Boulder
Boulders are large rocks found throughout various Mario games, which usually serve as obstacles.
Boulders first appeared in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, and were found in the SS Tea Cup (one in the first level) and in Parsley Woods (with spikes). They also appear in Super Mario 64 in Hazy Maze Cave. In one room, boulders endlessly roll down a slope and into a bottomless pit. If Mario attempts to climb the slope, the boulders will deliberately try to home in on him, although they can be dodged. The level's sixth Power Star is entitled "Watch for Falling Rocks", and is located near the Boulders. In Super Mario 64 DS, Wario must instead punch several boulders, (or ram them upon growing with a Super Mushroom) to receive the Power Star.
In Donkey Kong 64, Boulders appeared as stationary obstacles, often appearing on various pads, which required them to be moved before the pads could be used. However, only Chunky Kong could lift them. Boulders also served as weights, and were sometimes needed to keep various switches pressed down. Chunky Kong could also throw them at enemies. In this game, they were dark green in color.
In Super Mario Galaxy, they roll around in various patterns, and if Mario hit them, he will be knocked down and lose a wedge of health. They are semi-common obstacles that appear in several galaxies, including the Good Egg Galaxy and the Honeyhive Galaxy. They can be destroyed if Mario spins their weak red spot. They can also be destroyed if Rainbow Mario collides with them, or if player two uses his or her Star Cursor to hold one in place and allows a second one to collide with it, which will destroy both boulders. When destroyed, a Boulder will leave behind a bunch Star Bits.
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, Boulders reappear, only in the Boulder Bowl Galaxy. This time, the boulders can be destroyed by Rock Mario. A boss named Sorbetti has a similar strategy to a Boulder.
