List of Mario franchise characters

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. Due to technical difficulties portraying 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

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Kevin Afghani) is the main protagonist 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.<ref name="History">Template:Cite web</ref> While Mario was initially a carpenter, he later took the role of a plumber.<ref name="usatoday">Template:Cite news</ref> From 1992 to 2023, Mario was voiced by Charles Martinet.<ref name="martinetBBCnews">Template:Cite web</ref> In most of his appearances, Mario rescues a damsel in distress (often Princess Peach) from an antagonist (often Bowser).<ref name="mariobioign">Template:Cite web</ref> Mario's younger brother is Luigi,<ref name="luigibioign">Template:Cite web</ref> and his greedy rival is Wario.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Yoshi serves as Mario's steed in several games, including Super Mario World.<ref name="yoshibio">Template:Cite web</ref> Since his introduction, Mario's abilities include jumping, such as onto an enemy's head as an attack.<ref name="History" /> 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).<ref name="History" /> Several power-ups grant Mario the ability to fly, such as the Super Leaf from Super Mario Bros. 3.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to Guinness World Records, Mario is the second most recognizable video game character after Pac-Man.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="TIME">Template:Cite news</ref> 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 and in the upcoming The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in 2026.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Mario was portrayed in 1993's Super Mario Bros. in live-action by the late Bob Hoskins,<ref name="1993movie">Template:Cite web</ref> and voiced by Chris Pratt in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie and 2026's The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.<ref name="NBC: Characters">Template:Cite web</ref>

Luigi

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Kevin Afghani) is the younger twin brother of Mario,<ref name="luigibioign" /> who Luigi feels a sense of envy and reverence towards.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> In the 1983 game Mario Bros., Luigi was introduced as the second player character, with many similarities to Mario.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="History" /><ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> The Year of Luigi was celebrated in 2013, which saw many Luigi games released to commemorate the character's 30th anniversary.<ref name="announced">Template:Cite web</ref>

Luigi also appeared in the Mario Kart series, Super Smash Bros. series as an unlockable fighter, and the Mario Party series.Template:Cn He was portrayed in 1993's Super Mario Bros. in live-action by John Leguizamo,<ref name="1993movie"/> and voiced by Charlie Day in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie and 2026's The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.<ref name="NBC: Characters"/>

Princess Peach

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Courtney Lin) 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.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref> When playable, she typically has the ability to float in the air, and is physically taller than Mario.<ref name=":3" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Peach played a starring role in Super Princess Peach (2005), where she aims to rescue Mario, Luigi, and Toad,<ref name=":2" /> aided by a parasol named Perry and several abilities based on her emotions—or "vibes".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=":3" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She was voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.<ref name="NBC: Characters"/>

Princess Daisy

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Giselle Fernandez) is the princess of Sarasaland, the setting of Super Mario Land (1989).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since then, she has primarily appeared as a playable character in spin-off Mario games, especially Mario sports games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Super Mario Run (2016) marks Daisy's playable debut in a main series game, where she is able to perform a double jump.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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, though Mario rescued her in some games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Daisy is portrayed in 1993's Super Mario Bros. in live-action by Samantha Mathis, although this interpretation is more of a blend of Peach and Daisy in design and portrayal, serving as Luigi's damsel in distress rather than Mario's. While Mario does help rescue this version of the princess, Mario's damsel in the 1993 film is Daniella, the live-action version of Pauline as portrayed by Dana Kaminski, rather than Peach, who was replaced in the film with Daisy. The purpose of this was to give Luigi the lead role, as the producers felt the film would be more relatable with a younger lead.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Rosalina

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (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.<ref name=":3" /> She resides in the Comet Observatory, a starship used to traverse the Mario universe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=":3" /> She will be voiced by Brie Larson in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.<ref name=Variety/>

Toad

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Laila Berzins) is an anthropomorphic mushroom-like character.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He debuted in Super Mario Bros. (1985),<ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref> though his first starring role was in Wario's Woods (1994), in which the player is able to control Toad to solve puzzles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=":5" /> He was portrayed in live-action in 1993's Super Mario Bros. by the late Mojo Nixon as a rebellious singing freedom fighter working against King Koopa, and was voiced by Keegan-Michael Key in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Yoshi

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Kazumi Totaka) is Mario's best friend of 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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Yoshi is a rideable character for the heroes or a playable character in most of the Mario spin-offs, including his own series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Yoshi also appeared in Mario Kart series,<ref name="auto3">Template:Cite web</ref> Super Smash Bros. series as a fighter,<ref name="auto6">Template:Cite web</ref> and Mario Party series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Donkey Kong

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Koji Takeda) 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Alongside Mario and friends, Donkey Kong also appeared in Mario Kart series,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Super Smash Bros. series as a fighter,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Mario Party series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Donkey Kong was voiced by Seth Rogen in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.<ref name="NBC: Characters"/>

Other supporting characters

Birdo

Template:Main Birdo, also known as Birdette, and known in Japan as Template:Nihongo foot (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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Birdo first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2 as a recurring boss character.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref>Template:Verify source

Pauline

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Kate Higgins) debuted in Donkey Kong (1981)<ref name="ignDK">Template:Cite web</ref> as Lady, and is further featured in Donkey Kong (1994) for Game Boy,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> She is the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Toadette

Template:Redirects here Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Laura Stahl) 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Depending on the game, she is either a supporting character or a protagonist, playable in most of the Mario spin-off games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Poochy

Template:Nihongo foot 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.<ref name="Nintendo Life Poochy Tour">Template:Cite web</ref> In the games, he can sniff out hidden items, cross over dangerous terrain, and jump over walls to give Yoshi a boost out of his wall jumps.<ref name="Nintendo Life Poochy Woolly World">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, Poochy was added to Mario Kart Tour as a playable character.<ref name="Nintendo Life Poochy Tour" />

Professor E. Gadd

Template:Nihongo foot (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.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The character has made cameo appearances in series such as Mario Party and Mario & Luigi.<ref name=":1" /> He makes ambiguous gibberish sounds when speaking, inspired by the language of "Animalese" used in the Animal Crossing series when Totaka invented his voice.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Toadsworth

Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Scott Burns)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="caretaker"/> He debuted in Super Mario Sunshine for GameCube, in which he goes on vacation with Mario, Peach and the other Toads.<ref name="caretaker">Template:Cite web</ref> In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, he is revealed to have cared for the princess since she was a baby.<ref name="Cartaker Toadsworth">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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. The Illumination animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) features a single Luma, the blue nihilistic 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; they are voiced by Juliet Jelenic, daughter of Michael Jelenic, one of the film's two directors.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Captain Toad

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (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".<ref name="CTTT">Template:Cite web</ref> He makes several cameos within Super Smash Bros. and debuted in the Mario Kart series in Mario Kart Tour as a playable racer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="CTTT" />

Nabbit

Template:Main Nabbit (voiced by Dawn M. Bennett)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Cow

Template:Main The Cow, also known as Moo Moo, resembles a real-world cow and typically walks on all four legs. They mostly appear in the Mario Kart series; they were introduced in Mario Kart 64, and for the first time it is a playable character in Mario Kart World.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Kong family

Diddy Kong

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He is depicted as a cheerful and kind character. Created by Rare, the name Diddy is a British term meaning "little".<ref>Retro Gamer, Vol. #43</ref>

Cranky Kong

Template:Nihongo foot (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.<ref>Template:Cite web Citing in part:

• Template:Cite web</ref> He is portrayed as the grandfather of Donkey Kong in the games, and the father of him in the 2023 film, in which he was voiced by Fred Armisen.<ref name="NBC: Characters"/>

Antagonists

Bowser

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot or King Koopa (voiced by Kenneth W. James) is the king of the turtle-like Koopa race,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> a selfish king who wants to take over the entire world and the Mushroom Kingdom.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He is depicted as Mario's Archenemy, and is the final boss of most Mario games. He is playable in most Mario spin-off games.<ref name="History"/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023 and 2026, Bowser was voiced by Jack Black in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie respectively.<ref name="NBC: Characters"/>

Template:Nihongo foot is a recurring antagonist in the Mario series. Debuting as a form of Bowser after losing his flesh in New Super Mario Bros.,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the character has appeared as his own being starting with Mario Kart Wii, often serving as the final antagonist in the main games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Dry Bowser appears in Mario Party: Island Tour, Mario Party 10, and is a playable character in several of the Mario spin-off games.Template:Citation needed

Koopalings

The Template:Nihongo foot are seven siblings who first appeared as boss characters in the 1988 game Super Mario Bros. 3.<ref name="SMB3">Template:Cite web</ref> Their individual names are Ludwig, Lemmy, Roy, Iggy, Wendy, Morton, and Larry.<ref name="SMB3" /> 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,<ref>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</ref> 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".<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

The Koopalings were originally established as Bowser's children.<ref name="SMB3" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> Older Mario games maintain reference to them as such in updated manuals and re-releases.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They have since been depicted as Bowser's minions in games following the release of New Super Mario Bros. Wii in 2009,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Koopalings have additionally appeared as playable characters in spin-off Mario games and the Super Smash Bros. series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They have also been featured in non-video game Mario media, including the animated Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World, albeit under different names.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They are currently voiced by David J. Goldfarb, Carlee McManus, Dan Falcone, Ryan Higgins, Ashley Flannegan, David Cooke, and Michelle Hippe, respectively.Template:Citation needed 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, besides Roy, were previously voiced by Lani Minella.Template:Cn

Wario

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Kevin Afghani)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is an obese yet muscular, hot-tempered, and greedy man. He is Mario's self-declared yellow-and-purple clad arch-rival.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He initially debuted as an antagonist, but over the years has become an anti-hero, and is playable in some games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite interview</ref> His name is portmanteau of "warui", the Japanese word for "bad", and "Mario".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wario's favorite food is garlic, often used in gameplay to restore health when he gets defeated.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Kamek

Template:Redirect Template:Nihongo foot (Template:IPAc-en) is a member of the fictional Magikoopa species who is Bowser's childhood caretaker, and later in life one of his high-ranking minions.Template:Citation needed 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. Template:Citation needed In his various game appearances, his magic includes self-duplication, teleportation, shooting magical blasts, and changing the size of other creatures.Template:Citation needed He is often distinguished from other Magikoopas by the broom he rides on.Template:Citation needed In Japan, his species is also named Kamek, but outside Japan they are called Magikoopas.Template:Citation needed

Kamek returns in the 2006 Nintendo DS video game Yoshi's Island DS, the 2009 Wii video game New Super Mario Bros. Wii and its 2012 Wii U sequel as a recurring supporting antagonist and boss character.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.Template:Citation needed 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, Kamek has had minor cameo appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series.Template:Citation needed

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.<ref name="SMKR">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="GWV">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Kamek was voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, who based Kamek’s voice on Peter Lorre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Mini Bowser

Template:Nihongo foot 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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where their role is generally to hinder player's progress by stealing coins needed for progression or confronting the player in minigames.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

While Mini Bowser would initially continue to rise in relevance throughout the series, becoming the plot's main antagonistic force<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> as well as a playable character by Mario Party 5<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and being the subject of a dedicated mode in Mario Party Advance,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> netting him the reputation of being "another neglected classic Nintendo character".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Waluigi

Template:Main Template:Nihongo foot (voiced by Kevin Afghani) 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Like with Wario, his name is a portmanteau of "warui" and "Luigi".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

King Boo

Template:Nihongo foot is the king of the Boos, and is the main antagonist of the Luigi's Mansion series.Template:Citation needed He plays minor roles, occasionally playable, in various other Mario games, including the Mario Kart and Mario Party series.Template:Citation needed King Boo's first major debuted role was as the final boss of Luigi's Mansion, where he disguised himself as Bowser.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He is depicted as much larger than the average Boos that appear in games after Luigi's Mansion.Template:Citation needed He dons a crown with a large ruby, and has glowing, sunken eyes in the Luigi's Mansion franchise.Template:Citation needed A similar character named Big Boo is an enemy in Super Mario World<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and a boss in Super Mario 64 DS.Template:Citation needed Additionally, a different character also named King Boo, known as Boss Boo in Japan, appears as a boss in Super Mario Sunshine.Template:Citation needed

Bowser Jr.

Template:Nihongo foot in Japan; voiced by Caety Sagoian), or sometimes simply Jr. or Junior, is the only son of Bowser, who first appeared in the 2002 GameCube game Super Mario Sunshine.<ref name="History" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite interview</ref> He will be voiced by Benny Safdie in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.<ref name=Variety>Template:Cite news</ref>

Petey Piranha

Template:Visible anchor, known as Template:Nihongo foot in Japan,<ref name="packun">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He can sometimes use his leaves to fly around. He debuted as the primary boss of Bianco Hills in the game Super Mario Sunshine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Similar Piranha Plant boss characters later appear in Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Petey Piranha made his Mario Kart debut in Mario Kart: Double Dash as a playable driver, and returns in Mario Kart Tour<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Fawful

Template:Nihongo foot known in Japan as Gerakobits, is a recurring antagonist in the Mario & Luigi series.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> The character is considered to be "insane", and speaks in a chaotic manner.<ref name="nwr" /><ref name="N-Sider Interview: Nate Bihldorff">Template:Cite web</ref> He served as the secondary antagonist of Superstar Saga, and the main antagonist of Bowser's Inside Story.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="nwr">Template:Cite web</ref> Bill Trinen and Nate Bihldorff, both employees of the Treehouse, wrote the English dialogue for Fawful through the exchange of notes.<ref name="nwr" /> Rather than sticking close to the Japanese script, where Fawful simply adds "Fururururu!" to the end of every line,<ref name="bowsers inside story">Template:Cite web</ref> Trinen and Bihldorff intended to make Fawful as "wacky" and "zany" as possible in the Western release.<ref name="nwr" /><ref name="N-Sider Interview: Nate Bihldorff" /> 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!".<ref name="nintendo power" />

Fawful has received critical acclaim from both critics and fans, regarded as a favorite villain.<ref name="nintendo power" /><ref name="ign">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 1UP.comTemplate:'s Jeremy Parish attributing the quality of Superstar SagaTemplate:'s comedy to him.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His "I have fury!" quote was included in Nintendo PowerTemplate:'s collection of classic quotes from Nintendo games.<ref name="nintendo power">Template:Cite book</ref> Another quote, "And this battle shall be the delicious mustard on that bread! 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".<ref name="mtv">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Enemies

• Biddybud – A ladybug-like enemy introduced in Super Mario 3D Land. They usually come in groups of four (one red, one blue, one green, and one yellow) and can be defeated by jumping on top of them. Para-Biddybud is a winged variant of Biddybud. They behave mostly the same, but they fly close to the ground instead of walking.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 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.<ref name="mario's best enemies">Template:Cite web</ref>
• Template:Vanchor – A bomb enemy introduced in Doki Doki Panic, later repurposed into 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,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as a boss character there and in Mario Party 9,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Mario Party: Star Rush.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Boo, known in Japan as Template:Nihongo foot – A spherical ghost enemy introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3 as "Boo Diddleys" (a pun on the name of American musician Bo Diddley),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With Boo being one of the more popular Mario enemies, their image has been used in official Nintendo merchandise, such as plush dolls<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and cookie cutters.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Boo is considered one of the best enemies in the Mario series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 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<ref name="mario's best enemies" /> (renamed Boomer Bills in the Lego Super Mario sets and Bomber Bills in The Super Mario Bros. Movie).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It was originally intended to be used in The Legend of Zelda series, but ended up being a Mario enemy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Giant varieties attempt to swallow the player, such as Boss Bass and Big Bertha.<ref name="mario's best enemies" /> Porcupuffers are giant variants with spiked backs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Fish Bones are skeletons that charge at the player and break apart upon a wall collision.Template:Citation needed
• Dry Bones – A skeleton version of a Koopa Troopa. Unlike regular Koopa Troopas, Dry Bones will not retract into their shell when stepped on. Instead, they will collapse and reform after a few seconds.<ref name="mario's best enemies" />
• Fuzzy – A spiked creature which hangs in the air, and sometimes moves on rails. It debuted in Super Mario World.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 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.<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Goombas have their own king, King Goomba (also called Goomboss), introduced as the first boss in Paper Mario.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Hammer Bro – A type of helmet-wearing Koopa who throws hammers at the player.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It has several variations that throw other projectiles, such as the Boomerang Bro, the Fire Bro, the Ice Bro, and a bigger variant known as a Sledge Bro which can stun the player.<ref name="mario's best enemies" />
• 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.<ref name="mario's best enemies" /> 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.<ref name="Koopas">Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Buzzy Beetle – A black or blue Koopa 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.<ref name="Koopas" />
  • Template:Va – A Koopa wearing football gear that mostly charges at the player, and can use items such as baseballs and shovels.<ref name="Koopas" />
  • 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.<ref name="Koopas" />
  • Spike Top – A red wall-crawling Koopa 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.<ref name="Koopas" />
  • Spiny – A red Koopa with a spiky shell that damages the player if touched from above. They are often thrown by Lakitus in unlimited supplies.<ref name="Koopas" />
• Template:Nihongo foot – Official pronunciation: Template:IPAc-en). A cloud-riding Koopa with aviator goggles that drops an endless supply of Spinies.<ref name="mario's best enemies" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also appears in Mario spin-off games with various roles, including a track marshal in Mario Kart and a camera operator in Super Mario 64.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Magikoopa – A wizard Koopa capable of casting magic spells, turning blocks into foes, power-ups, or coins. Magikoopas first appeared in Super Mario World.<ref name="mario's best enemies" /> Kamek and Kammy Koopa are recurring individuals of this species, appearing in the Yoshi and Paper Mario series, respectively.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Monty Mole – A mole that burrows underground, and springs out of the ground when the player gets close.Template:Citation needed A similar enemy known as the Rocky Wrench pops out of airship manholes and throws wrenches at the player.Template:Citation needed
• Piranha Plant – A leafy, stalk-topped carnivorous plant with sharp teeth that typically lives within pipes.<ref name="mario's best enemies" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Podoboo – A fireball that jumps out of lava and can bounce off walls. It is also referred to as a Lava Bubble (a name shared with other lava based enemies).Template:Citation needed 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.<ref>Super Princess Peach Glossary.</ref>
• Pokey – A spiked cactus with detachable green or yellow body segments, which first appeared in Doki Doki Panic, being incorporated to the Mario universe when the game was reworked into the international Super Mario Bros. 2.<ref name="mario's best enemies" />
• 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 Doki Doki Panic (1987), which 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.<ref name="mario's best enemies" /> Voiced by Nintendo of America localization manager Nate Bihldorff.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Spike – A green Koopa creature that attacks with spiked balls, which it throws out of its mouth. First appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3.<ref name="mario's best enemies" />
• 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
• 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 some games. Flutters are Wigglers with butterfly wings.<ref name="mario's best enemies" />

See also

• Bowsette – a fan made character based upon Bowser and Peachette

External links

• List of characters at the Super Mario Wiki, a Mario-centric wiki