Ice Mario
- This article is about The polar opposite to Fire Mario. For information about the version from Super Mario Galaxy, see here.
This article is titled Ice Mario, but it could be represented alternatively as Ice Luigi, Ice Yellow Toad, Ice Blue Toad, or Ice Toadette.
| Ice Mario | |
|---|---|
| |
| Applies to | Mario, Luigi, Yellow Toad, Blue Toad and Mii |
| Item needed | Ice Flower |
| Power(s) given | Shooting ice balls, Fire immunity, Contact freeze |
| First appearance | New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009) |
| Latest appearance | Mario Golf: Super Rush (2021) (Ice Luigi Only) |
Ice Mario is a form that Mario can take upon touching an Ice Flower, granting him ice-related powers. It is often viewed as a parallel to Fire Mario.
There are two variations of Ice Mario; the first has only appeared in Super Mario Galaxy, the second has been used regularly from New Super Mario Bros. Wii onwards. Between Super Mario Galaxy and all further games, both the appearance and abilities of Ice Mario vary greatly. Even though the Ice Flower first appeared in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, it didn't change Mario's clothes until Super Mario Galaxy.
History
Super Mario series
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Ice Mario appears in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, in the game, the Ice Flower here gives Mario, Luigi, Blue Toad and Yellow Toad the power to shoot Ice Balls, just like in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Rather than turning into a living being of ice like in Super Mario Galaxy, Ice Mario's overalls turn red, while his cap and shirt turn light blue, similar to Fire Mario (likewise, Luigi and the Toads have their own take on this appearance). Unlike in Super Mario Galaxy, Ice Mario's power does not have a time-limit.
Ice Mario is not to be confused with Penguin Mario, an improved version of the former power-up. Ice Mario can only shoot ice balls while Penguin Mario has more abilities. Penguin Mario can slide on his belly, destroying breakable blocks in his way. He also has better swimming abilities and the ability to walk on ice without sliding. The Penguin Suit itself is rarer than the Ice Flower.
The Ice Balls can be used to neutralize the magical projectiles fired by Larry, Iggy, Morton, Roy, Ludwig, and Kamek. They can also be used to douse the fireballs spat by Bowser and Bowser Jr.. However, they are unable to inflict damage to, or freeze, any of the bosses. Normal enemies will be trapped in ice cubes when hit by an ice ball. They will eventually try to free themselves, but the effect of this varies from enemy to enemy. Some will die after breaking free, releasing coins, but others can free themselves without taking damage. If the player lifts a frozen enemy, they will never break free as long as they're being held.
The frozen enemies can be ground-pounded to defeat them. Many frozen enemies can also be defeated by throwing them, which makes them slide in the direction they were thrown, defeating other enemies in their path until they shatter on a wall or fall of a cliff. Even undefeatable enemies like Dry Bones can be destroyed after being frozen and will not revive. However, some enemies and obstacles like Thwomps are so solid that Ice Balls shatter on them, making them useless. Other large enemies, such as Porcupuffers and Super Piranha Plants, can be frozen, but will break out immediately and ultimately cannot be harmed by ice. Flying enemies can be frozen in mid-air, allowing the player to jump off them, but after a while they will try to get free, and their block will fall and break on the ground, defeating them.
New Super Mario Bros. U
Ice Mario makes a reappearance in New Super Mario Bros. U, functioning identically to the way it did in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Miis can also make use of Ice Flowers to become Ice Miis.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Ice Mario appears briefly in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, whenever Mario uses any type of Ice Flower Sticker.
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX
In Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, Ice Luigi appears as a downloadable alternate color scheme for Luigi.
Gallery
- For this subject's image gallery, see Ice Mario/gallery.
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch | IJs-Mario | Ice Mario |
| French | Mario de Glace | Ice Mario |
| German | Eis Mario | Ice Mario |
| Spanish (Americas) | Mario de Hielo | Ice Mario |
| Spanish (Europe) | Mario Gélido | Icy Mario |
Trivia
- The music played during the duration of this power up in Super Mario Galaxy closely resembles the music played for Fire Mario, but is played in a higher key.
- To a degree, Ice Mario is also the first power up to debut in a 3D Mario game to later appear in a 2D one as well.
- Ice Mario's New Super Mario Bros. Wii appearance resembles Mario's design from Alleyway in terms of color palette.
- Ice Mario in New Super Mario Bros. Wii is based on Mario's blue outfit from the Super Smash Bros. games where it was originally based on the Balloon Fighter from Balloon Fight.
