Dive

A dive (also called a Body Slide) is a move used by various characters in the Mario franchise, though it is mainly used by Mario in 3D titles. Usually, a dive is activated by jumping into the air followed by hitting the attack button. Diving has the character move diagonally downward out of the air as a means of attacking enemies or dodging obstacles.

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS
In Super Mario 64, Mario can use a dive when he runs and is pressed to initiate the dive; holding back on the Control Stick or pressing  or  ends the move (though only the latter method retains Mario's momentum). This move can also be used during a running jump or Side Somersault. While diving, Mario slides on his stomach across the ground and damages any enemies in his path. If Mario dives onto a sloped surface (such as a slide), his speed will remain constant (despite the player's inputs) and he will not stop until he is on a sufficiently level surface again. In Super Mario 64 DS, Luigi and Wario can dive as well, this time when the player presses, though the amount of damage done is dependent on the character. Yoshi, however, cannot dive, instead using to lick. Like in Super Mario Odyssey, diving causes a small gain in height, before curving downwards. Diving in the remake also negates all fall damage. Unlike in any other game in the series, a Wall Kick can be performed out of a dive when the player plays as Mario, as long as the player is moving into the wall at a very slow speed.

Super Mario Sunshine
In Super Mario Sunshine, Mario no longer has to gain speed to dive. The player can simply jump on the spot and press to send Mario diving forward. While Mario can dive into enemies to defeat or damage them, he can do so only with smaller enemies such as Swoopin' Stus. He can also dive forward repeatedly if the player keeps pressing. If Mario dives into goop or water on the ground, he will continue to slide until the player holds back on the Control Stick or presses. Unlike in Super Mario 64, Mario can ground-pound out of a dive while in midair with.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
A variant of the dive, known as a claw dive, is used by every character in Super Mario 3D World (except Captain Toad), though only while in Cat form. Players can hold the attack button in midair to send their characters diving downward at a high speed, attacking any enemies the players come into contact with, and can cancel the dive by letting go of the attack button. The momentum of the dive is kept, though ground-pounding or changing direction stops the character.

In Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, characters besides the Toad Brigade can now roll in midair. The player can do this by holding and pressing  in midair, similarly to the dive in Super Mario Odyssey. The claw dive has also been extended to last for much longer; in almost all cases, it lasts until the character hits the ground. If the player uses a Lucky Bell to become their Cat form, they will be unable to midair-roll, due to the Lucky Cat form's pounding properties. In addition to ground-pounding, Mario can also use the claw dive to get coins or power-ups from various glowing spots on the ground in Lake Lapcat.

Super Mario Odyssey
Mario is able to dive in Super Mario Odyssey. The move is now performed by holding and pressing  after jumping. It can thus be done at the start of a Ground Pound in midair. Unlike in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine, however, Mario jumps in a small arc instead of just falling, and he does not slide upon landing. Instead, Mario starts rolling with the momentum of his dive if continues to be pressed. The distance traveled with each use is also set as opposed to depending on Mario's momentum, presumably to make diving into Cappy work more consistently. Using this move underwater lets Mario perform a Quick Swim, which mimics the swimming physics of Super Mario 64 up to Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Super Mario Maker 2
The Cat form's claw dive returns in the Super Mario 3D World style of Super Mario Maker 2; it is now performed by pressing, , , or in midair.

Sports titles
In many sports titles, such as the Mario Baseball and Mario Tennis series, characters can dive in order to recover the ball. Diving is usually activated when the player tries to recover the ball from a distance, causing the character to dive in order to cover the distance between them and the ball. However, characters can dive only a certain distance and may not be able to reach the ball in time.

Super Smash Bros. series
In the Super Smash Bros. series, Mario and Luigi can perform a dive attack based on that from Super Mario 64 by doing their dash attacks while holding a battering item.

Super Mario Sunshine
"NOTE!"
 * Instruction booklet description (Body Slam): "Press while jumping to fly headfirst into enemies."
 * Instruction booklet description (Slide): "Press while running to dive into a headfirst slide. In areas covered in liquid, control the direction of the slide with ."

"Slip-sliding away!"

"Here's a technique that lets Mario slide in places other than slopes."

"Press lightly then tilt  to spray water straight ahead while running."

"Immediately press to dive and slide across the wet surface! Control the direction of the slide with ."

Trivia

 * If the player performs a dive next to Tuxie and the baby penguin near the Mother Penguin in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS, then they will dive too.
 * In Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS, falling into snow or sand from a high distance while diving results in Mario getting his head stuck inside the snow/sand for a few seconds.