Goal (Super Mario Bros. 3)

The goal in Super Mario Bros. 3 is a box found at the end of the levels. It quickly switches between three cards: a Mushroom, a Flower, or a Star.

Super Mario Bros. 3 / Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
The goal must be hit in order to finish the level. Hitting it will result in getting the card on the box at the time it is hit, displaying the message, "COURSE CLEAR! YOU GOT A CARD" ("LEVEL CLEARED! YOU GOT A PANEL" in Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3). Receiving three cards of any type will result in Mario or Luigi receiving a 1-Up. However, if three cards of the same type are collected, Mario or Luigi will get a number of 1-ups that correspond to the type of item. Getting three Mushroom cards will result in two extra lives, getting three Flower cards will result in three extra lives, and getting three Star cards will result in five extra lives. In most stages, a Star card can easily be obtained by running at maximum speed and hitting the box at a forty-five degree angle. However, this is not achievable in some stages such as 1-4 and 7-1, because the distance is too short to achieve running speed. However, in stages such as these, it is possible to run past it, turn back, and hit it at a 45 degree angle.

In the Mario Bros. competitive game, players can steal or exchange cards by bumping each other from below, making the afflicted player lose a card.

Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS / Super Mario Maker 2
The Super Mario Bros. 3 style of Super Mario Maker, Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Mario Maker 2 uses the goals for non-Castle levels, including Airships (which always ended with a boss fight rather than a goal in Super Mario Bros. 3 itself). However, as each level is self-contained, they no longer give cards which can be redeemed toward lives - instead, collecting a Mushroom, Flower or Star simply gives a number of points, while 1-Up Mushrooms are added as a fourth card which give an extra life immediately. In levels with clear conditions, the goal appears as a dashed outline and is only fully revealed after the condition has been met; it will become dashed again if the clear condition is lost.

Paper Mario: Color Splash
In Paper Mario: Color Splash, the roulette-styled goals are absent in the Super Mario Bros. 3-themed level in the Green Energy Plant, as they were replaced by Goal Poles, although the frame of the goal containing the level's green Mini Paint Star can be found in front of the secret exit.