Special Shot

A Special Shot is a move that any playable character can perform in Mario sports games, debuting in Mario Hoops 3-on-3. It generally involves the character performing a powerful strike to the ball when certain conditions are met.

Mario Hoops 3-on-3
In Mario Hoops 3-on-3, Special Shots are activated by touching the Touch Screen at points to make a certain letter or symbol. The symbols include an M, an L, a triangle, a W, a B, an N, an S, or a star, with each character having a set symbol. The symbol must be tapped out twice to perform the Special Shot, and characters cannot move while starting the Special Shot. A player is highly vulnerable to tackles while bouncing the ball in the special formation, so it is unwise to attempt a special shot when being swarmed by opponents.

Special Shots are unstoppable if executed from inside the 3-point line, and will always make it in the basket. However, if executed outside the 3-point line, a teammate needs to run up and dunk the ball. Sometimes, the teammate will fail to receive the ball. If an opponent is blocking that teammate, the shot will miss.

Listed below are the Special Shot symbols and their associated character(s).
 * M - Mario, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and Moogle
 * L - Luigi
 * Triangle - Peach, Daisy, Dixie Kong, and Birdo
 * W - Wario and Waluigi
 * B - Bowser Jr., Bowser, and Boo
 * N - Paratroopa and Ninja
 * S - Fly Guy and Cactuar
 * Star - White Mage and Black Mage

Mario Sports Mix
In Mario Sports Mix, special shots make a return appearance. While the shots play similarly to that of the special shots from Mario Hoops 3-on-3, these shots are blockable, and can be preventable. Also, the method of unleashing a special shot is different as the moves can only be used once the player's special shot meter reaches a maximum level. Each character has a different, and unique special shot that is based on their properties and features. Additionally, the special shots tend to vary in the way it is used in each of the four sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Hockey, and Dodgeball.

Mario Tennis Aces
In Mario Tennis Aces, Special Shots can only be used when the energy gauge is full, and allow the player to aim their shot in a first-person perspective. These shots are capable of breaking the opposition's racket in one hit, though they can be blocked, so not all Special Shots are a guaranteed win.

When the player triggers the Special Shot, a short animation is played where the character is shown performing the shot using external forces or special powers. The table below lists all separate names used for the Special Shots as revealed by the Toad commentators during tournaments, along with a description for the action each character carries out to perform the shot.