Which power-up allows Mario to shoot fireballs?

The Fire Flower allows Mario to shoot fireballs. First introduced in the 1985 Nintendo Entertainment System game Super Mario Bros., this power-up changes Mario into Fire Mario and lets him throw bouncing fireballs at enemies. It became one of the defining power-ups in the Super Mario series.

In the original game, Mario normally grows when he collects a Super Mushroom. If he then collects a Fire Flower, his outfit changes to the familiar white-and-red Fire Mario appearance. Pressing the attack button launches fireballs that bounce along the ground and can defeat many enemies, including Goombas, Koopa Troopas, and some tougher foes that cannot be defeated by an ordinary jump.

The Fire Flower is often confused with other Mario power-ups. The Super Leaf gives Mario a raccoon-like tail and the ability to fly, the Super Star grants temporary invincibility, and the Super Mushroom increases his size. Those items change movement, defense, or survivability; the Fire Flower is the classic projectile power-up.

Its influence extends into later games, where related variants include the Ice Flower and Boomerang Flower. The Fire Flower also appears in three-dimensional Mario titles, although its mechanics and duration vary by game.