The Wall Jump (alternatively stylized as wall jump), also known as the Wall Kick or wall kick, is a special move that can be used by several characters, most notably Mario. The move is activated by jumping towards a wall and hitting the jump button again upon colliding with the wall. If that is done in narrow passages, characters can jump between the walls to ascend to a higher platform or over an obstacle.
Mario performing a Wall Jump in Super Mario 3D Land
In many early games, before the implementation of the actual wall jumping mechanic, maneuvers similar to the wall jump exist as glitches. For example, in Super Mario Bros., if Mario lands on a wall on a 16×16 boundary (so that his foot is on the top corner of a block), the player is able to jump from that point with frame-perfect timing. Similar glitches also exist in Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.
The Wall Jump itself was first implemented in Super Mario 64. Here, if Mario jumps at a wall, he will bounce off, but if the player presses as soon as Mario hits the wall, he will kick off of it instead, ascending higher than usual. If the player presses too late, Mario will simply fall down. The angle of the Wall Jump can also be adjusted, based on the angle Mario jumps at the wall. In games starting from Super Mario Sunshine onward, Mario slides down the wall, making Wall Jumping easier and the timing of the jump adjustable. This characteristic carries over to Super Mario 64 DS, where Mario is the only character that can Wall Jump. Due to the and buttons having their functions swapped, the text box after collecting the Mario Cap for the first time provides incorrect controls.
In Super Mario Run, characters can Wall Jump off of the sides of most walls and platforms by tapping the screen when they are holding on to a wall. In Toad Rally, performing consecutive Wall Jumps attracts more Toads.
The Wall Jump appears in Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge as Mini Mario's special ability. From a horizontal surface, Mini Mario will automatically stick to a wall and bounce off of it, continuously jumping between it and any other wall until the toy reaches a platform. Wall Jumps are not performed if Mini Mario touches a wall as it walks up a slant or bounces from a Spring.
This ability is essential in reaching Mini Mario's assigned door in Level 5, located at the top of the stage. After clearing the level through said door, Mini Mario gains access to the Boost Pad Bonanza set of levels, which make extensive use of the Wall Jump ability.
In Mario Superstar Baseball, this move is used as a special fielding ability that Mario, Luigi, Bowser Jr., Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, and Toadette can use. When one of these characters jumps near a wall, they take a great leap off of it, covering distance at a vertical angle. The move is used to catch low home run balls. In Mario Super Sluggers, this special ability is absent, possibly replaced by the Buddy Jump move.
Wall Jumping makes an appearance in Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, where Donkey Kong is able to use it. While it operates similarly to its use in other games, the player must be constantly tapping the control stick or hitting the bongo in the direction of the wall to be able to slide down it.
Instruction booklet description:Jump toward a wall then jump again as soon as Mario makes contact. Perform successive wall kicks between two walls to climb higher and higher. NOTE! Never give up! Try pressing even when sliding down walls!
North American website bio:Mario can do a long running leap to more easily clear wide gaps.[1]
European website bio:Press the B Button (or the A Button) when sliding down a wall to perform a Wall Jump, which will cause Mario to kick off the wall and jump in the opposite direction. Performing repeated Wall Jumps can take Mario up to some very high places!
* 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
