Fourth wall

Sometimes, characters from the Mario and Donkey Kong series will state something that implies that they are aware of being fictional characters in a video game; this is known as breaking the fourth wall. The reason it is called a "fourth wall" is that the term originated from plays in theaters, when actors would look at the audience, talk to them, or do anything else that involved the audience. Because the stage would generally have a wall at the back and both sides, this concept involves the actors becoming involved with the audience who are at the front, which can be considered an invisible wall, making it the fourth one. The fourth wall is often broken in the Paper Mario series, for comic relief.

Note: Video games frequently break the fourth wall in order to address the player with directions (i.e., "Press A to jump"). These instances are not to be recorded here, unless a character is aware of the fact that they are in a video game due to the remark.

Video Games

Super Mario World

After the Yoshi Eggs hatch during the ending sequence, the words "THANK YOU" appear as Mario gives the peace sign to the player while Princess Toadstool waves to him or her. At the end of the remake, Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, there is no text, though the princess still waves at the player and Mario and Luigi will still flash the peace sign. In the last level of the Special World, Funky, coins spell out the phrase, "YOU ARE A SUPER PLAYER!"

Super Mario 64 / DS

At the game's title's screen, Mario's will speak to the player with lines such as "It's-a-me, Mario! Hello!" and "Press Start to play!". At the ending sequence, Mario (or Yoshi in the remake) points his face to the player.

In the two versions, after Bowser is defeated in Bowser in the Sky, he will exclaim, "C'mon, troops! Let's watch the ending together! Gwa ha ha!" Additionally, if Mario retrieves all 120 Power Stars and then defeats Bowser, the Koopa King will say, "Just you wait until next time. Until then, keep that Control Stick smokin'! Bwaa ha ha!" In the DS version, Bowser says the same thing after all 150 stars are collected, except "Control Stick" is replaced with "Touch Screen".

After the end credits in both versions, Mario is heard saying, "Thank you so much for-a playing my game." This phrase can also be heard in both Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2.

In the N64 version, after Mario collects all 120 stars, shoots to the top of the castle and talks to Yoshi, the dinosaur gives Mario the following message: "Thanks for playing Super Mario 64! This is the end of the game, but not the end of the fun. We want you to keep on playing, so we have a little something for you. We hope you like it! Enjoy! --The Super Mario 64 Team"

Exclusively in the DS version, when closing the Nintendo DS while playing Super Mario 64 DS, Mario says "Buh-bye!" to the player.

Super Mario Sunshine

After Mario defeats Bowser and Bowser Jr., a certain yellow Pianta in Delfino Plaza will ponder whether the game is over and express his hopes of something else happening when Mario talks to him.

New Super Mario Bros.

After the end credits, the Touch Screen shows Bowser Jr. dragging his unconscious father back to their home. Bowser Jr. looks to the camera and threateningly roars at the player. He then continues dragging Bowser. Similar to Super Mario 64 DS, Mario will also say "Buh-bye!" to the player when closing the Nintendo DS. He also says "It's-a me! Mario!" when the player opens the DS and resumes the game, similar to the opening title screen in Super Mario 64.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Most enemies, such as Koopas and Goombas, and Yoshis, will dance to the "Bop-bop" vocal that most levels' music scores have. The dancing characters face the screen, and the walking Koopas move their fists up and down as well. Also, if Bowser's Airship takes off without Bowser Jr. aboard, he'll face the player with a surprised sight.

Super Mario Galaxy

Much like the ending to Super Mario 64, after the credits roll, Mario or Luigi will say "Thank you so much for playing my game". When 120 Power Stars are collected, after Mario or Luigi thanked the player, Rosalina will also thank the player and say she will "watch you from beyond the stars".

Super Mario Galaxy 2

If the player's Wii Remote batteries are low, and he or she talks to Lubba, he will complain about the batteries running out in a dangerous place. Also, Lubba will frequently make these kind of references, such as suggesting that the player goes to bed when it's late, or to turn off the game after a certain playing time.

If the player has 70 to 120 Power Stars, then at the end of the credits, Mario says the same ending phrase just like in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy. Sometimes, Luigi will also say it when playing as him.

If the player gets a Game Over or goes to a world for the first time, Lubba will speak to the player.

Donkey Kong series

Throughout these many games, Cranky Kong constantly makes remarks about how the games of yesteryear are superior to modern games, and often whines about how the game that he's in is too easy for someone like him to complete. More of Cranky's Fourth Wall-breaking comments can be found in the instruction booklets for these games.

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

If the Kongs manage to find Krematoa on their own, Blunder will ask if they used the Player's Guide to find it, and confesses that he did so himself.

Hotel Mario

During the intro of the game, Luigi points to the screen and says "And you gotta help us!". In turn, Mario says "If you need instructions on how to get through the Hotels check out the enclosed instruction book."

Throughout the many other cut scenes of the game, Mario and Luigi will continue to speak with the player. These lines include Luigi saying "Looks can be deceiving when Koopas are involved." whilst facing the screen, and Mario saying "Remind me to check.", "You know what they say, all toasters toast toast." and "When you pinch Wendy's pennies, they pinch back." whilst facing the screen.

Also, at the end of the game, the Mario Bros. and Princess Toadstool wave to the player and congratulate him/her for the completion of the game, and Peach even thanks the player individually for helping her.

Yoshi series

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

In a secret area in Jungle Rhythm..., there is a Hint Block that gives the message "We, the developers, have poured our hearts into this game. We hope you enjoy finding all of its secrets.". In the Game Boy Advance remake, the message is changed to "'How do you like this game? Goodies are hidden in every level, you know. You should look all over if you want to get 100 points! Investigate anything that looks suspicious.".

Yoshi's Story

Nintendo also broke the Fourth Wall in Yoshi's Story. Each time the player eats a Heart Fruit after playing a level's mini-game, a row of Coins forming a letter will appear. If the player puts all the letters from each level in order, it reveals the message "YOU ARE YOSHIS GREAT PARTNER!"

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

After Mario and Mallow join Geno while he's fighting Bowyer, Bowyer will retort that a three-on-one fight isn't fair. To compensate for this, the Y, X and A buttons of the SNES controller will appear in front of him. Bowyer will then fire an Aero at one of the buttons, which will effectively lock the ability to use that button's commands (magic, items or attacks). Only one button can ever be locked at once, although Bowyer will continually fire Aeroes at the buttons every few turns until he is defeated.

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

Mario Golf series

Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)

At the end of the game intro, Wario's voice is heard saying, "It should've been called Wario Golf. ...Still, you are gonna love it!"

Mario Party series

Mario Party Advance

After a round of Bowser Land, Bowser looks at the player, saying, "That was fun! Come again soon!".

Mario Party 2

The entire story is a play put on by Mario and friends and the audience is the player.

Mario Party 3

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

Mario Party 5

When the Bowser Head explodes in Head Waiter, the person holding it will fly into the screen. He or she will land on the screen, tilting it.

Mario Party 8

When MC Ballyhoo introduces the final battle, he said, "But wait! We have YOU!". This refers to the player playing the game. He breaks the fourth wall also in the game intro, when says to the player: "Welcome to the Star Carnival!".

Paper Mario series

Paper Mario

If Goombario uses Tattle on a Goomba, the tattle mentions that they have been around since Super Mario Bros.

While Mario is fighting Bowser???, the Koopa Bros. try to lower his confidence by stating several phrases that lead the plumber to believe that this phony Bowser is invincible, as the real Bowser is; one of the phrases is "The sequel should be called Paper Bowser!"

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

After Mario defeats Gus, he will shout, "CRUD! You dumb video-game heroes always do this!"

After rescuing Koopley from Hooktail, Koops says: "For ten long years we all thought you'd...you know! We thought your game was over!"

While describing how the Happy Lucky Lottery works, Lucky will explain that the daily number changes every day in real-time, and that he uses the Nintendo GameCube's clock as a reference. If the player sets the GameCube's date back in an attempt to cheat the system, Lucky will penalize them.

When Goombella tattles on Stewart in Glitzville, she will tell Mario that Cheep Cheeps have been a part of the Mario franchise for a while. In fact, Goombella even says, "Oh, gosh. I just broke through the fourth wall there, didn't I? Sorry. Just forget it."

The same occurs when she tattles on the gatekeeper of Twilight Town, in which she says that the game would be too easy without him. Rather than directly referring to breaking the fourth wall, she only says, "Hee hee... Let's never speak of it again."

Just before Mario begins Chapter 5, Professor Frankly is about to tell them very important and long information concerning the Thousand-Year Door. He asks if they're ready to hear it, and then says, "And you there! In front of the TV! You listen up, too!". Mario's current partner out will question Professor Frankly (for example, Yoshi says to him, "Did someone pile-drive your head, or what? I don't see any TV here, nutjob!". Vivian remarks, "What to say... ARE YOU TALKING TO NO ONE?!?" Goombella even says, "Yeesh. First me, then you! Why do we always have to break through the fourth wall?") Frankly yells at them, saying to disregard it as he continues. Later during the chapter, Lord Crump (under his alias, "Four Eyes") tells the player that they'd better not tell Mario who he really is, though it is impossible to even use Mario to attack him until the end of the chapter.

After Chapter 6, when Bowser makes it to Rawk Hawk's secret training facility, Rawk Hawk appears. As soon as he appears, he points at the camera insultingly asking the player if they forgot him.

A Toad in Petalburg consistently breaks the fourth wall throughout the game. He states that he is a fan of Luigi and says he wants a game called "Paper Luigi". Later, he mentions that he is actually playing the game Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and ends up beating it before the player does. In every chapter, he always talks about a different Nintendo game.

In a beta dialog stored in the game it says "Awww, game over, man! WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAA!", it has 7 versions of this speech, making it seem like a partner says it. (Most likely said by the Yoshi Kid)

Super Paper Mario

Several characters, the first one being Bestovius, refer to a certain button when explaining how to perform an action. When Mario asks what they mean by pressing that certain button, the character assures them not to worry, and that the great being that watches them (the player) will know what it means. For example, when encountered, Thoreau says: "What's this , you say? You need not worry. The great being that watches us will know what it is."

Bowser shouts to Mario, "No more sequels!" and that he will finish him off, describing himself as "100% Grade-A Final Boss." Later, during Chapter 3, the last option for Princess Peach to choose on the Swoon.exe will result in her to outburst in anger and demand to know who is picking these answers for her.

One of the Sammer Guys claims that no one can beat him without using hacks. This is a reference to players who use codes to make the game easier. Another Sammer Guy named Invisible Brock claims that no one could find him without using a game guide.

Mario & Luigi series

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

When Bowser's Aerial Castle plunges into the ocean, Bowser hits the screen, cracking it.

In Mushroom Plaza, when Mario talks to the Toad by the fountain he will ask Mario if he wants to hear about Action Commands. If Mario says no every time the Toad will say "Action Commands are... Well go read the instruction booklet!"

In an area of the Woohoo Hooniversity that contains no enemies, but several objects to be studied, there is one room with four blocks in it: One from Super Mario Bros., one from Super Mario World, one from Super Mario 64, and one from Paper Mario. If Mario or Luigi strikes the block, they will read a description of the block, which says what game it is from. (e.g. Block used in Super Mario Bros.)

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

Professor E. Gadd has a DS Time Radar to find the adult Peach, who is lost in time. He claims that Princess Peach is lost in the previous year. A Toad, however, doesn't believe him and thinks he made it all up.

Mario also breaks the fourth wall in Shroob Castle by noting to Luigi that the adult brothers and the baby brothers must stay on the bottom screen.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

After beating the game and after the cake picture, Chakron will directly compliment the player.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong series

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

At the end of Credits 1 and Credits 2, Mario will say "Thanks very much for-to playing my game!", a line similar to the one at the end of Super Mario 64. Also, Mario makes several remarks at the credits in Credits 2 as they pop up (such as "Oh, the engineering! Mamamia!" and "Ooh, don't forget to thank Mr. Miyamoto."). Also, Mario breaks the 4th wall in every level (bar the Mini Mario and boss levels) by smashing the Mini Mario crystal ball against the screen to break it.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis

When the player closes/opens the Nintendo DS, Mario can be heard talking, sometimes to the player such as "What's up?". Also, in the final cutscene, Mario, Donkey Kong, Pauline and the Toads are seen waving at the player.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!

When closing the DSi, Mario will either say "I love this game!" or "Hey! You get back here!"

Luigi's Mansion

Melody Pianissima plays songs from the earlier Mario games and asks Luigi what game it appeared in. (Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, etc.) also Luigi occasionally hums and whistles the Luigi Mansion theme, apparently aware of his own theme. Whenever he gets a key/valuable item, he shows it to the player.

Super Princess Peach

Nintendo breaks the Fourth Wall during the beginning and end of the game. During the intro sequence, Bowser will tell the player to shut the door, using the Nintendo DS stylus, so that he and his minions could continue discussing their plan. During the ending sequence, the player is asked, "So, how did YOU feel about this last adventure?" The player is also told that the Vibe Scepter might be in their house somewhere.

Mario Strikers Charged Football

Sometimes, the team captains will look at the screen, making it seem that they're looking at the player. One example is during one of Waluigi's losing animations where he looks at the screen and then prepares to punch it.

WarioWare, Inc.: Minigame Mania

In the microgame "Heads Up", if the player fails to catch the ball and it goes out of bounds, a hole will appear in the screen and the catcher will look at it fly away.

At the end of Mona's microgame category, she is looking at the customers while serving ice cream. The camera then closes in a circle at her face, it stops and Mona winks at the player.

WarioWare: Twisted!

In Orbulon's story, the Alien Bunny wasn't rubbing strong enough. Orbulon then told the player, "You out there, take over."

In the microgame "High-Speed Chase", if the player fails to run from the chasing object, Wario will be sent towards the screen, breaking it.

Wario Land 4

In the minigame Wario's Homerun Derby, if the player hits a home run, the ball will be sent toward the screen, breaking it.

Wario World

In Wario World, he states "So admit it..... Don't I look cool in the game screens? Those long, muscular legs on my sturdy toned frame.... I'm the perfect specimen of a man ..... What!?!? You say I look fat and my quadruple chin looks like a waterfall of flab? Shut up! That's just because you have your television set up on widescreen display!"

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

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

When using Solid Snake's codec on Sonic the Hedgehog on Shadow Moses Island, Otacon says that people are excited that he is in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In the codec on Mario, Colonel says that Mario made his first appearance in 1981, and in Jigglypuff's codec, he says that it takes all kinds of energy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl; Colonel also mentions the WarioWare games in Wario's codec. Another broken wall is when using Solid Snake's codec on Pit, Colonel says that Pit has gone through "countless trials over the years", to which Snake replies, "And by 'trials', you mean 'Game Overs'?" Finally, when Snake uses his codec on Mr. Game & Watch, Otacon will talk about his first appearance, 1980, and his console, Game & Watch. There were other Codec Conversations that break the fourth wall as well.

There is a scene in the Subspace Emissary mode where Snake reveals himself after being hidden in his cardboard box for a long time. While facing towards the screen, he says "Kept you waiting, huh?" There are no other characters in his vicinity during the scene, so he must have been talking to the player - in reference to the fact that a brief scene of him hidden in the cardboard box was shown much earlier in the Subspace Emissary storyline.

Television Series

Before many of the games listed above came out, the Fourth Wall was broken in several of the cartoon episodes.

Throughout the three DiC cartoons, commercial bumpers for the shows were announced to the audience by various characters at the start and end of the commercial breaks (i.e. "Be right back, paisanos!", "And now back to The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!"). These commercial bumpers can be viewed on the DVD sets of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, but were not included on The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 DVD set. Additionally, the first three weeks of episodes for The Super Mario Bros. Super Show all contained unique bumpers featuring scenes and voice overs related to the episode's live-action segment. All of the later episodes used a few generic bumpers that were announced by Mario, and showcased a still shot from the opening sequence.

When The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 aired on NBC during its original run, a character from each of the two upcoming episodes, as well as a character from Captain N: The Game Master, which aired between the two episodes, would all narrate a preview of the upcoming episodes before the show started. This trend continued with Super Mario World. These previews were not included on the DVDs due to the fact that they are considered the property of NBC.

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!

At the start of the opening sequence, Mario shouts out to the audience "Hey, paisanos! It's The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!". In the live-action segments that aired from Monday through Thursday, Mario, Luigi, and/or the guest star will tell the audience to watch a preview of Friday's The Legend of Zelda episode. At the end of every episode, Mario, Luigi, and sometimes the guest star will say to the audience "Til next time, everyone... Do the Mario!"

Pirates of Koopa

After Blackbeard Koopa kidnaps Princess Toadstool, he asks "Would Blackbeard Koopa lie?" and winks to the viewers.

Defective Gadgetry

Near the start of the segment, Luigi tells Mario to get the door for no apparent reason. At that moment, the doorbell rings and Mario goes to answer it. After taking a few steps, Mario turns to the viewers and utters "How does he always know?".

The Painting

At the end of the segment, Howard Stevens bids farewell to the audience as if he were hosting a television program. Mario and Luigi then gaze at the camera with startled faces, prompting Luigi to ask Howard whom he was talking to.

The Provolone Ranger

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

Two Bums from Brooklyn

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

The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3

A Toadally Magical Adventure

When Mario says to Toad to bring back the Pile Driver Micro-Goombas, Toad winks to the audience.

Princess Toadstool for President

When Princess Toadstool was talking to Bowser about the election to be Mushroom Kingdom's ruler, Cheatsy Koopa looks at the watcher and says "That's King Dad? (laughs) Are you kidding?".

Do the Koopa

When Mario and the gang see the large fire pit they must cross, Luigi takes note of the Dark Land music in the background and nervously shouts "Stop the music!", to which it does. Luigi tells Mario that they can't cross that pit, but Toad sees some ? Blocks that can help them. Mario calls out for the music to start up, and new, more epic background music plays.

Recycled Koopa

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

True Colors

At the end of the episode, Luigi asks if people in the Real World will ever accept others regardless of their color, to which Mario, while facing the camera, responds "Yeah, when humans get as smart as Mushrooms."

Up, Up, and a Koopa

Later on in the episode, when Princess Toadstool and Toad are flying with P-Wings, Princess Toadstool says to Toad when he complains about his appearance "It's not like you're on television with millions of people watching you!".

Super Mario World

Send in the Clown

When Bowser is luring the cavepeople of Dome City to his Koopaling Bros. Circus, he says to the audience "This is easier than talking Kootie Pie into a shopping spree!".

The Night Before Cave Christmas

When Oogtar exclaims "Merry Cave Christmas, Mario-dude!", Mario tells the audience, "Don't you wish every day were Christmas?" Mario might either be talking to the audience or Oogtar.

King Scoopa Koopa

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

The Yoshi Shuffle

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

Donkey Kong Country

Barrel, Barrel... Who's Got the Barrel

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

Ape-Nesia

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

It's a Wonderful Life

In the end of the episode, Donkey Kong blinks to the screen.