An umbrella is an item that can be found in certain personalised copies of Super Mario 64.
Mechanics[]
When the player character comes into contact with an umbrella, they automatically equip it. Many things can make the player drop the umbrella, such as taking more than 2 damage at once, or bouncing from a Crazed Crate.
Controls[]
Holding down the A button while the umbrella is equipped will, as well as jumping, open the umbrella pointed upwards for as long as the button is held. Holding down the B button opens it in the direction the player is facing. Pressing Z unequips the umbrella.
Uses[]
When the umbrella is opened facing upwards, the player character's falling speed is slowed down, allowing them to float midair. In some cases, the player is even able to hover in place for a few seconds. The player can slowly float around, reaching farther distances than when freefalling. When the umbrella is held open in a windy area, it drags the player in the direction of the wind.
Enemies that collide with the umbrella are bounced away. If the umbrella's opening animation is being played while the enemy bounces away, the enemy will also take damage, unless it is a Bully, or something similar. Certain enemies are able to damage the umbrella instead of bouncing away, most often fire-based, electric, and spiked enemies, but exactly which ones can do this varies between copies.
While equipping the umbrella, the player can sometimes hold other objects as well, but they make the player fall faster when floating, and prevent the player from using the umbrella as a shield.
While floating with the umbrella, the player can kick at walls and enemies, bouncing the player backwards faster than regular floating speeds.
When the umbrella is opened sideways, the player's movement speed and turning speed are reduced.
Rarely, holding A and B at once will point the umbrella diagonally upwards. In most cases, it defaults to one or the other.
Damage[]
Uncommonly, a partially damaged version of the umbrella can be found; the player falls faster with the damaged version. Any umbrella colliding with a spiky enemy will be damaged. In certain cases, there are no damage levels, and any umbrellas that get damaged just disappear.
In some cases, holding another item while hovering with the damaged umbrella reduces the floating ability to normal falling speed. In other cases, it has no effect.
Appearance[]
The umbrella is most often colored dark purple. The handle, in this case, is either a matching purple or a light gray. Other common colors include red and blue.
No confirmed cases have reported any textures being used on the non-damaged umbrella.
Animations[]
When holding the umbrella, most of Mario's animations are the same as normal, with the umbrella inserted into his right hand. Floating with the umbrella uses the same animation as hanging onto Hoot the owl.
Holding the umbrella in front of the player uses a new animation where Mario holds both his hands out in front of him. The umbrella is inserted between the hands. This animation in particular has a tendency to break with uncommon character models.
