It's-a Mario World: Underrated Foes

by Kenneth Caldwell { Aug 8th 2008 at 10:59AM }

In our last issue, we spent a lot of time rambling about the recurring foes you know and love (or hate) of Mario games. Popular baddies like Goombas, Piranhas and Koopas have carved out quite a place for themselves in the franchise, such that we've come to expect them anywhere we see Mario himself. Many of these regulars have become playable characters and allies in sports games and spin-offs, which calls into question their allegiances. Some have even started to complain about Bowser and his inadequate coordinating skills. Can you blame them?

Shadowed by these persistent characters, though, are all of the enemies who never went on to become superstars in the latest, greatest Mario titles. All of the foes Mario dashed by without breaking stride, arms out and cape rippling in the wind. The unappreciated foes quickly tail-flicked and never thought of again. Let's give a little limelight to these underrated and overlooked enemies in our newest gallery. Do you remember them? Of course you do...

It's-a Mario World is a weekly feature in which the ubiquity of Nintendo's flagship character is celebrated. We'll incessantly ruminate about mustache wax, debate the curious whereabouts of the princess and covet the luminous power stars strewn about the galaxy. Check back here every week to find out what strange and wonderful thing has got us tipping our caps. If you're looking for more on Mario, then check out the latest edition of Virtually Overlooked.

Tags: bowser, enemies, joystiqfeatures, mario-bros., mario-brothers, super-mario, super-mario-bros.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

LuigiHann @ Aug 8th 2008 11:24AM

That's the thing from the second snow world in Mario 64. From afar, he looks like a coin, but when you go to get the coin, it hops around like a frog (and hurts you).

Roto13 @ Aug 8th 2008 11:38AM

I used to know what that green purse thing was called. xP

TrueNRPeace @ Aug 8th 2008 11:48AM

That evil coin purse is some programmer's idea of a sick joke, especially when you're trying to collect 100 coins for a star! ...98...99...What the heck?! O.o Part shape-shifter, part stealth attack, it probably inspired Snake's current sneaking suit. Super Mario 64 -> Snowman's Land -> In the coins near the freezing lake, small snowman, and ? block. Consider yourself warned.

Mr Khan @ Aug 8th 2008 12:07PM

But each one yielded like 4 or 6 coins if you could kill it, so it worked out

David Hinkle @ Aug 8th 2008 11:50AM

Look's like Ken is totally winning! Nobody can *name* it so far.

TrueNRPeace @ Aug 8th 2008 11:56AM

...and they called it "Moneybags". *Shudders*

Kenneth Caldwell @ Aug 8th 2008 9:52PM

Ding ding ding! First appearing in Super Mario 64 and more recently hopping through the levels of New Super Mario Bros., it's an understatement to say Moneybags is a wily one. He boasts the astounding ability to camouflage himself as an exact replica of a common gold coin, plus speed, agility and wicked platforming skills to boot.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Moneybags is actually MIPS the rabbit (http://www.mariowiki.com/MIPS) hiding behind a high-tech cloaking coin purse, possibly engineered by Dr. E. Gadd (http://www.mariowiki.com/Professor_Elvin_Gadd). Just a theory.

Matt @ Aug 8th 2008 12:13PM

It's actually called "Coin Purse." That's its name.

And I think there are a LOT of other interesting baddies in Super Mario 64... There are some crazy things in there... like the Hurler... the Killer Books... and that stupid Koopa Toy, that would come up to you in Wet-Dry World and toss you up to a higher ledge (or to a lower ledge.... or wherever) whether you wanted to or not. And oh how difficult it was to control where those things flung you too even when you intended to be "flung."

Kenneth Caldwell @ Aug 8th 2008 9:31PM

Yeah! Those "killer books" (a.k.a. Book Ends) made my first draft of this list. But I thought they were too obscure. There are definitely some weird enemies in Super Mario 64.

Carl @ Aug 8th 2008 12:15PM

I knew Boss Bass when (she) was called Big Bertha.

Shiningmonk_e @ Aug 8th 2008 12:33PM

Believe it or not, Boss Fish is a girl! At least, according to the comic books. She fell in love with Mario in his frog suit. I love those comics.

jaredgood1 @ Aug 8th 2008 1:00PM

I just want more Shyguys. Those fellas are awesome.

Maxx the Slash @ Aug 8th 2008 1:25PM

The most underrated badguy in the Mario franchise is clearly Wart. Though he was from a game that wasn't officially a Mario game, the fact that Doki Doki Panic didn't last after one game officially makes him a Mario character. After Mario 2 (USA), he made a cameo in Link's Awakening on the Gameboy, and then he disappeared. He needs to return. Rivals: Mario has Wario. Luigi has Waluigi. Bowser can have Wart.