Snake Block

Snake Blocks are blocks first found in Super Mario World, and re-appear in New Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Galaxy 2. In both the first two mentioned games, they are a set of blocks that start out as a normal platform that begins to move when stepped on by Mario or Luigi. They resemble normal Used Blocks in Super Mario World, but are bright green in New Super Mario Bros. and pink in Super Mario Galaxy 2. Snake Blocks track across the screen, turning left, right up or down as they follow a pre-determined course over obstacles such as a wide pool of lava, a bed of spikes, or a bottomless pit. Mario must continue to move when on these blocks, otherwise they will keep moving under Mario's feet, and he may possibly fall off.

The Snake Blocks in Super Mario Galaxy 2 appear in the Boo Moon Galaxy, Bowser's Lava Lair, and Bowser's Galaxy Generator. Here, they are colored pink. In this game, they make their first 3-D appearance, though they are used in the same way. It is first shown here that they are four blocks wide, instead of only one as shown in its previous appearances in 2-D side-scrolling games.

In Super Mario 3D Land, Snake Panels appear in some levels, with similar functions.

A similar Snake Block called the Ice Snake Block appears in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. It's found in World 3's Castle and has an identical function to regular Snake Blocks, except its surface is harder to keep Mario steady on.

Snake Blocks reappear in various levels from New Super Mario Bros. 2, where they get the same appearance they have in New Super Mario Bros.. This is the first time they can also move without getting activated by Mario or Luigi. Also, this is the first time that they aren't always used as platforms to cross gaps, but like obstacles too. They are much more common in this game compared to the previous New Super Mario Bros. games.

Snake Blocks reappear in New Super Mario Bros U but now are less common and used as in New Super Mario Bros. There is a new version of giant Snake Blocks.