Chain Chomp
{{short description|Mario series enemy}}
{{infobox fictional race
|name= Chain Chomp
|image=File:Chain Chomp.png
|image_upright=
|caption=Chain Chomp in New Super Mario Bros. Wii
|alt=
|series=Mario
|first=Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)
|leader=Bowser
}}
Chain Chomp is a species in the Mario franchise. It is a recurring element of Bowser's army, being a metal ball with eyes and a toothy mouth attached to something by a chain typically. It first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3, and has appeared in multiple games since, including Super Mario 64, Super Mario Odyssey, the Paper Mario series, the Mario Kart series, and Mario Tennis Aces, the latter as a playable character. It has also appeared multiple times in The Legend of Zelda series, most notably in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening where it aides protagonist Link by eating enemies.
Chain Chomp is an animate black metal ball typically chained to an object. The Chain Chomp was based on an experience Miyamoto had as a child being chased by a dog who was stopped by its chain leash. It has received generally positive reception, identified as a particularly frightening enemy in the Mario series. Its appearance in Link's Awakening was also treated as significant by multiple critics.
Concept and creation
The Chain Chomp is a black metal ball, typically found chained to an object, featuring eyes and a mouth with sharp teeth.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} It was inspired by a moment in Mario series creator Shigeru Miyamoto's childhood, where he was chased by a dog, only for the dog to be stopped by the chain on its neck.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2010/sep/13/games-gameculture |title=Super Mario Bros: 25 Mario facts for the 25th anniversary |work=The Guardian |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=September 13, 2010 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} In Super Mario Odyssey, the Chain Chomp went through multiple iterations of headgear, including one made of a fossil, one made of a fossilized egg, and one made of rock. The gold Chain Chomp wears a pink hat based on Madame Broode's. This hat went through multiple designs, including a hat with a feather, a Breton hat, a Capeline hat, a sleep bonnet, and a bunny-ear cap.{{cite book |title=The Art of Super Mario Odyssey |date=November 5, 2019 |publisher=Dark Horse Comics |pages=85, 86, 87 |isbn=9781506713816}}
Appearances
The Chain Chomp first appears as an enemy in the video game Super Mario Bros. 3, normally unable to reach the protagonist unless he is close. The Chain Chomp intermittently lunges to attack, held back by its chain. After dozens of lunges, its chain will start to flash red, and after three more lunges, it will break free and be able to move freely. A variation of the Chain Chomp, the Fire Chomp, also appears, able to follow the protagonist and spit fire. It is also able to fly.{{cite book |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Super_Mario_Encyclopedia_The_Official_Gu/ArN1DwAAQBAJ |title=Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia The Official Guide To The First 30 Years |publisher=Dark Horse Books |page=50 |date=October 23, 2018 |isbn=9781506708973 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} In Super Mario 64, a Chain Chomp appears in the first level, Bob-omb Battlefield, as an enemy. It is chained to a post outside of a cage featuring a collectible star, charging occasionally. The player as Mario can free it by hammering the post into the ground, causing the Chain Chomp to crash into the cage and leave.{{cite magazine |title=Super Mario 64 |work=64 Solutions |pages=26, 28 |issue=1 |publisher=Paradigm Publishing}} The game Super Mario Sunshine features creatures called Chain Chompettes, which need to be doused in water to pacify. Other Mario platformers they and their variations appear in include Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel Super Mario Galaxy 2, Super Mario 3D Land, and multiple New Super Mario Bros. games.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/super-mario-galaxy-2-1798220150 |title=Super Mario Galaxy 2 |work=The A.V. Club |last=Jones |first=Scott |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/super-mario-3d-land-review |title=Super Mario 3D Land Review |work=Eurogamer |last=Donlan |first=Christian |date=November 10, 2011 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/20368/new-super-mario-bros-wii-wii |title=New Super Mario Bros. Wii |work=Nintendo World Report |last=Cole |first=Michael |date=November 18, 2009 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}
In Super Mario Odyssey, Mario can possess multiple types of Chain Chomps, including a large Chain Chomp and a golden Chain Chomp owned by the boss Madam Broode called Chain Chompikins. This Chain Chomp wears a hat based on Madame Broode's, and wears a silk top hat in a later encounter. This possession occurs through the player throwing Mario's cap onto it. Once possessed, the player can pull away from the chain post in order to cause the Chain Chomp to slingshot, which can be used to destroy environmental objects and defeat enemies. The Chain Chomp appears in various Yoshi games, starting with Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. In this game, multiple types of Chain Chomps appear, including ones that leap from the background into the foreground and one that will chase after the protagonist Yoshi, destroying the level behind it.{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/why-yoshis-island-is-the-best-super-mario-side-scroller-ever/ |title=Why Yoshi’s Island Is the Best Super Mario Side-Scroller Ever |work=Den of Geek |last=Boo |first=Bernard |date=August 1, 2024 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} Chain Chomp appears as an enemy in both Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker 2, able to be added to custom levels created by players.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/09/super-mario-maker-not-everyone-can-be-miyamoto-but-everyone-can-try/ |title=Super Mario Maker pulls the curtain back on game design’s promise and peril |work=Arstechnica |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=September 2, 2015 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2019/6/26/18758748/super-mario-maker-2-review-nintendo-switch |title=Super Mario Maker 2 review: much more than a game design toolkit |work=Polygon |last=Frushtick |first=Russ |date=July 1, 2019 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}
Chain Chomp appears as both an enemy and as a weapon Bowser can wield in battle as an ally.{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/experience-points-25-super-mario-rpg-legend-of-the-seven-stars/ |title=Experience Points .25: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars |work=Destructoid |last=Davis |first=Ben |date=October 10, 2015 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/super-mario-rpg-booster-tower-walkthrough |title=Super Mario RPG: Booster Tower Walkthrough |work=NintendoLife |last=Gnau |first=Ethan |date=November 17, 2023 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} They also appear in multiple entries of the Paper Mario series, including Paper Mario: Color Splash.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/paper-mario-color-splash-the-kotaku-review-1787439292 |title=Paper Mario: Color Splash: The Kotaku Review |work=Kotaku |last=MacDonald |first=Keza |date=October 5, 2016 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} The ability to pet Chain Chomps in Paper Mario: The Origami King was shared by Nintendo on Twitter and covered by multiple websites, including Jenni Lada of Siliconera and Robert N. Adams of Game Revolution. Lada and Adams both stated that the announcement came due to the recent popularization of being able to pet dogs in games, particularly through a Twitter account that answers whether a dog can be pet or not.{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/you-can-pet-the-chain-chomp-in-paper-mario-the-origami-king/ |title=You Can Pet the Chain Chomp in Paper Mario: The Origami King |work=Siliconera |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=July 6, 2020 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/652049-can-you-pet-the-paper-mario-the-origami-king-chain-chomp |title=Yes, you can pet the Chain Chomp in Paper Mario: The Origami King |work=Game Revolution |last=Adams |first=Robert N. |date=July 7, 2020 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}
The inclusion of Chain Chomp in Mario Kart 64 as an item was considered, only to be added in the sequel Mario Kart: Double Dash!! In this game, the Chain Chomp item was exclusive to baby versions of Mario and Luigi. This was done due to the designers' belief that young kids like cute characters, and thus, they gave the babies a powerful item that was beginner friendly.{{cite web |url=https://shmuplations.com/doubledash/ |title=Mario Kart: Double Dash - 2003 Developer Interview |work=Shmuplations |date=2003 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} It has appeared in multiple levels in the Mario Kart series, including Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 64{{cite web |url=https://realsound.jp/tech/2021/11/post-896864.html |title=『マリオカート64』の鬼畜過ぎるコース 車が次々逆走してくるキノピオハイウェイ |work=Real Sound |last=Levin |first=Amijima |date=November 8, 2021 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} Peach Gardens in Mario Kart DS,{{cite magazine |title=Mario Kart DS |work=Tips & Tricks |issue=132 |date=February 2006 |page=31}} and London Loop from Mario Kart Tour.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/mario-kart-8-deluxe-all-dlc-tracks-released-so-far/2900-4261/ |title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - All DLC Tracks Released So Far |work=GameSpot |last=Carr |first=James |date=November 13, 2023 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} It appeared in Mario Power Tennis as part of a mode called Chain Chomp Challenge, where the player must hit tennis balls into its mouth.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/09/mario-power-tennis-4 |title=Mario Power Tennis |work=IGN |last=Castro |first=Juan |date=October 8, 2004 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} In Mario Tennis Aces, a Chain Chomp is added as a playable character, holding the tennis racket in its mouth. Chain Chomp appears as a summonable character in both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and the sequel, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, attacking opponents of the player who summoned it.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/smash-bros-assist-trophies/ |title=New Smash Bros. Assist Trophies reveal a treasure trove of retro goodness |work=GamesRadar+ |last=Fanelli |first=Jason |date=April 12, 2014 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/466597-smash-ultimate-assist-trophy-list |title=Smash Ultimate Assist Trophy List – Complete List of Assist Trophies |work=Game Revolution |last=Saunders |first=Toby |date=December 6, 2018 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} In Super Mario Strikers, a Chain Chomp can be used to attack multiple opponents and stun them.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/36304-super-mario-stri-review |title=Super Mario Strikers Review |work=Game Revolution |last=Reilly |first=Mike |date=December 8, 2005 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} It appears in multiple mini-games in the Mario Party series, as well as a summon through an item called a Chomp Call, which changes the location of the Star, the ultimate reward, on the map.{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendojo.com/features/columns/top-ten/top-ten-mario-party-minigames/7 |title=Top Ten: Mario Party Minigames |work=Nintendojo |last=Vigna |first=Anthony |date=October 22, 2013 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/39351/mario-party-advance-wii-u-review-mini |title=Mario Party Advance (Wii U) Review Mini |work=Nintendo World Report |last=Koopman |first=Daan |date=January 9, 2015 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendojo.com/features/mario-party-a-15-year-celebration/5 |title=Mario Party: A 15 Year Celebration |work=Nintendojo |last=England |first=Kyle |date=February 10, 2014 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/n64/mario-party-2 |title=Mario Party 2 Review (N64) |work=NintendoLife |last=Frear |first=Dave |date=November 2, 2022 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pockettactics.com/mario-party-superstars/review |title=Mario Party Superstars review - we like to party, we like to Mario Party |work=Pocket Tactics |last=Ellingsworth |first=Nathan |date=October 28, 2021 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} In
Chain Chomp appears in multiple entries of The Legend of Zelda series, originally appearing as an enemy in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.{{cite web |url=https://shmuplations.com/ocarinaoftime/ |title=Ocarina of Time – 1999 Developer Interview |work=Shmuplations |date=1999 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} Two also appear in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, added due to Mario-series producer Takashi Tezuka producing the game and him wanting to add it for fun.{{cite web |url=https://jp.ign.com/legend-of-zelda-links-awakening-switch/36294/news/nintendo-treehousep |title=自身の関わったゼルダはずいぶん影響を受けたように思う――異色作『ゼルダの伝説 夢をみる島』についてNintendo Treehouseで青沼Pが語る |work=IGN Japan |last=Maruchi |first=Hiroaki |date=June 12, 2019 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2014/08/05/79195.html |title=『ゼルダ無双』小ネタまとめ、コッコ・ワンワン・ボムチュウなどゼルダならではの要素がたくさん |work=Inside Games |author=Sushi |date=August 5, 2014 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} One is called BowWow, chained in a woman's front yard. BowWow is kidnapped, and after rescuing it, the protagonist Link is allowed to take BowWow with him temporarily. BowWow eats nearby enemies, and is able to eat enemies blocking the entrance to a dungeon.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/02/14/wait-why-is-a-super-mario-chain-chomp-in-the-legend-of-zelda-links-awakening |title=Wait, Why Is a Super Mario Chain Chomp in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening? |work=IGN |last=Altano |first=Brian |date=February 14, 2019 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} The other Chain Chomp in Link's Awakening is CiaoCiao, who agrees to trade a can of dog food for a ribbon.{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/zelda-links-awakening-trading-sequence-all-trade-items-and-locations |title=Zelda: Link's Awakening: Trading Sequence - All Trade Items and Locations |work=NintendoLife |last=Woor |first=Stephanie |date=April 22, 2020 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} A Chain Chomp was planned to appear in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, only to be cut near the end of development. It would have been placed in the Gerudo Fortress area of the game, trapping protagonist Link in its chains until he breaks out. It was also found in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, serving a similar role as BowWow in Link's Awakening.{{cite book |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Legend_of_Zelda_Encyclopedia/sWxDDwAAQBAJ |title=The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia |publisher=Dark Horse Comics |last=White |first=Keaton C. |date=2018 |page= |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} In The Legend of Zelda: Four Sword Adventures, a Chain Chomp enemy can be found in the Kakariko Village level.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} In the game Hyrule Warriors, the Chain Chomp appears as a weapon the player can use. In Bayonetta on Wii U, the character Bayonetta can dress up as Princess Peach and use a Chain Chomp as a weapon.{{cite web |url=https://www.killscreen.com/high-scores-2014-15-6/ |title=High Scores 2014: 15-6 |work=Killscreen |last=Priestman |first=Chris |date=December 23, 2014 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}
=In other media=
Chain Chomp has been featured in multiple pieces of merchandise, including a cat bed with the mouth being the opening{{cite web |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/cont/articles/3243946/ |title= 食べられちゃってるけど大丈夫？ マリオの「ワンワン」型のネコ用ベッドがハイクオリティ |work=IT Media |author=Tarochin |date=May 12, 2025 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} and a sound-activated toy.{{cite web |url=https://www.ndw.jp/mario-goods-241226/ |title=音に反応してワンワンが大暴れ！プライズ品「スーパーマリオ ワンワンおおあばれギミック」12月27日登場 |work=Nintendo Dream |date=December 28, 2024 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} It also got a Super Mario Lego set based on it called "Chain Chomp Jungle Encounter".{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/lego-super-mario-master-adventure-penguin-tanooki-wiggler-expansion-sets-100114581.html |title=Lego’s next Mario sets make it easier to build the course of your dreams |work=Engadget |last=Summers |first=Nick |date=November 17, 2020 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} A Lego set called Lego Super Mario 64 ? Block was also released, featuring various settings from Super Mario 64, including a Chain Chomp in one of them.{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/lego-mario-question-mark-block-review |title=The new Lego Mario ? Block is filled with brilliant Easter Eggs |work=VG247 |last=Donaldson |first=Alex |date=September 30, 2021 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}
In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a Chain Chomp was intended to be included in a scene based on Mario Kart, chasing the racers on the track.{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/loved-super-mario-kart-scene-225151779.html |title=I Loved The Super Mario Kart Scene In Super Mario Bros, And Was Shocked To Learn It Could Have Been Very Different |work=Cinema Blend |last=Reyes |first=Mike |date=June 28, 2023 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}
Reception
DreadXP writer Joel Couture stated that he found Chain Chomp's initial appearance "unusually frightening." He felt that Mario series enemies normally move at a slow pace, whereas the Chain Chomp was aggressive and ferocious. He experience with this and other forms of the enemy contributed to him considering it among the scariest enemies in the Mario series.{{cite web |url=https://www.dreadxp.com/editorial/chomps-thwomps-stomps-the-horrifying-enemies-of-super-mario/ |title=Chomps, Thwomps, & Stomps – The Horrifying Enemies of Super Mario |work=DreadXP |last=Couture |first=Joel |date=September 25, 2020 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} A scene in Yoshi's Island where a Chain Chomp eats the level behind Yoshi and chases after him was identified as a frightening scene by Magmix writer Katano identified it as a particularly frightening scene. He praised Yoshi's Island for creating an enjoyable gap between the cuteness of the game and scenes like these.{{cite web |url=https://magmix.jp/post/55346 |title=アクションゲームの「追われる系」ステージ4選。心臓に悪い演出がトラウマ級！ |work=Magmix |author=Katano |date=October 31, 2021 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} Writer Sebastiano M. Cossu praised the implementation of Chain Chomp in Super Mario 64, believing that it was used to teach the players various things, including how to interact with a Chain Chomp and offer the player environmental puzzles to complete. He stated that the puzzle involves not only getting the collectible on its pole, but also trying to figure out how to get rid of the Chain Chomp.{{cite book |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Game_Development_with_GameMaker/oMMpEQAAQBAJ |title=Game Development with GameMaker |publisher=Apress |last=Cossu |first=Sebastiano M. |date=2024 |page=386 |accessdate=June 4, 2025 |isbn=9798868808791}} The Escapist writer Kyle Orland felt that the Chain Chomp being capable of eventually breaking free in Super Mario Bros. 3 was a defining moment for the game. He felt that the moment exemplified the way the game subverts player's expectations, stating that the broken chain could be emblematic of the designers breaking conventions of platform games, adding that other enemies similarly surprise the player.{{cite web |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/the-world-in-a-chain-chomp/ |title=The World in a Chain Chomp |work=The Escapist |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=April 19, 2011 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}
Polygon writer Grayson Morley felt that the inclusion of Chain Chomp and other enemies from Mario in Link's Awakening made the dream setting work better, reasoning that it enhances the dream-like setting due to the player having encountered these enemies before.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/zelda/23609051/the-legend-of-zelda-links-awakening-nintendo-switch-online-ending |title=The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening committed a narrative sin — and got away with it |work=Polygon |last=Morley |first=Grayson |date=February 22, 2023 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} Siliconera writer Jenni Lada appreciated the way Mario Tennis Aces gives personality to Mario series enemies, stating that the Chain Chomp was among her favorites due to being "goofy" and animal-like.{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/mario-tennis-aces-nails-its-characterizations/ |title=Mario Tennis Aces Nails Its Characterizations |work=Siliconera |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=July 2, 2018 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} IGN writer Audrey Drake remarked that she always wanted a Chain Chomp growing up due in part to its appearance in Link's Awakening, stating that she loved it thanks to it being "ferocious and awesome." She felt that its Super Mario 64 incarnation was a particularly memorable one.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/27/marios-best-enemies |title=Mario's Best Enemies |work=IGN |last=Drake |first=Audrey |date=October 26, 2011 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}
Following the reveal of the Super Crown item in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe that transforms the character Toadette into the Princess Peach-like Peachette, fan art and cosplay of fictionalized versions of other Mario characters. One of these characters is Chain Chompette, based on Chain Chomp, also resembling Princess Peach.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/bowsette-booette-super-mario-weird-fandom-explained/ |title=Bowsette, Booette & Beyond: When Mario Fandom Got Super Weird |work=Comic Book Resources |last=Davidson |first=Chris |date=March 22, 2019 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} This character became popular on social media through both cosplay and fan art.{{cite web |url=https://futaman.futabanet.jp/articles/-/124084?page=1 |title=イラストレーター兼業コスプレイヤー穂波あみさん『スーパーマリオ』の“二次創作”キャラ「ワンワン姫」姿で人気に |work=Futabanet |author=Daibo |date=May 4, 2023 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}} Destructoid writer Chris Moyse identified Chain Chompette as his personal favorite of these fan characters.{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/bowsette-originator-receives-trophy-from-pixiv-and-niconico/ |title=Bowsette originator receives trophy from Pixiv and NicoNico |work=Destructoid |last=Moyse |first=Chris |date=January 12, 2019 |accessdate=June 4, 2025}}