When playing the Super Mario series, one type of enemy that is impossible to avoid is the Goomba, little brown mushroom-like creatures who wield a modicum of strength in attempting to defeat Mario and Luigi. To date, there have been roughly 10 types of goombas found in the franchise, many of which range in size, stature, offensive attack modes, special abilities, defense mechanisms, and more.
While their strengths aren't all that distinguishable from one another, certain species of Goomba ought to be avoided more than most when attempting to conquer certain Super Mario games. Others pose very little threat whatsoever.
Microgoomba
As its namesake suggests, Microgoombas are tiny goomba creatures that often have the disadvantage of being outsized and overpowered by various enemies in the superb Super Mario Bros. 3.
As mini grumpy goombas, the Microgoomba haven't much strength to speak of. They simply function to slow down or block a player's path by wandering back and forth. The strength they do have comes in numbers, as Microgoombas often attack in groups. However, they do not deliver much damage.
Goomba
The most common type of Goomba found in the series, the basic stock-level fungi first introduced in 1985. Easily defeated by stomping them, hitting them with fireballs, or running them over with the Starman power-up, the Goombas are grumpy aggressive little minions who have far more bark than bite.
In terms of attacks, Goombas show whatever small strength they have by bumping into enemies, knocking them off course (as in Mario Kart), and generally being a cumbersome nuisance. They possess sharp lower fangs that suggest a carnivorous nature but hardly ever eat enemies.
Goombo
Also known by its original Japanese name, Chibibo, Goombo is a dangerous walking mushroom that appeared in Gameboy's Super Mario Land. More of a direct Goomba relative than subspecies, Goombo's strengths include walking into enemies and staring them into submission. That is, they aren't much different than typical Goomba.
Slowly lumbering side to side in the attempt to hit Mario, Goombo is the most common enemy in the game after Bombshell Koopa and are easily defeated by fire, jumping on top of them, or using the Starman power-up.
Galoomba
Introduced in Super Mario World and since appearing in the best Super Mario games to date, Goloomba is a common type of a goomba that can float and hover down on enemies using bubbles and parachutes and even wings. They can also walk and hop on the ground, giving them unmatched mobility as one of their inherent strengths.
However, Galoomba really sets itself apart by becoming a fortified weapon for its foes. Once defeated, Galoombas can be picked up and launched by Mario at other Goombas to take them out like a bowling ball. In the 2013 3D upgrade, Galoombas are twice as hard to kill if jumping on their heads. Galoombas also include the newfangled Goombrat (Goomba Brat), small persimmon-shaped creatures with duller teeth.
Paragoomba
After normal Goomba, Paragoomba is the most common type of enemy subspecies in Super Mario. However, they outrank their brethren by quite a bit due to their wings that allow them to fly around and niftily avoid defensive attacks.
With evolved strengths over time, Paragoomba can drop Microgoomba in Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Princess Peach, which slows down enemies and decreases their jumping power. Paragoomba also includes the more anodyne Balloon Goombas, common enemies that float on balloons in opposite directions.
Cat Goomba
Rather than simply bumping into enemies, Cat Goomba has special attack strengths that include jumping up and diving downward on foes with shock-and-awe tactics. Powered by a Super Bell, which it sometimes leaves behind when defeated, Cat Goomba are quicker, faster, and more agile enemies.
Alas, Cat Goomba happens to be the most common foe in Super Mario World 3D's very first level, making them pretty easy to defeat in the game. Normal methods apply, including stomping them, hitting them with fire and iceballs, etc.
Tail Goomba
Powered by a special Super Leaf that gives them a big cute bushy tail, Tail Goomba can use their newfound strength to jump high and hover in the air for long periods, giving them an advantage over their enemies and grounded counterparts.
Introduced in the 2011 upgrade of Super Mario World 3D, the Tail Goomba's biggest strength comes from its powerful tail-whip attack that can stun enemies. Big Tail Goombas also exist, giving them further flying distances.
Hefty Goomba
Weighing in somewhere between a Grand Goomba and a common Goomba, Hefty Goomba use their physically imposing stature to overpower most foes. Their biggest strength, however, comes from splitting into two normal Goomba every time they are stepped on, giving them twice the odds of defeating enemies.
Still, Hefty Goomba are the only large villains to be frozen by iceballs, but a ground and pound attack will be required to destroy them in full. Due to its immense size, Hefty Goomba cannot be lifted up, which gives it an advantage when standing its ground during battle.
Grand Goomba
Also known as Big Goomba, Giant Goomba, and Mega Goomba, Grand Goomba are humongous versions of the stock standard version of the mushroom-like critter. Although they lack mobility and visibility, one hit from a Grand Goomba will subtract two points from Mario rather than one from a normal Goomba hit, making them one of Mario's toughest foes.
While Grand Goomba can be defeated through the normal means, defeating them reinforces their high-ranking stature by dropping blue coins instead of gold ones. Moreover, beating Grand Goomba in Super Mario Galaxy 2 will grant Mario and Luigi a key that opens doors to advance through the level.
King Goomba
As its superior namesake suggests, King Goomba is the mightiest subspecies in Super Mario. Akin to King Koopa's reign, King Goomba has evolved from a mini-boss in Paper Mario to become a ruthless end-boss in Super Mario 64 DS who kidnaps Mario and fights Yoshi to the death. To defeat him, Yoshi must eat and regurgitate multiple normal Goombas at him. This baddie is one character that should appear in the upcoming Mario movie.
Also known as Goomboss, King Goomba has a severe temper issue and grows angrier with each passing lap in Mario Kart DS. The madder he gets the bigger he grows in size, making him doubly difficult to defeat as a result.