Good Mario Enemies

[Mandolin]

Back in the good old days, my favorite part of playing a new (or new-to-me) Mario game was seeing all the enemies. They had such clever designs, and they all really looked like they were part of the same cohesive world.

But then Mario went 3D and enemy design really took a hit because everything had to be done with strict hardware limitations in mind. You started seeing stuff like Chuckya, random mishmashes of flat textures and simple polygons that don't look nice or tell you anything about the enemy's behavior.

Luckily, 3D graphics are much better now, and enemy design is back in a big way. We're starting to see enemies that honor that classic Mario art direction, but in three dimensions and glorious HD. Here are a few of my favorites.

Stumper. It's an angry little tree stump that shuffles around on its toe-like roots, trying to bump into you. Its sides are thorny, but its top is flat and can be used like a platform. Looks like something out of Mario World. Perfect in both form and function.

Mud Trooper. It's a zombie! Mario pretty much always had ghosts and spoopy skurletons, but zombies were a long-overdue addition. They rise out of the ground and shamble after you Frankenstein style, like sluggish and more manageable Monty Moles. Very, very good boys indeed.

Goombrat, possibly my favorite modern Mario enemy. I can't believe it took Nintendo this long to come up with "the red Koopa version of Goombas." Especially useful to Mario Maker players, since we finally have an enemy that doesn't walk off ledges but also doesn't give Mario a weapon when he stomps them. 11/10, would kill and die for.

Discuss your favorite Mario enemies!

[qwertykins76]

I think Mario character and enemy designs may have reached a new peak. Nay, a culmination. They really are hitting the nail on the head with all these modern designs.

[N64DD]

I love the thwomps and whomps eapecially the N64 Versions they were so...off

[Masked Hero]

I really like the enemies in Superstar Saga. Many of them are just bean-themed variations of regular bad guys, but I think their unique designs really sell the feeling of being in a different country.

[Mr/Sir Norris]

Originally Posted by Masked Hero

I really like the enemies in Superstar Saga. Many of them are just bean-themed variations of regular bad guys, but I think their unique designs really sell the feeling of being in a different country.

Agreed on the enemy design for Superstar Saga being on point. I found the art direction of that game to be perfect for when I was younger and it really aged well fmpov.



The way they were able to take standard Mario enemies but totally flipped them on their heads was so much fun to explore and discover.

Mario Odyssey has been one of my stand out games in the past 5 or so years, so big shout out to the T-Rex in that game simply because of how I never anticipated seeing a model like that in a Mario game, while still fitting into the aesthetic that Odyssey created.

[Mandolin]

Originally Posted by N64DD

I love the thwomps and whomps eapecially the N64 Versions they were so...off

I recently discovered that Thwomps in Mario Galaxy have two faces, one on each broad side. Blew my mind wide open.

[N64DD]

wait what da fuq?
shout out to the Thwomp in the cage in MK64

[dragon_kazoooie]

I've always been a fan of the buzzy beetle designs in general. Especially as it's transitioned into 3d over the years.

[N64DD]

Chain chomps are also Beast AF

[Mandolin]

Originally Posted by dragon_kazoooie

I've always been a fan of the buzzy beetle designs in general. Especially as it's transitioned into 3d over the years.

I love the giant Buzzy Beetles from New Super Mario Bros. Wii especially. I love that you can stand on top of them, and that their shells float on lava. I wish that property had carried over to Mario Maker.

Originally Posted by N64DD

Chain chomps are also Beast AF

Don't forget Fire Chomps/Flame Chomps! Very underused and underrated enemies. Mario needs more aerial enemies in general.

[pastiche]

Land 2 got some good-good





I can only insert 15 images per post

[pastiche]

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 is a Mario game