: When Mario passes through a Rift, his sprite, physics, and available power-ups instantly switch to a different style (e.g., from Super Mario World physics to Super Mario Bros. 3 ).

Bowser’s magikoopa is constantly ripping holes in space-time. In Yoshi's Island , he travels back in time to try to kill Baby Mario. In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time , the Shroobs (alien invaders) exploit a time rift. Kamek’s reckless magic is the primary cause of "outsider" entities entering the Mushroom Kingdom.

October 26, 2023 Subject: Comprehensive Analysis of the "Super Mario Multiverse" Phenomenon Prepared By: Cultural & Gaming Analysis Department

The 2023 animated film created its own cinematic canon, merging elements from 2D, 3D, and spin-off games into a single cohesive story.

The multiverse provides a clean solution to a long-standing fan debate: Why are Mario and Bowser sometimes rivals and sometimes genocidal enemies? One popular Reddit theory proposes a split into two distinct multiverses.