Mario Cap
- This article is about the standard cap Mario wears. For the cap-like character in Super Mario Odyssey, see Cappy.
- “Mario, I found this cap in front of the castle a little while ago. You look really good in it, so here you go!”
- —Toad, Super Mario 64 DS
The Mario Cap (or Mario's cap) is an important part of Mario's clothing and one of the most iconic clothing items in gaming. The cap is red and has Mario's M symbol; he is almost never seen without it in his adventures.
When Mario collects almost any power-up, his cap either disappears (as with the Frog Suit, Tanooki Suit, or Penguin Suit) or changes appearance or color with the rest of his normal outfit (e.g., Fire Mario, Ice Mario, Rock Mario, Cloud Mario, etc.).
History[edit]
Donkey Kong[edit]
Mario was given his cap in his first appearance in Donkey Kong because of the limited advances in video game graphics when the game was made. A red cap was added because programmers found it difficult to create the hair movement that would occur when the character jumped.[1]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[edit]
The cap has appeared with Mario ever since Donkey Kong, but it was unimportant until Super Mario 64—the first game in which Mario can lose his cap. If his cap is lost (having been stolen by a Ukkiki or Klepto or blown off by a gust of wind from the snowman in Snowman's Land, for instance), Mario takes 50% more damage when attacked. If he leaves a level after collecting a Power Star without wearing his cap, Mario pats his head, looks behind him, and puts his arms up 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 then has to go back to the course in which he lost his cap in order to retrieve it, but in Super Mario 64 DS, if he instead gets a Power Star from another course, he can simply talk to a Toad (who will have found and be wearing Mario's cap) in the Mushroom Castle's lobby and get it back from him.
In Super Mario 64, Mario also makes use of three different types of caps in addition to his regular cap: the Wing Cap (which enables him to fly), the Metal Cap (which enables him to walk underwater and through fire), and the Vanish Cap (which enables him to walk through certain walls).
While these powers are dispersed amongst Mario and his companions in Super Mario 64 DS, Mario's cap gains a new ability: When worn, it turns Luigi, Yoshi, or Wario into Mario. If the real Mario loses his cap, he cannot use the Wings, use other caps, or use Power Flower abilities. In this title, a Toad reveals that the cap Mario wears is special and that if it were to get blown off, Mario would have nothing but bad luck. Mario's cap is hinted to be a source of his strength, though this does not apply in other games where Mario can have his cap off. Mario's cap appears in the following courses, even when he is locked: the Bob-omb Battlefield (Star 2 or 4), Whomp's Fortress (Star 1 or 2), Jolly Roger Bay, and Cool, Cool Mountain (Star 2). Mario's cap can also be found in most levels when the player plays as any other character once he has been unlocked. Yoshi, Luigi, and Wario can pick up the cap, which gives them the appearance and abilities of Mario (though they retain their voices) until they lose it, get hit by an enemy, or finish a level.
In a few stages such as the Bob-omb Battlefield (Star 2), it is possible to end up with more than one of Mario's caps. In Super Mario 64 DS, if someone wearing Mario's cap gets another cap, they get an extra life. However, if the real Mario gets another one of his caps from a certain duplication glitch in Snowman's Land, he picks up the cap and nothing happens.
Super Mario Sunshine[edit]
The same effects of Mario's cap in Super Mario 64 hold true in Super Mario Sunshine but with the added effect of Mario gradually losing health due to the heat. The only enemies that steal Mario's cap in this game are Swipin' Stus.
Due to a glitch, Mario will still lose health while speaking to NPCs and can even perform his death animation. However, the "Too bad!" screen will not appear if this occurs, showing up only after Mario finishes talking to an NPC.
New Super Mario Bros.[edit]
In New Super Mario Bros., anytime Mario (or Luigi) clears a level and pulls down the flag on the Goal Pole, he has a new victory pose where he takes off his cap, spins around, and puts it back on his head before going into the fortress.
Super Mario Galaxy[edit]
In Super Mario Galaxy, Luma hides in the Mario Cap once he joins Mario. Every time the player performs a spin, there is a small waiting time before Luma goes back into the cap to perform the move again.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]
In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Mario is capless when he starts a level with 99 lives, though his victory animation at the end of a level does not change. Mario's cap reappears on his head if he loses a life again. He also performs the same cap-removing pose from the previous game after finishing a level.
Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, the Mario Cap has the same role as in its predecessor. At the end, Baby Luma takes it with him as a souvenir before returning to the Comet Observatory with Rosalina. Following this, Mario is seen capless throughout the credits, but he regains his cap when he is playable again, presumably getting a spare cap. The same happens when the player is Luigi.
Super Mario 3D Land / Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World Bowser's Fury[edit]
In Super Mario 3D Land and Super Mario 3D World, Mario and Luigi lose their caps in their Small forms. However, in the former game, once the player has 1,110 lives, their Super forms lose their caps instead.
New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]
In New Super Mario Bros. 2, similar to New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Mario is capless when he starts a level with 1,110 lives.
New Super Luigi U[edit]
Even though Mario does not appear in New Super Luigi U, his cap appears in the opening cutscene where he was sitting in New Super Mario Bros. U.
Super Mario Odyssey[edit]
- “A red hat that has seen its fair share of adventures.”
- —Clothing description, Super Mario Odyssey
In Super Mario Odyssey, the cap, among others, plays an exceptionally important role. 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, where it is completely shredded. A piece of the cap is retrieved by Cappy, who uses it to transform into an exact replica of the cap when he and Mario team up.
Cappy is an integral part of Super Mario Odyssey's structure, and his default appearance in gameplay is the Mario Cap. Cappy's eyes are not always visible, which can make him indistinguishable from the Mario Cap. Capturing, a key mechanic where Mario can control other characters and objects, is indicated by Cappy as the Mario Cap being on the other character's or object's head. By transitive property, this makes the Mario Cap a key visual in Super Mario Odyssey.
The player can purchase a number of variations on Mario's cap. The Classic Cap matches the colors of the cap used in Donkey Kong. The Mario 64 Cap renders the cap in a primitive style recalling Super Mario 64's visuals. The Gold Mario Cap is based on Gold Mario's design. The Sunshine Shades include the basic hat but add the sunglasses from the Sunglasses vendor in Super Mario Sunshine. Lastly, the 8-bit Mario Cap is a voxel version of the cap from Super Mario Bros. It has the further effects of forcing Mario to wear the Mario Suit and putting a static voxel model based on Mario's jumping sprite from Super Mario Bros. over Mario.
One Toad in the Mushroom Kingdom wears the Mario 64 Cap, which serves to distinguish that Toad as the one who really likes Mario's look from Super Mario 64. This Toad allows Mario to access the courtyard, should Mario be wearing clothing that makes him appear as he did in Super Mario 64, with the Mario 64 Cap being a possible way to obtain that look.
In the group photo, after the player obtains 100% completion in the game, a restored or spare version of the Mario Cap is shown.
Pauline is also shown wearing a replica of the Mario Cap after Mario successfully obtains the Multi Moon in the mission Long Journey's End on the Darker Side.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder[edit]
In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the Parachute Cap badge allows Mario to remove his cap from his head and use it to glide through the air, during which it expands in size.[2]
Mario Kart series[edit]
Mario Kart 64[edit]
In Mario Kart 64's Mario Raceway, a giant version of the Mario Cap can be seen atop the grandstand.
Mario Kart Wii[edit]
The giant Mario Cap atop the grandstand returns in Mario Kart Wii in N64 Mario Raceway.
Mario Kart Tour[edit]
A glider based on Mario's cap, aptly named Mario's Hat Balloon, debuted in Mario Kart Tour on the 2022 Mario vs. Luigi Tour. N64 Mario Raceway also returns in the 2023 Mario vs. Luigi Tour, which also marks the return of the giant Mario Cap atop the grandstand of that course.
Luigi's Mansion[edit]
In Luigi's Mansion, Mario's Hat is one of the five items that Mario lost, and Luigi must bring it to Madame Clairvoya to receive information regarding Mario's whereabouts. After searching through the mansion, Luigi eventually finds it in a washing machine from the Laundry Room (in the 3DS version's Hidden Mansion, it is instead found in the dishwasher in the Kitchen). When Luigi gives her the cap, she says: "Wh-what is this? If it isn't Mario's Hat! Why, it's so clean, as if... SOMEONE JUST WASHED IT! ... Sorry, sometimes I like to add a little drama, you know."
It appears Mario owns multiple caps, as Mario is also seen wearing one when he is trapped within his painting.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
In the Super Smash Bros. series, the color of Mario's cap can be changed when the player chooses one of Mario's alternate costumes. Mario also adjusts his cap properly in one of his idle poses. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Mario spins and takes his cap off, which is based on his victory pose from the New Super Mario Bros. games, revealing his hair during his side taunt. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario throws his cap and Cappy appears during his new side taunt. Cappy also has a chance of appearing in Mario's Super Jump Punch.
Mario's cap can be equipped on a Mii Fighter in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Mario & Luigi series[edit]
In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Mario's cap can be seen with black lettering instead of the usual red.
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[edit]
In Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix, if the player plays as Mario, his house has a huge Mario Cap as a roof.
Mario Golf: World Tour / Mario Sports Superstars[edit]
In Mario Golf: World Tour, the Mario Cap can be seen on top of the Luma in Rosalina's Hole in One, Albatross, or Eagle animation. This animation is also present in Mario Sports Superstars.
Mario Rabbids series[edit]
Mario Rabbids Kingdom Battle[edit]
A Mario Cap appears in the opening cutscene of Mario Rabbids Kingdom Battle, where Spawny uses the SupaMerge to fuse it with a Rabbid, creating Rabbid Mario.
Mario Rabbids Sparks of Hope[edit]
At the end of the Rayman in the Phantom Show DLC in Mario Rabbids Sparks of Hope, Rabbid Peach and Rabbid Mario offer Rayman a gift, which is revealed in the post-credits images to be a crafted Mario Cap with Rabbid ears.
WarioWare Gold[edit]
In WarioWare Gold, the Mario Cap makes a minor appearance as a possible drawing on the whiteboard in the remade WarioWare: Touched! microgame Chalk Full.
Other appearances[edit]
The Red Cap, a replica of the Mario Cap, is an item in Nintendogs that the player's dog can wear.
In the Animal Crossing series from Animal Crossing: Wild World onward, the Mario Cap appears as a headgear item. The item is called "big bro's hat" ("Mario hat" in Animal Crossing: New Horizons), in reference to Mario being the older brother of Luigi. A variation of the first six notes of the Ground Theme from Super Mario Bros. plays when it is put on.
A design based on the Mario Cap is used in the logo of Nintendo's current rewards program, My Nintendo. The Mario Cap is also seen in the logo of the previous rewards program, Club Nintendo.
In Pikmin Bloom, a Huge Seedling that grows into a Blue Pikmin wearing a Mario Cap is obtained when the player links the app to a Nintendo Account.
In Wii Party U, the minigame Mad Hatters involves players choosing different hats from each other's, one of which is the Mario Cap.
Profiles[edit]
Luigi's Mansion (Nintendo 3DS)[edit]
- In-game description: It's the hat Mario used to wear. It smells like laundry detergent, but there is still a faint "Mario" smell.
Gallery[edit]
A Mr. Blizzard wearing Mario's cap in Super Mario 64
Game Boy Horror icon from Luigi's Mansion
Icon of Mario's cap from Super Mario 64 DS
The Superstar Cap in Mario Party-e
The Mario Cap held by Baby Luma in Super Mario Galaxy 2
Mario Cap model from Super Mario Odyssey
Mario 64 Cap model from Super Mario Odyssey
Game Boy Horror icon from Luigi's Mansion for Nintendo 3DS
Game Boy Horror icon from Luigi's Mansion for Nintendo 3DS
The Mario Cap Mii outfit from Super Mario Maker 2
The Mario's Hat Balloon glider from Mario Kart Tour
Panel from a manga depicting the developing process of Irozuki Tincle no Koi no Balloon Trip, posted on the game's interview on Nintendo Online Magazine
Panel from a manga depicting the developing process of Irozuki Tincle no Koi no Balloon Trip, posted on the game's interview on Nintendo Online Magazine
Panel from a manga depicting the developing process of Irozuki Tincle no Koi no Balloon Trip, posted on the game's interview on Nintendo Online Magazine
Panel from a manga depicting the developing process of Irozuki Tincle no Koi no Balloon Trip, posted on the game's interview on Nintendo Online Magazine
Nintendo Game Seminar 2014
Play Nintendo
Nintendo Kids Space
Nintendo Kids Space
Nintendo Kids Space
Nintendo Kids Space
Page from a StreetPass Mii Plaza comic from Nintendo Kids Space, in which a character discovers Mario's cap in a chest while playing Find Mii
Artwork from Christmas-themed pop-up card printable from Nintendo in Japan's topic
The February 2019 LINE calendar
The February 2019 LINE calendar (wallpaper version)
Artwork of a Sidestepper with Mario's cap for Summer 2022
The Mario Cap token in Nintendo Monopoly
The Mario Cap token in The Super Mario Bros. Movie Monopoly
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | マリオの帽子[3]</ref>[4] Mario no Bōshi |
Mario's Cap | |
| Chinese | 马力欧的帽子[5] Mǎlì'ōu de Màozi |
Mario's Cap | |
| French | Casquette de Mario[?] | Mario's Cap | |
| German | Marios Mütze[?] | Mario's Cap | |
| Italian | Cappello di Mario[?] | Mario's Cap | |
| Korean | 마리오모자[?] Mario Moja |
Mario Cap | |
| Spanish | Gorra de Mario[?] | Mario's Cap |
References[edit]
- ^ Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii Vol. 1 Ch. 2. Nintendo. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ Nintendo of America (August 31, 2023). Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct 8.31.2023. YouTube. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
- ^ ヘンシン！. Nintendo (nintendo.co.jp). Retrieved December 26, 2019. (Archived December 4, 2004, 10:48:44 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ Sakai, Kazuya (Ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors (2015). 『スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). Page 92, 106.
- ^ 变身. ique.com (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved December 26, 2019. (Archived November 11, 2019, 23:29:08 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
