Countdown Timer

The Countdown Timer, is a feature in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3, and Yoshi's Island DS. It was known as just the Timer in the original release of the game. This feature is first explained in the "Welcome to Yoshi's Island" level. If Yoshi hits an enemy, the countdown will begin. The countdown will stop when Yoshi grabs Baby Mario in a bubble. Stars and Middle Rings will give the player one and ten more seconds, respectively, up to a maximum of thirty. If the Countdown Timer reaches zero, a few Toadies come and steal Baby Mario (or whichever baby is currently riding on Yoshi's back in Yoshi's Island DS).

When the Yoshi retrieves the baby, the Countdown Timer will slowly restore to ten seconds. However, if Yoshi recovers the baby while the Countdown Timer shows more than ten seconds, no increase is awarded. In Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, in addition to collecting individual Stars to increase the timer, the Yoshis can use items called 10 Point Stars and 20 Point Stars.

Mario Kart series
The Countdown Timer also appeared in various Mario Kart games and it can be seen in the middle the game screen in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart Wii to tell the player when the race starts.

Super Smash Bros. series
The Countdown Timer also appeared in both Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Brawl to tell the fighters when the match starts.

Super Mario Galaxy series
In both Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, the Countdown Timer made an appearance to tell the player when the race, mini-game, or challenge starts, depending on which galaxy the player is at.