The Super Mario world is one filled with wonder and whimsy. How could it not be when a plumber and his friends are repeatedly saving the Mushroom Kingdom princess from a fire-breathing turtle? Something important that’s helped the heroes along their adventures has been a variety of power-ups.
There are a ton of amazing transformational items that we’ve seen characters use over the 40-year franchise’s history, but a few stand tall above the rest. Follow along as I share my ranking of the best Super Mario power-ups.
5. Mega Mushroom
Mushrooms are a commonplace item in the Super Mario series, even when the setting isn’t related to the familiar Mushroom Kingdom. While the red Super Mushroom and green 1-Up Mushroom are easily more known, I’m choosing to highlight the much rarer Mega Mushroom.
Obtaining this will temporarily enlarge your character to massive proportions. Stomping the biggest of enemies and destroying blocks and other typically indestructible parts of the environment is incredibly fun. It’s also plenty of fun against other players in the spin-off games too.
4. Super Star
No matter if you’re playing the original Super Mario Bros. game or the Nintendo Switch 2’s Mario Kart World, you’re going to be excited when you get the Super Star power-up. Who doesn’t like a brief period of invincibility that also knocks out whoever you touch?
Further adding to it is the flashing rainbow color effect and unforgettable Invincibility BGM theme that everyone knows by heart. The Super Star is seen in most Mario games for good reason.
3. Super Leaf
Next up on the list is the Super Leaf. While its introduction in Super Mario Bros. 3 transformed you into the memorable Raccoon form, later games have you transform into the arguably more famous Tanooki form.
Either way, the Super Leaf has always been a source of amazement. Flying through levels as a Raccoon feels worth the thumb pain from mashing buttons to stay in the air. Turning into the flightless Tanooki in later games is a bit different, but the improved Tail Whip attacks and adorable looks for the cast are a worthy trade-off.
2. Fire Flower
Even the most common power-ups can be one of the best. Picking up the iconic Fire Flower gives you the ability to throw out bouncing fireballs. They’re effective against a majority of enemies and can even be used underwater.
We’ve seen variants of this in later games, but nothing hits like the original Fire Flower. Being able to hold onto the power-up for as long as you avoid damage always feels satisfying. Plus, every character looks snazzy with a white and red color palette.
1. Cape Feather
As somebody whose first exposure to this franchise was Super Mario World, am I biased in choosing the Cape Feather? Maybe. In my defense, it’s a huge mechanical improvement over the Raccoon form when it comes to flying through a level.
Not only does it give you both a spinning attack as well as a dive bomb attack that defeats anything touching the ground, but it also gives you two types of flight. One is essentially flying and pogoing through spin jumps, while the other is a proper glide that you can gain altitude with and hover over entire levels.
Did I mention that flying has single-hit armor and only requires holding or making precise button presses instead of mashing? It’s hard not to look at it as the most OP power-up in the franchise, and that’s exactly why it deserves the top spot.
Apologies to fans of the Super Bell that turns characters into cats; I swear it just barely didn’t make the cut.
