A number of iconic monsters from Nintendo’s video games are already confirmed to appear in the Super Mario Bros. Movie. Trailers for the upcoming animated film have provided a deep look at what to expect from Mario’s adventure on the big screen. The titular protagonist will be up against a slew of his most famous enemies when the movie’s story kicks off.
Details on the Super Mario Bros. Movie promise the inclusion of multiple Nintendo characters. Based on what’s been revealed, quite a few will be in a position to help Mario. In addition to Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad, Donkey Kong, Cranky Kong, and the Yoshis will all be involved in Mario’s battle with Bowser. There’s also the penguins, who appear to share a common enemy with Mario. As for the villains, their side certainly won’t be lacking for allies either. Numerous creatures remembered for fighting Mario in the games were shown in the second trailer for Illumination’s Super Mario Bros. Movie. Here’s every monster confirmed to appear in Mario’s new movie so far.
Bowser
Unsurprisingly, the Koopa King will be the main villain in Super Mario Bros. Movie. Voiced by Jack Black, Bowser will be waging war on the kingdoms that exist in Mario’s world. The first trailer teased his attack on the home of the penguins, who look to be of little threat to Bowser and his army. At some point, the Mushroom Kingdom will land in his crosshairs as well. Typically, attacks on the Mushroom Kingdom lead to Bowser kidnapping Princess Peach, but from the looks of things, it’s Luigi who will fall victim to this plan in Super Mario Bros. Movie. If that’s the case, rescuing Luigi from the clutches of Bowser could be one the main characters’ biggest goals.
Kamek
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Having first appeared in 1992’s Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, Kamek is one of the lieutenants of Bowser’s Koopa army. Regarded as his chief advisor, Kamek is often seen at Bowser’s side and is usually on hand when he attacks the Mushroom Kingdom. In the games, Kamek has a reputation for using his magical abilities as a sorcerer to create obstacles in Mario’s way as he seeks to rescue Princess Peach. Typically, this strategy calls for Kamek to enchant enemies with new powers, thus setting up several of the boss fights featured in the games. He tends to have an even greater role in the Mario franchise’s Yoshi spinoffs. In fact, Kamek has been known to be the main villain in some of Yoshi’s games.
Bob-omb
One of the worst hazards encountered by Mario and Luigi is the Bob-omb, a walking explosive device. Recognized as a bomb with legs and a face, Bob-ombs approach Mario and blow up on a timer or on contact. The explosions caused by the Bob-ombs can lead to “game over” for the player character. Or, they can be used to Mario’s benefit. Mario can throw Bob-ombs and use the resulting explosions to defeat enemies.
Bullet Bills
In the full trailer for Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario finds a place modeled after one of the 2D levels in the classic Mario games. In one shot, Mario narrowly avoids a missile that speeds past him. Immediately after that, he’s seen planted on the front of a second rocket. In both instances, Mario’s attacker was a Bullet Bill, a sentient projectile with a face and arms. They’re among the many obstacles Mario has to look out for when trying to complete a level.
Goombas
Arguably the easiest foe for Mario to defeat, Goombas are small, armless creatures with mushroom-like appearances. Introduced in Super Mario Bros. in 1985, Goombas are actually the first monsters Mario meets while on his journey. Since then, they’ve stood in his way on countless occasions, only to be stepped on or knocked out by shells thrown by the two main characters. Looking at how prevalent they are in the franchise, it’s no surprise that they’ll be minions of Bowser in the Super Mario Bros. movie.
Cheep Cheeps
In the new Super Mario Bros. trailer, a school of Cheep Cheeps jumped out of the water, causing one to accidentally attach itself to Mario’s face. The Cheep Cheep, a species of red pufferfish, is the equivalent to the Goomba in Super Mario Bros.’ underwater levels. Similar to the Goomba on land, the Cheep Cheep is the common form of aquatic life in Mario’s world. They don’t maliciously pursue Mario and Luigi but will hurt the characters if they make contact in the water.
Koopa Troopas
Koopa Troopas are the turtle-like minions of Bowser. An army of them was spotted at the 0:33 mark in the Super Mario Bros. Movie trailer. The sheer abundance of them hints they’ll be his main henchmen in Super Mario Bros. Movie. As the trailer indicates, most sport green shells, though some have red shells. Traditionally, red-shelled Koopas are more powerful. Also appearing in this scene are the Koopa Paratroopas. In the Mario franchise, Paratroopas are the winged variants of the Koopas. Due to their ability to fly, taking them down is slightly more challenging for Mario.
Piranha Plants
Based partially on the real-life venus flytrap, the Piranha Plant is a carnivorous plant that’ll widen its mouth and insnare Mario in its jaws if he comes too close. True to its depiction in the games, the Piranha Plant was featured as one of the monsters he’ll have to bypass in Super Mario Bros. Movie’s 2D obstacle course.
Buzzy Beetles
In the scene with Bowser’s monster army, a few small, shelled creatures were shown scurrying across the ground. These classic Mario enemies are Buzzy Beetles, monsters that often appear in caves, mines, and other dark locations in the Mario universe. When they retreat into their shells, Mario can use them to dispose of other monsters.
Swoops
Also known as Swoopers, Swoops are bats that have been flying off ceilings and attacking Mario ever since 1990’s Super Mario World. They’re a common adversary in haunted house levels. A few Swoops could be glimpsed fyling above Bowser’s army at 0:34 in the Super Mario Bros. Movie trailer.
Shy Guys
Usually garbed in red clothes, Shy Guys are masked enemies of Mario who carry a wide variety of weapons. Originally introduced as foes of Yoshi, Shy Guys have also been utilized as minions of Bowser. It looks like they’ll be filling the same role when they make their theatrical debut.
Hammer Bros
As noted above, some Koopas are harder to beat than others. One example of this is the Hammer Bro. From a stationary position, Hammers Bros continuously toss hammers at Mario and Lugi, forcing them to maneuver around them. Due to sharing two distinguishing features (their helmets and large arms), the Koopa standing in the middle at 0:35 can easily be identified as a Hammer Bro.
Monsters Still Missing From Super Mario Bros.
Most of the major monsters in the Super Mario universe have already been shown off, but a few remain missing. The most notable omissions are the ghostly Boos, the caterpillar-like Pokeys, and the Chain Chomps, the powerful wrecking ball monsters that behave like dogs on a leash. Another creature that hasn’t been seen yet is the Whomp, a large stone monster that crushes anything that moves under it. There’s also Bowser Jr., Bowser’s power-hungry son and a key antagonist in the Mario franchise. For now, it remains to be seen if he and the other missing monsters will play any role in the Super Mario Bros. Movie.