Super Mario Character Encyclopedia | Introducing Major Characters and Enemies Along with Their First Appearance and History

Introduction: The World of Super Mario Series Characters

The charm of the Super Mario series is supported not only by the protagonists like Mario and Luigi but also by a variety of unique characters, from enemies to allies. Since the first appearance of 'Super Mario Bros.' in 1985, the series has introduced hundreds of characters, each with their own unique traits and roles that add color to the games.

This article provides a comprehensive introduction to the major characters, antagonist characters, ally characters, and item characters that appear in the Super Mario series. By learning about the first appearance and basic characteristics of each character, you can gain a deeper understanding of the series' history and evolution. Whether you want to confirm the names of nostalgic characters or are a newcomer looking to enjoy the Mario series, please utilize this character list.

Major Characters

The major characters representing the Super Mario series have been loved by players for many years. Here, we introduce characters that are considered the face of the series, starting with Mario and Luigi.

Mario

The protagonist of the series, Mario, is a plumber recognizable by his red hat and overalls. He first appeared in 'Donkey Kong' in 1981, but his full-fledged activities began with 'Super Mario Bros.' in 1985. He excels in jump actions and possesses both bravery and kindness to face any difficulties. He transforms with various power-up items and serves as a hero protecting the peace of the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario's bright and positive personality is one of the reasons he is loved by players around the world.

Luigi

Mario's twin brother, Luigi, is characterized by his green hat and overalls. He first appeared in 'Mario Bros.' in 1983 and has since become an indispensable presence in Mario's adventures. He is taller than Mario and excels in jumping, but he is often depicted as somewhat timid and cautious. In the 'Luigi's Mansion' series, he plays the role of the protagonist and takes on the unique task of ghost hunting. His contrasting personality to his brother Mario highlights Luigi's charm.

Princess Peach

Princess Peach, the elegant and beautiful ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, first appeared in 'Super Mario Bros.' in 1985. While she is famously known for being captured by Bowser multiple times, she also shows an active side by embarking on adventures herself in 'Super Mario Bros. 2' and 'Super Princess Peach.' She is characterized by her pink dress and blonde hair, and she has the ability to float gracefully in the air. Her kind and compassionate nature makes her a beloved figure among the residents of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Toad

Toad, a resident of the Mushroom Kingdom, is a character known for his mushroom-like head. He first appeared in "Super Mario Bros." in 1985, serving as a loyal attendant to Princess Peach. In "Super Mario Bros. 2," he became a playable character, known for his speed. From "New Super Mario Bros. Wii" onwards, he plays an important role as a companion on adventures with Mario and friends. Though small in stature, he is brave and a reliable presence supporting Mario.

Yoshi

Known as Mario’s partner, Yoshi is a character resembling a dinosaur. He first appeared in "Super Mario World" in 1990 and quickly became popular due to his adorable appearance and useful abilities. He can use his long tongue to eat enemies and items, exhibiting various abilities depending on what he consumes. While he is primarily green, there are a variety of color variations, including red, blue, and yellow. Multiple standalone series featuring him have been developed, making him one of the key characters supporting the Mario franchise.

Daisy

Daisy, the princess of Sarasaland, first appeared in "Super Mario Land" in 1989. While she shares a similar position to Princess Peach, she is characterized by a more active and sporty personality. Her striking orange dress and brown hair are memorable, and she frequently appears in sports and party games like "Mario Tennis" and "Mario Party." Her relationship with Luigi is sometimes depicted, and her energetic and bright character is well-loved by players.

Antagonist Characters (Bosses)

The Mario series features many powerful boss characters that stand in the way of players. Leading them is Bowser, along with a variety of unique and memorable enemies that enhance the adventure.

Bowser

Bowser, Mario's greatest nemesis, is a formidable enemy character reigning as the King of the Koopa tribe. He first appeared in "Super Mario Bros." in 1985 and has served as the final boss in almost every main series title since then. With the ambition to kidnap Princess Peach and rule the Mushroom Kingdom, he possesses a certain endearing charm despite being a villain. With his gigantic physique, fiery breath, and immense power, he repeatedly stands in Mario's way. Although he is a villain, there are moments of cooperation, making him an essential presence in the series.

Bowser Jr.

Bowser Jr., the only son of Bowser, first appeared in "Super Mario Sunshine" in 2002. Like his father, he has a green shell, but he is characterized by his small stature and the hood he wears. Using a magical paintbrush called Magic Paintbrush Boy, he engages in various mischiefs. With a straightforward and affectionate personality towards his father, and occasionally showing a childish side, he is a charming character. In the "New Super Mario Bros." series, he obstructs Mario and friends along with the Koopalings.

Wario

Wario, who appeared as Mario's rival, made his debut in 1992 in 'Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins'. He has a similar appearance to Mario but is characterized by his yellow and purple color scheme, large nose, and zigzag mustache. Despite having a greedy and rough personality, he possesses powerful actions and a unique charm. He later established himself as a popular character independent of the Mario series with unique works such as the 'Wario Land' series and the 'Made in Wario' series.

Waluigi

Waluigi, set up as Luigi's rival, made his first appearance in 2000 in 'Mario Tennis 64'. He often acts as Wario's partner and is seen wearing a purple hat and overalls. He is characterized by his lanky body type and a reverse L-shaped mark, depicting a mischievous and competitive personality. He often shines in party games such as 'Mario Party' and 'Mario Kart', exuding a unique presence.

King Boo

King Boo, the king of the Boos, made his debut in 2001 in 'Luigi's Mansion'. He is characterized by a much larger body and a crown compared to ordinary Boos, possessing powerful ghostly abilities. He stands as the final boss in the 'Luigi's Mansion' series, depicted as Luigi's arch-nemesis. He also appears as a playable character in series like 'Mario Kart', gaining popularity as a representative character of the Boo tribe.

Other Major Bosses

The Koopalings are unique boss characters who serve as executives of the Koopa army. Each possesses unique abilities and castles, standing in the way of Mario's adventures.

General Enemy Characters

In the adventures of the Super Mario series, various enemy characters appear in each stage. Here, we introduce enemy characters categorized by ground, aerial, and those with special abilities.

Ground Enemies

These are the enemy characters that are most frequently encountered in ground stages. They disrupt Mario with a variety of attack methods ranging from simple movements to complex patterns.

Goomba

The most basic enemy character representing the Super Mario series. It made its debut in 1985 in 'Super Mario Bros'. It walks back and forth like a mushroom. While it is an easy enemy to defeat just by stepping on it, its numbers can be overwhelming. As a staple enemy of the series, it appears in nearly all works.

Koopa Troopa

A turtle enemy character with green or red shells, it first appeared in 1985 in 'Super Mario Bros'. When stepped on, it becomes just a shell, which can be kicked to defeat other enemies. Green Koopa Troopas fall off cliffs, while red Koopa Troopas turn back just before the edge of a cliff. With a diverse range of strategies involving its shell, it is a highly strategic enemy.

Piranha Plant

A plant-like enemy character that comes in and out of pipes. It made its first appearance in the 1985 "Super Mario Bros." and is notably characterized by its red flower with sharp teeth. It has the property of not appearing when on top of a pipe. There are many variants such as Fire Piranha and Mini Piranha, and it also appears as a playable character in the "Smash Bros." series.

Hammer Bro

A troublesome enemy character that attacks by throwing hammers. It first appeared in the 1985 "Super Mario Bros." and throws hammers in a parabolic arc from a high position. It's difficult to defeat and has troubled many players. There are various variations like Boomerang Bro and Fire Bro, each attacking with different weapons.

Aerial Enemies

Enemy characters that move in the air or underwater. They obstruct Mario's path with their three-dimensional movement, making it difficult to time jumps.

Koopa Paratroopa

A Koopa with wings, it first appeared in the 1985 "Super Mario Bros." The green Paratroopa generally flies up and down, while the red Paratroopa flies left and right. When jumped on, it loses its wings and becomes a normal Koopa. This character requires caution for aerial attacks.

Lakitu

An enemy character that moves in the air on a cloud and throws Spiny Eggs (or Pokeys). It first appeared in the 1985 "Super Mario Bros." In some series, you can ride on the cloud after defeating it. Lakitu also appears as a cameraman with a fishing rod and serves as a signal starter in the "Mario Kart" series.

Cheep Cheep

A fish enemy character that appears in underwater stages. It first appeared in the 1985 "Super Mario Bros." and is characterized by its red body and large eyes. It not only swims underwater but can also appear while jumping on land stages. It is difficult to avoid in underwater levels, making it a staple character throughout the series.

Special Enemies

Special enemy characters with unique abilities or movements. They are often resistant to normal attacks or require special methods to deal with them.

Boo

A ghost enemy character that first appeared in the 1988 "Super Mario Bros. 3." It chases Mario when his back is turned but has a unique behavior pattern of stopping when facing him, acting shy. With a white body and a stick-out tongue expression, it is a popular character despite being an enemy, appearing in many works as a staple of haunted house stages.

Shy Guy

An enemy character wearing a mask, which first appeared in the 1988 "Super Mario USA."

The red body and white mask are distinctive features, and since 'Yoshi's Island', it has established itself as a main enemy in the Yoshi series. The Heihos come in many variations and possess different abilities depending on their color and equipment. They are also popular as playable characters in Mario Kart and Mario Party.

Bob-omb

A walking bomb enemy character, it first appeared in 'Super Mario Bros. 2' in 1988. It looks like a black bomb with a lit fuse, and it explodes after some time or if hit. It's a handy presence that can be thrown to defeat other enemies. It also appears as an ally in games such as 'Super Mario 64', with its role varying between enemy and ally depending on the game.

Buzzy Beetle

A turtle-like enemy character with a hard shell that first appeared in 'Super Mario Bros.' in 1986. It features a black shell and has a resistance to fireballs. When jumped on, it enters a shell state like the Koopa, but caution is needed as it has fire resistance. It can walk upside down on ceilings, making its movements unpredictable at times.

Allies and Support Characters

These are the allies and support characters that assist Mario on his adventures. With their help, Mario can overcome further challenges.

Rosalina

A mystical being who protects the universe, Rosalina first appeared in 'Super Mario Galaxy' in 2007. She is characterized by her long silver hair and turquoise blue dress, and is depicted as a motherly figure for the Star Children, the Lumas. She lives in the 'Observatory of the Comet Star', which is a space station, and supports Mario on his adventures. With her elegant and calm personality and powerful magical abilities, she also enjoys popularity as a playable character in the 'Mario Kart' series and others.

Toadette

A girl Toad, Toadette first appeared in 'Mario Kart: Double Dash!!' in 2003. She is characterized by her pink mushroom head and twintail hairstyle, and has a bright and lively personality. In 'New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe', she gained the ability to transform into Peachette using a Super Crown. Serving as Toad's partner, she has taken on roles as a playable character and support character in many games.

Luma

A small character shaped like a star, Luma first appeared in 'Super Mario Galaxy' in 2007. It lives with Rosalina and assists Mario on his adventures. While yellow is the basic color, Lumas come in various colors, each having different roles. They have the ability to transform into planets and galaxies as they grow, symbolizing the life cycle of the universe.

Pauline

Pauline, the heroine from the early Mario series, first appeared in 'Donkey Kong' in 1981. She initially appeared as 'Lady', fulfilling the role of a heroine who was kidnapped by Donkey Kong.

She had not appeared for a long time, but she made a spectacular comeback as the mayor of New Donk City in the 2017 game 'Super Mario Odyssey'. She is depicted as an adult woman wearing a red dress and hat, and her singing scene is particularly impressive.

Cappy

Cappy is a character in the form of a hat that first appeared in 'Super Mario Odyssey' in 2017. Shaped like a white hat, he is Mario's new partner who joins him on adventures. He can not only throw to defeat enemies or press switches but also has the ability called 'capture' that allows him to possess enemies and objects. Through this ability, Mario can transform into various forms, bringing innovative gameplay to the Odyssey adventure.

Items and Power-Up Characters

Items that power up Mario each have their own personalities and characteristics. They have been a significant presence that enhances gameplay and have been beloved by players for many years.

Super Mushroom

The red mushroom that powerfully boosts Mario, it first appeared in 'Super Mario Bros.' in 1985. When obtained, Mario transforms into 'Super Mario' and can withstand one enemy attack. It is one of the iconic items of the Mario series and appears frequently in the game. While simple, it plays an important role and is an essential item for players of all levels, from beginners to experts.

Super Star

The star-shaped item that makes you invincible for a certain period of time first appeared in 'Super Mario Bros.' in 1985. When in an invincible state, simply touching an enemy will defeat them, and the BGM changes to a special upbeat tune. This invincible BGM is particularly memorable in the Mario series and has remained in the memories of many players. Although it is a rare item, it helps you escape from dire situations or aim for high scores.

1-Up Mushroom

The green mushroom that gives you one extra life first appeared in 'Super Mario Bros.' in 1985. It is often hidden in blocks or placed in hard-to-find locations, providing a sense of exploration. The distinctive sound effect when obtaining it is also memorable, giving players a sense of achievement. When challenging difficult stages, the presence of the 1-Up Mushroom is a reassuring support.

Fire Flower

The flower-shaped item that grants the ability to throw fireballs first appeared in 'Super Mario Bros.' in 1985. When obtained, Mario's outfit changes to white and red, enabling long-range attacks with fireballs. This power-up not only makes it easier to defeat enemies but also allows for strategic play. Numerous derivative items like the Ice Flower and Boomerang Flower also appear, allowing for a variety of transformations to enjoy.

Summary: The Characters of Super Mario Continue to Evolve

The Super Mario series features countless characters, ranging from main characters to enemy characters, supporting characters, and item characters. Each one has its own unique personality and charm, enriching Mario's adventures. Since the release of 'Super Mario Bros.' in 1985, this series has continued to create new characters for nearly 40 years.

The diversity of characters is one of the reasons why the Mario series continues to be loved around the world. From simple enemy characters like Goombas and Koopa Troopas to innovative companions like Rosalina and Cappy, new encounters await in each installment. Additionally, long-loved characters have also gained new roles and charms over the years, continuing to evolve.

The characters introduced in this article are just a small part of the history of the Mario series. Each time a new title is announced, we can look forward to meeting more uniquely vibrant characters. By recalling nostalgic characters or discovering ones we didn't know about, our understanding of the Mario series deepens. Please use this list of characters as a reference to enjoy the world of Super Mario even more deeply.