Metal Box
| Metal Box | |
|---|---|
  Artwork of the Metal Box fromSuper Mario 64. | |
| Universe | Mario |
| Appears in | Melee Brawl SSB4 Ultimate |
| Item class | Transforming |
| Article on Super Mario Wiki | Metal Box |
TheMetal Box (緑ブロック,Green Block) is anitem from theMario series.
Origin[edit]
The Metal Box made its appearance inSuper Mario 64. It is a greenCap Block that materializes after Mario activates its corresponding greenCap Switch in theCavern of the Metal Cap area of theHazy Maze Cave level. After breaking it, the green Cap Block releases aMetal Cap which temporarily transforms Mario intoMetal Mario, making him invulnerable (though he's still vulnerable to fall damage), but also extremely heavy.
InSuper Mario 64 DS, the ! Blocks are replaced by red? Blocks that materializes after activating the red? Switch at theRainbow Tower level. After breaking it, the ? Block releases aPower Flower, which has different effects on each of the game's four playable characters. If the player collects the Power Flower asWario, then he transforms into Metal Wario, which features the same effects as the Metal Cap.
Overview[edit]
As an item[edit]
The Metal Box item debuted as a transformingitem inSuper Smash Bros. Melee. However, the basic concept for the Metal Box, that being making the character a voiceless,armoredheavyweight, originated inSuper Smash Bros., withMetal Mario as a boss character in1P Game. The effects of the Metal Box differ fromSuper Mario 64, including the character taking damage and falling faster.
The Metal Box transforms the player's fighter who breaks it into aMetal fighter. Metal fighters make different metallic sounds while walking, running, and landing, depending on their weight for the most part. All lightweight fighters exceptZelda,Mr. Game & Watch,Mewtwo and theIce Climbers make a faint "tinging" sound; all middleweight fighters make a standard "clanking" sound; and all heavyweight fighters exceptSamus,Yoshi,Ganondorf, andLink make a much more noticeable "crunching" sound. Most of the aforementioned exceptional characters make the standard middleweight sound in spite of their weight. Mewtwo doesn't make any sounds, even when landing, and Mr. Game & Watch's footsteps and landing sounds are always electronic beep noises.
When used byRosalina inSmash 4, herLuma also transforms into metal. When she uses it inUltimate however, her Luma is not affected. When used byOlimar/Alph, however, hisPikmin are not affected. In addition, only one of theIce Climbers can use only one Metal Box and can turn into metal. Finally, controllableFinal Smashes inBrawl andSmash 4 such asGiga Bowser,Wario-Man,Mega Lucario, andGiga Mac are not affected by breaking Metal Boxes.
InMelee, if the Metal Box is broken by disjointed attacks likePikachu's forward smash or any attack from a sword-wielding character, they will still transform them into a Metal fighter. Interestingly,Ness' dash attack is the only disjointed attack that doesn't turn him metal. Also, if the Metal Box is hit by a projectile, it will disappear. Also, fighters can battle Metal Mario and/orMetal Luigi inAdventure Mode. In addition, they also fight a random metal character inClassic Mode.
InBrawl, the Metal Box, which now has an original, more realistic, and shinier texture, cannot be broken when hit by projectiles, and the metallic walking sound effect no longer changes depending on the characters' weights, so everyone has the same sound when walking. It also features an effect on the new ability toswim; while characters will not sink as Metal Mario did inSuper Mario 64, they will submerge deeper after falling into the water. This technique is used to reach a secret area in theGlacial Peak level of theSubspace Emissary. In Classic Mode, the player must also battle a random metal character.
InSmash 4, the transformation duration can no longer be extended by picking up additional Metal Boxes. In the3DS version, the metal is translucent rather than opaque, but in theWii U version, the metal texture is both opaque and reflective, with the current stage being reflected on the character's body.
InUltimate, the Metal Box's effect appears to slowly take over the character rather than immediately, similar toInkling'sink.
The Metal Box cannot appear inGolden Plains.
TheHero'sMetal Slash ability willinstantly KO any metal characters that it hits, and hisKaclang ability is able to turn him metal, being the only special move to do so.
Metal fighters can also be battled in the series'Classic Mode under the permanent effects of the Metal Box. InSuper Smash Bros., the Metal Box does not appear as an item; however, Metal Mario, the opponent of the ninth stage of the1P Game features the effect of the Metal Box. InMelee can battle Metal Mario and/orMetal Luigi inAdventure Mode.
Metal battles appear as a feature inBrawl'sSpecial Brawl and in later games onward, where all fighters become metal under the permanent effects of a Metal Box. Also, inUltimate's spirit battles, players can battle a puppet fighter that is either entirely made of metal or shifts into metal.
In all of its appearances, breaking the Metal Box feature the following effects:
- The effects last 12 seconds, but the time limit decreases as the fighter takesdamage, especially fromfire attacks likeBowser'sFire Breath.
- Increases the fighter'sweight (3.0× inMelee; 4.5× inBrawl,Smash 4, andUltimate) than normal; however, weight independent attacks can ignore the weight boost; this includes any attack that has thebury,paralyze, orstun effects.
- Increases the fighter's jump force (1.55× inMelee andBrawl; 1.35× inSmash 4; 1.2× inUltimate), although usually not by enough to compensate for the gravity and fall speed increase; however, it does not affectgliding,floating, orYoshi's double jump.
- Increases the fighter'sfalling speed (2.0× inMelee andBrawl; 1.7× inSmash 4; 1.4× inUltimate), makingrecoveries harder, and more vulnerable to certainchain grabs. Certain characters with multiple double jumps will not gain any net vertical distance while under the effects of a Metal Box, as they will fall below where they had began the jump before being able to jump again.
- Increases the fighter'sgravity slightly (2.0× inMelee andBrawl; 1.7× inSmash 4 andUltimate).
- Decreases the fighter'swalking speed slightly (0.7× inMelee,Brawl, andSmash 4; 0.8× inUltimate).
- Increases the fighter'sknockback resistance by subtracting the amount of knockback taken from attacks by 30 units. Weak projectiles such asLink's Arrows, and most jabs, will merely deal damage without causingflinching if they don't deal more than 0 units of knockback. However, attacks that have the bury effect, or deal fixed knockback (inUltimate only), will ignore the knockback resistance.
- Mutes the character's voices (although, as sound effects are still retained,Duck Hunt,Samus,Mr. Game & Watch,Villager,Mii Fighters (inSSB4),Mega Man, wireframeLittle Mac,Pac-Man,Isabelle,Dark Samus,Piranha Plant andSteve are unaffected by this); however, getting knocked beyond the blast line of any stage will make the character scream as usual, except for inSSB4.
- Characters make metal sound effects when hitting a surface upon taking a step; however, the sound more closely resembles that of a thin sheet of metal, suggesting that the character isn't turned into metal, just covered with it.
InSmash Tour[edit]
The Metal Box appears as a red trophy item inSmash Tour. When used, it allows the player's fighter to start a battle in metal form.
Trophies[edit]
InSuper Smash Bros. Melee[edit]
- Metal Box
- First spotted in Super Mario 64, the Metal Box holds the power to turn your character briefly into heavy metal. Your mass is exponentially greater while metallic, making it difficult for others to throw you. Be careful, though: not only will you move a bit slower, but you'll also fall much more quickly than you ordinarily would.
- Super Mario 64 (9/96)
InSuper Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
- Metal Box
- A green box that transforms whoever attacks it into metal. In metal form, you're a lot heavier than normal, so middling and even strong attacks don't move you too much, and standard attacks won't even make you flinch. The time you spend in metal form decreases with the damage you take. In Super Mario 64, the weight of the metal form allowed you to walk underwater.
:Super Mario 64
InSuper Smash Bros. 4[edit]
The Metal Box trophy appears in both versions.
- Metal Box
This green box will make you the ultimate defensive character, turning you into solid metal for a short time. You won't flinch from enemy attacks, even in midair, and it is much harder to launch you. On the other hand, you fall like a brick. Getting hit will reduce the duration of this item.- :Super Mario 64 (09/1996)
:Super Mario 64 DS (11/2004)
Whack this box to turn into a metal you! You won't flinch when attacked – even in mid-air – and you'll be harder to launch. Now, the downsides: you'll move slower, fall faster, and recovering when you fall off a stage will be a nightmare. Also, it's only temporary, or lasts until you've taken a certain amount of damage.- :Super Mario 64 (03/1997)
- :Super Mario 64 DS (03/2005)
Spirits[edit]
While the Metal Box itself does not have aspirit, several spirits will allow the player to start a battle in metal form.
Primary spirits[edit]
| No. | Image | Name | Type | Class | Slots | Base | Max | Base | Max | Base | Max | Ability | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 773 |  | Sahelanthropus |  | ★★★ | 1 | 3145 | 9438 | 1402 | 4208 | 1219 | 3657 | Metal and Giant | Metal Gear Solid Series |
| 960 |  | Metal Face |  | ★★★★ | 1 | 4996 | 12493 | 2353 | 5882 | 1811 | 4529 | Metal and Giant | Xenoblade Chronicles Series |
| 1,044 |  | Octobot King |  | ★★★ | 3 | 3277 | 9835 | 1381 | 4144 | 1654 | 4963 | Made of Metal | Splatoon Series |
| 1,495 | .png) | Full-Armor Travis (Full Green Mode) | | ★★★ | 2 | 3262 | 9817 | 1843 | 5545 | 1178 | 3545 | Made of Metal | No More Heroes Series |
Support spirits[edit]
| No. | Image | Name | Class | Cost | Ability | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 385 |  | Slippy Toad | ★★★ | 1 | Made of Metal | Star Fox Series |
| 952 |  | Fiora | ★★★ | 1 | Made of Metal | Xenoblade Chronicles Series |
Gallery[edit]
Metal Box artwork fromBrawl.
Mario under the effects of the Metal Box inMelee.
InBrawl.
InUltimate.
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese | 緑ブロック | Green Block |
 English | Metal Box | — |
 French (PAL) | Caisse de métal | Metal Crate |
 French (NTSC) | Boîte de métal | Metal Box |
 German | Grüne !-Box | Green ! Box |
 Spanish | Bloque verde | Green Block |
 Italian | Scatola ! | ! Box |
 Chinese (Simplified) | 绿色砖块 | Green Brick |
 Chinese (Traditional) | 綠色磚塊 | Green Brick |
 Korean | 초록블록 | Green Block |
 Dutch | Groene !-kist | Green ! Box |
 Russian | Металлический блок | Metal Block |
Trivia[edit]
- InMelee andBrawl, the metal effect ignores transparency, meaning that parts that should be transparent become opaque while the effect is active. This is most visible withOlimar inBrawl; his entire helmet becomes encased with metal. Other examples includeDonkey Kong's fur andIvysaur's leaves. InSSB4 onwards, transparency is taken into account; Olimar's face becomes metal while his helmet remains untouched.
- InSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U, while the metal texture reflects the actual stage, it does not reflect it in real-time, instead reflecting a pre-rendered screenshot of the stage. For example, the metal texture will only show a reflection of theBoxing Ring'sSmash Bros. variant, as opposed to the defaultPunch-Out!! theme.
- Despite being replaced by red ? Blocks inSuper Mario 64 DS, theSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U trophy lists that game as one of the Metal Box's appearances.
- InSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, metal characters retain their textures, while every other game ignores textures and only displays the bump maps of the character models. This is most noticeable withKirby, whose eyes disappear when he becomes metal in every game other thanfor 3DS, orMario, whose hat insignia and eyes also disappear.
| Items inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl | |
|---|---|
| Normal | Assist Trophy ·Banana Peel ·Beam Sword ·Blast Box ·Bob-omb ·Bumper ·Bunny Hood ·Cracker Launcher ·Deku Nut ·Dragoon ·Fan ·Fire Flower ·Food ·Franklin Badge ·Freezie ·Golden Hammer ·Gooey Bomb ·Green Shell ·Hammer ·Heart Container ·Home-Run Bat ·Hothead ·Lightning Bolt ·Lip's Stick ·Maxim Tomato ·Metal Box ·Motion-Sensor Bomb ·Mr. Saturn ·Pitfall ·Poison Mushroom ·Poké Ball ·Ray Gun ·Screw Attack ·Smart Bomb ·Smash Ball ·Smoke Ball ·Soccer Ball ·Spring ·Star Rod ·Starman ·Super Mushroom ·Super Scope ·Superspicy Curry ·Team Healer ·Timer ·Unira ·Warp Star |
| Containers | Barrel ·Capsule ·Crate ·Party Ball ·Sandbag ·Rolling Crates |
| The Subspace Emissary | Key ·Stock Ball ·Trophy Stand |
| Collectibles | CD ·Coins ·Sticker ·Trophy |
| Other | Smash Coins and Bills |
| Smash Tour | |
|---|---|
| Red items | Back Shield ·Black Knight ·Bob-omb ·Boo ·Bunny Hood ·Daisy (Baseball) ·Darkrai ·Dixie Kong ·DK Barrel ·Energy Tank ·Franklin Badge ·Hammer ·Home-Run Bat ·Kat & Ana ·Latias & Latios ·Magnus ·Majora's Mask ·Mecha-Fiora ·Metal Box ·Mr. Resetti ·Mr. Saturn ·Ore Club ·Phosphora ·Plasm Wraith ·Poison Mushroom ·Rocket Belt ·Sidestepper ·Steel Diver ·Super Mushroom ·Super Scope ·Ultimate Chimera ·Wolfen ·X Bomb |
| Blue items | Ashley ·Boss Galaga ·Bus to the City ·Chain Chomp ·Dillon ·Doc Louis ·Excitebike ·Ghosts (Luigi's Mansion) ·Great Fox ·Isabelle ·POW Block ·Riki ·Snorlax ·Super Star ·Tetra ·Timmy & Tommy ·Tingle ·Yellow Wollywog ·Zinger |
| Green items | Porky Minch ·Proto Man ·Substitute Doll |
| Random events | Banzai Bill ·Flying Man ·Iridescent Glint Beetle ·Kamek ·Koffing ·Metal Face ·Metroid ·Nabbit ·Reaper ·Ridley ·Souflee ·Tac ·Yellow Devil |
