Pomme d'éléphant : le power-up star de Mario Wonder

Elephant Apple: Mario Wonder's Star Power-Up

1251 words | Reading time : 6 minute(s)

ItemElephant FruitSuper Mario Bros. Wonder

An elephant Mario revealed in June 2023 — and the internet talked about nothing else. Zō Furūtsu in Japan, the Elephant Fruit is the flagship power-up of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, released on October 20, 2023. This guide breaks down the metamorphosis — a real fruit, not a costume —, the trunk that works as both weapon and skeleton key, the water carried along to revive wilted flowers and the soundtrack that trumpets.

When Nintendo closed out its Nintendo Direct of June 21, 2023 on the image of a Mario turned into an elephant, the internet exploded. The Elephant Fruit (Elephant Fruit, ゾウフルーツ in Japan) was more than a gag: it is the flagship power-up of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, released worldwide on October 20, 2023 on Nintendo Switch.

Unlike the usual costumes, this red-and-white apple-shaped fruit with a trunk triggers a true metamorphosis: Mario physically becomes a two-legged elephant. A trunk that sweeps enemies aside, a water reserve to revive wilted flowers, music that turns into a brass fanfare… here is everything worth knowing about a power that became iconic the moment it was announced.

Contents

A fruit, not a costume: the metamorphosis

The Elephant Fruit stands apart from most items in the series. Where the Super Mushroom or the Fire Flower simply equip Mario, the Elephant Fruit genuinely transforms him, flesh and bone: he becomes a grey two-legged elephant, with no hair and no shoes. Mario and Luigi keep their moustache; Peach, Daisy and Rosalina keep their eyelashes and eyebrows.

Every playable character sports its own shade: grey for the Mario brothers, pink for Peach and Toadette, light orange for Daisy, pale aqua for Rosalina. On transforming, the character lets out a cheerful “ Wowie zowie! ”. The game's entire roster can grab the fruit, from the classic heroes to Toadette and Nabbit.

The trunk: weapon and skeleton key

The trunk is the heart of the power. It works as a ranged melee weapon: with a single swing, elephant Mario knocks out Goombas and other enemies without getting close, much like the tail of Tanooki Mario. It also lets you:

  • Break blocks from the side or from below with a swing of the trunk (on top of the classic jump);
  • Clear wide gaps of two blocks thanks to a boosted run-up;
  • Push heavy objects and carry big shells around.

That imposing size has a downside: the character's hitbox grows, and you can see him struggle to squeeze into Warp Pipes and doors. Lakitu's clouds even widen to make room for him.

Water: bringing wilted flowers back to life

The most original ability is still water management. Next to a body of water, elephant Mario sucks a reserve up into his trunk, which he can then spray out. He douses enemies with it, but above all the wilted flowers scattered throughout the levels.

Once watered, these flowers bloom again and release coins as well as Flower Coins (the purple currency used, among other things, to unlock certain paths on the map). The water can also be carried all the way to the end of a level to quench the thirst of some Poplins. A power that rewards exploration as much as combat.

A soundtrack that trumpets

A delicious detail: the moment the Elephant Fruit is active, the level's soundtrack changes. It shifts to a version enriched with brass that evokes an elephant's trumpeting, a pachyderm fanfare that follows your every step.

This reorchestration does not apply everywhere: it never kicks in during Wonder Effects, Search Party levels, Break Time! levels, KO Arenas or the Badge Marathon of the final test. Sound craft typical of Wonder's generous art direction.

A viral phenomenon from the very reveal

The Elephant Fruit owes its fame to its staging. Nintendo saved it for the very last shot of the Wonder trailer, at the Direct of June 21, 2023. The surprise landed perfectly: in under an hour, “Elephant Mario” had taken over social media, between fan art, memes and heated debates.

The phenomenon recalled the craze around the Super Crown (the origin of Bowsette), proof that Nintendo has mastered the art of the buzz. A development anecdote: a scrapped version let you inflate flattened shells with the trunk, an idea dropped for lack of a convincing use.

The Elephant Fruit at a glance

Green elephant fruit with lumpy skin, drawn in close-up
A fruit, not a costume: bite into the Elephant Fruit and the change is instant.
Name in English Elephant Fruit (form: Elephant Mario)
Original name (Japan) ゾウフルーツ (Zō Furūtsu)
First appearance Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Worldwide release October 20, 2023 (Nintendo Switch)
Type True metamorphosis (flesh, not a costume)
Key abilities Trunk (strike, blocks, dash), water reserve, revives wilted flowers
Reveal Nintendo Direct of June 21, 2023 (final shot)

🍄 Want to keep the adventure going? Check out our Mario toys in the shop.

FAQ

  • Which game does the Elephant Fruit appear in?
    The Elephant Fruit debuts in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, released worldwide on October 20, 2023 on Nintendo Switch. It is one of the game's three brand-new power-ups, alongside the Bubble Flower and the Drill Mushroom.
  • Is the Elephant Fruit a costume like the Penguin Suit?
    No. Unlike most transformations, it is not a suit you slip on but a genuine metamorphosis: Mario physically becomes a two-legged elephant, losing his hair and his shoes but keeping his moustache.
  • What is the Elephant Fruit's water for?
    Elephant Mario sucks water into his trunk near a body of water. He can spray it at enemies, but above all water the wilted flowers: they bloom again and release coins and Flower Coins.
  • Which characters can use the Elephant Fruit?
    Every playable character in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Rosalina, Toad, Toadette and Nabbit. Each one sports its own elephant colour.
  • Why did the Elephant Fruit become a meme?
    Nintendo unveiled it on the very last shot of the trailer at the Nintendo Direct of June 21, 2023. The image of Mario as an elephant caught fans off guard and set off an immediate wave of fan art and memes on social media.
↑ Back to top
Back to blog