Easy Mode
Easy Mode is a mode found in certain Mario games that lowers the difficulty level from that of normal gameplay.
History
Super Mario series
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
In Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, the player can access Easy Mode by pressing on the File Select screen. Super Mario becomes Small Mario and the words "Easy Mode" appear in the corner. There are fewer enemies in levels, some mini-bosses such as Floating Faces take one hit to be defeated, and certain sections in Mario's castle are less tricky to navigate.
Super Mario Run
Easy Mode returns to the Super Mario series in Super Mario Run, which can be accessed before starting a level in World Tour. In this game, Easy Mode allows the player to have unlimited time and bubbles. However, any coins collected in levels completed with Easy Mode are not saved.
Mario & Luigi series
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
An Easy Mode appears in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team. Here, if the player gets a Game Over, they have a choice of trying again in Easy Mode. It will make the Bros. stronger by doubling their base POW and DEF stats (despite not being shown during battle), and will start with full HP and BP, giving the player a better chance at victory. This mode is forbidden in the Hard Mode, and is not available during Giant Luigi battles, and in the Battle Ring.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
An Easy Mode is also present in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, but can also be activated at any time outside of battle in the game. The mode will make Paper Toads much easier to catch along with side-quests being much easier. It also lowers all POW and DEF stats for enemies and bosses (but does not affect HP or Speed) and makes Mario, Luigi, and Paper Mario stronger, thereby making battles much easier, although players are not able to fight bosses in the Battle Ring or complete Expert Challenges this way. However, if Easy Mode is enabled before the mandatory fight that explains how Expert Challenges work in Sunbeam Plains, then it is disabled for the entire battle until it ends. Easy Attack Mode, Assistance, and the Hint Block are also available in this mode.
In-game description
- "Turning Easy Mode on makes your characters stronger and enemies easier to defeat. However, you won't be able to complete Expert Challenges in this mode."
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
Easy Mode and Assistance reappear in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, where it can be activated in the Options menu. It makes Mario and Luigi stronger, and it also causes a target to appear under the brother that is about to be attacked.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
Similar to in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, Easy Mode can be found and activated at any time in the Options menu. Assistance can also be found in the menu, which enables targeting reticles underneath each Bro showing who is about to be attacked, and with Bowser showing if he must punch or use shell defense to avoid attacks.