Editing Sign

{{About|readable bulletins seen throughout the franchise|other signs|[[:Category:Signs]]}}
{{Item infobox
|image=[[File:SMO Screenshot Board.jpg|200x200px]]<br>Screenshot from ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'' ([[List of games by date#2025|2025]])
|effect=Provides information when read
|variants=[[Arrow Sign]]<br>[[Hint Art]]<br>[[Toad Town News|Notice Board]]<br>[[Rankings Board]]<br>[[Tip Network]]<br>[[Starship Mario#Totals Sign|Totals Sign]]
|comparable=[[Stump]]
|notable=[[Boards (characters)]]
}}
{{Quote|To read a sign, stand in front of it and press B, like you did just now.|Sign on the [[Bob-omb Battlefield]]|[[Super Mario 64]]}}

'''Signs''',<ref>{{Cite|author=[[Nintendo]] of America|date=1996|title=''Super Mario 64 Instruction Booklet''|format=PDF|url=https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NUS/USA/NSME/NSME_E.pdf|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]|date=2005|title=''Super Mario 64 DS Instruction Booklet''|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America|page=13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|quote=While standing in front of certain characters or signs, you can press {{button|wii|a}} to speak or read.|author=Nintendo of America|date=2007|title=''Super Mario Galaxy Instruction Booklet''|format=PDF|url=https://csassets.nintendo.com/noaext/image/private/t_KA_PDF/Wii_Super_Mario_Galaxy?_a=BATCtdAA0|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America|page=13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe]]|date=2012|title=''Paper Mario: Sticker Star''|format=electronic manual|url=https://cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/nintendo_3ds_2/paper_mario_sticker_star/ElectronicManual_Nintendo3DS_PaperMarioStickerStar_EN.pdf|location=Großostheim|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|quote=A classic wooden sign. Useful for conveying information and only occasionally snarkily.|author=Collectible Treasure description in the [[Musée Champignon]]|date=2020|title=''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]'' by [[Intelligent Systems]]|format=North American localization|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> or '''signboards''',<ref>{{Cite|quote=I see...a Close Call Badge. Near the signboard located on the path from Goomba Village to Toad Town, you see a red Block. When you smash it from below, the Badge appears.|author=[[Merluvlee]]|date=2001|title=''[[Paper Mario]]'' by [[Intelligent Systems]]|format=North American localization|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|quote=Stand in front of certain characters and press the A Button to talk to them, or stand in front of signboards and press the A Button to read them.|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe]]|date=2010|title=''Super Mario Galaxy 2 Instruction Booklet''|format=PDF|url=https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/RVL/EUR/SB4P/SB4P_E.pdf|location=Großostheim|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|page=18}}</ref> are bulletins in the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]] that debuted in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. In all appearances, a sign provides information on an available action or the current level when prompted. Signs are either staked into the ground like [[Stump|post]]s or fastened to the side of walls. Staked signs have a secondary interactive element in a few games. They are comparable to [[Message Block]]s.

The player is rarely obligated to read signs. Rather, they are available at their discretion. In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', there are a few boards that are [[Boards (characters)|conscious, speaking characters]] that do impose themselves onto the player character when encountered.

==History==
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario 64'' / ''Super Mario 64 DS''====
[[File:SM64 Gallery Room.png|thumb|left|A sign on the second floor of the [[Peach's Castle|Mushroom Castle]].]]
Signs can be read by the player character in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'' by pressing {{button|n64|b}} or {{button|n64|a}} on the Nintendo 64 Controller or {{button|ds|a}} on the Nintendo DS system, respectively. It is the same input used by the player to speak with a non-playable character. Signs compensate for the diversity of moves the developers included in the game and provide context for players who may be lost.

Typically, signs provide information on a move the player can perform or contextualize a potentially cryptic detail in the environment. The signs that are staked into the ground can be [[Ground Pound|ground-pounded]] by the player character, rendering it unreadable unless they exit and reenter the course. Like [[stump|stake]]s, it takes [[Mario]] three strikes to fully bury the sign. This is the case for [[Luigi]] and [[Yoshi]] in ''Super Mario 64 DS'' as well. [[Wario]] can bury signs in a single strike, and can also uproot them and carry them around if he approaches one from behind. Plaque-style signs are seen pinned to walls and can only be read, being a flat texture rather than a fully rendered model.

Some of the text on signs were written by other characters in the game, such as the [[King Bob-omb|Big Bob-omb]], a [[Penguin|Big Penguin]], and a [[Piranha Plant]]. [[Ukikipedia:Main Page|Ukikipedia]] has fully documented all lines of text displayed on the signs and the locality of each one. Their list can be viewed [[Ukikipedia:All text|here]].

====''Super Mario Sunshine''====
Only staked signs appear in ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''. The player can read one by pressing {{button|gcn|b}}. Signs do not present tips on actions or progression, instead relaying [[mission|episode]]-specific information about the active [[level|stage]]. The displayed text box is {{wp|Skeuomorph|skeuomorphic}}, as it is shaped like a torn piece of paper. The details written on some signs changes depending on the active episode, such as the one in front of the [[Surf Cabana]] on [[Gelato Beach]]. [[F.L.U.D.D.#Squirt Nozzle|Spraying]] a sign sometimes expels a [[Blue Coin]].

In the original Japanese release, English text is displayed on signs, reading:
<blockquote>
This isn't gonna<br>
Just a little stick.<br>
Ready? 1...2...3.<br>
There you All do.<br>
</blockquote>

In the North American localization, this text is replaced with writing in the [[Isle Delfino#Language|fictional language of Isle Delfino]].<ref>{{Cite|author=2CPhoenix|date=1 Feb. 2024|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1CNpu4fguI|title=Mario Sunshine’s Mysterious Text|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=12 Feb. 2024}}</ref> It translates to:
<blockquote>
RZTU<br>
BOD<br>
TVR<br>
</blockquote>

====''Super Mario Galaxy''====
Staked signs appear throughout ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' and its [[Nintendo Switch]] [[Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo Switch)|port]] and are read when the player presses {{button|wii|a}}. Unlike prompted characters, the displayed text box for signs resembles white paper splayed on a piece of wood. Like prior appearances, nearly all signs are inanimate objects that the player chooses to engage with. However, a few [[Boards (characters)|speaking board character]]s impose themselves in scenarios where the player character's controls are different from usual. For example, the first one, Bill Board, appears in the [[Rolling Green Galaxy]] where [[Mario]] (or [[Luigi]]) can only traverse platforms on the [[Star Ball|Rolling Ball]].

A sign in the [[Ghostly Galaxy]] is written in [[Boo#Language|Booish]] and can only be read if the player character is in their [[Boo Mario|Boo form]]. The front of the house in the [[Good Egg Galaxy]] is readable because the developers hid a sign within the model.

====''Super Mario Galaxy 2''====
[[File:SMG2 Yoshi space dragon.png|200px|thumb|Mario reading the sign written by [[Yoshi]] in the [[Sky Station Galaxy]].]]
Nearly all of the signboards in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'' are presented as inanimate objects. The only character from the previous game to return is Bill Board. However, there are a few instances where simply being near a signboard causes a small dialogue box to appear above it, suggesting they are "calling out" to the player character. While their physical appearances are largely unchanged, signboards have more lines of text on the page nailed to their exterior than they did in ''Super Mario Galaxy''.

Giant signs appear in the [[Supermassive Galaxy]].

====''Super Mario Odyssey''====
Signs, here referred to as '''Travel Tips''', appear throughout ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''. It is the first 3D game in the [[Super Mario (series)|''Super Mario'' series]] to include these signs in seven years. Most Travel Tips only inform the player on an action available to [[Mario]] and/or [[Cappy]]. Environmental details are instead available in the visited kingdom's brochure, while hints on course progression are in the names of the [[mission|objective]]s and can be relayed by [[Brigade Blue Toad|Hint Toad]], [[Talkatoo]], and [[Uncle amiibo]]. However, the Travel Tip found by [[Yoshi's House]] was directly written by [[Yoshi|him]]. After a Travel Tip is read, an animation of the described action being performed appears in the bottom right of the screen.

Unlike previous titles, Travel Tips are made of metal in ''Super Mario Odyssey''. Like [[Arrow Sign]]s, staked Travel Tips spin when struck by Cappy. They otherwise appear fastened to the sides of terrain. Travel Tips can only be destroyed by a [[T-Rex]], but they reappear instantly.

====''Super Mario Bros. Wonder''====
Signs appear in ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'', a 2D game that saw involvement from [[Nintendo Entertainment Planning and Development|Nintendo EPD]] staff typically involved with the 3D ones.<ref>{{Cite|author=[[Nintendo]]|title=Super Mario Bros. Wonder—Part 3|url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-11-super-mario-bros-wonder-part-3/|date=18 Oct. 2023|publisher=Ask the Developer Vol. 11}}</ref> This is their first appearance in a 2D ''Super Mario'' title. Signs only appear in the overworld map of the [[Flower Kingdom]] and relay information about the overworld itself. As in ''Super Mario Odyssey'', they are depicted here as metal. At least one sign is posted in each [[world]].

===''Paper Mario'' series===
====''Paper Mario''====
In ''[[Paper Mario]]'', the Talk icon appears above an approached signboard as if it were a non-playable character. Pressing {{button|n64|a}} displays the text. A small star icon appears in the button right of a textbox when their are multiple pages. Pressing {{button|n64|a}} again turns to the next page.

A message board near [[Merlon]]'s house displays [[Toad Town News]]. The contents of the board change depending on what the active chapter is.

====''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door''====
Signs are read by pressing {{button|gcn|a}}. Like the first ''Paper Mario'', signs convey details on the surrounding environment and the names for important locations in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' and its [[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch)|Nintendo Switch remake]]. The pages nailed to signs are written in an original syllabary.

====''Super Paper Mario''====
Signs have the same design and purpose in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' that they had in ''The Thousand-Year Door'', providing details on surrounding area and tips on progression. However, they sometimes are cryptic in themselves. For example, a sign in [[The Bitlands]] displays its text backwards.

====''Paper Mario: Sticker Star''====
Signs occur throughout stages in ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'', providing information on the surrounding area. In some areas, they denote the name of a nearby structure. One can be read when the player presses {{button|3ds|a}}. A [[Mushroom]] encircled by a green spot appears on every sign.

====''Paper Mario: Color Splash''====
[[File:PaintGuyCloseUp.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The Paint Guy splayed on a sign in Ruddy Road, near the Paint Guy themselves.]]
In ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]'', signs are posted throughout [[Prism Island]] and provide information on the visited area when the player presses {{button|wiiu|a}}. Certain signs in [[Port Prisma]] and [[Sunglow Ridge]] are drained of color and must be repainted to read them. On [[Ruddy Road]], several signs warn of a thieving [[Paint Guy]]. They conceals themselves on one of them towards the end of the area. Striking the sign with a [[hammer]] forces the Paint Guy to fall off.

====''Paper Mario: The Origami King''====
Signs provide info on visited areas in ''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]'' and they can be read when the player presses {{button|switch|a}}. A [[List of Collectible Treasures in Paper Mario: The Origami King|Collectible Treasure]] of a sign is hidden in [[Chestnut Valley]]. Signs keep the design they had in ''Color Splash''.

===''Mario & Luigi'' series===
{{todo Mario & Luigi|section=y|list=*Information on signs in ''Mario & Luigi: Brothership''}}
====''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'' / ''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions''====
Bulletin boards and posted signs appear throughout ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' and its [[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions|Nintendo 3DS remake]]. The provide information on the visited area and hint towards potential actions. The bulletin board in [[Toad Town#Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga / Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions|Toadtown Square]] displays the ''[[Kingdom Courier]]''.

Like most field elements, only [[Mario]] can interact with signs in the [[Mario & Luigi|''Mario & Luigi'' series]]. In ''Superstar Saga'', this is done by pressing the primary action button ({{button|gba|a}}, {{button|gcn|a}}, or {{button|3ds|a}}, depending on the console and version).

====''Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time''====
[[File:M L Blocks MLPiT.png|200px|thumb|Mario and Luigi near a sign.]]
The signs in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'' provide information on the currently visited area. Mario reads one by pressing {{button|ds|a}}. The warning on the sign outside [[Thwomp Volcano]] needs to be ignored to progress through the area.

====''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story'' / ''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey''====
Signs occur in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' and its [[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey|Nintendo 3DS remake]]. Approaching one causes the Investigate icon to appear over the main action button ({{button|ds|a}} for Mario and {{button|ds|x}} for [[Bowser]]). They provide the names for objects and hints towards progression in the field. Signs do not appear inside of Bowser's body.

====''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team''====
In ''[[Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]]'', pressing {{button|3ds|a}} in front of a sign causes Mario to read it. They only appear in the field, not inside of Luigi's dreams.

====''Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam''====
In ''[[Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam]]'', pressing {{button|3ds|a}} causes Mario to read a sign. It provides information on the visited area. [[Paper Mario (character)|Paper Mario]] cannot read signs.

====''Mario & Luigi: Brothership''====
Signs reappear in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Brothership]]'' and are able to be read by Mario.

===''Donkey Kong Bananza''===
In ''[[Donkey Kong Bananza]]'', signs are slabs with scribbles written on them, being made of varying types of terrain. [[Donkey Kong]] is unable to read a sign from the back though will acknowledge it. During boss fights such as those against [[Void Kong]], Donkey Kong will refuse to read a sign. Donkey Kong is able to destroy the sign or use it as a [[chunk]]. There are two distinct scribbles: one that resembles bananas and the other resembling musical notes, the former of which translates to "Message. Thank you for reading -Someone," and the latter of which are seen on the Saga of the [[Exploritone]] and in terrain throughout the [[Underground World]], especially the [[Groove Layer]].

==Profiles and statistics==
===''Paper Mario: The Origami King''===
*'''Collectible Treasure No. 35:''' ''A classic wooden sign. Useful for conveying information and only occasionally snarkily.''

==Gallery==
===Sprites and models===
<gallery>
Sign Model SM64.png|''[[Super Mario 64]]''
Board SM64.png|''Super Mario 64''
SMS Asset Model Board Japan.png|''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' (Japan)
SMS Asset Model Board.png|''Super Mario Sunshine'' (international)
PMTTYD Sign.png|''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''
SM64DSSign.png|''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''
SPM Sign.png|''[[Super Paper Mario]]''
SPM Sign (Pit).png|''Super Paper Mario''
SMG Asset Model Board.png|''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
PMCS Sign.png|''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]''
PMCS Sign (Paint Guy).png|''Paper Mario: Color Splash''
</gallery>

===Screenshots===
<gallery>
SM64 Sign 1.png|''[[Super Mario 64]]''
Goomba Road.png|''[[Paper Mario]]''
Fork in the Road ShootingStarSummit.png|''Paper Mario''
SMG Screenshot Board.png|''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
SMG2 Screenshot Board.png|''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''
SMG2 Giant Boards.png|''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''
PMSS-Water Edge Way Secret.png|''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]''
PMCS Cherry Lake cutout 3.png|''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]''
PMTOK Battle Lab.jpg|''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]''
PMTOK Collectible Treasure 35 (Sign).jpg|''Paper Mario: The Origami King'' (Collectible Treasure)
SMBW Screenshot Sign.png|''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]''
Sign Brothership.jpg|''[[Mario & Luigi: Brothership]]''
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{Foreign names
|Jpn={{ruby|看板|かんばん}}
|JpnR=Kanban
|JpnM=Signboard
|JpnC=<ref>{{Cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd.]]|date=1997|title=『Super Mario 64 振動パック対応バージョン {{ruby|取扱説明書|とりあつかいせつめいしょ}}』|format=PDF|url=https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NUS/JPN/NSMJ/NSMJ_J.pdf|language=Japanese|location=Tokyo|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd.]]|date=2004|title=『Super Mario 64 DS {{ruby|取扱説明書|とりあつかいせつめいしょ}}』|format=PDF|url=https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NTR/JPN/ASMJ/ASMJ_J.pdf|language=Japanese|location=Tokyo|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|page=11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd.]]|date=2007|title=『Super Mario Galaxy {{ruby|取扱説明書|とりあつかいせつめいしょ}}』|format=PDF|url=https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/RVL/JPN/RMGJ/RMGJ_J.pdf|language=Japanese|location=Tokyo|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|page=16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd.]]|date=2010|title=『Super Mario Galaxy 2  {{ruby|取扱説明書|とりあつかいせつめいしょ}}』|format=PDF|url=https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/RVL/JPN/SB4J/SB4J_J.pdf|language=Japanese|location=Tokyo|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|page=18}}</ref>
|Jpn2=看板
|Jpn2R=Kanban
|Jpn2M=^
|Jpn2C=<ref>{{Cite|author=Sakai, Kazuya (Ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors|date=2015|title=『[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|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]]』|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|location=Tokyo|language=ja|page=105, 136, 169}}</ref>
|Fre=Affiche
|FreM=Poster
|FreC=<ref>{{Cite|author=Nintendo of America|date=2007|title=''Super Mario Galaxy Instruction Booklet''|format=PDF|url=csassets.nintendo.com/noaext/image/private/t_KA_PDF/Wii_Super_Mario_Galaxy?_a=BATCtdAA0|language=French|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America|page=35}}</ref>
|Ger=Schild
|GerM=Sign
|GerC=<ref>{{Cite|author=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe GmbH]]|date=2007|title=''Super Mario Galaxy Spielanleitung''|language=de|location=Frankfurt|publisher=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|page=16}}</ref>
|Ita=Cartello
|ItaM=Sign
|Spa=Signo
|SpaM=Sign
|SpaC=<ref>{{Cite|author=Nintendo of America|date=2007|title=''Super Mario Galaxy Instruction Booklet''|format=PDF|url=csassets.nintendo.com/noaext/image/private/t_KA_PDF/Wii_Super_Mario_Galaxy?_a=BATCtdAA0|language=Spanish|location=Redmond|publisher=Nintendo of America|page=57}}</ref>
}}

==References==
{{NIWA|Nookipedia=Item:Sign board (Animal Crossing)|Ukikipedia=Sign|ZeldaWiki=Sign}}
<references/>

{{Navboxes|
{{SM64}}
{{PM}}
{{Super Mario Sunshine}}
{{M&LSS}}
{{PMTTYD}}
{{M&LPIT}}
{{SPM}}
{{SMG}}
{{M&LBIS}}
{{SMG2}}
{{PMSS}}
{{M&LDT}}
{{M&LPJ}}
{{PMCS}}
{{SMO}}
{{PMTOK}}
{{SMBW}}
{{M&LB}}
{{DKB}}
}}
[[Category:Signs|*]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Bananza objects]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story objects]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Brothership objects]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Dream Team objects]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam objects]]
[[Category:Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga objects]]
[[Category:Paper Mario objects]]
[[Category:Paper Mario: Color Splash objects]]
[[Category:Paper Mario: Sticker Star objects]]
[[Category:Paper Mario: The Origami King objects]]
[[Category:Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario 64 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario 64 DS objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Bros. Wonder objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy 2 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Odyssey objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Sunshine objects]]
[[Category:Super Paper Mario objects]]