Cap Throw

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Artwork of Mario, from Super Mario Odyssey.
Artwork of Mario throwing Cappy

The Cap Throw is a move introduced in Super Mario Odyssey. The move involves Mario spinning around and throwing Cappy forward when the player presses Y Button or shakes one of Joy-Con or Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Cappy spins around as long as he is in the air, then returns to Mario like a boomerang. His path is affected by walls, and a wall can prevent Mario from throwing Cappy. Mario can throw Cappy to perform several actions. Cappy can hit enemies and blocks and collect coins. He can interact with other objects, such as pulling Lever Switches and Poles. Some objects allow Cappy to pass through them, while others prompt him to begin returning. Some objects, such as cacti and rocks, bounce away from Cappy. This is extended to certain projectiles, such as fireballs. The Cap Throw can be considered the Odyssey equivalent of Mario's basic attack moves from prior 3D games of the Super Mario franchise, such as the Spin and Jump Kick.

If Mario jumps as he picks up Cappy, he twirls as he jumps to go slightly higher than normal. Using a throw stalls Mario's movement, and if he is in the air, he gains a little height. Mario can attempt to throw Cappy before Cappy returns, but this only cosmetically spins Mario around without any of the effects of the throw. By throwing and failing to release Cappy into an adjacent wall, this can be done repeatedly as an alternative to sliding down. If Mario performs three Cap Throws in a row, the last has him spin more dramatically. Mechanically, this is similar to the Triple Jump.

Generally speaking, a Cap Throw is less effective against enemies than a jump, as a jump can defeat most enemies in one hit, while the Cap Throw has a number of restrictions. Some enemies are only knocked backward. However, the Cap Throw can affect a number of enemies that a stomp does not, such as enemies with spikes.

Many enemies and objects can be captured when Cappy hits them, temporarily putting Mario in control of those entities. Some enemies that can be captured wear hats. An additional Cap Throw is required to remove an enemy's hat, which rebounds Cappy to Mario.

After Mario throws Cappy, Cappy keeps spinning in place for longer if Y Button is held; this is called a Cap Throw and Hold. This can be used to repeatedly hit the same object, as otherwise Cappy returns on contact with objects like blocks and crates. Cappy can land on certain objects and spin on them indefinitely with this move. Some such objects provide a Power Moon if Cappy stays on them for long enough. If Mario runs into Cappy during a Cap Throw and Hold, he cap-jumps off Cappy to jump higher and farther. A Cap Jump can be used while Mario is in the air, but he passes through Cappy instead of performing additional Cap Jumps until he lands. If Cappy is not twirling on an object, he returns to Mario afterward.

Once Cappy reaches the end of his arc, the player can shake one of Joy-Con again to initiate a Homing Cap Throw. With a Homing Cap Throw, Cappy homes in on enemies or objects that are near him, or just flicks forward in the direction the controller was shaken. He then returns to Mario, irrespective of the Cap Throw and Hold.

Mario can throw Cappy in different ways depending on the buttons pressed and/or how Joy-Con are shaken. Flicking both Joy-Con upwards performs an Upward Throw, allowing Mario to hit enemies and objects above him. Flicking both Joy-Con downwards (in midair) or flicking just one or pressing Y Button or X Button during a Ground Pound's impact does a Downward Throw, which lets Mario hit things below him if he is in midair or near a ledge. Cappy spins like a wheel during a Downward Throw, so if he hits the ground, he rolls forward. This roll covers more distance than a standard Cap Throw, and it also follows any dips in the floor that a regular Cap Throw would soar over. All of these moves can be used with a Cap Throw and Hold, Cap Jump, or Homing Cap Throw.

Shaking both Joy-Con sideways or pressing Y Button or X Button while spinning performs a Spin Throw, which sends Cappy in a spiral motion all around Mario. Using this move ends the spinning state. Cappy floats relative to Mario's position, increasing the range if Mario moves around but preventing him from landing on Cappy for a Cap Jump. A Cap Throw and Hold and a Homing Cap Throw cannot be used during a Spin Throw.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario's new side taunt, which has him throw Cappy around him, is based on the Cap Throw.

Names in other languages

Cap Throw

Language Name Meaning Notes
Italian Lancia il cappello[?] Throw the hat
Korean 모자 던지기[?]
Moja Deonjigi
?

Upward Throw

Language Name Meaning Notes
Italian Lancio in su[?] Upward throw
Korean 위로 던지기[?]
Wiro Deonjigi
?

Downward Throw

Language Name Meaning Notes
Italian Lancio in giù[?] Downward throw
Korean 아래로 던지기[?]
Araero Deonjigi
?

Spin Throw

Language Name Meaning Notes
Italian Lancio rotante[?] Spinning throw
Korean 회전 던지기[?]
Hoejeon Deonjigi
?

Cap Throw and Hold

Language Name Meaning Notes
Italian Lancio arrestato[?] Arrested throw
Korean 모자 던져 홀드[?]
Moja Deonjyeo Holdeu
?

Homing Cap Throw

Language Name Meaning Notes
Italian Lancio autoguidato[?] Self-guided throw
Korean 모자 던져 추적[?]
Moja Deonjyeo Chujeok
?