Ground Pound

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door move
	Ground Pound
Mastered by	Yoshi
Rank	Base Rank
Effect	Bounces on an enemy multiple times, dealing damage
Target	Any non-ceiling enemy
Attack Power	1x4 Base Rank; 1x5 Super Rank; 1x6 Ultra Rank

It has been suggested that this page be split into the following: Ground Pound, Ground Pound Jump, Homing Ground Pound. (discuss)

This article is about the technique. For the minigame from Mario Party, see Ground Pound (minigame). For Donkey Kong's move that is also called "Ground Pound", see Hand Slap.

Mario hitting a ? Block with a Ground Pound

“Yoshi will "Pound The Ground." This has many uses, and it rocks!”

—Message Block, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

The Ground Pound, also known as the Hip Drop,^[1] Pound the Ground attack, Bounce,^[2] Butt-Bash,^[3] Jump Smash,^[4] Smash Attack,^[5] and Butt Stomp (formatted as ground-pound in Super Mario 64 DS, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Galaxy 2; also formatted as ground pound^[6] and also known as the Spin Jump in Paper Mario and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door), is a recurring technique in the Super Mario franchise, first usable by Mario in Super Mario 64 and having become a common move used by him and many other characters since then, along with moves such as the Wall Jump and Spin Jump. It involves the user falling more quickly and slamming into the ground with their rear, often to apply more force than an average stomp but with less mobility. It can have multiple effects, primarily either to attack or to break or activate blocks and other objects from above; using it is the only way to complete certain tasks, such as destroying Chain Chomps' stakes or pressing a Ground-Pound Switch. In certain games (first in Super Mario Galaxy), objects with a unique effect when Ground Pounded are marked with a symbol resembling an explosion. The move is usually executed by pressing the crouch button in midair, but it is sometimes instead used by pressing the jump button twice (especially in minigames of the Mario Party series).

History

Super Mario series

Super Mario Bros. 3

Bowser ground-pounding in the Super Mario All-Stars remake of Super Mario Bros. 3

The move was introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3 by Bowser. Unlike in later versions of the move (where the user always faces forwards), Bowser faces the screen when he ground-pounds. If Mario is not in Fire form or Hammer form, he must trick Bowser into ground-pounding the brick floor in the same lateral position three times to make him fall through it, defeating him.

This move was what the Bowser Bomb, Bowser's down special move in the Super Smash Bros. series, was based on.

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

Wario uses a ground pound as one of his attacks in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins. If Mario is on the ground, the attack will briefly stun him.

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS

Artwork of Mario Pounding the Ground from Super Mario 64

Mario ground-pounding in Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 is the first game Mario can ground-pound in. This move is activated by pressing the crouch button while in midair. Ground-pounding does serve some functions in this game, such as activating Blue Coin Blocks, reducing damage taken from severe drops if used close to the ground (sometimes completely nullifying the damage), and defeating enemies. It can also be used to make a quick landing while flying with the Wing Cap. In addition, there is a creature called Dorrie in the Hazy Maze Cave, and pounding his back makes his head go down. That gives easier access to his head, and when on Dorrie's head, the player has easier control over the direction of Dorrie's movements.

Mario also uses this move in the course the Bob-omb Battlefield in the mission Behind Chain Chomp's Gate, where he must pound the stump holding the Chain Chomp's leash in place in order to free it and claim the Power Star. Later, Mario must pound two pillars in the basement to drain the moat and get access to Vanish Cap Under the Moat.

The Pound the Ground attack is used once again in Whomp's Fortress, where the player must pound the Whomp King's back once he slams onto the ground in a total of three times in order to defeat him.

In Super Mario 64 DS, the Pound the Ground attack can be used when Mario uses the Power Flower to become Balloon Mario by using the crouch button to cancel the effect. Wario's Pound the Ground attack lets him smash objects with twice the strength of others, while Yoshi's lets him smash only stumps and Blue Coin Blocks.

Super Mario Sunshine

The purple panel on the wheel in Casino Delfino Mario has to ground-pound

Appearance in Super Mario Sunshine

The use of the Ground Pound is greatly expanded in Super Mario Sunshine. One of its main uses involves using it to flip small circular Manhole covers that appear in both Delfino Plaza and Ricco Harbor. This allows Mario to access secret underground tunnels, which often have Blue Coins or 1-Up Mushrooms hidden within them.

The Ground Pound is also used as a means of collecting Shine Sprites. For example, Mario must ground-pound a small stone wheel located on top of the lighthouse in Delfino Plaza in order to release the Shine Sprite hidden there. However, a normal Ground Pound will not have any effect. He must therefore first use the Rocket Nozzle to blast himself into the air, and then do a Ground Pound. This will result in an extra powerful Ground Pound, which is strong enough to break the stone wheel apart.

This move is also used to defeat certain bosses. For example, in Down with Petey Piranha! and Petey Piranha Strikes Back, the player must ground-pound Petey Piranha's engorged belly after spraying water into his mouth three times to defeat him. In addition, it is also used in Episode 3 of Gelato Beach, Wiggler Ahoy! Full Steam Ahead!, when Mario must battle Wiggler. After spraying the Dune Buds, causing Wiggler to flip onto his back, Mario must ground-pound specific segments of his body three consecutive times in order to defeat him. It is also used in the level just before this episode, Mirror Madness! Tilt, Slam, Bam!, where the player must use it to fling the Plungelos off the large mirrors near the Shine Tower.

Finally, the Ground Pound plays a major role during the final boss battle with Bowser and Bowser Jr. in Corona Mountain. Mario must again use the Rocket Nozzle to blast himself into the air, and then ground-pound five separate ends of the large slime-filled hot tub Bowser is sitting in, eventually resulting in the entire hot tub tipping over and Bowser being defeated.

The Ground Pound can also be used to break apart large square watermelons (often found in secret levels) when they block the way or to pound large nails into the ground. It is also used to prevent Mario from taking a considerable amount of damage due to a fall from a great height if used shortly before he hits the ground.

New Super Mario Bros.

Mario about to ground-pound a brick

The Ground Pound returns in New Super Mario Bros. When the player presses down on the D-Pad when in midair, the player will perform a Ground Pound; this can be canceled out mid-ground pound by pressing up on the . Ground Pounds can be used to break bricks or repeatedly earn coins from Coin Blocks (by holding the down button on the Control Pad), but Small Mario cannot break them or earn the coins repeatedly (Mario must keep doing Ground Pounds instead of holding down). In this game, Mario or Luigi can hold the Ground Pound down for as long as the player wants. This never appeared in any game after this.

The Sledge Bro is able to use this move to stun Mario if the plumber fails to jump.

At the World 5 Castle, the player will fight Petey Piranha, who will perform an angled Ground Pound after flying in the air for a few seconds. Once Petey Piranha touches the ground, he will become dizzy and fall down, giving Mario or Luigi a chance to stomp him, unless the plumber is hit.

In addition, Ground Pounds deal double damage on enemies and bosses; for example, Ground Pounding Bowser Jr. would result in Mario/Luigi dealing two hits, rather than one from a single jump. They can immediately send Koopa Troopas in their shells and start sliding quickly, or to make Snailicorns slide across the ice.

If Mario is Mini Mario, then Ground Pounds are required to deal damage, but the damage would only be equal of a regular jump. Ground Pounds must be used as Mini Mario to defeat Mummipokey and Petey Piranha to go to Worlds 4 and 7, respectively (however, using certain cannons can also take Mario there).

Super Mario Galaxy

The stone wheel antenna found at the top of Mecha-Bowser in the Toy Time Galaxy in Super Mario Galaxy.

In Super Mario Galaxy, the Ground Pound is mainly used to activate Ground-Pound Switches, large switches emblazoned with the Ground Pound logo. These switches appear in almost every galaxy, and can perform any number of functions when pounded, from making Star Bits appear to causing an entire section of a wall to fall down.

In addition to this, beetle-like creatures called Mandibugs make their appearance in this game, and they have the Ground Pound symbol right on the back of their shell, indicating that Mario must defeat them using a Ground Pound. The boss Bugaboom fought later in the game is also defeated in a similar fashion, though he must be Ground Pounded three times.

The Ground Pound is also used to pound stumps into the ground. An example of this is in the mission "The Dirty Tricks of Major Burrows" in the Gusty Garden Galaxy, where Mario must Ground Pound stumps sticking out of three large apple-shaped planetoids in order to send the large worm inside burrowing through to the next one.

Many stone wheels with the Ground Pound symbol on them also appear in this game, and are usually found stacked on top of one another. Mario must simply Ground Pound over the entire stack to obliterate them all. This is seen in the Toy Time Galaxy in the mission "Heavy Metal Mecha-Bowser," where Mario must Ground Pound the stack of stone wheels on the head of the Mecha-Bowser in order to defeat it.

Undergrunt Gunners are also defeated through the use of the Ground Pound, as the glass case covering the cockpit of their large cannons must be Ground Pounded three times in order to break it and defeat them.

There are orange Springboards in certain galaxies with the Ground Pound symbol on them. When the player Ground Pounds them, they will be flung into the air, allowing them to reach certain ? Blocks or platforms that they would not normally be able to reach.

Performing a Ground Pound while underwater instead has Mario briefly dive downwards.

Also, quickly after a spin in midair, Mario or Luigi can do a Homing Ground Pound, which will cause him to come crashing down directly on a nearby enemy or object without needing to aim first. This move is not mentioned in the game's instruction booklet.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

The Ground Pound from New Super Mario Bros. Wii is almost the same as the Ground Pound from New Super Mario Bros.. Starting from this game, Ground Pounding a Koopa Troopa, Buzzy Beetle etc. does not make it retreat into its shell and start sliding, but defeats it instantly. However, the double damage effect was removed on bosses in this game, instead dealing only one hit, just like a normal jump.

It has also been shown that Roy Koopa and Morton Koopa Jr. can use this move in their battles.

In addition, this game introduces the Simultaneous Ground Pound which is only available in multiplayer.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

Mario Ground Pounding after spinning.

The Ground Pound can also be used in Super Mario Galaxy 2, and serves the same purpose as in its predecessor, though with a few minor differences. For example, meteorites with the Ground Pound symbol on them appear out of the ground in every Bowser level, which the player must Ground Pound in exactly the right place to send them flying into large stone locks blocking the way through the door to the next area.

Meteorites also appear during every Bowser battle, and therefore serve as the player's main means of dealing damage to Bowser in his giant form (however, many of them also release damaging shock waves when they hit the ground, so they are somewhat of a double-edged sword in this regard). The player must Ground Pound several of these meteorites into Bowser during the battle, hitting him a total of four times to defeat him (with the exception of the final battle, in which Bowser will return after being defeated and the player must Ground Pound four more planetoids into him), for a grand total of sixteen times over the course of all three Bowser battles in the game.

Both Glamdozer and her Pupdozer underlings also feature the Ground Pound symbol emblazoned in white (purple in Glamdozer's case) directly on their stomachs, which is positioned as such to clue the player in to their weakness, indicating that they must be Ground Pounded in order to be defeated. However, unlike the majority of other Super Mario enemies, these particular adversaries must always be Ground Pounded when they are positioned under a flipping cage, as Mario cannot access their weak spot otherwise.

Bugaboom reappears in this game in the Puzzle Plank Galaxy, and is defeated in the same way as in Super Mario Galaxy.

The Whomp King also makes a reappearance in this game in the Throwback Galaxy, and must be defeated in exactly the same way as in Super Mario 64 (by Ground Pounding his back three times when he slams to the ground).

Finally, the Ground Pound also plays a key role in the defeat of Bowser Jr.'s Boomsday Machine in Bowser Jr.'s Boom Bunker, as Mario must Ground Pound the glass case covering the cockpit of the machine (in much the same way as when he dealt with Undergrunt Gunners in the first game).

The Homing Ground Pound move can also be used in this game, and is activated in the same way: by spinning and Ground Pounding at the same time.

Super Mario 3D Land

Mario Ground Pounding in Super Mario 3D Land.

Mario defeating a stack of Goombas with a ground pound.

As in previous games, Mario can ground pound in Super Mario 3D Land, this time by pressing or in mid-air. This allows Mario to hit/defeat enemies and destroy blocks and crates. Mario can also now use this move underwater as well (replacing the Super Mario Galaxy games' downward dive), although it will end after a shorter period. If Mario uses a Statue Leaf to become Tanooki Mario, however, this move will be replaced by the form's statue transformation.

New Super Mario Bros. 2

Mario Ground Pounding in New Super Mario Bros. 2.

As in previous games, Mario can ground pound in New Super Mario Bros. 2, in the same way he could do it in New Super Mario Bros. and New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

The Ground Pound returns in New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Luigi U and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, working as it did in previous New Super Mario Bros. games.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

The Ground Pound returns in Super Mario 3D World, with similar properties to New Super Mario Bros. U and Super Mario 3D Land (although with a Lucky Bell being used to turn into Lucky Cat Mario, instead of a Statue Leaf), but it now also reveals invisible objects temporarily. Players can also perform a high jump after executing a Ground Pound, by pressing the jump button a bit after landing from the move (upon landing in the Switch port). This move is called a Ground Pound Jump^[7]. The Simultaneous Ground Pound also returns.

If a character Ground Pounds another one under the effects of a Double Cherry, the Ground Pounded clone will become that of the Ground Pounder.

Giga Cat Mario Ground Pounding Fury Bowser in Bowser's Fury

In the Bowser's Fury campaign in the Nintendo Switch port, the Ground Pound is an essential move to defeat Fury Bowser, but can only be done once he has his shell flipped over. Fury Bowser himself also uses a similar move which involves him tucking into his shell, jumping into the air and slamming his shell on the ground, creating a ring of fire. Additionally, the Ground-Pound Switch reappears in Bowser's Fury, which may reveal an obstacle course for Mario to cross or a battle arena full of enemies that must be defeated to obtain a Cat Shine.

Super Mario Odyssey

In Super Mario Odyssey, the Ground Pound and Ground Pound Jump return, working as they did in Super Mario 3D World, though the Ground Pound Jump can be done immediately after a Ground Pound. Pressing during the move's startup makes Mario do a dive instead, and doing so underwater makes Mario perform a Quick Swim forwards. The in-game brochure for the Lost Kingdom also implies that the starburst symbol used to denote areas vulnerable to a ground pound originated there.^[8] Bowser uses this move after Mario and Cappy take away his hat from him, and when he does, he creates a ring of fire, although in some cases, it can be three.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Ground Pounding returns in Super Mario Bros. Wonder working as it did previously. Ground Pounding as Drill Mario causes the user to drill downward for a more powerful attack that can break jewel blocks.^[9] New to this entry, a Ground Pound causes a drum roll to play when activated, followed by a crash cymbal sound when the attack lands.^[10]

Wario Land series

In Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, Wario is able to do the move as Bull Wario. In Wario Land II and Wario Land 4, he can do this without any ability of any kind. In Wario Land 3, one of the various treasures that Wario collects will enable him to Ground Pound, while a second treasure makes it more powerful. If Wario performs this move from a great height, it becomes a block-breaking Super Smash Attack^[5]. In Wario Land: Shake It!, Wario can perform a similar move called the Earthshake Punch.

In Virtual Boy Wario Land, Wario can Body Slam^[11], which closely resembles a Ground Pound except Wario faces downwards and does a weaker maneuver. Bull Wario and King Dragon Wario can perform a more traditional Ground Pound.

Yoshi franchise

Yoshi doing a Ground Pound while Baby Mario flies off from his back.

Light Blue Yoshi from Yoshi's Story Ground Pounding.

The Ground Pound (originally called Pounding The Ground or Pounding the Ground^[12]) can also be used by Yoshi in the Yoshi games. It was first used in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. This move can be used to stomp on posts, break crates and defeat enemies. The Ground Pound has been referred to as "Yoshi's proudest move".^[13] Baby Bowser also uses the Ground Pound in the first phase of his battle with Yoshi, and is capable of creating shockwaves that can hurt Yoshi and Baby Mario. The Bandit also uses this move in the Popping Balloons Mini Battle. This strategy can be used by Yoshi in return. The move returns in Yoshi's Story, Yoshi's Island DS, Yoshi's New Island and Yoshi's Crafted World. In Yoshi's Woolly World, Yoshi becomes a hammer when he ground pounds, except for when he is in his Mega Yoshi form.

The move Yoshi Bomb used by Yoshi in the Super Smash Bros. series was based on the Ground Pound Yoshi performs in the Yoshi series.

Mario Party series

Toad and Yoshi performing Ground Pounds in the minigame Fungi Frenzy in Mario Party 9

The move appears in many Mario Party games, commonly to win minigames, activate panels, and flatten opponents, which stuns them for a few seconds. In Mario Party, Mario Party 2, and Mario Party 3, ground-pounding is performed by pressing and then . In Mario Party and Mario Party 2, the move was called the Hip Drop ("hip" being wasei-eigo for the buttocks). Since Mario Party 4, ground-pounding is performed by pressing the jump button while in the air.

Donkey Kong 64

See also: Simian Slam

In Donkey Kong 64, Donkey Kong's Simian Slam functions similarly to Mario's Ground Pound in Super Mario 64. It can be upgraded to Super Simian Slam, which allows the Kongs to activate blue Kong Switches, then it upgrades to Super Duper Simian Slam, which grants the Kongs the ability to slam red switches.

During the final battle against King Krusha K. Rool, he uses a ground pound attack during the first and fourth rounds.

Paper Mario series

Paper Mario

Mario can break through wooden panels with a ground pound.

The Spin Jump move in Paper Mario is extremely similar to a Ground Pound, and is first granted by the Super Boots found in Boo's Mansion. In the field, it allows Mario to break boarded-up holes, as well as to reveal the contents of hidden panels, which is required in order to obtain some of the collectible Star Pieces found in the game. Once Mario finds the Ultra Boots in the Toad Town Tunnels, he will lose the Super Boots and the Spin Jump ability will be replaced with the Tornado Jump.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, after Mario finds the Super Boots in The Great Tree in Boggly Woods, he can do a Spin Jump by pressing in midair, which works like a Ground Pound (and referred to as a Ground Pound in the manual). The Spin Jump can be used in battle for 2 FP and does 4 base damage (two jumps that deal 2 damage each). When Bowser is playable in his Super Mario Bros.-style mini-stages, he can perform a Spin Jump the same way. Once Mario has obtained the Ultra Boots from the Riverside Station, he will lose the Super Boots, but retain the Spin Jump move while learning the new Spring Jump ability.

Furthermore, Yoshi also has a default attack called Ground Pound. This move only deals 1 damage at base strength, but the amount of hits can be increased by executing the Action Command. The player must rapidly tap during the allocated time to fill a gauge. The further this gauge is filled, the more bounces will be performed, resulting in up to six bounces at Ultra Rank. Yoshi can also perform two Stylish moves during the attack. For the first, the player must press as Yoshi is first lined up with the enemy from above, and for the second, the player must press as Yoshi hits the ground after the attack.

As a jump-type move, although this attack can target any non-ceiling enemies, it will be canceled by certain enemies who deal contact damage from above. Also similarly to Power Bounce, if Yoshi's attack is increased, only the first hit will be affected by the power buffs, and each consecutive hit will simply do one damage less than the last, down to 1 damage.

Super Paper Mario

Thudley, the ground pound Pixl in Super Paper Mario.

In Super Paper Mario, a Pixl named Thudley grants the hero the Ground Pound ability. This move can be used to stomp on yellow posts, which activates certain things, and to deal double damage to enemies. Also, O'Chunks can perform ground pounds in his boss battles.

Super Smash Bros. series

Bowser's Ground Pound move was later seen in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, known as the Bowser Bomb. Bowser either faces the screen or has his back to the screen when he uses his Ground Pound, similar to his Ground Pound in Super Mario Bros. 3.

Yoshi also comes with his own Ground Pound known as the Yoshi Bomb in the Super Smash Bros. series. Additionally, a standard Ground Pound appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as Luigi's new down throw, effectively replacing his body slam. Wario's down throw is also reminiscent of the Ground Pound from the Wario Land games. Princess Peach's down throw (from Super Smash Bros. Melee to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U) can be considered as a Ground Pound, since it involves her jumping in the air and slamming her opponents by sitting.

Wario World

Wario about to Ground Pound a closed Swirly Slab in Beanstalk Way.

In Wario World, a Ground Pound can be performed by pressing the button while jumping. It has many uses, such as attacking enemies, destroying Rock Blocks, bouncing off Bunny Springs. It is also used to open trapdoors that lead to sub-levels where red diamonds can be found, as well as goal trapdoors that lead to boss battles. However, steel trapdoors cannot be opened with ordinary Ground Pound. Instead, Wario must use a Piledrive, which is executed the same way, but requires Wario to be holding an enemy or object beforehand.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

In Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Yoshi can perform a Ground Pound when landing from a Team Jump, causing a shockwave that harms all characters in the vicinity, whether they are Yoshi's teammates or enemies. It can also be used by Valkyries, Bwario, and the Lava Queen.

WarioWare: Get It Together!

In WarioWare: Get It Together!, Lulu can perform a Ground Pound by tilting down, causing her to quickly drop downwards. Her Ground Pound can be used to hit or push objects in microgames.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Super Mario performs a Ground Pound from a great height and landing in the middle of three Koopa soldiers. The impact of it is shown to be enough to cause the Koopas to retreat into their shells.