Metal Type

The Metal Type, also known as simply the Type, is an item in the SNES and PC releases of Mario's Time Machine. It has a backwards letter "G" on it, and it is one of the original sorts used by Johann Gutenberg when creating his printing press. At some point in 1455, it is stolen by a time-traveling Bowser, as he wants to display it in his museum with other time-displaced items. Later, Mario enters the museum, takes the Metal Type himself, and travels back in time to Mainz circa 1455 to return it to his rightful owner, albeit without knowing the identity of its rightful owner. Mario thus shows the Metal Type to various people within Mainz, with one metalworker explaining that Gutenberg tried using wood first before switching to metal. Eventually, Mario confirms that the Metal Type belongs to Gutenberg and returns it to him, who immediately puts it to use in his printing press.