Hard Block

A Hard Block is one of the many blocks in the Mario universe. They are most commonly used to make stairs that the player can climb. Unlike ? Blocks and Brick Blocks, Hard Blocks cannot contain anything. They cannot be destroyed by Mario himself, but by other methods, such as Mega Mario.

Super Mario Bros. / Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Hard Blocks made their debut in Super Mario Bros., and reappear in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels with the exact same appearance and purpose. They are notable in both games for being used as stairs at the end of almost every non-castle level leading to the top of the Goal Pole.

Super Mario Bros. 3
Hard Blocks also appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3, but had a different appearance than the ones in Super Mario Bros., resembling wooden blocks. Larger versions of Hard Blocks appear in World 4, Giant Land.

Super Mario World
Hard Blocks appear once again with a different redesign in Super Mario World, this time resembling blocks of stone.

New Super Mario Bros.
Hard Blocks have appeared in New Super Mario Bros. at the end of most levels like in Super Mario Bros., used for a staircase to reach the Goal Pole. If Mario eats a Mega Mushroom and turns into Mega Mario, he could destroy Hard Blocks simply by running into them. Volcanic Debris can also destroy Hard Blocks.

New Super Mario Bros. 2
While regular Hard Blocks return, golden and colored Hard Blocks make their debut in New Super Mario Bros. 2.

New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U
Hard Blocks returned in New Super Mario Bros. U. In addition, colored Hard Blocks return in New Super Luigi U, used mostly for decoration, or to make pixel art such as 8-bit Luigis, a common Easter egg in the game.

Mario Kart series
Hard Blocks have appeared in the Mario Kart series as either regular Hard Blocks, or the colored Hard Blocks that border Mario Circuit.

Super Mario Maker
In Super Mario Maker, all four designs of the Hard Blocks based on the four level styles appear. They can be destroyed by enemies, including Big Koopa Troopa shells, big Thwomps, Bob-ombs, Magikoopas' magic attacks, and Bowser. A new method of breaking Hard Blocks is firing a fully charged shot from a Fire Koopa Clown Car.

Nintendo Badge Arcade
Hard Blocks also appear as badges in Nintendo Badge Arcade. The Super Mario Bros. Hard Blocks appear as part of the Super Mario Bros. set, while the Super Mario World ones appear as part of the Super Mario Maker set.