10 Pointless Super Mario Power Up Clones
7. Starman + Rainbow Star
When the player attains a Starman in a Mario game, you will become immune from all projectiles and enemies for approximately ten seconds. You can still die from falling into pits or running out of time but no conventional attack can harm you.
Excluding the Mushroom, the Starman is probably the most iconic Power Up in the Super Mario franchise. In fact, it's the most famous Invulnerability item in video game history. It has inspired similar Power Ups in other games including the Invincibility Barrier in Sonic the Hedgehog or the Invincibility Mask in Crash Bandicoot.
The Starman is such a staple to the Super Mario franchise, there is absolutely no reason to change it. So what did Nintendo do? They changed it. If the Italian plumber comes into contact with a Rainbow Star in the Super Mario Galaxy games, he will transform into Rainbow Mario and become invincible.
I mean, Rainbow Mario looks really cool and his theme tune is catchy as hell but this change is completely pointless. Why switch one item for another if it's going to carry out the same function?.... That's not a rhetorical question. I'm genuinely asking.