7 Pro Tips On How To Play Mario In 2025: From Classic Jumps To Wonder Flower Mastery

The Super Mario franchise remains the undisputed king of platforming, a timeless adventure that continues to evolve with fresh, innovative titles. If you are picking up a controller today, in December 2025, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer variety, from the high-speed chaos of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to the mind-bending mechanics of the latest 2D masterpiece, Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

This comprehensive guide is designed to transform you from a beginner struggling with the first Goomba to a seasoned player, covering the fundamental controls, the newest power-up strategies, and the advanced techniques needed to dominate both the platforming and racing worlds of the Mushroom Kingdom.

The Foundation: Mastering Classic Mario Fundamentals

Every great Mario player, whether they are tackling the original Super Mario Bros. or the newest titles on the Nintendo Switch, must first master the core mechanics. The brilliance of the series lies in its simple, tight controls, which have remained consistent for decades.

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The Essential 2D Control Scheme

In all 2D platformers, whether you play as Mario, Luigi, or Princess Peach, your movement is based on two key actions: running and jumping.

• Run (Hold B/Y): Always hold the designated run button. This is crucial not just for speed, but for clearing large gaps and building momentum for long jumps. The difference between a short hop and a massive leap is often the run button.
• Jump (A/B or X/Y): The jump height is directly proportional to how long you hold the jump button. A quick tap results in a short hop, perfect for dodging a low-flying Koopa Troopa, while a full press allows you to reach the highest blocks.
• The Stomp: Mario's primary attack is the stomp. Jumping on top of a Goomba or a Piranha Plant (when it's not sticking out of a pipe) is the most satisfying way to defeat enemies.
• Wall Jump: In modern 2D games, pressing the opposite direction as you hit a wall allows you to jump off it. This is a vital technique for discovering secret exits and reaching high-up Flower Coins.

3D Platforming: Adding Verticality and Depth

Games like Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 64 introduce a deeper move set essential for navigating 3D space. The most critical moves to practice are the Ground Pound and the Triple Jump.

• Ground Pound: Jump, then press the crouch/down button in mid-air. This move quickly slams you down, breaking certain blocks and defeating enemies below. It is also a critical move for gaining height off a spring.
• Triple Jump: Execute three consecutive jumps with perfect timing (a jump, a short hop, and then a full jump). The third jump is the highest, allowing you to reach platforms otherwise inaccessible.
• Long Jump: While running, press the crouch button and then jump immediately. This is the longest horizontal jump in Mario's arsenal, perfect for clearing wide chasms.

Mastering the New Era: Super Mario Bros. Wonder's Unique Mechanics

The latest 2D entry, Super Mario Bros. Wonder (released in late 2023), introduced entirely new mechanics that have redefined platforming. To truly master this game, you must understand the new power-ups and the revolutionary Badge System.

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The Power of the Wonder Flower

The Wonder Flower is the game's core mechanic. Touching it triggers a "Wonder Effect," which completely changes the level's environment, music, or character physics. This could mean pipes suddenly walking, the world tilting, or your character transforming into a Goomba.

Pro Tip: These effects are temporary. Focus on collecting the Wonder Seeds during the chaos to revert the level back to normal. The Wonder Effect is often the key to finding the stage's secret exit or the final Wonder Seed.

The New Power-Ups: Elephant and Bubble

Forget the Tanooki Suit; the new power-ups are essential for level mastery. The Elephant Fruit is arguably the most versatile new addition.

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• Elephant Fruit: Transforms Mario into an Elephant, allowing him to smash blocks, charge through enemies, and use his trunk to spray water. The water can be used to grow flowers or defeat certain fire-based enemies.
• Bubble Flower: Allows you to shoot bubbles that trap enemies and turn them into coins or power-ups. More importantly, you can jump off the bubbles themselves, adding an extra layer of vertical movement.
• Drill Mushroom: Gives Mario a drill helmet, letting him burrow into the ground and ceiling. This is often the only way to bypass certain obstacles or find hidden areas.

The Badge System Mastery

The Badge System is the game's biggest innovation, allowing you to equip one special ability per level, providing a unique perk or a completely new move. Mastering the right Badge for the right level is key to 100% completion.

Top 3 Essential Badges:

1. Parachute Cap Badge: Allows you to gently float after a jump. This is the single best Badge for beginners, as it provides forgiveness and precision control over long gaps.
2. Wall-Climb Jump Badge: Gives you an extra jump after a standard Wall Jump. This is vital for finding secret areas and mastering the game's toughest platforming challenges.
3. Sensor Badge: Alerts you when a hidden Wonder Seed or Flower Coin is nearby. This is a must-have for your first playthrough to ensure you don't miss any collectibles.

Advanced Techniques: Dominating Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Playing Mario is not just about platforming; it is also about dominating the racetrack. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the most competitive entry in the series, and winning requires more than just luck with items.

The Art of Drifting and Mini-Turbos

The single most important technique in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the Mini-Turbo. It is the key to maintaining speed on every turn.

• Drift (Hold R/ZR): Initiate a drift as you enter a turn. The longer you hold the drift, the more powerful the Mini-Turbo you charge.
• Mini-Turbo Levels: There are three levels of Mini-Turbo: Blue (Standard), Orange (Super), and Pink (Ultra, exclusive to Deluxe). You must hold the drift long enough to see the sparks change color to maximize your speed boost.
• Fire Hopping/Soft Drifting: For advanced players, this involves rapidly hopping left and right on straightaways while maintaining a drift. This is a complex technique used to shave milliseconds off lap times by constantly triggering small speed boosts.

Item Management and Defense

Knowing when and how to use your items is just as important as driving skill. The best players are masters of item defense.

• Hold Your Shells: If you are in first place, hold a Green Shell or Red Shell behind you (by holding the item button). This acts as a shield against incoming Red Shells and other projectiles.
• The Fake Item Box: If you get a Banana or Item Box, drop it on a boost pad or right after a blind corner to maximize the chances of another racer hitting it.
• The Start Boost: Press and hold the acceleration button (A/Y) right as the "2" disappears during the countdown. Timing this perfectly gives you an immediate speed boost off the line.

The Power-Up Arsenal: Your Path to Victory

Across the entire Mario universe, power-ups are the lifeblood of the gameplay, transforming Mario from a small plumber into a powerhouse. Knowing what each item does and when to use it is crucial for survival.

Essential Power-Ups for Topical Authority

The following power-ups are the most iconic and frequently used entities in the Mario franchise:

• Super Mushroom: The classic item that transforms Small Mario into Super Mario. It grants a single extra hit point, allowing Mario to take a blow and revert to his smaller form instead of losing a life.
• Fire Flower: Transforms Mario into Fire Mario, allowing him to shoot fireballs that can defeat most enemies, including the formidable Goomba and Koopa Troopa. This is one of the most reliable long-range attacks.
• Super Star (Starman): Grants temporary invincibility. While invincible, Mario can defeat any enemy by simply touching them, making it perfect for blitzing through difficult sections or boss encounters.
• Yoshi: While not a power-up in the traditional sense, the lovable dinosaur companion allows for a flutter jump (a second, controlled jump) and the ability to consume enemies and projectiles. Mastering Yoshi's dismount jump can lead to incredible heights.
• Super Bell: First introduced in Super Mario 3D World, this item transforms the character into Cat Mario, granting the ability to scratch enemies and, most importantly, climb walls, opening up new exploration routes.

Whether you are a newcomer starting with the highly accessible Super Mario Odyssey or a veteran tackling the demanding levels of the Special World in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the core joy of playing Mario remains the same. By combining the classic fundamentals with the advanced mechanics of the latest titles, you will be well on your way to becoming a true master of the Mushroom Kingdom.