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List of Mario franchise characters
List of Mario franchise characters
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Characters of the Mario franchise
A selection of Mario characters drawn by Shigehisa Nakaue. From left to right: Koopa Paratroopa, Boo, Goomba, Yoshi, Rosalina, Princess Peach, Bowser, Mario, Luigi, Toad, Princess Daisy, Wario, Cheep Cheep, and Waluigi.
First appearanceDonkey Kong (1981)
Created byNintendo

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

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Mario

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Main article: Mario

Mario[a] (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.[1] While Mario was initially a carpenter, he later took the role of a plumber.[2] From 1992 to 2023, Mario was voiced by Charles Martinet.[3] In most of his appearances, Mario rescues a damsel in distress (often Princess Peach) from an antagonist (often Bowser).[4] Mario's younger brother is Luigi,[5] and his greedy rival is Wario.[6] Yoshi serves as Mario's steed in several games, including Super Mario World.[7] Since his introduction, Mario's abilities include jumping, such as onto an enemy's head as an attack.[1] 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).[1] Several power-ups grant Mario the ability to fly, such as the Super Leaf from Super Mario Bros. 3.[8] According to Guinness World Records, Mario is the second most recognizable video game character after Pac-Man.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]

Mario was portrayed in 1993's Super Mario Bros. in live-action by the late Bob Hoskins,[12] and voiced by Chris Pratt in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie and 2026's The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.[13]

Luigi

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Main article: Luigi (character)

Luigi[b] (voiced by Kevin Afghani) is the younger twin brother of Mario,[5] who Luigi feels a sense of envy and reverence towards.[14] In the 1983 game Mario Bros., Luigi was introduced as the second player character, with many similarities to Mario.[15] 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.[16] 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.[1][14] 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.[14] The Year of Luigi was celebrated in 2013, which saw many Luigi games released to commemorate the character's 30th anniversary.[17]

Luigi also appeared in the Mario Kart series, Super Smash Bros. series as an unlockable fighter, and the Mario Party series.[citation needed] He was portrayed in 1993's Super Mario Bros. in live-action by John Leguizamo,[12] and voiced by Charlie Day in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie and 2026's The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.[13]

Princess Peach

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Main article: Princess Peach

Princess Peach Toadstool[c] (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.[18][19] When playable, she typically has the ability to float in the air, and is physically taller than Mario.[19] 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.[20] Peach played a starring role in Super Princess Peach (2005), where she aims to rescue Mario, Luigi, and Toad,[18] aided by a parasol named Perry and several abilities based on her emotions—or "vibes".[21] 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.[19] 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.[22]

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.[23] She was voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.[13]

Princess Daisy

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Main article: Princess Daisy

Princess Daisy[d] (voiced by Giselle Fernandez) is the princess of Sarasaland, the setting of Super Mario Land (1989).[24] Since then, she has primarily appeared as a playable character in spin-off Mario games, especially Mario sports games.[25] Super Mario Run (2016) marks Daisy's playable debut in a main series game, where she is able to perform a double jump.[26] 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.[27] 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.[28][29]

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.[30][31][32]

Rosalina

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Main article: Rosalina (Mario)

Rosalina[e] (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.[19] She resides in the Comet Observatory, a starship used to traverse the Mario universe.[33] 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.[19] She will be voiced by Brie Larson in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.[34]

Toad

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Main article: Toad (Mario)

Toad[f] (voiced by Laila Berzins) is an anthropomorphic mushroom-like character.[35] He debuted in Super Mario Bros. (1985),[36] though his first starring role was in Wario's Woods (1994), in which the player is able to control Toad to solve puzzles.[37] 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.[36] 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).[38]

Yoshi

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Main article: Yoshi

Yoshi[g] (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.[39] Yoshi is a rideable character for the heroes or a playable character in most of the Mario spin-offs, including his own series.[40] Yoshi also appeared in Mario Kart series,[41] Super Smash Bros. series as a fighter,[42] and Mario Party series.[43]

Donkey Kong

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Main article: Donkey Kong (character)

Donkey Kong[h] (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.[44] Alongside Mario and friends, Donkey Kong also appeared in Mario Kart series,[45] Super Smash Bros. series as a fighter,[46] and Mario Party series.[47]

Donkey Kong was voiced by Seth Rogen in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.[13]

Other supporting characters

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Birdo

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Main article: Birdo

Birdo, also known as Birdette, and known in Japan as Catherine,[i] (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.[48] Birdo first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2 as a recurring boss character.[49] 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.[50][51][52][verification needed]

Pauline

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Main article: Pauline (Nintendo)

Pauline[j] (voiced by Kate Higgins) debuted in Donkey Kong (1981)[53] as Lady, and is further featured in Donkey Kong (1994) for Game Boy,[54] 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.[55][56][57] She is the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey.[58]

Toadette

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"Girl Toad" redirects here. For female toads, see Frog § Reproduction.

Toadette[k] (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.[59] Depending on the game, she is either a supporting character or a protagonist, playable in most of the Mario spin-off games.[60] 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.[61] 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.[62]

Poochy

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Poochy[l] 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.[63] 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.[64] In 2023, Poochy was added to Mario Kart Tour as a playable character.[63]

Professor E. Gadd

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Professor Elvin Gadd[m] (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.[65] 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.[66] The character has made cameo appearances in series such as Mario Party and Mario & Luigi.[66] He makes ambiguous gibberish sounds when speaking, inspired by the language of "Animalese" used in the Animal Crossing series when Totaka invented his voice.[67]

Toadsworth

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Toadsworth[n] (voiced by Scott Burns)[68][69] 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.[70] He debuted in Super Mario Sunshine for GameCube, in which he goes on vacation with Mario, Peach and the other Toads.[70] In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, he is revealed to have cared for the princess since she was a baby.[71]

Lumas

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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.[72] 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.[73]

Captain Toad

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Main article: Toad (Mario) § Captain Toad

Captain Toad[o] (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".[74] He makes several cameos within Super Smash Bros. and debuted in the Mario Kart series in Mario Kart Tour as a playable racer.[75] 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.[76][74]

Nabbit

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Main article: Nabbit

Nabbit (voiced by Dawn M. Bennett)[77] 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.[78][79]

Cow

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Main article: Cow (Mario)

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.[80]

Kong family

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Main article: List of Donkey Kong characters § Kongs

Diddy Kong

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Main article: Diddy Kong

Diddy Kong[p] (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.[81] 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.[82] He is depicted as a cheerful and kind character. Created by Rare, the name Diddy is a British term meaning "little".[83]

Cranky Kong

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Cranky Kong[q] (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.[84] 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.[13]

Antagonists

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Bowser

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Main article: Bowser

Bowser[r] or King Koopa (voiced by Kenneth W. James) is the king of the turtle-like Koopa race,[85] a selfish king who wants to take over the entire world and the Mushroom Kingdom.[86] 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.[1] 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.[87] In 2023 and 2026, Bowser was voiced by Jack Black in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie respectively.[13]

Dry Bowser[s] is a recurring antagonist in the Mario series. Debuting as a form of Bowser after losing his flesh in New Super Mario Bros.,[88] the character has appeared as his own being starting with Mario Kart Wii, often serving as the final antagonist in the main games.[89] 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]

Koopalings

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The Koopalings[t] are seven siblings who first appeared as boss characters in the 1988 game Super Mario Bros. 3.[90] Their individual names are Ludwig, Lemmy, Roy, Iggy, Wendy, Morton, and Larry.[90] 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,[91] 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".[92]

The Koopalings were originally established as Bowser's children.[90][93][94][95] Older Mario games maintain reference to them as such in updated manuals and re-releases.[96][97] They have since been depicted as Bowser's minions in games following the release of New Super Mario Bros. Wii in 2009,[98] 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."[99] The Koopalings have additionally appeared as playable characters in spin-off Mario games and the Super Smash Bros. series.[100] 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.[101][102] They are currently voiced by David J. Goldfarb, Carlee McManus, Dan Falcone, Ryan Higgins, Ashley Flannegan, David Cooke, and Michelle Hippe, respectively.[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.[citation needed]

Wario

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Main article: Wario

Wario[u] (voiced by Kevin Afghani)[103] is an obese yet muscular, hot-tempered, and greedy man. He is Mario's self-declared yellow-and-purple clad arch-rival.[104] He initially debuted as an antagonist, but over the years has become an anti-hero, and is playable in some games.[105][106] 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.[107] His name is portmanteau of "warui", the Japanese word for "bad", and "Mario".[108] Wario's favorite food is garlic, often used in gameplay to restore health when he gets defeated.[109]

Kamek

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"Kamek" redirects here. For places in Iran, see Kamek, Iran (disambiguation).

Kamek[v] (English: /kəˈmɛk, ˈkæmɪk/) 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] 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] In his various game appearances, his magic includes self-duplication, teleportation, shooting magical blasts, and changing the size of other creatures.[citation needed] He is often distinguished from other Magikoopas by the broom he rides on.[citation needed] In Japan, his species is also named Kamek, but outside Japan they are called Magikoopas.[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.[110] 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] 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.[111] Additionally, Kamek has had minor cameo appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series.[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.[112][113] 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.[114] 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.[115][116][117]

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.[118][119]

Mini Bowser

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Mini Bowser,[w] 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,[120] where their role is generally to hinder player's progress by stealing coins needed for progression or confronting the player in minigames.[121][122]

While Mini Bowser would initially continue to rise in relevance throughout the series, becoming the plot's main antagonistic force[123] as well as a playable character by Mario Party 5[124] and being the subject of a dedicated mode in Mario Party Advance,[125] 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,[126] netting him the reputation of being "another neglected classic Nintendo character".[127] 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.[128]

Waluigi

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Main article: Waluigi

Waluigi[x] (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.[129] 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.[130] Like with Wario, his name is a portmanteau of "warui" and "Luigi".[131]

King Boo

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King Boo[y] is the king of the Boos, and is the main antagonist of the Luigi's Mansion series.[citation needed] He plays minor roles, occasionally playable, in various other Mario games, including the Mario Kart and Mario Party series.[citation needed] King Boo's first major debuted role was as the final boss of Luigi's Mansion, where he disguised himself as Bowser.[132] He is depicted as much larger than the average Boos that appear in games after Luigi's Mansion.[citation needed] He dons a crown with a large ruby, and has glowing, sunken eyes in the Luigi's Mansion franchise.[citation needed] A similar character named Big Boo is an enemy in Super Mario World[133] and a boss in Super Mario 64 DS.[citation needed] Additionally, a different character also named King Boo, known as Boss Boo in Japan, appears as a boss in Super Mario Sunshine.[citation needed]

Bowser Jr.

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Bowser Jr. (known as Koopa Jr.[z] 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.[1] 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.[134] He will be voiced by Benny Safdie in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.[34]

Petey Piranha

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Petey Piranha, known as Boss Pakkun[aa] in Japan,[135] 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.[136] He can sometimes use his leaves to fly around. He debuted as the primary boss of Bianco Hills in the game Super Mario Sunshine.[137] Similar Piranha Plant boss characters later appear in Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel.[138] Petey Piranha made his Mario Kart debut in Mario Kart: Double Dash as a playable driver, and returns in Mario Kart Tour[139] and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.[140]

Fawful

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Fawful,[ab] known in Japan as Gerakobits, is a recurring antagonist in the Mario & Luigi series.[141] The character is considered to be "insane", and speaks in a chaotic manner.[142][143] He served as the secondary antagonist of Superstar Saga, and the main antagonist of Bowser's Inside Story.[144] 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.[145]

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,[146] 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.[142] Bill Trinen and Nate Bihldorff, both employees of the Treehouse, wrote the English dialogue for Fawful through the exchange of notes.[142] Rather than sticking close to the Japanese script, where Fawful simply adds "Fururururu!" to the end of every line,[147] Trinen and Bihldorff intended to make Fawful as "wacky" and "zany" as possible in the Western release.[142][143] 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!".[148]

Fawful has received critical acclaim from both critics and fans, regarded as a favorite villain.[148][149][150] 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.[151] 1UP.com's Jeremy Parish attributing the quality of Superstar Saga's comedy to him.[152][153] His "I have fury!" quote was included in Nintendo Power's collection of classic quotes from Nintendo games.[148] 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".[154] 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.[155]

Enemies

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  • 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.[156]
  • 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.[157]
  • Bob-omb – 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,[158] as a boss character there and in Mario Party 9,[159] Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam,[160] and Mario Party: Star Rush.[161]
  • Boo, known in Japan as Teresa[ac] – A spherical ghost enemy introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3 as "Boo Diddleys" (a pun on the name of American musician Bo Diddley),[162] 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.[163] With Boo being one of the more popular Mario enemies, their image has been used in official Nintendo merchandise, such as plush dolls[164] and cookie cutters.[165] Boo is considered one of the best enemies in the Mario series.[166][167]
  • 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[157] (renamed Boomer Bills in the Lego Super Mario sets and Bomber Bills in The Super Mario Bros. Movie).[168]
  • 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.[169] It was originally intended to be used in The Legend of Zelda series, but ended up being a Mario enemy.[170]
  • 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.[171] Giant varieties attempt to swallow the player, such as Boss Bass and Big Bertha.[157] Porcupuffers are giant variants with spiked backs.[172] Fish Bones are skeletons that charge at the player and break apart upon a wall collision.[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.[157]
  • Fuzzy – A spiked creature which hangs in the air, and sometimes moves on rails. It debuted in Super Mario World.[173]
  • 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.[174] 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.[175] The Goombas have their own king, King Goomba (also called Goomboss), introduced as the first boss in Paper Mario.[176]

  • Hammer Bro – A type of helmet-wearing Koopa who throws hammers at the player.[177] 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.[157]
  • 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.[157] 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.[178]
    • 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.[178]
    • Chargin' Chuck – A Koopa wearing football gear that mostly charges at the player, and can use items such as baseballs and shovels.[178]
    • 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.[178]
    • 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.[178]
    • 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.[178]
  • Lakitu[ad] – Official pronunciation: /ˈlækiːtuː/). A cloud-riding Koopa with aviator goggles that drops an endless supply of Spinies.[157][179] 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.[180]
  • Magikoopa – A wizard Koopa capable of casting magic spells, turning blocks into foes, power-ups, or coins. Magikoopas first appeared in Super Mario World.[157] Kamek and Kammy Koopa are recurring individuals of this species, appearing in the Yoshi and Paper Mario series, respectively.[181][182]
  • Monty Mole – A mole that burrows underground, and springs out of the ground when the player gets close.[citation needed] A similar enemy known as the Rocky Wrench pops out of airship manholes and throws wrenches at the player.[citation needed]
  • Piranha Plant – A leafy, stalk-topped carnivorous plant with sharp teeth that typically lives within pipes.[157] 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.[183]
  • 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).[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.[184]
  • 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.[157]
  • 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.[157] Voiced by Nintendo of America localization manager Nate Bihldorff.[185]
  • Spike – A green Koopa creature that attacks with spiked balls, which it throws out of its mouth. First appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3.[157]
  • 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.[186]
  • 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.[187]
  • 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.[157]

See also

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

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

List of Mario franchise characters

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The List of Mario franchise characters is a comprehensive catalog of the diverse protagonists, allies, antagonists, and enemies featured across the Super Mario video game series and its extensive spin-offs, developed and published by . Created by game designer , the franchise debuted in 1981 with Mario's first appearance as the character Jumpman in the , where he was a carpenter rescuing his girlfriend from the titular ape. Over the ensuing decades, the series evolved to include in 1983, introducing Mario's brother Luigi as a co-protagonist, and in 1985, which established the core narrative of plumber Mario saving (originally named Princess Toadstool) from the Koopa King in the Mushroom Kingdom. The roster has grown substantially through more than 200 titles spanning genres such as platforming, racing (Mario Kart), party games (Mario Party), role-playing (Paper Mario), and sports (Mario Tennis), introducing iconic figures like the dinosaur companion Yoshi, the ghostly Boo, the greedy Wario and his lanky partner Waluigi, the cosmic guardian Rosalina, and Bowser's son Bowser Jr., alongside countless minor enemies and NPCs. This expansive cast, ranging from heroic royalty to monstrous foes, has helped solidify the Mario brand as Nintendo's flagship property, with more than 793 million units sold worldwide as of September 2024.

Main protagonists

Mario

Mario is the central protagonist and mascot of the Mario franchise, created by Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo. He first appeared as the character known as Jumpman in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, where he was depicted as a carpenter navigating obstacles to rescue his girlfriend from the titular ape. The character was renamed Mario in the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros., honoring Nintendo of America's Italian-American landlord Mario Segale, and this marked his debut as the titular hero alongside his brother Luigi. By the release of Super Mario Bros. in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Mario had solidified his iconic role as a plumber hailing from Brooklyn, New York, who ventures into the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of his arch-rival Bowser. As a plumber of Italian-American heritage, Mario embodies bravery and optimism in his adventures, consistently displaying a heroic determination to overcome challenges with a cheerful demeanor. His core abilities revolve around precise jumping to traverse platforms and avoid hazards, a mechanic introduced in Donkey Kong and refined in subsequent titles. Power-ups enhance his capabilities, such as the Fire Flower, which first appeared in Super Mario Bros. and allows him to hurl fireballs at enemies, or transformation suits like the Tanooki Suit from Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988), granting flight and tail attacks inspired by Japanese folklore, and the Cat Suit from Super Mario 3D World (2013), enabling claw strikes and wall-climbing. These elements highlight Mario's adaptability and resourcefulness in platforming gameplay. Mario has starred in over 200 video games across various genres, establishing him as one of the most prolific characters in gaming history. Beyond the core platformers like the series, he features prominently in spin-offs such as the racing-focused franchise, which debuted with in 1992, and the crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros., starting in 1999, where he battles characters from other Nintendo franchises. His voice acting began with in 1992's and continued through titles prior to 2023's . Martinet was succeeded by starting with in 2023, who also voices Mario in subsequent releases as of 2025, maintaining the energetic portrayal with signature exclamations like "It's-a me, Mario!"

Luigi

Luigi is Mario's younger twin brother and a prominent supporting character in the Mario franchise, often serving as the second player in cooperative adventures. He made his debut in the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros., where he was introduced as the green-clad counterpart to Mario, controlled by the second player. In Super Mario Bros. (1985), Luigi appeared as a palette-swapped version of Mario for two-player mode, in an alternating two-player mode while retaining identical abilities at the time. His design emphasizes a taller, slimmer build with green overalls, a green cap, and a distinctive "L" emblem, distinguishing him visually from his brother. Known for his timid and somewhat cowardly personality, Luigi frequently displays nervousness in the face of danger, contrasting with Mario's boldness, yet he rises to heroic challenges when needed. This trait is particularly evident in his expertise as a ghost hunter, where he wields the Poltergust vacuum—a device invented by Professor E. Gadd—to capture spirits and navigate haunted environments. Luigi's abilities often highlight greater agility over raw power; for instance, he can jump higher than Mario in several titles, aiding in reaching elevated platforms, though he struggles with heavier tasks due to reduced strength. Luigi stars in the Luigi's Mansion series, beginning with the 2001 GameCube launch title where he ventures into a haunted mansion to rescue his captured brother using the original Poltergust 3000. Subsequent entries, such as Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (2013) and Luigi's Mansion 3 (2019), expand on this formula with puzzle-solving and ghost-busting mechanics, again centering on Luigi saving Mario and others from supernatural threats. He is also a staple playable character in multiplayer spin-offs like the Mario Party series and various sports games, including Mario Kart and Mario Tennis, where his agility provides unique gameplay advantages. More recently, Luigi features as a selectable hero in Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), contributing to the group's exploration of the Flower Kingdom alongside his brother in traditional platforming action. Since Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), Luigi is voiced by Kevin Afghani, who also voices Mario.

Princess Peach

Princess Peach is the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, a vibrant realm inhabited by Toads as her loyal subjects. She first appeared in Super Mario Bros. (1985) as the kidnapped princess, establishing her as the central figure in need of rescue from the villainous . Over the series, Peach has governed the kingdom with a focus on harmony and justice, often hosting events and aiding her people amid threats. Initially portrayed as a passive damsel frequently rescued by Mario, Peach's role evolved into that of an active participant in adventures. This shift became prominent in (2005), where she becomes playable and harnesses emotion-based powers—joy for floating, rage for fire attacks, calm for healing, and gloom for shielding—to rescue Mario and Luigi while wielding her parasol Perry. Peach is characterized as kind-hearted and athletic, excelling in sports like and , and demonstrating courage in battles. She was voiced by Samantha Kelly from 2007 to 2024, bringing a warm and determined tone to the character. As of 2025, Courtney Lin provides the voice, starting with World. Her rivalry with persists as a core conflict, driving many narratives. In recent years, Peach took center stage as the lead in Princess Peach: Showtime! (2024), where she transforms into various roles—such as a solving mysteries or a kung fu master executing acrobatic strikes—using a magical ribbon empowered by the theater guardian Stella to thwart antagonists in a theatrical setting. This installment highlights her versatility and heroism beyond traditional rescues.

Princess Daisy

Princess Daisy is the princess of Sarasaland and a key supporting character in the Mario franchise, distinguished by her energetic and athletic demeanor. She first appeared in the 1989 Game Boy title Super Mario Land, where she was kidnapped by the alien invader Tatanga, leading Mario on a quest across four unique worlds to rescue her and restore peace to her kingdom. This debut established her as an independent royal figure outside the Mushroom Kingdom, with a brief historical note of her abduction highlighting early threats to Sarasaland. Daisy's personality is tomboyish, competitive, and outspoken, setting her apart as a spunky counterpart to more reserved characters; she is described officially as cheerful, energetic, and always ready for challenges like sports competitions. She frequently teams up with Princess Peach as a close friend in multiplayer settings, sharing adventures that emphasize her bold and enthusiastic nature. In gameplay, Daisy showcases strong athleticism through abilities such as a distinctive floating or double jump, which aids in navigation and evasion in titles like Super Mario Run (2016), where she is unlocked as a playable character with this enhanced mobility. She became a staple playable option starting with Mario Tennis (2000) for the Nintendo 64, where her all-around skills suit balanced playstyles, and has since appeared in the Mario Kart series as a racer with high acceleration stats. Her roles extend prominently to spin-off multiplayer games like the Mario Party series, where her competitive edge shines in mini-games and board play, though her presence in mainline platformers remains limited beyond her debut and recent inclusions. She was voiced by Deanna Mustard from 2003 to 2022, and succeeded by Giselle Fernandez starting with Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), continuing as of 2025.

Yoshi

Yoshi is a green dinosaur-like creature who serves as a loyal ally to in the Super Mario franchise, first appearing as a rideable companion in for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990. Hailing from , he is characterized by his kind-hearted, carefree personality and perpetual hunger, often depicted gobbling up fruits and enemies with his long tongue. Members of Yoshi's species come in various colors, including red, blue, pink, and yellow, each potentially exhibiting unique traits depending on the game. Yoshi's core abilities include using his tongue to swallow enemies and objects, which he converts into eggs for throwing at obstacles or foes, and performing a flutter jump to reach higher platforms or extend his glide. Color variations enhance these capabilities; for instance, a red Yoshi can produce fireballs from swallowed shells, while a blue Yoshi enables flight-like propulsion. These traits make him versatile for traversal and combat, often acting as a mount for to dash through levels or solve environmental puzzles. In the series, Yoshi frequently partners with Mario and Luigi for mobility support, but he takes center stage in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995), where a green leads a group of his species to protect the infant Mario from Kamek's kidnapping attempts and reunite him with baby Luigi across enchanted worlds. This game establishes the Yoshi species' origins on their namesake island, emphasizing their communal, egg-laying nature as integral to the plot's mechanics. Yoshi's vocalizations, a series of high-pitched yelps and laughs, have been provided by Nintendo composer and sound director since Yoshi's Story (1997). More recently, returns as a playable character in (2023), retaining his flutter jump and swallowing abilities while interacting with Wonder Flowers for transformative effects that alter levels in creative ways, such as turning pipes into dynamic challenges.

Toad

Toads are the primary fungal inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom, depicted as a species of small, mushroom-capped humanoids who serve as loyal subjects and advisors to . They are characterized by their cheerful demeanor, red-spotted mushroom heads, blue vests, and white pants, embodying a collective group rather than distinct individuals in most appearances. As generalized representatives of the People, Toads often appear in groups, highlighting their communal role in the kingdom's daily life and defense against threats like . Toads first appeared in Super Mario Bros. (1985) as kingdom citizens transformed by Bowser's magic, appearing at level ends to provide messages via blocks and celebrating Mario's rescues upon restoring the Mushroom Kingdom. In this role, they act as passive advisors and symbols of the kingdom's peril, frequently kidnapped alongside to motivate Mario's quests, though they also assist in rescues by offering items or guidance in later games. Their loyalty to underscores their position as devoted retainers, with the species representing the broader populace affected by Koopa invasions. Representative abilities of Toads include exceptional speed for fast running and efficient item carrying, making them agile supporters in adventures. Variations such as Blue Toad and Yellow Toad exhibit similar traits but with color-coded caps, often used interchangeably to depict the species' diversity without individual distinction. Toadette serves as a notable female counterpart, sharing the species' communal spirit while pursuing more adventurous pursuits. Toads become playable in key games, starting prominently in the New Super Mario Bros. series where Blue and Yellow Toads join as multi-player characters with quick acceleration and item-handling prowess. They are also selectable racers in the Mario Kart series, leveraging their speed for competitive edges in tracks across titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Generic Toads were voiced by Samantha Kelly from 2006 to 2024, providing high-pitched, enthusiastic lines since New Super Mario Bros. (2006), including in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2018, remastered 2023). As of 2025, Paul Castro Jr. provides the voice for male Toads, starting with Mario Kart World.

Supporting characters

Rosalina

Rosalina first appeared in (2007) as the enigmatic caretaker of the Comet Observatory, a massive starship that serves as a hub for Mario's interstellar adventure. She is portrayed as a tall, ethereal figure with long blonde hair and a flowing gown, embodying a maternal and serene presence amid the game's cosmic exploration. In this title, Rosalina guides Mario and allies with to thwart Bowser's threat to the galaxy, restoring order to the stars after the villain's rampage. Her backstory, detailed in the in-game storybook Rosalina's Story, unfolds as a poignant tale of loss and growth: as a young girl in the Mushroom Kingdom, she loses her mother during a seaside outing, prompting her to wander in grief until she encounters a fallen star that becomes her first Luma companion. Over time, she adopts a family of Lumas, grows ageless through her cosmic journeys, and assumes her role as the universe's watchful guardian, traveling endlessly to nurture stars and maintain balance. This narrative highlights her wise, compassionate personality, contrasting her otherworldly duties with deep emotional roots. Rosalina demonstrates formidable abilities, including a powerful spin attack for close combat and the capacity to summon and manipulate stars for offensive and defensive purposes, as seen during key battles in Super Mario Galaxy. These powers underscore her status as one of the franchise's most potent characters, capable of reshaping celestial phenomena. She has been playable in numerous spin-offs since Mario Kart Wii (2008), where she unlocks after completing specific challenges or linking a Super Mario Galaxy save file, and continues to appear as a selectable racer in later Mario Kart installments. In English dubs, Rosalina is voiced by Laura Faye Smith, starting with her playable debut in Super Mario 3D World (2013). More recently, Rosalina returns as an unlockable playable character in + (2021), accessible after fully completing the main campaign, where her spin attack aids in platforming and combat. She also features prominently in (2022), appearing as a captured ally who is rescued and subsequently assists the heroes against the antagonist Cursa in a narrative-driven supporting role. Rosalina reprises her central role in the + collection (2025) for , a remastered release enhancing her original appearances.

Toadette

Toadette is a female variant of the Toad species in the Mario franchise, characterized by her pink cap with white spots, large pigtails, and cheerful, energetic personality that often positions her as a supportive yet playful figure in group activities. Unlike the more uniform generic Toads who primarily serve the Mushroom Kingdom, Toadette stands out with her feminine design and frequent solo playability in spin-off titles. She debuted in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) as Toad's default racing partner and an unlockable playable driver, where players could select her for her balanced speed and handling stats suitable for beginners. Toadette's abilities generally mirror those of standard Toads, including quick movement and item usage, but her pigtails occasionally enable unique mechanics like enhanced jumps in select games, adding to her versatility as a racer or party participant. Key appearances include her playable role in Super Mario Run (2016), where she navigates auto-running levels with agile jumps and contributes to multiplayer Toad Rally events by potentially swaying scores through special interactions. She appears in Princess Peach: Showtime! (2024) as one of the pair of Toads accompanying Peach, assisting in theatrical adventures including the Patissiere Peach segments where she supports baking-themed challenges against the Sour Bunch. Toadette also makes a cameo in the Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 collection (2025). Her recurring presence in these spin-offs highlights her role as a fun, accessible character for casual gameplay, often emphasizing teamwork with Princess Peach.

Pauline

Pauline first appeared in the 1981 arcade game as the kidnapped girlfriend of Jumpman (later renamed ), portrayed as a singer in distress whom the protagonist must rescue from the titular ape. Her character evolved significantly in (2017), where she reemerged as the mayor of New Donk City in the Metro Kingdom, a bustling urban area inspired by . In this role, Pauline hosts a grand concert at New Donk City Hall, performing the game's theme song "Jump Up, Super Star!" in a lively arrangement with a full and backup singers, showcasing her vocal talents to rally the city's residents. As an ally to Mario, Pauline serves as a non-playable but interactive supporting character in Super Mario Odyssey, providing guidance, hosting events, and rewarding Mario with Power Moons for completing challenges in her city; she is voiced by Kate Higgins, who also provides the English singing performance for her song. Her abilities emphasize singing, which energizes crowds and advances gameplay, alongside her political leadership in managing New Donk City's affairs and fostering community spirit. Pauline briefly becomes playable in Mario Kart Tour (2019), debuting as a high-end racer during the New York Tour, where she drives vehicles suited to her urban persona and uses items like bananas in homage to her Donkey Kong origins. She continues as a playable character in later titles, including Mario Kart World (2025). Pauline makes a cameo appearance as Mayor Pauline in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), depicted as the mayor of Brooklyn who interacts with Mario and Luigi early in the story; she is voiced by Jessica DiCicco in this animated film.

Professor E. Gadd

Professor E. Gadd, whose full name is Professor Elvin Gadd, is a short, elderly human scientist with a white beard, oversized glasses, and a lab coat, renowned for his expertise in paranormal research and inventive genius within the Mario franchise. He first appeared in Luigi's Mansion (2001), where he is depicted as an eccentric and enthusiastic inventor deeply passionate about studying ghosts and developing tools to interact with the supernatural. His personality often comes across as quirky and somewhat absent-minded, as seen in his hurried explanations and occasional oversights during collaborations, yet he remains a reliable ally driven by curiosity. Since his debut, E. Gadd has been voiced by composer and sound director Kazumi Totaka, who provides the character's distinctive, mumbled speech patterns. E. Gadd is the creator of several iconic gadgets that facilitate ghost capture and transportation, most notably the Poltergust series of vacuum devices, beginning with the Poltergust 3000 in . In (2012), he introduced the Pixelator, a device that digitizes users for instant travel between locations, aiding in the navigation of haunted mansions. His most recent major invention, Gooigi, debuted in (2019); this green, gelatinous clone of Luigi was formed using a mysterious substance called "Goo" combined with scanned biological data from the Pixelator, allowing it to mimic actions like operating the upgraded Poltergust G-00. Additionally, though he does not appear personally, E. Gadd is credited as the inventor of FLUDD, the water-spraying backpack in (2002), which assists Mario in cleaning graffiti across Isle Delfino. He reprises his role in the Luigi's Mansion 2 HD remaster (2024) for . Throughout the Luigi's Mansion series, E. Gadd operates from his laboratory at Gadd Science, Inc., providing remote guidance and equipment to support Luigi's missions against supernatural threats. His partnership with Luigi emphasizes intellectual collaboration, with the plumber often relying on E. Gadd's gadgets for success, while the professor benefits from field-tested data to refine his creations. In Luigi's Mansion 3, E. Gadd's involvement includes developing tools like the Poltergust G-00 for dual use by Luigi and Gooigi, highlighting his ongoing enthusiasm for innovative solutions to paranormal challenges.

Captain Toad

Captain Toad is a prominent character in the Mario franchise, distinguished as a red-colored Toad equipped with an oversized backpack and a headlamp, serving as the leader of the Toad Brigade, a group of exploratory Toads who assist Mario in various adventures. He first appeared as a non-playable character in Super Mario 3D World (2013) for Wii U, where players encounter his puzzle-based mini-levels scattered throughout the game. Captain Toad received his own starring role in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2014) for Wii U, a puzzle-platformer that expanded on his exploratory persona, with the game later ported to Nintendo Switch in 2018 including additional levels from Super Mario 3D World. Characterized as a helmeted explorer brave enough to venture into ancient ruins and perilous environments in pursuit of treasures and Power Stars, Captain Toad nonetheless exhibits a cowardly streak, particularly toward ghosts, which adds tension to his haunted house encounters. As the head of the Toad Brigade, he coordinates missions with fellow Toads, including a close alliance with Toadette, whom he often rescues during his quests. Voiced by actress Samantha Kelly since his prominent roles, Captain Toad's dialogue and exclamations, such as "Ready for adventure!", emphasize his enthusiastic yet cautious nature. In gameplay, Captain Toad's abilities revolve around puzzle-solving rather than traditional platforming; his headlamp illuminates dark areas to reveal hidden paths, coins, and secrets, while his heavy prevents , forcing reliance on turning into enemies via turnips, using items like peels for sliding, and environmental manipulation to progress through trap-filled courses. These mechanics highlight his resourcefulness in diverse settings, from volcanic terrains to underground mazes. The character's role expanded in the 2018 port of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, which integrated new mini-missions based on levels, and further with the 2019 Special Episode DLC adding eighteen brand-new challenges across five courses. Captain Toad appears as part of the Toad Brigade in the Super Mario Galaxy + collection (2025).

Nabbit

Nabbit is a recurring character in the Mario franchise, debuting as an antagonist in New Super Mario Bros. U (2012) for the Wii U, where he appears as a purple rabbit-like thief who steals power-ups and items from Toad Houses in the Mushroom Kingdom, prompting chase sequences across specific levels. In these encounters, players pursue Nabbit on the world map to recover stolen goods, with success rewarding a P-Acorn power-up that grants temporary invincibility and flight capabilities. Despite his initial role as a neutral opportunist—neither aligned with Bowser's forces nor the heroes—Nabbit's design emphasizes a silent, evasive personality, portraying him as cowardly yet resourceful in evading capture. Starting with Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), Nabbit is voiced by Dawn M. Bennett in English. Nabbit transitions to a supporting ally in subsequent titles, becoming playable for the first time in (2013), an expansion to , where he joins Luigi and the Toad Brigade in multiplayer modes to rescue . His abilities include immunity to damage from most enemies and hazards—allowing him to slip past foes without retaliation—along with faster running speed, higher jumps, wall-jumping for vertical navigation, and the capacity to defeat enemies via ground pounds or spins, though he cannot collect or use power-ups. This makes Nabbit an "easy mode" option optimized for beginners or less-experienced players, as developers intended to provide accessible gameplay without altering core mechanics. He aids platforming by enabling quick traversal and item retrieval for the team, appearing briefly in single-player via a hidden input code. These traits carry over to the Nintendo Switch port New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (2019), where Nabbit is fully playable across both campaigns, including holding objects and Baby Yoshis, further integrating him into hero efforts against . Beyond platformers, Nabbit expands his neutral support role in racing and other spin-offs. In Mario Kart Tour (2019), he serves as a driver with variants like Vacation Nabbit, emphasizing his speedy nature through kart bonuses that enhance item usage and evasion. He returns as a playable character in Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), retaining enemy damage immunity while interacting uniquely with Wonder Flowers and badges: he does not transform with power-ups like Elephant or Bubble Flower but converts excess ones into flower coins, and his evasion pairs with badge effects for enhanced mobility, such as improved wall-climbing jumps. Nabbit appears in additional titles including Mario Kart World (2025). This reinforces his utility in cooperative play, providing power-ups to teammates during levels in the Flower Kingdom.

Kong family members

Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong first appeared in the 1981 arcade game as the primary antagonist, where he kidnaps Pauline and challenges the protagonist Jumpman (later revealed to be ) to rescue her by navigating construction site obstacles. In this debut, Donkey Kong serves as Mario's initial rival, hurling barrels and fireballs to thwart the hero's progress. Donkey Kong's character evolved significantly with the 1994 release of on , transitioning from villain to hero as he teams up with Diddy Kong to recover their stolen banana hoard from the Kremling Krew led by King K. Rool. This shift established him as the protector of Donkey Kong Island, embarking on adventures centered around defending his home and treasures from various threats in subsequent titles. In gameplay, Donkey Kong demonstrates immense strength through moves like the hand slap, a powerful ground-pound attack that defeats enemies and uncovers items; the somersault roll for high-speed traversal and enemy defeat; and the handstand, used for floating across gaps or climbing. He is voiced by composer Grant Kirkhope in select titles, including Donkey Kong 64 (1999) and reused audio in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003), providing grunts and exclamations that emphasize his boisterous personality. As the leader of the Kong family—including nephew Diddy Kong and grandfather Cranky Kong—Donkey Kong has become a rival-turned-friend to , frequently appearing in crossover titles like the Super Smash Bros. and series. His early antagonism with has softened into cooperative roles, such as racing alongside him in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017). More recently, he features in the post-credits parade sequence of (2017), controllable during the New Donk City festival minigame. In (2023), Donkey Kong serves as a major antagonist in the Jungle Kingdom, voiced by . He stars as the protagonist in the (2025) for 2, where he smashes through an underground world to recover stolen Banandium Gems from the villainous VoidCo.

Diddy Kong

Diddy Kong is a youthful, agile member of the Kong family in the Mario franchise, frequently depicted as Donkey Kong's sidekick and sometimes referred to as his nephew. He debuted in the platforming video game Donkey Kong Country (1994) for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, where he assists Donkey Kong in retrieving their stolen banana hoard from the Kremling antagonist King K. Rool by providing agile jumps and barrel-based teamwork mechanics. Characterized by his boundless energy and quick-witted nature, Diddy Kong is often shown munching or firing peanuts as ammunition from his dual Peanut Popguns, a weapon introduced in (1999) that allows him to shoot projectiles at enemies or activate switches. His agility is enhanced by gadgets like the Rocketbarrel Pack, a jetpack enabling mid-air propulsion and barrel boosts, which debuted in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995) and has become a staple for traversing levels with speed and precision. These traits emphasize Diddy's role as a tech-savvy co-protagonist, relying on inventive tools rather than raw power. Diddy Kong serves as a playable character in various Donkey Kong platformers, where players control him for acrobatic maneuvers and gadget-assisted progression, and as a racer in the Mario Kart series starting with Mario Kart 64 (1996), offering lightweight handling for sharp turns. He has been voiced by multiple actors across media, including Chris Sutherland in early titles like Diddy Kong Racing (1997) and Katsumi Suzuki in later entries such as Super Mario Party (2018). In The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), Diddy appears as a non-speaking cameo among the Jungle Kingdom crowd during the Donkey Kong boxing match. Notable for leading his own adventure in Diddy Kong Racing (1997), a kart-racing game for the Nintendo 64 where he rallies animal friends to thwart the sorcerer Wizpig across whimsical tracks blending speed and exploration. Diddy returns as a key playable partner in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014) for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch, equipping Donkey Kong with jetpack boosts to navigate icy platforms and defeat Viking-themed foes. He maintains close family ties to Cranky Kong as his grandson and often teams up with Donkey Kong, showcasing heroic agility in contrast to the latter's strength. In Donkey Kong Bananza (2025), Diddy reprises his role as Donkey Kong's agile partner in co-op platforming sections.

Cranky Kong

Cranky Kong serves as the irascible patriarch of the Kong family in the Donkey Kong series, established as the aged incarnation of the original Donkey Kong character from the 1981 arcade game. In this reimagining, he is Donkey Kong's grandfather and Diddy Kong's great-grandfather, having passed the "Donkey Kong" mantle to his son (the former Donkey Kong Jr. from 1982) before retiring to a more advisory role. This canonical retcon ties the modern franchise to its arcade roots, where the original Donkey Kong was the barrel-throwing antagonist to the human protagonist, later named Mario. Introduced as a non-playable character in (1994), Cranky Kong resides in a cabin on Donkey Kong Island, operating a shop where he sells power-ups and hints to aid the protagonists in their quests, often while grumbling about the simplicity of his glory days. His personality is defined by a cantankerous demeanor, marked by constant complaints, nostalgic rants about outdated adventure tropes, and frequent fourth-wall breaks that mock game mechanics or reference classic titles like the original arcade game. Despite his advanced age and stooped posture, he wields a distinctive spike-proof cane for bouncing across hazardous terrain or fending off foes, embodying a spirited yet irritable elder who provides grumpy wisdom to the younger Kongs. In later entries, Cranky's role expands to include storytelling and mentorship, such as in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (2025), where he runs a shop dispensing items and commentary on the adventure's perils. He becomes playable for the first time in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014), partnering with Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and Dixie Kong to reclaim their island from the Snowmads; his unique cane-based abilities allow him to perch on spikes, roll across surfaces, and perform ground pounds, highlighting his enduring resourcefulness. Cranky also appears in Mario franchise spin-offs, including interactive elements in the LEGO Super Mario sets, where players can engage with him for rewards in tree house scenarios. In The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), he is portrayed as Donkey Kong's father and the king of the Jungle Kingdom, voiced by Fred Armisen. In Donkey Kong Bananza (2025), Cranky provides mentorship and joins adventures on Rambi to aid Donkey Kong against VoidCo.

Funky Kong

Funky Kong is a recurring character in the Donkey Kong series within the Mario franchise, debuting in Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994 as the operator of Funky's Flights, a service providing transportation options like barrel cannons and mine carts to aid Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong in their adventures. He is depicted as a laid-back, surfer-inspired ape with a muscular build similar to Donkey Kong, often wearing signature sunglasses and sporting a relaxed demeanor that contrasts with the more intense personalities of other Kong family members. In his entrepreneurial role, Funky Kong manages various shops across the series, such as Funky's Store in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995), where he offers bonus stage access and upgrades, and Funky's Armory in Donkey Kong 64 (1999), supplying weapons like the Coconut Shooter along with ammunition upgrades and modifications for the Kongs' arsenal. These establishments emphasize his supportive function, providing essential tools and enhancements to help the protagonists retrieve stolen bananas from antagonists like King K. Rool. In later entries like Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014), he runs Funky's Fly 'n' Buy, selling power-ups and collectibles to facilitate progression through frozen islands. Funky Kong becomes playable in several spin-off titles, showcasing his versatility beyond shopkeeping. He first appears as a selectable racer in Mario Kart Wii (2008), classified as a large character with high speed and off-road capabilities, and returns in subsequent Mario Kart games including Mario Kart Tour (2019) and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe via the Booster Course Pass in 2023. In party-style games, he is playable in Mario Super Sluggers (2008), where his strong batting and fielding stats make him a reliable team member in baseball matches. Additionally, in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, he serves as an easy-mode playable character exclusive to the Nintendo Switch version (2018), equipping a surfboard for traversal. His abilities highlight a theme of laid-back proficiency, particularly in water-based challenges; Funky Kong excels at across surfaces without sinking, performs indefinite underwater corkscrews for navigation, and uses his to safely traverse spiky terrain while maintaining five hearts of health. These traits, combined with double jumps and hovering glides, position him as an accessible option for players tackling difficult platforming sections. He is voiced by Japanese actor Toshihide Tsuchiya since , delivering a cool, nonchalant tone that aligns with his surfer persona in games like Donkey Kong Barrel Blast () and beyond. As a member of the extended Kong family, Funky occasionally aids and Diddy directly, such as by piloting vehicles during rescues, reinforcing his role as a reliable ally in the franchise's banana-hoarding escapades. In (2023), Funky Kong makes a non-speaking cameo in the Jungle Kingdom. He is referenced in Donkey Kong Bananza (2025) through a billboard advertising Funky's Flights in New Donk City.

Major antagonists

Bowser

Bowser, also known as King Koopa, is the primary antagonist and ruler of the Koopa Troop in the Mario franchise, debuting as the final boss in Super Mario Bros. released on October 18, 1985, for the Nintendo Entertainment System. In this game, he is depicted as the tyrannical leader commanding an army of minions to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom, marking his role as Mario's archrival from the series' inception. As the king of the Koopa race, Bowser oversees a vast military force including Goombas, Koopa Troopas, and other creatures, often launching invasions from his fortified castles scattered across hostile territories. Physically, Bowser is portrayed as a massive, bipedal turtle-dragon hybrid with a spiked shell, sharp claws, and the ability to breathe streams of , enabling him to build and inhabit elaborate, lava-filled fortresses as bases of operation. His commanding presence allows him to direct legions of minions in battle, while his durable shell and physical strength make him a formidable combatant capable of ground pounds and melee attacks. has undergone various transformations throughout the series, such as Dry Bowser—a skeletal, variant immune to and lava, first appearing in New Super Mario Bros. (2006)—and Mega Bowser, an enlarged, rage-fueled form that amplifies his destructive power. In the 2023 animated film , is voiced by , who infuses the character with a bombastic, villainous charisma during his schemes. Bowser's core motivations revolve around territorial conquest, particularly the domination of the Mushroom Kingdom, which he pursues through repeated invasions and the abduction of Princess Peach, whom he obsessively seeks as a bride to legitimize his rule. This fixation drives his tyrannical campaigns, often pitting him in direct rivalry with Mario, though he is also the father of Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings, whom he occasionally rallies to his cause. More recently, Bowser serves as the central antagonist in Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), where he merges with a Wonder Flower to become a colossal, castle-like entity threatening the Flower Kingdom. In the Bowser's Fury expansion to Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (2021), a rampaging, gigantic version of Bowser terrorizes Lake Lapcat until subdued by Mario and Bowser Jr.'s efforts to collect Cat Shines.

Bowser Jr.

Bowser Jr., the mischievous son of , made his debut in (2002) for the Nintendo , where he initially appeared as the shadowy imposter Shadow Mario to frame for polluting Isle Delfino and attempting to kidnap . As Bowser's loyal heir, he exhibits a playful yet villainous , often piloting his Junior Car—a compact, propeller-driven vehicle equipped with and other gadgets for combat and evasion—while wielding inventive tools like the magic paintbrush to create goop or for disruptive schemes. His childlike tantrums and inventive antics contrast with his father's brute force, emphasizing a growth from prankster to capable antagonist across the franchise. Bowser Jr.'s abilities include inherited from his father, enabling him to operate heavy machinery and deliver powerful strikes, alongside the use of mech suits such as the Mecha-Bowser in New Super Mario Bros. (2006) or armadas for aerial assaults. He employs magic paint for environmental manipulation and transformation, as seen in his debut, and is voiced by Caety Sagoian in English since (2007), bringing a high-pitched, energetic tone to his dialogue. In his roles, Bowser Jr. frequently assists in schemes, including multiple attempts to kidnap —such as disguising himself to deceive heroes in —and serves as a recurring boss in platformers like (2007) and (2013), where players battle him in dynamic, gadget-filled encounters. He often works alongside the Koopalings as his cousins or underlings, strengthening his ties to the Koopa Troop. In recent titles, Bowser Jr. has evolved into a playable antagonist, allowing players to control his clown car and abilities in creation modes of Super Mario Maker 2 (2019) for the Nintendo Switch, where he can be customized as an enemy or tested in levels. His presence was confirmed for Mario Kart World (2025), a new racing entry where he is unlockable after completing the Lightning Cup, racing in his clown car variant with customizable outfits to showcase his speedy, tricky driving style. This progression highlights his maturation from a deceptive sidekick to a multifaceted character integral to the Mario universe's ongoing adventures.

Koopalings

The Koopalings are a group of seven anthropomorphic Koopa siblings who function as high-ranking minions and recurring bosses in the Super Mario franchise, often leading assaults against and his allies on behalf of . They debuted in (1988) as Bowser's "trick kids," each ruling over one of the game's seven worlds from fortified castles and wielding magical wands to summon attacks during boss encounters. In this initial portrayal, the instruction manual described them as Bowser's children who "just love being mean," emphasizing their playful yet destructive nature as they transformed the local kings into animals. The group consists of Larry Koopa, Morton Koopa Jr., Wendy O. Koopa, Koopa, Koopa, Lemmy Koopa, and Ludwig von Koopa, with each member distinguished by unique physical traits such as colored hair styles (e.g., Ludwig's tall blue mane, Iggy's wild green locks) and personalized shell colors, alongside signature weapons or combat gimmicks that highlight their individual personalities. For instance, Lemmy Koopa employs circus-inspired bouncing balls in battles, while Wendy uses rings and candy-like projectiles, and relies on brute force with ground pounds and skull platforms. These designs evolved across titles, incorporating elements like spiked collars for and oversized glasses for Iggy, to make their boss fights more varied and memorable. The Koopalings were trained in magic by Kamek, enabling their command of airships and diverse attacks, such as fireballs, clones, or , which they deploy collectively or individually in levels. Initially presented as Bowser's offspring in Super Mario Bros. 3, their lore was retconned in 2012 when Shigeru Miyamoto stated that Nintendo's current canon positions the Koopalings as loyal minions rather than children, with Bowser Jr. as Bowser's sole offspring. They received their first voice acting as an ensemble in New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009), featuring distinct grunts, taunts, and laughs provided by actors like Lani Minella (for Larry and Wendy) and Mike Vaughn (for Iggy and Ludwig), enhancing their chaotic, sibling-like banter during confrontations. In more recent entries, the Koopalings expanded beyond antagonistic roles to become playable characters in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017), where all seven join the roster as light-to-mediumweight racers with unique animations reflecting their traits, such as Lemmy's acrobatic victory pose. They also appeared as customizable boss elements in (2019), allowing players to incorporate their classic wand-based attacks into user-created levels across multiple game styles.

Kamek

Kamek is a Magikoopa and a prominent member of the Koopa Troop, first appearing as the primary antagonist in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island for the in 1995, where he attempts to kidnap the infant brothers on behalf of Baby . As an elderly wizard characterized by his glasses, red robe, and wand, Kamek serves as a cunning foe to , employing magic to enlarge enemies and obstacles throughout the game's levels. In his role within the Mario franchise, Kamek acts as Bowser's loyal advisor, strategist, and occasional babysitter, particularly evident in his guardianship of Baby Bowser during the series. He frequently appears as a boss character in various titles, commanding minions and using his sorcery to thwart and his allies, while also providing brief tutelage to the Koopalings and Bowser Jr. as part of his advisory duties to . Kamek's abilities center on wand-based magic, including size-altering spells that amplify threats, , and blasts, often demonstrated in boss encounters where he flies on a broomstick to evade attacks and cast incantations. In some games, such as those in the series, his spells create illusions or summon objects to hinder progress. More recently, Kamek reprises his antagonistic role in for in 2019, partnering with Baby Bowser to steal the Sundream Stone and serving as a secret boss in the "Kamek Kerfuffle" level. He also features in for in 2023, appearing as a recurring aerial enemy who casts spells to summon obstacles and empower foes during levels.

Other antagonists

Wario

Wario is a recurring character in the Mario franchise, debuting as the primary antagonist in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins for the Game Boy, released in 1992. Designed as Mario's greedy and mischievous counterpart, Wario schemes to steal Mario's castle by allying with the villainous Tatanga to conquer Sarasaland. Physically, Wario is depicted as an obese, muscular human with a distinctive yellow cap, purple overalls, and a crooked mustache, embodying traits of stubbornness, sneakiness, and an insatiable love for treasure and garlic. His larger build contrasts sharply with Mario's slimmer frame, emphasizing his anti-hero persona as a self-serving treasure hunter driven by wealth and personal gain. In the broader Mario series, Wario often serves as an antagonist or rival to , frequently partnering with in spin-off titles like sports and , though his motivations stem from rivalry and greed rather than outright malice. However, Wario takes center stage as the protagonist in the WarioWare series, which began with WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! for the Game Boy Advance in 2003, featuring fast-paced microgames that parody various genres and highlight his entrepreneurial schemes to amass fortune through bizarre inventions and businesses. Wario's abilities include a powerful shoulder bash for charging through obstacles, seen in platforming titles, and proficient bike riding, utilized in racing games like the Mario Kart series. He was originally voiced by Charles Martinet, whose gravelly Italian-accented performance captured Wario's boisterous personality across numerous titles until Martinet's retirement from the role in 2023. More recently, Wario starred in WarioWare: Move It! for Nintendo Switch, released on November 3, 2023, which incorporates motion controls for over 200 microgames, and has made cameo appearances in Mario spin-offs such as Super Mario Party Jamboree.

Waluigi

Waluigi debuted in the 2000 Nintendo 64 game Mario Tennis, where he was introduced as Wario's doubles partner and a rival counterpart to Luigi. Designed by artist Fumihide Aoki, Waluigi embodies an exaggerated, lanky version of Luigi's physique, standing taller and thinner with a signature purple outfit, inverted "L"-shaped mustache, and a pointed cap. His personality is marked by whininess, a penchant for cheating, and mischievous schemes, often expressed through his "Wah!" as he disrupts opponents in competitive settings. Primarily featured in spin-off titles rather than mainline platformers, Waluigi shines as a playable in sports and , where his athletic comes to the forefront. In , he employs bomb-throwing serves and trick shots to hinder rivals, establishing his role as a villainous competitor who prioritizes victory through cunning over fair play. His abilities leverage his height and agility, including the Whirluigi—a spin that creates a cyclone around the ball for unpredictable backspin—and exceptionally high jumps that aid in overhead plays and evasion. Voiced by since his inception, Waluigi's nasally, exasperated delivery amplifies his scheming demeanor across titles like and . As Wario's frequent accomplice and Luigi's self-proclaimed nemesis, Waluigi has cultivated a dedicated fanbase for his underdog villainy and meme-worthy antics. He gained renewed popularity as a fan favorite in Mario Kart Tour (2019), where his addition as a playable racer with offense-focused skills like dash boosts emphasized his disruptive style in mobile racing. In the 2025 release Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2, Waluigi returns as a confirmed playable character among over 50 drivers, featuring height-based mechanics such as elongated glides and sabotage items tailored to his lanky frame.

King Boo

King Boo is the sovereign ruler of the Boos, a spectral entity who serves as the primary antagonist in the Luigi's Mansion series within the Mario franchise. He first appeared in Luigi's Mansion (2001), where he orchestrates a scheme to exact revenge on Luigi by luring him to a haunted mansion, capturing Mario, and transforming the estate into a labyrinth of ghostly traps populated by his Boo minions. Depicted as a massive, crown-adorned Boo with a perpetual menacing grin, King Boo embodies vengeful leadership through his command of the Boo species and his orchestration of elaborate hauntings designed to ensnare and torment his foes, particularly Luigi, with whom he maintains a longstanding feud. In his debut role, King Boo demonstrates his dominion by possessing the mansion's portraits to hide captives and deploying Boos as sentinels, culminating in boss encounters where he shifts into a larger form to evade capture while spawning explosive to attack. His antagonistic presence expands in (2013), where he shatters a powerful gem to unleash chaos across Evershade Valley, forcing Luigi to reassemble it amid intensified mansion-like traps and Boo-led ambushes. This evolves further in (2019), as King Boo allies with hotelier Hellen Gravely to trap the crew in a towering haunted resort, employing deceptive illusions and spectral minions to heighten the peril of each floor's ghostly domain. Throughout these titles, his abilities include size manipulation for evasion, generation for offense, and the conjuration of ethereal barriers or fire to fortify his traps, underscoring his role as a cunning, overlord. King Boo is voiced by sound programmer Toru Asakawa since his debut, delivering his signature eerie laughs and taunts in titles including and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017). More recently, he has transitioned to playable status in (2019 onward), where his ghostly traits influence kart handling with high-speed boosts. He appears as a playable character in Mario Kart World (2025) for the 2, expanding his presence beyond antagonistic haunts.

Petey Piranha

Petey Piranha is a massive, mutated variant of the common enemy, distinguished by its oversized head adorned with a ring of white petals, spiked body, and aggressive temperament. It debuted as a boss character in (2002), where it rampages through the island of Isle Delfino after being mutated by toxic goop, leading to chaotic encounters in confined arenas like a rooftop cage in Bianco Hills. In these fights, Petey spits large balls of sticky goop that must hover over and clean using the FLUDD water pack, while dodging the plant's lunging bites and slams against the enclosure. As a recurring antagonist, Petey Piranha often mutates further across games, adapting deadly abilities such as generating whirlwinds with its leafy arms to hurl around arenas or spitting additional goop variants like poisonous sludge. In later boss battles, such as its rematch in 's Sirena Beach or its appearance as the World 5 fortress boss in (2006), Petey is chained or elevated, chomping at the air with growling roars but lacking articulate speech, emphasizing its feral, plant-like fury during clashes with and his allies. These encounters highlight Petey's role as a rampaging force of nature, contrasting smaller Plants by scaling up their snapping jaws into arena-shaking threats that demand precise timing to evade and counter. Beyond platformers, Petey Piranha has evolved into a versatile antagonist in sports titles, serving as a powerful playable character in Mario Superstar Baseball (2005) on Bowser's team, where its brute strength translates to devastating pitches and home runs fueled by goop-slinging animations. In more recent outings, it appears as a boss in Super Mario 3D World (2013), mutating into a larger form that flies overhead while deploying goo projectiles in sprawling vine-covered levels. Petey also joined Mario Kart Tour in 2019 as a high-speed driver, piloting vehicles with a mischievous grin, and was added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe via the Booster Course Pass in 2023, showcasing its enduring presence in racing modes.

Fawful

Fawful is a recurring in the role-playing game series, debuting as a minor villain in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003), where he assists the witch Cackletta in her schemes against and Luigi. He reappears in a more prominent capacity in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (2009), serving as the primary by mind-controlling and ultimately fusing with the Dark Star to amplify his power. Throughout the series, Fawful embodies a quirky, tech-savvy villainy, often clashing with both and in his pursuit of domination over the Mushroom Kingdom. Distinguished by his yellow-and-black beanie hat and eccentric personality, Fawful communicates in broken English laced with food metaphors and exclamations like "I have the fury!" which underscore his volatile temper and unhinged ambition. His inventive prowess shines through gadgets such as vacuum-based technology that allows him to inhale enemies or objects, and energy beam attacks deployed during battles to overwhelm opponents. In the Japanese version of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Fawful is voiced by Nami Funashima, whose performance captures his manic energy through high-pitched, erratic delivery. Fawful's comebacks and resurrections highlight his enduring role as a memorable RPG foe, with his schemes influencing later entries in the series, including nods to his inventive legacy in subsequent titles up to the 2018 remake Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey.

Recurring enemies and minions

Goomba

The is a species of small, mushroom-like creatures that function as basic enemies throughout the franchise. They first appeared in Super Mario Bros. (1985) for the as the simplest foes, debuting in as the initial obstacle for Mario. According to the game's official instruction manual, the Little Goomba—its original English name—is "a mushroom who betrayed the Mushroom Kingdom," and it can be defeated with a single stomp or by being kicked after being stunned. These creatures are commanded as troops by in his invasions of the Mushroom Kingdom. Goombas exhibit a distinctive waddling walk and are designed to resemble mushrooms, as confirmed by longtime developer in an interview series. They typically feature a brown cap, tan stem-like body, two dark brown feet, thick black eyebrows, and a fanged underbite, with no arms or visible limbs beyond their feet. As in platforming levels, Goombas pose minimal threat due to their slow, predictable back-and-forth movement and vulnerability to jumps, fireballs, or other basic attacks; upon defeat, they flatten and disappear. Their early design evolved from initial concepts resembling s (known as "Kuribō" in Japanese, meaning "chestnut child"), but was refined to emphasize a fungal motif. Several variants of the Goomba expand on its basic form across the series. The Paragoomba, introduced in (1988), is a flying variant equipped with small wings that allow it to hover or drop Micro-Goombas—tiny offspring that latch onto Mario—making it slightly more evasive but still defeatable by jumping or projectiles, as detailed in the game's manual. The Hyper Goomba, a green, aggressive subtype capable of charging attacks for increased damage, appears in the role-playing games starting with the Nintendo 64 title in 2000. Goombella, a rare friendly female Goomba and archaeology student, serves as an ally and partner to Mario in (2004), providing tattle information on enemies and environments. In spin-off titles, Goombas occasionally shift from foes to allies, such as certain recruitable variants in the Mario & Luigi series, where they can join Mario and Luigi in battles or story segments. In Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), Goombas retain their classic role but gain new animations showing a "biting expression" upon contact damage, enhancing their visual threat, while Wonder Flowers trigger effects like transforming playable characters into stackable Goomba forms for cooperative navigation. Goombas also appear in Mario & Luigi: Brothership (2024) as recurring enemies in turn-based battles with updated animations and behaviors.

Koopa Troopa

The Koopa Troopa is a staple enemy in the Mario franchise, debuting in Super Mario Bros. (1985) as green and red variants primarily suited for land-based encounters. Green Koopa Troopas typically patrol back and forth along platforms, while red variants exhibit similar behavior but turn around at edges to avoid falling, adding a layer of predictability to their movements. These turtle-like minions serve as foot soldiers in Bowser's army, embodying the defensive nature of the Koopa species with their durable shells. A defining trait of Koopa Troopas is their ability to retract into their shells upon impact, transforming into a projectile that can slide across surfaces or bounce when kicked by . This shell utility allows players to use them offensively against other enemies, highlighting their dual role as both obstacle and tool in platforming challenges. In aquatic settings across later games, certain Koopa Troopa variants adapt by swimming, leveraging their shells for propulsion in underwater levels. Among their evolutionary forms, the Dry Bones represents a skeletal variant that revives itself after collapsing into a pile of bones when struck, requiring repeated attacks or specific power-ups to fully defeat. The Hammer Bro serves as an upgraded base form, equipped with the ability to hurl hammers at players while retaining the core reptilian and shell-armored design of standard . These variants expand on the original's mechanics, introducing and ranged attacks while maintaining the foundational patrol-and-defend . In gameplay, Koopa Troopas commonly patrol elevated platforms and pathways, posing threats through collision damage unless countered by Mario's jump, which forces them into their shell for temporary defeat. Fire-based attacks from Mario's fireballs can destroy them outright, bypassing the shell retraction, and their emptied shells become versatile items for clearing groups of foes or accessing hidden areas. Koopa Troopas are integral to Bowser's Koopa Troop, sharing reptilian traits with their leader and often appearing in coordinated enemy formations. In Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), they incorporate updated interactions where bumping a Koopa Troopa from behind prompts a biting retaliation, enhancing their defensive responsiveness during jumps. Koopa Troopas return in Mario & Luigi: Brothership (2024) with new RPG-style encounters.

Shy Guy

Shy Guys first appeared in the Mario franchise in Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), where they served as common enemies in the dream world of Subcon, often defeated by players pulling and throwing vegetables from the ground. These masked minions are typically depicted as small, hooded figures clad in loose robes that obscure their bodies, with featureless white masks covering their faces to emphasize their anonymity and shy nature. They frequently wield simple tools or weapons, such as spears in early appearances or specialized items like boomerangs for ranged attacks in later games, and propellers enabling flight in aerial variants. While core Shy Guys maintain a basic design focused on close-range patrolling and evasion, several variants expand their combat roles, such as Snifits, which are equipped with nozzle-like masks for shooting projectiles like bullets or lasers. , spiky cactus-like enemies, occasionally appear alongside Shy Guys in desert-themed levels, forming environmental hazards that complement their ground-based assaults, though Shy Guys remain the primary . These adaptations highlight the Shy Guy's core anonymity, allowing diverse interpretations without revealing individual identities. Shy Guys function as versatile foes across the franchise, appearing as recurring antagonists in platformers like the series and multiplayer party games such as , where they can be defeated through standard methods like jumping, fire-based attacks, or item throws depending on the context. They primarily serve in the Koopa Troop under Bowser's command, providing disposable foot soldiers in various campaigns against Mario and his allies. In titles such as Mario Strikers: Battle League (2022) and Super Mario Party Jamboree (2024), Shy Guys appear as playable characters in sports and party spin-offs, including minigames like Shy Guy Says.

Hammer Bros.

Hammer Bros., also known as Hammer Brothers, are recurring enemies in the Mario franchise, notable and iconic for their ability to throw hammers at Mario and other protagonists. Debuting in Super Mario Bros. (1985), they often appear in pairs and are considered elite members of Bowser's forces. They first appeared in World 3-1 of that game, jumping between platforms or brick rows while hurling hammers in arcing trajectories, posing a significant ranged threat compared to basic ground enemies. Physically resembling upright Koopa Troopas but taller, they feature green shells, helmets, and wield large hammers. Their attacks require precise timing to avoid or counter, and they can be defeated by stomping, fireballs, or other means depending on the game. Variants expand their roles, including Boomerang Bros., Fire Bros., and Sledge Bros., introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988), each with specialized projectiles or abilities. Hammer Bros. appear as challenging foes in numerous mainline titles, such as New Super Mario Bros. series, Super Mario Odyssey, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023) in palace and arena levels. They also feature in spin-offs including Paper Mario, Mario Party, and Mario Kart series, often as elite enemies, guards, or in minigames.

References

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