Checkpoint Flag

Checkpoint Flag are like checkpoints in Mario sidescrolling games. If Mario or Luigi loses a life after passing through a Midway Point, he will restart at the Checkpoint Flag.

They first appeared in Super Mario Bros. and later in New Super Mario Bros. where they were flags with Mushrooms on them. Not all courses, however, have Checkpoint Flags. But, in New Super Mario Bros, the Checkpoint Flag doesn't turn Mario or Luigi into Super Mario or Super Luigi.

The Checkpoint Flag  in Super Mario World, known as Midway Gates, replaced the Checkpoint Flags, and can turn normal (small) Mario and Luigi into Super Mario and Super Luigi, respectively.

They reappeared in New Super Mario Bros Wii. In this game, they are represented by a black flag with the Bowser's symbol. When Mario, Luigi or the Toads goes through one, the Bowser symbol will be replaced by their symbol, depending who passed there first, the player will also receives 2,000 points, and if one of them is Small Mario, will become Super Mario.

They reappear again in Super Mario Galaxy 2 with the same appearance from New Super Mario Bros. Wii. However, some levels feature multiple Checkpoint Flags.