POW Block

The POW Block (, POW Block) is an item from the series.

Origin
The POW Block made its debut in  and has become a recurring item in later Mario games. It is a black block with a blue-colored shell with the word "POW" written in the center.

In Mario Bros., the POW Block turns the enemies upside-down when struck, but gets smaller after each hit. After three hits, the POW Block disappears for the rest of the game. In , the POW Block reappears as a single-use item which can be picked up and thrown. Once thrown, it will create powerful shockwaves upon impact that can defeat all enemies on-screen.

As a stage element
In Super Smash Bros., POW Blocks appear in intervals in the stage. When attacked, it shakes the screen and deals 20% damage and considerable upwards knockback to every character currently touching the ground or a platform, often KO'ing characters over 100%. Unlike in the original Mario Bros. game, it can only be hit once before disappearing, although it will respawn again after a short time.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the POW Block appears at the bottom of the Mario Bros. stage, based on its use in the game of the same name. In this stage, it deals no damage, but causes grounded characters to bounce upwards (which interrupts charging smash attacks and the like) when struck. It also lands a hit on every grounded enemy on the stage. After getting hit three times, it will disappear, but returns to the stage after a while.

As an item
The POW Block debuts as a throwing item in Super Smash Bros. 4.

The POW Block can be picked up and thrown, or struck by an attack, dealing 10% damage and causing strong knockback to opponents and items on the ground when it lands. If it deals damage to a Cucco or Bee Hive, the summoned Cuccos/bees will target the player whom activated the POW Block. It can be used three times, shrinking after each use until it disappears after the third use. If it is dropped, it will be tossed forward instead, but not activate; instead, it will just come to a rest. It KOs at about 120%. When used, a second must pass before it can be picked up again.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, setting off a POW Block will now also activate any other POW Blocks on the stage, with the damage and knockback stacking with the more blocks involved. If the maximum of eight POW Blocks are on a stage at once, activating one will cause all grounded opponents to take 80% damage and huge knockback.

In Smash Tour
The POW Block appears as a blue trophy item: when used, it makes all opponents drop some characters, which fall near to them on the board and can then be picked up by any player.

Trophy
The POW Block trophy appears in both versions of Super Smash Bros. 4. In, it is part of the Mario Bros..

Trivia

 * The POW Block is one of only two items to have appeared as an obstacle before becoming an item, the only other being Barrel Cannon. Out of the two, the POW Block is the only one to have appeared in more than one distinct stage beforehand.
 * Despite appearing as a stage hazard on Mushroom Kingdom, the POW Block never appears in Super Mario Bros., the game that stage is based on.