All Paper Mario Abilities

Mario's paper abilities help him navigate through various areas in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (TTYD). Read on to know how to unlock Mario's plane, paper, tube, and boat modes!

All Paper Mario Abilities

Plane Mode

Plane Mode lets Mario transform into a paper plane and allows him to fly across gaps. Mario will jump into the air then glide down, but you can extend his airtime by pushing the L Stick to the opposite direction of where he is gliding.

Note that Mario can only turn into Plane Mode when standing on a plane panel and can only turn back to normal when he lands on another one.

Plane Mode Guide

How to Unlock Plane Mode

Plane Mode can be unlocked by opening the black chest in Rogueport Sewers during the Prologue. You will naturally go through this area and open the chest as you play through the Chapter.

The black chest is located inside a room on top of a staircase and with a huge yellow block on the left side. The black key is located just beneath the platform on the top of the staircase.

Prologue: A Rogue's Welcome Walkthrough

Paper Mode

Paper Mode allows Mario to turn sideways, letting him go through tight spaces or small gaps. Other openings like gates, fences, or sewer canals can also be accessible by this mode.

Do note that while in Paper Mode, Mario's movement is slower and he cannot use any other abilities like jumping, using his hammer, or even his partner's abilities.

How to Unlock Paper Mode

Paper Mode can be unlocked by opening the black chest in Hooktail Castle during Chapter 1. You will naturally go through this area and open the chest as you play through the Chapter.

The black chest is located inside one of the rooms in the castle with two Dull Bones sleeping. The black key is located on the center of spike traps in the next room on the right.

Chapter 1: Castle and Dragon Walkthrough

Tube Mode

Tube Mode makes Mario roll into a wheel, like a rolled up newspaper, and allows him to roll across the ground and fit through holes and small vertical gaps. Mario also moves faster and turns better while in this mode.

Unfortunately, Mario cannot use any other abilities like jumping, using the hammer, and even his partner's abilities while in Tube Mode.

How to Unlock Tube Mode

Tube Mode can be unlocked by opening the black chest in Twilight Town during Chapter 4. You will naturally go through this area and open the chest as you play through the Chapter.

The black chest is located inside a storeroom of a shop in Twilight Town. The black key is located in a shack in Twilight Trail.

Chapter 4: For Pigs the Bell Tolls Walkthrough

Boat Mode

Boat Mode transforms Mario into a paper boat that makes him swim across bodies of water. As a paper boat, Mario will be pushed back when he encounters waves on the water.

Note that Mario can only turn into Boat Mode when standing on a boat panel and can only turn back to normal when he touches another boat panel.

How to Unlock Boat Mode

Boat Mode can be unlocked by opening the black chest in Pirate's Grotto during Chapter 5. You will naturally go through this area and open the chest as you play through the Chapter.

The black chest is located inside of a wrecked boat in Pirate's Grotto. The black key will be dropped by the Ember that emerged from the chest.

Chapter 5: The Key to Pirates Walkthrough

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