require them to be moved before the pads could be used. However, only [[Chunky Kong]] can lift them. Boulders also serve as weights, and are sometimes needed to keep various switches pressed down. In this game, they are dark green in color.


====''Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze''====
====''Wario Land 4''====
Boulders<ref>"Help" screen in ''Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze''. "''BOULDER: Pursues your barrel in a straight line and causes damage if it hits you.''"</ref> appear in most levels of ''[[Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze]]''. They are initially found standing still, but start rolling towards the player's [[barrel]] when approached. They then roll straight ahead until they hit a wall, a slope, or the playable barrel, at which point they break. If the playable barrel is hit by a boulder, it loses some energy.
In ''[[Wario Land 4]]'', boulders are produced by [[Bowler]]s from the ground and are indestructible. Once created, they are tossed in the direction of Wario, rolling until hitting a wall or falling into [[lava]]. They damage Wario on contact. There are also small, holdable boulders that appear in several levels, working as in previous ''Wario Land'' games.


====''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat''====
====''Wario Land: Shake It!''====
Rolling boulders are present in ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]'', first appearing in [[Massive Canyon]]. They can only be jumped over in this game.
[[File:WLSI Sneak Peak boulder2.png|thumb|left|Two boulders rolling towards [[Wario]] in the level [[Sneak Peak]] of ''[[Wario Land: Shake It!]]'']]
Boulders also appear in ''[[Wario Land: Shake It!]]'', acting as obstacles in volcano-related courses. In [[Mt. Lava Lava]], there are enormous boulders held in place either by [[Hard Block]]s or [[Bomb Block (Wario Land: Shake It!)|Bomb Blocks]]. When Wario destroys these, the boulders immediately start chasing him down a path, destroying every enemy and block in its path. If a boulder catches up to Wario, he will remain stuck to its surface and move along with it until the boulder stops somewhere and flings Wario forward due to the momentum. In [[Sneak Peak]], there are small boulders that can also pick up Wario as they roll, but can be jumped on to reach a higher area. They endlessly come out of openings in walls and roll on the ground until they fall into lava.
{{br}}
===''Donkey Kong 64''===
[[File:DK64 Chunky Boulder.png|thumb|[[Chunky Kong]] holding a boulder in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'']]
In ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', boulders can be lifted by [[Chunky Kong]] only.<ref>{{cite|quote=Can pick up a boulder with relative ease. Makes crushing rocks seem such a breeze!|author=[[DK Rap]]|title=''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''|date=1999|publisher=Nintendo|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Bihldorff, Nate, et al.|date=1999|title=''Donkey Kong 64'' Player's Guide|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en|page=34|quote=You'd think that those big arms of Chunky's would be good for something. In fact, they're ideal for lifting big chunks of rock and throwing them. }}</ref> They are dark green objects that often sit on a pad or a floor switch, which are not usable until the boulder is lifted.


====''DK: Jungle Climber''====
===''Donkey Kong Country'' series===
Boulders<ref>''Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber'' English instruction booklet. Page 14.</ref> also appear in some cave levels of ''[[DK: Jungle Climber]]'', starting in [[Cool Cool Cave]]. These boulders have many [[peg]]s on them, and [[Donkey Kong]] can spin the boulder either left or right, based on which side he is spinning from it. Boulders are required for reaching high areas, including peg boards or ledges.
====''Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze''====
Boulders<ref>{{cite|author="Help" screen|title=''Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze''|quote=BOULDER: Pursues your barrel in a straight line and causes damage if it hits you.}}</ref> appear in ''[[Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze]]'' as obstacles. They stand still at first but start rolling towards the player's [[barrel]] when approached. They roll straight ahead until hitting a wall, a slope, or the playable barrel, at which point they break. If the playable barrel is hit by a boulder, it loses some energy. Boulders appear in most levels.


====''Donkey Kong Country Returns''====
====''Donkey Kong Country Returns''====
Boulders of various sizes appear in ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'', primarily in [[Boulder Roller]]. Most of them are covered in spikes.
Boulders in ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' appear in varying sizes, and most are covered in spikes. They are encountered primarily in [[Boulder Roller]].
{{br|left}}


===''Wario'' franchise===
===''Yoshi Topsy-Turvy''===
====''Wario Land'' series====
Boulders appear in ''[[Yoshi Topsy-Turvy]]'' as interactive objects that can be stood on by [[Yoshi]]. The player can tilt the [[Game Boy Advance]] to make the boulder to roll, defeating enemies along the way. Boulders have a few holes in them, comparable to a bowling ball.
=====''Wario Land II''=====
In ''[[Wario Land II]]'', boulders fall from holes in the walls of underground areas, appearing only in [[Avoid the rocks!]] and [[The Final Battle!!]]. Small ones can be held and thrown to defeat enemies or [[Enemy Block]]s, and large ones squash [[Wario]] into [[Flat Wario]].
=====''Wario Land 3''=====
In ''[[Wario Land 3]]'', small boulders only appear in the late-game stage, [[Above the Clouds (Wario Land 3)|Above the Clouds]], working as they did in ''Wario Land II''. However, they now have a new sprite, being more lumpy than before.


=====''Wario Land 4''=====
===''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat''===
In ''[[Wario Land 4]]'', [[Iwao]] produce boulders from the ground and throw them at Wario to attack him. These boulders roll on the ground until they hit a wall or fall into [[lava]] and will damage Wario if they hit him. They cannot be destroyed, only avoided. There are also small, holdable boulders from the previous games, working as before, that appear in several levels.
Rolling boulders appear as obstacles in ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]''. They are first encountered in [[Massive Canyon]]. Rolling boulders damage Donkey Kong on contact,<ref name=dkjb>{{cite|timestamp=0:48|url=youtu.be/T_VqALHxAhs?feature=shared&t=48|title=DONKEY KONG JUNGLE BEAT ~ APPLE KINGDOM ~ MASSIVE CANYON - NO COMMENTARY|author=Nintendo Thumb Digest|date=July 1, 2017|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref> and can only be jumped over.<ref name=dkjb/>


=====''Wario Land: Shake It!''=====
===''Wario: Master of Disguise''===
[[File:WLSI Sneak Peak boulder2.png|thumb|Two boulders rolling towards [[Wario]] in the level [[Sneak Peak]] of ''[[Wario Land: Shake It!]]'']]
Boulders in ''[[Wario: Master of Disguise]]'' are created by [[Poobah the Pharaoh]] from his nostrils as part of his first attack phase.<ref>{{cite|timestamp=05:20|title=Let's Beat - Poobah the Pharoah, the Ancient Annoyance|date=November 16, 2018|author=Bosscinerator|url=youtu.be/j07jzm0iVJY?feature=shared&t=320|publisher=YouTube|language=en}}</ref> Boulders remain still for a moment when landing on the ground before rolling towards Wario, breaking when they hit a wall. They can hurt Wario if touched from the sides, but can be destroyed with a jump.
In ''[[Wario Land: Shake It!]]'', boulders appear as obstacles in volcano-related courses. In [[Mt. Lava Lava]], there are enormous boulders held in place either by [[Hard Block]]s or [[Bomb Block (Wario Land: Shake It!)|Bomb Blocks]]. When Wario destroys these, the boulders immediately start chasing him down a path, destroying every enemy and block in its path. If a boulder catches up to Wario, he will remain stuck to its surface and move along with it until the boulder stops somewhere and flings Wario forward due to the momentum. In [[Sneak Peak]], there are small boulders that can also pick up Wario as they roll, but can be jumped on to reach a higher area. They endlessly come out of openings in walls and roll on the ground until they fall into lava.


====''Wario: Master of Disguise''====
===''DK: Jungle Climber''===
In ''[[Wario: Master of Disguise]]'', boulders are created by [[Poobah the Pharaoh]] from his nostrils as part of his first attack phase. When they land on the ground, they remain still for a moment before rolling towards Wario, breaking when they hit a wall. Boulders can hurt Wario if touched from the sides, but can be destroyed with a jump.
Boulders<ref>{{cite|title=''Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber'' instruction booklet|page=14|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en}}</ref> appear in ''[[DK: Jungle Climber]]''. They first appear in [[Cool Cool Cave]] and appear in cave areas. Boulders have many [[peg]]s on them and are required to reach certain high areas, including Peg Boards and ledges. The boulder can be spun either left or right, depending on which side Donkey Kong is spinning from it.
 
===''Yoshi Topsy-Turvy''===
In ''[[Yoshi Topsy-Turvy]]'', boulders have three indentations similar to a bowling ball. [[Yoshi]] can stand on a boulder, and the player can tilt the [[Game Boy Advance]] to roll it. While it is rolling, it can defeat enemies.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
SM64 Boulder.png|Screenshot from ''[[Super Mario 64]]''
MountainMayhem-6.png|''[[Donkey Kong Land]]''
SMG Asset Model Boulder.png|Model from ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
SM64 Boulder.png|''Super Mario 64''
WLSI Sneak Peak boulder1.png|Screenshot from ''[[Wario Land: Shake It!]]''
SM64DS Hazy Maze Cave Star 6.png|''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''
SMG Asset Model Boulder.png|''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
WLSI Sneak Peak boulder1.png|''[[Wario Land: Shake It!]]''
SMG2 Boulder Artwork.png|''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''
SMG2 Boulder Bowl Rolling Rocks Planet.png|''Super Mario Galaxy 2''
NSMB2-W3-5.png|''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]''
SMO Screenshot Boulder (Obstacle).jpg|''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
MK8D Boulder TourSydneySprint.jpg|''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''
MKT boulder.png|''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
===Boulder===
{{foreign names
{{foreign names
|Jap=ゴロゴロいわ <small>(''Super Mario 64'')</small><br>''Gorogoro iwa''<br>{{ruby|落石|らくせき}}<ref>[https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NUS/JPN/NKTJ/NKTJ_J.pdf ''Mario Kart 64'' Japanese instruction booklet]. Page 29.</ref> <small>(''Mario Kart 64'')</small><br>''Rakuseki''<br>ころがり岩<ref>「ヨッシーの万有引力任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (''Yoshi Banyū Inryoku Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook''). {{media link|YUG Shogakukan P21.jpg|Page 21}}.</ref> <small>(Yoshi Topsy-Turvy)</small><br>''Korogari Iwa''<br>{{ruby|大岩|おおいわ}}<ref>''Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber'' Japanese instruction booklet. Page 19.</ref> <small>(''Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber'')</small><br>''Ō Iwa''<br>ゴロゴロ岩 <small>(''Super Mario Galaxy'')</small><br>''Gorogoro iwa''<br>でかゴロ岩<ref>Shogakukan. 2015. ''Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook'', ''Super Mario Galaxy'' section. {{media link|ESMB page 127.png|Page 127}}.</ref> <small>(giant type, ''Super Mario Galaxy'')</small><br>''Dekagoro iwa''<br><small>(''Super Mario Odyssey'')</small><br>''iwa''
|Jap=ゴロゴロ岩
|JapM=Rolling rock<br><br>Rockfall</small><br><br>Rolling rock<br><br>Big Rock<br><br>Rolling rock<br><br>Big rolling rock<br><br>Rock
|JapC=<ref>{{cite|author=Sakai, Kazuya (Ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors|title="Super Mario 64."『[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック]]』|language=ja|location=Tokyo|publisher=Shogakukan|date=2015|page=92}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]]|title=スーパーマリオギャラクシー|url=www.nintendo.com/jp/character/mario/history/galaxy/index.html|publisher=Mario Portal|language=ja|accessdate= 7 Mar. 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Nintendo Co., Ltd|title=スーパーマリオギャラクシー2|url=www.nintendo.com/jp/character/mario/history/galaxy2/index.html|publisher=Mario Portal|language=ja|accessdate= 7 Mar. 2024}}</ref>
|JapR=Gorogoro Iwa
|JapM=Rolling Rock
|Jap2=ゴロゴロいわ
|Jap2R=Gorogoro Iwa
|Jap2M=Rolling Rock
|Jap2N=''Super Mario 64''
|Jap3={{ruby|落石|らくせき}}
|Jap3C=<ref>{{cite|url=m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NUS/JPN/NKTJ/NKTJ_J.pdf|title=マリオカート{{ruby|64|六十四}} (''Mario Kāto Rokujūyon'') instruction booklet|format=PDF|page=29|date=1996|language=ja|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
|Jap3R=Rakuseki
|Jap3M=Rockfall
|Jap3N=''Mario Kart 64''
|Jap4=ころがり岩
|Jap4C=<ref>{{cite|title=「ヨッシーの万有引力任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (''Yoshi Banyū Inryoku Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook'')|page={{file link|YUG Shogakukan P21.jpg|21}}|language=ja|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
|Jap4R=Korogari Iwa
|Jap4M=Rolling Rock
|Jap4N=''Yoshi Topsy-Turvy''
|Jap5={{ruby|大岩|おおいわ}}
|Jap5C=<ref>{{cite|title=ドンキーコング ジャングルクライマー (''Donkī Kongu Janguru Kuraimā'') instruction booklet|page=19|date=2007|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
|Jap5R=Ō Iwa
|Jap5M=Big Rock
|Jap5N=''Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber''
|Jap6=大岩
|Jap6C=<ref>{{cite|author=Sakai et al|title="New Super Mario Bros. 2."『スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』|page=199}}</ref>
|Jap6R=Ō Iwa
|Jap6M=Big Rock
|Jap6N=''New Super Mario Bros. 2''
|Jap7={{ruby||いわ}}
|Jap7R=Iwa
|Jap7M=Rock
|Jap7N=''Super Mario Odyssey'', ''Mario Kart Tour''
|Chi=岩石<ref name="MKT"/>
|ChiR=Yánshí
|ChiM=Rock
|ChiS=滚动岩石
|ChiS=滚动岩石
|ChiSR=Gǔndòng Yánshí
|ChiSR=Gǔndòng Yánshí
Line 141: Line 165:
|Dut=Rotsblok
|Dut=Rotsblok
|DutM=Rockblock
|DutM=Rockblock
|Fra=Rocher<br>Grand rocher<ref>''Super Mario Encyclopedia'' (French). Page 127.</ref><br>Grosse pierre ronde<ref>[https://www.nintendo64ever.com/Scans-Magazine,2,Le-Magazine-Officiel-Nintendo-01.html Nintendo official French magazine N1]. Page 93. nintendo64ever.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.</ref>
|Fre=Rocher
|FraM=Rock<br>Big rock/boulder<br>Big round rock
|Fre2=Grand rocher
|Ger=Felsbrocken<br>Felsen
|Fre2C=<ref>{{cite|date=July 4, 2018|title=''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Super Mario Encyclopedia]]''|publisher=Soleil Productions|language=fr|isbn=2302070046|page=127}}</ref>
|GerM=Boulder<br>Rock
|Fre3=Grosse pierre ronde
|Ita=Masso/Macigno<br>Massoruota <small>(''Super Mario Galaxy'')</small><br>Roccia rotolante <small>(''Mario Kart Tour)</small>
|Fre3C=<ref>{{cite|date=October/November 1997|url=archive.org/details/NM6401/page/n91/mode/2up?view=theater|title=''Le Magazine Nintendo officiel N1''|page=93|location=Boulogne-Billancourt|publisher=Emap Alpha|language=fr|website=archive.org|accessdate=May 12, 2023}}</ref>
|ItaM=Boulder<br>Rockwheel<br>Rolling rock
|FreM=Rock
|Kor=
|Fre2M=Big rock/boulder
|KorR=
|Fre3M=Big round rock
|KorM=
|Ger=Felsbrocken
|Por=Pedra rolante <small>(''Mario Kart Tour'')</small>
|Ger2=Felsen
|PorM=Rolling stone
|GerM=Boulder
|Ger2M=Rock
|Ita=Masso/Macigno
|ItaM=Boulder
|Kor=바위
|KorC=<ref name="MKT"/>
|KorR=Bawi
|KorM=Rock
|Rus=Валун
|Rus=Валун
|RusR=Valun
|RusR=Valun
Line 157: Line 188:
|SpaA=Peñasco
|SpaA=Peñasco
|SpaAM=Boulder
|SpaAM=Boulder
|SpaA2=Roca
|SpaA2C=<ref name="MKT"/>
|SpaA2M=Rock
|SpaA2N=''Mario Kart Tour''
|SpaE=Roca
|SpaE=Roca
|SpaEM=Rock
|SpaEM=Rock
}}
===Rolling rock===
{{foreign names
|Ita=Roccia rotolante
|ItaC=<ref name="MKT"/>
|ItaM=Rolling rock
|Por=Pedra rolante
|PorC=<ref name="MKT"/>
|PorM=Rolling stone
}}
===Ruby Rock===
{{foreign names
|Jap=ゴロゴロ岩
|JapN=''Super Mario Galaxy''
|JapR=Gorogoro iwa
|Jap2=でかゴロ岩
|Jap2C=<ref>{{cite|author=Sakai et al|title="Super Mario Galaxy"『スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』|page=127}}</ref>
|Jap2N=giant type, ''Super Mario Galaxy''
|Jap2R=Dekagoro iwa
|JapM=Rolling rock
|Jap2M=Big rolling rock
|Ita=Massoruota
|ItaM=Rockwheel
}}
}}


==References==
==References==
{{NIWA|Ukikipedia=1}}
<references/>
<references/>


{{nav templates|
{{navboxes|
{{SM64}}
{{SM64}}
{{MK64}}
{{MK64}}
Line 182: Line 243:
[[Category:Hazardous objects]]
[[Category:Hazardous objects]]
[[Category:Platforms]]
[[Category:Platforms]]
[[Category:Koopa Troop weapons]]
[[Category:Capturable]]
[[Category:Capturable]]
[[Category:DK: Jungle Climber]]
[[Category:DK: Jungle Climber]]
Line 197: Line 257:
[[Category:Super Mario 64 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario 64 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario 64 DS objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario 64 DS objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy 2 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy 2 enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario Odyssey objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Odyssey objects]]
[[Category:Wario Land 4 objects]]
[[Category:Wario Land 4 objects]]

Latest revision as of 16:10, November 29, 2024

This article is about actual boulders that have appeared in various media. For the special move that was seen in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, see Boulder (move). For the recurring object also known as a rolling rock, see Wobble Rock.
Not to be confused with Rock, Stone, or Brolder.
Boulder
Rendered model of a Boulder in Mario Kart Tour.
Model of a rolling rock from Mario Kart Tour
First appearance Super Mario World (1990)
Latest appearance Mario Party Superstars (2021)

Boulders, also referred to as Rolling Boulders,[1] appear in the Super Mario franchise as obstacles that roll down areas, usually sloped ones, and are capable of harming the player characters.

History[edit]

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario World[edit]

Rocks[2] in Super Mario World are dug up by Diggin' Chucks to attack the player character.[2] Rocks continue bouncing in a direction, changing direction upon hitting a wall, but either Caped Mario's attack or lava can stop them.

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins[edit]

Sprite of a rock from Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

Boulders in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins are are dug up and kicked by Gorontos,[3] in the same manner as a Diggin' Chuck.

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[edit]

Model of a rolling rock from Super Mario 64.
Appearance in Super Mario 64

Rolling rocks[4] are obstacles in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. An endless number of them roll down a corridor in a wide room of Hazy Maze Cave before falling into a pit.[5] Rolling rocks are featured in the mission Watch for Rolling Rocks, where the goal is to avoid them in a corridor and collect the Power Star nearby.[4] In Super Mario 64 DS, five rolling rocks have to be broken by Wario for the Power Star to appear instead.[6] The remake also covers the Power Star in Swimming Beast in the Cavern with a rock,[7] which is breakable by only Wario.

Super Mario Galaxy[edit]

Ruby Rocks rolling around a planet in Super Mario Galaxy

In Super Mario Galaxy, Ruby Rocks[8] and Big Ruby Rocks[8] roll on open or closed circuits, coming out infinitely out of tunnels in the former case and falling into an abyss afterwards. Ruby Rocks are somewhat common and appear in several galaxies, including the Good Egg Galaxy and the Honeyhive Galaxy. If Mario touches a Ruby Rock, it knocks him backward and takes away a wedge of his Health Meter, but hitting the red area of a Ruby Rock destroys it.[9] Boulders can also be destroyed if either Rainbow Mario collides with them, a rubbery bulb is knocked into them, or an improvised tactic of using a Star Pointer to hold a Ruby Rock in place so that a second Ruby Rock can collide with it, destroying both Ruby Rocks. Ruby Rocks have some subtle size differentiation in different levels, though one in the underground section of the Dusty Dune Galaxy is especially large. One of Bowser's attacks in the first part of his final battle involves surrounding himself with rock fragments and rolling around the planet much like a Ruby Rock in an attempt to squash Mario. Bowser's head sticks out of the rock in the same area where the red spot would be on an actual Ruby Rock. Mario must spin Bowser's head to break him out of his rock shell.

Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]

In Super Mario Galaxy 2, Ruby Rocks[10] reappear in the Boulder Bowl Galaxy. They can be destroyed by Rock Mario, a form that gives Mario a similar shape to a Ruby Rock, except with his head poking out in place of the red spot. Rock Mario rolls around like a Ruby Rock, but with more movement control.

New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]

Boulders appear in New Super Mario Bros. 2 as common obstacles in an underwater level, World 3-5. They are only way to obtain certain Star Coins that are enclosed in blocks.[11][12] Boulders can be destroyed using a Gold Flower[13] or invincibility.

Super Mario Odyssey[edit]

A Boulder in Super Mario Odyssey
A boulder captured by Mario in Super Mario Odyssey

Boulders in Super Mario Odyssey have various roles. One specific boulder that takes the form of a large, oblong rock is found in front of a tree in the Deep Woods in the Wooded Kingdom and can be captured, which allows it to be moved to reveal a tunnel containing a Power Moon. Many rolling boulders also appear in the Underground Moon Caverns in the Moon Kingdom and in the segment where Mario captures Bowser in the cave on the Darker Side of the moon. These round boulders can be destroyed by ramming into them as a Chargin' Chuck or by clawing them as Bowser, and may produce a heart in the latter case. Additionally, during the first battle against Bowser in the Cloud Kingdom, Bowser occasionally attacks Mario by throwing brick-like boulders at him (the second battle in the Moon Kingdom replaces the brick boulders with burning Bowser shells), and many boulders fall down at the end of the game when Mario captures Bowser in the Moon Kingdom as the caves collapse, serving as obstacles, with yellow markers appearing where they are set to land.

Donkey Kong Land[edit]

Boulders appear in Donkey Kong Land as indestructible obstacles in Mountain Mayhem and Landslide Leap. They down from above periodically and bounce briefly upon hitting a surface.[14] A boulder damages a Kong on contact.

Mario Kart series[edit]

Mario Kart 64[edit]

Boulders appear as obstacles at the Choco Mountain course in Mario Kart 64. They flatten player characters on contact.[15]

Mario Kart: Double Dash!![edit]

Boulders in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! are obstacles in DK Mountain. They function like in Mario Kart 64.

Mario Kart DS[edit]

Boulders in Mario Kart DS return as obstacles at N64 Choco Mountain. Similar large pinballs appear as obstacles in Waluigi Pinball.

Mario Kart Wii[edit]

Boulders in Mario Kart Wii retain their role in GCN DK Mountain.

Mario Kart 7[edit]

Mario Kart 7 also features boulders as obstacles, this time integrating them at Rock Rock Mountain and Maka Wuhu towards the end of the track. In this game and following Mario Kart games, boulders spin out racers on contact instead of flattening them.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[edit]

Boulder from Mario Kart 8
A boulder on the Bowser's Castle course from Mario Kart 8

Rolling boulders are obstacles in the Bowser's Castle course of Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. In these games, they resemble their Super Mario Galaxy counterparts in texture, but without the red jeweled side. Millstones similar to boulders appear in Thwomp Ruins. Rolling boulders also appear in N64 Choco Mountain, 3DS Rock Rock Mountain, Tour Athens Dash, and GCN DK Mountain in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC.

Tour Sydney Sprint features a type of boulder[16] that is stationary and has an elongated shape. Such boulders appear on the grassy, off-road portions of the Barangaroo Reserve segment. They slow down racers when driven into, but do not crash them like rolling rocks do. They can be launched into the air by hitting them with a Spiny Shell or a Super Horn, or by touching them while under the effects of a Bullet Bill or Super Star.

Mario Kart Tour[edit]

In Mario Kart Tour, rolling rocks[16] appear as obstacles at 3DS Rock Rock Mountain, N64 Choco Mountain, GCN DK Mountain and Athens Dash 2. The player can destroy a rolling rock and get bonus points in the process by hitting it with a Spiny Shell, Bowser's Shell, Bob-omb, Super Horn, Giga Bob-omb, or Super Bell, or by ramming into one while under the effects of a Frenzy, Mega Mushroom, Bullet Bill, or Super Star.

The boulders[16] seen in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's rendition of Tour Sydney Sprint also appear in Mario Kart Tour on Sydney Sprint 3 and its variants. In this game, they can be launched into the air by almost the same means used to destroy rolling rocks, except with Bob-ombs, and they grant bonus points in the process.

Mario Party series[edit]

Boulders appear in some minigames in the Mario Party series. In Boulder Ball in Mario Party 3 and Mario Party Superstars, the solo player must use a machine to fling boulders at the team players to prevent them from reaching the top of a slope. In Granite Getaway in Mario Party 6, the players need to run away from a giant rolling boulder. In Rocky Road in Mario Party 6, Mario Party: The Top 100, and Mario Party Superstars, teams need to punch and kick boulders blocking the road to destroy them so they can reach the finish line. In Block and Roll in Mario Party 9, the rivals must roll boulders down to the solo player to prevent them from transporting three blocks from one side to the other.

Wario Land series[edit]

Wario Land II[edit]

In Wario Land II, boulders fall from holes in the walls of underground areas in Avoid the rocks! and The Final Battle!!. Large ones squash Wario into Flat Wario, but small ones can be held and thrown by him to defeat enemies or Enemy Blocks.

Wario Land 3[edit]

In Wario Land 3, boulders are small, lumpy objects appearing only in Above the Clouds, working as they did in Wario Land II.

Wario Land 4[edit]

In Wario Land 4, boulders are produced by Bowlers from the ground and are indestructible. Once created, they are tossed in the direction of Wario, rolling until hitting a wall or falling into lava. They damage Wario on contact. There are also small, holdable boulders that appear in several levels, working as in previous Wario Land games.

Wario Land: Shake It![edit]

Wario being chased by two boulders in Sneak Peak
Two boulders rolling towards Wario in the level Sneak Peak of Wario Land: Shake It!

Boulders also appear in Wario Land: Shake It!, acting as obstacles in volcano-related courses. In Mt. Lava Lava, there are enormous boulders held in place either by Hard Blocks or Bomb Blocks. When Wario destroys these, the boulders immediately start chasing him down a path, destroying every enemy and block in its path. If a boulder catches up to Wario, he will remain stuck to its surface and move along with it until the boulder stops somewhere and flings Wario forward due to the momentum. In Sneak Peak, there are small boulders that can also pick up Wario as they roll, but can be jumped on to reach a higher area. They endlessly come out of openings in walls and roll on the ground until they fall into lava.

Donkey Kong 64[edit]

Chunky Kong holding a boulder in Donkey Kong 64.
Chunky Kong holding a boulder in Donkey Kong 64

In Donkey Kong 64, boulders can be lifted by Chunky Kong only.[17][18] They are dark green objects that often sit on a pad or a floor switch, which are not usable until the boulder is lifted.

Donkey Kong Country series[edit]

Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze[edit]

Boulders[19] appear in Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze as obstacles. They stand still at first but start rolling towards the player's barrel when approached. They roll straight ahead until hitting a wall, a slope, or the playable barrel, at which point they break. If the playable barrel is hit by a boulder, it loses some energy. Boulders appear in most levels.

Donkey Kong Country Returns[edit]

Boulders in Donkey Kong Country Returns appear in varying sizes, and most are covered in spikes. They are encountered primarily in Boulder Roller.

Yoshi Topsy-Turvy[edit]

Boulders appear in Yoshi Topsy-Turvy as interactive objects that can be stood on by Yoshi. The player can tilt the Game Boy Advance to make the boulder to roll, defeating enemies along the way. Boulders have a few holes in them, comparable to a bowling ball.

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat[edit]

Rolling boulders appear as obstacles in Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. They are first encountered in Massive Canyon. Rolling boulders damage Donkey Kong on contact,[20] and can only be jumped over.[20]

Wario: Master of Disguise[edit]

Boulders in Wario: Master of Disguise are created by Poobah the Pharaoh from his nostrils as part of his first attack phase.[21] Boulders remain still for a moment when landing on the ground before rolling towards Wario, breaking when they hit a wall. They can hurt Wario if touched from the sides, but can be destroyed with a jump.

DK: Jungle Climber[edit]

Boulders[22] appear in DK: Jungle Climber. They first appear in Cool Cool Cave and appear in cave areas. Boulders have many pegs on them and are required to reach certain high areas, including Peg Boards and ledges. The boulder can be spun either left or right, depending on which side Donkey Kong is spinning from it.

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Boulder[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ゴロゴロ岩[23][24][25]
Gorogoro Iwa
Rolling Rock
ゴロゴロいわ[?]
Gorogoro Iwa
Super Mario 64
落石らくせき[26]
Rakuseki
Rockfall Mario Kart 64
ころがり岩[27]
Korogari Iwa
Rolling Rock Yoshi Topsy-Turvy
大岩おおいわ[28]
Ō Iwa
Big Rock Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber
大岩[29]
Ō Iwa
New Super Mario Bros. 2
いわ[?]
Iwa
Rock Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart Tour
Chinese 岩石[16]
Yánshí
Rock
Chinese (simplified) 滚动岩石[?]
Gǔndòng Yánshí
Editing Boulder
Chinese (traditional) 滾動岩石[?]
Gǔndòng Yánshí
Editing Boulder
Dutch Rotsblok[?] Rockblock
French Rocher[?] Rock
Grand rocher[30] Big rock/boulder
Grosse pierre ronde[31] Big round rock
German Felsbrocken[?] Boulder
Felsen[?] Rock
Italian Masso/Macigno[?] Boulder
Korean 바위[16]
Bawi
Rock
Russian Валун[?]
Valun
Boulder
Spanish (NOA) Peñasco[?] Boulder
Roca[16] Rock Mario Kart Tour
Spanish (NOE) Roca[?] Rock

Rolling rock[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Italian Roccia rotolante[16] Rolling rock
Portuguese Pedra rolante[16] Rolling stone

Ruby Rock[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ゴロゴロ岩[?]
Gorogoro iwa
Rolling rock Super Mario Galaxy
でかゴロ岩[32]
Dekagoro iwa
Big rolling rock giant type, Super Mario Galaxy
Italian Massoruota[?] Rockwheel

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Rolling Boulders: Near the end of the course, boulders begin to roll downhill towards you." – Musa, Alexander (May 30, 2014). Mario Kart 8 PRIMA Official Game Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 978-0-804-16328-6. Page 130.
  2. ^ a b "Some Chargin' Chucks in the Dinosaur Land underground dig up rocks and toss them at passing plumbers." – August 1991. Nintendo Mario Mania Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (English). Page 114.
  3. ^ "Ants can toss objects many times their own weight." – Tilden, Gail, et al. (December 1992). Nintendo Power Volume 43. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 47.
  4. ^ a b "Find the hidden Star in the room with the rolling rocks." – Course 6 - Star 6: Watch for Rolling Rocks. Nintendo: Super Mario 64 Strategy (American English). Archived June 10, 1998, 06:46:32 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  5. ^ "An unlimited supply of huge rolling boulders comes crashing down this corridor to fall into a bottomless pit." – Pelland, Scott, and Dan Owsen (1996). Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (English). Page 56.
  6. ^ NintenU (March 1, 2022). Super Mario 64 DS - 100% Walkthrough - Course 6 Hazy Maze Cave (19:15-19:30). YouTube (English).
  7. ^ Super Mario 64 DS - 100% Walkthrough - Course 6 Hazy Maze Cave (01:40).
  8. ^ a b English Super Mario Galaxy entry on the official Mario Portal. nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved August 13, 2022. (Archived August 12, 2022, 23:39:09 UTC via archive.today.)
  9. ^ "Better yet, spin into the red surface of the boulders to destroy them—they release a lot of star bits." – Black, Fletcher (November 9, 2007). Super Mario Galaxy: PRIMA Official Game Guide (Collector's Edition). Roseville: Prima Games (American English). ISBN 978-0-7615-5713-5. Page 42.
  10. ^ English Super Mario Galaxy 2 entry on the official Mario Portal. nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved August 13, 2022. (Archived August 12, 2022, 23:39:46 UTC via archive.today.)
  11. ^ IGN Guides (August 17, 2012). New Super Mario Bros. 2 - Star Coin Guide - World 3-5 - Walkthrough (01:02). YouTube (English).
  12. ^ New Super Mario Bros. 2 - Star Coin Guide - World 3-5 - Walkthrough (02:31). YouTube.
  13. ^ Elijah Paskevich (video game enthusiast) (May 2, 2023). New Super Mario Bros. 2: World 3-5 100% Walkthrough (w/ Star Coins) (0:55). YouTube (English).
  14. ^ VideoGamePhenom (May 9, 2019). Donkey Kong Land - Monkey Mountains & Chimpanzee Clouds - Mountain Mayhem (0:33). YouTube (English).
  15. ^ Owsen, Dan, et al. (1997). Mario Kart 64 Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (English). Page 42.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h Displayed as an action in Mario Kart Tour
  17. ^ "Can pick up a boulder with relative ease. Makes crushing rocks seem such a breeze!" – DK Rap (1999). Donkey Kong 64. Nintendo (English).
  18. ^ "You'd think that those big arms of Chunky's would be good for something. In fact, they're ideal for lifting big chunks of rock and throwing them." – Bihldorff, Nate, et al. (1999). Donkey Kong 64 Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (English). Page 34.
  19. ^ "BOULDER: Pursues your barrel in a straight line and causes damage if it hits you." – "Help" screen. Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze.
  20. ^ a b Nintendo Thumb Digest (July 1, 2017). DONKEY KONG JUNGLE BEAT ~ APPLE KINGDOM ~ MASSIVE CANYON - NO COMMENTARY (0:48). YouTube (English).
  21. ^ Bosscinerator (November 16, 2018). Let's Beat - Poobah the Pharoah, the Ancient Annoyance (05:20). YouTube (English).
  22. ^ Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (English). Page 14.
  23. ^ Sakai, Kazuya (Ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors (2015). "Super Mario 64."『スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). Page 92.
  24. ^ Nintendo Co., Ltd. スーパーマリオギャラクシー. Mario Portal (Japanese). Retrieved 7 Mar. 2024.
  25. ^ Nintendo Co., Ltd. スーパーマリオギャラクシー2. Mario Portal (Japanese). Retrieved 7 Mar. 2024.
  26. ^ 1996. マリオカート64六十四 (Mario Kāto Rokujūyon) instruction booklet (PDF). Nintendo (Japanese). Page 29.
  27. ^ 「ヨッシーの万有引力任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (Yoshi Banyū Inryoku Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook). Shogakukan (Japanese). Page 21Media:YUG Shogakukan P21.jpg.
  28. ^ 2007. ドンキーコング ジャングルクライマー (Donkī Kongu Janguru Kuraimā) instruction booklet. Nintendo. Page 19.
  29. ^ Sakai et al. "New Super Mario Bros. 2."『スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Page 199.
  30. ^ July 4, 2018. Super Mario Encyclopedia. Soleil Productions (French). ISBN 2302070046. Page 127.
  31. ^ October/November 1997. Le Magazine Nintendo officiel N1. Boulogne-Billancourt: Emap Alpha (French) via archive.org. Page 93. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  32. ^ Sakai et al. "Super Mario Galaxy"『スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Page 127.