A Flipswitch Panel[1][2] is a type of switch that appears in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2. They start off as blue panels with a question mark on them. The panel will turn yellow and have an exclamation mark when it is stepped on, but then will turn back to a blue question mark if it is stepped on again (the only exception is the Flipswitch Panels in the Gateway Galaxy, which all have circles on them rather than a "?" or "!"). However, a Flipswitch Panel will not change if Mario or Luigi jumps and lands on it again before walking off it; Mario or Luigi must step onto another Flipswitch Panel or a regular platform in order to change the color of the Flipswitch Panel. When all of the Flipswitch Panels are stepped on in a specific area, they turn green and display a square on them. After this has happened, they will no longer change. After this, an event will occur within the immediate area. A galaxy called the Flipswitch Galaxy has a planet made completely out of Flipswitch Panels. Sometimes Mario or Luigi will be chased by Cosmic Clones on Flipswitch Panel planets.
When Flipswitch Panels are stepped on, a tone is heard. The tones always remain in harmony with the background music and its chord structure, though they are detached.
Flipswitch Panels appear in Super Mario 3D World as they did in the Super Mario Galaxy series, except this time a Flipswitch Panel can be changed between yellow and blue even if the player jumps off and back on it without completely leaving the switch. When all Flipswitch Panels in a series are activated, they turn into green "!" Flipswitch Panels.[3] Making the last Flipswitch Panel yellow gives the player 2000 points. Players can also change the colour by tapping on the Flipswitch Panel with the Wii U Gamepad.
Flipswitch Panel Locations
Super Mario Galaxy
| Galaxy | Level | Area | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Galaxy | Grand Star Rescue | Located inside the second of the two metal planets in the galaxy. | When all of the Flipswitch Panels have been deactivated, the first Grand Star will be released. |
| Good Egg Galaxy | Dino Piranha, Dino Piranha Speed Run | Optional planet of Flipswitch Panels found between the Bitten Apple Planet and the Block-Climb Planet. | First set of Flipswitch Panels makes the next set appear, and the second set makes a Launch Star appear. |
| Flipswitch Galaxy | Painting the Planet Yellow | The entire main planet in the galaxy is composed of multiple Flipswitch Panels. | The player must activate all of the Flipswitch Panels on the planet to make the Power Star appear. |
| Dusty Dune Galaxy | Soaring on the Desert Winds | Found under a Thwomp in a secret tunnel accessed via a Warp Pipe to the right of the Starting Planet. | When the player activates the two Flipswitch Panels, a large number of Star Bits will appear. |
| Toy Time Galaxy | The Flipswitch Chain | Found at various points on the Chain Planets near the end of the galaxy. | The player must activate all of the Flipswitch Panels on these planets to make the Power Star appear. |
| Dreadnought Galaxy | Dreadnought's Colossal Cannons | Located at various intervals separated by electric fences on the Chomp Pup Planet. | First set will deactivate the electric fence leading to the next set; the next set will deactivate all electric fences and make any remaining Chomp Pups disappear. |
| Snow Cap Galaxy | Star Bunnies in the Snow | Scattered at different points around the small planetoid, some hidden under snow. | After all five Flipswitch Panels have been pressed, a small hatch on the top of the planetoid will open and reveal a Fire Flower. |
Super Mario Galaxy 2
| Galaxy | Level | Area | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Station Galaxy | Storming the Sky Fleet | The Flipswitch Fleet Planet in this galaxy consists mainly of multiple Flipswitch Panels. | When the first set has been activated, it will reveal the next set, which will make a Launch Star appear when activated. |
| Rolling Masterpiece Galaxy | Silver Chomp Grudge Match | Just after the Palette Planet is an elevator leading to six Flipswitch Panels in a triangular formation. | When the Flipswitch Panels have been activated, the ruler bridge leading to the next planet will appear. |
| Sweet Mystery Galaxy | Bulb Berry's Mysterious Glow | Just before the Present Planet are five Flipswitch Panels located on various small planetoids. | After all five are pressed, a Launch Star leading to the next planet will appear. |
| Mario Squared Galaxy | Make Mario a Star | The hands, face, and overall buttons on the 8-Bit Mario Planet all consist of Flipswitch Panels. | Once every Flipswitch Panel has been activated, the Power Star will appear back on the starting platform. |
| Grandmaster Galaxy | The Ultimate Test, The Perfect Run | Just beyond the Flower Grapple Area are 21 Flipswitch Panels in a square-like formation. | When every switch has been flipped, the Launch Star will appear on the starting platform. |
Super Mario 3D World
| World | Level | Area | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| World 1-5 | Switch Scramble Circus | Almost the whole level consists of multiple sets of Flipswitch Panels. | When every switch of one set has been flipped, a path gets opened, often leading into another set of Flipswitch Panels. |
| World 4-5 | Spike's Lost City | In a secret room with Spikes | When all switches are flipped a Green Star appears. |
World 6- Mystery House
|
Mystery House Throwdown | The final room has 3 Flipswitch Panels behind Thwomps | When all switches are flipped the last Green Star appears. |
World  Castle-2
|
Switchblack Ruins | Several rooms have sets of Flipswitch Panels. | When every switch of one set has been flipped, the room gets lit up and a path opens. |
World  Flower-1
|
Switch Shock Circus | Almost the whole level consists of multiple sets of Flipswitch Panels (and Fizzlits). There's also a set in a Mystery Box. | When every switch of one set has been flipped, a path gets opened, often leading into another set of Flipswitch Panels or a Green Star. |
World  Crown- Mystery House
|
Mystery House Marathon | A room has 3 Flipswitch Panels which are on walls behind Thwomps and grey Brick Blocks, similar to the room in 6-Mystery House. | When all switches are flipped a Green Star appears. |
Names in other languages
References
- ^ Super Mario Galaxy English instruction booklet, page 18
- ^ Super Mario Galaxy 2 instruction booklet, page 20
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5UKysyDZEI