-The Godfather
Let’s face it, Mario would be nothing without his enemies. If they weren’t out there following Bowser’s orders, kidnapping Peach, and just creating general misery, Mario would probably be at home, binging the latest Netflix show. But they aren’t, so he isn’t!
The Mario series has some great recurring enemies that try and stop you in your track as you jump, stomp and power suit your way to victory. Ever since Super Mario Bros. released for the NES in 1985 – which has just seen a Game & Watch refresh – a plethora of enemies have been used and adapted; Goombas, Koopas, Cheep Cheep, the list goes on.
Not all the enemies are completely evil, and you can’t help but feel sympathy towards some of the cuter culprits as you tear through them on the way to the flagpole. So I’ve put together my list of top ten enemies in the Mario series and why this bothersome bunch helps make reaching the end of each journey, so fun!
Did You Know?
- Bowser’s army is usually known as the Koopa Troop.
- Goombas are the first enemy you’ll see originating in Super Mario Bros. (1985)
- The Koopas with wings, or Para Koopas, are a fun little word play on Para Troopers!
10) Fuzzy / Fuzzies
Introduced in Super Mario World, one of the best Mario games created, are these little bug-eyed fuzzballs. Fuzzies are usually found on the wire which platforms traverse across, but fuzzies travel at a faster pace than those said platforms. This can cause panic, usually as the platforms are over areas of the level without any ground, so landing Mario here means a restart! I love this, as it keeps the intensity throughout the level, and means there’s no time for breathers. They also look a little bit like Studio Ghibli’s Soot Sprites – and frankly, being able to connect the love of my two favourite franchises on any level – is wonderful.
9) Flipbug
Perhaps a curveball on the list, and one of the more unknown enemies, is the mighty Flipbug. Debuting in Super Mario Galaxy, found in the Honeyhive Galaxy, I absolutely love the quirky mechanic of this little critter. As Mario, the Flipbug is absolutely terrified of you, flying away as you approach with a pathetic buzz. However, turn into Bee Mario with the Bee Mushroom, and this little guy suddenly sees you as prey, and pelts at you, albeit with the same pathetic buzz. I think it’s the only enemy that reacts differently to Mario when he’s in a powered up state and I love the unique approach Nintendo took with this winged rascal.
8) Koopa Troopa
A Mario enemy icon and old-skooler, the Koopa Troopa lands at spot 8. This waddling turtle made his appearance in Super Mario Bros. and supplied Mario with a weapon! That’s right, after jumping on his back, and collapsing him down to his shell, you were able to boot his shell forwards, into a line full on unsuspecting Goomba. Taking out 5 enemies rewards you with an extra life, and a feeling of might and pure destruction. They started out as Red and Green, however soon evolved into a big colour range. I really like how the colours were used in Super Mario World as, when eaten by Yoshi, these dictated how they’d be spat back out! Red Koopas became fireballs and Blue became wings for Yoshi to fly, and so on!
7) Piranha Plant
Next up, is the pipe-dwelling, venus flytrap-esque Piranha Plant! These sentient shrubs are another staple of the Mario series, appearing as far back as Super Mario Bros. They’ve appeared in various colours over the years, however are recognised mostly as Red with white spots. Initially starting out as a pipe hazard, the Piranha Plant has evolved to spit fireballs, slam with its head, and even made it into Smash Bros as a playable fighter! I love the Super Mario 3D land version; this black Piranha Plant spits ink at the screen and skews your field of vision, which couples really well with the depth perception given by the 3DS!
6) Blooper
Whilst we’re on the “original band members” train of enemies, it’s very fitting that Blooper pops up next! Again, from Super Mario Bros., the Bloopers can be found in water levels, and I love the way these guys move, and chase Mario. Whilst in the water the Bloopers sink very slowly, and on Mario’s movement, lurch at an upwards diagonal towards Mario to try and catch him. Even in the 80’s with little animation to work with, Nintendo exceeded in capturing the squid-like movement. That movement slowly evolved with later Mario games, and my favourite Blooper encounters are in Super Mario Sunshine’s ‘Rico Harbour’. The mission “The Caged Shine Sprite” sees you climbing up thin, scaffolding like walkways, which are patrolled by Bloopers, out to make you fall back to the watery bottom to start the ascent again!
5) Boo
I don’t like ghosts – do I believe in them? I guess I probably do. However some ghosts that I can get behind, are Boos. Making their debut in Super Mario Bros. 3, these ghosts take the fear I have, and apply it to Mario. Shielding their face and remaining motionless when Mario looks at them, Boos will only approach Mario when his back is turned – the cowards! Unlike Blooper, I didn’t really like their Super Mario Sunshine iteration, but did love them in Big Boo’s Haunt, in Super Mario 64. You’ll have to see if that particular level made it on my list of Top 10 Mario 64 Levels!
4) Chargin’ Chuck
Falling short of the touchdown line is the American-Football themed Chagrin’ Chuck. One of the tougher, more bothersome enemies in Super Mario World, these guys would charge at Mario on sight. They’d also throw baseballs, kick footballs, and split into three to charge you down. Sadly, after Super Mario World (if you don’t count the Super Mario Advance remake) Charing’ Chucks would have to wait 23 years before their resurgence, in Super Mario 3D World. They appeared again in Super Mario Odyssey. In these 3D Mario games, the Chargin’ Chucks were amplified in size and stature, which helped maintain their bulkish presence. Their inclusion in these newer titles reaffirmd my love for this enemy, but also highlights their lost potential and what would have been if they were included in previous games.
3) Lakitu
One of those “is he an enemy or isn’t he?” characters, Lakitu fishes up the bronze spot. Seen often riding a cloud, sporting some goggles and lobbing spike balls of doom (or Spiny Eggs as they’re named) in your general direction, Lakitu, in the earlier games, was a menace. His skyborne nature meant that it was almost impossible to take him out, however in Super Mario World, defeating Lakitu meant you were able to commandeer his cloud! Grabbing this allowed you to reach higher parts of the map, and find secret exits or hidden keys. Finally, in Super Mario Odyssey you were able to capture Lakitu and use his fishing rod to find Power Moons. Lakitu was my go-to racer in Mario Kart 7, however he doesn’t quite make the top of this fiendish list.
2) Kamek
Not quite a boss, but more than a mere henchman is that wonderful wizard, Kamek. As an enemy that has more of a starring role in the Yoshi and Paper Mario series, I always loved that Kamek is an enemy who has seen development. Nintendo has built up his character, and I especially enjoy his “kiss-the-ground-you-walk-on” relationship with Bowser, Jr. In the main Mario series, Kamek often appears and launches spells at Mario, whilst simultaneously disappearing, and reappearing in different spots. Donning his broom, he’s also seen in some of the 2D handheld games, flying across the battlefield and using his magic to make the boss fight more difficult. Kamek was also originally planned to appear in Mario Kart 64, before his position was swapped out for Donkey Kong. He may have been dropped entirely in Mario Kart, but here, Kamek takes the silver medal, and 2nd place podium spot.
1) Shy Guy
My favourite Mario enemy, and taking the number one spot is the cowardly Shy Guy. Shy Guys originally came from a non-Mario game, called Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, before they were brought over to Super Mario Bros. 2. In this game, Shy Guys are everywhere, attacking Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad as you make your way through the game. However this regularity would be short lived in the main Mario series as Shy Guys were rarely used after Super Mario Bros. 2. However, much like Kamek, Shy Guys would go on to have starring roles in the Yoshi and Paper Mario series, and are even playable in other games like Mario Kart, Mario Tennis, and Mario Strikers Charged. I love their expressionless, never changing faces, and it’s crazy that Nintendo are able to create a Shy Guy’s emotion through body movement alone. I guess my love for Shy Guy stems from the spin-off games, and the way Nintendo are always keeping him included – however it would be great to see him make a reappearance in the main series, in the future!
Enemies – what a nuisance they can be! When you’re absolutely steaming through a course, a slightly mistimed Mario jump can lead to your demise at the hands of these blighters. However, the enemies haven’t been a nuisance here. It’s been fun summarising their addition to making each Mario game so fun and how, over the 35 years of Mario, each one has developed adding to the lore of the Mushroom Kingdom. Still, nothing quite beats nabbing a Power Star, and running Mario through a whole gang of these guys, like a hot knife through butter.