Metal Box: Difference between revisions

The '''Metal Box''' ({{ja|緑ブロック|Midori Burokku}}, ''Green Block'') is an item from the {{uv|Mario}} series that appears in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. When broken with a physical attack, the Metal Box encases a [[character]]'s body in metal for a short period of time, which affects the character in various ways.

The {{s|mariowiki|Metal Box}} originates from ''{{s|mariowiki|Super Mario 64}}'' as a green {{s|mariowiki|! Block}} that materializes after Mario activates its corresponding green [[mariowiki:! Switch|Cap Switch]] at the {{s|mariowiki|Cavern of the Metal Cap}}. Upon being destroyed, it releases a {{s|mariowiki|Metal Cap}} that, after grabbing it, encases him in metal. He becomes more powerful, immune to all damage (but not fall damage), and can walk underwater, but at the same time, becomes much heavier, sluggish, and unable to swim. These effects are similar to the Metal Box's effects in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, except that Mario's voice is not suppressed unless he is submerged underwater.

All green, red, and blue ! Blocks are replaced by red {{s|mariowiki|? Block}}s in the Nintendo DS remake of the game, ''{{s|mariowiki|Super Mario 64 DS}}''. After activating them with the red {{s|mariowiki|? Switch}} at the [[mariowiki:Tower of the Wing Cap|Rainbow Tower]], they can be broken to release the {{iw|mariowiki|Power Flower|Super Mario 64 DS}}, which has different effects on each of the game's four playable characters. This power-up exhibits the same effects as the Metal Cap when picked up by [[Wario]].{{clr}}

The Metal Box encases the character's body in metal when broken with a physical attack. When broken by [[Rosalina]] in ''[[Smash 4]]'' and ''[[Ultimate]]'', her [[Luma]] is also metalized. However, when broken by [[Olimar]], his {{b|Pikmin|species}} are not affected. In addition, only one [[Ice Climber]] can hit the box first, so only one can be metalized per box. Finally, [[Giga Bowser]], [[Wario-Man]], [[Mega Lucario]], and [[Giga Mac]] are not affected by breaking Metal Boxes.

*The effects last 12 seconds, but the time limit decreases as the user takes [[damage]], especially from [[Flame|fire]] attacks like [[Bowser]]'s [[Fire Breath]].

*The fighter becomes [[Weight|heavier]] (3.0× in ''[[Melee]]''; 4.5× in ''[[Brawl]]'', ''Smash 4'', and ''Ultimate'') than normal. However, weight independent attacks can ignore the weight boost; this includes any attack that has the [[bury]], [[paralyze]], or [[stun]] effects.

*Slightly increases jump force (1.55× in ''Melee'' and ''Brawl''; 1.35× in ''Smash 4''; 1.2× in ''Ultimate''), although usually not by enough to compensate for the gravity and fall speed increase. However, it does not affect [[gliding]], [[floating]], or [[Yoshi]]'s double jump.

*Increases a character's [[falling speed]] (2.0× in ''Melee'' and ''Brawl''; 1.7× in ''Smash 4''; 1.4× in ''Ultimate''), making [[recoveries]] harder, and more vulnerable to certain [[chain grab]]s. Certain characters with multiple double jumps will not gain any net vertical distance while under the effects of a Metal Box, as they will fall below where they had began the jump before being able to jump again.

*Increases a character's [[gravity]] slightly (2.0× in ''Melee'' and ''Brawl''; 1.7× in ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate'').

*Reduces [[walking]] speed slightly (0.7× in ''Melee'', ''Brawl'', and ''Smash 4''; 0.8× in ''Ultimate'').

*Increases a fighter's [[knockback resistance]] by subtracting the amount of knockback taken from attacks by 30 units. Weak projectiles such as Link's Arrows, and most jabs, will merely deal damage without causing [[flinch]]ing if they don't deal more than 0 units of knockback. However, some attacks can ignore the knockback resistance, which includes any attack that has the bury effect.

*Mutes the character's voices (although, as sound effects are still retained, [[Duck Hunt]], [[Samus]], [[Mr. Game & Watch]], [[Villager]], [[Mii Fighter]]s (in ''SSB4''), [[Mega Man]], wireframe [[Little Mac]], [[Pac-Man]], [[Isabelle]], [[Dark Samus]], [[Piranha Plant]] and [[Steve]] are unaffected by this). However, getting knocked beyond the blast line of any stage will make the character scream as usual, except for in ''SSB4''.

*Characters make metal sound effects when hitting a surface upon taking a step. However, the sound more closely resembles that of a thin sheet of metal, suggesting that the character isn't turned into metal, just covered with it.

The Metal Box makes its ''Super Smash Bros.'' debut in ''Melee''. If it is hit by a projectile, it will disappear. Disjointed attacks like Pikachu's forward smash or any attack from a sword-wielding character will still grant the attacker the metal status. Interestingly, [[Ness]]' dash attack is the only disjointed attack that doesn't turn him metal.

Metal characters make different metallic sounds while walking, running, and landing, depending on their weight for the most part. All lightweights except {{SSBM|Zelda}}, {{SSBM|Mr. Game & Watch}}, {{SSBM|Mewtwo}} and the {{SSBM|Ice Climbers}} make a faint "tinging" sound, all middleweights make a standard "clanking" sound, and all heavyweights except {{SSBM|Samus}}, {{SSBM|Yoshi}}, {{SSBM|Ganondorf}}, and {{SSBM|Link}} make a much more noticeable "crunching" sound. Most of the aforementioned exceptional characters make the standard middleweight sound in spite of their weight. Mewtwo doesn't make any sounds, even when landing, and Mr. Game & Watch's footsteps and landing sounds are always beeps.

Characters can fight Metal Mario and/or [[Metal Luigi]] in [[Adventure Mode]]. In addition, they also fight a random metal character in Classic Mode. The Metal Box also appears as a collectible trophy.

The Metal Box appears again in ''Brawl'' with the nearly same properties it had in ''Melee'', although it will not break when hit by projectiles. It also has an effect on the new ability to [[swim]]; while characters will not sink as Metal Mario did in ''{{s|mariowiki|Super Mario 64}}'', they will submerge deeper after falling into the water. This technique is used to reach a secret area in the [[Glacial Peak]] level of the [[Subspace Emissary]] mode. In Classic Mode, the player might also fight a random metal character. The walking sound effect no longer changes depending on the characters' weights, so everyone has the same sound when walking.

A "Metal" option exists in [[Special Brawl]], which gives every player a permanent Metal Box effect. Lastly, the Metal Box appears again as a collectible trophy.

The Metal Box returns as an item. Its properties mostly remain the same as in previous ''Super Smash Bros.'' games. However, its duration can no longer be extended by picking up additional Metal Boxes. In the 3DS version, the metal coating is translucent rather than opaque, but in the Wii U version, the metal texture is both opaque and reflective, with the current stage being reflected on the character's body.

In Classic Mode, the player must also fight a random metal character. The Metal Box is also available as a red item in [[Smash Tour]], giving players the ability to start a battle in metal form. The "Metal" option reappears in [[Special Smash]] in ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''. Lastly, the Metal Box appears again as a collectible trophy.

The Metal Box reappears once again in ''Ultimate'' as an item. The effects are identical to ''Smash 4'', though the metal effect appears to slowly take over the character rather than immediately applying as it did in previous titles, similar to [[Inkling]]'s [[ink]].

While the Metal Box itself does not have a [[spirit]], various primary and support spirits will allow the player to start a battle in metal form.