Ground-Pound Switch
A Ground-Pound Switch[1] (also spelled Ground Pound Switch[2] and ground-pound switch[3][4]) is a type of switch in the 3D Super Mario series. As its name implies, to use this item, Mario or Luigi must ground-pound it.
History
Super Mario Galaxy
Ground Pound Switches are first seen in Super Mario Galaxy. Upon Mario or Luigi pressing one of these switches, a variety of things can happen, mainly making Star Bits or coins appear. There are also timed Ground Pound Switches, tree stumps that have similar effects, and gray Ground Pound Switches that make walls fall down, making other areas accessible.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Ground-Pound Switches are also shown in Super Mario Galaxy 2, having the same functions like in the first game. There is also a new function for Ground-Pound Switches in this game. If Mario or Luigi ground-pounds one of the switches, the screen turns grayscale, and the environment and enemies on the respective planet slow down greatly. This new function appears in the Space Storm Galaxy, Clockwork Ruins Galaxy, and Stone Cyclone Galaxy, and it is useful in avoiding stage hazards that would be impossible to dodge otherwise.
Super Mario Odyssey
Ground-Pound Switches reappear in Super Mario Odyssey. One Ground-Pound Switch can be found in the Lost Kingdom, and it creates some walls for Mario to Wall Jump to the Rocky Mountain Summit when ground-pounded. Another one can be found on top of a skyscraper in the Metro Kingdom. Ground-pounding the switch causes a platform to temporarily appear, allowing access to another building. Four Ground-Pound Switches are also found around the Seaside Kingdom, each one guarded by a cage that can be opened only by collecting the Power Moon next to it. Ground-pounding these switches uncorks the Sparkle Water fountains to allow Mario to fight Mollusque-Lanceur.
According to the brochure for the Lost Kingdom, the symbol on Ground-Pound Switches originated there in ancient times.[5] Some enemies, such as Whomps, Mandibugs, Stairface Ogres, and Astro-Lanceurs, have the same symbol on some part of their bodies. Hitting the symbol with a Ground Pound will defeat the creature. Meteorites also share the same symbol.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
In the Bowser's Fury campaign of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, Ground-Pound Switches reappear and are colored purple. Activating them either causes a Cat Shine and platforms leading to it to appear or causes a battle arena to form around the switch that can be disabled only if every enemy within is defeated, which also spawns a Cat Shine. After Mario has collected the Cat Shine, the Ground-Pound Switch turns gray, and it can then be pressed again to repeat the challenge. However, the Cat Shine collected upon its completion will be transparent, and it gives Mario only coins when collected.
The following Cat Shines are collected after Mario hits Ground-Pound Switches:
- Hurry! Jump High, Jump Fast! (switch located near the entrance to Pounce Bounce Isle)
- Hurry! Watch Your Step! (switch located on a bridge near the entrance to Trickity Tower)
- Hurry! Fly through the Frost! (switch located at the base of Crisp Climb Castle)
- Cold Cove Combat (switch located on the small area of land below the entrance to Slipskate Slope)
- Hurry! Hop behind the Wall! (switch located in the middle of some Donut Blocks in Risky Whisker Island)
- Hurry! Hot Cross Run! (switch located near the entrance of Roiling Roller Isle)
- Hurry! Steer the Switchboards! (switch located near the entrance of Mount Magmeow)
- Footprint Free-for-All (switch located to the southwest of the Wasteland Giga Bell)
- Surprise Prizefight (switch located on an island directly north of Mount Magmeow)
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ヒップドロップスイッチ[6] Hippu Doroppu Suicchi |
Hip Drop Switch | |
| French | interrupteur à charge au sol[8] | Ground Pound Switch | |
| German | Stampfattacken-Schalter[?] | Ground Pound Switch | |
| Italian | Interruttore Schianto a Terra[?] | Ground Slam Switch | |
| Spanish | Interruptor de Salto Bomba[7] | Ground Pound Switch |
References
- ^ Super Mario Galaxy 2 American instruction booklet, page 20.
- ^ Super Mario Galaxy American instruction booklet, page 18.
- ^ Super Mario Galaxy American instruction booklet, page 12.
- ^ Super Mario Galaxy 2 American instruction booklet, page 12.
- ^ Kingdom Brochures. The text reads "A Symbol from Ancient Times: Now seen all over the world, this starburst symbol is thought to have originated on these islands. But what does it communicate? The mystery may never be solved."
- ^ Super Mario Galaxy Japanese instruction booklet, page 21.
- ^ Super Mario Galaxy 2 American instruction booklet, page 64.
- ^ Super Mario Galaxy 2 American instruction booklet, page 34.
