I one day wish to see a Mario game that has all of the different flight power-ups available. Let's look at the data:
Super Leaf
-First of many
-Gives Mario an added appendage in the form of a tail.
-Requires full running speed to work.
-Can't fly as far as it can fly high.
-Also enables rapid-fire floating to the ground
-Serves as an extra method of attacking/ breaking things.
P Wing
-Actually the same thing as the Super Leaf except running is always fully charged so you can fly whenever you want.
Tanooki Suit
-Full body version of the Super Leaf that adds one more function: turning into an impervious statue.
Cape Feather
-Once again requires full running speed.
-Serves as a method of attack with a larger radius and more functions than the tail.
-Allows floating by holding the button instead of rapidly pressing it.
-Can't fly too high, but once airborne, can stay in air almost infinitely with the para-sailing maneuver.
-Mario can also make earthquakes by diving headfirst out of the sky.
-Floating mechanic can be carried over when riding Yoshi.
P Balloon
-Inflates Mario, allowing him to be steered anywhere on the screen.
-Runs out after a certain amount of time.
-Time limit prevents going very high or far.
Super Carrot
-Once again gives Mario added appendages, this time in the form of bunny ears.
-Cannot actually fly, but can floating.
-Floating is more in-depth, as you can float longer but slower by holding the button , but can also float shorter but faster by pressing the button rapidly.
-I remember it making Mario's regular jumps higher, but I could be wrong.
Wing Cap
-Added appendages include wings on Mario's head.
-Once again a limited time power-up.
-Flight is the most in-depth to date, as it was a 3D title. Mario can fly just like an airplane as long as he has a sufficient take-off method.
Personally, I think the Cape needs it's own P Wing treatment, though that may actually be sort of unfair. I also think that full-fledged Bunny Suit would compliment the Carrot quite nicely. Not sure what purpose it would serve, though. Lastly, I think it would be cool to see how the Wing Cap would work in a 2D game, or how the other power-ups would work in a 3D game. Maybe the Wing Cap could lose the time limit or something. The possibilities never seem to run out, do they?