List of Mario franchise characters#Bowser Jr.

{{for|the main characters that appear in Mario-adjacent franchise Donkey Kong|List of Donkey Kong characters{{!}}List of Donkey Kong characters}}

{{Infobox character

|name=Characters of the Mario franchise

|caption=A selection of Mario characters drawn by Shigehisa Nakaue. From left to right: Paratroopa, Boo, Goomba, Yoshi, Rosalina, Princess Peach, Bowser, Mario, Luigi, Toad, Princess Daisy, Wario, Cheep Cheep, Waluigi.

|image=File:Mario-Franchise-CharacterLineup.png

|image_upright= 1.5

|first=Donkey Kong (1981)

|creator=Nintendo

}}

The Mario franchise is a media franchise created by Nintendo. Nintendo is usually the developer and publisher of the franchise's games, but various games are developed by third-party companies such as Intelligent Systems and Nintendo Cube. Games in the Mario franchise primarily revolve around the main protagonist Mario and often involve the trope of Bowser as the main antagonist kidnapping Princess Peach, with Mario then rescuing her. Many characters have goals or plot arcs that vary between series; for example, the Luigi's Mansion games focus on Luigi ridding a haunted building of ghost-like creatures known as Boos, and Wario stars in games that center around his greed and desire for money and treasure.

The franchise began with Donkey Kong in 1981, where Mario, Donkey Kong, and Pauline originated. Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto built them off the base of characters from Popeye. Unable to license the characters, Miyamoto made later changes to their appearances and personalities, such as a more lighthearted tone. Due to the breakthrough critical and commercial success of Donkey Kong, Mario reappeared in Mario Bros. in 1983, which introduced Mario's twin brother Luigi, and Super Mario Bros. in 1985, which introduced Toad alongside numerous enemies, with Bowser and Princess Peach replacing Donkey Kong and Pauline, respectively.

Each series has introduced numerous characters, many of them recurring. Some have starred in their own games or in supporting roles. The games all typically share common enemies.

Primary protagonists

= Mario =

{{Nihongo foot|Mario|マリオ|Mario|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Kevin Afghani) is the main character of the Mario franchise and the mascot of Nintendo as a whole. He originally appeared in 1981's Donkey Kong as "Jumpman", designed by Shigeru Miyamoto.{{cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Rus |date=September 14, 2010 |title=IGN Presents The History of Super Mario Bros. |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109000531/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2014 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}} While Mario was initially a carpenter, he later took the role of a plumber.{{Cite news |last=Snider |first=Mike |date=November 8, 2010 |title=Q&A: 'Mario' creator Shigeru Miyamoto |work=USA Today |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/11/qa-mario-creator-shigeru-miyamoto/1 |url-status=live |access-date=November 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120523230017/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/11/qa-mario-creator-shigeru-miyamoto/1%23.T71r-OQo_KA#.YnKOftrMLIU |archive-date=May 23, 2012}} From 1992 to 2023, Mario was voiced by Charles Martinet.{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=2012-10-01 |title=The actors hiding inside your video games |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19664003 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=BBC News |archive-date=April 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422005227/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19664003 |url-status=live }} In most of his appearances, Mario rescues a damsel in distress (often Princess Peach) from an antagonist (often Bowser).{{cite web |title=Mario Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/923/923448_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220083249/http://stars.ign.com/objects/923/923448_biography.html |archive-date=December 20, 2009 |access-date=January 23, 2010 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}} Mario's younger brother is Luigi,{{cite web |title=Luigi Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924288_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817041854/http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924288_biography.html |archive-date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=January 26, 2010 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}} and his greedy rival is Wario.{{cite web |title=Wario Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924285_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712120508/http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924285_biography.html |archive-date=July 12, 2009 |access-date=January 23, 2010 |website=IGN}} Yoshi serves as Mario's steed in several games, including Super Mario World.{{cite web |title=Yoshi Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924294_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602142520/http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924294_biography.html |archive-date=June 2, 2010 |access-date=January 23, 2009 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}} Since his introduction, Mario's abilities include jumping, such as onto an enemy's head as an attack. Mario uses power-ups, such as the Super Mushroom (which allows him to grow larger and survive an additional hit), the Super Star (which grants him temporary invincibility), and the Fire Flower (which allows him to throw fireballs). Several power-ups grant Mario the ability to fly, such as the Super Leaf from Super Mario Bros. 3.{{cite web |last=Provo |first=Frank |date=November 9, 2007 |title=Super Mario Bros. 3 Review for Wii |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-bros-3-review/1900-6184143/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310191431/http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/action/supermariobros3/review.html |archive-date=March 10, 2009 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures}} According to Guinness World Records, Mario is the second most recognizable video game character after Pac-Man.{{cite news |last=Turi |first=Tim |date=December 21, 2009 |title=Gain Knowledge From Guinness 2010 Gamer's Edition |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/12/21/gear-guinness-2010-gamer-s-edition-has.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=13 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213102329/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/12/21/gear-guinness-2010-gamer-s-edition-has.aspx |archive-date=December 13, 2021}} Mario has seen numerous cultural appearances, such as during the closing ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics, where Japanese prime minister Shinzō Abe appeared dressed as the character.{{Cite news |last=Samuelson |first=Kate |date=August 22, 2016 |title=Shinzo Abe Dresses as Super Mario for Rio Closing Ceremony |magazine=Time |url=https://time.com/4460923/super-mario-japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822100538/http://time.com/4460923/super-mario-japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe/ |archive-date=August 22, 2016}} Mario has appeared as the protagonist in two feature films: the live-action Super Mario Bros. in 1993 and the animated box office hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Dellatto |first=Marisa |title=Weekend Box Office: 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' Earns Over $180 Million Worldwide In Another Massive Weekend |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/04/16/weekend-box-office-super-mario-bros-movie-earns-over-180-million-worldwide-in-another-massive-weekend/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

Mario was voiced by Chris Pratt in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

= Luigi =

{{Nihongo foot|Luigi|ルイージ|Ruīji|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Kevin Afghani) is the younger twin brother of Mario, who Luigi feels a sense of envy and reverence towards.{{Cite web |date=2013-12-31 |title=Why Luigi Is a Better Character Than Mario |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/features/articles/opinion/why-luigi-is-a-better-character-than-mario/68107/ |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=Hardcore Gamer |publisher=DoubleJump Publishing |language=en-US |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116170256/https://hardcoregamer.com/features/articles/opinion/why-luigi-is-a-better-character-than-mario/68107/ |url-status=live }} In the 1983 game Mario Bros., Luigi was introduced as the second player character, with many similarities to Mario.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=1986-08-10 |title=Super Mario: The New Craze in Japan |pages=10 |work=New Straits Times |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JdRHAAAAIBAJ&pg=2740,2455143&dq=super-mario&hl=en |access-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116170548/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JdRHAAAAIBAJ&pg=2740,2455143&dq=super-mario&hl=en |url-status=live }} While he was initially identical to Mario, he began developing differences in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986), which gave him a higher and further jump at the expense of responsiveness and precision.{{Cite web |last=Hayward |first=Andrew |date=2007-10-01 |title=VC Update: Sin and Punishment, Mario: Lost Levels |url=http://www.1up.com/news/update-sin-punishment-mario-lost |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629064034/http://www.1up.com/news/update-sin-punishment-mario-lost |archive-date=2011-06-29 |website=1up.com}} In the North American version of Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), Luigi was given a taller and thinner appearance than Mario, which played a key role in shaping his modern appearance. Luigi's first starring role was in 1993's Mario Is Missing!, though he played only minor roles in subsequent games until 2001 with Luigi's Mansion, where he plays the role of a frightened, unsure, and goofy protagonist attempting to save his brother. The Year of Luigi was celebrated in 2013, which saw many Luigi games released to commemorate the character's 30th anniversary.{{Cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=2013-02-14 |title=New Super Luigi U Confirmed as Future DLC for New Super Mario Bros. U |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/02/new_super_luigi_u_confirmed_as_future_dlc_for_new_super_mario_bros_u |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319040700/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/02/new_super_luigi_u_confirmed_as_future_dlc_for_new_super_mario_bros_u |archive-date=2022-03-19 |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Hookshot Media}}

Luigi also appeared in the Mario Kart series, Super Smash Bros. series as an unlockable fighter, and the Mario Party series. He was voiced by Charlie Day in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

= Princess Peach =

{{nihongo foot|Princess Peach Toadstool|ピーチ姫|Pīchi-hime|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Samantha Kelly) is the princess of the Mario franchise's Mushroom Kingdom. In the main series games, she typically plays the role of a damsel in distress who needs to be rescued by Mario.{{Cite web |last=Knorr |first=Alyse |date=2018-11-14 |title=How Princess Peach's Story Draws On 2000 Years Of Women In Peril |url=https://kotaku.com/how-princess-peachs-story-draws-on-2000-years-of-women-1830342699 |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=Kotaku |publisher=Univision Communications |language=en |archive-date=December 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225094309/https://kotaku.com/how-princess-peachs-story-draws-on-2000-years-of-women-1830342699 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Sholars |first=Mike |date=2021-01-01 |title=Princess Peach Floated So Rosalina Could Fly |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/01/princess-peach-floated-so-rosalina-could-fly/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004234328/https://kotaku.com/princess-peach-floated-so-rosalina-could-fly-1845970718 |archive-date=2022-10-04 |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=Kotaku Australia |publisher=G/O Media |language=en-AU}} When playable, she typically has the ability to float in the air, and is physically taller than Mario. Her first playable appearance in a main series Mario game was 1988's Super Mario Bros. 2, while her second was 2013's Super Mario 3D World.{{Cite web |last=Riendeau |first=Danielle |date=2013-06-12 |title=Nintendo thinking on a different frequency with playable Princess Peach |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/6/12/4421244/nintendo-thinking-on-a-different-frequency-with-playable-princess |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510135029/https://www.polygon.com/2013/6/12/4421244/nintendo-thinking-on-a-different-frequency-with-playable-princess |url-status=live }} Peach played a starring role in Super Princess Peach (2005), where she aims to rescue Mario, Luigi, and Toad, aided by a parasol named Perry and several abilities based on her emotions—or "vibes".{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=2006-02-23 |title=Super Princess Peach |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/23/super-princess-peach |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |language=en |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628201808/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/23/super-princess-peach |url-status=live }} She makes frequent appearances in spin-off Mario games, such as the Mario Kart series and the Mario sports games. In the 2017 game Super Mario Odyssey, after being captured by and forced to marry Bowser, and subsequently rescued by Mario, she rejects both of them and instead takes a trip around the world, though Mario rejoins her. Peach again stars in her adventure in the 2024 game Princess Peach: Showtime!, where she saves the Sparkle Theater from a sorceress named Grape, helped by a ribbon named Stella and various transformations including Swordfighter Peach and Patissiere Peach.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/princess-peach-showtime-official-announcement-trailer |title=Princess Peach: Showtime! - Official Announcement Trailer - IGN |date=2023-09-14 |language=en |access-date=2024-05-09 |via=www.ign.com}}

Since 2001, Peach appeared in Super Smash Bros. series as a fighter alongside Bowser in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and later in its succeeded games. She was voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

= Princess Daisy =

{{nihongo foot|Princess Daisy|デイジー姫|Deijī-hime|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Giselle Fernandez) is the princess of Sarasaland, the setting of Super Mario Land (1989).{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Ian |date=2022-02-10 |title=Daisy Is The Only Super Mario Girl With Teeth, Apparently |url=https://kotaku.com/super-mario-bros-nintendo-daisy-peach-rosalina-pauline-1848516079 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215215029/https://kotaku.com/super-mario-bros-nintendo-daisy-peach-rosalina-pauline-1848516079 |archive-date=2022-02-15 |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media |language=en}} Since then, she has primarily appeared as a playable character in spin-off Mario games, especially Mario sports games.{{Cite web |last=Notis |first=Ari |date=2022-05-13 |title=The Princess Daisy Fandom Is Ready To Riot Against Mario Strikers |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2022/05/the-super-mario-daisy-fandom-is-ready-to-riot-against-nintendo/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112021454/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2022/05/the-super-mario-daisy-fandom-is-ready-to-riot-against-nintendo/ |archive-date=2022-11-12 |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Kotaku Australia |publisher=G/O Media |language=en-AU}} Super Mario Run (2016) marks Daisy's playable debut in a main series game, where she is able to perform a double jump.{{Cite web |last=Osborn |first=Alex |date=2017-09-23 |title=Super Mario Run Update Will Add Daisy, New World, New Mode |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/23/super-mario-run-update-will-add-daisy-new-world-new-mode |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423005549/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/23/super-mario-run-update-will-add-daisy-new-world-new-mode |archive-date=2022-04-23 |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |language=en}} She acts more tomboyish than Princess Peach, exemplified by her appearances in the Mario sports games. Some consider her and Luigi to be a couple, despite Daisy being rescued by Mario in Super Mario Land and Super Mario Run. She is also a playable character in Super Mario Bros. Wonder.{{Cite web |last=Saul |first=Louise |date=2022-10-15 |title=10 Top Mario Cosplays – From Plumbers To Princesses |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/features/10-top-mario-cosplays-from-plumbers-to-princesses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025111650/https://www.nintendolife.com/features/10-top-mario-cosplays-from-plumbers-to-princesses |archive-date=2022-10-25 |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Hookshot Media |language=en-GB}} Daisy also appeared in the Mario Kart series, beginning with 2003's Mario Kart: Double Dash, and Super Smash Bros. series, beginning with 2018's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as Peach's echo-fighter.

= Toad =

{{nihongo foot|Toad|キノピオ|Kinopio|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Samantha Kelly) is an anthropomorphic mushroom-like character.{{Cite web |last=Corriea |first=Alexa Ray |date=2014-11-17 |title=Nintendo Reveals the Toads' Gender Secret |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-reveals-the-toads-gender-secret/1100-6423610/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014083203/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-reveals-the-toads-gender-secret/1100-6423610/ |archive-date=2022-10-14 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |language=en-US}} He debuted in Super Mario Bros. (1985),{{Cite web |last=Sholars |first=Mike |date=2021-01-15 |title=You're Toad, Not Mario. And That's OK |url=https://kotaku.com/youre-toad-not-mario-and-thats-ok-1846050023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811183714/https://kotaku.com/youre-toad-not-mario-and-thats-ok-1846050023 |archive-date=2022-08-11 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media |language=en}} though his first starring role was in Wario's Woods (1994), in which the player is able to control Toad to solve puzzles.{{Cite web |last=Fenlon |first=Wesley |date=2008-12-02 |title=Born for Wii: Wario's Woods (page 2) |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-12-02-born-for-wii-warios-woods-page-2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227005544/https://www.engadget.com/2008-12-02-born-for-wii-warios-woods-page-2.html |archive-date=2022-02-27 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Engadget |publisher=Yahoo! Inc. |language=en-US}} Toad made his playable debut in a main series Mario game in 1988 with Super Mario Bros. 2, and frequently acts as a non-playable character in Mario role-playing games. The character is a member of the eponymous Toad species, which includes characters such as Captain Toad, Toadette, and Toadsworth. He was voiced by Keegan-Michael Key in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023).{{Cite web |last=Welsh |first=Oli |date=2022-10-14 |title=Evidence mounts that the Mario movie is a musical: Toad sings too |url=https://www.polygon.com/23404135/mario-movie-musical-toad-sings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207202139/https://www.polygon.com/23404135/mario-movie-musical-toad-sings |archive-date=2022-12-07 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |language=en-US}}

= Yoshi =

{{nihongo foot|Yoshi|ヨッシー|Yosshī|once Romanized as Yossy|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Kazumi Totaka) is a green anthropomorphic dinosaur character, first appeared in the 1990 game Super Mario World. He is depicted with a long tongue that can be used to eat enemies, and can turn the enemies he eats into eggs that release power-ups or can be thrown.{{cite journal |year=2012 |title=A Brief History of... Yoshi |journal=Official Nintendo Magazine |issue=47 |pages=81–83|publisher=Nintendo|issn=1836-4276}} Yoshi is a rideable character for the heroes or a playable character in most of the Mario spin-offs, including his own series.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/17/yoshi-review|access-date=May 4, 2022 |title=IGN: Yoshi (Virtual Console) Review|date=August 9, 2007|archive-date=August 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809191532/http://wii.ign.com/articles/805/805744p1.html}} Yoshi also appeared in Mario Kart series, Super Smash Bros. series as a fighter, and Mario Party series.

= Donkey Kong =

{{nihongo foot|Donkey Kong|ドンキーコング|Donkī Kongu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Takashi Nagasako) is an anthropomorphic gorilla that stars in the Donkey Kong franchise. He is the leader of the Kong Family, a group of various primates and is depicted as the grandson of Cranky Kong who appeared in the 1981 arcade game, Donkey Kong, though, he appears as an antagonist in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. He is depicted as a cheerful and powerful character.{{cite web|title=Now You're Playing With Power: Top 25 Nintendo Characters of All Time|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/now-youre-playing-with-power-top-25-nintendo-characters-of-all-time/?page=15|publisher=GameDaily|access-date=August 9, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912070423/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/now-youre-playing-with-power-top-25-nintendo-characters-of-all-time/?page=15|archive-date=September 12, 2008}} Alongside Mario and friends, Donkey Kong also appeared in Mario Kart series, Super Smash Bros. series as a fighter, and Mario Party series.

Donkey Kong was voiced by Seth Rogen in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Other supporting characters

= Pauline =

{{nihongo foot|Pauline|ポリーン|Porīn|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Kate Higgins) debuted in Donkey Kong (1981){{cite web |title=Donkey Kong |url=http://cheats.ign.com/objects/017/017317.html |access-date=2010-07-06 |publisher=IGN |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713004408/http://cheats.ign.com/objects/017/017317.html |url-status=live }} as Lady, and is further featured in Donkey Kong (1994) for Game Boy,{{cite web |title=Donkey Kong |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/objects/010/010293.html |access-date=2010-07-06 |publisher=IGN |archive-date=August 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801023602/http://gameboy.ign.com/objects/010/010293.html |url-status=live }} and the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. She was created by Shigeru Miyamoto, is the earliest example of a female with a speaking role in a video game, and is cited as a famous example of a damsel in distress in fiction.{{cite book |last1=Ray |first1=Sheri Graner |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v3wRrNlPOe0C&q=Pauline+%22Donkey+Kong%22&pg=PA19 |title=Gender inclusive game design ... - Google Books |publisher=Charles River Media |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-58450-239-5 |access-date=2010-04-08 |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107005527/https://books.google.com/books?id=v3wRrNlPOe0C&q=Pauline+%22Donkey+Kong%22&pg=PA19 |url-status=live }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-3MsAAAAYAAJ&q=Pauline+%22Donkey+Kong%22 |title=Text technology: the journal of ... - Google Books |date=2008-09-09 |access-date=2010-04-08 |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107005527/https://books.google.com/books?id=-3MsAAAAYAAJ&q=Pauline+%22Donkey+Kong%22 |url-status=live }}{{cite book |last1=Lind |first1=Rebecca Ann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KaThAAAAMAAJ&q=Pauline |title=Race, gender, media: considering ... - Google Books |date=2009-09-03 |publisher=Pearson/Allyn and Bacon |isbn=978-0-205-34419-2 |access-date=2010-04-08 |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107005530/https://books.google.com/books?id=KaThAAAAMAAJ&q=Pauline |url-status=live }} She is the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey.{{cite news |last1=Alexander |first1=Julia |date=14 June 2017 |title=Super Mario Odyssey producer explains why Pauline has returned |url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/14/15804210/super-mario-odyssey-pauline-switch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615014618/https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/14/15804210/super-mario-odyssey-pauline-switch |archive-date=15 June 2017 |access-date=15 June 2017 |work=Polygon}}

= Birdo =

Birdo, also known as Birdette, and known in Japan as {{nihongo foot|Catherine,|キャサリン|Kyasarin|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Kazumi Totaka) is depicted as a pink, anthropomorphic dinosaur who wears a red bow on her head, and has a round mouth that can fire eggs as projectiles.{{cite web |date=2007-11-30 |title=The Top 10 Worst Mario Characters |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/the-top-ten-worst-mario-characters/110/?page=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203155209/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/the-top-ten-worst-mario-characters/110/?page=4 |archive-date=December 3, 2007 |access-date=2009-10-16 |publisher=GameDaily}} Birdo first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2 as a recurring boss character.{{cite web |date=2001-03-23 |title=What Happens When You Beat Mario Advance (Part 1) |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/092/092746p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613194246/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/092/092746p1.html |archive-date=2011-06-13 |access-date=2009-10-16 |website=IGN}} Since then, she has been a recurring playable character in various franchise spin-offs. Birdo has been referred to as a "man who thinks of himself as female" in earlier depictions, such as in the Japanese manual for the early prototype game Doki Doki Panic, and was considered female in later games. It is heavily speculated that Birdo is transgender; she is considered to be one of the first ever transgender video game characters.{{citation |last=Robbins |first=M. Brandon |title=Diversity in Gaming |date=September 15, 2017 |work=Library Journal |volume=142 |page=51}}{{citation |last=Owens |first=Cassie |title=Temple prof co-curates first exhibit on LGBTQ video game history |date=September 25, 2018 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer}}{{citation |last1=Shaw |first1=Adrienne |title=Where is the Queerness in Games? Types of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Content in Digital Games |work=International Journal of Communication |volume=10 |pages=3877–3889 |year=2016 |last2=Friesem |first2=Elizaveta}}{{Verify source|date=December 2024}}

= Poochy =

{{nihongo foot|Poochy|ポチ|Pochi|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is portrayed as Yoshi's helper dog. He debuted in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and continued appearing throughout the Yoshi series, such as in Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World.{{cite web |last=Hagues |first=Alana |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Poochy Confirmed As New Racer In Mario Kart Tour |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/03/poochy-confirmed-as-new-racer-in-mario-kart-tour |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605210524/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/03/poochy-confirmed-as-new-racer-in-mario-kart-tour |url-status=live }} In the games, he can do things that Yoshi cannot, such as sniff out hidden items, cross over dangerous terrain, and jump over walls to give Yoshi a boost out of his wall jumps.{{cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=February 2017 |title=Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World Review |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/poochy_and_yoshis_woolly_world |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306161536/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/poochy_and_yoshis_woolly_world |url-status=live }} In 2023, Poochy was added to Mario Kart Tour as a playable character.

= Professor E. Gadd =

{{nihongo foot|Professor Elvin Gadd|オヤ・マー博士|Oya Mā Hakase|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha|extra=known in Japan as Professor Oya Mā}} (voiced by Kazumi Totaka), more commonly known as Professor E. Gadd, is a diminutive and elderly scientist and inventor. He primarily appears in the Luigi's Mansion series, in which he invented several objects, such as Luigi's Poltergust 3000 and Gooigi from Luigi's Mansion 3.{{Cite web |last=Oxford |first=Nadia |date=2019-10-11 |title=Professor E. Gadd from Luigi's Mansion is Nintendo's Most Dangerous Character |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/professor-e-gadd-from-luigis-mansion-is-nintendos-most-dangerous-character |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116230410/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/professor-e-gadd-from-luigis-mansion-is-nintendos-most-dangerous-character |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=USgamer |publisher=Gamer Network |language=en}} He is referenced in Super Mario Sunshine as the inventor of Mario's F.L.U.D.D., a device that allows him to spray water.{{Cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |title=Luigi's Mansion's Professor Elvin Gadd Costume Coming To Super Mario Maker |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2016/02/02/luigi-39-s-mansion-39-s-professor-elvin-gadd-costume-coming-to-super-mario-maker.aspx |access-date=2022-11-16 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |language=en |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116180138/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2016/02/02/luigi-39-s-mansion-39-s-professor-elvin-gadd-costume-coming-to-super-mario-maker.aspx |url-status=live }} The character has made cameo appearances in series such as Mario Party and Mario & Luigi. He makes ambiguous gibberish sounds when speaking, inspired by the language of "Animalese" used in the Animal Crossing series when Totaka invented his voice.{{Cite web |title=N-Sider.com: The Making of The Game: Luigi's Mansion |url=http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=414 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014103505/http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=414 |archive-date=October 14, 2007 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |language=en}}

= Toadsworth =

{{nihongo foot|Toadsworth|キノじい|Kinojī|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Scott Burns){{cite web |last=Gaming Reinvented |date=22 October 2021 |title=Let's Interview: The Voice of Bowser, Scott Burns! |url=https://gamingreinvented.com/interview/lets-interview-the-voice-of-bowser-scott-burns/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026061848/https://gamingreinvented.com/interview/lets-interview-the-voice-of-bowser-scott-burns/ |archive-date=26 October 2021 |access-date=6 February 2022}}{{cite web |title=Confirmation from Scott Burns via e-mail |url=https://www.mariowiki.com/images/8/8f/Scott_burns_sms_1.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108140740/https://www.mariowiki.com/images/8/8f/Scott_burns_sms_1.jpg |archive-date=8 January 2022 |access-date=6 February 2022}} is an elderly Toad character who is Princess Peach's steward. He is depicted showing concern for the princess' safety and acts as a prime caretaker for the Toads.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} He debuted in Super Mario Sunshine for GameCube, in which he goes on vacation with Mario, Peach and the other Toads.{{cite web|last=Swanson|first=Drew|date=March 24, 2024|url=https://gamerant.com/princess-peach-showtime-toadsworth-forgotten-mario-character-sunshine/|title=Princess Peach: Showtime Missed the Opportunity to Bring Back One Forgotten Mario Character|website=Game Rant|access-date=October 18, 2024}} In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, he is revealed to have cared for the princess since she was a baby.{{cite book |last1=Hoffman |first1=Chris |title=Mario & Luigi Partners in Time Player's Guide |date=November 28, 2005 |publisher=Nintendo of America Inc. |isbn=1-59812-006-9 |page=3 |url=https://archive.org/details/marioluigipartnersintimeofficialplayersguide/page/n3/mode/2up |access-date=March 6, 2025}}

= Toadette =

{{nihongo foot|Toadette|キノピコ|Kinopiko|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Samantha Kelly) is a pink Toad character who debuted in Mario Kart: Double Dash (2003) as a playable driver. Toadette is depicted with two long round pigtails with white spots and a dress, to distinguish her from Toad. Since Super Mario Odyssey, Toadette is a member of the Toad Brigade and has the role of an archivist.{{Cite web |last=Reseigh-Lincoln |first=Dom |date=2018-02-22 |title=Super Mario Odyssey – Talk to Toad at the Castle, Archivist Toadette achievements and what to do in Super Mario Odyssey's end game |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-02-22-super-mario-odyssey-guide-walkthrough-tips-4847?page=35 |access-date=2020-05-06 |website=Eurogamer |language=en |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023085253/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-02-22-super-mario-odyssey-guide-walkthrough-tips-4847?page=35 |url-status=live }} Depending on the game, she is either a supporting character or a protagonist, playable in most of the Mario spin-off games.{{Cite web |title=Meet Toadette at Play Nintendo |url=https://play.nintendo.com/themes/friends/toadette/ |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=play.nintendo.com |language=en |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425192046/https://play.nintendo.com/themes/friends/toadette/ |url-status=live }} In New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, a power-up called the Super Crown allows Toadette to transform into Peachette, a form that highly resembles Princess Peach.{{cite web |date=September 14, 2018 |title=Peachette: An Investigation |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/14/17860768/peachette-new-super-mario-bros-u-investigation |website=Polygon |access-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924111850/https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/14/17860768/peachette-new-super-mario-bros-u-investigation |url-status=live }} As Peachette, she can use Peach's floating jump to hover, and can perform a double jump. She also returns as a playable character in Super Mario Bros. Wonder.{{Cite web |last=Dinsdale |first=Ryan |date=2023-08-31 |title=Everything Announced at the Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Direct |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/everything-announced-at-the-super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-direct |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=IGN |language=en-US |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831143439/https://www.ign.com/articles/everything-announced-at-the-super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-direct |url-status=live }}

= Rosalina =

{{Nihongo foot|Rosalina|ロゼッタ|Rozetta|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Laura Faye Smith) is a princess character introduced in the 2007 Wii game Super Mario Galaxy. As a child who fled into space after her mother's death, she becomes the adoptive mother of the Lumas—mysterious and friendly star-like creatures that inhabit space in the Mario franchise. She resides in the Comet Observatory, a starship used to traverse the Mario universe.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Andrew |date=2013-10-07 |title=Major Details About Super Mario 3D World's...World Secretly Revealed |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/35654/major-details-about-super-mario-3d-worldsworld-secretly-revealed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815053209/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/35654/major-details-about-super-mario-3d-worldsworld-secretly-revealed |archive-date=2020-08-15 |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=Nintendo World Report}} In later appearances, she typically takes the role of a supporting character, and primarily appears in spin-off games such as the Mario sports games, Mario Kart series, and Super Smash Bros. series. In Super Mario 3D World (2013), she is a playable character, and is unlocked through gameplay.

= Lumas =

The Lumas are depicted as friendly star-like creatures. They first appear in Super Mario Galaxy, where they have the ability to transform into various game objects, explorable planetoids, and entire levels.{{cite web|url=https://www.giantbomb.com/luma/3015-675/|title=Luma|publisher=Giant Bomb|access-date=7 April 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407085449/https://www.giantbomb.com/luma/3015-675/|url-status=live}} Lumas come in a variety of colors, though are most commonly yellow. One particular Luma, known as Baby Luma, or Young Master Luma, is a major character in the Super Mario Galaxy games, granting Mario or Luigi the power to Star Spin. In the Illumination animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), Juliet Jelenic voices a nihilistic blue Luma named Lumalee, that first appeared in Super Mario Galaxy as a salesman. Held prisoner by Bowser, Lumalee cheerfully laments the pain and suffering awaiting all those held prisoner, greatly depressing his fellow prisoners.{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Brian |date=6 October 2022 |title=Khary Payton revealed as the voice of the penguin king in The Super Mario Bros. Movie |language=en |work=Nintendo Everything |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/khary-payton-revealed-as-the-voice-of-the-penguin-king-in-the-super-mario-bros-movie/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006230427/https://nintendoeverything.com/khary-payton-revealed-as-the-voice-of-the-penguin-king-in-the-super-mario-bros-movie/ |archive-date=October 6, 2022}}

= Captain Toad =

{{nihongo foot|Captain Toad|キノピオ隊長|Kinopio Taichō|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Samantha Kelly) is an explorer and the leader of the Toad Brigade, debuting in Super Mario Galaxy. He subsequently appears in Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Super Mario Odyssey, and as a "treasure tracker".{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2018-08-07 |title=Where Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker came from |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/7/17658584/captain-toad-treasure-tracker-nintendo-legend-of-zelda |access-date=2020-04-29 |website=Polygon |language=en |quote="I really just want to make him someone that loves treasure and you can feel that from him", Hiratake said. "I think honestly Captain Toad is someone that doesn't really care what's going on, but when he sees treasure he's like, 'I want it!'. "You know, I do question his loyalty to the Mushroom Kingdom a little bit. I think of him like a crow that loves shiny things or a moth to a flame. He just loves treasure so much that he can't think about anything else — he's just so happy finding treasure."—Game director Shinya Hiratake |archive-date=November 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129213624/https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/7/17658584/captain-toad-treasure-tracker-nintendo-legend-of-zelda |url-status=live }} He makes several cameos within Super Smash Bros. and debuted in the Mario Kart series in Mario Kart Tour as a playable racer.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-15 |title=Mario Kart Tour's Exploration Tour Begins Today, Featuring Captain Toad And Explorer Toadette |url=https://www.thegamer.com/mario-kart-tour-exploration-tour-begins-today-captain-toad-explorer-toadette/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704023106/https://www.thegamer.com/mario-kart-tour-exploration-tour-begins-today-captain-toad-explorer-toadette/ |url-status=live }} He is the main protagonist in the subset of levels in Super Mario 3D World called Captain Toad's Adventures, and in the game Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.{{cite web |date=24 October 2013 |title=Two Ideas You May Not Have Seen in Super Mario 3D World |url=http://ign.com/articles/2013/10/24/super-mario-3d-world-includes-two-additional-modes |access-date=2013-11-15 |publisher=IGN |archive-date=December 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206025858/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/24/super-mario-3d-world-includes-two-additional-modes |url-status=live }}

= Nabbit =

Nabbit (voiced by Dawn M. Bennett){{Cite web |date=2023-10-21 |title=Super Mario Bros. Wonder English Voice Actors Officially Announce Their Characters |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/10/super-mario-bros-wonder-english-voice-actors-officially-announce-their-characters |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106200807/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/10/super-mario-bros-wonder-english-voice-actors-officially-announce-their-characters |url-status=live }} is a rabbit-like creature who steals items from Toad. He was introduced in New Super Mario Bros. U (2012). In New Super Luigi U, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, he is a playable character.{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Hollander |date=2013-06-13 |title=Super Luigi U's Nabbit makes the game less fun for everyone |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/luigi-u-preview-nabbit/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322164255/https://www.gamesradar.com/luigi-u-preview-nabbit/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Dalton |date=2023-08-31 |title=Super Mario Bros. Wonder Bringing Back 2012 Character, But With a Twist |url=https://gamerant.com/super-mario-bros-wonder-characters-yoshi-nabbit/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=gamerant |language=en |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026144844/https://gamerant.com/super-mario-bros-wonder-characters-yoshi-nabbit/ |url-status=live }}

Kong family

= Diddy Kong =

{{nihongo foot|Diddy Kong|ディディーコング|Didī Kongu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (Diddy) (voiced by Katsumi Suzuki) is an anthropomorphic monkey who is Donkey Kong's nephew, sidekick, and best friend, appearing in the Donkey Kong and Mario franchises.{{Cite web |last=Bayliss |first=Kevin |date=2019-01-30 |title=I think we actually 'pencilled him in' as a Spider Monkey because we wanted the tail to be his main tool when climbing around. But, let's just say he's a monkey. Or a chimpney.|url=https://twitter.com/kev_bayliss/status/1090289667944124417 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221009222257/https://twitter.com/kev_bayliss/status/1090289667944124417 |archive-date=2022-10-09 |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=Twitter |language=en}} Diddy Kong made his first appearance in the 1994 Super Nintendo Entertainment System game Donkey Kong Country. He is the main protagonist of Diddy Kong Racing and its DS remake.{{cite web |url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/061/061559p1.html |title=Nintendo Says Diddy Makes History – N64 News at IGN |publisher=Ign64.ign.com |date=December 8, 1997 |access-date=September 22, 2010 |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416134954/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/12/09/nintendo-says-diddy-makes-history |url-status=live }} He is depicted as a cheerful and kind character. Created by Rare, the name Diddy is a British term meaning "little".Retro Gamer, Vol. #43

= Cranky Kong =

{{nihongo foot|Cranky Kong|クランキーコング|Kurankī Kongu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Takashi Nagasako) is an older Kong. His first appearance was in 1981's Donkey Kong, where, as the game's antagonist, he kidnapped Pauline, though he was stopped by Mario.{{Cite web |last=Mikkelson |first=David |date=13 May 2011 |orig-year=25 February 2001 |title=Was the Name 'Donkey Kong' the Result of a Mistranslation? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/donkey-kong-mistranslation/ |publisher=Snopes |access-date=8 June 2022 |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129154030/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/donkey-kong-mistranslation/ |url-status=live }} Citing in part:

{{Cite web |title=Tom Chick at the Miyamoto Interview |url=http://www.quartertothree.com/features/e3_2001/miyamoto.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118060916/http://www.quartertothree.com/features/e3_2001/miyamoto.shtml |archive-date=18 November 2006 |publisher=Quarter to Three |date=n.d. |access-date=8 June 2022 }} He is portrayed as the grandfather of Donkey Kong in the games, and the father of him in the 2023 film, which he was voiced by Fred Armisen.

Antagonists

= Bowser =

{{nihongo foot|Bowser|クッパ|Kuppa|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} or King Koopa (voiced by Kenneth W. James) is the king of the turtle-like Koopa race,{{Cite book |title=Super Mario Bros. Instruction Manual |publisher=Nintendo |year=1985 |pages=14 |quote="Bowser, King of the Koopas"}} a selfish king who wants to take over the entire world and the Mushroom Kingdom.{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2021 |title=A New Mushroom Kingdom: 25 years of Super Mario 64 |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/126830/a-new-mushroom-kingdom-25-years-of-super-mario-64 |website=Shacknews |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210231831/https://www.shacknews.com/article/126830/a-new-mushroom-kingdom-25-years-of-super-mario-64 |url-status=live }} He is depicted as Mario's nemesis, and is the final boss of most Mario games. He is playable in most Mario spin-off games.

{{nihongo foot|Dry Bowser|ほねクッパ|Hone Kuppa|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a recurring antagonist in the Mario series. Debuting as a form of Bowser after losing his flesh in New Super Mario Bros.,{{cite web|last=Liszewski|first=Andrew|date=March 11, 2023|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2023/03/fireballs-are-useless-against-lego-super-marios-new-baddie-dry-bowser/|title=Fireballs Are Useless Against Lego Super Mario's New Baddie: Dry Bowser|website=Kotaku|access-date=October 18, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716023618/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2023/03/fireballs-are-useless-against-lego-super-marios-new-baddie-dry-bowser/|archive-date=July 16, 2024}} the character has appeared as his own being starting with Mario Kart Wii, often serving as the final antagonist in the main games.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Dry Bowser appears in Mario Party: Island Tour, Mario Party 10, and is a playable character in several of the Mario spin-off games.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Bowser also appeared in Super Smash Bros. series as a fighter, beginning with the 2001 game, Super Smash Bros. Melee and later in its succeeded games for Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U and Nintendo Switch.

Bowser was voiced by Jack Black in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

= Koopalings =

The {{Nihongo foot|Koopalings|コクッパ|Kokuppa|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} are seven siblings who first appeared as boss characters in the 1988 game Super Mario Bros. 3.{{cite web |title=Original Japanese manual of Super Mario Bros. 3. |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clv/manuals/ja/pdf/CLV-P-HAACJ.pdf |access-date=December 23, 2016 |publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd. |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514034344/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clv//manuals/ja/pdf/CLV-P-HAACJ.pdf |url-status=live }} Their individual names are Ludwig, Lemmy, Roy, Iggy, Wendy, Morton, and Larry. According to former Nintendo of America employee Dayvv Brooks, who named the characters, at least five of the seven Koopalings were named after musicians (Ludwig van Beethoven, Lemmy Kilmister, Roy Orbison, Iggy Pop, and Wendy O. Williams), while Morton was named after talk show host Morton Downey Jr.; in the case of Larry, Brooks initially stated that the character was named after Larry Mullen Jr., an Irish musician, best known as the drummer and co-founder of the rock band U2,[https://www.mariowiki.com/index.php?title=Larry_Koopa&diff=prev&oldid=1299498 Edit to the Super Mario Wiki page for Larry Koopa made by Brooks on July 18, 2012; the email address associated with the editor's account was verified to be legitimate] only to contradict this in a later interview where he instead states the name was given simply because he felt that the character "looked like a Larry".{{citation|author=Klepek, Patrick|date=December 29, 2015|url=http://kotaku.com/how-a-mario-character-was-named-after-motorheads-lemmy-1750180427/|title=How A Mario Character Was Named After Motorhead's Lemmy|publisher=Kotaku|accessdate=December 30, 2015|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210602215525/https://kotaku.com/how-a-mario-character-was-named-after-motorheads-lemmy-1750180427/|archive-date=2021-06-02}}

The Koopalings were originally established as Bowser's children.{{cite web |title=Super Mario Bros. 3 – Famimaga Sept. 1988 Early Beta Footage | date=June 7, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov8A5tz8MU0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ov8A5tz8MU0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |access-date=September 23, 2012 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{cite book |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/common/pdf/CLV-P-SAAAE.pdf |title=Super Mario World Instruction Booklet |date=31 August 1991 |publisher=Nintendo of America |page=20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615195341/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/common/pdf/CLV-P-SAAAE.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite video game|title=Yoshi's Safari|developer=Nintendo|publisher=Nintendo of America|year=1993|platform=Super Nintendo Entertainment System|quote=Bowser, King of the Koopas, and his evil offspring have invaded yet another kingdom. The Koopalings have seized the Kingdom's precious crystals. It's up to you, armed with your trusty Nintendo Scope, to ride Yoshi to the rescue! (back of the box of the North American and PAL versions)}} Older Mario games maintain reference to them as such in updated manuals and re-releases.{{cite web |date=2014 |title=Super Mario Bros. 3 (Nintendo 3DS eShop) manual |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/data/software/manual/man_tabj.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428042959/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/data/software/manual/man_tabj.pdf |archive-date=April 28, 2016 |publisher=Nintendo of Japan |quote=の今度は自分の子供コクッパ7兄弟を仲間\ に入れ、ワールドのあちこちでイタズラの [This time, he recruited his own children, the 7 Koopa brothers, and started playing pranks around the world.]}}{{cite web |title=Super Mario Bros. 3 page on Nintendo UK's site. |url=http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/NES/Super-Mario-Bros-3-279558.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140629171822/http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/NES/Super-Mario-Bros-3-279558.html |archive-date=2014-06-29 |access-date=December 23, 2016 |publisher=Nintendo UK}} They have since been depicted as Bowser's minions in games following the release of New Super Mario Bros. Wii in 2009,{{cite web |title=New Super Mario Bros. Wii official website (Japanese) |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/smnj/story/kuppa_jr.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091117120459/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/smnj/story/kuppa_jr.html |archive-date=November 17, 2009 |publisher=Nintendo of Japan}} with Shigeru Miyamoto stating in 2012 that "our current story is that the seven Koopalings are not Bowser's children. Bowser's only child is Bowser Jr."{{cite web |title=Mario's Creators Answer Burning Questions About The Series |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/09/10/miyamoto-tezuka-interview.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123161706/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/09/24/miyamoto-tezuka-interview.aspx |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2022 |publisher=Game Informer}} The Koopalings have additionally appeared as playable characters in spin-off Mario games and the Super Smash Bros. series,{{cite web|last=Saunders|first=Toby|date=January 2, 2019|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/477353-smash-ultimate-wendy-dlc-fighter-projectwendy|title=Smash Ultimate Wendy – Is She the New DLC Fighter?|website=GameRevolution|access-date=October 20, 2024}} and have been featured in non-video game Mario media including the animated Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} They are currently voiced by David J. Goldfarb, Carlee McManus, Dan Falcone, Ryan Higgins, Ashley Flannegan, David Cooke, and Michelle Hippe, respectively.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} Previously, in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and games that reuse its voice assets, Ludwig and Iggy had been voiced by Mike Vaughn, while the others, sans Roy, were previously voiced by Lani Minella.

= Wario =

{{nihongo foot|Wario|ワリオ|Wario|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (voiced by Kevin Afghani){{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2023-11-03 |title=The new voice of Mario is also the new voice of Wario |url=https://www.polygon.com/23945633/nitnendo-wario-voice-actor-charles-martinet-kevin-afghani |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106180332/https://www.polygon.com/23945633/nitnendo-wario-voice-actor-charles-martinet-kevin-afghani |url-status=live }} is an obese yet muscular, hot-tempered, and greedy man. He is Mario's self-declared yellow-and-purple clad arch-rival.{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2002 |title=E3 2002: Hands on Wario World |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/360/360686p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605174344/http://cube.ign.com/articles/360/360686p1.html |archive-date=June 5, 2007 |access-date=August 29, 2011 |website=IGN}} He initially debuted as an antagonist, but over the years has become an anti-hero, even being playable in a few games.{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2008 |title=Wario Land Interview |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/914/914577p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118122624/http://wii.ign.com/articles/914/914577p1.html |archive-date=November 18, 2008 |access-date=September 6, 2009 |website=IGN}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/wario/22631028/wario-faq-everything-you-need-to-know-nintendo-mario |title=Everything you need to know about Wario |first=Ryan |last=Gilliam |date=September 2, 2021 |website=Polygon |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910233547/https://www.polygon.com/wario/22631028/wario-faq-everything-you-need-to-know-nintendo-mario |url-status=live }} Wario is the protagonist of the Wario series and is playable in most of the Mario spin-off games where he is shown to be Waluigi's partner.{{Cite interview |last1=Sakamoto |first1=Yoshio |subject-link1=Yoshio Sakamoto |last2=Abe |first2=Goro |last3=Takeuchi |first3=Ko |last4=Nakada |first4=Ryuichi |last5=Sugioka |first5=Taku |last6=Mori |first6=Naoko |date=April 7, 2006 |title=Nintendo R&D1 Interview with the WarioWare team |url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/ncl_nintendo_wwiv_apr06_p2.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226105256/http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/ncl_nintendo_wwiv_apr06_p2.asp |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |access-date=April 11, 2023 |publisher=Kikizo |page=2}} His name is portmanteau of "warui", the Japanese word for "bad", and "Mario".{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2010 |title=IGN: Wario Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924285_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712120508/http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924285_biography.html |archive-date=July 12, 2009 |access-date=June 12, 2010 |website=IGN}} Wario's favorite food is garlic, often used in gameplay to restore health when he gets defeated.{{Cite web |last=Kohler |first=Chris |url=https://kotaku.com/wario-platformers-a-history-1794888618 |title=Nintendo's Line Of Wario Platformers Ended Far Too Long Ago |website=Kotaku |date=May 3, 2017 |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916205718/https://kotaku.com/wario-platformers-a-history-1794888618 |url-status=live }}

= Kamek =

{{nihongo foot|Kamek the Magikoopa|カメック|Kamekku|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} ({{IPAc-en|lang|k|ə|ˈ|m|ɛ|k|,_|ˈ|k|æ|m|ɪ|k}}) is a member of the fictional Magikoopa species who is Bowser's childhood caretaker, and later in life one of his high-ranking minions.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Kamek is the main antagonist of the Yoshi series, and first appeared in the 1995 Super Nintendo Entertainment System game Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. {{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} In his various game appearances, his magic includes self-duplication, teleportation, shooting magical blasts, and changing the size of other creatures.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} He is often distinguished from other Magikoopas by the broom he rides on.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} In Japan, his species is also named Kamek, but outside Japan they are called Magikoopas.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Kamek returns in the 2009 Wii video game New Super Mario Bros. Wii and its 2012 Wii U sequel as a recurring supporting antagonist and boss character.{{cite web|last=Yoon|first=Andrew|date=November 15, 2012|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/76666/new-super-mario-bros-u-review-a-must-have|title=New Super Mario Bros U review: a must-have|website=Shacknews|access-date=October 18, 2024}} Kamek also makes non-playable appearances in the Mario Party and Paper Mario series in various roles, and made playable appearances as an unlockable character in the 2012 Wii video game Mario Party 9 and the 2014 Nintendo 3DS video game Mario Golf: World Tour.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} Kamek's non-playable appearance in Mario Party 8 was controversial and caused the game to be recalled in the United Kingdom, as some of his in-game dialogue contained the word "spastic", which is considered very offensive to disabled people in the UK.{{cite web|last=Kaluszka|first=Aaron|date=13 July 2007|title=Mario Party 8 Launched, Recalled in the UK|website=Nintendo World Report|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/13950/mario-party-8-launched-recalled-in-the-uk|access-date=8 March 2024}} Additionally, Kamek has had minor cameo appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

A prototype of Mario Kart 64 for the Nintendo 64 featured Kamek as one of the eight playable characters, but the character was replaced with Donkey Kong in the final game.{{cite web |date=4 April 2008 |title=Super Mario Kart R [N64 - Beta] |url=http://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/04/super-mario-kart-r-64-beta |access-date=13 August 2010 |publisher=Unseen64 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122041745/https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/04/super-mario-kart-r-64-beta/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Knight |first=Rich |date=21 August 2012 |title=7. Magikoopa |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/08/the-10-greatest-wizards-in-video-games/magikoopa |access-date=7 October 2012 |work=The 10 Greatest Wizards In Video Games |publisher=Complex Gaming |archive-date=February 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209132449/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/08/the-10-greatest-wizards-in-video-games/magikoopa |url-status=live }} Kamek would later become a playable character made available for the Kamek Tour in a 2021 update to the 2019 mobile game Mario Kart Tour.{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=August 25, 2021|url=https://www.polygon.com/22641229/mario-kart-tour-kamek-magikoopa-nintendo|title=Mario Kart finally stops disrespecting Kamek the Magikoopa|website=Polygon|access-date=October 18, 2024}} In 2023, he was added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as part of the Booster Course Pass, marking his first appearance in a console Mario Kart game.{{cite web |date=2021-08-25 |title=Enjoy spellbinding fun with the Kamek Tour |url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/enjoy-spellbinding-fun-with-the-kamek-tour/ |access-date=2022-10-06 |publisher=Nintendo |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708160105/https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/enjoy-spellbinding-fun-with-the-kamek-tour/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=2021-08-21 |title=Kamek Tour brings the Magikoopa to Mario Kart for the first time |url=https://nintendowire.com/news/2021/08/25/kamek-tour-brings-the-magikoopa-to-mario-kart-for-the-first-time/ |access-date=2022-10-06 |publisher=Nintendo Wire |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019171438/https://nintendowire.com/news/2021/08/25/kamek-tour-brings-the-magikoopa-to-mario-kart-for-the-first-time/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=2021-08-23 |title=Mario Kart Tour Announces New Driver Magikoopa Kamek |url=https://screenrant.com/mario-kart-tour-new-driver-magikoopa-kamek/ |access-date=2022-10-06 |publisher=Screen Rant |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109111747/https://screenrant.com/mario-kart-tour-new-driver-magikoopa-kamek/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-24 |title=One Mario Character's Long Road to a Console Mario Kart is Almost Finished |url=https://gamerant.com/mario-cart-8-deluxe-kamek-playable-character-booster-course-pass-mainline-console-game-good/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=Game Rant |language=en |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702035314/https://gamerant.com/mario-cart-8-deluxe-kamek-playable-character-booster-course-pass-mainline-console-game-good/ |url-status=live }}

Kamek was voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, who based Kamek’s voice on Peter Lorre.{{Cite web | date=2023-04-08 |title=Super Mario Bros. Movie voice actors talk bringing iconic characters to life |url=https://win.gg/news/the-super-mario-bros-movie-voice-actors-talk-bringing-iconic-characters-to-life/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=WIN.gg |language=en }}

= Mini Bowser =

{{nihongo foot|Mini Bowser,|ミニクッパ|Minikuppa|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} also referred to exclusively in North America as Koopa Kid and initially mistranslated as Baby Bowser, describes both an individual and a group of Bowser's minions bearing similar design elements to the latter. They appear exclusively in the Mario Party sub-series of video games,{{Cite web |last=Chavez |first=Steven |date=2019-05-29 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate mod brings Mario Party's Koopa Kid into the action |url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2019/may/23/super-smash-bros-ultimate-mod-brings-mario-partys-koopa-kid-action/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=eventhubs.com |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117195348/https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2019/may/23/super-smash-bros-ultimate-mod-brings-mario-partys-koopa-kid-action/ |url-status=live }} where their role is generally to hinder player's progress by stealing coins needed for progression or confronting the player in minigames.{{Cite journal |date=2000-08-31 |title=Review – Mario Party 2 |url=https://archive.org/details/games-domain-offline-08 |journal=GamesDomain Offline |publisher=Kaleidoscope Networks |issue=8 |page=58 |access-date=2024-01-17 |via=archive.org}}{{Cite web |title=Mario Party 2 – Manual (PDF, 898 kB) |url=https://fs-prod-cdn.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/nintendo_8/Manual_Nintendo64_MarioParty2_EN.pdf |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=nintendo.co.uk}}

While Mini Bowser would initially continue to rise in relevance throughout the series, becoming the plot's main antagonistic force{{Cite journal |last=Jackson |first=Mike |date=2004-01-31 |title=Mario Party 5 – Tested |url=https://archive.org/details/nom136 |journal=Nintendo Official Magazine UK |publisher=Future plc |issue=136 |page=90 |via=archive.org}} as well as a playable character by Mario Party 5{{Cite web |date=2003-11-01 |title=Mario Party 5: In-Depth |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/01/mario-party-5-in-depth |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=ign.com |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414133517/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/01/mario-party-5-in-depth |url-status=live }} and being the subject of a dedicated mode in Mario Party Advance,{{Cite web |title=Mario Party Advance Manual |url=https://fs-prod-cdn.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/game_boy_advance_8/Manual_GameBoyAdvance_MarioPartyAdvance_EN_DE_FR_ES_IT.pdf |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=nintendo-europe.com |page=15}} he has also become an example of Nintendo phasing out certain characters from the Super Mario franchise, with him having been replaced by the more recently introduced Bowser Jr. in newer games of the series,{{Cite web |last=Valbuena |first=Tris |date=2017-10-13 |title=Mario Party: The Top 100 – Secrets & Analysis |url=https://sourcegaming.info/2017/10/13/mario-party-the-top-100-secrets-analysis/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=sourcegaming.info |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117195348/https://sourcegaming.info/2017/10/13/mario-party-the-top-100-secrets-analysis/ |url-status=live }} netting him the reputation of being "another neglected classic Nintendo character".{{Cite web |date=2019-05-21 |title=Fan Mod Adds Koopa Kid As Playable Fighter In Smash Ultimate |url=https://nintendosoup.com/fan-mod-adds-koopa-kid-as-playable-fighter-in-smash-ultimate/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Nintendosoup.com |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117195348/https://nintendosoup.com/fan-mod-adds-koopa-kid-as-playable-fighter-in-smash-ultimate/ |url-status=live }} Both the reason for this disappearance as well as his actual relation to Bowser is a subject of fan speculation, due to regional differences concerning in-game texts and manuals implying Mini Bowser to either be a child, younger version or simple henchman of Bowser.{{Cite web |date=2019-12-28 |title=Missing in Action – The Forgotten Koopa Kid & Bowser's Perplexing Family Tree (Mario Party) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X-NXpnX7bc |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=YouTube.com |publisher=GameXplain |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117195347/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X-NXpnX7bc |url-status=live }}

= Waluigi =

{{nihongo foot|Waluigi|ワルイージ|Waruīji|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a tall, thin, and mischievous man who was introduced in Mario Tennis as Wario's partner of unspecified relation. He is Luigi's black-and-purple clad arch-rival.{{Cite web |title=Mario Tennis 64: Introducing Waluigi |date=June 20, 2000 |url=http://www.nintendo.com/n64/mariotennis/waluigi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000620005215/http://www.nintendo.com/n64/mariotennis/waluigi.html |archive-date=June 20, 2000 |publisher=Nintendo of America|quote=His name is Waluigi, and the only person who's pleased to meet him is his big brother, Wario.}} Waluigi is often an antagonist who teams up with Wario to accomplish their schemes. He is playable in most of the Mario spin-off games, and makes several cameos within the Super Smash Bros. series.{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2018 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Feels Like a Museum For its Own Franchise |url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2018/06/12/e3-2018-super-smash-bros-ultimate-feels-like-a-museum-for-its-own-franchise |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=IGN}} Like with Wario, his name is a portmanteau of "warui" and "Luigi".{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2010 |title=IGN: Waluigi |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/963/963111.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605155209/http://stars.ign.com/objects/963/963111.html |archive-date=June 5, 2010 |access-date=June 12, 2010 |publisher=IGN}}

= King Boo =

{{nihongo foot|King Boo|キングテレサ|Kingu Teresa|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is the king of the Boos, and is the main antagonist of the Luigi's Mansion series.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} He plays minor roles, occasionally playable, in various other Mario games, including the Mario Kart and Mario Party series.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} King Boo's first major debuted role was as the final boss of Luigi's Mansion, where he disguised himself as Bowser.{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Alexandra|date=October 6, 2024|url=https://www.thegamer.com/mario-all-appearances-of-king-boo-ranked/|title=Mario: 8 Best King Boo Appearances, Ranked|website=TheGamer|access-date=October 20, 2024}} He is depicted as much larger than the average Boos that appear in games after Luigi's Mansion.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} He dons a crown with a large ruby, and has glowing, sunken eyes in the Luigi's Mansion franchise.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} A similar character named Big Boo is an enemy in Super Mario World{{cite web|last=Frank|first=Allegra|date=January 10, 2017|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/10/14226724/super-mario-world-secrets|title=There was an easy way to beat this Super Mario World enemy all along|website=Polygon|access-date=October 20, 2024}} and a boss in Super Mario 64 DS.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Additionally, a different character also named King Boo, known as Boss Boo in Japan, appears as a boss in Super Mario Sunshine.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

= Bowser Jr. =

{{nihongo foot|Bowser Jr. (known as Koopa Jr. |クッパＪｒ.|Kuppa Junia||lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} in Japan; voiced by Caety Sagoian), or sometimes simply Jr. or Junior, is the son of Bowser, who first appeared in the 2002 GameCube game Super Mario Sunshine. He is often depicted as the secondary antagonist throughout the Mario series. In the games, Bowser Jr. looks up to his dad, and shares his ambition to defeat Mario, and take over the world and the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser Jr. is playable in most of the spin-off Mario games, and in Super Smash Bros. He is the main protagonist of Bowser Jr.'s Journey (2018) included in the remake of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story.{{cite interview|last1=Maekawa|first1=Yoshihiko|last2=Otani|first2=Akira|last3=Kobayashi|first3=Shunsuke|last4=Fukazawa|first4=Kouichi|interviewer-last=Hilliard|interviewer-first=Kylie|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2019/01/14/alphadream-on-remaking-bowsers-inside-story-and-how-mario-luigi-could-possibly|title=AlphaDream On Remaking Bowser's Inside Story And How Mario & Luigi Could Possibly Fit Inside Of Bowser|work=Game Informer|date=January 14, 2019|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111035422/https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2019/01/14/alphadream-on-remaking-bowsers-inside-story-and-how-mario-luigi-could-possibly|url-status=live}}

= Petey Piranha =

{{visible anchor|Petey Piranha}}, known as {{nihongo foot|Boss Pakkun|ボスパックン|Bosu Pakkun|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} in Japan,{{cite web |title=MARIO KART – Double Dash!! The strongest character lineup of history |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/gm4j/02images/packun.gif |access-date=2008-07-06 |publisher=Nintendo |archive-date=November 4, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051104192543/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/gm4j/02images/packun.gif |url-status=live }} is a large, powerful Piranha Plant character. Whereas normal Piranha Plants are usually depicted growing from pipes, Petey's leaves and roots are foot-like and arm-like appendages, allowing the character to use objects such as tennis rackets and golf clubs when playable in the various Mario sports games.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} He can sometimes use his leaves to fly around. He debuted as the primary boss of Bianco Hills in the game Super Mario Sunshine, returning as a minor boss in New Super Mario Bros..{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Similar Piranha Plant boss characters later appear in Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/02/super-mario-galaxy-2-2/|title=Hands On: Diggin' Holes, Ridin' Yoshis in Mario Galaxy 2|first=Chris|last=Kohler|magazine=Wired|date=25 February 2010|publisher=|via=www.wired.com|access-date=July 4, 2022|archive-date=July 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703070917/https://www.wired.com/2010/02/super-mario-galaxy-2-2/|url-status=live}} Petey Piranha made his Mario Kart debut in Mario Kart: Double Dash as a playable driver, and returns in Mario Kart Tour{{cite web|last=Berg|first=Ricky|date=July 8, 2022|url=https://nintendowire.com/news/2022/07/08/petey-piranha-finally-returns-to-racing-in-mario-kart-tour/|title=Petey Piranha finally returns to racing in Mario Kart Tour|website=Nintendo Wire|access-date=October 20, 2024}} and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=July 6, 2023|url=https://www.polygon.com/23767759/mario-kart-8-deluxe-switch-dlc-booster-course-pass-wave-5|title=Mario Kart 8 for Switch adds 3 racers, 8 courses in new DLC|website=Polygon|access-date=October 20, 2024}}

= Fawful =

{{nihongo foot|Fawful|ゲラコビッツ|Gerakobittsu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}, known in Japan as Gerakobits, is a recurring antagonist in the Mario & Luigi series.{{cite video game |title = Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga |developer = AlphaDream |publisher = Nintendo |date = 2003-11-17 |platform = Game Boy Advance |level = Beanbean Castle |quote = The Beanstar is the protector of this land, and it has the power to grant any and all desires... to prevent such a power from being used for evil, the Beanstar was cast into a deep sleep... It is said that a voice of great beauty is required to wake the Beanstar from its slumber. It must be the voice of a pure and noble soul... In this day and age, Princess Peach is the only one who possesses such a voice. So... the reason Cackletta stole Princess Peach's voice... Aha! She must plan to awaken the Beanstar and fulfill all of her desires!}} The character is considered to be "insane", and speaks in a chaotic manner.{{cite web |url=http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=313 |title=N-Sider Interview: Nate Bihldorff |publisher=N-Sider |date=July 8, 2005 |access-date=January 3, 2010 |archive-date=June 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611043454/http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=313 |url-status=dead }} He served as the secondary antagonist of Superstar Saga, and the main antagonist of Bowser's Inside Story.{{cite web |last=Shea |first=Cam |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/103/1037101p1.html |title=Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story AU Review |website=IGN |date=2009-10-20 |access-date=2010-08-31 |archive-date=March 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324110815/http://ds.ign.com/articles/103/1037101p1.html |url-status=live }} He was also the main antagonist of Bowser’s Minions, in which he brainwashed all of Bowser's minions, and became Captain Goomba’s archenemy.{{cite web|last=Gibson|first=Casey|date=October 4, 2017|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/45580/mario-n-luigi-superstar-saga--bowsers-minions-3ds-review|title=Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions (3DS) Review|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=October 18, 2024}}

He was created by Masanori Sato, who worked as the illustrator for Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, the first game in the Mario & Luigi series. Fawful's localized Japanese name, Gerakobits, is derived from geragera, the Japanese onomatopoeia for a scornful laugh,{{cite web |url=http://www.fuzita.org/jpculture/howmanyi/jplaugh.html |title=How Japanese Laugh? |access-date=June 12, 2011 |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520215338/http://fuzita.org/jpculture/howmanyi/jplaugh.html |url-status=live }} while his English name is a pun combining the words "awful" and "guffaw". Because Fawful was not based on any existing characters in the Mario series, the Nintendo Treehouse, which is responsible for localizing games for North American audiences, had more creative freedom in writing for the character.{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/specialArt.cfm?artid=2205 |title=The Treehouse Interview |publisher=Nintendo World Report|date=November 30, 2004 |access-date=January 3, 2010}} Bill Trinen and Nate Bihldorff, both employees of the Treehouse, wrote the English dialogue for Fawful through the exchange of notes. Rather than sticking close to the Japanese script, where Fawful simply adds "Fururururu!" to the end of every line,{{cite web |author=Nick Chester |url=http://www.destructoid.com/localization-mario-luigi-bowser-s-inside-story-148716.phtml |title=Localization Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story |website=Destructoid |date=2009-09-15 |access-date=2010-08-31 |archive-date=February 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218192151/https://www.destructoid.com/localization-mario-luigi-bowser-s-inside-story-148716.phtml |url-status=live }} Trinen and Bihldorff intended to make Fawful as "wacky" and "zainy" as possible in the Western release. Thus, in English versions of the games, all of Fawful's dialogue consists of broken English and word salads and his catchphrase, "I have fury!".

Fawful has received critical acclaim from both critics and fans, regarded as a favorite villain.{{cite web|last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/828/828675p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021021712/http://wii.ign.com/articles/828/828675p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2007 |title=Smash It Up! – Masters of Illusion – Wii Feature at IGN |publisher=Wii.ign.com |date=2007-10-19 |access-date=2010-08-31}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/10/31/top-10-deranged-video-game-villains.aspx|title=Top 10 Deranged Video Game Villains|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=June 4, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407211529/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/10/31/top-10-deranged-video-game-villains.aspx|url-status=live}} He is also regarded for his quotes and humor, nominated for the "Most Quotable Character" award in 2009, but losing to Ellis from Left 4 Dead 2.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/ps3/f/the-platinum-chalice-awards-2009/a-2009121718458226099/g-20090602174818746011/p-4 |title=The Platinum Chalice Awards 2009, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time PS3 Features |publisher=GamesRadar |date=2009-12-18 |access-date=2010-08-31 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310002237/http://www.gamesradar.com/ps3/f/the-platinum-chalice-awards-2009/a-2009121718458226099/g-20090602174818746011/p-4/ |url-status=live }} 1UP.com{{'}}s Jeremy Parish attributing the quality of Superstar Saga{{'}}s comedy to him.{{cite web |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3173804 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720221804/http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3173804 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-20 |title=Mario & Luigi 3 Preview |website=1UP.com |date=2009-04-17 |access-date=2010-08-31}}{{cite news |last=Tomaselli |first=Dario |url=http://www.eurogamer.it/articles/mario-e-luigi-viaggio-al-centro-di-bowser-recensione |title=Mario & Luigi: Viaggio al centro di Bowser DS Recensione |website=Eurogamer Italy |date=2009-10-16 |access-date=2010-08-31 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185046/http://www.eurogamer.it/articles/mario-e-luigi-viaggio-al-centro-di-bowser-recensione |url-status=live }} His "I have fury!" quote was included in Nintendo Power{{'}}s collection of classic quotes from Nintendo games.{{cite book |last=Morgan |first=Winston |title=Nintendo Power 250th issue! |publisher=Future US |year=2010 |location=South San Francisco, California |page=42}} Another quotation, "I am the mustard of your doom!" was regarded by MTV Multiplayer writer Steven Totilo as one of the most famous lines in video games of recent years and was quoted with "uncommon frequency."{{cite web |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1517252/20051201/story.jhtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129044418/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1517252/20051201/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 29, 2013 |title=More Mustard Of Doom From Nintendo? – Video Games News Story |publisher=MTV.com |date=2005-12-02 |access-date=2010-08-31}} GamesRadar ranked Fawful as one of the best video game villains, arguing that he was a dominant aspect of the Mario & Luigi series partly due to his quotes.{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesradar.com/top-100-villains-video-games/ | title=100 best villains in video games | publisher=GamesRadar | date=May 17, 2013 | access-date=July 9, 2013 | archive-date=October 24, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024084644/http://www.gamesradar.com/top-100-villains-video-games/ | url-status=live }}

= Enemy characters =

{{redirect|Bob-omb|the character in Paper Mario: The Origami King|Bobby (Paper Mario)}}

Blooper – A sentry-like squid that chases after the player, debuting in Super Mario Bros.. Blooper Nannies, a variation of the Blooper, thrust smaller versions of themselves (Blooper Babies) toward the player as a form of attack.{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2011/10/27/marios-best-enemies?page=4|title=Mario's Best Enemies|publisher=IGN|first=Audrey|last=Drake|date=27 October 2011|access-date=September 9, 2016|archive-date=March 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322034555/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/27/marios-best-enemies?page=4|url-status=live}}
{{vanchor|Bob-omb|King Bob-omb}} – A bomb enemy introduced in Super Mario Bros. 2 with a wind-up key and a fuse, which explodes after a set amount of time or when thrown. King Bob-omb, previously Big Bob-omb, was introduced in Super Mario 64,{{cite news |last1=Doolan |first1=Liam |title=Nintendo Might Have Revealed A New Mario Golf: Super Rush Character Ahead Of Schedule |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/02/nintendo_might_have_revealed_a_new_mario_golf_super_rush_character_ahead_of_schedule |access-date=28 May 2021 |work=Nintendo Life |date=2021-02-19 |language=en |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518012930/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/02/nintendo_might_have_revealed_a_new_mario_golf_super_rush_character_ahead_of_schedule |url-status=live }} as a boss character there and in Mario Party 9,{{cite web|last=Ronaghan|first=Neal|date=March 3, 2012|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/29437/mario-party-9-wii|title=Mario Party 9|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=October 20, 2024}} Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam,{{cite web|last=Fortner|first=Kirkland|date=May 14, 2022|url=https://gamerant.com/mario-the-most-noble-bosses-in-the-franchise-ranked/|title=Mario: The Most Noble Bosses In The Franchise, Ranked|website=Game Rant|access-date=October 20, 2024}} and Mario Party: Star Rush.{{cite news|last=Hidalgo|first=Jason|date=November 7, 2016|url=https://www.rgj.com/story/life/2016/11/07/casual-party-mario-party-star-rush-review-technobubble/93431162/|title=Casual party: Mario Party Star Rush review {{!}} Technobubble|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|access-date=October 20, 2024}}
Boo, known in Japan as {{nihongo foot|Teresa|テレサ|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} – A spherical ghost enemy introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3 as "Boo Diddleys" (a pun on the name of American musician Bo Diddley),{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/10/feature_the_most_memorable_ghosts_in_nintendo_games|title=Feature: The Most Memorable Ghosts In Nintendo Games|date=October 30, 2019|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=April 3, 2023|archive-date=April 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403172852/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/10/feature_the_most_memorable_ghosts_in_nintendo_games|url-status=live}} which sneaks up on the player from behind while they are facing away from it. Inspired by a rage that Takashi Tezuka's wife went into after he came home from work late.{{cite web |last=Stuart |first=Keith |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2010/sep/13/games-gameculture |title=Super Mario Bros: 25 Mario facts for the 25th anniversary | Technology | guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date=2010-09-13 |access-date=2012-09-15 |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809081435/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2010/sep/13/games-gameculture |url-status=live }} With Boo being one of the more popular Mario enemies, their image has been used in official Nintendo merchandise, such as plush dolls,{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamemm.com/v/Mario/Mario+Enemies+Items/Plushes/Super+Mario+World+Boo.jpg.html |title=Video Game Memorabilia Museum |publisher=Videogamemm.com |access-date=2012-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190923/http://www.videogamemm.com/v/Mario/Mario+Enemies+Items/Plushes/Super+Mario+World+Boo.jpg.html |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead}} as well as cookie cutters.{{cite news|url=http://technabob.com/blog/2012/09/12/super-mario-bros-cookie-cutters/|title=Super Mario Bros. Cookie Cutters Make Some Sugary 1-up Mushrooms|first=Conner|last=Flynn|date=12 September 2012|access-date=September 9, 2016|newspaper=Technabob|archive-date=September 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917190524/http://technabob.com/blog/2012/09/12/super-mario-bros-cookie-cutters/|url-status=live}} Boo is considered one of the best enemies in the Mario series.{{cite web|url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2011/10/27/marios-best-enemies?page=4|title=Mario's Best Enemies|website=IGN|first=Audrey|last=Drake|date=27 October 2011|access-date=September 9, 2016|archive-date=October 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030011147/http://au.ign.com/articles/2011/10/27/marios-best-enemies?page=4|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-25-mario-enemies/?page=19&cp=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007222605/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-25-mario-enemies/?page=19&cp=2|archive-date=October 7, 2008|title=Top 25 Mario Enemies|publisher=GameDaily|access-date=July 29, 2013}}
Bullet Bill – A bullet with angry eyes and clenched fists that is shot out of a cannon called a "Bill Blaster". They have a larger counterpart with a shark-like face, known as Banzai Bills (renamed Boomer Bills in the Lego Super Mario sets and Bomber Bills in The Super Mario Bros. Movie).{{cite web|last=Ladd|first=Henry|date=January 18, 2024|url=https://screenrant.com/super-mario-bros-movie-best-fights-ranked/|title=8 Best Fights In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Ranked|website=Screen Rant|access-date=October 22, 2024}}
Chain Chomp – A metallic ball-and-chain creature that lunges at the player when they approach it. Inspired by a childhood experience of Shigeru Miyamoto's with a violent dog.{{cite book|author=Sheff, David|title=Game Over|url=https://archive.org/details/gameoverhowninte00shef|url-access=registration|publisher=Random House|year=1993|isbn=0-679-40469-4}}
Cheep Cheep – This circular, usually red, fish debuted in Super Mario Bros. Cheep Cheeps are found primarily in the water, but some can jump in an arc, or fly within a limited range.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Giant varieties attempt to swallow the player, such as Boss Bass and Big Bertha. Porcupuffers are giant variants with spiked backs.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Fish Bones are skeletons that charge at the player and break apart upon a wall collision.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}
Dry Bones – A walking Koopa Troopa skeleton that reassembles itself after being hit, unless defeated by a Super Star, a Cape Feather, Super Leaf, or an Ice Flower.
Fuzzy – A spiked creature which hangs in the air, and sometimes moves on rails. It debuted in Super Mario World.{{cite web|last=Hay|first=Ryan|date=September 12, 2024|url=https://www.thegamer.com/how-many-mario-enemies-are-there/|title=How Many Mario Enemies Are There?|website=TheGamer|access-date=October 20, 2024}}
Goomba – A sentient creature that resembles a mushroom, it is the first enemy that the player typically encounters in the games' first levels. Implemented late in the development of Super Mario Bros as a basic, easy enemy.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRGRJRUWafY|title=Miyamoto on World 1-1: How Nintendo made Mario's most iconic level|last=Eurogamer|date=7 September 2015|via=YouTube|access-date=August 10, 2019|archive-date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812095833/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRGRJRUWafY|url-status=live}} Variants of the Goomba may have wings, known as the Paragoomba, and similar creatures include the Galoomba, which flips over and can be thrown when stomped on, and the Goombrat, which turns at edges.{{cite web |date=2021-11-15 |author=Jake Dee |url=https://screenrant.com/super-mario-which-goomba-strongest-ranked |title=Super Mario: Every Type Of Goomba, Ranked By Strength |publisher=ScreenRant |access-date=2023-02-05 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205181809/https://screenrant.com/super-mario-which-goomba-strongest-ranked/ |url-status=live }} The Goombas have their own king, King Goomba (also called Goomboss), introduced as the first boss in Paper Mario.{{cite web|last=Friend|first=Devin Ellis|date=January 23, 2022|url=https://screenrant.com/defeat-goomba-king-paper-mario-guide/|title=How To Defeat The Goomba King In Paper Mario|website=Screen Rant|access-date=October 18, 2024}}

Hammer Bro – A type of helmet-wearing Koopa who throws hammers at the player.{{cite web |date=2008-10-03 |author=Chris Buffet |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-25-Mario-enemies/?page=21&cp=2 |title=Top 25 Mario Enemies |publisher=GameDaily |access-date=2010-08-10 |page=21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007222621/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-25-mario-enemies/?page=21&cp=2|archive-date=2008-10-07}} It has several variations that throw other projectiles, such as the Boomerang Bro and the Fire Bro, and a bigger variant known as a Sledge Bro which can stun the player.
Koopa Troopa – A foot soldier of Bowser. It retracts in its shell when stomped on, after which it can be used to attack other foes. Variants of the Koopa may have wings, where it is known as the Paratroopa or the Koopa Paratroopa. There are many other varieties of the Koopa Troopa such as red, yellow, and blue. Several other subspecies appear throughout the Mario games.{{cite web |date=2021-11-14 |author=Jake Dee |url=https://screenrant.com/super-mario-every-type-of-koopa-ranked-by-strength |title=Super Mario: Every Type Of Koopa, Ranked By Strength |publisher=ScreenRant |access-date=2023-02-05 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205182844/https://screenrant.com/super-mario-every-type-of-koopa-ranked-by-strength/ |url-status=live }}
Buzzy Beetle – A black or blue beetle-like creature with a hard, fireproof shell that renders it immune to fire attacks. It can crawl on ceilings and drop down when the player gets too close.
{{va|Chargin' Chuck}} – A Koopa wearing football gear that mostly charges at the player, and can use items such as baseballs and shovels.
Mechakoopa – A robot with a wind-up key that becomes disabled and can be thrown after being stomped on. A variant introduced in Super Mario Galaxy is capable of breathing fire.
Spike Top – A red wall-crawling beetle-like creature which combines the Buzzy Beetle's immunity to fire and the Spiny's immunity to being jumped on, although it can be spin-jumped on.
Spiny – A red beetle-like creature that damages the player if touched from above. They are often thrown by Lakitus in unlimited supplies.
{{nihongo foot|Lakitu|ジュゲム|Jugemu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} – Official pronunciation: {{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|æ|k|iː|t|uː}}). A cloud-riding Koopa with aviator goggles that drops an endless supply of Spinies.{{cite web |date=2008-10-03 |author=Chris Buffet |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-25-Mario-enemies/?page=21&cp=2 |title=Top 25 Mario Enemies |publisher=GameDaily |access-date=2010-08-10 |page=20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007222621/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-25-mario-enemies/?page=21&cp=2|archive-date=2008-10-07}} It also appears in Mario spin-off games with various roles, including a track marshal on Mario Kart and a camera operator on Super Mario 64.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/mario-kart-tour-halloween/|title=Mario Kart Tour: Lakitu introduces Halloween Tour in new video|date=October 23, 2019|website=Nintendo Enthusiast|access-date=February 5, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413125357/https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/mario-kart-tour-halloween/|url-status=dead}}
Magikoopa – A wizard Koopa capable of casting magic spells, turning blocks into foes, power-ups, or coins. Magikoopas first appeared in Super Mario World. Kamek and Kammy Koopa are recurring individuals of this species, appearing in the Yoshi and Paper Mario series, respectively.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Monty Mole – A mole-like enemy that burrows underground, and springs out of the ground when the player gets close.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} A similar enemy known as the Rocky Wrench pops out of airship manholes and throws wrenches at the player.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}
Piranha Plant – A leafy, stalk-topped carnivorous plant with sharp teeth that typically lives within pipes. Known as Pakkun Flower in Japan, it has made numerous appearances outside of the Mario franchise, including as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate via downloadable content.{{Cite web|last1=Buckley|first1=Sean|last2=Jackson|first2=Ryan|url=https://www.cnet.com/how-to/super-smash-bros-ultimate-new-patch-piranha-plant-dlc-is-available-now/|title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Piranha Plant DLC is Available Now|publisher=CNET|access-date=April 13, 2019|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413065029/https://www.cnet.com/how-to/super-smash-bros-ultimate-new-patch-piranha-plant-dlc-is-available-now/|url-status=live}}
PodobooSuper Princess Peach Glossary.Mario Kart Wii Prima Guide pg. 34 – A fireball that jumps out of lava and can bounce off walls.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} It is also referred to as a Lava Bubble (a name shared with other lava based enemies).{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} A Blue Podoboo homes in on the player and jumps out of blue lava and is found in Super Princess Peach, and a variant of the Lava Bubble that chases after the player and spits fireballs appears mainly in the Paper Mario games.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}
Pokey – A spiked cactus with detachable green or yellow body segments, which first appeared in the international Super Mario Bros. 2.
Shy Guy – A timid masked creature wearing a robe, which comes in many different colors and variations. Introduced in the international Super Mario Bros. 2, but more commonly portrayed as an enemy to Yoshi since Yoshi's Island. It originally appeared in the Japanese game Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic (1987). This game was later adapted for international audiences as Super Mario Bros. 2, integrating Shy Guy into the Mario universe. Some variants include the Snifit, a Shy Guy with a cannon on its mask which it uses to fire bullets, the Fly Guy, a Shy Guy with a propeller on its head that can fly, and the Bandit, a blue Shy Guy that is known for stealing things from the player such as coins and other items. Voiced by Nintendo of America localization manager Nate Bihldorff.{{cite web|date=February 23, 2011|url=http://www.shinesparkers.net/interview-with-nate-bihldorff|title=Interview with Nate Bihldorff|publisher=Shinesparkers|access-date=June 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714132038/http://www.shinesparkers.net/interview-with-nate-bihldorff|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}
Spike – A green Koopa creature that attacks with spiked balls, which it throws out of its mouth. First appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3.
Thwomp – A large stone block with an angry face that is mainly encountered in castles. It attempts to crush the player, usually from above. There is a smaller variation of the Thwomp called a Thwimp.{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=November 17, 2020|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/lego-super-mario-adds-16-more-sets-in-2021|title=Lego Super Mario adds 16 more sets in 2021|website=Eurogamer|access-date=October 20, 2024}}
Whomp – An anthropomorphic stone slab that slams its face on the ground when the player gets near. It can only be defeated by ground pounding its back. It is inspired by the Japanese mythical wall monster, the nurikabe.{{cite magazine|last=Yarwood|first=Jack|date=April 27, 2016|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/8-videogame-characters-based-on-japanese-folklore|title=8 Videogame Characters Based On Japanese Folklore|magazine=Paste|access-date=October 18, 2024}}
Wiggler – A caterpillar enemy introduced in Super Mario World, which changes color and charges at the player when stomped on. It is a playable character in Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Mario Kart Tour. Some Wigglers, known as Flutters, have butterfly wings.

Notes

References

External links

[http://www.mariowiki.com/Characters List of characters] at the Super Mario Wiki, a Mario-centric wiki

Mario