Tanooki Suit



The Tanooki Suit is a rare item found in Super Mario Bros. 3 and its subsequent remake. The suit grants the same abilities as the Super Leaf, with the added ability of turning into a statue when the player presses down and B at the same time. It transforms Mario and Luigi into Tanooki Mario and Tanooki Luigi. Also, if Mario or Luigi run fast enough to fill the Speed Gauge and jump, they can temporary fly.

Tanooki suits are named after tanukis, Japanese creatures who, according to mythology, can use leaves to shapeshift and cause chaos.

The Statue Mario Trick
When Mario or Luigi has the Tanooki Suit, they can defeat almost any enemy in the game. To do this, they have to get above an enemy and use Statue Mario. This will take down almost any enemy, including Thwomps, Roto-Discs and even Chain-Chomps. He will also instantly defeat some enemies, such as Koopas and Paragoombas, which normally take two stomps.

Trivia

 * Tanookis are also a species found on the Isle Delfino.
 * If Mario or Luigi defeat a Koopaling in the Tanooki Suit, the Mushroom King will say "Thank you, kind racoon. Please tell me your name."
 * In the Nintendo Monopoly, in one of the cards, Mario appears wearing the Tanooki Suit.