Key Mini Mario

Key Mini Mario
First appearance	Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2004)
Latest appearance	Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) (2024)
Variant of	Mini-Mario

Key Mini Mario is a recurring character in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. This kind of Mini-Mario only appears in levels where the goal is locked in some manner. The key it has, usually held on its back while not in use, is the only way to unlock the goal so that the level can be completed.

History

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Mario leading a Mini-Mario through Level 3-3+

Mini-Marios with keys first appear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong, and also reprise their roles in the Nintendo Switch remake. One appears in each level of the game's Plus worlds aside from boss levels, and they are introduced in Level 1-1+ of Mario Toy Factory. Instead of carrying a key by himself, Mario must lead a Mini-Mario with a key to the locked door in each Plus level.

The Mini-Mario in each Plus level sits idly until Mario approaches it, after which the Mini-Mario follows him. It behaves identically to the Mini-Marios in the seventh level of each main world, as it can only jump one block high, enter one block tall passages, use springs to Spring Jump, and is unable to climb ladders. In the remake, the Mini-Mario with key is also capable of being carried by the gusts of Flower Fans and teleported by Warp Boxes, although the latter does not temporarily pause gameplay. If Mario and the Mini-Mario reach the locked door, the latter unlocks it, allowing Mario to enter and complete the level. Allowing Mini-Mario to be destroyed by enemies and hazards (including spike pits or lava) will instantly result in losing a life.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!

A Key Mini Mario in Room 1-Key

Key Mini Mario reappears in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, being introduced in Room 1-Key and appearing in subsequent Key levels. Key Mini Mario appears in levels with a locked door, which must be unlocked by a Key Mini Mario in order for any Minis to enter the door.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!

A Key Mini Mario in Area 1-8

Key Mini Mario reappears in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, where it appears in the eighth course of each attraction, along with a locked Exit Door. It functions identically to its appearance in the previous game.

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move

Key Mini Mario reappears in Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move in levels with a locked goal. Minis other than Mini Mario can also use keys in this game. In Mario's Main Event, a Mini does not have a key at the beginning of a level with a locked goal; instead, it must collect the key within the level, then use it to unlock and enter the goal. In Many Mini Mayhem, one of the Minis in a level with a locked goal spawns with a key; this Mini must reach the goal first in order to unlock it.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars

Key Mini Mario reappears in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars, with the same function as in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! and Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!.

Gallery

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  Mario finding a Mini-Mario with a key in Level 2-4+

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	キーミニマリオ Kī Mini Mario	Key Mini Mario
French (NOA)	Mini Mario avec la clé	Mini Mario with the key
French (NOE)	Mini-Mario clé	Key Mini Mario
German	Schlüssel-Mini-Mario	Key Mini Mario
Italian	Minimario con la chiave	Mini Mario with the key
Spanish (NOA)	Mini Mario con llave	Mini Mario with key
Spanish (NOE)	Minimario con llave	Mini Mario with key