Basic Controls

Analog Stick
Push the analog stick at any angle to move Mario forward in that direction. Softly pushing the control stick will make him tiptoe along, while pressing harder will make him run at full speed. When walking in extremely narrow spaces, it's advisable to move slowly.

A Button
Jump! The longer you press the button, the higher your jump will be. Press the button twice in a row while stationary to perform a slightly higher jump. If you move forward with the first two jumps, you can perform a large spinning jump by tapping the button a third time.

Rotate Control Stick 360 Degrees Before Jumping

The spin jump is a valuable skill. Practice it often and it will certainly pay off.

Push the Control Stick in Any Direction, Then Push It in the Opposite Direction and Press A
The side somersault is one of the most useful and essential jumping skills in the book. It provides good height and distance and can be performed with precision in the smallest of spaces.

Jump Toward a Wall, Then Jump Again in the Desired Direction After Contact
Wall-jumping is one of the more difficult moves Mario has to master, but it's necessary to obtain certain shines. Practice it whenever you have a chance.

B Button
Grab certain enemies and objects, talk to other characters, and so on. When holding something, tap B a second time to put the object down gently. Hold forward or jump (any direction) and press B again to throw.

B Button While Moving Forward
The headfirst slide can propel Mario forward at a quick rate over most terrain if you repeatedly press B. Even faster speeds can be attained by spraying water ahead of you before diving for the slip 'n' slide effect. Pressing A at any point while sliding will perform a low-angled forward leap.

B Button During Any Jump
This body-drop move will propel Mario forward and can be used to squash vulnerable enemies. The technique will also allow you to fall safely from any height. You can use this technique to get extra distance out of any jump, but beware of propelling yourself into a hazard or into the abyss.

While Jumping, Press L
The hip-drop (lovingly referred to as the "butt-stomp" by many gamers) can be used to break blocks, crush enemies, flip horizontal fence panels, and more.

L Button
Use this button while on the ground to center the camera behind Mario. Holding the button allows you to sidestep while aiming the water nozzle up and down, although you won't be able to turn until you release the button.

X Button
Toggle between the two currently available nozzles for FLUDD.

Y Button
This toggles between the normal and fixed perspectives. The fixed perspective is great for aiming your water stream and taking a look around difficult areas. Be warned, though--switching to the fixed perspective can cause you to fall if you're hanging from a horizontal fence or ledge.

Other Controls

While on a Fence

• Press A
  Mario will kick upward, reversing horizontal fence panels and knocking enemies on the other side off the fence.
• Press B
  Mario will punch the fence, flipping vertical fence panels and knocking enemies on the other side off the fence. If Mario is hanging down from a fence, pressing B will cause him to drop off.

• Press A
  Climb up onto the ledge.
• Press B
  Drop straight down off the ledge.
• Z Button
  This easy-to-overlook feature brings up a map of Delfino Plaza that illustrates all the unlocked areas of the island. This will let you know how many shines, coins, and blue coins you've thus far gleaned from each location.
• C Stick
  Use the yellow stick often to adjust the game's camera for the ideal angle. If the camera gets stuck, try tapping the L button. Being able to adjust the camera on the fly is a valuable skill, so try to make small adjustments wherever they might be useful.

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