It has been requested that this article be rewritten and expanded to include more information. Reason: Appearance in Super Mario Bros. Wonder (tagged on October 29, 2023)
| Lava | |
|---|---|
 Lava in a sub-area of Super Mario Odyssey | |
| First appearance | Super Mario Bros. (1985) |
| Latest appearance | Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) (2024) |
Lava, also known as magma appears in the Super Mario franchise as a common hazard, especially in fortress, castle, and volcano areas. Depending on the game, contact with lava either results in Mario losing some health (as seen in most 3D Super Mario platformer games and Paper Mario), or even losing a life (as seen from most 2D Super Mario platformer games). Super Stars or similar power-ups do not protect the player from lava. The effect lava has on Bowser varies as well, ranging from not affecting him to turning him into Dry Bowser to defeating him.
Lava in the Super Mario franchise is usually red or orange, but later entries have introduced different colors, including blue lava in Super Mario 3D World and pink lava in Super Mario Odyssey.
History
Super Mario series
Super Mario Bros. / Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Lava in Super Mario Bros. is an obstacle in every castle level, and falling into it costs Mario or Luigi a life instantly. At the end of the level, Mario or Luigi must destroy the bridge that either Bowser or an impostor is standing on, causing him to fall into the lava. Lava in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels has the same appearance and purpose, but it can appear in other types of levels as well. In the Super Mario All-Stars version, the secret area in World 1-2 leading to a Warp Zone leading to World 4 has all of the water pits replaced with lava.
Due to the graphical limitations of the Family Computer, its Western counterpart, the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the Family Computer Disk System, lava in Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels both use the water tiles but with different values assigned to the palette; it is also only a background object (proven by characters falling through the lava and not losing a life the moment they touch it). Lava in the Super Mario All-Stars version was given a boiling animation, and Mario falls behind it.
Super Mario Bros. 3
Lava in Super Mario Bros. 3 causes Mario and Luigi to lose a life on contact. It appears in some Fortress levels, usually at the bottom of the level. Touching the lava on the ceiling in World 5's second fortress oddly does not cost Mario or Luigi a life.
Super Mario World
Lava in Super Mario World retains its lethal properties, and appears in fortress, castle, and some underground levels. Once again, Mario or Luigi will instantly lose a life if they fall into the lava. In certain caves, there is a brighter color of lava which frequently has Skull Rafts on it; these rafts are the only way to complete these levels. If Yoshi, a power-up, or an enemy falls into the lava, it slowly sinks into the lava and eventually disappears; if Mario is riding Yoshi at the time, he will lose a life (although a glitch allows Yoshi to stand on slanted lava slopes). Chocolate lava (or possibly boiling hot mud or tar) appears in Chocolate Fortress and Chocolate Island 4, as the first differently colored lava in a Super Mario game, to match the theme of Chocolate Island, functioning identically to normal colored lava.
Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS
Lava in Super Mario 64 and its remake is a lethal obstacle covering much of Lethal Lava Land and Bowser in the Fire Sea, and it can release Sparkies and Firesnake-like clumps of fire. Unlike in the 2D Super Mario games, when any character touches lava, he jumps into the air and rapidly loses three wedges of health (or four and a half wedges if Mario, Luigi, or Wario has no cap).[1] Both lava stages feature enemies referred to as Bullies that try to knock Mario into lava, although Mario can jump on them or punch them to knock them into lava for coins. In the remake, Wario is able to withstand lava with his metal power-up. When walking on lava, he will move as if he is in quicksand.
Super Mario Sunshine
Lava in Super Mario Sunshine is located only in Corona Mountain, where it covers the entire bottom of the stage, and Mario loses a life from touching it. A similar substance known as burning goop (or "lava")[2] appears throughout Pianta Village, where it had painted by Shadow Mario with his magic brush. Touching the burning goop causes Mario to leap in the air while losing health, similarly to Super Mario 64.
New Super Mario Bros.
Lava in New Super Mario Bros. is an obstacle functioning identically as in Super Mario Bros. 3 in that it causes Mario to lose a life upon contact, even while he is Mega. Lava in World 1-
Castle turns Bowser into Dry Bowser after he falls into it by the end of the level. Lava appears in most Castle levels, World 4-
Tower and a few levels in World 8. Rising lava is a major hazard in some of the levels.
Super Mario Galaxy
Lava in Super Mario Galaxy appears in every Bowser level, though Bowser Jr.'s Lava Reactor has considerably more lava than the other Bowser levels, and lots of lava can also be found in the hot portions of Freezeflame Galaxy and in Melty Molten Galaxy. Other galaxies, while not composed of lava entirely, do rely heavily on the presence of lava as a major obstacle in some areas. Lava causes Mario to catch on fire and jump into the air, similarly as in Super Mario 64, but it now costs him a wedge of health and is followed by him running uncontrollably. Lava can be crossed by Mario safely if he is under the effects of the Ice Flower.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Lava in New Super Mario Bros. Wii appears in most castle levels, in most World 8 levels, and in World 9-6. Like in most Super Mario Bros. games, touching lava causes the player to lose a life: in this case, Mario, Luigi, Yellow Toad, or Blue Toad.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Lava in Super Mario Galaxy 2 is functionally identical as in Super Mario Galaxy, damaging Mario and sending him flying high in the air. Lava appears throughout the Bowser and Bowser Jr. galaxy stages, and is featured prominently in Shiverburn Galaxy and Melty Monster Galaxy as well.
Super Mario 3D Land
Lava in Super Mario 3D Land is as hazardous as in Super Mario Sunshine and the Super Mario Bros. series, by causing Mario or Luigi to lose a life on contact. Lava appears in Castle levels, some levels of World 8 and a few of the levels in the Special Worlds.
New Super Mario Bros. 2
Lava in New Super Mario Bros. 2 costs the player a life upon contact, like in the other Super Mario Bros. games. Lava appears in many castle levels, especially Bowser's Castle, as well as in many World 6 levels, World 5-
Tower and World 
Star-7. Rising lava is summoned by Bowser during the final boss battle against him.
New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Lava in New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Luigi U, and their Nintendo Switch port costs the player (in this case, Mario, Luigi, Yellow Toad, Blue Toad, Toadette, or Nabbit) an extra life, as in other Super Mario Bros. titles. It appears especially in castles like Iggy's Volcanic Castle. Although Peach's Castle, after Bowser's renovation, does include lava, lava is not involved in the final battle with Bowser.
Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
Lava in Super Mario 3D World and its Nintendo Switch version is a major hazard in some stages, and again takes away a life from the player (either Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, or Rosalina). Some stages feature lava with a deep blue glow; unlike real-world blue lava, which is actually fire produced by burning sulfur, the physical and gameplay properties of in-game blue lava are identical to those of normal, red-orange lava.
Lava in the remake's Bowser's Fury mode has the same effect as before, but since it does not use a life system, touching lava takes away fifty coins instead. The greatest abundance of lava is located in Mount Magmeow and Roiling Roller Isle. Additionally, if Mario touches lava while giant during a battle with Fury Bowser, he will take damage.
Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
Lava in Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS is a non-placeable object restricted to the bottom of castle themed levels only, meaning it is not possible to place separate lava pits individually, either in the castle theme or in other level themes. The lava is animated in all game styles, including the Super Mario Bros. game style, and the player will lose a life on contact rather than falling through it ala the original game.
Super Mario Run
Lava in Super Mario Run returns as an obstacles, though its texture is based on the New Super Mario Bros. U style from Super Mario Maker, but not New Super Mario Bros. U itself.
Super Mario Odyssey
Lava in Super Mario Odyssey is a hazardous obstacle functioning identically as in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2. It is located in the Moon Kingdom, the Seaside Kingdom, and the Darker Side, as well as pink lava appearing in the Luncheon Kingdom. Lava in certain 2D segments are depicted after their appearance from Super Mario Bros. Mario can travel across lava by capturing a Lava Bubble. Lava in the Seaside Kingdom can be cleared away by Mario using a Gushen.
Super Mario Maker 2
Lava returns in the castle theme in Super Mario Maker 2 serving the same role as in previous games. Players can now set the default lava level and/or have it rise and fall at a set speed. The speed can be adjusted to either slow or fast. A Warp Pipe leading into lava will block the player from exiting it in the sub-area.
Super Mario Bros. 35
Lava in Super Mario Bros. 35 functions identically to the original Super Mario Bros., due to this game being a battle-royale adaptation of the original.
Mario Kart series
Lava in the Mario Kart series appears in every Bowser's Castle course and Wii Grumble Volcano. When falling into lava, a driver is slowed down, and they are forced to wait for Lakitu to pull them out before they can continue racing. Courses with lava usually feature Lava Bubbles and in later games, Lava Geysers as obstacles for driving and gliding racers, causing them to spin out and likely fall into the lava when touched.
Wario franchise
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
Lava in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 is the main obstacle of Stove Canyon. Lava causes Wario to instantly lose a life upon contact, functionally identical to their appearance in the Super Mario Bros. series. In particular, Course No.20 has a wall of lava that chases Wario. Bō are obstacles that jump out of lava at regular intervals.
Virtual Boy Wario Land
Lava in Virtual Boy Wario Land functions identically as in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, and is first seen in Stage 1 of the game.
Wario Land 4
Lava in Wario Land 4 is an obstacle that causes Wario to lose a heart and several coins (three silver coins if he has more than 300 points) from jumping into it, though Wario can otherwise move in it as normal. Wario must jump out of the lava onto solid ground in order to avoid losing any more health. Lava appears in in Fiery Cavern, where Lava geysers appear in nearly every pit of lava in the level, where lava rapidly emerges to a certain height and retreats slowly. After hitting the level's switch, all the columns of lava rising from geysers will freeze in place and become walls as well as platforms.
Wario: Master of Disguise
Magma in Wario: Master of Disguise is the main medium in Sweatmore Peak, and if Wario falls into the lava, he will move around as he would in water, but will constantly take damage without proper equipment. Before plunging into magma, he has to acquire the Sweatmore Hotpants in order to become immune to most of the magma in the level. Certain areas inside the magma are hotter and require finding the Sweatmore Superhotpants. Only robotic enemies, such as Battle Salmon, Snackerals, Cyborcas and RoboUrchins, are seen to be able to endure magma.
Wario Land: Shake It!
In Wario Land: Shake It!, lava is found in the levels Mt. Lava Lava and Sneak Peak. Like in the previous game, Wario will lose health if he drops into lava but can otherwise walk in it. Lava can be used to defeat land-based enemies, including Volcannons. Black Scarracudas can be found swimming at the surface of lava, jumping out at Wario to bite him whenever he gets above them.
Yoshi franchise
Lava in the Yoshi franchise is a hazardous obstacle which can make a Yoshi lose a life instantly. Falling into lava, touching spikes, and getting crushed are the only ways Yoshi's death is shown on-screen (not counting when Baby Mario is snatched away); the former shows him flying off-screen, while the latter two show him spinning and collapsing. Yoshi can ride on Poochy to safely travel across lava. Lava commonly includes enemies such as Gargantua Blarggs. This also applies to Yoshi's Story, where a Yoshi will be lost upon touching lava, and it is also one of the few hazards that the Super Happy form is useless against.
Donkey Kong franchise
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest / Donkey Kong Land 2
Lava in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest is an obstacle appearing mainly in the area Crocodile Cauldron, a large volcanically active area. Lava in Donkey Kong Land 2 is also common, but now in the world Krem Cauldron, a hybrid of Crocodile Cauldron and Krem Quay from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest.
Donkey Kong 64
Lava in Donkey Kong 64 is an obstacle that causes the Kongs to lose a health point whenever they touch it. Unlike many other games of the Super Mario franchise, lava can be walked on, and Donkey Kong can do so without taking damage if he is under the effects of Strong Kong. The lava in the battle arena when fighting Dogadon in either Angry Aztec or Fungi Forest, and in the lobby for Hideout Helm takes away all of the Kong's health instantly.
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
Lava in Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is a prevalent obstacle in the levels Grim Volcano, Ancient Foundry, Lava Cavern and Magma Coliseum. Touching lava causes Donkey Kong to lose a heart from his health meter and is quickly launched back to the platform he was last situated on. Once there, he will uncontrollably run around in circles and wail with his rump fuming for a few moments. This period can be shortened if the player repeatedly taps the DK Bongo controllers or, in the New Play Control! version, shakes the Wii Remote or Nunchuk.
DK: Jungle Climber
Rising lava in DK: Jungle Climber is an obstacle in the level Fiery Volcano.
Donkey Kong Country Returns / Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
Lava in Donkey Kong Country Returns and its Nintendo 3DS version appears in most levels of the Volcano world, as well as two other Key Temple stages, Tumblin' Temple and Perilous Passage.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Lava in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze appears only in the levels Spinning Spines, Meltdown Mayhem and Volcano Dome, where touching it causes the Kongs to lose a life instantly.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Lava in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is an obstacle appearing in Pipe Vault, Barrel Volcano, and Bowser's Keep. Touching lava warps Mario back to the entrance of a room. There is lava in the two platforming challenges in Bowser's Keep, which Mario has ten chances to complete, and falling into lava will remove one of his chances along with several coins, and warp him back.
Mario Party series
Lava in the Mario Party series is a hazard to be avoided mostly during certain minigames. Lava is involved in a majority of Bowser-themed game boards.
Mario Party 2
Lava in Mario Party 2 appears in the minigame Hexagon Heat, which involves moving over to the colored spot Toad indicates using the flags he holds. The platforms will slowly fall into lava as a different one is called. Another minigame in both the original and the sequel, Handcar Havoc, involves steering a handcar, and leaning so it does not tip over the edge of the tracks and into lava. However, it is impossible to fall off the edge in the Mario Party 2 version, which is in the sky and has no lava as a result. Lava Tile Isle involves pushing players off the moving tiles and into lava.
Mario Party 4 / Mario Party: The Top 100
Lava in Mario Party 4 appears in the minigame Chain Chomp Fever, where player must avoid falling into the lava while staying out of the way of the Chain Chomp. Lava in The Final Battle! is also a minigame where the player must avoid touching the lava. In Mario Party 4, if the player falls into the lava, they will instantly lose the minigame, while in Mario Party: The Top 100, falling in the lava only makes the player lose one hit point, instead of instantly losing.
Mario Party 5
The minigame Revolving Fire has lava surrounding the arena, trapping the players, and the lone player has to eliminate the other three by rotating the fire or by ground-pounding to trigger a lava wave.
Mario Party 6
Lava in Mario Party 6 appears in the minigame Burnstile, where players have to jump over a turnstile and avoid touching lava, otherwise they are eliminated from the minigame.
Mario Party Advance
Lava in Mario Party Advance is an obstacle in the minigame Stompbot XL, which involves the player avoiding the lava as it heads toward them, and in the minigame Go-go Pogo, where it must be avoided by the player while they use a pogo to get to the end.
Mario Party 7
Lava in Mario Party 7 appears abundantly in the minigame Magmagical Journey!, as an obstacle. Lava is also abundant in the minigames Treasure Dome! and Tunnel of Lava!, but despite this fact, Lava is not an obstacle in either minigame.
Mario Party 8
Lava in Mario Party 8 is an obstacle in the minigame Lava or Leave 'Em, where players also have to dodge Lava Bubbles. The lava in the minigame Lava Lobbers is where a player falls into if they are hit three times. Lava in the minigame Pumper Cars is involved during one section of the course, where the characters racing across a bridge with lava below it, as Lava Bubbles are seen jumping out of the pit.
Mario Party 9
Lava in Mario Party 9 appears as a board obstacle, in Magma Mine, as one of the most dangerous obstacles. The lava in Magma Mine rises two spaces every turn, and if the lava catches up to the cart, the captain loses half of their Mini Stars. Lava appears in the minigame Magma Mayhem, where the players must knock their adversaries off a tilting platform, making them sink into the magma. It also appears in the minigames Tumble Temple, Bowser Pop, and Double Pounder, as an aesthetic element. In the boss battle Spike Strike, the players and Spike are inside a volcano, on a rock surrounded by lava, which rises for the second half, giving less time for players to make a decision. The lava in Chain Chomp Romp is seen flowing down from the volcanoes in the background, but has no effect on gameplay.
Mario Party 10
Lava in Mario Party 10 surrounds the whole board, Chaos Castle, where many of the enemies and gimmicks are also lava-related.
Mario Party: Star Rush
Lava in Mario Party: Star Rush appears in World 4 of Toad Scramble mode, where if a player is located where lava is about to rise, they will automatically be sent to another location while losing some coins.
Paper Mario series
Paper Mario
Lava in Paper Mario appears in two areas only: the first is inside of Mt. Lavalava, and the second is inside of Bowser's Castle. If Mario falls into the lava, he loses one hit point, and most cases require Mario to be carried over the lava by Parakarry or Lakilester.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Lava in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door appears only during the two Bowser events; the first around Bowser's Castle, and the second in World 3, a stage reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. Lava is not encountered by Mario or his party at any point during their journey.
Super Paper Mario
Lava in Super Paper Mario is nearly absent, save for the non-interactive lava surrounding Bowser's Castle in the introduction screen. Lava Bubbles are suggested to jump out of lava from their tattle, which says that the player must avoid them while jumping over lava.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Lava in Paper Mario: Sticker Star is an overworld obstacle that causes Mario to lose three Heart Points on contact. Rising lava in the first area of Rugged Road cannot be crossed by Mario, so he must use a freezing type sticker to accomplish this. In the other areas, Mario uses rock pieces floating on the lava to cross. Lava in Rumble Volcano has to simply be avoided by Mario.
Paper Mario: Color Splash
Lava in Paper Mario: Color Splash appears in Kiwano Temple, Redpepper Volcano, and Redpepper Crater, while lava designed after its appearance from Super Mario Bros. 3 appears in the Green Energy Plant. Lava in the Kiwano Temple appears near the end, and if Mario falls into the lava here, he receives an automatic Game Over. Lava in Redpepper Volcano and Redpepper Crater is present throughout, but if Mario falls into the lava in either of these levels, he loses just 30 HP instead. Draggadon must be used to ride across the lava in Redpepper Volcano.
Paper Mario: The Origami King
Lava in Paper Mario: The Origami King appears at the bottom of Hotfoot Crater, and falling into the Lava causes Mario to receive an instant Game Over.
Mario Golf series
Lava in the Mario Golf series appears in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour in Bowser Badlands, Mario Golf: Advance Tour in the Mushroom Course, Mario Golf: World Tour in Bowser's Castle, and Mario Golf: Super Rush in Bowser Highlands. Prior to Super Rush, if the ball lands in lava, it is counted out of bounds, giving the player a penalty and forcing them to repeat their stroke. In Super Rush, it is considered an ordinary penalty area like a water hazard, placing the ball near the lava instead of back to its original position.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong series
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Lava in Mario vs. Donkey Kong appears in Fire Mountain and Fire Mountain Plus. It acts identically to its appearance in Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World: if Mario touches lava, he burns and loses a life. Lava geysers also appear in some levels, which can lift platforms and help Mario reach higher places. Rising lava is also featured in a few levels.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Lava in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis appears only on the fifth floor, Lava Dome. Any Mini that touches lava is burned and destroyed. Lava geysers reappear in this game, where they are known as Lava Fountains. Lava in the Construction Zone can be used only in the Lava Dome construction kit.
Mario & Luigi series
Lava in every game of the Mario & Luigi series appears in Bowser's Castle, or more specifically Neo Bowser Castle in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team. If the playable character falls into lava, they will immediately jump out and land near where they fell in.
Lava in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team also appears in Mount Pajamaja, Dreamy Mount Pajamaja, and Dreamy Neo Bowser Castle. In certain rooms of the latter area, Mario and Dreamy Luigi must quickly navigate the room as the lava rises. The battle against Giant Bowser also involves knocking him into lava to deal major damage.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Lava in The Super Mario Bros. Movie appears often in several scenes. Lava can be found covering most of Bowser's ship. While it flies over the Snow Kingdom in the first scene of the movie, lava drips onto the ground. Shortly after Luigi arrives at the Dark Lands, he is chased by Dry Bones over small ground sections in a lava pool. Lava can be spotted once again when Luigi is thrown into a dungeon in Bowser's Castle. During the scene, Luigi, Goombas, Penguins, the Penguin King, and a Lumalee are shown hanging in small cages above a large lava lake. During the wedding of Bowser and Peach, the caged characters, now including Cranky Kong and members of the Kong army, are levitated over another lava lake, while Bowser insists that he "sacrifices them in her honor." Later in the scene, the caged characters begin to slowly lower into the lava with a pulley system. The lava starts melting Luigi's cage when it makes contact with it, until he has to hold himself against the bars with his arms and legs to avoid touching it. Peach saves the characters from being drenched in the lava by freezing the pulley system by using the powers from an Ice Flower. Luigi eventually loses his grip on the cage bars and plummets toward the lava lake, but Tanooki Mario flies into view and catches him before he falls in.
According to the behind-the-scenes featurette on the film's DVD and Blu-ray releases, lava is used as a power source for the karts built by the Koopa Troop.[3]
General information
Lava entities
The Super Mario franchise has had many creatures composed or associated with lava in some capacity.
Gallery
![[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]](https://mario.wiki.gallery/images/thumb/a/a8/LavaSMB3.png/120px-LavaSMB3.png)
[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]
Mario Party 3
Paper Mario
DK: Jungle Climber
Super Mario Galaxy 2
![[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]](/File:LavaSMB3.png)
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Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 溶岩[?] Yōgan |
Lava | |
| マグマ[4] Maguma |
Magma | ||
| Chinese (simplified) | 岩浆[?] Yánjiāng |
Lava/magma | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 岩漿[?] Yánjiāng |
Lava/magma | |
| Dutch | Lava[?] | - | |
| French | Lave[?] | Lava | |
| German | Lava[?] | - | |
| Italian | Lava/Magma[?] | - | |
| Criomagma (Super Mario 3D World's blue lava)[?] | Cryomagma | ||
| Korean | 용암[?] Yong-am |
Lava | |
| Russian | Лава[?] Lava |
Lava | |
| Spanish | Lava[?] | - |
See also
References
- ^ UncommentatedPannen (July 21, 2016). HP (5:16). YouTube. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ^ Hodgson, David S J; Stratton, Bryan; Stratton, Stephen (September 3, 2002). Super Mario Sunshine Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 0-7615-3961-1. Page 153.
- ^ rawmeatcowboy (June 5, 2023). Miyamoto suggested Mario shouldn't like mushrooms in the Mario movie (and more bonus facts!). Nintendo Life. Retrieved June 5, 2023. (Archived June 5, 2023, 21:08:44 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong Shogakukan book
