Gravity: Difference between revisions

[[File:SMG Dark Matter Plant Gravity Wall.png|thumb|300px|A [[gravity field]] pulls [[Mario]] towards [[dark matter]] in ''Super Mario Galaxy'']]

'''{{wp|Gravity}}''' in the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]] is a theoretical force that draws two or more objects together. While gravity points in a consistent direction in most ''Super Mario'' media, some games have mechanics that revolve around altered and planetary gravity. Gravity itself informs other game mechanics, such as the presence of [[pit]]s as an obstacle. In 3D platforming games, shadows are usually cast along the direction of gravity, to help show how objects are aligned in space.

==History==

<!--This only covers appearances where gravity can be altered or plays a central role in the plot.-->

[[File:RaphaelTheRavensCastle2.png|thumb|left|Gravity in the battle against [[Raphael the Raven]] allows him and Yoshi to run around on the [[moon]].]]

Altered gravity in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' is featured only in the boss fight of [[Raphael The Raven's Castle]], where [[Yoshi]] must run around the [[moon]] and [[Ground Pound]] the [[Stump]]s to attack [[Raphael the Raven]] on the other side. Yoshi is always shown upright; the arena rotates under him.

Gravity in ''[[Yoshi Topsy-Turvy]]'' is a key gameplay mechanic. The player can manipulate gravity and tilt the world accordingly by tilting [[Game Boy Advance]] left or right, resulting in items, enemies tilting in the same direction, or sometimes even obstacles such as [[boulder]]s.

Gravity in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'' can have its direction expressed by the shape and appearance of a planetoid, but is actually controlled by invisible game objects that direct gravity toward the surface of basic shapes:<ref>[//youtube.com/watch?v=QLH_0T_xv3I&lc=UgzPATZZz3gnzZAYd3F4AaABAg.9H3VViQ_kFI9H3jSMeTVDu]</ref><ref>[//kuribo64.net/objectdb/smg.php?game=2]</ref>

*'''<code>GlobalPlaneGravity</code>''': Gravity vectors point in a consistent parallel direction, toward a plane. This can work like gravity in other games, or point in other directions like upside down or sideways. There is a variant with a finite hitbox, <code>GlobalPlaneGravityInBox</code>. In 2D sections, areas with different planar gravities may be indicated with [[gravity field]]s.

*'''Sphere''': Gravity vectors point toward a sphere, as is typical of a planet.

*'''<code>GlobalCubeGravity</code>''': Gravity vectors point parallel to the faces of a cube, with abrupt transitions along the diagonals from the edges.

*'''<code>GlobalWireGravity</code>''': Gravity vectors point toward a line-based path.

*'''<code>GlobalConeGravity</code>''': Gravity vectors point toward the curved surface of a conical frustum. Examples include the [[Sea Slide Galaxy#Ocean Pudding Planet|Ocean Pudding Planet]] in [[Sea Slide Galaxy]], and the [[Toy Time Galaxy#Frozen Dessert Area|giant ice cream cone]] in [[Toy Time Galaxy]].

*'''Wedge''': Gravity vectors point toward a concave shape, that of the curved ramps in the [[Good Egg Galaxy]] [[Good Egg Galaxy#Starting planet|starting planet]]'s secret room. Another example on the same planet is the curved part of the walkway up the tower.

*'''<code>GlobalBarrelGravity</code>''': Only found in ''Super Mario Galaxy 2''. The gravity vector field curves around the center axis of a cylinder. Two examples are the [[Tall Trunk Galaxy#Wood Drum Planet|Wood Drum Planet]] and [[Tall Trunk Galaxy#Wood Circle Cut Planet|Wood Circle Cut Planet]] in [[Tall Trunk Galaxy]], each with relatively perpendicular 2D sections to each other; the former snaps Mario to a cylindrical shell, and the latter to a circular cross-section.

In practice, this leads to four main conceptual models of gravity:

*Planetary gravity, which draws Mario in on all sides of the planet. This allows Mario to traverse the underside of a planet. An example of this is the mini-planets in the [[Gusty Garden Galaxy]].

*Absolute gravity, which pulls Mario down, regardless of the planet's center. Mario is expected to slide down slopes, rather than rotating to stand on them. Falling off of the planet acts as a [[bottomless pit]], causing Mario to lose a life even if he is not pulled into a [[black hole]]. An example is [[Honeyhive Galaxy]]'s [[Honeyhive Galaxy#Starting Planet|starting planet]].

*Outward gravity, which pulls Mario to the sides of a planet when he is inside one. Examples include the Tower Planet in [[Bowser's Galaxy Reactor]], and the [[Warp Pipe]] area on the inside of the Asteroid Planet in [[Good Egg Galaxy]].

*Toroidal gravity, also referred to as{{ref needed}} "orbital" or "fall forever" gravity, which pulls Mario around the curved surface of a cylindrical planetoid. Another example is the [[Space Storm Galaxy#Abandoned Rocketship Planet|Abandoned Rocketship Planet]] in [[Space Storm Galaxy]].

Gravity is also manipulated in several levels, using [[Arrow Switch]]es, which change the direction of gravity of the surrounding area; [[gravity spotlight]]s, which push Mario toward a surface or another place like a tractor beam; and the [[grate]]s and dirt patches in [[Flipsville Galaxy]], which flip Mario's gravity when crossed. [[Pull Star]]s, [[Sling Star]]s, and [[Launch Star]]s allow Mario to ignore gravity while they are used.

 

 

Gravity in ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' can be altered in certain 2D sections accessed by [[8-bit pipe]]s. Some use gravity fields. Others, such as ones seen in the [[Moon Kingdom]], have Mario hopping to circular 2D planets with different gravity.

 

The Moon Kingdom, [[Dark Side]], and [[Darker Side]] also have lower gravity, which allows Mario to perform much higher jumps than usual.

[[File:SPM Outer Limits.PNG|thumb|left|Mario in the [[Outer Limits]] in ''Super Paper Mario'']]

Gravity in Chapter 4 of ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' is different than in other appearances, due to taking place in [[Outer Space]]. In Chapters 4-1 and 4-3, gravity is nonexistent, allowing Mario and his party to navigate freely. Pressing any direction on the [[nwiki:Wii Remote|Wii Remote]]'s D-Pad {{button|wii|Pad}} will automatically propel the player in the given direction. When [[flip]]ped into 3D, Mario can only move laterally due to the lack of other controls for vertical movement. The player cannot [[stomp]] enemies in zero gravity and must instead use [[Squirps]]' Squirt Beam.

Gravity in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and [[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe|its Nintendo Switch version]] appears in the form of [[anti-gravity]], which allows vehicles to drive on upside-down and vertical sections of courses, and to perform [[Spin Boost]]s.

YTT-Spirit of Surprises Screenshot3.png|The [[Spirit Who Loves Surprises]] teaching [[Yoshi]] how to use Gravity in ''Yoshi Topsy-Turvy''

SPM Whoa Zone Gravity Switch Vertical.png|Mario in the Whoa Zone near a gravity switch in ''Super Paper Mario''

[[Category:Game mechanics]]