Ground Pound
|
It has been suggested that this article be split into Ground Pound, Ground Pound Jump, Homing Ground Pound. (discuss) |
- This article is about the recurring move in the Super Mario franchise. For the minigame in Mario Party, see Ground Pound (minigame). For the recurring move used by Donkey Kong also known as the "Ground Pound", see Hand Slap.
- "Hip Drop" redirects here. For Yoshi's down special move in the Super Smash Bros. series also known as the "Hip Drop", see Yoshi Bomb.
- "Smash" redirects here. For the video game series, see Super Smash Bros. (series).
| Ground Pound | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Artwork from Super Mario 3D World | |||
| First appearance | Super Mario 64 (1996) | ||
| Latest appearance | Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (2026) | ||
| Effect | Fall faster, hit blocks from above, repeatedly hit Coin Blocks, stomp enemies, push stumps into the ground, trigger mechanisms such as Ground-Pound Switches | ||
| Performed before | Ground Pound Jump Dive (Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury) Roll (Super Mario Odyssey) Downward Throw | ||
| |||
| |||
| |||
- “Yoshi will "Pound The Ground." This has many uses, and it rocks!”
- —Message Block, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
The Ground Pound (formatted as Ground-Pound in Super Mario 64 DS, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and Super Mario 3D World, and ground pound in Super Paper Mario), also known as the Hip Drop,[1][2] Body Slam,[3] Pound the Ground attack, Bounce,[4] Butt-Bash,[5] Jump Smash,[6] Smash,[7] Smash Attack,[8] Butt Stomp, or Spin Jump, is a recurring move in the Super Mario franchise, first usable by Mario in Super Mario 64 (although Bowser predates this use in Super Mario Bros. 3, Wario does in Super Mario Land 2 - 6 Golden Coins, and Yoshi does in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island), having since become a common move used by many other characters, along with moves such as the Wall Jump and Spin Jump. The Ground Pound involves the user falling more quickly and slamming into the ground with their rear, often to apply more force than an average stomp but with less mobility. The Ground Pound can have multiple effects, primarily either to attack or to break or activate blocks and other objects from above; using it is the only way to complete certain tasks, such as destroying Chain Chomps' stakes or pressing a Ground-Pound Switch. In certain games (first in Super Mario Galaxy), objects with a unique effect when ground-pounded are marked with a ten-pointed starburst symbol. The move is usually executed by pressing the crouch button in midair, but it is sometimes instead used by pressing the jump button twice (especially in minigames of the Mario Party series).
History[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]
In Super Mario Bros. 3, Bowser can smash bricks, similar to the move. Unlike in later versions of the move (where the player always faces forwards), Bowser faces the screen when he ground-pounds. If Mario is not in Fire form or Hammer form, he must trick Bowser into ground-pounding the brick floor in the same lateral position three times to make him fall through it, defeating him.
Super Mario Land 2 - 6 Golden Coins[edit]
Wario uses a ground pound as one of his attacks in Super Mario Land 2 - 6 Golden Coins. If Mario is on the ground, the attack will briefly stun him.
Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[edit]
Super Mario 64 is the first Super Mario–series game Mario can ground-pound in, and the move returns in Super Mario 64 DS. The move is activated by pressing the crouch button while in midair. Ground-pounding can activate Blue Coin Blocks, reduce damage taken from falling from high above, and defeat enemies. During the Bob-omb Battlefield mission "Behind Chain Chomp's Gate", one crucial step to obtaining the Power Star is by pounding the stump holding the Chain Chomp's leash in place until it has sunken into the ground entirely. Using the attack is required to defeat the Whomp King in Whomp's Fortress, by doing it a total of three times, each time after he slams onto the ground. In the Hazy Maze Cave, the player character can pound Dorrie's back to make his head go down. Two brick pillars in the basement of the Mushroom Castle have to be pounded to drain the moat and get access to Vanish Cap Under the Moat. In Super Mario 64 DS, the Pound the Ground attack can be used when Mario uses the Power Flower to become Balloon Mario by using the crouch button to cancel the effect. Wario's Pound the Ground attack lets him smash objects with twice the strength of other player characters, while Yoshi's lets him smash only stumps and Blue Coin Blocks.
Super Mario Sunshine[edit]
Ground-pounding is a move in Super Mario Sunshine. One of its main uses involves using it to flip small circular Manhole covers that appear in both Delfino Plaza and Ricco Harbor. This allows Mario to access secret underground tunnels, which often have Blue Coins or 1-Up Mushrooms hidden within them. Ground-pounding is required to collect certain Shine Sprites, such as the one obtained from a small stone wheel located on top of the lighthouse in Delfino Plaza (provided that Mario uses the Rocket Nozzle first so that the move can be strong enough to break the stone wheel). The Ground Pound can also be used to break apart large square watermelons or pound large nails into the ground. Ground-pounding can prevent Mario from taking damage if he falls from a great height and uses it shortly before hitting the ground. In Episode 2 and Episode 5 of Bianco Hills, a Ground Pound is used to damage Petey Piranha after he falls on the ground. Similarly, in Episode 3 of Gelato Beach, certain parts of Wiggler's body have to be ground-pounded while it is flipped over to damage it. In Episode 2, which comes directly before, ground-pounding is used to fling the Plungelos off the large mirrors near the Shine Tower. In Corona Mountain, during the final battle, Mario has to ground-pound five Ground Pound Platforms around of the large slime-filled hot tub Bowser is sitting in, each time after using the Rocket Nozzle to propel himself into the air, eventually resulting in the entire hot tub tipping over and Bowser being defeated.
New Super Mario Bros.[edit]
The Ground Pound is a move in New Super Mario Bros. It can be performed by pressing Down on 
while in midair, though this can be canceled out mid-Ground Pound by pressing Up on . A Ground Pound can be held down for as long as desired, unlike in other appearances. Ground Pounds can be used to break bricks or repeatedly earn coins from Coin Blocks (if the player continues to hold Down on ), but Small Mario cannot break them or earn the coins repeatedly (Mario must keep doing Ground Pounds instead of the player holding Down on ). A Sledge Bro can ground-pound, stunning Mario or Luigi if he is not in midair by the time the Sledge Bro lands on the ground. Petey Piranha, a boss fought in World 5-
Castle, performs an angled Ground Pound after flying in the air for a few seconds. Once Petey Piranha touches the ground, he becomes dizzy and falls down, giving Mario or Luigi a chance to stomp him. The damage value of a Ground Pound is twice the amount of other basic attacks, such as jumping, though Ground Pounds from Mini Mario inflict average damage. A Ground Pound can immediately send Koopa Troopas in their shells and make them start sliding quickly, or make Snailicorns slide across the ice.
Super Mario Galaxy[edit]
In Super Mario Galaxy and its Nintendo Switch port, the Ground Pound is mainly used to activate Ground-Pound Switches, large switches emblazoned with the Ground Pound logo. These switches appear in almost every galaxy, and can perform any number of functions when pounded, from making Star Bits appear to causing an entire section of a wall to fall down.
In addition to this, beetle-like creatures called Mandibugs make their appearance in this game, and they have the Ground Pound symbol right on the back of their shell, indicating that Mario must defeat them using a Ground Pound. The boss Bugaboom fought later in the game is also defeated in a similar fashion, though he must be Ground Pounded three times.
The Ground Pound is also used to pound stumps into the ground. An example of this is in the mission "The Dirty Tricks of Major Burrows" in the Gusty Garden Galaxy, where Mario must Ground Pound stumps sticking out of three large apple-shaped planetoids in order to send the large worm inside burrowing through to the next one.
Many stone wheels with the Ground Pound symbol on them also appear in this game, and are usually found stacked on top of one another. Mario must simply Ground Pound over the entire stack to obliterate them all. This is seen in the Toy Time Galaxy in the mission "Heavy Metal Mecha-Bowser," where Mario must Ground Pound the stack of stone wheels on the head of the Mecha-Bowser in order to defeat it.
Undergrunt Gunners are also defeated through the use of the Ground Pound, as the glass case covering the cockpit of their large cannons must be Ground Pounded three times in order to break it and defeat them.
There are orange Springboards in certain galaxies with the Ground Pound symbol on them. When the player Ground Pounds them, they will be flung into the air, allowing them to reach certain ? Blocks or platforms that they would not normally be able to reach.
Performing a Ground Pound while underwater instead has Mario briefly dive downwards.
Also, quickly after a spin in midair, Mario or Luigi can do a Homing Ground Pound, which will cause him to come crashing down directly on a nearby enemy or object without needing to aim first and is signaled by a much sharper whooshing sound. This move is not mentioned in the game's instruction booklet.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]
Ground Pounding is a move in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. It is used similarly as in New Super Mario Bros., though Ground Pounding a Koopa Troopa or a Buzzy Beetle defeats it instantly, and it no longer deals twice the damage to bosses than a regular jump. Roy Koopa and Morton Koopa Jr. can Ground Pound in their respective battles. Exclusively in multiplayer is a variation of the move, Simultaneous Ground Pound.
Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]
The Ground Pound can also be used in Super Mario Galaxy 2 and its Nintendo Switch port, and serves the same purpose as in its predecessor, though with a few minor differences. For example, meteorites with the Ground Pound symbol on them appear out of the ground in every Bowser level, which the player must Ground Pound in exactly the right place to send them flying into large stone locks blocking the way through the door to the next area.
Meteorites also appear during every Bowser battle, and therefore serve as the player's main means of dealing damage to Bowser in his giant form (however, many of them also release damaging shock waves when they hit the ground, so they are somewhat of a double-edged sword in this regard). The player must Ground Pound several of these meteorites into Bowser during the battle, hitting him a total of four times to defeat him (with the exception of the final battle, in which Bowser will return after being defeated and the player must Ground Pound four more planetoids into him), for a grand total of sixteen times over the course of all three Bowser battles in the game.
Both Glamdozer and her Pupdozer underlings also feature the Ground Pound symbol emblazoned in white (purple in Glamdozer's case) directly on their stomachs, which is positioned as such to clue the player in to their weakness, indicating that they must be Ground Pounded in order to be defeated. However, unlike the majority of other Super Mario enemies, these particular adversaries must always be Ground Pounded when they are positioned under a flipping cage, as Mario cannot access their weak spot otherwise.
Bugaboom reappears in this game in the Puzzle Plank Galaxy, and is defeated in the same way as in Super Mario Galaxy.
The Whomp King also makes a reappearance in this game in the Throwback Galaxy, and must be defeated in exactly the same way as in Super Mario 64 (by Ground Pounding his back three times when he slams to the ground).
Finally, the Ground Pound also plays a key role in the defeat of Bowser Jr.'s Boomsday Machine in Bowser Jr.'s Boom Bunker, as Mario must Ground Pound the glass case covering the cockpit of the machine (in much the same way as when he dealt with Undergrunt Gunners in the first game).
The Homing Ground Pound move can also be used in this game, and is activated in the same way: by spinning and Ground Pounding at the same time. While this ability is never required in order to obtain any Star, many Green Stars are positioned over dangerous areas such as Black holes, encouraging the use of the Homing Ground Pound to avoid missing the Star and losing a life.
Super Mario 3D Land[edit]
As in previous games, Mario can ground pound in Super Mario 3D Land, this time by pressing 
or 
in mid-air. This allows Mario to hit/defeat enemies and destroy blocks and crates. Mario can also now use this move underwater as well (replacing the Super Mario Galaxy games' downward dive), although it will end after a shorter period. If Mario uses a Statue Leaf to become Tanooki Mario, however, this move will be replaced by the form's statue transformation.
New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]
As in previous games, Mario can ground pound in New Super Mario Bros. 2, in the same way he could do it in New Super Mario Bros. and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. This time, the Ground Pound can hurt enemies that fall on Mario's head.
New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe[edit]
The Ground Pound returns in New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Luigi U and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, working as it did in previous New Super Mario Bros. games.
Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[edit]
The Ground-Pound returns in Super Mario 3D World, with similar properties to New Super Mario Bros. U and Super Mario 3D Land (although with a Lucky Bell being used to turn into Lucky Cat Mario, instead of a Statue Leaf being used to turn into Statue Mario), but it now also reveals invisible objects temporarily. Players can also perform a high jump after executing a Ground-Pound, by pressing the jump button a bit after landing from the move (upon landing in the Switch port). This move is called a Ground Pound Jump.[9] The Simultaneous Ground Pound (now called synchro ground-pound) also returns.
If a character Ground-Pounds another one under the effects of a Double Cherry, the Ground-Pounded clone will become that of the Ground-Pounder.
In the Bowser's Fury campaign in the Nintendo Switch port, the Ground-Pound is an essential move to defeat Fury Bowser, but can only be done once he has his shell flipped over. Fury Bowser himself also uses a similar move which involves him tucking into his shell, jumping into the air and slamming his shell on the ground, creating a ring of fire. Additionally, the Ground-Pound Switch reappears in Bowser's Fury, which may reveal an obstacle course for Mario to cross or a battle arena full of enemies that must be defeated to obtain a Cat Shine.
Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS[edit]
The Ground Pound returns in Super Mario Maker and its Nintendo 3DS port, working similarly to New Super Mario Bros. U. As a standard move, it is exclusive to the New Super Mario Bros. U game style; however, in the Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3 styles, Goomba's Shoes enlarged by a Super Mushroom grant the ability to perform Ground Pounds in a similar fashion to the New Super Mario Bros. U style, with additional abilities to create a shockwave that defeats nearby enemies (similar to Yoshis' stomps while holding a Yellow Shell as well as Yellow Yoshis' when holding any shell in Super Mario World), and defeat Munchers and Bowser Jr. in a single hit; and if the Shoe is changed into a Stiletto, it can break the same blocks that can be broken by Bob-ombs, instantly defeat Thwomps and Bowser, and destroy Bill Blasters and cannons.
Other than appearing as one of Mario's moves, Bowser can perform his Ground Pound attack from Super Mario Bros. 3 in that game's corresponding game style, and in the New Super Mario Bros. U style, Sledge Bros. and Bowser Jr.'s jumping attacks visually appear as them Ground Pounding, acting like the former's Ground Pound attack used since New Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Odyssey[edit]
In Super Mario Odyssey, the Ground Pound and Ground Pound Jump return, working as they did in Super Mario 3D World, though the Ground Pound Jump can be done immediately after a Ground Pound. Pressing 
during the move's startup makes Mario do a dive instead, and doing so underwater makes Mario perform a Quick Swim forwards. The in-game brochure for the Lost Kingdom also implies that the starburst symbol used to denote areas vulnerable to a ground pound originated there.[10] Bowser uses this move after Mario and Cappy take away his hat from him, and when he does, he creates a ring of fire, although in some cases, it can be three.
Super Mario Maker 2[edit]
The Ground Pound returns in Super Mario Maker 2, retaining all of its characteristics from the original Super Mario Maker, though unlike in the New Super Mario Bros. games and Super Mario 3D World, it is not possible to perform Synchro Ground-Pounds in this game's multiplayer modes. In addition, a Dry Bones Shell also grants the ability to perform Ground Pounds, working similarly to big Goomba's Shoes (though without the ability to defeat Munchers) and can also instantly defeat Bowser (as with Stilettos); landing from a Ground Pound with a Dry Bones Shell makes the player "play dead" as if the player pressed 
on the ground and become temporarily invincible, making it also similar to how Statue Mario works in Super Mario Bros. 3; both big Goomba's Shoes and Dry Bones Shell can defeat Boom Boom and the Koopalings with a single Ground Pound in addition to Bowser Jr.
The version 2.0.0 update introduced the Link power-up for the Super Mario Bros. style, which allows the player to perform downward thrusts that operate similarly to big Goomba's Shoes' Ground Pounds. Also, the version 3.0.0 update added Morton Koopa Jr. as a placeable enemy, who can perform Ground Pounds similar to his appearance in New Super Mario Bros. Wii in all game styles he appears in, but with an additional ability to summon two magic spells that travel on terrain and blocks.
The Ground Pound also appears as a standard move in the Super Mario 3D World style, though it is performed by pressing while airborne rather than a shoulder button, the ability to perform Ground Pound Jump had been removed, and it cannot be performed while swimming nor can Hidden Blocks be revealed, making it more similar to how it works in the New Super Mario Bros. U style than in the original game. It has abilities to reveal all of ! Block segments at once instead of one by one, defeat Ant Troopers rather than merely bouncing on them (but not when enlarged by a Super Mushroom), and push Bullies farther than a regular stomp in this style. Sledge Bros., as well as Heavy Fire Bros., their Fire Bro equivalent, both of which were not present in the original game, can also perform Ground Pounds, acting as they do in the New Super Mario Bros. U style.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder[edit]
Ground Pounding returns in Super Mario Bros. Wonder working as it did previously. Ground Pounding as Drill Mario causes the user to drill downward for a more powerful attack that can break jewel blocks. New to this entry, a Ground Pound causes a drum roll to play when activated, followed by a crash cymbal sound when the attack lands. There is a platform in this game called a Hip Tree that shifts when Ground Pounded and this is necessary to collect certain 10-flower coins.
Wario franchise[edit]
Wario Land series[edit]
In Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, Wario is able to do the move as Bull Wario. In Wario Land II and Wario Land 4, he can do this without any ability of any kind. In Wario Land 3, one of the various treasures that Wario collects will enable him to Ground Pound, while a second treasure makes it more powerful. If Wario performs this move from a great height, it becomes a block-breaking Super Smash Attack.[8] In Wario Land: Shake It!, Wario can perform a similar move called the Earthshake Punch.
In Virtual Boy Wario Land, Wario can perform a weaker version of the Ground Pound that resembles a belly flop in both his normal and Eagle forms. This Ground Pound is capable of defeating enemies, but not destroying blocks or shaking the ground. Bull Wario and King Dragon Wario can perform a more traditional Ground Pound, with the added effect of being able to trigger ? Blocks from above.
Wario World[edit]
In Wario World, a Ground Pound can be performed by pressing the 
button while jumping. It has many uses, such as attacking enemies, destroying Rock Blocks, bouncing off Bunny Springs. It is also used to open trapdoors that lead to sub-levels where red diamonds can be found, as well as goal trapdoors that lead to boss battles. However, steel trapdoors cannot be opened with ordinary Ground Pound. Instead, Wario must use a Piledriver, which is executed the same way, but requires Wario to be holding an enemy or object beforehand.
WarioWare: Get It Together![edit]
In WarioWare: Get It Together!, Lulu can perform a Ground Pound by tilting 
down, causing her to quickly drop downwards. Her Ground Pound can be used to hit or push objects in microgames.
Yoshi franchise[edit]
The Ground Pound (originally called Pounding The Ground or Pounding the Ground)[11] is a recurring part of Yoshi's moveset in the platform games of the Yoshi franchise. Wooden posts appear in most games in the series, which block the way forward can can be pushed into the ground by hitting them with multiple Ground Pounds.
Ground Pounding was first used in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. This move can be used to stomp on posts, break crates and defeat enemies. It is also the first game where the player character can ground-pound. Baby Bowser also uses the Ground Pound in the first phase of his battle with Yoshi, and is capable of creating shockwaves that can hurt Yoshi and Baby Mario. The Bandit also uses this move in the Popping Balloons Mini Battle. This strategy can be used by Yoshi in return.
Ground-pounding returns in Yoshi's Story, It is referred to as "Yoshi's proudest move".[12] Posts do not appear in this game.
Yoshi's Island DS allows Yoshi to Ground Pound. While Yoshi is carrying Baby DK, their Ground Pound is stronger and can bury a post in a single hit. Yoshi's New Island also has the Ground Pound.
In Yoshi's Woolly World and its 3DS remake, Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World, Yoshi's Ground Pounds have a unique animation where they transform their body into a hammer. Yoshi's head is excluded, meaning the legs become a handle, the chest area is the hammerhead, Yoshi's head sticks out from the hammerhead, and they drop in a belly flop instead in a sitting position. The Ground Pound plummets through fluffy clouds and spongy blocks. If the player releases 
during a Ground Pound and they have plummeted through one such surface, then after a minimum amount of distance dropped past the impact point, the Ground Pound ends against this kind of terrain instead. By ground-pounding into the water, Yoshi can descend as deep as they are allowed to go without needing to jump in from a high point. The Ground Pound is key to defeating most of the game's bosses. Each boss with this weakness, excluding Baby Bowser, has two bandages in a cross shape somewhere on their body. Ground Pounding this spot causes them to take damage, However, Yoshi has to use other means to get each boss to reveal their weak point. Baby Bowser instead only takes damage from a Ground Pound if he is tied up by a yarn ball. The "Power up Ground Pound!" Power Badge can be used to add a shockwave to each ground-pound as it concludes against a surface. Note that this is separate from landing on a target, due to the aforementioned objects that Ground Pounds can plummet through. This shockwave defeats most enemies on the screen in Yoshi's plane, and even ones approaching from the background, but not any that are too far away in any direction. It also defeats adult Fluffin' Puffins. The shockwave has a number of non-damaging effects on the game's bosses. Mega Yoshi can ground-pound, but does so normally. Mega Yoshi cannot benefit from the "Power up Ground Pound!" Power Badge.
Three of the game's bosses, Big Montgomery, Bunson the Hot Dog, and Baby Bowser, can ground-pound. Big Montgomery uses Ground Pounds in all three of his battles. Instead of starting from the ground, he starts by popping out of the fabric in the background. In the battle at Big Montgomery's Bubble Fort it sends out a ripple through the ground on impact that inflicts damage. In the battle at Big Montgomery's Ice Fort, it bumps up all of the other Ice Blocks in the arena in a wave pattern. Contact with the Ice Blocks bounces Yoshi all the way up to the ceiling, where they take damage. Bunson the Hot Dog does a Ground Pound as he returns from the background, which he retreats to each time he takes damage. Baby Bowser's Ground Pounds create two lava geysers to his left and right as he lands. This is a critical part of his attack cycle, as the impact causes three red Shy Guys to drop from the ceiling. These Shy Guys are the only way to have yarn balls follow Yoshi during the Baby Bowser battle. However, the impact from Baby Bowser's ground pounds also rocks the room, defeating Shy Guys left over from prior ground-pounds. After taking damage twice, Baby Bowser can team up with Kamek. First Baby Bowser jumps off of Kamek, then Kamek increases his size. In this state, Baby Bowser performs three consecutive Ground Pounds, though the first always has to be to the far left or right of the screen. These Ground Pounds have wider and taller lava geysers and rock the room further, though they do not drop Shy Guys or defeat Shy Guys with the rocking.
Yoshi can ground-pound in Yoshi's Crafted World. The animation has reverted to normal compared to the prior game.
In Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, the Ground Pound returns and is a move that can be used on specific creatures to unlock entries for them in Mr. E's pages. It can also be used to crush certain objects and creatures, though some will either get stuck or planted in the ground or they will be unaffected by the Ground Pound.
Mario Party series[edit]
The move appears in many Mario Party games, commonly to win minigames, activate panels, and flatten opponents, which stuns them for a few seconds. In Mario Party, Mario Party 2, and Mario Party 3, ground-pounding is performed by pressing 
and then 
. In Mario Party and Mario Party 2, the move was called the Hip Drop ("hip" being wasei-eigo for the buttocks). Since Mario Party 4, ground-pounding is performed by pressing the jump button while in the air.
In Mario Party 8, the move is only used in Frozen Assets.
Donkey Kong 64[edit]
- See also: Simian Slam
The Simian Slam move in Donkey Kong 64 is functionally derived from Mario's Ground Pound in Super Mario 64. It can be upgraded to Super Simian Slam, which allows the Kongs to activate blue Kong Switches, then it upgrades to Super Duper Simian Slam, which grants the Kongs the ability to slam red switches. King Krusha K. Rool uses a ground pound attack during the first and fourth rounds of the final battle; each use makes one shockwave for Donkey Kong to jump over in the first round, but makes multiple for Tiny Kong to hover over in the fourth.
Paper Mario series[edit]
Paper Mario[edit]
The Ground Pound in Paper Mario is referred to as a Spin Jump, and is first granted by the Super Boots found in Boo's Mansion. In the field, it is performed by pressing in midair, and allows Mario to break boarded-up holes and wooden boxes, as well as to reveal the contents of hidden panels, which is required in order to obtain some of the collectible Star Pieces found in the game. Once Mario finds the Ultra Boots in the Toad Town Tunnels, he will lose the Super Boots and the Spin Jump ability will be replaced with the Tornado Jump.
While Mario has the Super Boots, his Jump attacks that hit two or more times become Spin Jumps when he successfully performs the Action Command; this effect is purely visual, though it affects the timing of the consecutive hits of Multibounce and Power Bounce (lengthening the time between each bounce). If Mario performs a Spin Jump in the overworld to make the First Strike against an enemy, his Jump’s base damage will be doubled to 4, though like all First Strikes in Paper Mario, the Action Command cannot be performed.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[edit]
| Spin Jump | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mastered by | Mario |
| FP cost | 2 |
| Effect | A two-hit jump attack that deals greater damage on the second hit |
| Target | Any non-ceiling enemy |
| Attack Power | 2 + 4 (with Super Boots) 3 + 6 (with Ultra Boots) |
| Appears in | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door |
| Ground Pound | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mastered by | Yoshi |
| Rank | Base Rank |
| FP cost | 0 |
| Effect | Bounces on an enemy multiple times, dealing damage |
| Target | Any non-ceiling enemy |
| Attack Power | 1x4 Base Rank 1x5 Super Rank 1x6 Ultra Rank |
| Description | Attack by first stomping, then Spin Jumping on enemies. |
| Appears in | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door |
The Ground Pound in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is referred to as the Spin Jump as in Paper Mario, also performed by pressing 
in midair and is first granted after Mario finds the Super Boots in The Great Tree in Boggly Woods. The Spin Jump is no longer automatically used when Mario makes Jump attacks. However, the Spin Jump can now be used in battle as a separate move for 2 FP, or for free if Mario Spin Jumps on an enemy to make the First Strike. It does 6 base damage (two jumps that deal 2 damage for the first one, and 4 damage for the second). When Mario obtains the Ultra Boots, he retains the ability to use the Spin Jump, and its attack Power increases to 9 (3 for the first hit, and 6 for the second). Unlike other Jump attacks, a second Action Command must be performed when Mario lands the second hit on an enemy to deal the attack’s full damage. When Bowser is playable in his Super Mario Bros.-style mini-stages, he can perform a Spin Jump the same way. Once Mario has obtained the Ultra Boots from the Riverside Station, he loses the Super Boots, but retains the Spin Jump move while also learning the new Spring Jump move.
Furthermore, Yoshi also has a default attack called Ground Pound. This move only deals 1 damage at base strength, but the amount of hits can be increased by executing the Action Command. The player must rapidly tap during the allocated time to fill a gauge. The further this gauge is filled, the more bounces will be performed, resulting in up to six bounces at Ultra Rank. Yoshi can also perform two Stylish moves during the attack. For the first, the player must press as Yoshi is first lined up with the enemy from above, and for the second, the player must press as Yoshi hits the ground after the attack.
As a jump-type move, although this attack can target any non-ceiling enemies, it will be canceled by certain enemies who deal contact damage from above. Also similarly to Power Bounce, if Yoshi's attack is increased, only the first hit will be affected by the power buffs, and each consecutive hit will simply do one damage less than the last, down to 1 damage.
