Color Switch
- “You may have heard of blue-color switches. Now enjoy red and yellow as well-o!”
- —Advertisement for the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong [1]
Color Switches,[2] also parsed as color switches[3] and originally known as simply switches,[4] are objects found throughout the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. They come in red (known as a Red Color Switch[5] [6] ), yellow, or blue varieties, and are activated when Mario or a Mini jumps on top of them. They typically enable Color 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 as Phantom Guys, into harmless solid blocks.
History[edit ]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong[edit ]
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong , Color Switches appear as rounded buttons, similar to P 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 manipulate Polterguys in Spooky 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's remake, 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 manipulate Flower Fans and Warp Boxes, as they will function only if their respective switch is activated.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis[edit ]
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis , Color Switches are introduced in Room 2-1 of Tropical 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[7] and sliding doors[8] of the same color extend, while sliding bridges and sliding doors of different colors retract. In Spooky Attic, Color Switches can manipulate Phantom Guys in the same way as Polterguys in Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
In the Construction Zone, Color Switches can be used in the Tropical Island construction kit, Special Kit 1, Special Kit 2, and Special Kit 3.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again![edit ]
Color switches reappear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! . They are introduced in Room 2-1 of Sandstone Stroll. When a Mini presses a color switch, any retracted color bridges[3] and gates[3] 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 reappear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. When a Mini presses a Color Switch, it inverts the state of Color Blocks of the same color. Like in Mario 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 in Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge , retaining their appearance and behavior from Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. Blue Color Switches first appear in Level 5, with red and yellow Color Switches being introduced in Level 11, and blue and yellow Color Switches reappearing in Star 8.
Gallery[edit ]
Frame from a promotional stop motion animation for Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
A red Color Switch from Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
A yellow Color Switch from Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
A blue Color Switch from Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Names in other languages[edit ]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Note(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | カラースイッチ Karā Suitchi |
Color Switch | [9] | |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 颜色开关 Yánsè Kāiguān |
Color Switch | [10] | |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 顔色開關 Yánsè Kāiguān |
Color Switch | [10] | |
| French | Bouton | Button | [11] | |
| German | Schalter | Switch | [12] | |
| Italian | Interruttore | Switch | [13] | |
| Spanish | Interruptor | Switch | [14] | |
| Botones de Color | Buttons of Color | [15] |
References[edit ]
- ^ NintendoAmerica (February 16, 2024). Post. X. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong Virtual Console digital instruction manual, page 13 (Items and Features)
- ^ a b c "When Mini Mario jumps on a color switch, all retracted bridges and gates of the same color will extend." – Floor 2 Help 1 (01. COLOR SWITCHES). Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!. Nintendo (American English).
- ^ 2004. Mario vs. Donkey Kong instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (English). Page 23.
- ^ 2016. Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge North American Wii U digital instruction manual. Nintendo (English). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ 2015. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars North American 3DS digital instruction manual. Nintendo (English). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis object graphics filename (contents/data/anims/slidingBridge1_anim.bin)
- ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis object graphics filename (contents/data/anims/slidingDoor_anim.bin)
- ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong Japanese instruction booklet (PDF). nintendo.co.jp. Page 13. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Level 1-2 in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
- ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong European instruction booklet (PDF). nintendo-europe.com. Page 57. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong European instruction booklet. Page 37.
- ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong European instruction booklet. Page 117.
- ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong European instruction booklet. Page 97.
- ^ Guía Mario vs. Donkey Kong § Objetos. Guías Nintendo (European Spanish). Retrieved June 11, 2018. (Archived March 26, 2014, 03:48:54 UTC via Wayback Machine.)