Can You Carry Mario in New Super Mario Bros. Wii? No – But Later Games Added It

You cannot carry Mario (or any character) in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Why

• The game has no "pick up player" mechanic. Multiplayer is simultaneous co-op—each player controls their own character independently.
• Characters can collide (bump, bounce off heads), ride Yoshi together (up to 2), or bubble (press A when dead/in trouble to float back to safety)—but not carry.

Games Where You Can Carry Teammates

• New Super Mario Bros. U / U Deluxe (Wii U / Switch): Still no carry—but you can pick up and throw other players (shake Wii Remote / press R) in multiplayer. A key difference!
• Super Mario 3D World / Bowser's Fury: Can pick up / throw other players (and Plessie).
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch): Carry/throw teammates.

If you're playing NSMB Wii, use bubbles to save struggling teammates—not your arms.