“You may have heard ofblue-color switches. Now enjoy red and yellow as well-o!”

—Advertisement for theNintendo Switch version ofMario vs. Donkey Kong^[1]

Artwork of a red Color Switch from theNintendo Switch version ofMario vs. Donkey Kong

Color Switches,^[2] originally known as simplyswitches,^[3] are objects found throughout theMario vs. Donkey Kong series. They come in red (known as aRed Color Switch^[4][5]), yellow, or blue varieties, and are activated whenMario or aMinijumps on top of them. They typically enableColor Blocks of the same color, but also affect other color-coded platforms, ladders, and assorted objects. Color Switches may turn certain enemies of their color, such asPhantom Guys, into harmless solid blocks.

History[edit]

Mario vs. Donkey Kong[edit]

Color Switches inLevel 1-1

InMario vs. Donkey Kong, Color Switches appear as rounded buttons, similar toP Switches. When Mario presses a Color Switch, Color Blocks of the same color activate and become tangible, while Color Blocks of different colors deactivate and become intangible. This also applies to red, yellow, and blue ladders and platforms. After a Color Switch is pressed, it cannot be pressed again until a Color Switch of a different color is pressed. Color Switches are introduced in the first level in the game,Level 1-1.

Color Switches can also manipulatePolterguys inSpooky House. If Mario presses a Color Switch of the same color as a Polterguy, it will turn into a harmless block that Mario can stand on. However, if Mario presses a Color Switch of a different color than a Polterguy, it will revert to its standard form.

In the game'sremake, the switches reappear with the same function, but their design has been changed to resemble their appearances in future games in the series. Color Switches can now also manipulateFlower Fans andWarp Boxes, as they will function only if their respective switch is activated.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis[edit]

Color Switches in Room 2-1

InMario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, Color Switches are introduced inRoom 2-1 ofTropical Island, with a different design featuring a flat top. A Mini must jump on a Color Switch to press it. When a Color Switch is activated,sliding bridges^[6] andsliding doors^[7] of the same color extend, while sliding bridges and sliding doors of different colors retract. InSpooky Attic, Color Switches can manipulate Phantom Guys in the same way as Polterguys inMario vs. Donkey Kong.

In theConstruction Zone, Color Switches can be used in the Tropical Island construction kit,Special Kit 1,Special Kit 2, andSpecial Kit 3.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again![edit]

Color switches inRoom 4-5

Color Switches reappear inMario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, where they are parsed ascolor switches.^[8]They are introduced inRoom 2-1 ofSandstone Stroll. When a Mini presses a color switch, any retractedcolor bridges^[8] andgates^[8] of the same color extend. When a color switch of the same color is pressed again, any extended color bridges and gates retract. Unlike in previous games, after a Mini presses a color switch, it raises itself automatically after a short time and can be pressed again. Color switches can also manipulate color blocks. When a color switch is pressed, color blocks of the same color invert their current state: solid color blocks become clear, and clear color blocks become solid.

If a red color switch is pressed,Spear Guys turn into harmless blocks. If a yellow color switch is pressed,Pokeys also turn into groups of three blocks. Polterguys can also turn into blocks in the same way as in previous games. All of these enemies can revert to their standard form if a color switch of the same color is pressed again.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars[edit]

Color Switches inLevel 2-2

Color Switches reappear inMario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. When a Mini presses a Color Switch, it inverts the state of Color Blocks of the same color. Like inMario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, a pressed Color Switch raises itself shortly after being pressed, at which point it can be pressed again.

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge[edit]

Color Switches return inMini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge, retaining their appearance and behavior fromMario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. Blue Color Switches first appear inLevel 5, with red and yellow Color Switches being introduced inLevel 11, and blue and yellow Color Switches reappearing inStar 8.

Gallery[edit]

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  Mario vs. Donkey Kong sprites

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  Frame from a promotional stop motion animation forMario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)

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  A red Color Switch fromMario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)

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  A yellow Color Switch fromMario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)

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  A blue Color Switch fromMario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)

Names in other languages[edit]

References[edit]

• Switches
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong objects
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars