The Toad Express flying

The Toad Express[1] is a pink plane used by Peach, Mario, Toadsworth, and some Toads to fly to Isle Delfino in Super Mario Sunshine. The plane lands abruptly at the Delfino Airstrip as a crater filled with goop covers most of the runway, and comes to a screeching stop, causing Mario, Peach, and Toadsworth to jumble around inside.

In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and its 3DS remake, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, Peach uses a similar plane to get to the Beanbean Kingdom; however, when she arrives at the Beanbean International Airport, it is congested by Piranha Plants and the Mom Piranha, preventing the plane from landing. Mario and Luigi get rid of the Piranhas so the Toad Express can safely land. After the player beats the game, the plane is used by Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toadsworth, and Bowser to go back to the Mushroom Kingdom (although Bowser is dropped to his castle mid-flight inside a giant present given by Prince Peasley).

The Toad Express has a minor appearance in Mario Tennis: Power Tour, bringing Clay and Ace to the Mushroom Kingdom.

Appearance

Inside the plane, there appear to be four (possibly five, depending on the arrangement) mushroom-themed seats. There are moderately large windows with elaborate curtains, many fancy details, and a stunning ceiling that is painted (or is possibly a lamp) bright blue with yellow stars and white clouds.

Gallery

Super Mario Sunshine

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Mario Tennis: Power Tour

Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Trivia

  • The design of the Toad Express used in Super Mario Sunshine appears to be based on certain real-world flying boats and utility aircraft such as the Ukrainian Antonov An-72 and the American Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina; however, in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, the jet takes on an appearance of a cartoony airliner, which, although not specified, seems to be heavily based on the Boeing 747. One inaccuracy on the An-72/PBY iteration of the Toad Express is that the aircraft is portrayed as a taildragger, while the real aircraft is a tricycle gear aircraft.
  • In the tourist guide to Isle Delfino under the Delfino Airstrip section, there is an airplane that looks like the Toad Express, but a blue paint job is shown.
  • In the cutscenes of Super Mario Sunshine, the Toad Express has a pink body, a white underside, and red on the tips of its engines. However, in gameplay, the red highlights are missing.

References

  1. ^ Hodgson, David S J, Bryan Stratton, and Stephen Stratton. Super Mario Sunshine Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 2.