By Mike Szymanski
Yep it's March 10th, Mar-10, Mario Day! Meaning there's no better time to rank Mario's most famous foes in a definitive (not really) tier list. These are my personal rankings as a longtime Mario fan. I'm going off my gut reaction based on character design and any other arbitrary factors I'll decide on the spot.
This is not a complete list by any means, there have been a ton of Mario enemies over the years, but it covers most of the iconic enemies Mario has to contend with on his adventures through the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond. I opted to not include Bowser since he's much more than just a Mario enemy. These are the classic fodder enemies Mario has to contend with on a level by level basis.
Who ends up as an S-Tier? Who ends up as D-Tier? I don't know yet so lets-a go!
Piranha Plant: A-Tier
Starting off with a banger, the Piranha Plant rules. It's a chompy plant with no eyes that grows out of pipes. Soulless and iconic, perfect as an early obstacle for the adventuring plumber.
Blooper: C-Tier
Cool little squid guy. Kinda plain but still interesting as an aquatic enemy. It's annoying to deal with and swim around in the main Mario games. And if we are talking Mario Kart it's one of the worse items in the game. Get that ink out of here!
Bob-omb: S-Tier
I Love this little guy. Such a simple and cute design. It's a wind-up toy bomb that marches around without a care in the world.
Bullet Bill: A-Tier
Watch out for Bullet Bill because he's coming for you. With those terrifying determined eyes following your every move and arms ready to just punch something, this is one formidable foe for Mr. Mario.
Cheep Cheep: C-Tier
It's got a great name and I like that it has a mohawk. But those weird protruding fish lips just aren't doing it for me. However, it is very fun to swim around as one of them in Mario Odyssey.
Fire Piranha Plant: S-Tier
Our first enemy variant! If the original Piranha Plant is an A-Tier, then a fire breathing one is an S-Tier. Done and done.
Goomba: S-Tier
Can't go wrong with the Goomba. It's a sentient mushroom with attitude. Just look at those angry brows! With most players encountering them early on in the Mario games, it's easy to see why this little guy is so iconic.
Magikoopa: A-Tier
You know something bad is about to happen when you see this guy. Most often confused as the famous Kamek, the Magikoopa uses its wand to wreck Mario's day and I'm all for it.
Buzzy Beetle: C-Tier
Eh, whenever I see this one I just think it's a worse version of a Koopa. Mostly they are a pain to deal with in all the games given their superior defense to Mario's fireballs. Easy C-Tier material I say.
Hammer Bro: B-Tier
Great design and huge hassle to deal with in the games. They just love throwing those hammers...non-stop. Just look at the determination on its face! You run into this guy and there's hammer coming your way!
Lakitu: S-Tier
Man I love Lakitu. Flying around on that doofy looking little cloud, dropping Spiny Eggs to get on your nerves, and then getting to be the camera guy in Mario 64. There's a lot to love about Lakitu.
Spiny Cheep Cheep: D-Tier
Uh oh we've entered Cheep Cheep's emo phase. We're just going to let him stay in his room and listen to MCR rather than deal with his spiny 'tude.
Thwomp: A-Tier
This is one pissed off spiky block you don't want to mess with! I can hear the "Err!" sound in my head whenever I look at this guy's ugly mug. This could have very well been just a block, but it has a face and personality. I love it.
Rocky Wrench: S-Tier
Watch out for that wrench because this man-holed master thrower is looking to knee-cap Mario. I love everything about this one. The goggles, the sneaky wrench throwing, that little snaggle-tooth. Just a perfect Mario enemy design.
Shy Guy: A-Tier
You can't go wrong with the Shy Guy. He's creepy but kind of cute. That soulless mask makes for a masterful character design. I'm very happy this Super Mario Bros. 2 enemy has endured for as long as he has in the Mario canon.
Koopa Troopa: B-Tier
This guy is a classic. I always thought his design to be fairly standard, but he makes up for it with what he brings to the gameplay. Getting to steal his shell and use it on other enemies is a ton of fun and I love the little noise they make.
I hope you had fun reading through my Mario enemy tier list. If not that's ok, there are some really great Mario themed books and toys you can order now at your local comic shop to make up for it. Happy Mario Day!
JAKKS PACIFIC
From Jakks Pacific. The Super Mario Bros. Movie 5" Figure Series Wave 1 features Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad. Each figure comes with premium details, realistic acrylic eyes and has 8-16 points of articulation. Every character comes with its own movie accessory like Mario's plunger or Luigi's flashlight!
In Shops: Mar 29, 2023
SRP: $24.99
JAKKS PACIFIC
From Jakks Pacific. Bring The Super Mario Bros. Movie 7" Bowser to life with an illuminated "fire breathing" effect by adding water and 3 AAA batteries (not included). Recreate scenes from the movie with 15 points of articulation or display him in his premium packaging.
In Shops: Mar 29, 2023
SRP: $39.99
JAKKS PACIFIC
From Jakks Pacific. Show off your Super Mario fandom with this Super Mario Movie Mini-World Van Playset! Mario's van folds down into an interactive playset for the included 1.25" tall Mario figure.
In Shops: Mar 22, 2023
SRP: $24.99
JAKKS PACIFIC
From Jakks Pacific. This set is inspired by Princess Peach's Mushroom Kingdom castle from the Super Mario Bros. Movie. The castle interior opens to nearly 22" wide and recreates the training ground moment from the movie including blocks, piranha plant, Bullet Bill, fire stick, and more. The Mushroom Kingdom Castle playset comes with 1.25" Mario and Princess Peach figures.
In Shops: Mar 22, 2023
SRP: $34.99
JAKKS PACIFIC
From Jakks Pacific. The Super Mario Bros. Movie 1.25" mini figures Wave 1 includes Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Kamek, and Koopa Paratroopa. Each comes with a question block that opens to reveal real movie backgrounds.
In Shops: Mar 22, 2023
SRP: $7.99
JAKKS PACIFIC
From Jakks Pacific. The Super Mario Bros. Movie 5" hanger plush line includes Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad. Each character includes a clip for hanging.
In Shops: Mar 29, 2023
SRP: $7.99
INVALID ITEM
PYRAMID AMERICA, LP
From Pyramid America. Revisit the rich history of Nintendo's Super Mario video game series with these 11-ounce mugs! Perfect for use at home or the office, or simply for collecting, these mugs will delight any fan of Mario, Luigi, and their friends!
SRP: $14.99
PREVIEWS Page #1095
PYRAMID AMERICA, LP
From Pyramid America. Revisit the rich history of Nintendo's Super Mario video game series with these 11-ounce mugs! Perfect for use at home or the office, or simply for collecting, these mugs will delight any fan of Mario, Luigi, and their friends!
SRP: $14.99
PREVIEWS Page #1095
PYRAMID AMERICA, LP
From Pyramid America. Revisit the rich history of Nintendo's Super Mario video game series with these 11-ounce mugs! Perfect for use at home or the office, or simply for collecting, these mugs will delight any fan of Mario, Luigi, and their friends!
SRP: $14.99
PREVIEWS Page #1095
DARK HORSE COMICS
(W) Usa Nintendo (A) Usa Nintendo
Take a globetrotting journey all over the world-and beyond!-with this companion art book to the hit video game for the Nintendo Switch system! In October of 2017, Super Mario Odyssey took the gaming world by storm. Now, discover the art and expertise that went into creating one of Nintendo's best-loved games! This full-color hardcover volume clocks in at 368 pages and features concept art, preliminary sketches, and notes from the development team, plus insight into some early ideas that didn't make it into the game itself! Explore the world of Super Mario Odyssey from every angle, including screen shots, marketing material, and more, to fully appreciate this captivating adventure.
In Shops: Nov 06, 2019
SRP: $49.99
PREVIEWS Page #105
Click to View
VIZ LLC
(W) Yukio Sawada (A) Yukio Sawada
Join Mario and pals in crazy adventures inspired by the hit video games! In this collection of short stories, Mario and Luigi go on adventures that showcase the fan-favorite characters of the Mario world in new, unconventional and hilarious ways. This compilation, handpicked from years of Mario comics in Japan, has never been available in English-until now!
For all ages.
In Shops: Dec 09, 2020
SRP: $9.99
PREVIEWS Page #367
Click to View
DARK HORSE COMICS
(W) Usa Nintendo
The Super Mario Encyclopedia is jam-packed with content from all seventeen Super Mario games and spans more than 30 years of the franchises history --from the original Super Mario Bros to Super Mario 3D World. Track the evolution of the Goomba, witness the introduction of Yoshi, and relive your favorite levels. This tome also contains an interview with producer Takashi Tezuka, tips to help you find every coin, star, sun, and mushroom--even explanations of glitches! With information on enemies, items, obstacles, and worlds from over thirty years of Mario, Super Mario Encyclopedia is the definitive resource for everything Super Mario!
In Shops: Oct 24, 2018
SRP: $39.99
PREVIEWS Page #94
Click to View
VIZ MEDIA LLC
(W) Kentaro Takekuma (A/CA) Charlie Nozawa
Super Mario Adventures, inspired by the bestselling Super Mario video game franchise, is a collection of comics that originally ran in Nintendo Power magazine in 1992-93. The peril-plagued Princess Toadstool is kidnapped by the diabolical deadbeat Bowser but super plumbers Mario and Luigi hatch a plan with their new friend Yoshi to rescue her. Are the Super Mario Bros' plans a pipe dream? Can they stop the Koopa King before he forces the Princess to be his bride?! Long out of print, this stunning, full-color graphic novel is now available once again!
In Shops: Oct 12, 2016
SRP: $14.99
PREVIEWS Page #485
