This article is about the special move. For theWario Land II enemy of the same name, seePunch (enemy).

Mario punching inSuper Mario 64

Punching appears as an attack that most characters can do in theSuper Mario franchise. This is not to be confused with the punch that characters can do whilejumping to hit objects from below, or the punch that characters can do while on afence.

History[edit]

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[edit]

Mario punching a Goomba inSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

The punch move is seen inSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, asMario's move to attack enemies and bosses when he is unarmed or when he is equipped with either thePunch Glove orMega Glove. If the player performs aTimed Hit, Mario will do an uppercut after the first punch. Otherparty members (such asMallow when unarmed, or equipped with theWhomp Glove orSticky Glove) and enemies (such asTerrapins) can punch as well, andTerra Cottas and the bossJagger have aspecial attack calledTerrapunch which involves them dashing into one of the party members with a punch to damage them.

Super Mario 64 /Super Mario 64 DS[edit]

In theSuper Mario platform games, the punch is only inSuper Mario 64, where it is Mario's basic attack. Pressing the punch button again causes Mario to throw another punch, and pressing it a third time makes himkick instead, though he kicks by default when he is in the air. These punches are used to attack enemies, destroyblocks, and grabcrates.Luigi andWario can also use punches in the remake,Super Mario 64 DS, as well asYoshi once he acquires one of the other characters'caps. While each character's punches are similar to each other in execution, Wario's punches (localized as theWario Whack)^[1] launch enemies a great distance and can be used to destroy Black Bricks.

Donkey Kong 64[edit]

Chunky Kong performing the Primate Punch

One ofChunky Kong's special moves inDonkey Kong 64 is called thePrimate Punch (scientifically namedSandwichium Knucklus), which can be purchased fromCranky's Lab for fiveBanana Coins. This move is activated by pressing and holding the button while hitting the button when Chunky Kong is immobile, which makes him throw a powerful punch that can take down most enemies, destroy boxes and gates, and activatewall switches.

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Most characters have punching moves in theSuper Smash Bros. series. In most cases, these moves are standard, tilt, or smash attacks, though some, such asCaptain Falcon'sFalcon Punch orDonkey Kong'sGiant Punch, arespecial moves.

Mario Party series[edit]

VariousMario Partyminigames involve punching objects or other players. Some characters have alternate animations for their punch, most noticeablyPeach andDaisy, who have an open-hand slap (later changed to a two-handed shove fromMario Party 9 onward) instead.Yoshi uses aheadbutt in theNintendo 64Mario Party games, but it was changed to a punch in all later installments. Birdo also has a slapping animation similar to Peach and Daisy inMario Party 7, but it was also changed to a punch inMario Party 8. InSuper Mario Party andSuper Mario Party Jamboree,Goomba headbutts due to having no arms.

Wario World[edit]

InWario World, Wario punches when the player presses the Button. By holding the Button down, a punch followed by aDash Attack will occur. While beating up an enemy or a group of enemies, every third punch will be a headbutt, which is three times as strong as a punch.

Mario & Luigi series[edit]

Bowser performing asliding haymaker inMario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story andMario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story/Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[edit]

InMario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and its3DS remake,Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, one ofBowser's moves in the overworld is punching, which can be used to break or move objects, and activate switches. Bowser uses his punch if the player pushes the X button; at first, this is available all the time, but after the Bros. activate Bowser'sSpike Ball ability, the player has to switch back to his regular actions in order to use the move. In battle, he winds up a punch that can be executed with, and depending on how far back Bowser winds up, the move deals extra damage. It is also used tocounterattack. Later on in the game, he gains thesliding haymaker, which allows him to move while punching, allowing him to break much more durable objects and move across large gaps without falling, similar to theSpin Jump that Mario and Luigi use. Bowser (as well asBowser X, a much more powerful version of him fought in theGauntlet) also punches as one of his attacks as a boss later inToadley Clinic, Mario or Luigi must jump over when Bowser punches to counterattack. Occasionally, Bowser snorts before punching; if this happens, Mario or Luigi should not jump as Bowser flies over his target.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team[edit]

InMario & Luigi: Dream Team, Bowser can punch Mario as one of his attacks in the battle against him andAntasma inDream's Deep. He jumps and lands either to Mario's left or right, then approaches. If he is punching, this is countered with ahammer swing. However, he can also stay idle while phasing through Mario. This is indicated by Bowser flickering, and when he arrives at the other position he will turn around for the real punch. Swinging at the fake-out makes countering the attack proper very difficult.

Wario Land: Shake It![edit]

InWario Land: Shake It!, Wario can perform a punching move called theEarthshake Punch when theShake Meter is full. Once used, Wario will punch the ground, releasing a shockwave that stuns all enemies on the ground, cause unsteady blocks to fall, or activate pillars, though the meter is fully depleted after one use. TheShake King uses a similar move during his battle with Wario, which involves him using both of his fists.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie[edit]

InThe Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario is shown punching a few times, such as when he punches awooden cutout of Bowser in theTraining Course. He also launches into the air to punchDonkey Kong, only to be quickly subdued by him. Mario is shown punching Bowser and his minions at the climax of the movie.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope[edit]

InMario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope,Rayman can punch while exploring theSpace Opera Network in theRayman in the Phantom Show DLC. By pressing Rayman can punch, destroying destructible blocks and cracked walls, as well as grabbing objects, even in midair. Rayman can also punch enemies to start a battle. Holding down will have Rayman charge his punch, increasing the distance of it.

Donkey Kong Bananza[edit]

Punching is one ofDonkey Kong's primary moves inDonkey Kong Bananza, which he uses to attack enemies, break off terrain, and activate mechanisms such askeys. Three face buttons are dedicated to punching: pressing lets Donkey Kong punch forwards, pressing lets him punch upwards with two fists, and pressing (or when this action is swapped withjumping) lets him punch on the ground. (or) also lets Donkey Kong perform aDive Punch when pressed in mid-air. By spendingSkill Points on the Punch Power Skill, Donkey Kong can improve his strength so he can punch faster through stronger terrain.

Donkey Kong's punching strength is significantly stronger while channeling theKong Bananza, allowing him to even punch through concrete. ThisBananza also lets him do aCharge Punch by holding.

If Donkey Kong attempts to punch an NPC (with the exception ofFractones,Elders, andGrumpy Kong after battling him) he will give them ahigh-five instead. In addition, harmful terrain such aslava andthorns cannot be broken directly by punching, and will instead damage Donkey Kong if he attempts this.

Profiles[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story[edit]

• Instruction manual description (Bowser actions):"Punch and break rocks and other objects."
• Instruction manual description (Bowser's command blocks):"Attack one enemy at a time with a punch. Press with the right timing to increase damage."

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, seeGallery:Punch.

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  Artwork of Mario punching inSuper Mario 64

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  Artwork of Mario punching inSuper Mario 64

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  Sprite of Bowser punching inMario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

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  Sprite of Bowser punching in the overworld inMario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey

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  Jagger using theTerrapunch inSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

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  Kirby punchingYoung Link inSuper Smash Bros. Melee

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  Dr. Mario'sSuper Jump Punch inSuper Smash Bros. Melee

Names in other languages[edit]

Notes[edit]

• Inearlier builds ofNew Super Mario Bros., Mario was shown to be able to punch by pressing the button, along with other moves generally based onSuper Mario 64 and its remake. It was completely removed from the final game.^{[citation needed]}

References[edit]

• Moves
• Donkey Kong Bananza moves

• Articles with unsourced statements