Spinner

A Ball 'n' Chain is a spiked ball on a chain swinging on a pivot. Bowser uses these as cautionary weapons against invaders, but Mario or Luigi can stand on the brick in the center to avoid being hit by the ball. Also, using a Spin Jump will allow Mario/Luigi to harmlessly bounce off the spiked ball. Many were found in the castles and fortresses in Super Mario World.

A Ball 'n' Chain makes a brief appearance in the Super Mario World animated series episode "Send in the Clown". Mario, while traveling through Neon Castle, narrowly avoids being hit by a Ball 'n' Chain, which drops from the ceiling, as he traverses over some lava.

New Super Mario Bros. features this obstacle, now called Ball and Chain, in the world 7-Castle. The blocks are still there, and one even has a Star Coin. As an added feature, they rotate wildly on the end of the chain as well as spinning on the block, however, this does not affect their attack.

The latest appearance of the Balls 'n' Chains was in New Super Mario Bros Wii.