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[[File:SMG Dark Matter Plant Gravity Wall.png|thumb|A [[gravity field]] pulls [[Mario]] towards [[dark matter]].]]
[[File:SMG Dark Matter Plant Gravity Wall.png|thumb|'''Gravity''' pulls [[Mario]] towards the [[Dark Matter|dark matter]].]]
'''Gravity''' is a theoretical force that draws two or more objects together. While gravity points in a consistent direction in most [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'']] games, some games have mechanics that revolve around altered and planetary gravity.
'''Gravity''' is a theoretical force that draws two or more objects together. Some ''Mario'' games use gravity altering mechanics and have gameplay components which revolve around the alteration of gravity.
 
Gravity itself informs other game mechanics, such as the presence of [[pit]]s as an obstacle. In 3D platforming games, shadows are usually cast along the direction of gravity, to help show how objects are aligned in space.


==Appearances where gravity is altered==
==Appearances where gravity is altered==
===''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island''===
===''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island''===
[[File:RaphaelTheRavensCastle2.png|thumb|left|Yoshi fighting Raphael the Raven under a different sense of gravity.]]
[[File:RaphaelTheRavensCastle2.png|thumb|left|[[Yoshi]] and [[Raphael the Raven]] battle while running around the [[moon]].]]
[[File:Yisurface2.PNG|thumb|right|The level relative to earth ([[Mushroom Kingdom]]).]]
[[File:Yisurface2.PNG|thumb|The level relative to earth ([[Mushroom Kingdom]]).]]
The only level in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' that has altered gravity is [[Raphael The Raven's Castle]] during the boss fight. Yoshi must run around the [[moon]] and [[Ground Pound]] the [[Stump]]s to attack [[Raphael the Raven]] on the other side.
The only level in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' that has altered gravity is [[Raphael The Raven's Castle]] during the boss fight. [[Yoshi]] must run around the [[moon]] and [[Ground Pound]] the [[Stump]]s to attack [[Raphael the Raven]] on the other side. Yoshi is always shown upright; the arena rotates under him.
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===''Yoshi Topsy-Turvy''===
===''Yoshi Topsy-Turvy''===
[[File:YTT-Spirit of Surprises Screenshot3.PNG|frame|The [[Spirit Who Loves Surprises]] teaching [[Yoshi]] how to use Gravity.]]
[[File:YTT-Spirit of Surprises Screenshot3.png|frame|The [[Spirit Who Loves Surprises]] teaching [[Yoshi]] how to use Gravity.]]
In ''[[Yoshi Topsy-Turvy]]'', gravity makes its first notable appearance in which it affects gameplay. If the player tilts the [[Game Boy Advance]] left or right, the world tilts accordingly. This element of gameplay doesn't appear in any other ''Mario'' or ''Yoshi'' game. Tilting the console causes items such as [[Boulder]]s and enemies to roll in the according direction, and causes items such as [[Apple|apples]] to tilt in that direction as well.
Gravity is a main mechanic in ''[[Yoshi Topsy-Turvy]]''. If the player tilts the [[Game Boy Advance]] left or right, the world tilts accordingly. This causes items and enemies such as [[Boulder]]s to roll in the corresponding direction, and causes items such as [[apple]]s to tilt in that direction as well.
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===''Super Mario'' series===
===''Super Mario'' series===
In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', there are many different forms of gravity in multiple levels. [[Black Hole]]s use gravity to draw [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] into them, causing the player to lose a life. Some of the other planets have a longer reach and can pull Mario back to them no matter how far away he goes from them, unless he uses a [[Pull Star]], [[Sling Star]], or [[Launch Star]]. Gravity also appears as a force to be manipulated in several levels where it pulls Mario towards special walls called [[Gravity Wall]]s. There are also two other manipulations of gravity in this game. There are [[Gravity Arrow]]s, which change the gravity's flow in certain areas, and [[Gravity Spotlight]]s, which either increase or decrease gravity, drawing Mario towards another place or allowing him to stick to other surfaces.
====''Super Mario Galaxy'' / ''Super Mario Galaxy 2''====
In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', the direction of gravity is expressed by the shape and appearance of a planetoid, but is actually controlled by invisible game objects that direct gravity toward the surface of basic shapes:<ref>[//youtube.com/watch?v=QLH_0T_xv3I&lc=UgzPATZZz3gnzZAYd3F4AaABAg.9H3VViQ_kFI9H3jSMeTVDu]</ref><ref>[//kuribo64.net/objectdb/smg.php?game=2]</ref>
*'''<code>GlobalPlaneGravity</code>''': Gravity vectors point in a consistent parallel direction, toward a plane. This can work like gravity in other games, or point in other directions like upside down or sideways. There is a variant with a finite hitbox, <code>GlobalPlaneGravityInBox</code>. In 2D sections, areas with different planar gravities may be indicated with [[gravity field]]s.
*'''Sphere''': Gravity vectors point toward a sphere, as is typical of a planet.
*'''<code>GlobalCubeGravity</code>''': Gravity vectors point parallel to the faces of a cube, with abrupt transitions along the diagonals from the edges.
*'''<code>GlobalWireGravity</code>''': Gravity vectors point toward a line-based path.
*'''<code>GlobalConeGravity</code>''': Gravity vectors point toward the curved surface of a conical frustum. Examples include the [[Sea Slide Galaxy#Ocean Pudding Planet|Ocean Pudding Planet]] in [[Sea Slide Galaxy]], and the [[Toy Time Galaxy#Frozen Dessert Area|giant ice cream cone]] in [[Toy Time Galaxy]].
*'''<code>GlobalDiskTorusGravity</code>''': Gravity vectors point toward the edge of an open disk, creating a torus (doughnut)-shaped field.
*'''<code>GlobalDiskGravity</code>''': Gravity vectors point toward the surface of a closed disk, rounded between faces in the space around the edge.
*'''Wedge''': Gravity vectors point toward a concave shape, that of the curved ramps in the [[Good Egg Galaxy]] [[Good Egg Galaxy#Starting planet|starting planet]]'s secret room. Another example on the same planet is the curved part of the walkway up the tower.
*'''<code>GlobalBarrelGravity</code>''': Only found in ''Super Mario Galaxy 2''. The gravity vector field curves around the center axis of a cylinder. Two examples are the [[Tall Trunk Galaxy#Wood Drum Planet|Wood Drum Planet]] and [[Tall Trunk Galaxy#Wood Circle Cut Planet|Wood Circle Cut Planet]] in [[Tall Trunk Galaxy]], each with relatively perpendicular 2D sections to each other; the former snaps Mario to a cylindrical shell, and the latter to a circular cross-section.
 
In practice, this leads to four main conceptual models of gravity:
*Planetary gravity, which draws Mario in on all sides of the planet. This allows Mario to traverse the underside of a planet. An example of this is the mini-planets in the [[Gusty Garden Galaxy]].
*Absolute gravity, which pulls Mario down, regardless of the planet's center. Mario is expected to slide down slopes, rather than rotating to stand on them. Falling off of the planet acts as a [[bottomless pit]], causing Mario to lose a life even if he is not pulled into a [[black hole]]. An example is [[Honeyhive Galaxy]]'s [[Honeyhive Galaxy#Starting Planet|starting planet]].
*Outward gravity, which pulls Mario to the sides of a planet when he is inside one. Examples include the Tower Planet in [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]], and the [[Warp Pipe]] area on the inside of the Asteroid Planet in [[Good Egg Galaxy]].
*Toroidal gravity, also referred to as{{ref needed}} "orbital" or "fall forever" gravity, which pulls Mario around the curved surface of a cylindrical planetoid. Another example is the [[Space Storm Galaxy#Abandoned Rocketship Planet|Abandoned Rocketship Planet]] in [[Space Storm Galaxy]].
 
Gravity is also manipulated in several levels, using [[Arrow Switch]]es, which change the direction of gravity of the surrounding area; [[gravity spotlight]]s, which push Mario toward a surface or another place like a tractor beam; and the [[grate]]s and dirt patches in [[Flipsville Galaxy]], which flip Mario's gravity when crossed. [[Pull Star]]s, [[Sling Star]]s, and [[Launch Star]]s allow Mario to ignore gravity while they are used.
 
[[Black hole]]s use gravity to draw [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] into them if they get too close, causing them to lose a life.
 
While shadows are still usually cast along the direction of gravity, there are exceptions when other spatial information is more important. For example, [[coin]]s cast their shadows toward [[honey wall]]s to show their position in space, even though it is not because of gravity that [[Bee Mario]] sticks to these walls. These exceptions are handled with invisible game objects similar to the ones that control gravity.


There are four different types of gravity in ''Super Mario Galaxy'' and ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'':
====''Super Mario Odyssey''====
In ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', altered gravity appears in certain 2D sections accessed by [[8-bit pipe]]s. Some use gravity fields. Others, such as ones seen in the [[Moon Kingdom]], have Mario hopping to circular 2D planets with different gravity.


*Normal gravity, which draws Mario in on all sides of the planet. This allows Mario to traverse the underside of a planet. An example of this is the mini-planets in the [[Gusty Garden Galaxy]].
The Moon Kingdom, [[Dark Side]], and [[Darker Side]] also have lower gravity, which allows Mario to perform much higher jumps than usual.
*Downward gravity, which pulls Mario down, regardless of the planet. This causes slopes that Mario cannot climb and also bottomless pits. An example of this is the [[Honeyhive Galaxy]] main planet.
*Outward gravity, which pulls Mario to the sides of a planet when he is inside one. This can happen in circular or cylindrical planets. An example of this is the Tower Planet in [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]] or the [[Warp Pipe]] area on the inside of the Asteroid Planet in the [[Good Egg Galaxy]].
*Toroidal gravity, also referred to as "orbital" or "fall forever" gravity. This type of gravity occurs only on cylindrical planets. Instead of falling toward the planet, Mario will actually fall around the planet. Examples of this are on the Log Planet in the [[Tall Trunk Galaxy]] and on the Abandoned Rocketship Planet in the [[Space Storm Galaxy]].


===''Super Paper Mario''===
===''Super Paper Mario''===
[[File:Whoazone.PNG|thumb|right|''Super Paper Mario'' Whoa Zone. The [[Treasure chest]] is upside-down relative to the camera.]]
[[File:SPM Outer Limits.PNG|thumb|Mario in the [[Outer Limits]]]]
The [[Whoa Zone]] of ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' has the heroes navigating a gravitational gauntlet. The heroes will enter doors or [[Warp Pipe]]s and hit [[Gravity Switch]]es that can change which way gravity goes.
[[File:SPM Whoa Zone Gravity Switch Vertical.png|thumb|Mario in the Whoa Zone near a gravity switch]]
 
Chapter 4 of ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' takes place in [[Outer Space]]. As such, gravity is different than in the rest of the game. In Chapters 4-1 and 4-3, gravity is nonexistent, allowing Mario and co. to navigate freely. Pressing any direction on the [[Wii]] Remote's D-Pad {{button|wii|Pad}} will automatically propel the player in the given direction. When [[flip]]ped into 3D, Mario can only move laterally due to the lack of other controls for vertical movement. The player cannot [[stomp]] enemies in zero gravity and must instead use [[Squirps]]' Squirt Beam.
 
Chapter 4-2 takes place on [[Planet Blobule]], which has low gravity, allowing the characters to jump much higher than normal and to fall much slower.
 
Chapter 4-4 takes place in the [[Whoa Zone]], which has normal gravity. However, entering certain doors and pipes may place the characters on the walls or ceiling of a room. Later in the level, [[gravity switch]]es are found, which change the direction of the player's personal gravity.
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===''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''===
===''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''===
[[File:MarioMK8.png|thumb|Mario driving a kart with anti-gravity.|150px]]
{{main|Anti-gravity}}
[[Anti-gravity]] is a new feature in the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series, with the game ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' introducing it and reappearing in ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''. The new mechanic allows vehicles to drive upside-down and vertically on courses. To activate these gravity directions, the karts must pass a special [[Boost Pad]] with circles on them.
[[File:MK8 Mario Anti-Gravity Standard Kart Artwork.png|thumb|Mario driving a kart with anti-gravity.|150px]]
[[Anti-gravity]] is a feature in the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series, introduced in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and reappearing in ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''. It allows vehicles to drive on upside-down and vertical sections of courses, and to perform [[Spin Boost]]s. An [[Antigravity Panel]] marks the start of an anti-gravity section.
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==References==
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[[Category:Yoshi Topsy-Turvy]]
[[Category:Yoshi Topsy-Turvy]]
[[Category:Super Paper Mario]]
[[Category:Super Paper Mario]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy 2]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy 2]]
[[Category:Super Mario Odyssey]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 8]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 8]]
[[Category:Game Mechanics]]
[[Category:Game mechanics]]

Latest revision as of 14:27, May 3, 2024

The gravity is pulling Mario to the dark matter

Gravity is a theoretical force that draws two or more objects together. While gravity points in a consistent direction in most Super Mario games, some games have mechanics that revolve around altered and planetary gravity.

Gravity itself informs other game mechanics, such as the presence of pits as an obstacle. In 3D platforming games, shadows are usually cast along the direction of gravity, to help show how objects are aligned in space.

Appearances where gravity is altered[edit]

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island[edit]

Yoshi finishing off Raphael the Raven on the moon in the level Raphael The Raven's Castle.
Yoshi and Raphael the Raven battle while running around the moon.
The moon as seen during the fight with Raphael the Raven in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.
The level relative to earth (Mushroom Kingdom).

The only level in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island that has altered gravity is Raphael The Raven's Castle during the boss fight. Yoshi must run around the moon and Ground Pound the Stumps to attack Raphael the Raven on the other side. Yoshi is always shown upright; the arena rotates under him.

Yoshi Topsy-Turvy[edit]

The Spirit Who Loves Surprises teaching Yoshi how to use Gravity
The Spirit Who Loves Surprises teaching Yoshi how to use Gravity.

Gravity is a main mechanic in Yoshi Topsy-Turvy. If the player tilts the Game Boy Advance left or right, the world tilts accordingly. This causes items and enemies such as Boulders to roll in the corresponding direction, and causes items such as apples to tilt in that direction as well.

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario Galaxy / Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]

In Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, the direction of gravity is expressed by the shape and appearance of a planetoid, but is actually controlled by invisible game objects that direct gravity toward the surface of basic shapes:[1][2]

  • GlobalPlaneGravity: Gravity vectors point in a consistent parallel direction, toward a plane. This can work like gravity in other games, or point in other directions like upside down or sideways. There is a variant with a finite hitbox, GlobalPlaneGravityInBox. In 2D sections, areas with different planar gravities may be indicated with gravity fields.
  • Sphere: Gravity vectors point toward a sphere, as is typical of a planet.
  • GlobalCubeGravity: Gravity vectors point parallel to the faces of a cube, with abrupt transitions along the diagonals from the edges.
  • GlobalWireGravity: Gravity vectors point toward a line-based path.
  • GlobalConeGravity: Gravity vectors point toward the curved surface of a conical frustum. Examples include the Ocean Pudding Planet in Sea Slide Galaxy, and the giant ice cream cone in Toy Time Galaxy.
  • GlobalDiskTorusGravity: Gravity vectors point toward the edge of an open disk, creating a torus (doughnut)-shaped field.
  • GlobalDiskGravity: Gravity vectors point toward the surface of a closed disk, rounded between faces in the space around the edge.
  • Wedge: Gravity vectors point toward a concave shape, that of the curved ramps in the Good Egg Galaxy starting planet's secret room. Another example on the same planet is the curved part of the walkway up the tower.
  • GlobalBarrelGravity: Only found in Super Mario Galaxy 2. The gravity vector field curves around the center axis of a cylinder. Two examples are the Wood Drum Planet and Wood Circle Cut Planet in Tall Trunk Galaxy, each with relatively perpendicular 2D sections to each other; the former snaps Mario to a cylindrical shell, and the latter to a circular cross-section.

In practice, this leads to four main conceptual models of gravity:

  • Planetary gravity, which draws Mario in on all sides of the planet. This allows Mario to traverse the underside of a planet. An example of this is the mini-planets in the Gusty Garden Galaxy.
  • Absolute gravity, which pulls Mario down, regardless of the planet's center. Mario is expected to slide down slopes, rather than rotating to stand on them. Falling off of the planet acts as a bottomless pit, causing Mario to lose a life even if he is not pulled into a black hole. An example is Honeyhive Galaxy's starting planet.
  • Outward gravity, which pulls Mario to the sides of a planet when he is inside one. Examples include the Tower Planet in Bowser's Galaxy Reactor, and the Warp Pipe area on the inside of the Asteroid Planet in Good Egg Galaxy.
  • Toroidal gravity, also referred to as[citation needed] "orbital" or "fall forever" gravity, which pulls Mario around the curved surface of a cylindrical planetoid. Another example is the Abandoned Rocketship Planet in Space Storm Galaxy.

Gravity is also manipulated in several levels, using Arrow Switches, which change the direction of gravity of the surrounding area; gravity spotlights, which push Mario toward a surface or another place like a tractor beam; and the grates and dirt patches in Flipsville Galaxy, which flip Mario's gravity when crossed. Pull Stars, Sling Stars, and Launch Stars allow Mario to ignore gravity while they are used.

Black holes use gravity to draw Mario or Luigi into them if they get too close, causing them to lose a life.

While shadows are still usually cast along the direction of gravity, there are exceptions when other spatial information is more important. For example, coins cast their shadows toward honey walls to show their position in space, even though it is not because of gravity that Bee Mario sticks to these walls. These exceptions are handled with invisible game objects similar to the ones that control gravity.

Super Mario Odyssey[edit]

In Super Mario Odyssey, altered gravity appears in certain 2D sections accessed by 8-bit pipes. Some use gravity fields. Others, such as ones seen in the Moon Kingdom, have Mario hopping to circular 2D planets with different gravity.

The Moon Kingdom, Dark Side, and Darker Side also have lower gravity, which allows Mario to perform much higher jumps than usual.

Super Paper Mario[edit]

Mario in the Outer Limits
Mario in the Whoa Zone near a gravity switch

Chapter 4 of Super Paper Mario takes place in Outer Space. As such, gravity is different than in the rest of the game. In Chapters 4-1 and 4-3, gravity is nonexistent, allowing Mario and co. to navigate freely. Pressing any direction on the Wii Remote's D-Pad +Control Pad will automatically propel the player in the given direction. When flipped into 3D, Mario can only move laterally due to the lack of other controls for vertical movement. The player cannot stomp enemies in zero gravity and must instead use Squirps' Squirt Beam.

Chapter 4-2 takes place on Planet Blobule, which has low gravity, allowing the characters to jump much higher than normal and to fall much slower.

Chapter 4-4 takes place in the Whoa Zone, which has normal gravity. However, entering certain doors and pipes may place the characters on the walls or ceiling of a room. Later in the level, gravity switches are found, which change the direction of the player's personal gravity.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[edit]

Main article: Anti-gravity
Mario
Mario driving a kart with anti-gravity.

Anti-gravity is a feature in the Mario Kart series, introduced in Mario Kart 8 and reappearing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It allows vehicles to drive on upside-down and vertical sections of courses, and to perform Spin Boosts. An Antigravity Panel marks the start of an anti-gravity section.

References[edit]