F.L.U.D.D. nozzles: Squirt, Hover, Rocket and Turbo
How to unlock each F.L.U.D.D. nozzle, what it does and when to switch.
Original GameCube campaign; controller mappings vary in later releases.
| Nozzle | Nozzle box | How you get it | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squirt | — | Always equipped | Cleaning goop, enemies, switches |
| Hover | Blue | Equipped from the start | Short hover to cross gaps and fix jumps |
| Turbo | Grey | 25 Shine Sprites, then take it from Shadow Mario in Delfino Plaza | Sprinting on land and water; breaking Turbo doors |
| Rocket | Red | 30 Shine Sprites, then take it from Shadow Mario in Delfino Plaza | Vertical launches; breaking flame-marked objects |
Items at a glance
Squirt Nozzle
The standard spray removes goop and interacts with enemies and objects.
Hover Nozzle
Provides a limited hover burst.
Rocket Nozzle
Charges before propelling Mario upward.
Turbo Nozzle
Builds speed across ground and water and opens some barriers.
Water supply
Refill in suitable water.
Yoshi and fruit
An egg requests a particular fruit before hatching.
Blue Coins
Ten Blue Coins exchange for one Shine Sprite.
How the nozzles work
F.L.U.D.D. always has the Squirt Nozzle, plus one secondary nozzle. The secondary nozzle is Hover at the start, and later Rocket or Turbo. Press X to switch between Squirt and the secondary nozzle. Picking up a nozzle box replaces your current secondary nozzle, so check which one the next target needs before you collect a new one.
Squirt Nozzle: available from the start
The default spray cleans goop, defeats most enemies and operates switches. Press R lightly to spray while running. Press R fully to stop and aim with the Control Stick. Spinning while you spray sends water out in a circle, which helps when goop or small enemies surround you.
Hover Nozzle: available from the start
Hover keeps Mario in the air for about four seconds, rising slowly, and uses water the whole time. Use it to stretch a jump or correct a landing, not to cross every gap: once the burst runs out you fall. Spare Hover nozzle boxes are blue. Getting off Yoshi equips Hover automatically.
Turbo Nozzle: unlocked at 25 Shine Sprites
After you collect 25 Shine Sprites, Shadow Mario appears in Delfino Plaza holding the Turbo Nozzle. Spray him until he drops it. From then on, grey Turbo nozzle boxes are active. Turbo makes Mario sprint across land and the water surface, and it is the only way to break the Turbo-bashable doors. It drains water quickly on land, so start a run with a full tank.
Rocket Nozzle: unlocked at 30 Shine Sprites
At 30 Shine Sprites, Shadow Mario appears with the Rocket Nozzle; chase him down and spray him in the same way. Red Rocket nozzle boxes then become usable. Charge the nozzle and release to blast straight up, far higher than any jump. A ground pound after a Rocket launch breaks flame-marked objects, such as the stone slab on top of the Delfino Plaza lighthouse. It cannot be fired while Mario is swimming.
Refilling water
The tank gauge empties as you spray, hover or boost. Stand in any water and hold R to refill, or collect water bottles. Before a long Hover crossing or Turbo run, refill first instead of relying on a bottle along the way.
When F.L.U.D.D. is taken away
Shadow Mario takes F.L.U.D.D. at the start of the secret courses. Those obstacle courses are pure platforming, and F.L.U.D.D. returns once you collect the Shine at the end. Riding Yoshi also replaces the water spray with juice until you dismount.