Key

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It has been requested that more images be uploaded for this article. Remove this notice only after the additional images have been added. Specifics: Images of the key design from Donkey Kong Bananza

This article is about a general overview of keys. For the specific keys in Mario's Time Machine, see Key (Mainz) and Key (Philadelphia). For the coins simply known as keys in Super Nintendo World, see Key Coin.
Key
Key artwork from Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Artwork from Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
First appearance Donkey Kong Jr. (1982)
Latest appearance Donkey Kong Bananza (2025)
Effect Unlocks a door or sealed barrier
Variants

Keys in the Super Mario franchise are items and objects typically used for opening locked doors or unlocking secret paths, and they have taken on a variety of designs throughout their appearances.

History[edit]

This section is a stub. Please consider expanding it to include any missing information. Specifics: Include information about Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 appearance in Museum Sneak

Donkey Kong franchise[edit]

Donkey Kong series[edit]

Donkey Kong Jr.[edit]

Keys in Donkey Kong Jr. are used to unlock Donkey Kong's cage in the Chain Scene. In the Game & Watch version, obtaining four keys is necessary to free Donkey Kong.

Donkey Kong (Game Boy)[edit]
Mario throwing a key
Artwork of Mario throwing up a key, from the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong

Keys in the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong appear in every stage from Stage 1-1 onward. A key can be picked up by Mario standing on it, then he has to take it to the correct locked door to open it. Mario lifts the key above his head, and he often has to throw it upwards since he cannot hold the key while climbing a ladder. Keys can be thrown at enemies to defeat them.

Donkey Kong 64[edit]

Keys in Donkey Kong 64 appear only in the form of Boss Keys, which are rewarded after each boss battle and required to unlock padlocks on K. Lumsy's cage.

Donkey Kong Country Returns (3D / HD)[edit]

A key in Donkey Kong Country Returns and its Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch ports known as a Map Key can be purchased from Cranky Kong's Shop in each world, for a total of eight keys. Each key costs 20 Banana Coins, and when purchased, unlocks an alternate route on the world map that will allow Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong to reach additional levels. This totals up to a price of 160 Banana Coins for buying all 8 keys.

Donkey Kong Bananza[edit]

Keys in Donkey Kong Bananza are used to progress through sublayers of a layer in the Underground World, usually held by an enemy, typically Crockoids and by Grumpy Kong and Poppy Kong after their boss fights, or in a hard-to-reach area. These can simply unlock the next sublayer by itself or remove the protective glass around a Void Stake, allowing Donkey Kong to break it to open the path. The keys bear Void Kong's likeness.

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]

Artwork of a key from Super Mario Advance
A Key, as depicted for Super Mario Advance

Keys in Super Mario Bros. 2 are objects corresponding to locked doors, with both objects debuting in World 1-2. Each key is guarded by a Phanto,[1] which chases the player character when they carry it.[2] Keys are amongst the few objects that do not have to be uprooted from the ground. A key is dropped by the Birdo of World 7-2 when defeated,[3] whilst others drop a Crystal Ball.

Super Mario World[edit]

Key from Super Mario World

Keys and keyholes in Super Mario World appear in various levels. A key can be carried over a keyhole to unlock its secret exit.[4][5][6] A key can also be carried by Yoshi in his mouth.[7]

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[edit]

Screenshot of a Key from Super Mario 64.
Mario obtaining the Boss Key of Bowser in the Fire Sea in Super Mario 64

Keys in Super Mario 64 appear only as two Big Keys,[8][9][10][11] located in Bowser in the Dark World and Bowser in the Fire Sea respectively. Each Big Key can be obtained by Mario after defeating Bowser. The first Big Key unlocks the opens the door to the basement of the Mushroom Castle, while the second key opens the door to the upper floors of the Mushroom Castle. The player cannot use the basement key to unlock the doors to the upper floors.[12]

Keys in the Nintendo DS version appear in more varieties. The first key has to be obtained by Yoshi from a rabbit to unlock the doors to the Mushroom Castle.[13] More rabbits hold keys that are used to unlock mini-games.[14] The empty room can be unlocked with a key that is obtained after catching all eight glowing rabbits.[15][16] In addition, Goomboss, King Boo, and Chief Chilly have Mario's Key, the Luigi Key, and the Wario Key, respectively, and must be defeated to unlock Mario, Luigi, and Wario from their switching room, respectively.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]

A Key in Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 appears only in the World-e level, Doors o' Plenty. It is used the same way as in Super Mario World,[17] except it has to open a nearby door,[18] not a keyhole.

New Super Mario Bros. subseries[edit]

A key from New Super Mario Bros.
Mario wins a key in World 3.
Mario gets a Key after defeating Roy Koopa, in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
Mario sees a key after defeating Roy Koopa in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Keys in New Super Mario Bros. are rewarded for defeating every boss from World 2 to World 7.

Keys in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and New Super Mario Bros. 2 are items that appear only after defeating one of the Koopalings at their castles, and the player has to grab the key to both complete and exit the level. Keys in the Coin Battle mode of New Super Mario Bros. Wii grant five coins to whichever player had collected it.

Super Mario Galaxy[edit]

Keys in Super Mario Galaxy can be collected to automatically open locked doors or cages. A Key in the Gateway Galaxy and the Ghostly Galaxy is held by a Grand Goomba and a Boo, respectively, both releasing the Key after the enemies have been defeated.

Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]

A Key from Super Mario Galaxy 2
A Key on the Jack O' Goomba Planet in the Battle Belt Galaxy in Super Mario Galaxy 2

Keys in Super Mario Galaxy 2 are functionally identical to their appearance in Super Mario Galaxy, and appear in galaxies such as the Haunty Halls Galaxy, the Battle Belt Galaxy, and also briefly in the Rolling Masterpiece Galaxy.

Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS[edit]

A Key, in Super Mario Maker.

Keys in Super Mario Maker can be added to levels ever since the update released on March 9, 2016. Keys can be placed in blocks, or in an enemy, making them obtainable after Mario defeats it. Additionally, another new item included in the update, the Pink Coin, reveals a key once Mario collects every single one in the level. Keys cannot be carried by Mario, since they now follow him automatically, not unlike the keys of the Yoshi's Island series. Up to eight keys can be obtained at one time.

Super Mario Run[edit]

Keys in Super Mario Run are used to unlock Key Doors. They take on their design from the New Super Mario Bros. U style in Super Mario Maker. Keys can be found inside of Boos and ? Blocks inside of Ghost Houses, and are a requirement to beating level 5-3: Boohind Lock and Key.

Super Mario Odyssey[edit]

Keys in Super Mario Odyssey received a slight redesign, and are used for opening Keyhole Pedestals, which contain Power Moons when collected.

Super Mario Maker 2[edit]

A key in Super Mario Maker 2

Keys in Super Mario Maker 2 retain their function and purpose from Super Mario Maker, and additionally appear in the added fifth game style, Super Mario 3D World, where they resemble the key symbols seen on Key Coins in the original game. In multiplayer, a player can stomp on another player who is holding a Key to grab the Key for themselves. If the player holding the Key is defeated, the Key enters a bubble, allowing other players to grab it.

Keys in the version 3.0.0 update were given a variation exclusively in the Super Mario Bros. game style, Cursed Keys, which spawn a Phanto when picked up, just like keys do in Super Mario Bros. 2.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[edit]

Keys with cat ears appear in the Bowser's Fury campaign of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, specifically when a Key is needed to open a cage containing a Cat Shine. Unlike in previous games, the key must be carried all the way back to the lock, rather than simply touching it. They also disappear if they are on the ground other than their initial spawn point for too long, or if they get thrown into water, the black goop, or lava. In these cases, the key will respawn back at its original location.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder[edit]

Keys in Super Mario Bros. Wonder function similarly to how they functioned in Super Mario Maker and its sequel. They come in two colors and unlock the doors corresponding to their color. They are used in the level Color-Switch Dungeon.

Super Mario World animated series[edit]

Key
King Koopa holding a key in the Super Mario World episode "Mama Luigi".

Keys in the Super Mario World cartoon have a purpose in two episodes, "Ghosts 'R' Us" and "Mama Luigi". A Key in "Ghosts 'R' Us" is spawned by Oogtar from a ? Block after Wizenheimer is defeated, and uses it for the door. This key plays the same sound effect as a Cape Feather. A Key in "Mama Luigi" is shown off by King Koopa, who gloats that the Mario Bros. will never be able to find Princess Toadstool without it. However, Yoshi then eats it, and after Koopa retreats, Yoshi spits out the key to open the cell the Princess was being held in.

Wario Land series[edit]

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3[edit]

A key and the treasure door in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
Wario carrying a key to a skull door in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3.

Keys in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 are hidden throughout many stages of the game, and are required to open the skull door[19] (also called Skeleton Door[19][20] or Treasure Room Door[21]) to a Treasure Room.[19] A key can sometimes be found inside of a Face Block. The keyhole in which the key fits is always found in the same stage as the key and the key can not be taken out of the stage, so it has to be recollected after leaving the level. Inside the Treasure Rooms, Wario can find one of the collectible treasures. However, he cannot be Small Wario as he needs to Body Slam the treasure chest to open it (although breathing fire also works).

Virtual Boy Wario Land[edit]

Gate Keys in Virtual Boy Wario Land are a requirement for unlocking the elevator at the end of each stage.

Wario Land 3[edit]

The keys as they appear in the levels of Wario Land 3
The keys as they appear in the levels of Wario Land 3
The keys as they appear in the levels of Wario Land 3
The keys as they appear in the levels of Wario Land 3
The keys as they appear in the levels of Wario Land 3

While being absent in Wario Land II, keys reappear in Wario Land 3. Four differently colored keys are hidden throughout the level: a Gray Key[22] (or Silver Key[23]), Red Key,[24] Green Key,[25] and Blue Key.[26] Wario can only clear a level if he finds one of the keys and manages to take them to their respective treasure chest. By doing so, he earns himself a new treasure that helps the player to proceed and find new levels. Usually, not all keys in a level are available from the start. The player has to obtain new abilities and meet certain requirements to find them all. After a key is taken to a treasure chest, the chest gets replaced by a goal door. After acquiring all treasures in every level and beating the final boss, starting the game will result in Time Attack, in which the objective of every level is to instead collect all four colored keys and exit through one of the goal doors. The fastest possible time will be recorded based on how fast this objective is achieved. Every key can be obtained in a level no matter if it is day or night, so the player will not be locked out of completion in any condition.

Wario Land 4[edit]

Unused animation from Wario Land 4

Keyzer is the only type of key to appear in Wario Land 4. Keys were originally required to unlock the four boxes (much like Wario Land 3) to obtain the four Jewel Pieces.

Yoshi franchise[edit]

Keys in Yoshi appear after the player clears levels 22 through 24 of the B-Type game, rewarding the player with 1,000 points.

Keys in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (and its reissue), Yoshi's Story, Yoshi's Island DS, Yoshi's New Island, Yoshi's Woolly World, Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World, and Yoshi's Crafted World can be collected and carried like Yoshi Eggs, taking up one space of the player's maximum number of eggs. They can be used to unlock Mini Battle houses, locked doors in castles, and Corks that block pipes. Additionally, during the cutscene following the defeat of a castle boss, a large key appears and unlocks a keyhole.

Keys in Yoshi's Story are required to open locked doors in the Lift Castle, Ghost Castle, and Magma Castle. They are obtained by defeating a certain ComBat in the Lift Castle, popping a certain ? Bubble in the Ghost Castle, and defeating the two slugs in the Magma Castle. One key in the Ghost Castle is out in the open in an underground section.

Mario Party series[edit]

Main article: Skeleton Key

Keys in the Mario Party series appear in different varieties. Keys owned by Bowser are called Bowser Keys, and appear usually in Bowser Minigames, where using them is a requirement to escape from Bowser. Bowser Keys in earlier games of the Mario Party series are simply keys shaped like Bowser's head, but later installments engrave Bowser Keys with Bowser's likeness. Keys in Mario Party 3 appear in the minigame Locked Out, and have key heads shaped like mushrooms, flowers and stars.

Paper Mario series[edit]

Paper Mario[edit]

From left to right: A Castle Key in Tubba Blubba's Castle, a Castle Key in Bowser's Castle, and a Castle Key in Hooktail Castle.
From left to right: Tubba Blubba's, Bowser's, and Hooktail's keys
Door lock (conjectural name)

There are many key designs in Paper Mario and its sequel, but each only opens doors in the area they are found. There are Castle Keys for every castle and fortress, and various others keys in different locations. Keys in Paper Mario are used in Tubba Blubba's Castle, Bowser's Castle, and Peach's Castle. Tubba Blubba's keys look like three-leaf clovers, while Bowser's look like a gold three-leaf clover with a blue ball in the middle. There are about three of Tubba's keys and five of Bowser's keys. Peach's Castle Keys are pink versions of Bowser's Castle Keys. Also, a living key called Yakkey locked the Gusty Gulch Windmill.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[edit]

Keys in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and its Nintendo Switch remake are used to unlock not only locked doors but also chests and other mechanisms. They come in many varieties including Black Keys used to open Black chests, and card keys to access X-Naut-secured areas:

Image Function
Black Key
Black Keys
Unlock Black chests, which grant curses on Mario. There are four Black Keys, found in Rogueport Underground, Hooktail Castle, Twilight Town, and the Pirate's Grotto.
House Key
House Key
Unlocks Garf's house in Rogueport's east side. Obtained through the Need a key! mission at the Trouble Center.
Red Castle KeyBlue Castle Key
Green Castle KeyYellow Castle Key
Castle Keys
Unlock doors to navigate through Hooktail Castle.
Blue KeyRed Key
Blue Key / Red Key
Open the corresponding cells holding captive Punis in The Great Tree. The Blue Key rescues ninety Punis, and the Red Key rescues the Puni elder.
Yellow Storage KeyBlue Storage Key
Storage Keys
Gain access to storage rooms in the Glitz Pit. There are two keys, found in the main plaza of Glitzville and inside the Glitz Pit lobby.
Shop Key
Shop Key
Unlocks the storage room of the Twilight Town's shop, where Mario can be cursed with Tube Mode.
Gray Steeple KeyPurple Steeple Key
Steeple Key
Gains access to Doopliss and unlocks the door to his parrot's room (Nintendo GameCube) / a shorcut to Twilight Town. (Nintendo Switch)
Grotto Key
Grotto Key
Unlocks a gate to explore further into the Pirate's Grotto.
Entrance KeyStation Key
Entrance Key / Station Key
Unlocks the entrance to Riverside Station and a door leading further inside, respectively.
Elevator Key
Elevator Key (Riverside Station)
Activates the Riverside Station elevator, making the drawbridge switch accessible.
Blue Elevator KeyRed Elevator Key
Elevator Keys (X-Naut Fortress)
Access the X-Naut Fortress elevator to traverse to sublevels 1 and 2 and sublevels 3 and 4, respectively.
Security Key (♣)Security Key (◆)Security Key (♥)
Security Key (♠)Security Key (★)
Security Keys
Gain clearance to enter through doors in the X-Naut Fortress. The star-symbol card is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch remake.
Purple Palace KeyGray Palace KeyRed Palace Key
Palace Keys
Unlock doors to explore further into the Palace of Shadow. There are three Palace Keys.
Tower Key
Tower Keys
Open pedestals within the Palace of Shadow Tower to activate the planetarium and unlock a path to the Shadow Queen. There are eight Tower Keys.

Super Paper Mario[edit]

Keys in Super Paper Mario appear prominently due to the abundance of doors, now being portrayed in an upright position. They are found in many levels as a reward for completing puzzles. Excluding rest floors at multiples of ten and the boss rooms, every room within the Flipside and Flopside Pit of 100 Trials contain a key found within a random enemy, which must be used within the five-minute time limit to proceed. Several keys have the same design yet are used for different purposes.

Image Function
Ruins Key Pit Key
Ruins Keys / Pit Keys
Unlock doors to progress further into the Yold Ruins. There are three Ruins Keys.
Opens the door to complete a given room in the Flipside and Flopside Pit of 100 Trials.
Old Key Random House Key
Old Key / Random House Key
Unlocks the gate restricting access to the Flipside Outskirts.
Unlocks a house in Flopside where Piccolo is found.
Door Key House Key
Door Key (Gloam Valley) / House Key
Unlocks a door to progress through Gloam Valley.
Opens a door in Merlee's Mansion and frees Gnaw.
Fort Key
Fort Keys
Unlocks the front gate to Fort Francis, and later the cat door inside the main hall. There are three Fort Keys.
Door Key
Door Key (Planet Blobule)
Unlocks a door on Planet Blobule. This Door Key is hidden in a rift requiring the use of Fleep.
Dimension Key
Dimension Keys
Unlock doors in the Whoa Zone to navigate its mazes. There are
Cave Key
Cave Keys
Access sections in the Floro Caverns. One is held by Flint Cragley, while another unlocks a door leading to Dottie.
Door Key
Door Keys (The Underwhere)
Open locked doors in both The Underwhere and The Overthere. There are four Door Keys.
Castle Bleck Key
Castle Bleck Keys
Unlock doors to progress further into Castle Bleck. There are seven Castle Bleck Keys.

Paper Mario: Color Splash[edit]

After being absent from Paper Mario: Sticker Star, keys return in Paper Mario: Color Splash albeit infrequently in favor of other methods of activation, particularly Things. There are still some keys used to open gates and other objects. These keys are now depicted with key rings, attached to key fobs based on their respective areas. Additionally, the keys are now 3d-modeled objects when found and used (though they are still depicted with sprites in menus) and are typically kept in the inventory after use even if they aren't needed anymore.

Image Function
Blissful Beach Key
Blissful Beach Key
Gain access to the private Blissful Beach area of Bloo Bay Beach. It is earned after completing the Oceanfest event.
Sharp Spike
Sharp Spike
Opens the front gate to Kiwano Temple after being inserted.
Snifit's Card Key
Snifit's Card Key
Operates the elevator in the Snifit Undersand Hideout beneath Mustard Café.
Café Key
Café Key
Unlocks the gate to the Mustard Café. It is found on a key rack at first floor of the Snifit Undersand Hideout.
Trunk Key
Trunk Key
Opens a suitcase in the Sunset Express, which reveals Red Rescue Squad members numbered 2 through 32.

Paper Mario: The Origami King[edit]

In Paper Mario: The Origami King, keys being decorated at the head based on their purpose return alongside keys with fobs. These keys are also 3d modeled and use rendered images in menus, rather than sprites. Most keys are obtained from Luigi during his quest to find the Key to Peach's Castle:

Image Function
Shogun Studios Master Key
Shogun Studios Master Key
Access several attractions and staff areas in Shogun Studios. It is given by Luigi after rescuing him in the maintenance room of the Ninja Attraction.
Professor's Room Key
Professor's Room Key
Opens the door to Professor Toad's hotel room at the Shroom City Royal Palace. It is given by a Snifit clerk at the front desk.
Suite Key
Suite Key
Opens the master suite at the Shroom City Royal Palace. It is given by Luigi after rescuing him from the lamp stall nearby.
Mushroom Handle
Mushroom Handle
Unlocks a door to the backyard of the Origami Craftsman's house on Mushroom Island. It is found inside a chest with a note at Crescent Moon Island.
Diamond Key
Diamond Key
Unlocks an access port to the interior of Diamond Island. Originally in a chest at Crescent Moon Island, Luigi gives this key when confronted at the back of Mushroom Island.
Key to Bowser's Castle
Key to Bowser's Castle
Unlocks the gate leading to Bowser's throne room. Luigi gives this key when found at Kamek's chambers.
Key to Peach's Castle
Key to Peach's Castle
Opens the front door to Peach's Castle. It is found stuck in the exhaust pipe of Luigi's kart.

Luigi's Mansion series[edit]

Luigi's Mansion[edit]

Key artwork from Luigi's Mansion
A key from Luigi's Mansion.

Keys in Luigi's Mansion and its Nintendo 3DS version are used for unlocking the different rooms of the mansion. Keys can usually be obtained from a treasure chest that appears when clearing a room of every ghost. Keys in certain rooms like the Wardrobe Room or Bathroom spawn on a higher shelf once Luigi hes captured all ghosts in the room. In the Fortune-teller's Room, Luigi must utilize a specific method to acquire the Laundry Room key, by lighting all four candelabras using the Fire Element Medal.

Also, there are four special keys, with each one having a different card suit: heart, club, diamond, and spade.

  • The key to Area 2, the Main Hall Key[27] (obtained from Chauncey): This heart-shaped key unlocks the door with the heart imprint on the first floor of the Foyer.
  • The key to Area 3, the Courtyard Key[28] (obtained from Bogmire): This club-shaped key unlocks the door with the club imprint that is near the Bathroom on the first floor and the Conservatory.
  • The key to Area 4, the West Wing Key[29] (obtained from Boolossus): This diamond-shaped key unlocks the door with the diamond imprint on the west side of the Balcony on the third floor.
  • The key to the Secret Altar, the Secret Altar Key[30] (obtained from Vincent Van Gore): This spade-shaped key unlocks the door with the spade imprint at the end of the hall in the basement that leads to King Boo's Secret Altar. It is the only special key that is not dropped by a boss Portrait Ghost nor leads to a different area.

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon[edit]

Keys in Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon unlock doors like before but have a different design and disintegrate upon being used.[31]

Luigi's Mansion 3[edit]

Keys in Luigi's Mansion 3 are functionally identical to their appearances in Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, and their design is complementary to that of the architecture of the Last Resort, where they appear throughout.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong series[edit]

Mario vs. Donkey Kong[edit]

Artwork of Mario holding a Key in Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
Mario with a Key in Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Keys in Mario vs. Donkey Kong have to be collected to progress through the levels, similarly to the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong. Keys need to be carried to locked doors in order to open them and move on to the next area. A Key can be thrown forwards and upwards, like other objects that Mario can pick up, and will also be knocked out of Mario's hand if he is attacked. A unique characteristic that keys have is when they are dropped or put down by Mario, their twelve-second countdown timer is initiated, and will respawn to their original place when the timer is up.

Keys in the Plus Levels are smaller and attached to Mini Marios, which they trail behind. These keys cannot be picked up by Mario, and a Key has to be brought to the locked door to complete the stage.

Keys in the remake function similarly to their original counterparts, but if a player character runs past a key, it will rotate in place. In the newly-added Casual play style, keys have a fifteen-second timer instead of twelve. Additionally, the remake also features a flying variant of keys, with the gold variant used to unlock a chest with five 1-Up Mushrooms in bonus levels, and a silver variant appearing in multiplayer only, which is mandatory to unchain locked doors and toy boxes before using them.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again![edit]

While regular keys do not appear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, Key Mini Mario reappears once again in the various "Key" levels in the game, being required to unlock the Goal Doors in them. They also reprise their roles in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! and in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars.

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move[edit]

A key from Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move.

Keys appear in Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move as occasional level elements in Mario's Main Event and Many Mini Mayhem. In levels with keys, the goal tile is locked off and cannot be accessed unless a Mini collects a key and makes it to the goal. In Many Mini Mayhem, some Minis may spawn with a key already in possession - this Mini must reach the goal first before any of the other Minis do to unlock it.

Super Mario Fushigi no Janjan Land[edit]

Keys reappear in Super Mario Fushigi no Janjan Land, where the player needs to collect at least five of them to fight Bowser.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

SmashWiki article: Key

Keys in The Subspace Emissary mode of Super Smash Bros. Brawl are items found near locked gates. A key held by a player as they approach a gate will unlock it, although the key is disposed of in the process. These keys represent the Super Smash Bros. series, and not the Super Mario franchise.

Mario & Luigi series[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story / Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[edit]

Keys in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and its Nintendo 3DS remake appear in the form of special items, including Blue Keys, Red Keys, and Green Keys. They are found on the second floor of Peach's Castle, the last stage in the game, held by Fawfulcopters which Bowser must chase after. The Blue Key is required to proceed the storyline; the other two are optional.

Earlier in the game, the Stingler and Star Panels behave like keys and open the doors in Pump Works and the Energy Hold, respectively.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam[edit]

A Key in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam.
Mario holds a key in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

A key in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam appears briefly as a teaching tutorial for the Trio Grab, used to unlock a door in Twinsy Tropics Dungeon.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker[edit]

Keys in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and its Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS ports are items that always open locked doors, and can be obtained from Pluck Patches. Keys can also be thrown at enemies to defeat them, not unlike Super Mario Bros. 2. Keys are carried by Captain Toad and Toadette atop their head, akin to other items. A key can reward one coin if the player clears the stage while that key is outside of its Pluck Patch.

Dr. Mario World[edit]

Key from Dr. Mario World
A key in Dr. Mario World

Keys in Dr. Mario World are stage objects all found inside bubbles, meaning that they will float upwards until they hit an object. The bubbles containing the keys cannot be removed until it comes into contact with a door, after which it will disappear. Like the bubbles in this game, the keys that are currently floating cannot be reacted to, such as when Dr. Petey Piranha's hits the bottom-most objects in each column (therefore the key is not treated as the bottom-most object while floating), except by pushing it upwards with a capsule. Moreover, the Hammer Bro. assistant will affect the floating speed of the key when equipped by slowing down the floating. When a capsule match is made next to the keys, the skill meter will be filled with an extra point for each key that it is made next to, even though the key will not be removed. The keys, as stage objects, appear exclusively in stage mode. Keys first appear in World 8.

Keys in versus mode are items that the player can be rewarded by winning versus matches. They are used to unlock battle boxes, of which the player can obtain three out of the nine possible rewards. The default number of keys required to unlock battle boxes is five since version 2.1.0 and seven prior to that, but only three are required on certain weeks. On certain weeks since season 3, specialists have the benefit of winning two keys instead of one if any of them are used to win the match.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie[edit]

In the teaser posterMedia:The Super Mario Bros Movie teaser poster.jpg for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, voxelated keys resembling their sprite in Super Mario World can be seen being sold at the antiques store for two coins each.

Princess Peach: Showtime![edit]

The Spades Key in The Case of the Missing Mural in Princess Peach: Showtime.
The Spades Key
The Diamonds Key in The Case of the Missing Mural in Princess Peach: Showtime.
The Diamonds Key

The stage The Case of the Missing Mural in Princess Peach: Showtime! has two keys, a blue Spades Key and a red Diamonds Key, which are used to open the mummies in the room to the right of the popcorn lobby. The Spades Key is found on the right of the air duct's exit while the Diamonds Key is found to the left of the popcorn kiosk.

Whenever the keys are used on the mummies, the Spades Key opens up to reveal a Sparkle Gem while the Diamonds Key opens up a Theet who was trapped inside.

Profiles[edit]

Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]

  • Wii Virtual Console manual: "This item opens a locked door."

Super Mario Advance[edit]

  • Instruction booklet description:
    • English (United Kingdom):
      You'll need keys to open locked doors. Carrying them will not slow you down.

Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3[edit]

  • Nintendo 3DS digital manual description: "Take a key to a door with a keyhole in it to open it."

Luigi's Mansion series[edit]

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon[edit]

  • Instruction booklet description:
    • English:
      Keys open locked doors.

Luigi's Mansion (Nintendo 3DS)[edit]

  • Instruction manual description (page 7): "Sometimes while exploring a lit room, you will find a key. Pick it up and use it to open doors to locked rooms."
  • Instruction manual description (page 14): "Open locked doors."

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

Trophy
Key
Key trophy
Appears in:
Wii Super Smash Bros. Brawl
How to unlock: Random drop
In The Subspace Emissary, there are often locked doors. This key is the item you need to unlock these doors. You can touch a door while holding the key, or you can even throw the key at a door to unlock it. If you lose the key, it will return to the place you originally found it. This item is vital to your progress, so do your best not to lose it.

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Key.

See also[edit]

Naming[edit]

Internal names[edit]

Game File Name Meaning

Super Mario Galaxy ObjectData/KeySwitch.arc KeySwitch Key Switch
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Mario Galaxy StageData/ObjNameTable.arc/ObjNameTable.tbl 鍵スイッチ (Kagi Suitchi)
Super Mario Galaxy 2 SystemData/ObjNameTable.arc/ObjNameTable.tbl
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker content/ObjectData/DoorLock.szs DoorLock Door Key (Japanese kagi can mean key or lock)

Names in other languages[edit]

Key[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese カギ[32][33][34]
Kagi
Key
[35]
Kagi
Albanian Çelësi[36] Key
Arabic مفتاح[37]
Mftah
Key
Chinese (simplified) 钥匙[?]
Yàoshi
Key
Chinese (traditional) 鑰匙[?]
Yàoshi
Key
Croatian Ključ[38] Key
Dutch Sleutel[39] Key
French Clé[40][41] Key
German Schlüssel[42] Key
Greek Κλειδί[43]
Kleidí
Key
Hungarian Kulcs[44] Key
Italian Chiave[45] Key
Korean [?]
Ki
Key
열쇠[46]
Yeolsoe
Super Mario World television series
Polish Klucz[47] Key
Portuguese Chave[48] Key
Romanian Cheie[49] Key
Russian Ключ[?]
Klyuch
Key
Spanish Llave[50] Key
Turkish Anahtar[51] Key

Treasure Room[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese たから部屋へや[52]
Takara no Heya
Treasure Room

Skull door[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ドクロのとびら[52]
Dokuro no Tobira
Skull Door

References[edit]

  1. ^ "He is normally at rest and waits by keys." – Super Mario Bros. 2 instruction booklet (PDF). Page 24.
  2. ^ "If you take a key, he will pursue you." – Super Mario Bros. 2 instruction booklet. Page 24.
  3. ^ VideoGamePhenom (September 6, 2019). Super Mario Bros. 2 - World 7-2 (04:33). YouTube (English).
  4. ^ VideoGamePhenom (September 24, 2019). Super Mario World - Donut Plains 1 (Key Way) (02:20). YouTube (English).
  5. ^ "If Mario takes a key and moves over the keyhole, he can exit the course to another area" – 1991. Super Mario World instruction booklet (PDF). Nintendo of America (American English). Page 21.
  6. ^ "Keys and keyholes open up paths to secret stages and worlds." – Tsuboike, Yoshio, et al. (Winter 2002). Nintendo Power Advance Volume 4. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 13.
  7. ^ "If Mario is on Yoshi when he finds the key, they can move over the keyhole with Yoshi holding the key in its mouth." – Super Mario World instruction booklet. Page 21.
  8. ^ Tilden, Gail, et al. (December 1996). Nintendo Power Volume 91. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 63.
  9. ^ February 24, 1998. Items | Nintendo: Super Mario 64 Strategy. Nintendo.com (American English). Retrieved February 23, 2018. (Archived March 3, 2000, 13:59:44 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  10. ^ Prima Bath (April 7, 1999). Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 0-7615-2103-8. Page 84 and 86.
  11. ^ Prima Bath (April 21, 1999). Ultimate Nintendo 64 Pocket Power Guide, 1999 Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 0-7615-2083-X. Page 56 and 57.
  12. ^ "This key doesn't fit! Maybe it's for the basement..." – Dialog box (1996). Super Mario 64. Mushroom Castle: Nintendo (English).
  13. ^ "You've retrieved the key to the castle from the rabbit! Now you're ready to go inside the castle." – Dialog box (2004). Super Mario 64 DS. Nintendo (English).
  14. ^ "You retrieved a key to the drawer of Princess Toadstool's Rec Room! Now you can play new mini-games." – Dialog box (2004). Super Mario 64 DS. Nintendo (English).
  15. ^ YTSunny (April 12, 2018). Super Mario 64 DS 100% Walkthrough Part 15 - Catching Rabbits & Opening the White Door (30:56). YouTube (English).
  16. ^ "You got the key to the empty room!" – Dialog box (2004). Super Mario 64 DS. Nintendo (English).
  17. ^ VideoGamePhenom (October 27, 2019). Super Mario Advance 4 - World-e - Doors o' Plenty (0:23). YouTube (English).
  18. ^ Super Mario Advance 4 - World-e - Doors o' Plenty (0:37). YouTube.
  19. ^ a b c 1994. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 instruction booklet. Redmond, WA: Nintendo of America (American English). Page 15.
  20. ^ Hamm & Rudolf GmbH, Frankfurt (1994). Super Game Boy Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 28.
  21. ^ Tilden, Gail, et al. (September 1996). Nintendo Power Volume 88. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 77.
  22. ^ Tsuboike, Yoshio, et al. (June 2000). Nintendo Power Volume 133. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65.
  23. ^ Official American Wario Land 3 website. Nintendo.com (American English). Archived April 29, 2001, 17:27:37 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine.
  24. ^ Tsuboike, et al.. Nintendo Power Volume 133. Page 60, 62, 63, 64, 66.
  25. ^ Tsuboike, et al.. Nintendo Power Volume 133. Page 61, 62, 64, 65, 66.
  26. ^ Tsuboike, et al.. Nintendo Power Volume 133. Page 65.
  27. ^ Sinfield, George (2001). Luigi's Mansion Nintendo Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). ISBN 1-930206-14-3. Page 29.
  28. ^ Sinfield. Luigi's Mansion Nintendo Player's Guide. Page 46.
  29. ^ Sinfield. Luigi's Mansion Nintendo Player's Guide. Page 62.
  30. ^ Sinfield. Luigi's Mansion Nintendo Player's Guide. Page 75.
  31. ^ RetroArchive (June 26, 2024). Luigi's Mansion 2 HD (Switch) - Mansion 1: Gloomy Manor - No Damage 100% Walkthrough (10:11). YouTube (English).
  32. ^ 1998. 「ヨッシー全百科」 (Yoshi Hyakka). Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-281158-6. Page 53. (Archived via archive.today.)
  33. ^ Sakai, Kazuya (Ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors (October 19, 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, Japan: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 978-4-09-106569-8. Page 60, 70, 91, 118, 199.
  34. ^ Sakai, Kazuya, and kikai, editors (2018). 『スーバーマリオ オデッセイ 公式設定資料集』. Tokyo: ambit (Japanese). ISBN 978-4-19-864696-7. Page 129.
  35. ^ --- (October 19, 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, Japan: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 978-4-09-106569-8. Page 136 and 169.
  36. ^ Bota e Super Marios - Episoda 4 | Fantazmat jemi ne (Dublimi Shqip, Çufo)
  37. ^ سوبر ماريو - سبيس تون
  38. ^ Super Mario Bros ( 4 Kompilacija ) - Crtani Film
  39. ^ Nintendo Nederland (March 9, 2016). Super Mario Maker - Gesloten deuren! Spijkerzuilen! Roze munten! (Wii U). YouTube (Dutch). Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  40. ^ Super Mario World 004 La maison hantée
  41. ^ Yoshi's Story in-game name from French localization (Uploaded 12 May. 2019 on Youtube by Omniwalk FR)
  42. ^ Menold, Marcus, Claude M. Moyse, and Andreas G. Kämmerer, editors (1993). Der offizielle Nintendo Spieleberater "Super Mario World". Großostheim: Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). Page 17.
  43. ^ Super Mario World - Episode 4 - Ghosts 'R' Us Greek Audio
  44. ^ Super Márió Mese_ Szellemes Szobafogság (Magyarul)
  45. ^ Super Mario World 3x04 - Fantasmi a colazione
  46. ^ Super Mario World Cartoon (Ghosts 'R' Us) - Korean version
  47. ^ Kapitan N i nowe przygody braci Mario. Odc. 4 - Czuj duch/Totalnie ztetrisowani
  48. ^ Super Mario World - Os Fantasmas Somos Nós (Dublado)
  49. ^ May 20, 2015. "Ghosts 'R' Us", dubbed in Romanian by KidsCo. Odnoklassniki (OK.ru). Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  50. ^ súper Mario world (fantasmas juguetones)
  51. ^ Super Mario (1991) Çizgi Film Türkçe Dublaj 4 Bölüm Birden - NOSTALJİ -
  52. ^ a b 1994. Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land instruction booklet. Nintendo (Japanese). Page 14.