In Nintendo's beloved Super Mario Bros. series, the latest addition, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, has introduced a new twist that's been making headlines: the Elephant Fruit. This peculiar fruit has the power to transform anyone who consumes it into an elephant, and it's garnered a lot of attention, especially for the transformation of Elephant Peach. While the reasons for this attention may vary and are best left to speculation, the elephant transformation in Super Mario Bros. Wonder is just the latest in a lineage of animal-themed power-ups that began with one of the best Super Mario games ever made.
Super Mario Bros. 3, released in the U.S. on February 12, 1990, toward the end of the NES era, marked a significant leap forward in the series. Its improved graphics are immediately noticeable, but it's the evolution in gameplay that truly sets it apart as a high point in the series. Following the unique Super Mario Bros. 2 (famously a reskinned version of a completely different game), Super Mario Bros. 3 feels like a fresh template upon which all future games would be built.
With a lively title screen and a vibrant, technicolor art style, Super Mario Bros. 3 sets a playful tone that makes its predecessors appear somewhat dull in comparison. The Mushroom Kingdom is more dynamic, offering secret shortcuts and alternate routes. However, it's the revamped power-ups in Super Mario Bros. 3 that steal the spotlight, with none more iconic than Raccoon Mario.
Mario's transformation into Raccoon Mario is achieved by using the Super Leaf power-up, which might be somewhat confusing since there's no immediate connection between raccoons and leaves for players outside of Japan. However, this association is linked to the Japanese raccoon dog, which serves as the inspiration for another power-up we'll explore shortly. Raccoon Mario's unique trait is the power to use his tail to swat away enemies, a handy skill. But the real defining feature of this powered-up form is the ability to fly.
The introduction of flight in the Mario series expanded the horizons of level design and player interaction. Raccoon Mario was no longer limited to following a linear path of platforms; he could take to the skies, uncovering hidden paths and entire sub-levels that would remain undiscovered without taking flight. Super Mario Bros. 3 and subsequent games in the series transformed the challenge from simply completing a level to seeking out every secret collectible and optional route.
In later Super Mario titles, this idea was expanded upon, with levels packed full of stars to collect. This, in turn, led to games like Super Mario 64 becoming staples in the speedrunning community and shifted the focus of Mario enthusiasts from merely finishing the games to uncovering every last secret they held.
While Raccoon Mario is undoubtedly the most versatile transformation in Super Mario Bros. 3, there are other equally iconic power-ups in the game. One such power-up, although not as common, is the Tanooki Suit, which inherits all the abilities of the Super Leaf and allows Mario to transform into a statue to evade enemies. This unique ability is inspired by the folklore surrounding Japan's tanuki, or native wild dogs, also known as raccoon dogs. These creatures are said to be mischievous shapeshifters. When Mario acquires the Tanooki Suit, he not only gains powerful abilities but also dons an adorable onesie with a tail and ears, which is a significant upgrade in its own right.
Super Mario Bros. 3 also introduces the charming Frog Suit. While essential for underwater levels, the Frog Suit is almost useless on land as it causes Mario to move slower than usual. However, even a limited power-up like the Frog Suit adds to the charm of Super Mario Bros. 3. Although turning into a frog might not be as versatile as becoming a flying tanuki, it contributes to the game's overall sense of cartoonish fun.
Super Mario's essence lies in wild reinvention, unconventional ideas, and an ever-expanding array of abilities. Super Mario Bros. 3 set the stage for all of this, and it all began with a simple leaf.
