Whirlpool

A whirlpool is a spinning column of water that appears in some games of the Super Mario franchise. Usually, its purpose is to suck the player down into it, causing damage or even making them lose a life.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, whirlpools appear in almost every underwater area. When Mario is sucked by one, he is taken to the bottom of the water, where the player can reach other areas. This is because Mario cannot dive underwater on his own. However, Mario cannot resurface by touching a whirlpool.

Super Mario Bros. / Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
In Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, the bottomless pits in all water areas have water currents which attempt to suck Mario down while he swims over them, similar in function to whirlpools in later titles.

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS
A whirlpool appears in Super Mario 64 and its remake in Dire, Dire Docks. It appears in the middle of the first area, and if players go near it, they can get sucked in and defeated instantly.

New Super Mario Bros.
In New Super Mario Bros., whirlpools appear only in World 6-5. If Mario gets trapped in one, the player must repeatedly press to avoid being sucked down, or else they lose a life. After a while, the whirlpool disappears, and Mario can pass by. However, one whirlpool allows Mario to access the level's third Star Coin.

Super Mario Galaxy
In Super Mario Galaxy, whirlpools appear in the Sea Slide Galaxy and the Bigmouth Galaxy. They are thin and have a dark blue color. These whirlpools appear only underwater; they create no disturbance on the surface. They do not suck Mario but push him.

New Super Mario Bros. 2
Whirlpools reappear in New Super Mario Bros. 2, acting the same as they did in New Super Mario Bros. They appear only in World 3-2.

Mario Party
Whirlpools appear in Mario Party in Yoshi's Tropical Island, blocking a Pink Yoshi on the middle island.