We all love the classic Super Mario power-ups – the iconic mushroom, the fiery flower, the invincible star, and, of course, the trusty 1-up mushroom. But did you know there’s a whole secret stash of power-ups in Mario’s arsenal waiting to be discovered? Let’s dive into the exciting realm of lesser-known and brand-new Super Mario power-ups! Unearth the magic with us as we explore ten hidden gems that might just change the way you play Mario forever!”

Lucky Bell

The Lucky Bell is a new Super Mario 3D World power-up that transforms characters into Lucky Cat forms upon executing a Ground Pound. This charming transformation results in a gold cat statue and a trail of Coins. The Lucky Bell also provides temporary invincibility while holding the Ground Pound button, reminiscent of classic power-ups like the Tanooki Suit and Statue Leaf. Debuting in Spiky Mount Beanpole in World Mushroom, the Lucky Bell’s appearance resembles a fusion of a Mushroom and a Super Bell, adding a touch of magic to its introduction.

Lucky Cat Mario

Super Acorn


The Super Acorn, introduced in New Super Mario Bros. U, is a power-up in the Super Mario series. It resembles a Super Mushroom and transforms characters (excluding Nabbit) into Flying Squirrels. Additionally, there’s a P-Acorn variant marked with a P, enabling infinite height akin to the P-Wing. This power-up can be obtained by capturing a Nabbit and receiving a reward from a Toad or occasionally found in Acorn Plains on the overworld.

Flying Squirrel Mario

Statue Leaf

The Statue Leaf in Super Mario 3D Land is a unique item that modifies Mario’s Tanooki Suit with a red cloth around the neck. When Mario performs a Ground Pound wearing the Statue Leaf, he transforms into a statue, rendering him immune to damage from enemies and obstacles. The enemies are tricked into turning away, and Mario can crush obstacles below him during the transformation, even spiked ones. This power-up is exclusive to the game’s Special Worlds, accessible after defeating Bowser in World 8. The Statue Leaf shares similarities with the Tanooki Suit from Super Mario Bros. 3 and the Lucky Bell.

Statue Mario

Bee Mushroom


Bee Mushrooms, featured in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, are yellow and brown striped mushrooms that transform Mario into Bee Mario. In this form, Mario gains the ability to fly short distances until a meter depletes. He can climb honeycombs, move through honey without slowing down, and rest on flowers or clouds due to his lighter weight. This power-up is found in various galaxies, including Sea Slide Galaxy and Honeyhive Galaxy. However, contact with water or damage reverts Mario to his original form. The Bee Mushroom also makes a cameo in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. In Super Mario Galaxy 2, collecting 120 Power Stars triggers the appearance of a Bee Mushroom in the closing credits at the Tall Trunk Galaxy portion.

Bee Suit Luigi

Ice Flower

Ice Flowers are the frosty counterparts to Fire Flowers in the Mario universe, first introduced in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. These flowers enable characters like Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi to hurl Ice Balls, distinct from the fiery projectiles of Fire Flowers. In the New Super Mario Bros. series, starting with New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Ice Flowers encase enemies in ice, creating throwable blocks or platforms.

In Super Mario Galaxy, Ice Flowers transform Mario into Ice Mario, granting him the ability to traverse water and turn lava into ice. The effects of the power-up are temporary, accompanied by a speeding-up musical theme as time passes. In the Paper Mario series, particularly in Paper Mario: Sticker Star and Paper Mario: Color Splash, Ice Flowers appear as stickers or cards, offering an arsenal of ice-based attacks.

Mario Kart Tour introduces the Ice Flower as a special item, allowing characters like Ice Bro, Penguin Mario, Penguin Luigi, Penguin Toadette, and Ice Mario to throw snowballs, freezing opponents temporarily. Even in other media, such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Ice Flowers play a crucial role, with Peach using one to freeze Bowser during a wedding scene. The versatility and frosty flair of Ice Flowers make them a captivating addition to the Mario universe across various games and media.

Mario, after getting the Ice Flower

Metal Cap


The Metal Cap, introduced in Super Mario 64, transforms Mario into his formidable Metal Mario form. Typically released from a Metal Box, it grants invincibility and the ability to walk on water and lava. Metal Caps are found within Green Blocks activated by the Cap Switch in the Cavern of the Metal Cap. In Super Mario 64 DS, Wario attains similar powers via a Power Flower.

Super Mario Odyssey features the Metal Cap as a suit in Coin Shops, providing a cosmetic change to Mario’s appearance without granting the original powers from Super Mario 64. The design pays homage to its Super Mario 64 counterpart.

Metal Mario

Frog Suit

The Frog Suit, introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3, transforms Mario or Luigi into a frog-like form, enhancing swimming control at the expense of decreased land speed. The suit, featuring a green frog appearance with bulging eyes, debuts in Desert Land, offering improved swimming capabilities and heightened jumping ability. In later Super Mario installments, the Blue Shell, Penguin Suit, and Spring Mushroom also provide enhanced swimming or jumping abilities.

In the Paper Mario series, Frog Suits return as stickers in Paper Mario: Sticker Star and cards in Paper Mario: Color Splash. They enable Mario to dodge enemy attacks and enhance the power of other stickers or cards. Super Mario Maker 2 sees the Frog Suit’s reappearance, allowing Frog Mario to run on water when the P-Meter is filled up, introducing a new dimension to the classic power-up.

Frog Suit Mario in Super Mario Maker

Power Flower (Super Mario 64 DS)


Power Flowers are a special type of flower that grants various power-ups to different characters in the Mario universe. Featured in Yoshi’s Story and Super Mario 64 DS, they differ from Fire Flowers and replace the three caps from Super Mario 64. When Yoshi consumes one, he gains the ability to breathe fire. Mario’s use of the Power Flower results in either turning into a balloon for floating or activating a wing cap. Luigi becomes invisible, capable of passing through fences, and immune to most enemy attacks. Wario transforms into a metallic form when powered up by a Power Flower, enabling him to walk underwater without harm, similar to the Metal Cap in the N64 version.

Mario Balloned up

Red Stars


Red Stars are power-ups introduced in Super Mario Galaxy. They temporarily transform Mario into Flying Mario (or Luigi into Flying Luigi) and are prominently featured in Gateway Galaxy’s second mission, Gateway’s Purple Coins. Upon obtaining the Red Power Star in this mission, the Red Luma grants Mario the ability to use Red Stars in the Comet Observatory. Although the Red Star’s ability can be accessed in Super Mario Galaxy 2 through hacking, it remains unused in the game.

Boo Mushroom

The Boo Mushroom is a power-up mushroom introduced in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2. First encountered in the Ghostly Galaxy of Super Mario Galaxy, it allows Mario or Luigi to transform into Boo form. Boo Mario gains the ability to hover in midair like a Boo, turn invisible briefly, and pass through certain walls. However, the effects wear off if Boo Mario or Boo Luigi comes into contact with light, water, or enemies.

Mario using the Boo Mushroom


In conclusion, delving into the world of Super Mario unveils a treasure trove of new and lesser-known power-ups that add exciting twists to the classic gameplay we all love. From the Lucky Bell’s golden transformations to the mysterious abilities of the Statue Leaf and the strategic advantages of the Ice Flower, these power-ups not only showcase Nintendo’s creativity but also keep the Mario universe fresh and dynamic. As we explore these hidden gems, it becomes clear that the developers continue to surprise us with innovative ways to enhance our gaming experience. So, the next time you embark on a Mario adventure, keep an eye out for these lesser-known power-ups—you never know what extraordinary abilities might be at your fingertips!