There are few gaming characters that are as old as Mario.  Even fewer are the ones that are still as commercially viable today as they were back in the days of the Nintendo.  There is, without a doubt, something special about Mario.  He captures the imaginations of gamers and constantly gives overwhelmingly fun experiences that make even the most jaded gamer feel young at heart.  This can be contributed to the tight controls and gameplay, the imaginative level design, the quirky characters, and the villains of the Mario universe.  With the release of Super Mario Galaxy 2, the twelfth game in the main series, on the horizon, Mario will again bring all of these elements back.  In anticipation of this, we have decided to take a look back through his eleven previous games and highlight every single villain that he has come in contact with.  Each day will focus on the enemies premiered in each game and their legacy throughout the series.  That means every bad guy from the memorable Bowser to the often forgotten Gao. 

Welcome to the Super Mario Dossier.

Super Mario Bros. 3 was the first game in the series to really evolve Mario's gameplay.  More levels, more bosses, more power-ups, more enemies, and different elements gave the impression that this was an enormous game.  It was massively hyped back in the day but Nintendo lived up to it and created what is possibly one of the greatest games of all time.  The new enemies, while sometimes drawing inspiration from the ones that appeared in the original game, were unique and fun to battle with many creating a challenging expeirence.

The story expands the Mushroom Kingdom and creates a series of lands collectively known as the Mushroom World.  Bowser has sent out his seven children, known as the Koopalings, to conquer each of these lands and take the magical scepters of the Mushroom Kings.  Each King was transformed into a different creature and their lands taken over by the Koopa Troops.  Princess Peach sends out Mario to save each of the seven lands and transform the Kings back to their original forms.  While on this quest, Peach is kidnapped by Bowser and taken to his kingdom, known as Dark Land.  

Grand Goomba

Grand Goombas are not that much different from normal Goombas.  They are roughly twice the size of their smaller cousins and only make an appearance in Giant Land.  Despite their massive size, they attack in the same way as a normal Goomba and it only takes one jump to defeat them.  When Super Mario 64 reused the concept of Giant Land, Grand Goombas reappeared.  Mario is unable to punch them to oblivion like the normal Goombas and must jump on them to actually finish them off.  Grand Goombas also came back for Super Mario Galaxy and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but it splits into two normal Goombas in the latter game.  They will once again return for Super Mario Galaxy 2.  

Micro-Goomba

Micro-Goombas are exactly as they sound: incredibly small versions of the Goombas.  Micro-Goombas are unable to actually hurt Mario, instead severely limiting his jumping capabilities and making it easier for other enemies to hit him.  After a short time, Mario can shrug them off and regain his jumping abilities.  Micro-Goombas also came back for Super Mario 64 but rather than cling to Mario, they would run into him in a suicide attack.  Mario wouldn't be hurt but he would get knocked back so the Micro-Goombas were often placed next to ledges to increase their effectiveness.  They have appeared in more Mario spinoffs than the Grand Goombas but their cousin has more appearances in the main series.

Paragoomba

The Goombas also decided to copy the Koopa Paratroopas in Super Mario Bros. 3.  The winged versions acted much the same as their wings would be clipped with the first hit and the Goombas would die with the second.  The Paragoombas actually had two varieties of attacks.  One would use their wings to jump along the ground at Mario while the other had them always in the air as they dropped Micro-Goombas on Mario.  Super Mario World brought the Paragoombas back and acted much the same but a different version also appeared and utilized an actual parachute rather than wings.  To date, the Paragoombas have only appeared in 2D Mario games and various spinoff titles.  That's set to change when they make their 3D debut in Super Mario Galaxy along with Grand Paragoombas.  It's unknown if they will have any new abilities.

Pile Driver Micro-Goomba

Micro-Goombas not only drop from the air but hide in brick blocks in Super Mario Bros. 3.  The Pile Driver Micro-Goombas are strong for their size and possess the ability to jump extremely high.  They lay in wait, usually among other brick blocks, for Mario to get close before trying to jump on him in a cruel example of irony.  These Micro-Goombas are resistant to fire attacks since they are protected by the brick block.  They're not completely hidden though as they have to get momentum in order to make their jump, making it possible for Mario to dodge the attack.  Despite being resistant to fire, Mario can take them out with a well placed jump, the Raccoon suit's tail, or by tossing a Koopa shell at it.  The Pile Driver Mini-Goombas never appeared again though a similar enemy, the Blockhopper, did debut.

Rocky Wrench

Rocky Wrenches are the predecessors of Monty Mole.  They mainly appeared in vehicle levels where Mario had to traverse Boswer's airships, tanks, and ships.  Their main method of attack consisted of hiding under a metal cover before popping up to throw a wrench at Mario.  Despite the metal cover, Mario just had to stomp the Rocky Wrenches in order to defeat them though if they had a wrench in hand at the time, he would take damage.  Rocky Wrenches wouldn't appear again until Super Mario Galaxy where they lost the shell on their backs, further placing them as a cousin to Monty Moles.  The Rocky Wrenches changed their strategy for Galaxy, only popping out when Mario was far away.  To get at them, Mario had to shoot a star bit to stun them before running close to finish them off.  They also had a small role in New Super Mario Bros. Wii where they were placed on the airship of World 6.  

Spike

Spike is a notoriously difficult enemy to get close to as it constantly pulls spiked balls from its stomach before tossing them at Mario.  They have a seemingly infinite supply of this ammo and cannot be jumped on while holding one without Mario taking damage.  Spikes have made appearances over the years though rarely in the main Mario titles.  They have mainly become an enemy for Yoshi in his games but have also shown up in the New Super Mario Bros. games along with a cousin known as the Snow Spike, which throws snowballs instead.    

Gargantua Koopa Troopa

Gargantua Koopas, like Grand Goombas, only appear in Giant Land.  There's nothing particularly special about them though their size does make it somewhat harder to jump on them or over them when they're tucked up in their shell.  Gargantua Koopas have never appeared in another Mario game en masse but notable characters do belong to the species with Koopa the Quick from Super Mario 64 being the most recognizable.  He was never a true enemy, mainly preferring to challenge Mario to foot races.       

Buster Beetle

Buster Beetles are some of the most vicious enemies in Super Mario Bros. 3 in close quarters.  Their quickness along with the ability to throw blocks made them a definite threat.  The fact that they most often appear in caverns doubles that.  Actually defeating them isn't the problem, as a single stomp will do it, but getting to them proves the real challenge.  Unlike their cousins, the Buzzy Beetles, Buster Beetles never hide in their shell.  They've never appeared in another Mario game but are notorious nonetheless.

Para-Beetle

Para-Beetles aren't really enemies but live on very mobile platforms that only appear in a few levels of Super Mario Bros. 3.  Mario can hop on their back and use them for rides which lower the platform and give the appearance that it's falling off-screen before rising again.  The Para-Beetles usually fly up and down in place or horizontally through a level.  Though they don't do any damage to Mario, navigating across them is one of the trickier parts of the game.  It wasn't until New Super Mario Bros. Wii that they reappeared in a Mario game.

Muncher

Munchers are a near-indestructible variety of plant where almost every power-up is useless against it.  They are completely immobile and are usually lined up in long rows making them more similar to spikes than actual enemies.  The only safe ways across them is by jumping over the gaps filled with them, running across with a Starman, hopping across in Kuribo's shoe, or, in Super Mario World, walking across them with Yoshi.  Their most recent appearance is in New Super Mario Bros. Wii where they can be frozen with the Ice Flower and safely walked across.  

Nipper Plant

Nipper Plants do as their name suggests.  Rather than staying rooted to the ground, they jump in place trying to catch Mario as he jumps over them.  Later levels would introduce Nipper Plants that could hop around making them even more of a pain to get past as they would jump as soon as Mario was above them.  Some would also be placed among Munchers to give an extra challenge of actually getting past these obstacles.  They never appeared in another main Mario title, instead becoming enemies in Yoshi's games and Super Princess Peach.

Ptooie

Ptooies look exactly like Piranha Plants except that they have a spiked ball continually suspended in the air above their mouths.  Every so often this spiked ball is shot higher into the air and often makes it harder to get past them if Mario lacks a power-up.  Ptooies can be found in pipes like other Piranha Plants or dancing back and forth across an area on its roots.  The mobile ones are much more difficult as the timing to get past them depends on both their horizontal movement and the placement of the hovering ball.  The only other appearance of a Ptooie is in Super Princess Peach where she had the ability to knock their spiked ball away.       

Venus Fire Trap

Venus Fire Traps act much the same way as Piranha Plants.  They are confined to pipes and stay hidden when Mario is close.  Only when Mario is far away do they come out, but the Venus Fire Traps can still reach him as they can shoot out three fireballs at a time.  The fireballs are slow moving so they aren't that difficult to dodge but the first time encountering the Venus Fire Traps can be surprising since they look so similar to Piranha Plants.  The Fire Traps have reappeared several times over the course of the series with New Super Mario Bros. Wii introducing their ability to light up darkened rooms.  Otherwise, they haven't evolved much and are more of a basic enemy.

Piranhacus Giganticus

Piranhacus Giganticus is another addition to the list of giant enemies that can be found in Giant Land and are exactly like the previous two.  It hasn't been strengthened in any way and its large size only makes it harder to get around.  Also like the other two, Piranhacus Giganticus is set to return in Super Mario Galaxy.

Boomerang Bros.

Boomerang Bros. act in pretty much the same manner as Hammer Bros. except that they employ boomerangs instead of hammers.  The boomerangs arc a sizeable difference giving them more range than the Hammer Bros.  However the volume of boomerangs they throw are limited so they are much easier to approach and take out.  After Super Mario Bros. 3, the Boomerang Bros. became more of a rare sight.  They did not appear in the main series again until the New Super Mario Bros. games and even then they were only used in a few levels.  The only other games they have been in are the Mario RPGs.

Fire Bros.

Fire Bros. excel at spitting fireballs from their mouths, effectively making them equivalent to Mario using the Fire Flower.  They are the rarest of the Hammer Bros. cousins with only three of them appearing in Super Mario Bros. 3.  Like the Boomerang Bros. they returned for the New Super Mario Bros. games but it was in the Wii game that they became the most prolific.  In fact, more Fire Bros. are used as enemies in New Super Mario Bros. Wii than Hammer Bros.  

Sledge Bros.

Sledge Bros. were the most radical change of all the enemies that got the enlargement treatment for Giant Land.  Though they could still be defeated in one hit, they were much tougher to get to.  The Sledge Bros. threw sledgehammers due to their larger size and their weight was so great that whenever they landed from a jump, a miniature earthquake would occur to stun Mario if he was still on the ground.  If players had something to throw at them from a distance, Sledge Bros. weren't too hard, but if they didn't, it required precise timing to ensure Mario wasn't on the ground or near a sledgehammer.  Like the other Bros. that premiered in Super Mario Bros. 3, Sledge Bros. returned for the New Super Mario Bros. games though they have never had a role outside the main series.  

Boo

Boo is perhaps the most famous addition to Mario's rogues gallery in all of Super Mario Bros. 3.  Boos have always acted the same.  If Mario is looking at them, they will hide their face and not move.  If Mario isn't looking at them, they will make their way toward him.  This made Boos easy to approach but difficult to get away from since few power-ups damaged them and obstacles were always ahead to slow Mario's progress.  Boos have appeared in just about every Mario game after their initial appearance.  Their signature laugh is actually the same as Bowser's, only sped up and given an echo.  Boos mainly stay around haunted houses, fortresses, and castles.  

Dry Bones

Mario games were actually ahead of the curve when it came to the undead obsession that's currently warping the minds of our youth.  Dry Bones are undead Koopa Troopas that collapse into a pile of bones when jumped on.  After a few seconds, the bones reform and the Dry Bones are on the attack again.  They initially walked on all fours but, like the Koopa Troopas, became bipedal with Super Mario World.  They also gained the ability to occasionally throw bones at Mario, an ability that has only been used in the Mario RPGs since.  Dry Bones have not evolved much after that though they have become one of the more popular enemies as evidenced by their constant appearances in Mario Kart, Mario sports games, and Mario Party.  

Roto-Disc

Roto-Discs resemble disco balls that continually rotate around a red orb.  They act in much the same way as Firebars do except that Mario is often safer the closer he is to the red orb.  Roto-Discs were often placed near one another to make them more effective and much trickier for Mario to not only get past them but find safe haven among them.  They've only returned once, in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, as a throwback to the original games in the Bowser's Castle Mini-Mario course.  The only way to actually destroy a Roto-Disc was with the Tanooki Suit and landing on one after turning into a statue.  

Stretch

Stretches are actually Boos that have been attached to white platforms.  The Boos are unable to leave the platform so Stretches are more of an obstacle than an enemy.  As Mario tries to pass a Boo will rise from the platform and attempt to hit him.  They don't rise far though, making them easy to jump over.  Stretches were often grouped together to combat this so that players would have to jump over a Boo but not too high to avoid the one coming from a Stretch above.  Stretches have never made another appearance in a Mario game. They were supposed to return for New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but were ultimately cut.

Thwomp

Thwomps are mean-looking rock creatures that can suspend their bodies in the air.  Whenever something passes by beneath them, they will try to crush it with their weight.  More often than not this means Mario.  Thwomps could only be defeated with a few power-ups and mainly had to be avoided.  The easiest strategy was to coax it to come down when players got near and then run under it as it returned to its upper position.  A riskier move was running at full speed past it.  This was sometimes necessary when many Thwomps were lined up.  Like Boos, Thwomps have appeared many times over the course of the series, most recently in Super Mario Galaxy and New Super Mario Bros. Wii.  They have not changed much over the years with exception to their color, size, and shape.  Thwomps also have a constant presence in the Mario spinoffs, always acting the same as they do in the main series.  

Baby Cheep

Baby Cheeps never appear alone.  They are accompanied by Big Berthas that, for some reason, continually swallowed and spit out the Baby Cheeps.  This strange behavior gave Big Berthas a wider range to hit Mario.  Baby Cheeps have never appeared in another game and are limited to their relationship with Big Berthas.

Big Bertha

Big Berthas were some of the most low key species of Cheep-Cheeps in Super Mario Bros. 3.  They would only swim a small area while letting the Baby Cheep go in and out of its mouth.  Even if Mario got close to a Big Bertha, they wouldn't give chase.  Big Berthas have never appeared again.  

Blooper Nanny

Blooper Nannies were actually just Bloopers that had several young squids following behind it.  Every so often the Nannies would stop and send out all the young in different directions before they returned and moved on.  They haven't been used often though they recently made appearances in the New Super Mario Bros. games acting in the same manner.  

Boss Bass

Boss Basses were the Jaws of Super Mario Bros. 3.  In levels were Mario had to traverse platforms suspended above the water, Boss Basses would often appear and be a constant threat.  Staying out the of the water became the decree as a Boss Bass meant instant death if it ate you.  These levels became exciting and terrifying as even if a Boss Bass was killed, another one would appear soon after to continue the chase.  They have been mostly limited to Super Mario Bros. 3 though they have made small appearances in Yoshi's Story and Yoshi's Island DS.  

Jelectro

Jelectros appear to be electric jellyfish that lack the ability to move.  They are continually stuck in place making them more of an obstacle than an enemy.  Jelectros are impervious to all attacks and are most remembered for a level in Super Mario Bros. 3 where the screen is in constant motion and Mario must make his way through a maze of Jelectros while fending off various types of Cheep-Cheeps.

Lava Lotus

Lava Lotuses are another common underwater enemy.  They are stuck in place like Piranha Plants but store fireballs beneath their transparent foliage.  When their leaves open up the fireballs are released and are capable of going through platforms which makes dodging them tricky at times.  Fortunately, the fireballs travel slowly.  Lava Lotuses have never appeared again though a land-based cousin was introduced in Super Mario World.

Spiny Cheep-Cheep

Spiny Cheep-Cheeps are interesting because their spikes don't actually make them more dangerous.  They do the same amount of damage as a Cheep-Cheep but are slightly faster.  Despite this they have reappeared in Super Mario Land 2 and New Super Mario Bros. Wii where Spiny Cheep-Cheeps gained the ability to chase Mario down.  

Missile Bill

Missile Bills look extremely similar to Bullet Bills except that they have the ability to turn in place.  If Mario jumps over it the first time, the Missile Bills will simply turn around and try again.  After that second try though, they will continue on like a normal Bullet Bill.  They later appeared in Super Mario Sunshine where this became a homing attack.  The line between Missile Bill and Bullet Bill has become vague over the years as Bullet Bills have gained the homing ability in Super Mario Galaxy.  It's possible that this will make Missile Bills useless unless a new ability is given to them in newer games.

Chain Chomp

Chain Chomps are the guard dogs of the Mario universe and have become a popular enemy throughout the series.  It was famously inspired by a real-life experience of Shigeru Miyamoto when he was a boy.  A large dog tried to attack him but was stopped inches from his face by its leash.  In the same way, Chain Chomps are almost always tied to blocks but are able to attack whatever comes into their territory.  If the timer reaches 160 seconds in Super Mario Bros. 3, all of the Chain Chomps are freed and allowed to roam the level.  Chain Chomps have appeared across all Mario games but always appear in a similar manner.  They do have many cousins, though, that lack their characteristic chains.  

Fire Chomp

Fire Chomps are one of those cousins, instead preferring to float in the air with a tail made of four fireballs.  Those fireballs also act as the Fire Chomps ammunition as each time it shoots one from its mouth, its tail shortens.  Whenever its tail is completely gone, the Fire Chomp will self-destruct in a last ditch effort.  Before that happens, Mario can attempt to take it out with a well placed stomp.  They returned for the New Super Mario games where it gained the ability to charge at Mario before self-destructing.  

Angry Sun

The Angry Sun is not the true sun but rather a creature resembling the sun with a very bad attitude.  Upon seeing Mario, it will begin chasing him in a manner similar to Phanto.  The Angry Sun does not give up until Mario reaches the end of the level.  Even if it is defeated by a Koopa shell, another one will appear to take up the chase.  The best strategy consisted of having Mario run at full speed through a level and being ready to jump any time it tried to swoop down on him.  The Angry Sun is only encountered twice in Super Mario Bros. 3 but his relentless nature has made him memorable.  He has never appeared again outside a cameo in Mario Kart DS.

Fire Snake

A relative of the Podoboos, Fire Snakes are able to jump around and, upon seeing Mario, give chase and attempt to hit him.  There are several ways to take them down but the most common was with Mario's raccoon tail.  It was risky though as a sudden jump by the Fire Snake could ruin everything and make life difficult.  Before returning in the New Super Mario Bros. games, Fire Snakes made cameos in Super Mario World and Yoshi's Safari.  Fire Snakes also gained the ability to increase the size of its head for a short time in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Hot Foot

Another relative of Podoboos, Hot Foots originally appeared as the flames on candlesticks.  However it soon became apparent that they had many of the same characteristics as Boos, staying still when looked at and moving when not.  Hot Foots could only move along the ground but were often placed in cramped areas that made them difficult to get around.

Boom Boom

The ever-present mini-boss of Super Mario Bros. 3, it is unknown whether Boom Boom is a species or just one character.  Though he originally attacked by thrashing his arms, he eventually gained new abilities with each new world including jumping and flying with wings.  Like most bosses, he only needed to be stomped on three times.  Boom Boom has never appeared in another Mario game so it is possible that Mario finished him off here.

Larry Koopa

The youngest of the Koopalings, Larry Koopa mainly attacked by jumping around the room and firing spells with his wand.  He is generally considered the weakest of the Koopas though it is suspected that he likes Tennis due to his use of a racquet in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.  Like the other Koopalings, he has only appeared in Mario 3, Super Mario World, Mario Is Missing, Hotel Mario, Yoshi’s Safari, Superstar Saga, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. He and the rest of the Koopalings were scheduled to appear in Super Princess Peach as well, but their cameo was scrapped for some unknown reason. Larry is named after Larry Mullen, Jr., drummer for U2.

Morton Koopa Jr.

Morton Koopa Jr. is the largest of the Koopalings but not the most powerful.  He prefers to use his size over magic, trying to jump on Mario in their initial battle.  This continues in Super Mario World where he climbs the walls in order to get the drop on the plumber.  His ground pounds now have the ability to stun Mario if he is nearby.  He finally learns a little magic in New Super Mario Bros. Wii but is still defeated. Morton is named after singer Morton Downey Jr.

Wendy O. Koopa

Wendy O. Koopa is the only girl of the Koopalings, widely considered spoiled and bratty.  Wendy used giant candy rings that continually bounced around the battle area in her first fight against Mario.  In Super Mario World, she tried a sneakier attack where she would burst out of pipes along with two fakes while using Podoboos.  In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, she uses the candy rings again but whenever she is hit, she retreats into her shell and bounces back and forth across the room.  She is one of the smallest of Bowser's children but considers herself the favorite. She is named after Wendy O. Williams, lead singer of the punk band the Plasmatics.

Roy Koopa

Roy Koopa prefers using brawn over brains which is continually evident in his fights against Mario.  He employed ground shaking stomps that would stun Mario all the while firing magical blasts at him.  Roy fought similarly to Morton in Super Mario World although he made the room smaller with each hit he took.  He adds the use of pipes in New Super Mario Bros. Wii to hide where he will try to stomp from.  Despite the fact that he is the brawniest of the Koopalings, he is often associated with pink, which may be a reference to the saying, "Real men wear pink." He gets his name and distinctive sunglasses from rock legend Roy Orbison.

Iggy Koopa

The glasses-wearing Iggy Koopa was the brains of the group and used a constant stream of magic blasts to try and defeat Mario.  Oddly, in Super Mario World, he decided to go for brawn over brain with him and Mario on a platform floating over lava.  The two competed in a deadly game of sumo wrestling with Iggy losing the fight.  His cunning nature returned in New Super Mario Bros. Wii where he fired magic blasts while being protected by a large Chain Chomp.  Iggy is known as a maniacal genius due to his constant laughter and wild eyes.  He is also the tallest Koopaling due to his lanky appearance. Iggy is named after famed punk-rock singer, Iggy Pop, frontman for The Stooges.
 
Lemmy Koopa

Though Lemmy Koopa is the second oldest of the Koopalings, he is the shortest by far.  He makes up for this by constantly riding on a rubber ball while summoning more balls to defeat Mario.  He changes tactics in Super Mario World where he fights in the same way as Wendy though he is no luckier.  In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, he employs his balls again though they do no damage.  Instead, they push Mario toward the edges of the stage where he will fall to his death.  Lemmy rides atop a gigantic ball so Mario must use the smaller ones to reach him.  Lemmy Koopa isn't as interested in conquering the Mushroom Kingdom as the rest of his family, instead preferring a life in the circus, which explains his clownish nature. This clowny Koopaling was assumed to have been named after Lemmy Kilmister, the lead singer of the band Motörhead.

Ludwig von Koopa

Ludwig von Koopa is the oldest and deadliest of the Koopalings.  He possesses a cruel nature much like his father and is highly intelligent along with his large size.  In his first encounter with Mario, he actually tucked into his shell while stomping the ground as well as firing off magical blasts.  Ludwig learns how to spit fireballs during the time after Super Mario Bros. 3 and slides around the level in his shell though it's still not enough.  In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Ludwig learns how to flutter jump which makes his stomps more difficult to predict along with conjuring homing fireballs from his wand.  Despite being defeated again, Ludwig's intelligence and mastery of new abilities makes him a deadly enemy. Perhaps in order to signify his status as the deadliest Koopaling, Lugwig gets his name from the good ol’ Lugwig Van Beethoven, far and away the greatest musician out of the lot.

After saving each of the lands, defeating Bowser, and rescuing Peach once again, Mario returns to the Mushroom Kingdom.  Many of the elements introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3 have become standard in later Mario games.  New Super Mario Bros in particular seems to take a lot of inspiration from this NES classic.  Next time in the Super Mario Dossier, the series takes on the 16-bit era and creates a whole host of new enemies for Mario to take on in Super Mario World.