Flutter Jump
- “Press and hold
while riding 
Yoshi to do a flutter jump! It's perfect for when you need to go just a LITTLE higher than normal!” - —Board on Starship Mario, Super Mario Galaxy 2
The Flutter Jump (alternatively formatted as Flutter-Jump[1] or flutter jump), also known as the Hovering Jump in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Sustained Jump in Yoshi's Story Prima material,[2] Hover in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and flutter kick in Super Mario 64 DS and Yoshi Touch & Go, is a jumping technique in the Super Mario franchise. The move was introduced in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, which also started the Yoshi franchise. The Flutter Jump is heavily associated with Yoshi and his species of the same name, and nearly every appearance of either where they have unique abilities includes the Flutter Jump. As such, it tends to be linked to the Yoshi franchise more than Super Mario as a whole, since Yoshi is not present in every game of the Super Mario series.
The Flutter Jump can be used only in the air. To perform it, the user rapidly moves their legs back and forth until they start to float and seemingly "walk" on air. Some animations also involve swinging the arms in the same manner. The result is that the character's falling slows down dramatically, followed by a quick rise upward. If the user moves forward as they flutter-jump, the graph of their motion would resemble a ladle. At the peak, the user's legs and arms stop flailing and return to normal. The sounds that Yoshi makes while flutter-jumping imply some exertion is required to flutter-jump. They also serve as an indicator for the Flutter Jump's duration. Flutter-jumping is usually performed by holding the same button used for jumping while in the air. It ends instantly when the button is released, or at the peak of the jump.
A Flutter Jump can be used to extend the reach of a character's normal jump or recover from falling into a bottomless pit. By ending the move before the rising portion, it can be used only to control a descent. As a general rule, flutter-jumping has similar restrictions to double-jumping in games outside the Super Mario franchise: After doing a Flutter Jump, the user cannot perform the move again until after they land on something. That something may be ground or an enemy. However, the Yoshi franchise has an alternative ruleset where repeated Flutter Jumps are allowed.
Many of Yoshi's special moves in non-platform games incorporate the Flutter Jump, such as the Rainbow Flutter in Mario Power Tennis and the Flutter Dunk in Mario Hoops 3-on-3. When the Rainbow Flutter returns tennis balls, they have a rainbow trail. This was further used for Yoshi himself as he flutter-jumps in the Flutter Dunk, and the visual effect later becomes associated with Yoshi's special moves even when a Flutter Jump is not involved.
Some characters aside from Yoshi can perform the motions of a Flutter Jump, such as Ludwig von Koopa, Baby Bowser,[3] Poochy, and the Poochy Pups. Though many of these have not been identified by name as a Flutter Jump, they are listed here for completeness.
History[edit]
Yoshi franchise[edit]
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island[edit]
The Flutter Jump was introduced in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island as a core mechanic. The move allows the Yoshis to move through the air for a short time. Unlike in later appearances in the Super Mario franchise, a Yoshi can flutter-jump an infinite number of times without needing to land. In essence, the Flutter Jump allows a Yoshi to cross any horizontal gap and stay aloft for an infinite amount of time. However, a lockout period between each Flutter Jump prevents the successive Flutter Jumps from going any higher than the first without first landing at a higher point.
Yoshi can flutter far by jumping off of an enemy or a bouncy surface with good timing.
Yoshi's Woolly World/ Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World[edit]
In Yoshi's Woolly World and its enhanced port, Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World, Yoshi is made from yarn. Many of Yoshi's moves change the shape of his body to emphasize the material; using a Flutter Jump transmutes Yoshi's legs into a propeller to represent the swinging legs as one example. Due to the conflict between stomping on enemies and the Flutter Jump's input, the Flutter Jump has an interesting mechanic. When used after landing on an enemy, Yoshi can flutter jump higher than normal. This makes up for how the holding the jump button before landing on an enemy would inadvertently cause Yoshi to flutter-jump and therefore miss the landing, by essentially storing the jumping boost from stomping into the next Flutter Jump done before touching the ground.
In Mellow Mode, Yoshi has wings. These wings modify the Flutter Jump heavily. The wings are flapped to Flutter Jump, so Yoshi's legs and arms are uninvolved. More importantly, if the jump button is held down while in the air, Yoshi can Flutter Jump repeatedly without the player making a second input. If the player does so, then Yoshi will not drop below the height of the original Flutter Jump between Flutter Jumps. In short, this means it is easier to use the Flutter Jump to stay in the air, as there is no risk of losing height between jumps.
Baby Bowser appears to flutter-jump during the boss battle against him. He occasionally follows this up by spitting fire at Yoshi from above.
In Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World, the Poochy Pups can follow Yoshi as he flutter-jumps. To do so, they have their own variation of the Flutter Jump using their tails as a propeller. This is only true in Mellow Mode; Classic Mode does not include the Poochy Pups as a mechanic.
Super Mario series[edit]
While the Flutter Jump was introduced Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Luigi could use a similar jump called a scuttle in Super Mario Bros. 2. While it does involve swinging one's legs in the air, it only enhances a jump and slows down the resulting fall rather than act as a midair jump. This is a holdover from the original mechanics of Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, from which Super Mario Bros. 2 was adapted. It has appeared multiple times since in the Super Mario franchise, but it usually stays exclusive to Luigi.
Super Mario Sunshine[edit]
The Flutter Jump ability appears in Super Mario Sunshine, in its first appearance in the Super Mario series where Yoshi is not the player character. Given the game's mechanics, it is also the first game where the player character (in this case, Mario) can ride on a Yoshi and Yoshi can use the move. It can be used after every jump of Yoshi's Triple Jump to extend its covered distance.
Super Mario 64 DS[edit]
Yoshi can flutter-jump in Super Mario 64 DS, which identified the move as the flutter kick. It helps the player jump slightly higher. Luigi's scuttle also reappears and allows him to slow his descent, rather than gain height.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]
The Flutter Jump returns in New Super Mario Bros. Wii where it can be performed by Yoshis. In this game, Ludwig von Koopa is also capable of using a similar technique during his two boss battle appearances. With this technique, he is able to execute it multiple times in a row without descending or touching the ground.
Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]
The Flutter Jump can be performed with Yoshi in Super Mario Galaxy 2. As with previous games, players can perform this trick by holding down the button on the Wii Remote after jumping with Yoshi. This move can be used to get to places that Mario and Luigi can't usually reach. It can also help to stop the player from falling and it can be used to avoid enemies. There is also a glitch that allows Yoshi to endlessly Flutter Jump. Yoshi can still eat while in a Flutter Jump in this game.
New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]
Once again, Ludwig, as in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, uses a technique similar to the Flutter Jump during his fight against Mario in New Super Mario Bros. 2. This time, however, he uses it to grab some chains hanging from his arena's ceiling.
New Super Mario Bros. U[edit]
In New Super Mario Bros. U, when riding a Yoshi, players can perform the Flutter Jump, by jumping and holding the jump button while in the air. Ludwig von Koopa also demonstrates a move similar to the Flutter Jump in his boss battle.
Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS[edit]
In Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, Yoshi can Flutter Jump as standard in the New Super Mario Bros. U style, but not the Super Mario World style.
Mario can also Flutter Jump while in a Goomba's Shoe with wings in both the Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3 styles.
Super Mario Run[edit]
In Super Mario Run, the Yoshis can perform a Flutter Jump by touching and holding the screen. If a Yoshi is sliding, they cannot Flutter Jump. In Easy Mode, the gauge representing how inputs affect jumping only fills up as a Yoshi starts to rise. It does not go as high as a normal jump, but comes close.
Super Mario Odyssey[edit]
In Super Mario Odyssey, when Mario captures Yoshi he can flutter jump by holding 
or 
in the air.
Super Mario Maker 2[edit]
Flutter Jumping in Super Mario Maker 2 works identically to how it did in the original. Ludwig returns in the version 3.0.0 update acting the same as in his New Super Mario Bros. U appearance.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder[edit]
In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the four playable Yoshis in this game once again have the ability to flutter jump; they now turn red in the face when it is performed.
Super Princess Peach[edit]
Within the Toad Jump minigame of Super Princess Peach, Toad is capable of performing a "Flutter Jump" of sorts as the player controls him within the minigame. Toad's variation of the jump involves him wildly flapping his arm to keep himself afloat for a longer period of time. This jump allows him to stay above enemies and various pits throughout the course he must complete. The duration of his jump is dependent on how long the player blows into the mic of the Nintendo DS (as his jumps are initiated by blowing into the microphone).
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[edit]
Another variation of the Flutter Jump appears in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. It serves as the field ability of Mario's Yoshi partner and while riding on him, he can use it to reach ledges that cannot be reached with a normal jump. The ability is similar to Parakarry's move in the previous game.
Mario & Luigi series[edit]
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga / Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions[edit]
The Flutter Jump makes a reappearance as the Floating/Floaty Jump effect in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and its remake, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions. During the game, Mario and Luigi can obtain the ability to use the Floating Jump by equipping the Excite Spring.
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time[edit]
During Sunnycide's boss fight in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, when a Yoshi breaks out of an egg, they seem to perform a Flutter Jump before landing.
In Commander Shroob's boss fight, the Shroob-omb can perform an action very similar to a Flutter Jump. This happens when the Support Shroobs want to attack the bros. themselves; they will throw the Shroob-omb up to the top screen where it will kick its legs and float in place until the attack is finished.
The Intern Shroob enemies in Shroob Castle also perform a Flutter Jump-like move during battle. Similar to the Shroob-omb, a Shroobsworth will throw its Intern Shroob above the top screen before running up to the bros. and swinging at them with its cane. The Intern Shroob will rapidly move its arms to slow its fall while the Shroobsworth is attacking.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam[edit]
In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Paper Mario can use an ability strikingly similar to (if not) the Flutter Jump. He uses it as a counter in combat and lets him float in the air, and even ascend for a short amount of time.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
The Flutter Jump appears in all installments of the Super Smash Bros. series, again as a move exclusive to Yoshi. The Flutter Jump serves as Yoshi's mid-air jump and covers the greatest distance of all the other mid-air jumps (except for Mewtwo's since Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U) as well as granting knockback armor to compensate for the fact that Yoshi lacks a significant recovery move. Yoshi also weaponizes this jump in his down aerial move. It deals up to 56% in the original Super Smash Bros., 53% / 39% in the NTSC and PAL versions of Super Smash Bros. Melee respectively, 35% in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, 29% in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and 34% in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Super Mario Strikers[edit]
When Yoshi scores a goal in Super Mario Strikers, one of the winning animations shows him flutter jumping in two camera focuses.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games[edit]
The Flutter Jump is Yoshi's special action in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.
Gallery[edit]
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Yoshi's Island DS
Yoshi's Crafted World
See also[edit]
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ふんばりジャンプ[?] Funbari Janpu |
Straddling Jump | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 浮游跳[4][5] Fúyóu Tiào |
Floating Jump | iQue |
| 空中踏步跳跃[?] Kōngzhōng Tàbù Tiàoyuè |
Midair Stepping Jump | Nintendo | |
| 坚忍跳跃[6] Jiānrěn Tiàoyuè |
Stoic Jump | Tencent | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 空中踏步跳躍[?] Kōngzhōng Tàbù Tiàoyuè |
Midair Stepping Jump | |
| Dutch | Fladdersprong[?] | Flutter Jump | |
| French (NOE) | Saut plané[?] | Hopping | |
| Voler[7][8][9] | Fly | Yoshi's Story | |
| Saut suspendu[10] | Suspended jump | ||
| German | Flatterflug[?] | Flutterflight | |
| Italian | Salto svolazzo/svolazzante[?] | Flutter jump | |
| Calcio volante[?] | Flying kick | Super Mario 64 DS | |
| Korean | 버티기 점프[?] Beotigi Jeompeu |
Withstanding Jump | |
| Portuguese (NOA) | Salto pairante[?] | Hovering jump | |
| Portuguese (NOE) | Salto flutuante[?] | Floating jump | |
| Russian | Прыжок-полет[?] Pryzhok-polet |
Flight jump | |
| Порхающий прыжок[?] Porkhayushchiy pryzhok |
Fluttering jump | Super Mario Bros. Wonder | |
| Spanish (NOA) | Pataleo[?] | Kicking | |
| Revolotear[?] | Flutter | ||
| Spanish (NOE) | Revoloteo[?] | Flutter |
References[edit]
- ^ Black, Fletcher (December 19, 2006). Yoshi's Island DS PRIMA Official Game Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 0-7615-5576-5. Page 9.
- ^ Prima Bath (April 7, 1999). Nintendo 64 Game Secrets, 1999 Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 0-7615-2103-8. Page 102, 106, 110, 113.
- ^ KokiriGaming (March 13, 2014). Yoshi's New Island - Final Boss + Ending. YouTube. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ iQue Ltd.. iQue (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ 神游马力欧DS的动作. iQue (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ https://t.bilibili.com/337500978254550915[dead link]
- ^ Yoshi's Story in-game name (French localization)
- ^ 1998. Yoshi Story instruction booklet (PDF). Nintendo of Europe (French). Page 55.
- ^ 1998. Nintendo Magazine : Le seul magazine officiel Nintendo 64. Issue 4. Nintendo and EMAP France (French). Page 23.
- ^ 1998. Yoshi Story instruction booklet (PDF). Nintendo of Europe (French). Page 53.
