Flutter Jump



The Flutter Jump (also known as Hover in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and the flutter kick in Yoshi Touch & Go and Super Mario 64 DS) is a characteristic jump technique used by Yoshi and various other characters throughout the Mario franchise and the Yoshi franchise. It can be used to prolong descending after a jump and to keep a character airborne temporarily. The Flutter Jump has a distinctive appearance and is executed by rapidly moving one's legs and in some cases one's arms as well, until the character starts to float and "walk" on air. This technique can be utilized to reach remote locations, or simply to rescue a character from a bottomless pit.

The Flutter Jump was first used by Yoshi and seemed like an ability exclusively available for their species alone, similar to the Ground Pound. During the different installments however, other characters were shown to be able to perform a Flutter Jump, such as Ludwig von Koopa or Baby Bowser.

Super Mario Bros. 2
While the Flutter Jump was not introduced until Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Luigi could use a similar jump called a scuttle in Super Mario Bros. 2. This was a holdover from the original mechanics of Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, from which Super Mario Bros. 2 was adapted, but was probably welcomed as a way to help make Luigi less of a clone of Mario.

Super Mario 64 DS
Long after its debut in the Yoshi series (see below), Yoshi's Flutter Jump reappeared in Super Mario 64 DS. In this game, it is called the Flutter Kick and it helps the player jump slightly higher. Luigi's Scuttle Jump also reappears and allows him to slow his descent, rather than gain height.

Super Mario Sunshine
The Flutter Jump ability returns in Super Mario Sunshine, now used by Yoshis who serve as Mario's mounts. It can be used after every jump of Yoshi's Triple Jump to extend its covered distance.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
The Flutter Jump returns in New Super Mario Bros. Wii where it can be performed by Yoshis. Also, Ludwig Von Koopa is shown using a Flutter Jump technique during his two boss battle appearances. He is able to execute it multiple times in a row without descending or touching the ground.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
The Flutter Jump can be performed with Yoshi in Super Mario Galaxy 2. As with previous games, players can perform this trick by holding down the button on the Wii Remote after jumping with Yoshi. This move can be used to get to places that Mario and Luigi can't usually reach. It can also help to stop the player from falling and it can be used to avoid enemies. There is also a glitch that allows Yoshi to endlessly Flutter Jump. Yoshi can still eat while in a Flutter Jump in this game.

New Super Mario Bros. 2
Once again, Ludwig, as in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Flutter Jumps during his fight against Mario in New Super Mario Bros. 2. This time, however, he uses it to grab some chains hanging from his arena's ceiling.

New Super Mario Bros. U
In New Super Mario Bros. U, when riding a Yoshi, players can perform the Flutter Jump, by jumping and holding the jump button while in the air. Ludwig also demonstrates a move similar to the Flutter Jump in his boss battle.

Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
In Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, Yoshi can Flutter Jump as standard in the New Super Mario Bros. U style, but not the Super Mario World style.

Mario can also Flutter Jump while in a Goomba's Shoe with wings in both the Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3 styles.

Yoshi franchise
The Flutter Jump first was shown during the events of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and was featured as a unique trait of the Yoshi species. The move allows the Yoshis to move through the air for a short time, aiding them on their quest to reunite Baby Mario with his brother. Its mechanics then were adapted for all of the following Yoshi franchise platformers. Yoshi can flutter far by jumping off of an enemy or a bouncy surface with good timing.

Super Princess Peach
Within the Toad Jump minigame of Super Princess Peach, Toad is capable of performing a "Flutter Jump" of sorts as the player controls him within the minigame. Toad's variation of the jump involves him wildly flapping his arm to keep himself afloat for a longer period of time. This jump allows him to stay above enemies and various pits throughout the course he must complete. The duration of his jump is dependent on how long the player blows into the mic of the Nintendo DS (as his jumps are initiated by blowing into the microphone).

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Another variation of the Flutter Jump appears in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. It serves as the field ability of Mario's Yoshi partner and while riding on him, he can use it to reach ledges that cannot be reached with a normal jump. The ability is similar to Parakarry's move in the previous game.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
The Flutter Jump makes a reappearance as the Floating Jump effect in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. During the game, Mario and Luigi can obtain the ability to use the Floating Jump by equipping the Excite Spring.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Paper Mario can use an ability striking similar to (if not) the Flutter Jump. He uses it as a counter in combat and lets him float in the air, and even ascend for a short amount of time.

Super Smash Bros. series
The Flutter Jump appears in all four installments of the Super Smash Bros. franchise, again as a move exclusive to Yoshi. The Flutter Jump serves as Yoshi's mid-air jump and covers the greatest distance of all the other mid-air jumps to compensate for the fact that Yoshi lacks a significant recovery move. Yoshi also weaponized this jump in his 'Down A' move, sometimes called the Flutter Kick by fans.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
The Flutter Jump is Yoshi's special ability in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.