Flip-Swap Platforms (also called Flip-Swap Panels, Reversible Platforms, or simply Red-Blue Panels) are a unique type of platform that first appears in Super Mario Galaxy 2. They are floating metallic tiles that are fit in jointed girders and are blue on one side and red on the other, when the plumbers preform a certain move, the platforms will flip with the opposite color being displayed. The use of these platforms is usually required to cross the open skies.
History[]
Super Mario Galaxy 2[]
The Red Flip-Swap Platforms.
Flip-Swap Platforms are first seen in Super Mario Galaxy 2, in this game, they are primarily featured as the central gimmick of the Flip-Swap Galaxy, when Mario (or Luigi) traverse the areas, they must preform Star Spins to flip the platforms, upon spinning, the platforms will flip over, causing the red platforms to show while the blue ones are hidden, or vice versa. The plumbers must use periodic spins to flip the platforms to open safe paths to traverse across whilst avoiding any incoming enemies such as Chomps, Flip-Swap Platforms are also seen in sections of the Chompworks Galaxy and the Grandmaster Galaxy retaining their role from before albeit only in one area. In order to successfully make their way through the areas in which these platforms are present, the plumbers must skillfully spin to make them flip at exactly the right moment. Otherwise, they will fall into open space and lose a life.
The Flip-Out Galaxy also has a similar type of element called the Flip-Out Walls which are also activated with Star Spins and function very similarly.
Super Mario 3D Land[]
Mario hopping across the Flip-Swap Platforms.
Flip-Swap Platforms return in Super Mario 3D Land however in this game, due to the removal of the Star Spin, they are now activated by simply jumping requiring the plumbers to plan strategic jumps to flip the platforms in their direction in order to avoid falling to their doom. Flip-Swap Platforms are commonly found in levels such as World 2-4, World 8-5, Special 5-1, and various other levels, this game also introduces a different type of Flip-Swap Platform that is actually rectangular rather than squared.
Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[]
The Blue Flip-Swap Platforms.
The Red Flip-Swap Platforms.
Flip-Swap Platforms return in Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury retaining their role from Super Mario 3D Land however in this game, they are slightly larger than before. Once again, they are activated by jumping. In this game, it is also shown that Piranha Plants are connected to these platforms and flip with the platforms being affected by some kind of gravity with them.
Trivia[]
Red and blue flipping platforms that appear in a secret level of Bianco Hills.
- A glitch utilizing these platforms can be performed in the Flip-Swap Galaxy, which allows Mario to "jump" much higher than he would normally be able to.
- A similar type of platform makes an appearance in "The Secret of the Dirty Lake" mission of Bianco Hills in Super Mario Sunshine. These platforms also flip over, though they are orange and blue instead of red and blue and are not controlled by the player.
- Despite Rosalina possessing the Star Spin in Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, this move can no longer be used to flip the Flip-Swap Platforms unlike Super Mario Galaxy 2 however.