Wing Mario

Wing Mario is the form Mario takes on whenever he grabs a Wing Cap in Super Mario 64. It grants him the ability to fly with the small wings on his cap until the time limit expires. In order for Mario to attain flight, he must first perform a Triple Jump (which can be done in place in this form) or be shot from a cannon. Once in the air, the player must constantly raise and lower themself to maintain flight (like with Caped Mario in Super Mario World). The player can also use the wings to fall slower and prevent falling damage. Mario also transforms into Wing Mario by grabbing the Jumbo Star that appears after he defeats Bowser in the final battle.

Wing Mario returns in the remake, Super Mario 64 DS, but the Wing Cap is replaced by a white feather (with both the item and the form referred to as Wings in English, although instances of "Wing cap" remain in-game), and it can be obtained only by Mario in the single-player game. Players can still slow their fall, but it no longer prevents damage, unlike in the original version. Also, the game's VS mode includes VS Item Blocks in some of the courses, containing feathers that allow Luigi, Wario, and Yoshi to use this form, though in Yoshi's case, the wings grow on his back instead. Wing Mario is also depicted on the game's Japanese and Korean box arts.

Wing Mario makes a cameo appearance in one of Mario Party's title screens, where he is shown flying through the air in Mario's Rainbow Castle, holding Luigi and Yoshi by their hands.

Wing Mario made another cameo on the side of the box of Nintendo Monopoly.

Trivia

 * The song that plays when the player is Wing Mario is an arrangement of the theme of Superstar Mario from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, which in turn is an arrangement of the original invincibility tune from Super Mario Bros. This theme is shared with Vanish Mario/Vanish Luigi. It is also used when Mario rides on a Green Shell.
 * Said theme in Super Mario 64 is recycled for Invincible Mario's theme in New Super Mario Bros. but with extra drums added.
 * Wing Mario gets referenced in  for the Wii U. When Ray Plumber (a character depicting a version of Rayman dressed as Mario) glides, wings appear from the hat.
 * A Mario power-up with wings on his back was considered for Super Mario World as a replacement for Raccoon Mario, but it was itself replaced by Caped Mario in the final game.