Flutter Jump
The Flutter Jump (also known as Hover in Super Smash Bros. Melee) is a characteristic jump technique used by various characters throughout the Mario series and the Yoshi series. It can be used to prolong descending after a jump and to keep a character airborne temporarily. The Flutter Jump has a distinctive appearance and is executed by rapidly moving one's legs and in some cases one's arms as well, until the character starts to float and "walk" on air. This technique can be utilized to reach remote locations, or simply to rescue a character from a Bottomless Pit.
The Flutter Jump was first used by Yoshi and seemed like an ability exclusively available for their species alone, similar to the Ground Pound. During the different installments however, other characters were shown to be able to perform a Flutter Jump, such as Luigi or Ludwig Von Koopa.
History
Yoshi series
The Flutter Jump first was shown during the events of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and was featured as a unique trait of the Yoshi species. The move allows the Yoshis to move through the air for a short time, aiding them on their quest to reunite Baby Mario with his brother. Its mechanics then were adapted for all of the following Yoshi series platformers.
Mario series
Super Mario 64 DS
The Flutter Jump reappears during Super Mario 64 DS, where it can be used by a character other than Yoshi for the first time, namely Luigi. However, Luigi has not mastered the Flutter Jump as well as the Yoshis. His Flutter Jump is called "Scuttle" in the Super Mario 64 DS instruction manual. By using the Flutter Jump, the player can time Luigi's or Yoshi's jumps more properly, giving them an advantage in situations that require precise jumps.
Super Mario Sunshine
Along with Yoshis which can be used by Mario as a mount, the Flutter Jump ability returns in Super Mario Sunshine. It can be used after every jump of Yoshi's Triple Jump to extend its covered distance. Super Mario Sunshine featured the first appearance of the Flutter Jump in a Mario series game based on release date order.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Another variation of the Flutter Jump appears in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. It serves as the field ability of Mario's Yoshi partner and while riding on him, he can use it to reach ledges that cannot be reached with a normal jump. The ability is similar to Parakarry's move in the previous game.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
The Flutter Jump makes a reappearance in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. During the game, Mario and Luigi can obtain the ability to use the Flutter Jump by equipping a certain badge.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
The Flutter Jump returns for New Super Mario Bros. Wii which features the special jump technique as a characteristic of the Yoshi species again. Apart from that, Ludwig Von Koopa is shown utilizing a Flutter Jump technique during his two boss battle appearances. It is possible that Ludwig's ability is an advanced version of the Flutter Jump, since he is able to execute it multiple times in a row without descending or touching the ground.
Super Smash Bros. series
The Flutter Jump appears in all three installments of the Super Smash Bros. franchise, again as a move exclusive to Yoshi. The Flutter Jump serves as Yoshi's mid-air jump and covers the greatest distance of all the other mid-air jumps to compensate for the fact that Yoshi lacks a significant recovery move.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
The Flutter jump can be be done with Yoshi in Super Mario Galaxy 2. You can preform this trick by holding down the A button on the Wii remote after Jumping with Yoshi. This move can be used to get to places that Mario/Luigi can't reach. Yoshi can Flutter jump multiple times in this game which makes it easier to reach far away places. It can also help to stop the player from falling or escaping from an enemy.
