Checkpoint Flag
Midway Points are like checkpoints in Mario sidescrolling games. If Mario or Luigi loses a life after passing through a Midway Point, he will restart at the Midway Point.
They first appeared in Super Mario Bros. and later in New Super Mario Bros. where they were flags with Mushrooms on them. Not all courses, however, have Midway Points.
The Midway Points in Super Mario World, known as Midway Gates, can turn normal (small) Mario and Luigi into Super Mario and Super Luigi, respectively.
They reappeared in New Super Mario Bros Wii. In this game, they are represented by a black flag with the Bowser's symbol. When Mario touches them, he receives 2,000 points, and if Mario is Small Mario, will become Super Mario.
They reappear again in Super Mario Galaxy 2. In this game, they are called Checkpoint Flags with the same appearance from New Super Mario Bros. Wii. However, some levels feature multiple Checkpoint Flags. In this game and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, when Mario or Luigi goes through one, the Bowser symbol will be replaced by a red M or a green L, depending who is playing.
