The Ground Pound (also called the Hip Drop, Gyro Jump, Simian Slam (Buttus Bashium), Pound The Ground, Butt Stomp and the Bomber) is an ability that has affected the Mario series dramatically, along with moves such as the Wall Jump and Spin Jump. The controls required to execute the move are rather inconsistent throughout the many Mario games. In most cases, the move is performed by jumping into the air and then using a trigger or shoulder button at any point before landing to pound the ground. Some games require the player to repress the jump button (this is usually in mini-game applications, such as in the Mario Party games), and others require the player to hold "down" in conjunction with a button press.
The move can break or activate blocks from underneath, the opposite effect of a normal Jump. It is sometimes the only way to defeat an enemy or complete a task, and is usually more powerful than a regular jump. The Ground Pound is a common move that almost any character can use, even Boo, Dry Bones, and Birdo.
History
The move was first introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3 by Bowser. This version was different from later versions, as Bowser will look toward the screen when he ground pounds. Later versions have it where the character is facing in the same direction through the whole move. Bowser's ground pound move was later seen in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl known as Bowser Bomb.
The ground pound was made famous by Yoshi in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Indeed the ground pound has been referred to as "Yoshi's proudest move." [1]
The move has appeared in most Mario platformers, and could be used in many Mario Party mini games, commonly to flatten opponents and stun them for a few seconds.
Wario is another character who has infamously used the Ground Pound. In Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, he is able to do the move with the help of a special cap. In Wario Lands 2 and 4, he can do this without any ability of any kind. In Wario Land 3, two of the various treasures that Wario collects deal with Ground Pounding―the first introduces the move while the second makes it more powerful.
In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Yoshi Kid can use this attack. To use this attack the player must rapidly tap the R button, this is one of the few attacks that Two Stylish moves can be executed. The closer the player gets to filling the gauge the more damage that will be dealt. No FP is needed to use this attack, and the attack is an initial attack.
In Super Paper Mario, a Pixl named Thudley grants everyone the Ground Pound ability.
In Super Mario Galaxy, quickly after a Star Spin in midair, Mario or Luigi can do a lock-on Ground Pound if an enemy is nearby.
Names in Other Languages
References
- ^ Yoshi's Story Instruction Booklet, page 11.