Color Switch

Color Switches, originally known as simply switches, are objects found throughout the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. They come in red, yellow, or blue varieties, and require Mario or a Mini to jump on top of them to activate. They typically have the effect of enabling corresponding Color Blocks, as well as color-coded platforms, ladders, and other objects. Color Switches may have secondary functions on other obstacles, such as Phantom Guys.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Color Switches appear as rounded buttons, similar to P Switches. When Mario presses a Color Switch, Color Blocks of the same color activate and become tangible, while Color Blocks of different colors deactivate and become intangible. This also applies to red, yellow, and blue ladders and platforms. After a Color Switch is pressed, it cannot be pressed again until a Color Switch of a different color is pressed.

Color Switches can also manipulate Polterguys in Spooky House. If Mario presses a Color Switch of the same color as a Polterguy, it will turn into a harmless block that Mario can stand on. However, if Mario presses a Color Switch of a different color than a Polterguy, it will revert to its standard form.

In the game's remake, the switches reappear with the same function, but their design has been changed to resemble their appearances in future games in the series.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, Color Switches are introduced in Room 2-1 of Tropical Island, with a different design featuring a flat top. A Mini must jump on a Color Switch to press it. When a Color Switch is activated, sliding bridges and sliding doors of the same color extend, while sliding bridges and sliding doors of different colors retract. In Spooky Attic, Color Switches can manipulate Phantom Guys in the same way as Polterguys in Mario vs. Donkey Kong.

In the Construction Zone, Color Switches can be used in the Tropical Island construction kit, Special Kit 1, Special Kit 2, and Special Kit 3.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
Color Switches reappear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, where they are parsed as color switches. They are introduced in Room 2-1 of Sandstone Stroll. When a Mini presses a color switch, any retracted color bridges and gates of the same color extend. When a color switch of the same color is pressed again, any extended color bridges and gates retract. Unlike in previous games, after a Mini presses a color switch, it raises itself automatically after a short time and can be pressed again. Color switches can also manipulate color blocks. When a color switch is pressed, color blocks of the same color invert their current state: solid color blocks become clear, and clear color blocks become solid.

If a red color switch is pressed, Shy Guys turn into harmless blocks. If a yellow color switch is pressed, Pokeys also turn into groups of three blocks. Polterguys can also turn into blocks in the same way as in previous games. All of these enemies can revert to their standard form if a color switch of the same color is pressed again.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars
Color Switches reappear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. When a Mini presses a Color Switch, it inverts the state of Color Blocks of the same color. Like in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, a pressed Color Switch raises itself shortly after being pressed, at which point it can be pressed again.