Stop Watch
- This article is about the item that freezes enemies and/or the environment. For other types of Timers, see Timer.
Stop Watches[1] (also known as Time Stops[2]) are clock-like items that usually slow down or stop time when collected.
History
Super Mario Bros. 2
If Mario and his friends first pull up four large vegetables in Super Mario Bros. 2, pulling up what would be a fifth one will instead reveal a Stop Watch. 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 avoid or defeat enemies and collect Small Hearts. However, touching the frozen enemies still hurts the player.
Paper Mario series
Paper Mario
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.
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.[3]
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
It appears in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door under the name Stopwatch.[4] 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.
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.[5]
Super Paper Mario
The Stop Watch also appears as an uncommon item in Super Paper Mario, where it immobilizes all enemies.
Donkey Kong Land III
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.
Nintendo Comics System
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.
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
The Stop Watch appears again in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team as a badge effect that occurs when mixing the Miracle Badge with the Gold Badge.
Gallery
- SMAS-Art-SMB2-StopWatch.png
Artwork from Super Mario All-Stars
- Stop watch.PNG
A Stop Watch from Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Advance Stop Watch sprite.png
A Stop Watch from Super Mario Advance
Location of the Stop Watch in Toad Town Tunnels of Paper Mario
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ストップウォッチ Sutoppuwocchi |
Stop Watch |
References
- ^ Super Mario Bros. 2 instruction booklet, page 21.
- ^ Super Mario Advance instruction booklet, page 29.
- ^ Floogal (December 23, 2006). Paper Mario Stat/Attack Guide. GameFAQs. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
- ^ Rew (July 20, 2014). Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Text Dump (Clean). ROMhacking.net. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- ^ Jdaster64 (April 7, 2016). Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Enemy Item/Badge Drop FAQ. GameFAQs. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
