8-bit character
 | It has been suggested that this article be split into8-bit character,Pixel Luigi,Pixel Cat Mario,8-bit Cat Peach,Pixel Captain Toad,8-bit Rosalina.Reason: Wait, these have different names and different effects. (Pixel Captain Toad and 8-bit Rosalina do not have unique effects, but the other three having unique effects essentially carries them.) "Pixel" should be prioritized for individual article names givenPixel Toad's name and the use of "Pixel" for social media seemingly indicating that "8-bit" is a translation but "Pixel" is a localization. (discuss) |
| 8-bit character | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Screenshot of a Pixel Cat Mario fromSuper Mario Odyssey | |||
| First appearance | Super Mario 3D World (2013) | ||
| Latest appearance | Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (2021) | ||
| |||
8-bit characters[1] are animated sprites in the 3DSuper Mario games andCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker. They resemble two-dimensional sprites from theFamicom/NES era and are hidden in a three-dimensional landscape. Locating one usually rewards the player character with an item. Outside ofThe Art of Super Mario Odyssey and a few other media, the attributive noun "Pixel" is usually applied to individual sprites. The first 8-bit characters,Pixel Luigis[2] (or8-bit Luigis),[3] were introduced inSuper Mario 3D World in commemoration of theYear of Luigi.
8-bit characters are not the same exact individuals they resemble, who often cooccur with these sprites. For example, while Pixel Luigis are found throughoutSuper Mario 3D World,Luigi himself is a playable character. The relationship between these 8-bit characters and the individuals they resemble is not conveyed.
History[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario 3D World /Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[edit]
- Main article:List of Luigi sightings in Super Mario 3D World
Pixel Luigis are hidden throughoutSuper Mario 3D World, in courses, menus, and the World Map Screen. They occur plastered onto the sides of walls or as flat 2D figures in the 3D environment. They are of a wide variety of sizes and behaviors, with snowflake-sized Pixel Luigis sometimes found blowing in the wind, and whale-sized ones swimming in the sea. Pixel Luigis resemble the sprites forSmall Luigi andSuper Luigi from the originalSuper Mario Bros. There are no tangible incentives given to the player for encountering one.
Pixel Luigis appear sometimes in theBowser's Fury campaign of theNintendo Switch port when a? Block is hit.Similar cameos appear inNew Super Luigi U, but they are inanimate fixtures of the environment made of blocks and terrain.
Super Mario Odyssey[edit]
InSuper Mario Odyssey, the most prominent 8-bit characters appear on the walls of terrain, often obscured or behind an obstruction. Striking one with aCap Throw causes it to release an item before disappearing. It reappears in the same spot when the kingdom is exited and revisited. The most recurring 8-bit characters arePixel Cat Marios[4] (or8-bit Cat Marios)[1] and8-bit Cat Peaches.[1] They are hidden within all but two kingdoms, theCloud Kingdom andRuined Kingdom. They are based on the powered-upCat forms of the same name. Striking a Pixel Cat Mario awardsMario with tencoins. An 8-bit Cat Peach releases aHeart. Likely as an homage toSuper Mario Galaxy, an8-bit Rosalina[1] is hidden on theDark Side andDarker Side of themoon. Striking her releases ten coins, like Cat Mario. Pixel Cat Marios sometimes fall out ofbushes when they are walked through, seemingly caught on a breeze before disappearing.
Beginning on March 14, 2018, Nintendo postedHint Art on social media that leads to hidden Pixel Luigis. If Marioground pounds the exact spot as depicted in the Hint Art, a Pixel Luigi pops out and releases 200 coins for the first time he is discovered. Unlike other 8-bit characters, a Pixel Luigi lets out a distorted cry when exposed, and lingers in the environment after being struck. Striking him again makes him twirl. To commemorate the release ofCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS, Pixel Luigis were replaced byPixel Captain Toads[2] from July 11 to August 8, 2018.
There are 2D areas inSuper Mario Odyssey that are entirely composed of 8-bit sprites on a 2D plane. Mario himself appears in these areas as an 8-bit sprite, as do enemies and platforms. However, 8-bit characters cannot be encountered in these areas. ThePrima Games guidebook states 8-bit characters are apparently as old as the fossils found throughout theCascade Kingdom,[5] some of which resemble sprites of enemies from the originalSuper Mario Bros.
Super Mario Maker 2[edit]
InSuper Mario Maker 2, a Pixel Luigi sometimes replacesWeird Mario if aWarp Door is knocked on exclusively in theSuper Mario 3D World game style, referencing the original game.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker[edit]
- Main article:Pixel Toad
In the original release ofCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker, scanning theToad amiibo causes a Pixel Toad to appear in a course, with which the player character plays Hide and Seek. This functionality is unlocked through normal progression in theport released on theNintendo Switch andNintendo 3DS.
Though released after the Year of Luigi concluded, the originalCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker includes Pixel Luigisthroughout the game, just likeSuper Mario 3D World.
Gallery[edit]
Screenshot fromSuper Mario 3D World (Pixel Luigi)
Screenshot fromSuper Mario 3D World (Pixel Luigi)
Screenshot fromSuper Mario 3D World (Pixel Luigi)
Artwork fromCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Pixel Toad)
Sprite fromCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Pixel Toad)
Artwork fromSuper Mario Odyssey
Sprite fromSuper Mario Odyssey (Pixel Cat Mario)
Sprite fromSuper Mario Odyssey (8-bit Cat Peach)
Sprite fromSuper Mario Odyssey (8-bit Rosalina)
Sprite fromSuper Mario Odyssey (Pixel Luigi)
Sprite fromSuper Mario Odyssey (Pixel Captain Toad)
"Mario: Purrfect Pals" 3DS theme (Pixel Luigi)
Holiday artwork for theNintendo Switch /Nintendo 3DS port ofCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Pixel Toad)
Names in other languages[edit]
Pixel Luigi[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ドットルイージ[6][7] Dotto Ruīji | DotLuigi |
Pixel Cat Mario[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ドットネコマリオ[8] Dotto Neko Mario | DotCat Mario |
8-bit Cat Peach[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ドットネコピーチ[9] Dotto Neko Pīchi | DotCat Peach |
8-bit Rosalina[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ドットロゼッタ[9] Dotto Rozetta | DotRosalina |
Pixel Captain Toad[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ドットキノピオ隊長[10] Dotto Kinopio Taichō | DotToad Captain |
References[edit]
- ^abcdSakai, Kazuya, kikai, Rachel Roberts, and Jenny Blenk, editors (2019). "Metro Kingdom".The Art of Super Mario Odyssey (First English Edition). Milwaukie:Dark Horse Books. Page 175.
- ^ab@NintendoAmerica (27 Oct. 2018). To celebrate #SuperMarioOdyssey’s one-year anniversary, Pixel Luigis and Pixel Captain Toads have been hidden around the festival area in New Donk City! Can you find all 39 of them? Do a Ground Pound in the correct spots to also collect some coins..Twitter (Japanese). (Archived via Nitter.)
- ^"Sometimes, 8-bit Luigi appears when hitting a ? Block." – November 23, 2025.Guess the game! #11.Nintendo Today!. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^@SuperMario_UK (8 Dec. 2017). Throw Cappy at some shrubbery and you'll likely get a coin or two. But sometimes, you'll find a Pixel Cat Mario instead! #SuperMarioOdyssey.Twitter. (Archived via Nitter.)
- ^Walsh, Doug, and Joe Epstein (2017).Super Mario Odyssey: PRIMA Official Game Guide (Collector's Edition). Roseville:Prima Games. Page 22.
- ^Sakai, Kazuya (Ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors (2015). "Super Mario 3D World."『スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Tokyo:Shogakukan (Japanese). Page 235.
- ^@mario_odysseyJP (31 Oct. 2018). 発売1周年を記念して「都市の国」のフェスティバル会場にドットルイージとドットキノピオ隊長が39（サンキュー）人も遊びにきていますよ。会場の気になるところでヒップドロップしてみてください。コインをたくさん手に入れるチャンスです！ （期間：11/7（水）23時59分まで）.Twitter (Japanese). (Archived via Nitter.)
- ^@mario_odysseyJP (18 Apr. 2019). 本編と同様に、ちょっとしたところにドットネコマリオが隠れているので、是非探してみてくださいね。.Twitter (Japanese). (Archived via Nitter.)
- ^abSakai, Kazuya, and kikai, editors (2018). "Metro Kingdom".『スーパーマリオ オデッセイ公式設定資料集』. Tokyo:Tokuma Shoten (Japanese). Page 175.
- ^@mario_odysseyJP (19 Jul. 2018).『進め！キノピオ隊長』発売記念！8/8（水）まで、全てのお宝写真の場所から「ドットキノピオ隊長」が出現します。この機会にいろいろな場所でドットキノピオ隊長を写真に収めてみては如何でしょうか。.Twitter (Japanese).
