Cloud Lift

Cloud Lifts, also simply called clouds, are a type of Semisolid Platform that first appears in Super Mario Bros. 3. They are movable platforms in most games, except in Yoshi's Story, where they are stationary.

Super Mario Bros. 3
In Super Mario Bros. 3, Cloud Lifts only appear in World 6-2. There, they move to the left and are the main mode of transportation in that level.

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
In Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, several clouds appear in the final level of the Tree Zone, Final Boss: The Big Bird. These lifts have blinking eyes and simply move back and forth.

New Super Mario Bros. U
In New Super Mario Bros. U, Cloud Lifts are long platforms that move to the right when initially landed on. Several of them appear in Land of Flying Blocks. They do not appear in New Super Luigi U.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
In Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, they are usually still, though some move horizontally or vertically. Some Cloud Lifts are invisible and can be seen only by ground-pounding near them or shaking the Wii U GamePad.

Super Mario Maker 2
Cloud Lifts reappear in Super Mario Maker 2, where they can be used exclusively in the Super Mario 3D World game style. They replace Lifts and Flimsy Lifts from the other game styles. Like Lifts and Flimsy Lifts, their length can be changed. They can move vertically or horizontally in all four cardinal directions.

Yoshi's Story
In Yoshi's Story, Cloud Lifts are stationary platforms that come in large, medium, and small sizes. They are common floating objects in outdoor levels.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Cloud Lifts reappear in the Training Course in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.