POW Block

"What do POW Blocks do again? Don't they make things flip over when you bop 'em?"

- Olivia

A POW Block (occasionally POW and standing for power block) is a common block in the Mario franchise. In all games POW Blocks appear in, their effect when thrown to the ground or hit in the air will cause a large earthquake, causing all enemies onscreen to get hurt. POW Blocks can be carried and thrown in most games, and some are required for a 100% game completion. Most POW Blocks are a metallic blue, but some POW Blocks are red or sometimes green.

Mario Bros.
The POW Block is an item that first appears in the Mario Bros. arcade game. When hit, it damages all enemies in the screen, but only those that are on the ground. It can be hit three times before it disappears. Each time it gets hit, it flattens up. In the GBA port of the game, there are two POW Blocks per phase set, and they can be picked up. However, throwing the picked up POW Block results in it completely disappearing, regardless of how many times it was hit before.

Super Mario Bros. 2
The POW has the same function in Super Mario Bros. 2 as it had in Mario Bros., but it can only be used once, as the player has to grab and throw it onto the ground to activate it. Super Mario Advance introduces a large version of the POW Block known as the Giant POW Block, Big POW, or Super POW. It bounces on the floor when thrown, causing four tremors before it disappears. Unlike in Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic and other games, the word "POW" is animated.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
In Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, a single POW Block is found in the World-e level Koopaling Confusion. It uses the same sprite as in the GBA version of Mario Bros. and is thrown like the ones in Super Mario Bros. 2, but unlike those games, it also works with airborne enemies like Bullet Bills.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
The POW Block returns in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. As in Super Mario Bros. 2, it can be picked up and carried, and once thrown, it eliminates all the enemies onscreen and also drops all floating coins. The POW Block is also essential in order to collect Star Coins found hidden in some levels. Description: ''Here's a blast from the past! Hit a POW Block and all coins will fall to the ground for easy pick up. Use this time wisely to collect all the coins you can. Remember that extra coins mean extra lives, so POW Blocks are money in the bank! They can also be really handy in shaking out hidden Star Coins.'' Card Number: 51 (Normal)
 * Trading Card

New Super Mario Bros. 2
POW Blocks return in New Super Mario Bros. 2, but as a red variation called Red POW Blocks. Unlike the blue type, these POW Blocks cannot be picked up, so they must be activated by hitting them normally. In addition, they start a chain reaction with one another when activated; while they cannot defeat on-screen enemies out of its range or drop midair coins, their tremors can hit nearby blocks.

New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Blue POW Blocks reappear in New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Luigi U, and their Nintendo Switch port, looking and behaving just as they do in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

In the Mainland China release of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe on Tencent Nintendo Switch, the letters on the POW Block were modified to what appears to be three zeroes. This is possibly to comply with the local regulations that disapprove of using untranslated English words in video games. This is also the first time where the design of the POW Block itself was modified in games released in Mainland China. The 1.0.1 update, released on April 28th, 2021 reverted the modified POW Block design back to its original one.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
Red POW Blocks reappear in Super Mario 3D World and its Nintendo Switch port, which marks their first appearance in a 3D Mario platformer. They act exactly as they did in New Super Mario Bros. 2, releasing short-ranged shock-waves that hit and destroy blocks and enemies once hit. They can also reveal the locations of Hidden Blocks. At the end of World Bowser-Castle, there is a blue Super POW Block which needs to be hit four times in order to beat Meowser at the end. POW Blocks cannot be picked up.

The classic blue POW Block also appears in the port of Mario Bros., Luigi Bros., included in Super Mario 3D World.

Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
Blue POW Blocks appear once more in Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS. They act as they did in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, not being suspended in midair.

Super Mario Maker 2
Blue POW Blocks reappear in Super Mario Maker 2; this time, they are shown to be flashing in the Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Bros. U styles. Blue POW Blocks also appear in the Super Mario 3D World style, but they can be changed into the red variant found in the base game. Red POW Blocks can be used to destroy Brick Blocks and defeat enemies that are nearby them. In nighttime underwater and Ghost House levels, POW Blocks illuminate the area around them.

Version 3.0.0 introduces Red POW Boxes, wearable Red POW Blocks that activate upon hitting blocks three times before vanishing; they are exclusive to the Super Mario 3D World style.

In the Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Bros. U game styles, POW Blocks can still defeat Bowser in one hit. In the Super Mario 3D World game style, however, they deal 10 HP damage to Meowser, and make him flinch.

Super Mario Bros. 35
In Super Mario Bros. 35, the POW Block appeared as a roulette item which, when obtained, defeated all enemies on-screen. It used the same sprite as its Mario Bros. appearance from the NES version.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
In Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and its remake, Super Mario Advance 3, if Yoshi hits a POW Block, all nearby enemies turn into stars. It only appears in The Cave of the Lakitus, but appears twice in that one level. They can be hit thrice before it disappears. Special Items based on POW Blocks are most commonly won in Bonus Challenges, where they could be used almost anywhere afterward, being called Anywhere POWs.

Yoshi Touch & Go
POW Blocks appear in the Challenge mode of Yoshi Touch & Go. They spawn while being carried on a balloon. If a Yoshi throws an egg at the balloon, the POW Block falls. The Yoshi needs to touch it while it is on drawn clouds to activate it or let it hit hard ground. When it activates, it defeats all enemies on screen, where they leave coins behind depending on their point value. They are colored green in this game.

Yoshi's New Island
In Yoshi's New Island, POW Blocks appear in the minigame, Enemy Eat-Off. Here, they are white with green spots (similar to an Egg Block) and a Yoshi Egg replacing the "O" letter. When hit, it turns every enemy on the stage into Yoshi Eggs.

Super Mario-kun
A POW Block is used in volume 8 of Super Mario-kun. Here, it defeats Cobrats.

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
In The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, the power block makes its first and only appearance in one episode "The Pied Koopa". While Mario and the gang are trying to escape from Koopa's minions by diving underwater in the moat, Mario spots a power block at the bottom and throws it at the wall, causing it to explode. The result causes them to get sucked into dungeon with all the water. This is the only time a power block has had the ability to explode.

Paper Mario series
In the Paper Mario series, the POW Block is a portable item that does two damage to all enemies (but much more in Super Paper Mario if the remote had been shaken with each corresponding prompt). It penetrates defense and makes enemies with shells (such as Koopa Troopas) flip over.

In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, the POW Block affects all enemies on the screen, including flying enemies and enemies on the ceiling such as Swoopers.

In Super Paper Mario they are used as a portable item. When active, it damages all the enemies currently on screen. In this game, the POW Block may also be used as a recipe ingredient; however, it can only be cooked on its own into a Megaton Dinner. One of the Sammer Guys fought is called Block of Pow.

In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, POW Blocks appear as stickers, taking their design from how they have commonly appeared since Mario Bros.. When used, a POW Block appears, which Mario hits twice to inflict damage to enemies and occasionally inflict the Crumpled status. Unlike the previous iterations, however, the POW block affects only foes on the ground. The sticker also has a Shiny and Flashy POW Block variant, which deal more damage.

In Paper Mario: Color Splash, POW Blocks appear as Battle Cards, with the same behavior as they had in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. POW Blocks also appear outside of battle in Kiwano Temple, where one is used to flip some spikes, and Violet Passage, where they can be hit with a cannonball in order to collect coins.

POW Blocks return as items that can be used in battle in Paper Mario: The Origami King; they serve the same purpose, although Mario can only carry three at a time. In a side room in the Water Vellumental Shrine, a POW Block is used to stop a blue Sidestepper that is carrying the Groovy Panel. It is positioned high up, so Mario has to hammer the wall to cause it to drop down to jumping height. Another POW Block appears on ? Island, where it can be used to activate all of the ? Blocks at once. POW Blocks carried as items are now hit once when used in battle rather than twice. They can be bought exclusively in Toad Town for 160 coins. Despite not being flying enemies, Boos and Bloopers are also immune to POW Blocks, since they float slightly above the ground.

Mario Power Tennis
POW Blocks make a small appearance in Mario Power Tennis on the Mario Classic Court. A POW Block moves back and forth across the net. If a player hits the ball through it, all enemies become stunned, allowing the player to defeat them by running into them (this counts as one of two hits needed to stun Sidesteppers; Freezies are defeated instantly). POW Blocks cannot hit Fighter Flies when they are airborne though, but they could be defeated if the player hits the POW block at the correct time. After a certain number of hits, it disappears. After a while, it respawns. Stunned enemies who got hit by the POW block resumes walking after a period of time if the player leaves them alone. POW Blocks also appear in the mini-game Coin Collectors. The positions can be changed by hitting a POW Block with a tennis ball.

Mario Tennis Open
In Mario Tennis Open, the POW Block has its own Mii gear, including a racket, uniform, wristbands, and shoes. The POW Block gear generally increases serve and stroke powers while also increasing speed.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Although the POW Block itself does not make an appearance in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the letters, "POW", is the license plate of numerous cars in Mushroom Bridge and Mushroom City.

Mario Kart Arcade GP 2
In Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, the POW Block is one of Waluigi's special items. When used, a random racer is stunned for about seven seconds.

Mario Kart Wii
The POW Block is a new item to the console Mario Kart games in Mario Kart Wii. It is supposedly the rarest item in the game (though players will have a slightly higher chance of obtaining it in VS races), and players can obtain this item if they are anywhere from 5th to 9th place, with CPU-controlled drivers also being able to obtain it in 10th place. The highest chance of obtaining this item is in 7th place, with a 3 out of 40 (7.5%) chance of obtaining it in said position. It is one of six items wherein only one can be in play at a time (the other five being the Thunder Cloud, Spiny Shell, Bullet Bill, Blooper, and Lightning), is one of four items with a cooldown timer for the first few seconds of a race (the other three being the Spiny Shell, Blooper, and Lightning), and is one of three items with a cooldown timer between uses (the other two being the Blooper and Lightning). POW Blocks are unobtainable for the first twenty seconds of a race, and once a POW Block is used, twenty seconds must elapse before another POW Block is obtainable.

When the POW Block is dispatched by the player who receives it from an Item Box, all racers ahead of the user find POW Blocks above their karts. The POW Block makes the racers ahead of the user spin out in a similar way to that caused by a Banana, except that they lose all of their current items and come to a complete stop if it hits them. Players will not be affected by the POW Block if the third strike goes off while they are in midair. Players can also avoid it by starting a wheelie, or shaking their controller (like doing a jump trick) right when the third strike goes off. By doing this, they still spin out and lose items but retain their momentum. It is also possible to avoid it by doing a hop right at the third strike but requires perfect timing. When players have a Star, Mega Mushroom, or Bullet Bill activated or if they are flying through the air after being shot out of a cannon, they will not get affected by the POW Block. The letters "POW" can be seen as a license plate on all of the cars in Moonview Highway. The POW Block also received a trading card, alongside the other items that appear in the game. If the player gets a POW Block and then uses it, the POW Block appears above the user's kart. It flattens above the user, but it will not hit them, as the POW Block hits only all racers ahead of the user. If used in, it causes the Piranha Plants to jump into the air. If used in, it causes the penguins to spin out. Also, if the player is behind the user, the POW Block sound can still be heard, but the screen will not shake. This is so far the only non-arcade Mario Kart game the POW Block appears as a usable item, making it, the Thunder Cloud, and the Fake Item Box (though it has also appeared in Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, and Mario Kart DS) the only three usable items in Mario Kart Wii not to reappear in any future non-arcade installments.

Trading Card Info
Description: "The POW Block isn't a new concept within the Mushroom Kingdom (think Mario Bros.), but it is a brand new item for the Mario Kart series. If you're lucky enough to get this item, activate it and the POW Block appears over the heads of all other racers. When it disappears after about 5 seconds...POW! Everyone (but you) spins out and stops, allowing you to gain some ground."

Game Tip!: "The POWerful effects of this dangerous item can be avoided. The secret is that you have to be off the ground when the POW Block unleashes its power."

Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
The POW Block reappears as an item in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, acting as it did in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2.

Super Smash Bros.
POW Blocks appeared as part of the hidden stage Mushroom Kingdom in Super Smash Bros. If a fighter hits the POW Block, all other fighters touching the ground are damaged and get sent vertically. The POW Block is a powerful stage hazard, and it appears throughout the stage randomly in set locations. After being hit, the POW Block reappears somewhere else on the stage.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
The POW Block makes an appearance on the Super Smash Bros. Brawl stage Mario Bros. where it can be used to paralyze all enemies on the screen, allowing them to be picked up and thrown at other players. After it disappears as a result of being hit a couple of times, it reappears on the same spot in the stage.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
POW Blocks appear as throwable items in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. When thrown, it causes shock waves upon landing that can cause damage to other players as long as they are standing on ground.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
POW Blocks reappear as items in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The POW Blocks in the original Mushroom Kingdom stage and the Mario Bros. stage also return with those stages.

Mario Super Sluggers
POW Blocks also appear in Mario Super Sluggers in the form of POW Balls as an unlockable error item. They are unlocked when a certain Treasure Chest is opened in Mario Stadium. When used, it stuns fielding players for about four seconds. If an outfielder jumps at the right timing, they can avoid the POW Ball shockwaves. If the POW Ball itself hit the outfielder, then only the outfielder gets knocked out and the POW Ball disappears, with no tremor effect on the ground. Levitating and flying characters such as Boo and Paragoomba are unaffected by the shockwaves, but can be hit by the actual POW Ball.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, POW Blocks appear as an item in Dream Ice Hockey, where they will knock over all of the characters on the opposing team after a short amount of time. They also appear as an item in Dream Snowball Fight, where they briefly stun all of the opposing team.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
POW Blocks appear on the Coin Street rink of Snow Day Street Hockey in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, where hitting them causes all of the opponents to be knocked down and briefly stunned. After being used, the POW Blocks respawn in their positions after a short amount of time.

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
POW Blocks appear as items in Boxing Plus in the Nintendo 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In this Plus Event, the POW Block stuns the opponent and prevents them from moving, performing punches and guarding. They also appear as an item in Football Plus, where three will fall one after the other by the character that received the item and knock over any other characters, including goalkeepers, in the surrounding area.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, POW Blocks reappear as items in the Dream Event, Dream Karate.

Art Style: PiCTOBiTS
In Art Style: PiCTOBiTS, POW Blocks are used to erase all the bits in the bottom part. Once it is used, it consumes one restore space.

Mario Clock
POW Blocks reappear in Mario Clock, collecting all coins on the screen and making the clock fall out.

Mario Party 9
While POW Blocks themselves do not appear in Mario Party 9, a type of space called the POW Space appears in the High Rollers mode. If a player rolls over it, the values of all spaces around it decrease by 10.

NES Remix series
The POW Block appears once again in the remixed version of Mario Bros. in NES Remix.

In NES Remix 2, the POW Block appears in the remixed version of Super Mario Bros. 2.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
POW Blocks reappear in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and its Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS ports acting similarly to previous games. To activate them, the player needs to throw a turnip at them or by touching them on the GamePad.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, POW Blocks appear as sheets of paper in the Trio Shuriken minigame in the arcade. If Mario or Luigi throws a shuriken at one, it will destroy every other on-screen sheets of paper and grant the player their respective points amount.

Luigi's Mansion 3
In Luigi's Mansion 3, the POW Block appears in the ScreamPark minigame Desperate Measures. When it is activated, it creates a shockwave sending sand out of the weight scale for both teams.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
In Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, POW Blocks appear as items that can be bought or found while exploring. In battle, heroes can throw them at enemies, dealing heavy damage and destroying cover in an area.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie
In the for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a marking of a POW Block can be seen printed on a barrel hung on the storefront next to the antiques store.

Other appearances and cameos
While POW Blocks themselves do not appear in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, an identical-functioning block appears in the Mole Hunt minigame.

Super Mario Bros. 2

 * Wii Virtual Console manual: "This item causes earthquakes."

New Super Mario Bros. 2

 * Instruction manual: "Hit this to unleash a shockwave that destroys nearby blocks."

New Super Mario Bros. U

 * Instruction manual: "Hit or throw this to create shock waves that defeat all grounded enemies on the screen."

Mario Kart Wii

 * Instruction booklet: "POW Blocks shake the ground, causing opponents to spin out and drop their items."

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U trophy
Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

 * Instruction manual: "Hit one to defeat all nearby enemies and break all nearby blocks."

Paper Mario: The Origami King

 * Collectible Treasure No. 39: "A power-up that shakes everything on the field. Flips some enemies and disorients others."

Trivia

 * In the Super Mario Mash-up in Minecraft, TNT is replaced by red POW Blocks.
 * In Monopoly Gamer, a POW Block face appears on the "Power-Up Die". Rolling the POW Block normally forces all other players to drop one Coin on their current space, which can be picked up by the next player who passes over or lands on that space. Some Characters have a "Power-Up Boost" that enhances or modifies this power.