Top Ten List #3: Top Ten Recurring Enemies

[Valigarmander]

Week #3 (Week of 01-04-09)
Top Ten Recurring Enemies

#10: Chain Chomp

Since their debut in Super Mario Bros. 3, these scary fellows have made many more appearances, as giant stage-eating monsters in Yoshi's Island, star-protecting guard dogs in Super Mario 64, and arguably the coolest powerup ever in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Fun fact: the Chain Chomp was supposedly inspired by a childhood experience of Shigeru Miyamoto when he was almost bit by a neighbor's dog.


#9: Hammer Bro.

Hammer Bros. stand out as elites among Koopas, placed sparsely through levels in precarious positions that require some sort of strategy to take out. In Super Mario Bros 3. and New Super Mario Bros., these guys patrol maps, offering powerups when beaten. These enemies have multiple varieties, including kinds which throw boomerangs or fireballs instead of hammers.


#8: Cheep-Cheep

Cheep-Cheeps are the most common of Mario's aquatic enemies, occupying the water worlds in massive schools. While generally weak enemies, in tight underwater areas they can be difficult to avoid. They also have a habit of jumping up out of the water to attack Mario, making for some of the most annoying moments in any game. Oddly enough, they're easily dispatched with fireballs, even underwater.


#7: Dry Bones

One of the new undead enemies introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3, Dry Bones are zombielike Koopa skeletons that pace around aimlessly, damaging Mario with their touch. When jumped on, they collapse into a pile of bones, but within seconds they rise back up to continue their lazy assault. There are a few ways to get rid of them (shells, starman), but in most cases they're a menace which should be crushed beneath your feet and left behind before they can pick themselves back up. For some reason, Dry Bones has recently started appearing in party games.


#6: Bob-omb

These cute little guys first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2 and went on to become regulars. As their name suggests, once ignited it's only a matter of time before they explode. This can be used to your advantage, however, for blowing up otherwise-indestructable obstacles or simply defeating other enemies. A new, pink breed of Bob-omb appears in Super Mario 64 as allies, offering up use of cannons to Mario.


#5: Boo

Boo Buddies are the most common of Mario's foes from beyond the grave, first appearing in the fortresses of Super Mario Bros. 3. While shy to Mario's face, they attack once he's averted his gaze. The story goes that the wife of one of the programmers for SMB3 was similarly shy to the face and fierce behind the back, so they based the enemy on her. Luigi also seems to have a phobia of these cute little ghosts.


#4: Piranha Plant

The aptly-named Piranha Plants have appeared in the pipes of the Mushroom Kingdom since the original Super Mario Bros. Upside-down, giant-sized, fire-breathing, there are a hundred garden varieties of these monstrous flowers. Though not often the most irritating foes, they do have a habit of popping out of pipes at the least convenient moment. Luckily for Mario, they can be mulched through almost any method short of jumping on them.


#3: Shy Guy

Shy Guys made their entrance as the generic followers of Wart in Super Mario Bros. 2, and later as the generic followers of Baby Bowser in Yoshi's Island. These guys are rarely any trouble, usually ridden by being picked up and thrown, or even eaten. By the way, what ever is behind those masks of theres?


#2: Koopa Troopa

The Koopa Troopa is the bread and butter of Bowser's army. Quick, sturdy, and swarming in the thousands, they prove to be worthy foes for the Mario Bros. Well, maybe not so quick. Or sturdy. Jumping on a Koopa produces a shell, which can be kicked or picked up and thrown in most games. In others, you can ride it around. They come in dozens of different colors and variations, taking to land, air and sea. Koopa Troopas have appeared in more games than any other Mario enemy, making them Mario's most commonly occuring foes.


#1: Goomba

Ah, the Goomba. The lowliest of the low, these enemies appear in droves to be stomped on and kicked around. Ever-loyal, they march on indefinitely towards their certain doom beneath the soles of the Mario Bros. Like the solemn proletariat, they live their meaningless lives with the only question in their mind being whether they will get crushed by the player or will simply walk off a cliff as pawns to their master's evil plans. These guys have suffered more stomping and indignation than any other enemy out there, so they win my respect and this week's top spot.


See you next week, with the next top ten list.

[Stanley the Bugman]

I think Koopa Troopas should be number one.

[Luigiman7]

Hammer Bro. Is my favorite enemy, hands down

[Rainbow Dash]

where are the bloopers

[Valigarmander]

^ They were knocked out by the Chain Chomp.

[StarryPeach]

Goombas ftw. Glad you put them at number 1, Val. :D