Ice Balls (also spelt as Iceballs) are balls of ice that are seen in several games of the Mario series. They function similarly to Fireballs but have the ability to freeze enemies instead. Mario and Luigi, among others, gain the ability to shoot Ice Balls while under the effects of an Ice Flower or Penguin Suit (as Ice Mario and Penguin Mario respectively). Enemies such as Ice Bros. and Venus Ice Traps also have the ability to shoot Ice Balls, Ice Balls can freeze the same enemies a Fireball can but they can also freeze enemies that are immune to Fireballs such as Dry Bones and Bullet Bills, fire-based enemies such as Podoboos and Fire Snakes are extremely vulnerable to Ice Balls and can instantly be destroyed by them while larger enemies can instantly break free from their ice cubes upon being frozen due to their large size. Ice Balls move similarly to fireballs however unlike them, they only give one bounce on the ground before shattering upon landing a second time.
History[]
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time[]
The Plumbers tossing their Ice Balls at a Snoozorb.
Ice Balls make their debut in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, here, they can be used by Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi whenever they use an Ice Flower. The player needs to repeatedly press the button of the brother holding the big Ice Ball to grant it's full effect. When the Ice Balls hit enemies, they have a chance of inflicting POW-Down, DEF-Down, or SPD-Down. Ice Balls are essentially a recolor of Fireballs in this game.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[]
Ice Balls also appear in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. In this game, the heroes can attack with Ice Balls if they become Ice Mario, Ice Luigi, Ice Blue Toad, or Ice Yellow Toad using an Ice Flower, or Penguin Mario, Penguin Luigi, Penguin Blue Toad, or Penguin Yellow Toad using a Penguin Suit. The Ice Balls can freeze enemies, including enemies that are immune to fireballs like Buzzy Beetles and Dry Bones (however some enemies such as Thwomps and Boos are also immune to Ice Balls). Frozen enemies can be picked up and thrown, or destroyed by hitting a surface, ground pounding, jumping on them, tossing a shell or another frozen enemy, or touching them while under the effects of a Starman, if left frozen for too long however, the enemy will break free. Airborne enemies will remain frozen in mid-air for a few seconds before plummeting and hitting the ground (the frozen enemy will shatter upon landing unless they were a couple feet above the ground when frozen) while frozen, the midair enemy can be used as a stepping stone, underwater enemies will float to the surface upon being frozen and never thaw (Urchins however can break free quickly but become drowsy and descend to the ocean floor upon breaking free). Some enemies (particularly large enemies such as Super Piranha Plants and Porcupuffers) are immune to being frozen and break free instantly, but Ice Balls can dispel the Magic Projectiles of the Koopalings, the Fireballs spat by Bowser and Bowser Jr., as well as being able to destroy Podoboos and Fire Snakes. Yoshi can grab an Ice Ball with his tongue and spit it out, freezing any enemies in its path. Ice Bros. attack with Ice Balls that damage Mario and temporarily freeze him, and can also freeze other enemies.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star[]
Ice Balls are seen again in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. In this game, they are used by Ice Mario whenever he uses an Ice Flower Sticker, The Ice Balls have the same effects as the Fireballs and do about the same damage to ground-based enemies, the Ice Balls are very strong against fire-based enemies such as Fire Bros. however ice-based enemies such as Snow Spikes and Ice Bros are immune to the Ice Balls and the Bowser Snow Statue as well as Mizzter Blizzard can actually heal from the Ice Balls. Ice Balls have more power when used with a Shiny Ice Flower or a Flashy Ice Flower.
New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe[]
Ice Balls return in New Super Mario Bros. U as well as New Super Luigi U and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. Just as before, they are used when the heroes turn into Ice Mario or Penguin Mario through the use of the Ice Flower or Penguin Suit. In this game, Ice Balls have a more crystalized appearance than before however they still have the same uses as before, they freeze enemies upon contact and just as before, larger enemies can break free instantly. Enemies such as Torpedo Teds can also break free instantly, additionally, Boom Boom and Bowser Jr. can also be frozen but they too immediately break free upon being frozen. Just as before, fire-based enemies such as Podoboos and Fire Snakes can be killed with an Ice Ball and Ice Balls can also be used to cancel out the Koopalings Magic Projectiles as well as Bowser's fireballs, additionally, Bowser himself is immobilized for a second upon being hit with an Ice Ball. Enemies such as Ice Bros. and Venus Ice Traps also utilize Ice Balls in these games.
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX[]
Ice Luigi holding an Ice Ball.
Ice Balls appear again in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. In this game, they appear as Ice Luigi's special item, Ice Balls can be thrown either forwards or backwards and can briefly freeze rivals for a few seconds causing them to fall behind greatly in the race, the Ice Balls can be useful for sending relentless rivals further back in the pack.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[]
Luigi throwing an Ice Ball.
In Super Smash Bros. for 3DS / Wii U, the Ice Ball appears as Luigi's second custom variation of the Fireball move. Although it doesn't travel anywhere near as fast as the standard Fireball, it boasts a longer range and has the ability to freeze opponents with higher damage percentages making some fights more feasible.
Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition[]
Mario holds an Ice Ball.
Ice Balls make a minor appearance in Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition where they are held by Ice Mario, Ice Luigi, and the Ice Bros. They are also used as part of their attacks as well.
Paper Mario: Color Splash[]
Ice Balls appear in Paper Mario: Color Splash, whenever Mario uses an Ice Flower Card, he turns into Ice Mario and has the ability to toss Ice Balls at certain enemies, enemies such as the Fire Bro. and the Podoboo are extremely weak to Ice Balls and take more damage from them while Ice Bros. are virtually immune to Ice Balls. The Ice Balls are very strong against the Big Podoboo mini boss. Just as before, Ice Bros. commonly attack by using Ice Balls.
Mario Kart Tour[]
Rosalina in an Ice Ball FRENZY.
Ice Balls appear in Mario Kart Tour. Whenever a racer gets an Ice Flower from an Item Box, they are given the ability to temporarily shoot three rows of Ice Balls at other racers similar to the Fire Flower with it's Fireballs however the Ice Balls are more powerful as they can briefly freeze racers and causing them to slide which makes them unable to move for a few seconds. Ice Balls are also seen during the Ice Bro's. trick animations.
Paper Mario: The Origami King[]
Ice Balls also appear in Paper Mario: The Origami King where they appear as one of Mario's attacks, just as before when Mario uses an Ice Flower in battle, he turns into Ice Mario and is granted the ability to toss Ice Balls at his foes. These are powerful against fire-based enemies but ice-based enemies are immune to them. Ice Bros. also retain the ability to toss Ice Balls as part of their attacks.
Mario Golf: Super Rush[]
The Golf Ball as an Ice Ball.
The Ice Ball appears again in Mario Golf: Super Rush, in this game, the Ice Ball is utilized by Luigi when he employs his Ice Flower Freeze Special Shot. Upon usage, his golf ball transforms into an Ice Ball which has the effect of freezing the area it lands on. In this frozen state, the friction of the golf ball is reduced, and nearby water and lava can also be frozen (but the Ice Ball itself cannot land in them). Even though characters traveling on foot within the frozen portions of water or lava are penalized, it still counts as a Penalty Area and incurs a stroke penalty if the golf ball lands on the ice. In the Target Golf mode, the Ice Ball can be obtained in multiplayer only and has the effect of freezing the surrounding area until the next shot is taken.
Trivia[]
- The Ice Ball has so far gone through three design changes, first appearing as a mere recolor of a Fireball, then becoming a sparkly iced snowball, and finally a crystalized ball of ice.