Warp Cannon

A Warp Cannon is a cannon in New Super Mario Bros., New Super Mario Bros. Wii and New Super Mario Bros. 2 that allows the player to go to different world. It is like the Warp Zone, but uses a cannon instead of a pipe. They are unlocked by finding an alternate, hidden exit with a red flag. It is entered like a Warp Pipe. It leads the player to a pre-selected world that is usually some worlds away from the world where the Warp Cannon is found. Cannons could be unlocked by exiting certain levels or Ghost Houses through a reaching a Red Flagpole and the secret fortress. These cannons would shoot Mario or Luigi into another world of the game, usually three Worlds away. The background in each cannon level matches the background of the world the player is going to.

In New Super Mario Bros. 2, Warp Cannons are blue, and when they are entered, a countdown appears. When the countdown reaches 1, Mario or Luigi is shot out into a nighttime level with a Super Mario Bros. 3 end-of-level-style background. Mario/ Luigi constantly dash in this level, even if the buttons aren't pressed. It usually contains common enemies in that world. At the end of this level a sign appears pointing right, at which Mario/Luigi jumps out of the level. Afterwards, the player ends up in another world. There is a red coin challenge in each cannon stage, which yields a Gold Flower in the spare item slot upon completion. Unlike most other stages, these cannot be blown through with the Assist Leaf; it will never appear.

These cannons also appear in New Super Mario Bros. U, where they are used to reach the Koopalings' many Airships which can be found at the end of a Castle.

Warp Cannons also appear in the Flower Cup tournament of Mario Sports Mix, in secret routes. They launch the player to other areas.

These cannons also make an appearance in Fortune Street, on the Yoshi's Island, Delfino Plaza, and Bowser's Castle boards. In this game, they are used to blast the player to a square occupied by another character. The square is chosen by the player.