Spike Trap

Spikes are pointy objects that usually lead to losing lives. These traps appeared in nearly all Mario games, from spin-offs to regular. In Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Yoshi's Island DS, spikes are found mostly in castles. A more common rough object, a thorn, also appears in the two Yoshi's Island games. In Yoshi's Story, spikes actually move and jump around in the Bone Dragon Pit and Magma Castle.

Spikes also appear in Yoshi Topsy-Turvy, along with the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. In these games, the spikes instantly take out any Mini-Mario that touches it. It also causes an instant loss if Mario touches them in Mario vs. Donkey Kong.

Spikes operate differently between their game appearances. In most Mario series titles, they can't completely take out Mario, unless he's small. However, in a few cases, spikes attached to moving walls can squish Mario and make him lose a life regardless if he's small or has a power-up. In Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Yoshi's Island DS, spikes will always cause a Yoshi to lose a life. In Yoshi's Story, spikes only damaged the Yoshis, but can't take them out unless their happy meter has no petals.

Strangely, in Super Mario World, Yoshi doesn't take any damage from the spikes.