Mario's Cap is a recurring object in the Mario franchise, let alone appearances with Mario in general. It first appears in Donkey Kong, but it debuted as a gameplay element in Super Mario 64.
Description[]
Mario's Cap is a red cap with a red "M" printed on a white circle. It belongs to Mario, which the "M" is short for, and the red "M" would go on to appear as an emblem representing Mario in various appearances, such as the Mario Tennis series or even the Mario & Sonic series. and Mario wears his cap in nearly every Mario game. In many appearances, Mario's Cap is just a clothing item worn by Mario, but in some games, Mario's Cap serves a purpose during gameplay.
When Mario collects a power-up item, his cap either disappears or its appearance or color changes with the rest of his outfit. Mario does not wear his cap while under the effects of any "Suit" power-up, including the Frog Suit, Tanooki Suit, and the Penguin Suit. The Fire Mario and Ice forms change the color of Mario's outfit. For Mario's Rock and Cloud forms, his cap changes its design along with him. In the case of Mario's Builder form, his cap is replaced with a builder's helmet.
Some other characters wear caps based to Mario's, such as Luigi and Wario, who wear their own green and yellow caps respectively. Aside from having a different cap color and letter emblem, the caps are otherwise the same as Mario's.
A design based on the Mario Cap is used in the logo of Nintendo's rewards program, My Nintendo, as well as in the previous one, Club Nintendo.
In Super Mario series[]
Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[]
This is the first game where it is possible for Mario to lose his cap, which can occur if it is either taken by a Ukkiki or Klepto or blown off by a gust of wind from the snowman in Snowman's Land. Without his cap, Mario is vulnerable to taking more damage upon being attacked. To retrieve his cap, Mario has to return to the course where he lost his cap in order to retrieve it.
If Mario leaves a course after collecting a Power Star without his cap, Mario pats his head before realizing his cap is gone, looks around him, and shrugs in disappointment as if he has no idea where his cap has gone, instead of taking it off to scratch his head before putting it back on.
Mario also makes use of three different types of caps in addition to his regular cap: the Wing Cap, giving him the ability to fly; the Metal Cap, allowing Mario to walk underwater, through fire, and is invulnerable to nearly everything; the Vanish Cap, which allows Mario to walk through certain walls.
Super Mario Sunshine[]
Mario's cap functions similarly as in Super Mario 64, but Swipin' Stus are the only enemies that can steal it. A difference is that if Mario loses his cap, his Health Meter gradually decreases due to the hot weather.
Super Mario 64 DS[]
A Toad wearing Mario's cap in Super Mario 64 DS
The purpose of Mario's cap has been expanded upon, and both Luigi's cap and Wario's cap now appear alongside Mario's cap. The three caps often appear somewhere in a course, shown on the Touch Screen's map, and are sometimes worn by a Goomba. Mario's cap gains a new ability: when worn by either Luigi, Yoshi, or Wario, he transforms into Mario, replacing their abilities with Mario's. Even while wearing Mario's cap, either of the three characters still retain their own voices. If a character is wearing Mario's cap, they can lose it by either taking damage from an enemy or hazard or by completing a course's mission. In the former case, Mario's cap slides off of the character, who has only a few seconds to collect Mario's cap before it disappears and respawns back to its original location. If a character wearing Mario's cap gets another cap, they receive an extra life.
There is a Toad who reveals that Mario's cap is special, and if it were to get blown off, Mario would have nothing but bad luck. If Mario is not wearing his cap, besides the disadvantages from the original Super Mario 64, he can neither use the Wing Cap, wear Luigi's cap or Wario's cap, nor use a Power Flower.
Mario's cap still appears in certain courses and missions if Mario is not yet unlocked: Bob-omb Battlefield's Footrace with Koopa the Quick and Big Bob-omb's Revenge missions, Whomp's Fortress's Chip Off Whomp's Block and To the Top of the Fortress missions, Jolly Roger Bay in general, and Cool, Cool Mountain's Li'l Penguin Lost mission. In Footrace with Koopa the Quick, if playing as Yoshi, Luigi, or Wario, they have to defeat a Goomba wearing Mario's cap near the start to become Mario, as he is the only character whom Koopa the Quick wants to race.
If Mario completes a mission without his cap, he can now retrieve it by going into the Mushroom Castle's lobby, where Toad is wearing Mario's lost cap, and talk to Toad to get it back from him.
Super Mario Galaxy[]
After joining Mario, Luma hides in Mario's Cap throughout his journey. Whenever Mario does a spin, there is a small waiting time before Luma returns into the cap to perform the move again.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[]
If Mario begins a level with the maximum number of 99 lives, he does not wear his cap, but his animation when completing a level remains unchanged, so he still makes the movements of tipping his cap. If Mario goes below the maximum number of lives, he wears his cap again.
Super Mario Galaxy 2[]
Mario's Cap retains its role from Super Mario Galaxy. However, in the ending, Baby Luma takes Mario's Cap (or Luigi's Cap, if playing as Luigi) with him as a souvenir before returning to the Comet Observatory with Rosalina. Following this, Mario does not wear his cap throughout the credits, but he wears his cap when he can be played again.
Super Mario 3D Land[]
Mario no longer wears his cap while in his Small form, which is also the case for Luigi. If Mario or Luigi has 1,110 lives, their Super forms are without a cap instead.
New Super Mario Bros. 2[]
Mario does not wear his cap if he starts a level with 1,110 lives, similarly to New Super Mario Bros. Wii but retaining the number from Super Mario 3D Land.
New Super Luigi U[]
Even though Mario does not make an appearance, his cap appears in the opening cutscene, in the exact spot where Mario sat in New Super Mario Bros. U.
Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[]
Like in Super Mario 3D Land, Mario and Luigi do not wear their respective caps while in their Small form.
Super Mario Odyssey[]
Super Mario Odyssey artwork of several enemies wearing Mario's cap while under the effects of the capture ability
- "A red hat that has seen its fair share of adventures."
- —Clothing description
Mario's Cap plays a notable role during the game's story. During the initial battle on Bowser's Airship, Bowser's final attack knocks the cap off Mario's head and sends Mario flying off. With Mario gone, Bowser stomps on the cap and leaves it to drift into his airship's propellers, which shred Mario's Cap entirely. However, Cappy takes the role of Mario's Cap for the remainder of Mario's journey, after Cappy uses a remnant of Mario's shredded cap to transform into a replica of the cap before its destruction.
Cappy has a lot of enhancements over Mario's regular cap, most notably the capture ability, which gives Mario the ability to take control of certain enemies and species, having the appearance of wearing Mario's Cap while in a captured state.
In the group photo, after obtaining a 100% completion rating, a restored or spare version of the Mario Cap is shown.
Pauline is seen wearing a replica of the Mario Cap after Mario obtains the Multi Moon in the mission Long Journey's End on the Darker Side of the Moon Kingdom.
""Super Mario Bros Wonder[]
The badge Parachute Cap allows Mario and all other playable characters to use their cap to glide, making it puff up like a parachute.
In Mario Kart series[]
Mario Kart 64[]
In Mario Raceway, a giant version of the Mario Cap appears atop the grandstand.
Mario Kart Wii[]
Like in Mario Kart 64, N64 Mario Raceway retains the giant Mario Cap atop the grandstand.
Mario Kart Tour[]
A glider based on Mario's cap, Mario's Hat Balloon was introduced during the 2022 Mario vs. Luigi Tour. In the 2023 tour of the same name, with the reintroduction of N64 Mario Raceway, the giant Mario Cap returns atop the grandstand.
In Luigi's Mansion[]
- "Wh-what is this? If it isn't Mario's Hat! Why, it's so clean, as if... SOMEONE JUST WASHED IT!"
- —Madame Clairvoya, Luigi's Mansion
Luigi's Mansion model of Mario's Hat
Mario's Hat is one of Mario's five missing items, the other four being Mario's Glove, Mario's Star, Mario's Letter, and Mario's Shoe. Like with the other items, Mario's Hat must be brought to Madame Clairvoya so that she can give Luigi some clues as to where Mario is located. Mario's Hat is located in the washing machine of the Laundry Room.
It appears Mario owns multiple caps, as Mario is also seen wearing one when he is trapped in his painting in the Secret Altar. Mario is similarly seen wearing both gloves as well.
In the Nintendo 3DS version's Hidden Mansion, Mario's Cap is instead located inside of the dishwasher in the Kitchen.
In Mario Golf: World Tour[]
Mario's Cap can be seen on top of the Luma in Rosalina's Hole in One, Albatross, or Eagle animations.
In Mario Sports Superstars[]
During the Golf mode, Mario's Cap makes the same appearance in Rosalina's Hole in One, Albatross, and Eagle animations, all of which were reused from Mario Golf: World Tour.
In WarioWare Gold[]
The Mario Cap makes a cameo as one of the possible drawings on the whiteboard in Chalk Full, which it did not appear in for the original WarioWare: Touched! iteration.
Crossover appearances[]
Super Smash Bros. series[]
In one of his idle animations, Mario is shown adjusting his cap. The color of Mario's cap differs between Mario's different alternate costumes.
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, for his side taunt, Mario spins and takes his cap off, revealing his hair. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario instead wears Cappy, who is disguised as Mario's Cap, and throws Cappy during his side taunt.
Mario's Cap is one of the accessories that can be worn by a Mii Fighter in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[]
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix screenshot of Mario's Cap acting as the roof of Mario's House
If the player is playing as Mario, his house has a huge Mario Cap as a roof.
Nintendogs[]
The Red Hat, a replica of the Mario Cap, is an item that can be worn by the player's dog. The item itself is found on walks.
Animal Crossing series[]
As of Animal Crossing: Wild World onward, the Mario Cap is one of the headgear items. In its earlier appearances, it was named big bro's hat, referencing the fact that Mario is the older brother of Luigi. In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it is simply named Mario hat. When the player's character puts on the cap, an arrangement of the first six notes of the Ground Theme from Super Mario Bros. plays.
Wii Party U[]
The minigame Mad Hatters involves the characters choosing different hats from each other's, and one of these hats is the Mario Cap.
Pikmin Bloom[]
If the player links the app to a Nintendo Account, they obtain a Huge Seedling that grows into a Blue Pikmin wearing a Mario Cap.
Behind the scenes[]
The reason why Mario was given a cap to begin with in Donkey Kong is because of the hardware limitations that video game graphics had at the time. This decision circumvented both the issue of drawing Mario's hairstyle, forehead, and eyebrows, as well as animating Mario's hair as he jumps.[1]
Trivia[]
- In Super Mario 64 DS, there are some circumstances where it is possible to end up with more than one of Mario's caps, such as in the Bob-omb Battlefield mission, Footrace with Koopa the Quick.
Gallery[]
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To view Mario's Cap's image gallery, click here.
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References[]
- ↑ Miyamoto, Shigeru (November 10, 2010). Q&A: 'Mario' creator Shigeru Miyamoto (English). Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved on September 25, 2023. “The technology of the time really dictated how we did character design. If I gave Mario a lot of hair you have to animate it or it doesn't look right. By giving him a hat we didn't have to worry about that. We also didn't have to draw his eyebrows, his forehead or any of these other things. It was just a really useful tool to help us emphasize what we were trying to do on this small screen.”
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|---|---|---|
| Characters | Playable | Mario • Yoshi • Luigi** • Wario** |
| Supporting | Bob-omb Buddy • Dorrie • Headless Snowman • Hoot • Koopa the Quick • Lakitu Bros. • MIPS* • Mother Penguin • Penguin Champ • Princess Peach • Rabbits** (Glowing**) • Toad • Tuxie | |
| Bosses | King Bob-omb • Whomp King • Goomboss • Bowser#1 • Big Boo • Big Mr. I • King Boo • Big Bully • Eyerok • Bowser#2 • Chill Bully • Chief Chilly • Wiggler • Bowser#3 | |
| Enemies | Enemies | Amp • Beach Koopa • Big Bertha** • Big Steely • Big Venus Fire Trap • Bob-omb • Boo • Bookend • Bub* • Bubba* • Bullet Bill • Bully • Butterfly • Chair • Chain Chomp • Cheep-Cheep** • Chuckya • Clam • Fire Chomp** • Fly Guy • Fwoosh • Goomba • Grand Goomba • Grindel • Heave Ho • Klepto • Koopa Troopa Kuromame* • • Lakitu • Mad Piano • Manta • Micro-Goomba • Moneybag • Monty Mole • Mr. Blizzard • Mr. I • Piranha Plant • Podoboo • Pokey • Scuttle Bug • Skeeter • Snufit • Spindel • Spindrift • Spiny • Sushi • Swooper • Thwomp • Tox Box • Tweester • Ukiki • Unagi the Eel • Venus Fire Trap • Whomp |
| Items | Items | 1-UP Mushroom • Big Key • Blue Coin • Jumbo Star • Key • Luigi Key** • Luigi Cap** • Mario Key** • Mario Cap • Metal Cap* • Mushroom** • Power Flower** • Power Star • Red Coin • Secret • Silver Star** • Vanish Cap* • Wario Key** • Wario Cap** • Wing Cap • Yellow Coin |
| Objects | Regular | ! Switch • Arrow Lift • Arrow Sign • Big Star Door • Block • Blue Coin Block • Bubble ring • Cannon • Cap Block • Cap Switch • Chairlift • Conveyor Belt • Crate • Crazed Crate • Crystal Tap • Falling Block • Flowers • Ice Block • Key Door • Koopa Shell • Lift • Magic Carpet • Mushroom Platform • Painting • Pendulum • Pole • Rainbow Cruiser • Rolling log • Seesaw • Shrinker Pipe • Slide • Spiked orb • Spinning Heart • Star Door • Star Marker • Star Sphere** • Star Switch** • Stump • Switching room** • Treasure Chest • Tree • Warp Pipe • Wire net • Work Elevator • Yoshi Egg** |
| Obstacles | Boulder • Casket • Coffin • Current • Endless stairs • Fire Arm • Flamethrower • Frozen Water • Hidden smasher • Iron ball • Lava • Moving sand • Pit • Quicksand • Skull Crate • Toxic Gas • Turtle Cannon • Water bomb • Whirlpool | |
| Moves | Moves | Backward Somersault • Crawl • Crouch • Dash • Dive • Double Jump • Egg Throw** • Flutter Kick** • Fly • Jump • Jump Kick • Kick • Long Jump • Pound the Ground • Punch • Scuttle** • Side Somersault • Slide • Slide Kick • Spin Jump • Stomp • Swallow** • Sweep Kick • Swim • Triple Jump • Wall Kick • Wild Swing-Ding** |
| Power-ups | Balloon Mario** • Fire Power** • Mega Mario** • Metal Mario*/Metal Wario** • Vanish Mario*/Vanish Luigi** • Wing Mario | |
| Courses | First floor | Bob-omb Battlefield • Whomp's Fortress • Jolly Roger Bay • Cool, Cool Mountain • Goomboss Battle • Bowser in the Dark World |
| Castle Courtyard | Battle Fort (DS only) • Big Boo's Haunt • Big Boo Battle (DS only) | |
| Basement | Hazy Maze Cave • Lethal Lava Land • Shifting Sand Land • Dire, Dire Docks • Bowser in the Fire Sea | |
| Second floor | Chief Chilly Challenge • Snowman's Land • Wet-Dry World • Tall, Tall Mountain • Tiny-Huge Island | |
| Third floor | Tick Tock Clock • Rainbow Ride • Bowser in the Sky | |
| Power Stars | Bob-omb Battlefield | Big Bob-omb on the Summit • Footrace with Koopa the Quick • Shoot to the Island in the Sky (N64) • 5 Silver Stars (DS) • Big Bob-omb's Revenge (DS) • Find the 8 Red Coins • Mario Wings to the Sky • Behind Chain Chomp's Gate* |
| Whomp's Fortress | Chip Off Whomp's Block • To the Top of the Fortress • Shoot into the Wild Blue • Red Coins on the Floating Isle • Fall onto the Caged Island • Blast Away the Wall • Switch Star of the Fortress (DS) | |
| Jolly Roger Bay | Plunder in the Sunken Ship • Can the Eel Come Out to Play? • Treasure in the the Ocean Cave • Red Coins on the Ship Afloat • Blast to the Stone Pillar • Through the Jet Stream • Switch Star of the Bay (DS) | |
| Cool, Cool Mountain | Slip Slidin' Away • Lil' Penguin Lost • Big Penguin Race • Frosty Slide for 8 Red Coins • Snowman's Lost His Head • Wall Kicks Will Work (N64)/Mario's Super Wall Kick (DS) • Switch Star of Cool, Cool Mountain (DS) | |
| Big Boo's Haunt | Go on a Ghost Hunt • Ride Big Boo's Merry Go Round • Secret of the Haunted Books • Seek the 8 Red Coins • Big Boo's Balcony • Eye to Eye in the Secret Room • Switch Star of the Basement | |
| Hazy Maze Cave | Swimming Beast in the Cavern • Elevate for 8 Red Coins • Metal-Head Mario Can Move! (N64)/Metal-Head Wario Can Move (DS) • Navigating the Toxic Maze • A-Maze-Ing Emergency Exit • Watch for Rolling Rocks • Underground Switch Star | |
| Lethal Lava Land | Boil the Big Bully • Bully the Bullies • 8-Coin Puzzle with 15 Pieces • Red-Hot Log Rolling • Hot-Foot-It into the Volcano • Elevator Tour in the Volcano (N64)/Inside the Volcano • Flaming Silver Stars (DS) | |
| Shifting Sand Land | In the Talons of the Big Bird • Shining Atop the Pyramid • Inside the Ancient Pyramid • Stand Tall On the Four Pillars • Free Flying For 8 Red Coins (5th Star, N64) (7th Star, DS) • Tox Box Switch Star (DS) • Pyramid Puzzle | |
| Dire, Dire Docks | Board Bowser's Sub • Chests in the Current • Pole-Jumping for Red Coins • Through the Jet Stream • The Manta Ray's Reward (5th Star, N64) (7th Star, DS) • Koopa Surfin' Switch Star (DS) • Collect the Caps... (N64)/Inside the Cage (DS) | |
| Snowman's Land | Snowman's Big Head • Chill with the Bully • In the Deep Freeze (N64) • Yoshi's Ice Sculpture (DS) • Whirl from the Freezing Pond • Shell Shreddin' for Red Coins (N64) • Snowman's Silver Star (DS) • Into the Igloo • Red Coins in the House (DS) | |
| Wet-Dry World | Shocking Arrow Lifts! • Top o' the Town • Secrets in the Shallows and Sky (N64)/5 Secrets in the Shallows and Sky (DS) • Express Elevator--Hurry Up! • Go to Town for Red Coins (N64)/Go to Town for the Red Coins (DS) • Quick Race Through Downtown! • Soaked Silver Stars (DS) | |
| Tall, Tall Mountain | Scale the Mountain • Mystery of the Monkey Cage • Scary 'Shrooms, Red Coins • Mysterious Mountainside • Breathtaking View from Bridge (Star 5, N64)/Breathtaking View from the Bridge (Star 7, DS) • Blast to the Lonely Mushroom (Star 6, N64) (Star 5, DS) • 5 Secrets of the Mountain | |
| Tiny-Huge Island | Pluck the Piranha Flower • The Tip Top of the Huge Island • Rematch with Koopa the Quick • Five Itty Bitty Secrets (N64) • Klepto the Condor • Wiggler's Red Coins • Make Wiggler Squirm • Switch Star of the Island (DS) | |
| Tick Tock Clock | Roll into the Cage (N64) • Luigi in the Cage (DS) • The Pit and the Pendulums (N64) • The Pendulum Switch Star (DS) • Get a Hand • Stomp on the Thwomp •Timed Jumps on Moving Bars • Stop Time for Red Coins • Tick Tock Silver Stars | |
| Rainbow Ride | Cruiser Crossing the Rainbow • The Big House in the Sky • Coins Amassed in a Maze • Swingin' in the Breeze • Tricky Triangles! • Somewhere over the Rainbow • Switch Star of the Manor | |
| Other locations | Other locations | Big House • Princess Peach's Castle (Castle Grounds · Princess Peach's room · Rec Room**) |
| Minigames** | Luigi's | Lucky Stars • Mario Slot • Memory Master • Memory Match • Mushroom Roulette • Pair-a-Gone • Pair-a-Gone and On • Picture Poker • Super Mario Slot |
| Mario's | Bounce and Pounce • Bounce and Trounce • Connect the Characters • Mario's Slides • Shell Smash • Shuffle Shell • Sort or 'Splode • Trampoline Terror • Trampoline Time | |
| Wario's | Bingo Ball • Bob-omb Squad • Coincentration • Giant Snowball Slalom • Intense Coincentration • Lakitu Launch • Psyche Out! • Slots Shot • Snowball Slalom | |
| Yoshi's | Boom Box • Hide and Boo Seek • Loves Me...? • Mix-a-Mug • Puzzle Panel • Puzzle Panic • Tox Box Shuffle • Wanted! • Which Wiggler? | |
| Versions | Versions | Super Mario 64 (1996) • Super Mario 64: Shindō Pak Taiō (1997) • Super Mario 64 DS (2004) |
| * Exclusive to the N64 version ** Exclusive to the DS version | ||
