Stop Watch

If Mario or his friends first pulls up four large vegetables in Super Mario Bros. 2, pulling up what would normally result in a plant will instead reveal a Stop Watch (also known as Time Stop ). It will appear for a second and then freeze everything in the level for a few seconds. This gives a window of opportunity for Mario and his friends to defeat enemies and collect small hearts. However, touching the frozen enemies still hurts the player, but they will stay in one position and not move at all.

The Stop Watch later appears as an item in Paper Mario. When Mario or his partners use it, it will immobilize enemies for a few turns (assuming it is successful). It can be bought at most stores and is a fairly common item.

It appears in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door under the name Stopwatch. Here, it is a somewhat rare item, for it can only be purchased in Twilight Town or Fahr Outpost. The item will immobilize enemies, just as in the game's predecessor. However, enemies can also use the item against Mario or his partners. Several warped clocks appearing in various colors will appear on-screen after using the item. After about four seconds, the item takes effect and immobilizes its prey.

The Stop Watch also appears as an uncommon item in Super Paper Mario, where it immobilizes all enemies.

A related item appears in Donkey Kong Land III. Stop Watches in this game, however, cannot be used during gameplay. They act primarily as collectibles which count toward a final game score of 100%, but also act to unlock various time trial challenges after King K. Rool is defeated for the second and final time. These time trials are merely select levels from the game which are timed, unlike in regular gameplay. Finishing six of the twelve total challenges, on top of collecting all major items in the regular levels, will lead to a perfect game score.

In the Nintendo Comics System story Cloud Nine, it appears as an animate object who acts as the Mushroom King's alarm clock, dodging the grumpy King's attempts to swat him and fearfully running to Princess Toadstool for safety.

Paper Mario locations

 * In a hidden block in the first scene of the Ultra Boots area in Toad Town Tunnels.
 * On top of a Brick Block one screen south of the next-to-last part of the main road of Dry Dry Desert.
 * Behind a bush in the back of the shore where Whale resides.
 * In a hidden block before the stairs where Mario fights Monstar in Shiver Snowfield.
 * On sale at Boo's Shop (25 coins) and the Star Haven Shop (15 coins).
 * Dropped by Lakitus.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door locations

 * In a rock on the Moon surface near where Mario lands.
 * Behind near the entrance in the first part of descending stairs in the Palace of Shadow.
 * On sale at Twilight Shop (30 coins) and Northwinds Mart (12 coins), and Charlieton (24 coins).
 * Dropped by ordinary Magikoopas, Moon Clefts, Bob-ombs, Bulky Bob-ombs, Bob-ulks, Wizzerds, Dark Wizzerds, Elite Wizzerds, X-Nauts, X-Naut PhDs, Elite X-Nauts, as well as the Dull Bones, Bob-ombs, and all the Fuzzies in Glitz Pit.