Stretches first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3 and its respectiveremakes. They are found exclusively in fortresses, first appearing in World 3- 2, and are more of an obstacle than an enemy. If the player attempts passing them, it will rise from the top and bottom of the platform and attempt to hit them by moving left to right. Stretches are often found in groups. Stretches can only be defeated with a Starman or hammers thrown by the Hammer form.
After a long absence, Stretches reappear in Super Mario Maker, its 3DS port (verbally referred to as "Boos"), and its Nintendo Switch sequel. In the course editor, a Boo will automatically become a Stretch if it is placed on top of or just below a solid block. In this game, they can be placed on any surface, and will pop up more periodically, making them more of an enemy than in their original appearance from Super Mario Bros. 3. Their appearance is slightly different, and they are not connected to a white platform anymore. New sprites for Stretches have been made in all styles. However, they cannot accept Super Mushrooms as attempting to give them a Super Mushroom will turn the Stretch into a Big Boo rather than bigger Stretches, and giving them wings will make them faster. Stretches can be defeated in Super Mario Maker like normal Boos, with either a Super Star or a Goomba's Shoe.
In Super Mario Maker 2, Stretches stop moving when looked at in the nighttime ground theme.
Stretches reappear in Super Mario Run, where they are usually found in Ghost Houses and act like they did in Super Mario Maker. They have the same appearance as the Stretches in the New Super Mario Bros. U style from Super Mario Maker.
A Stretch, as depicted in the Nintendo Comics System
A single Stretch appears in the Nintendo Comics System short "In the Swim! Fun and Sun Fashions" in an advertisement for swimwear, which depicts it lifting weights on a beach. The Stretch, which only has one face, is shaped like a "Z".
Play Nintendo: "Creepy crawlies—Drag a Boo to the ground and watch it transform into a Stretch, a crawling menace that pops out of nowhere to give you a scare. You can even hang them from the ceiling!"[1]
* In version 1.20 or later • ** In version 1.30 or later • *** In version 1.40 or later • † Only in the Wii U version. • ‡ Only in the Nintendo 3DS version