Special Shot (Mario Hoops 3-on-3 and Mario Sports Mix)

A Special Shot is a move that any playable character can perform in Mario Hoops 3-on-3 and Mario Sports Mix. It generally involves the character performing a powerful strike to the ball when certain conditions are met.

History

Mario Hoops 3-on-3

Mario making out an "M" for his Fire Shot in Mario Hoops 3-on-3

In Mario Hoops 3-on-3, Special Shots are activated by touching the Touch Screen at points to make a certain letter or symbol. The symbols include an M, an L, a triangle, a W, a B, an N, an S, or a star, with each character having a set symbol. The symbol must be tapped out twice to perform the Special Shot, and characters cannot move while starting the Special Shot. A player is highly vulnerable to tackles while bouncing the ball in the special formation, so it is unwise to attempt a special shot when being swarmed by opponents.

Special Shots are unstoppable if executed from inside the 3-point line, and will always make it in the basket. However, if executed outside the 3-point line, a teammate needs to run up and dunk the ball. If the special shot is a regular shot, then most of the animations will go unchanged with the exceptions of White Mage's Holy Shot and Black Mage's Meteor Shot. If the special shot is a dunk or Holy Shot or Meteor Shot, the character jump into the air and throw the ball which has a cover and a trail of a particular color. Sometimes, the teammate will fail to receive the ball. If an opponent is blocking that teammate, the shot will miss.

Listed below are the Special Shot symbols and their associated character(s) and special shot(s).

M

• Mario's Fire Shot
• Yoshi's Flutter Dunk
• Donkey Kong's Konga Dunk
• Diddy Kong's Jet Shot
• Moogle's Moogle Dance

L

• Luigi's Green Fire Shot

Triangle

• Peach's Heart Shot
• Daisy's Flower Shot
• Dixie Kong's Cannon Shot
• Birdo's Egg Shot

W

• Wario's Move-It Dunk
• Waluigi's Twist Dunk

B

• Bowser Jr.'s Graffiti Shot
• Bowser's Bomber Dunk
• Boo's Thriller Dunk

N

• Paratroopa's Wing Shot
• Ninja's Leaf Veil

S

• Fly Guy's Thunder Shot
• Cactuar's 1000 Needles

Star

• White Mage's Holy Shot
• Black Mage's Meteor Shot

Mario Sports Mix

Mario prepares to execute his special shot during a Hockey match in Mario Sports Mix.

In Mario Sports Mix, special shots, now under the name special moves, make a return appearance. While the shots play similarly to that of the special shots from Mario Hoops 3-on-3, these shots are blockable, and can be preventable. Also, the method of unleashing a special move is different as the moves can only be used once the player's special move meter reaches a maximum level. Each character has a different and unique special move that is based on their properties and features. Additionally, the special moves tend to vary in the way it is used in each of the four sports:

Basketball	Volleyball	Dodgeball	Hockey
The special move can only be started if the ball is in the player's possesion. The player rises and activates their special move in midair. The player will either dunk or throw the ball towards the basket.	The special move can only be started if the ball is in the player's side of the court. The player rises and activates their special move in midair. The player can aim where to toss the ball on the opposing court.	The special move can only be started if the ball is in the player's possesion. The player rises and activates their special move in midair. The player can aim where to throw the ball on the opposing court.	The special move can only be started if the puck is in the player's possesion. The player stays grounded while activating their special move. The target will always be the opposing goal, but the player can slightly aim their shot left or right.

List of special moves

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The following is a list of all special moves that the playable characters can perform, as well as any differences that occur within each sport, if there are any.

Image	Character	Effect	Basketball	Volleyball	Dodgeball	Hockey
	Mario	Mario spins rapidly, lighting the ball/puck on fire. It has no additional effects on opponents.	Performs a slam dunk with the ball which is confronted by opponents if they jump towards him. If the opponnent can't successfully stop Mario, he continues and dunks the ball, causing an explosion.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area, which is confronted by opponents if they block the ball's path. If the opponent can't successfully stop the ball, the ball continues towards the targeted area, causing an explosion.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area, causing an explosion.	Shoots the puck to targeted side of the goal, which is confronted by opponents if they are in the way. If the opponent can't successfully stop the puck, it continues to the goal, causing an explosion.
	Luigi	Luigi equips the Poltergust 3000 and absorbs the ball/puck while pulling in opponents. If the opponents get too close, they trip backwards.	Launches the ball towards the basket.	Launches the ball towards the targeted area.	Launches the ball towards the targeted area.	Launches the puck towards the targeted side of the goal.
	Yoshi	Yoshi begins to Flutter Jump while the ball/puck becomes filled with rainbow energy.	Throws two balls towards the basket that curve in an arc on opposite sides. Only one ball is the real one, and the fake simply vanishes if blocked by an opponent.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area, but bounces in an arc before landing beside it.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area, which splits in two before landing.	Shoots puck towards the targeted side of the goal, which bounces in an arc side to side before scoring.
	Peach	Peach gives out an air kiss, which summons multiple hearts that travel along the ground. If a heart touches an opponent, they become lovestruck and unable to move.	Throws the ball towards the basket.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area.	Shoots the puck towards the targeted side of the goal.
	Daisy	Daisy cheers with pom-poms and summons a flower garden that covers and obscures the opponent's side of the court.	The flowers cover the the ground near the basket, and circular fences block the path towards it. Daisy then throws the ball which curves towards the basket.	The flowers cover the opponents' side of the court, obscuring where the ball will go. Daisy then spikes the ball which curves towards the invisible targeted area.	The fences surround the opponents' side of the court, limiting their range of movement. Daisy then throws the ball which curves towards the targeted area.	The fences surround the opponents' goal, blocking them from getting too close. Daisy then shoots the puck which curves toards the targeted side of the goal.
Basketball special move	Waluigi	Waluigi equips a mechanical four-armed device on his back, with each of them holding a copy of the ball/puck.	Throws the balls toward the basket, one at a time. Each ball that enters the basket counts for one point.	Throws the balls toward the targeted areas, one at a time. Each ball that touches the opponents' side of the court counts for one point.	Throws the balls toward the targeted areas, one at a time. Each ball is able to deal damage to opponents.	Throws the pucks towards the targeted sides of the goal, one at a time. Each puck that enters the goal counts for one point.
	Wario	Wario throws his trademark bomb from the WarioWare series onto the opponents' side of the court, which explodes and covers the terrain in gas, obscuring all characters.	Throws the ball towards the basket.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area, which is also obscured by the gas.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area, which is also obscured by the gas.	Shoots the puck towards the targeted side of the goal, which is also obscured by the gas.
	Donkey Kong	Donkey Kong leaps into the air and slams the ground, knocking over opponents.	Performs a slam dunk with the ball.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area.	Shoots the puck towards the targeted side of the goal.
	Bowser	Bowser spits out a large fireball that explodes upon contact with the ground.	The fireball is shot towards the center of the opponents' side of the court. Bowser then throws the ball towards the basket.	The fireball is shot towards the targeted area. Bowser then spikes the ball towards it.	The fireball is shot towards the targeted area. Bowser then throws the ball towards it.	The fireball is shot towards the goal. Bowser then shoots the puck towards the targeted side of it.
	Diddy Kong	Diddy Kong pulls out a banana boomerang that circles the opponents' side of the court, knocking over any opponent that touches it.	Throws the ball towards the basket.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area.	Shoots the puck towards the targeted side of the goal.
	Bowser Jr.	Bowser Jr. uses his magic brush to cover the opponents' side of the court in paint, causing them to slip and slide on their stomachs.	Uses his brush to toss the ball towards the basket.	Uses his brush to spike the ball towards the targeted area.	Uses his brush to toss the ball towards the targeted area.	Uses his brush to shoot the puck towards the targeted side of the goal.
Volleyball special move	Toad	Toad summons two giant mushrooms that circle the opponents' side of the court. Any opponent that touches them will be knocked backwards temporarily.	Throws the ball towards the basket.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area.	Shoots the puck towards the targeted side of the goal.
	Ninja	Ninja splits into three copies of himself, each holding a ball/puck.	All copies advance to the basket, with two disappearing and the real one performing a slam dunk with the ball.	Three targeting areas appear, with one controllable by the player. The real Ninja then spikes the ball towards the real targeted area.	Three targeting areas appear, with each Ninja throwing their balls towards their own, one at a time. Each ball is able to deal damage to opponents.	All copies advance towards the goal, with a prompt given to the real Ninja, who then shoots the puck towards the targeted side of the goal.
	White Mage	White Mage summons a celestial circle that has different effects depending on the sport played.	The circle can be controlled on the ground, which is then hit by a skyward beam of light that knocks over opponents. After the beam hits, White Mage throws the ball towards the basket.	The circle covers the entire side of the opponents' court. A skyward beam of light containing the ball then hits an invisible targeted area.	The circle becomes the targetting area. After aiming, White Mage attacks with a skyward beam of light that strikes the targeted area.	The circle can be controlled on the ground, which is then hit by a skyward beam of light that knocks over opponents. After the beam hits, White Mage shoots the puck towards the targeted side of the goal.
	Black Mage	Black Mage unleashes lightning that shrinks all players.	Throws the ball towards the basket.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area.	Shoots the puck towards the targeted side of the goal.
	Slime	Slime summons yellow, green and pink Slimes on the opponents' side of the court, who hop towards opponents, knocking them over.	Throws the ball towards the basket.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area.	Throws the puck towards the targeted side of the board.
	Moogle	Moogle summons colorful orbs that make the ball/puck vanish, then reappear somewhere else.	Throws the ball towards the basket, which vanishes twice before going in.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area, which vanishes halfway. The player can change the targeted area's location while the ball is gone.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area, which vanishes halfway. The player can change the targeted area's location while the ball is gone. The ball reappears right above the targeted area afterwards.	Shoots the puck towards the targeted side of the goal, which vanishes twice before going in.
	Cactuar	Cactuar unleashes needles that stun opponents in place.	Performs a slam dunk with the ball.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area.	Shoots the puck towards the targeted side of the goal.
	Mii	The Mii character spins rapidly, making the ball/puck glow. It has no additional effect on opponents, and is functionally identical to Mario's special move.	Performs a slam dunk with the ball which is confronted by opponents if they jump towards them. If the opponnent can't successfully stop the Mii character, they continue and dunk the ball.	Spikes the ball towards the targeted area, which is confronted by opponents if they block the ball's path. If the opponent can't successfully stop the ball, the ball continues and scores.	Throws the ball towards the targeted area.	Shoots the puck to targeted side of the goal, which is confronted by opponents if they are in the way. If the opponent can't successfully stop the puck, it continues to the goal and scores.

Names in other languages

Mario Hoops 3-on-3

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Italian	Super tiro[?]	Super shot

Mario Sports Mix

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Italian	Mossa speciale[?]	Special move