A Cork is found at the end of Super Mario Bros. 2 when the player defeats Wart. Closing the vase that contains Subcons is the Cork that acts as a lid to keep the Subcons from getting out. When Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool or Toad defeat Wart, they go to the outskirts of the castle and find the vase. They then pull the cork off the vase and the Subcons fly out and the game ends.
A giant cork also plays a vital role in the game Super Mario Sunshine. In the first episode of Noki Bay, the waterfall is clogged by a giant cork and the Noki fisherman believes that is the reason for the pollution of the water around the bay. When Mario reaches the top of the cliffs and to the giant cork, he finds that a Monty Mole mans a cannon on the giant cork. Mario proceeds to defeat the Mole, causing the cannon to explode. The extreme force of the waterfall then throws the cork and the cannon with the Monty Mole into the sky. The waterfall was now uncorked, but was not the reason for the pollution. With Mario now having access to the waterfall, he can now travel underwater to face the real threat, Eely Mouth, in episode 4.
A cork also makes a minor appearance in the game New Super Mario Bros. in level 2-6. Near the end of the level, a Piranha Plant on a cork blocks the pipe to the exit. Mario or Luigi must jump on the nearby pump device three times. On the third time, the cork will go flying into the air and take out the Piranha Plant with it. Mario or Luigi can then access the pipe leading to the exit of the level.