Spine Coaster

Spine Coasters are rideable creatures made of bone used to aid Mario and company pass through lava pits, Poisoned Water pools, or to cross long gaps. Their appearance varies from game to game but revert back to their first look in New Super Mario Bros. U.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
They first appear only in World 8-7 from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, a stage that can be unlocked by finding the secret exit in World 8-2. It also appears in multiplayer versus mode. Spine Coasters are very useful throughout World 8-7 because they help Mario and his friends get the Star Coins in this stage and also prevent them from falling into the lava. However, the Spine Coasters often make risky maneuvers, passing through lava geysers and into the lava itself. Spine Coasters can stand the weight of Mario, Luigi, and both Toads on it. However, if all characters perform a simultaneous ground pound, it will fall. Also, Spine Coasters cannot hurt any character.

New Super Mario Bros. Mii
Spine Coasters have also appeared in the Wii U demo New Super Mario Bros. Mii shown at E3 2011. One is seen in a dark cavern that is filled with poison water, carrying Mario and friends once again.

Super Mario 3D Land
Spine Coasters later appear in Super Mario 3D Land. However, they only make the appearance in 2. Their design has changed into a three-dimensional figure. They also somewhat resemble Dry Bones.

New Super Mario Bros. 2
Spine Coasters once again appear in New Super Mario Bros. 2, though they act more like Skull Rafts from Super Mario World. Two Bonecoasters only appear in World 6-2, where they sail along the lava. Once a Spine Coaster has reached its stop, Mario or Luigi can ground pound its head to make it spit out a large amount of coins, or even a 1-Up Mushroom. A detail was added in this game where the eyes glowed every time a vocal riff was heard. Spine Coasters are also featured on Course 3 of the Platform Panic Pack in the game's downloadable Coin Rush course packs. Spine Coasters were also in Course 3 of the Coin Challenge C DLC, although they were noticably missing the characteristic head.

New Super Mario Bros. U
In New Super Mario Bros. U, Spine Coasters appear in Rock-Candy Mines level Thrilling Spine Coaster, a course that is similar to the world shown in New Super Mario Bros. Mii, and in the Superstar Road course, Spine-Tingling Spine Coaster. Spine Coasters and Spine Coaster tracks also appear on the world map, and can be used to travel between Frosted Glacier and Rock-Candy Mines.

Trivia

 * The Spine Coaster somewhat resembles a Bone Dragon, but its head is smaller and there are no spikes on its back.
 * Whenever the Spine Coaster goes fast, especially on a slope, it lets out a dinosaur-like roar. The Spine Coaster in Super Mario 3D Land make a different noise.