Triceratops
| Triceratops | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Screenshot from Mario Kart World | |||
| First appearance | Super Mario Bros. film (1993) | ||
| Latest appearance | Donkey Kong Bananza (cameo) (2025) | ||
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- “Its name means 'face with three horns,' which seems rudely dismissive of this dino diva's fashionable frill.”
- —Fossil description, Donkey Kong Bananza
Triceratops[1] are a genus of real life dinosaur that has appeared infrequently in the Super Mario franchise. They are large quadrupedal reptiles characterized by the three horns on their face and the bony frills that grow from behind their heads. Triceratops make their Super Mario debut in Diddy Kong Racing, and have since reappeared mostly in other dinosaur-related contexts.
History[edit]
Super Mario Bros. (film)[edit]
An animated triceratops appears alongside another dinosaur in the opening to the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film. When the other dinosaur says "You know, it just don't get no better than this," the triceratops replies: "Yeah."
Diddy Kong Racing / Diddy Kong Racing DS[edit]
- Main article: Tricky
A large red triceratops named Tricky appears as the first boss of Diddy Kong Racing and its remake. He was brainwashed by the game's main antagonist, Wizpig, and is raced on the course Tricky Challenge. Once defeated twice (the second time after completing every Silver Coin Challenge in Dino Domain), he is liberated from Wizpig's spell and Tricky awards the player the first piece of the Wizpig amulet.
During the ending cinematic, Tricky dances alongside two smaller triceratops of pink and yellow color.
Mario Artist: Paint Studio[edit]
In Mario Artist: Paint Studio, a triceratops appears as one of the seven creatures the player can take a photo of in Dinosaur Land. Doing so unlocks the ability to edit the triceratops textures.
Super Mario Odyssey[edit]
A triceratops skeleton appears at the top of Fossil Falls in Super Mario Odyssey. It can be stood on, and spinning Cappy on its center horn will release a Power Moon.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Nintendo Switch)[edit]
A triceratops skeleton based on the one from Super Mario Odyssey appears in the level Mine Cart Cascade Crusade, which is based on the Cascade Kingdom. The skeleton is found over a waterfall, like in Super Mario Odyssey, and it is travelled under during the Mine Cart ride. Its exposed nostril contains a Super Gem, which can be collected by throwing a turnip at it.
Luigi's Mansion 3[edit]
A large triceratops skull can be found in the Unnatural History Museum in Luigi's Mansion 3. Luigi can use the Poltergust G-00 to collect Bills from its jaw.
Mario Kart World[edit]
Green triceratops appear in Mario Kart World, where they can be found roaming in Dino Dino Jungle. They are depicted with a flattened frill and nose horn, allowing racers to use them as ramps.
Missions[edit]
Triceratops are featured in the following missions:
| Mission | Location | Time limit (seconds) | Description | Sticker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ramp off the triceratops! |
Dino Dino Jungle | 20.00 | Use the triceratops as a ramp. | 
|
 Race offroad through a dinosaur-filled jungle! |
Dino Dino Jungle | 15.00 | Race through rings in an area filled with triceratops, T. rexes, and brachiosauruses. | 
|
 Zip past and over the wild dinosaurs! |
Dino Dino Jungle | 15.00 | Race through rings in an area filled with triceratops, T. rexes, and brachiosauruses. | 
|
Donkey Kong Bananza[edit]
The skull of a triceratops appears as the extra-rare fossil of the Canyon Layer in Donkey Kong Bananza.
Gallery[edit]
Donkey Kong Bananza
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | トリケラトプス[2] Torikeratopusu |
Triceratops | |
| French | Tricératops[3] | Triceratops |
