New Super Mario Bros./Controls

Default controls
Controls are semi-customizable, with the (somewhat limited) choice of which buttons are used to dash and jump. However, default controls are:

Controls in a course

 * – Move left, enter pipe to the left of Mario.
 * – Move right, enter pipe to the right of Mario.
 * – Enter pipe above Mario or enter door behind Mario.
 * – Crouch, Ground Pound (In the air), enter pipe below Mario.
 * – Jump, confirm menu selection.
 * – Jump, exit menu.
 * / – Dash (Hold), launch fireball (Fire Mario only).
 * – Scrolls camera to the left (Camera resets with any movement).
 * – Scrolls camera to the right (Camera resets with any movement).
 * – Enter start menu.
 * – Uses item (Tap item to use).

Controls on world map

 * – Move left, bring up menu for sign to the left of Mario.
 * – Move right, bring up menu for sign to the right of Mario.
 * – Move up, bring up menu for sign above Mario.
 * – Move down, bring up menu for sign below Mario.
 * – Enter course, Warp Pipe or Toad House, use cannon, confirm menu selection.
 * – Exit menu.
 * – Scrolls camera to the left (Camera resets with any movement).
 * – Scrolls camera to the right (Camera resets with any movement).
 * – Enter start menu.
 * – Travel to different world.

Basic moves

 * Wall Slide:
 * Slows Mario's descent and sets up for the Wall Jump below.
 * To perform:
 * Jump towards any wall and keep pressing the D-pad in the direction of the wall. Mario will cling to the wall and slide against it to slow his descent.


 * Wall Jump:
 * Allows Mario to jump off a wall, allowing him to climb up narrow shafts and reach places unreachable without this often needed move.
 * To perform:
 * Jump against a wall and slide against it as above, then jump again. If done correctly, Mario will bounce off the wall, gaining height traveling a considerable distance (If he doesn't hit another wall). By repeating this over and over, Mario can quickly ascend narrow vertical shafts..


 * Ground Pound:
 * Allows Mario to bash blocks from above. Mini Mario can use this to hurt some enemies instead of bouncing from them.
 * To perform: In midair, press down on the D-pad. If you continue to hold the D-pad down, then Mario will break multiple rows of blocks if possible and repeatedly harvest multi-coin blocks. Release the D-pad before hitting the last row of blocks that you want to break, otherwise Mario might fall through!


 * Crouch 'n' Slide
 * Allows Mario's larger forms to slide under 1 block high gaps.
 * To perform:
 * Move a fair bit away from the gap you are trying to get through. Dash towards the gap and, just before you hit the gap, crouch. If performed correctly, Mario will slide under straight the gap. If you don't make it to the end of the gap, keep crouching, hold the D-pad in the direction you want to go and mash the jump button. You will emerge out the other side after bumping your head several times.


 * Hill Slide
 * Allows Mario's to slide rapidly down inclines, bowling over enemies along the way.
 * To perform:
 * Press down on the D-pad while on an incline. Instead of ducking, Mario will sit down and slide down the slope. As long as he's maintaining this slide position, any enemies he hits will be treated as if hit by a Koopa shell, amassing points and eventually 1-Ups with enough enemies.


 * Swimming:
 * Basic movement under water.
 * To perform:
 * Press jump to rise up. You will automatically sink slowly. Take note that there is no way to accelerate your descent, nor is there a way to attack blocks below you. There is no way to defend yourself underwater (Other than launching fireballs or a Starman), so you will normally have to avoid enemies rather than killing them.


 * Swinging:
 * Allows Mario to swing from vines and ropes.
 * To perform:
 * Jump towards the rope/vine. Mario will automatically grab it. When on the rope/vine, D-pad left and D-pad right will swing Mario from side to side. Up and down move Mario up and down on the rope/vine. Pressing jump will make Mario let go of the vine, flinging him in the direction he was swinging.
 * Note that you will not be able to grab a vine if you are holding an object (see below).


 * Hold
 * Allows Mario to grab and throw shells and springs.
 * To perform:
 * Hold down dash and run into the object. Mario will grab it. When you let go of dash, Mario will kick a shell and drop a spring. Drop a spring while running and Mario will hurt it forward some distance.


 * Drill Attack:
 * Allows Mario to break a great sum of blocks in a row.
 * To perform:
 * In some courses there will be spinning springs in the air. when you jump on one, you will be launched spinning into the air. Tornadoes will also send you into the air. While spinning like this, Mario will drift down slowly. Press the D-pad down and you will drill down to the ground.