Lever Switch

Lever Switches are switches that appear multiple times throughout the Super Mario franchise. They are oftentimes used to trigger special events or occurrences when pulled, pushed, or simply hit.

Super Mario Galaxy
In Super Mario Galaxy, Mario (or Luigi) can activate Lever Switches by spinning into them. Lever Switches can have a variety of different effects, obviously depending on their location in the level, etc. Their functions can range anywhere from turning on lights in dark areas to causing entire platforms to move forward or backward.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
Lever Switches in Super Mario Galaxy 2 serve exactly the same purpose as in its predecessor, the only difference being that Yoshi now has the ability to activate levers through the use of his extremely long tongue, as opposed to Mario just spinning into them. In addition to this, a second player can use the Co-Star Luma to spin into levers and activate them as well, thereby eliminating the need for Mario to come in direct contact with a lever in order to activate it.

Super Mario Odyssey
Lever Switches reappear in Super Mario Odyssey, where they serve the same purpose as in Super Mario Galaxy 2. They can be activated by throwing Cappy at them.