These items directly transform Mario, granting him new abilities or enhancing existing ones. They are the core of Mario's arsenal.
- Super Mushroom: Transforms Small Mario into Super Mario, granting an extra hit point and the ability to break Brick Blocks.
- Fire Flower: Transforms Super Mario into Fire Mario, allowing him to shoot fireballs.
- Super Leaf: Transforms Super Mario into Raccoon Mario, granting a tail whip attack, gliding, and limited flight.
- Tanooki Suit: Transforms Super Mario into Tanooki Mario, granting all Raccoon Mario abilities plus the ability to turn into an invincible statue.
- Frog Suit: Transforms Super Mario into Frog Mario, greatly enhancing swimming abilities but hindering land movement.
- Hammer Suit: Transforms Super Mario into Hammer Mario, allowing him to throw hammers and granting immunity to fire attacks.
- Starman: Grants temporary invincibility, allowing Mario to defeat any enemy by touching them.
- P-Wing: A single-use item that grants Raccoon/Tanooki Mario unlimited flight for the duration of one stage.
Always prioritize collecting these items, especially the rarer suits, and store them for stages where they will be most effective.