Invincible Mario

Invincible Mario is a form Mario assumes after using a Star. In this state, which only lasts for a few seconds, he is resistant to any enemy. Additionally, he is able to defeat them by simply touching them. He is not protected from falling into a pit or dying when time is up, however. Invincible Mario, just like the Star, made his first appearance in Super Mario Bros. Invincibility is depicted by a flashing, and, in later games, also color-changing character. Since this is not really a transformation, Mario can become invincible and maintain the form he had before, for example, if he is Fire Mario and gets a Star, he becomes invincible, but he is still in Fire form. Wario can also become invincible in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 using a Starman as well. In most games, when Mario, upon being touched by an enemy for example, changes his form to a less powerful one (usually Small Mario), he will be invulnerable for a few seconds as well.

In the Mario Kart series, every driver could become invincible by collecting and using a Star, allowing them to make other drivers slide or tumble by touching them. In Super Mario Galaxy, there is a similar form, named Rainbow Mario.

In Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros., and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, there are some ? Blocks that normally contain coins but will contain Starmen if Mario or Luigi is invincible when they strike the block. This allows the player to string together a long period of invincibility.

Starting in Super Mario World, Invincible Mario could get extra lives by defeating nine or more enemies while invincible.