Tanooki Mario (power-up)

Tanooki Mario is one of the power-ups used by Mario and Luigi in Super Mario Bros. 3 on the Famicom or the Nintendo Entertainment System gaming console.

When wearing it, Mario becomes Tanooki Mario. Like the Super Leaf power-up, after a running start, this power-up allows Mario to jump up and fly/glide in the air by swing his tail for a certain period of time. The Tanooki Suit differs in its unique ability to transform Mario into a statue for a few seconds, during which he is invincible but unable to move. In statue form, he can destroy some otherwise invincible enemies by landing on them. He can also land on spikes without getting damaged.

If Mario uses a P-Wing while wearing the Tanooki Suit, he keeps the suit while gaining the permanent flight ability of the wing.

This power-up is most certainly inspired from the Japanese tanuki, a raccoon dog that has a mischievous behavior and shapeshifting powers in Japanese mythology.

After a long hiatus, this power-up will reappear in Super Mario 3D Land with the same features, but excluding the statue ability and the ability to fly up in the air.