Rally Block

Rally Blocks, also known as Count Blocks, are found in various places in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. They are yellow blocks with a black-and-white digital display on one side. The display starts at zero, but when struck, Mario and Luigi will face each other. One brother hits the block for a coin, the number on the block changes to one and the Rally Block will slowly move toward the other brother. When possible, he should jump for another coin. The number will change to two and the process repeats. The block will start to accelerate, reaching maximum speed at around twenty-three hits. However, it is possible to strike the block 100 times before it stops automatically. If a brother misses the block, it stops early.

Mario and Luigi do not have to take turns hitting the block - it is possible to hit it several times in a row with the same character, by jumping repeatedly in quick succession. This is much easier to do while the block is moving slowly; it is a faster way to get it to its maximum speed; however it is only recommended to hit it three to five times with one character before letting it move to the other so that the player can keep the timing correct. Once it approaches maximum speed, it is not recommended to do this - a slight mistake will cause a miss and instant failure.

However, once the block is missed or stopped, the Mario Bros. can do another session and then another before the block will stop giving out coins. If they get 100 coins from each session, they will obtain the maximum of 300 coins possible from one Rally Block.

Rally Blocks reappear in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. They function in a similar way as the ones in the previous game, but they do not award coins when hit. Instead, when the bros. hit the block a set amount of times, it rewards them with four Attack Pieces. There is also one of these blocks in the Challenge Node that, if hit 99 times, doubles the player's coin total.

They make a return in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam. The Rally Block appears as a purple block with a two-sided arrow on it. If hit, the trio stands at different points. Mario must hit the block to start the Rally Block. Either Mario, Luigi, or Paper Mario must jump to hit it as the block changes into an M Block, L Block, or a P Block. The block will accelerate from time to time, making timings harder. A score counter also appears on the bottom of the top screen. If the player surpasses the high score, the trio earns coins, but if he/she did not, the trio will not earn any coins.