Magnet
A material or object that produces a magnetic field.
A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field. This magnetic field is invisible but is responsible for the most notable property of a magnet: a force that pulls on other ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, steel, nickel, cobalt, etc. and attracts or repels other magnets.
- Key Titles
- Various spin-offs, but not Super Mario Bros. 3 (Super Mario All-Stars) or New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Lore & Background
Ancient people learned about magnetism from lodestones (or magnetite) which are naturally magnetized pieces of iron ore. The word magnet was adopted in Middle English from Latin magnetum 'lodestone', ultimately from Greek (magnētis [lithos]) meaning '[stone] from Magnesia', a place in Anatolia where lodestones were found. Lodestones, suspended so they could turn, were the first magnetic compasses. The earliest known surviving descriptions of magnets and their properties are from Anatolia, India, and China around 2,500 years ago. The properties of lodestones and their affinity for iron were written of by Pliny the Elder in his encyclopedia Naturalis Historia in the 1st century AD.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled across the metallic plains of the Starship Mario Galaxy as Mario crouched on a floating debris field. A cluster of Gold Coins spun lazily near a distant ledge, far beyond his jumping range. With a determined grunt, he activated his Magnet ability; a visible hum filled the air as an invisible force snapped forward. The coins shivered, then shot across the void, clinking into his inventory one by one, clearing the path to the next challenge.
Reader's Guide
A permanent magnet is an object made from a material that is magnetized and creates its own persistent magnetic field. Ferromagnetic materials can be divided into magnetically 'soft' materials like annealed iron, which can be magnetized but do not tend to stay magnetized, and magnetically 'hard' materials, which do. Permanent magnets are made from 'hard' ferromagnetic materials such as alnico and ferrite. An electromagnet is made from a coil of wire that acts as a magnet when an electric current passes through it but stops being a magnet when the current stops. Often, the coil is wrapped around a core of 'soft' ferromagnetic material such as mild steel, which greatly enhances the magnetic field produced by the coil.
Did You Know?
- A magnet's magnetic moment points from the magnet's south pole to its north pole.
- If a bar magnet is broken into two pieces, the result will be two bar magnets, each of which has both a north and south pole.
- In 1820, Hans Christian Ørsted discovered that a compass needle is deflected by a nearby electric current.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Magnet item in video games?
It is a recurring gameplay mechanic primarily found in the Super Mario franchise that allows players to manipulate metal objects remotely.
How does the Magnet ability function during gameplay?
This tool harnesses magnetic forces to pull distant metallic items, such as coins or blocks, toward the character from afar.
Which specific titles feature this collectible mechanic?
The Magnet appears prominently in key entries like Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey as a core environmental puzzle solver.
Why is using the Magnet important for progression?
Players rely on it to unlock hidden secrets, access restricted areas, and gather specific currency or power-ups scattered throughout levels.
Which characters typically utilize this tool?
It is associated with protagonists like Mario and Luigi who need to attract metallic targets to advance through the Mushroom Kingdom.
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