Arrow Lift (Super Mario 64)

Arrow Lifts are curious objects found in the Mario series.

Arrow Lifts first appear in Super Mario Bros. 3, only in the levels 4-Fortress 2 and 7-6. Arrow Lifts are block-like platforms with an arrow emblazoned on them. If Mario stands on one, the platform releases a decolored form of itself and moves the plumber to the direction the Arrow Lift is pointing. There is another Arrow Lift that has an exclamation mark on it, known as a Directional Lift. If Mario or Luigi steps on this one, he can control the direction of the platform up, left or right when he jumps. However, if the plumber stands still while the platform is moving and stumble upon an obstacle, like a wall, the platform will keep moving or disappear, causing Mario to fall.

In Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Yoshi's Island DS, Arrow Lifts are unusual round objects with an arrow on them that are always spinning. If a Yoshi jumps on it, the Arrow Lift will move in the direction the arrow is pointing. However, it can change its direction if the Yoshis jump on it again or if the object hits a surface. Arrow Lifts can also be grabbed with the Yoshi's tongue and spat out. Arrow Lifts come in two colors: tan, the most common, and blue. The difference between these two types of Arrow Lifts are that the blue Arrow Lifts disappear if a Yoshi jumps off one and doesn't ride it again for a while. The only way to prevent its disappearance is to grab it with the Yoshi's tongue and spit it out. Arrow Lifts first appear in the level Salvo the Slime's Castle. Arrow Lifts are mainly found within the various castles and fortresses across Yoshi's Island.

In Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS Arrow Lifts reappear in the course Wet-Dry World in the level Shocking Arrow Lifts!. They are gray blocks with blue arrows that move back and forth when Mario steps on them. They also appear in Hazy Maze Cave in the level "Elevate For 8 Red Coins" where they are Platforms with arrows on it. Mario can step on these arrows to move the Platform.

In New Super Mario Bros. U, Switchback Platforms appear in the Meringue Clouds level, Switchback Hill. These behave somewhat similar to Arrow Lifts, but they only move side to side or up and down.