Snake Block

Snake Blocks are blocks usually found in castle-type levels. They first appeared 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 and begin to move like a snake 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 and follow it 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 can be of varying widths, instead of only one block wide 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 is 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 move without being activated by Mario or Luigi. Also, this is the first time that they are not only used as platforms to cross gaps, but also as obstacles, especially in World 1-Tower. They are much more common in this game compared to the previous New Super Mario Bros. games.

Green-colored Snake Blocks reappear in New Super Mario Bros. U, but are now less commonly used than in previous games. Giant Snake Blocks also appear, being found only in Snake Block Tower.