Bob-omb

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“We're Bob-ombs. We just ran away from the Koopa Bros. Fortress. We thought we'd at least find some peace in the village. Boy, were we wrong. The Fuzzies are running wild around here. All we want is a little peace...”

—Bob-omb, Paper Mario

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A normal Bob-omb, as it appears in the Mario Kart Games.

Bob-ombs are living, moving explosive devices. They are generic enemies who first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2, and have appeared in nearly every Mario game since then. They are traditionally colored black, but they can also be seen in red, blue, or even green. They sometimes feature wind-up keys on their backs and fuses. Their appearance, intelligence, and ally/enemy status differs widely from game to game.

Bob-ombs serve multiple roles in various games. In their most common appearances, they are enemies who explode upon being irritated, although they sometimes chase after Mario upon seeing him, exploding in a few seconds. Bob-ombs can also be used as weapons, particularly in Mario Kart series and Super Smash Bros. series. Bob-ombs are also involved in several Mini-games in the Mario Party series.

Bob-ombs are Waluigi's weapon of choice. They should not be confused with Bombss, non-living explosives that have been faded out of the Mario series in favor of Bob-ombs.

Appearances

Baby Bowser's Keep

Bob-ombs first appearance (chronologically) was Yoshi's Story. Bob-ombs appear during level 5-4: Shy Guy's Ship where they are fired by Pirate Guy ships' cannons. They also appear during Yoshi's battle with Baby Bowser at the end of the game, where Baby Bowser would attack the hero by throwing Bob-ombs at him from the back of his large green "pet". Yoshi could actually use these Bob-ombs against him, by licking them up and throwing them at the ceiling of the room, causing large stalactites from the ceiling to fall onto Baby Bowser, eventually knocking him off the back of his pet so that Yoshi could battle him hand-to-hand.

In this game, Bob-ombs are treated more like items then actual enemies.

Working for Wart

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Bob-ombs as they appear in various Mario platformers.

Bob-ombs next appearance was in Super Mario Bros. 2, where they were semi-common enemies that worked for the tyrannical frog Wart. They were often dropped from the sky by the vulture-like Albatosses. After landing they would walk around for a while before exploding, doing damage to anyone nearby. Some Bob-ombs could be found (instead of Vegetables or Coins) when a red tuft of grass was pulled up. If this happens, the Player must throw the Bob-omb away before it explodes in the hero's hands.

Near the end of the game, some Bob-ombs appear out of Vases like Shy Guys. Because it is debated if the events of Super Mario Bros. 2 ever actually happened, it may be that Bob-ombs never actually worked for Wart. Also interesting is the fact that in Super Mario Bros. 2, Bob-ombs were shown with hands, the only time they were ever given limbs, further influencing the idea that the game may have never happened.

The Conquest of Dino Land

Bob-ombs can once again be seen working for Bowser in Super Mario World. In this game Bob-ombs walk quickly back and forth before they flash pink and then explode. Like Green Koopas, they will fall off edges instead of changing direction before they fall off, like Red Koopas. If Mario or Luigi jump on the Bob-omb before it explodes, it will become stationary and lifeless, and can even be picked up with no danger until it explodes in the user's hands. The same thing also happens if one of them hits it with a Cape. Some Bob-ombs will also appear floating in bubbles. These bombs will resume their normal activities if the bubble is popped by a touch from the player. The bubble-encased Bob-ombs appear only in one level: Forest of Illusion 3.

When Yoshi eats a Bob-omb in this game, he will simply swallow it, like most enemies. If he stomps it, it will instantly be destroyed, and cannot be used as a weapon. Yoshi can also eat the bubble-covered Bob-ombs even when they are still it their bubble.

Punchinello's Munitions

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Bob-ombs also appeared in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, where they first appeared in Moleville Mines. Here, they were mere enemies roaming around Moleville's local mining mountain, although they were featured quite prominently in the battle with Punchinello. In said battle, Punchinello would summon three Bob-omb-type enemies (including the new subspecies Micro Bombs and Mezzo Bombs) for every three defeated, each getting larger and more powerful every "stage" or Punchinello's remaining health. Towards the end of his battle, a seemingly insane Punchinello tried his Bob-omb-summoning act one more time by creating a huge Bomb-omb, although this piece of ammunition only ended up squishing him and allowing Mario and his party to collect the Star Piece he was guarding and save Dyna and Mite Mole. In battle, Bomb-ombs had average stats and no special attacks, however, when threatened, they could explode in a kamikaze attempt to cause one ally a lot of damage. Later in Super Mario RPG, a stronger, purple shoe-clad variety of Bob-omb appeared in Booster Tower.

Bob-omb Battlefield

A Bob-omb from Super Mario 64.

Bob-ombs are common enemies in Super Mario 64 (and Super Mario 64 DS). They first appeared in Bob-omb Battlefield, a level that is ruled by the Big Bob-omb.

Bob-ombs attack pattern in this game is different and more aggressive than before. When Mario, Luigi, Wario, or Yoshi is spotted by a Bob-omb, the Bob-omb will light themselves and them rush towards him and begin to walk directly behind the heroes, so that when it explodes it will damage the Player. The Bob-ombs can be beaten simply by circling behind them, picking them up, and throwing them. When they hit the ground they will promptly explode, away from the hero. A pink sub-species of Bob-ombs called Bob-omb Buddies also appear in the game.

Paper Explosions

Bob-ombs appear both as allies and enemies in Paper Mario. A few can be first be found in Koopa Village. These Bob-ombs explained to Mario and his partners that they had been kidnapped and enslaved by the Koopa Bros.. When Mario reaches the Koopa Bros. Fortress he finds (and is attacked by) several Bob-ombs employed by Bowser. These Bob-ombs have two basic attacks: the first is simply to ram themselves into Mario, and the other is to light themselves, walk up to Mario, and explode right next to him.

Mario later frees the remainder of the enslaved Bob-ombs, one of which is a pink Bob-omb who joins his party, named Bombette. Interestingly, some Bob-ombs in this game are shown to be able to explode, and then simply regenerate themselves. Also notable, only Bob-ombs that are allies of Mario can do this.

It's also notable that during the credit roll, four Bob-ombs show out a hand, indicating that Bob-ombs do have arms, only visible when used.

Bean Bombs

Bob-ombs were semi-common enemies in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. Their attack pattern here was similar to that of the Paper Mario Bob-ombs; however, they also had the power to defuse themselves at will. If a Bob-omb spots Mario or Luigi, it will light its fuse and begin to run around frantically, initiating battle if touched. When defeated, the Bob-ombs in this game sometimes dropped a Red Pepper.

"Digital" Bob-ombs on Isle Delfino

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A "digital" Bob-Omb.

Bob-ombs also appear in Super Mario Sunshine, but much differently than in any other game. They are black orbs with a digital interface. After a certain amount of time, the "eyes" will start a countdown from 3, exploding at 0. But, if Mario sprays them with FLUDD they will turn blue and freeze, and can then be picked up and thrown by Mario. They will, however, still explode in this form.

They appear in two missions: first in Pinna Park and later in Noki Bay. Both times, they are under the control of Monty Mole, who throws the bombs from his tank once Mario gets too close for the mole to shoot Bullet Bills. To defeat the Monty, the player must spray water on the Bob-ombs and then pick them up and throw them at the tank. The player must do this three times, and the Monty Mole will be defeated.

Paper Bombs

Bob-ombs were rare enemies in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. A group of them called the Bob-omb Squad (led by Master Crash) can first be encountered in Glitzville. Later on Bob-ombs may be fought in the Pit of 100 Trials. There battle Plan in this game is completely unchanged from there Paper Mario strategies.

Although Bob-ombs, as enemies, are rare in this game, Bob-ombs are commonly found in Rougeport, most of them sailors. A large group of peaceful Bob-ombs live in the Fahr Outpost, where they are the main inhabitants of the region. Most of these Bob-ombs are actually allies of Mario.

The Bob-omb sub-species Bob-ulk is introduced in this game.

Bob-ombs in the Galaxy

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A Bob-omb in Super Mario Galaxy.

Bob-ombs later appear in Super Mario Galaxy. Here, they are thrown from holes in the ground. They can be picked up by Mario by a Star Spin. When picked up, they will start detonating, and must be thrown with another Star Spin before they explode. They can be used to destroy many things, including Chomp Heads. They appear in two different varieties: ones that have legs and can walk around, which are less common, and ones that do not have legs and don't move on their own. Additionally, Burn Bits and Brrr Bits (among which is Baron Brrr) are similar to Bob-ombs.

The Bob-ombs are used prominently in two missions: one in the Battlerock Galaxy and one in the Dreadnought Galaxy. They are used when a Gearmo asks Mario do get rid of trash for him. The bombs are used to blow up the trash. It must be done within a time limit, however, and the prize for winning is a Power Star.

Other Appearances

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A Bob-omb from The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!

Bob-ombs have even appeared in various Legend of Zelda games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. If Link strikes them with his sword once, they will run frantically around the room in a diagonal pattern, ricocheting off of walls and objects until they explode. If Link manages to strike them again, they will stop moving and explode.

The Bob-omb featured in the Super Mario Bros. movie.

A Bob-omb also appeared in the Super Mario Bros film. Unlike in the video games, it didn't have life and would only move if wound up. It could also walk up walls and was immensely more powerful than in the games (so much so that the mere sight of a Bob-omb caused mass panic and even made King Koopa duck and cover). In an obvious display of product placement, Bob-omb's feet were festooned with Reebok shoes, visible for a split second before it exploded.

Bob-ombs have been used as items in several Mario sports titles. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!! they were Wario and Waluigi's signature item. When thrown, they would stand still for a moment before exploding, throwing any nearby drivers into the air. If the radius is fading, it is a spinout. In Mushroom City and Mushroom BridgeBob-ombs cars could be seen and if a Player accidentally drives into it, it will explode like the Bob-ombs Wario and Waluigi used as Special Items. In Mario Kart DS, Bob-ombs return in a similar fashion as they did on Double Dash!!, but this time it can be used by any character, instead of beng a special one. Curiosly, in the remake version of Mushrom Bridge, Bob-ombs cars don't appear. In Super Mario Strikers and its sequel, Mario Strikers Charged, Bob-ombs are items, and they do almost the same as they did in the Mario Kart series. Here, Bob-ombs can be obtained alone or in a set of three. Also, a larger form of a Bob-omb, called Giant Bob-omb, sometimes appear, acting like a normal Bob-omb, but it explosion radiuss roughly four times larger, plus it sends out a shockwave, harming anyone near it.

Super Smash Bros. series

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A lit Bob-omb seen in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Art of the Bob-omb from Super Smash Bros.

Bob-ombs appeared in all three games as items. Once collected, a Bob-omb can be thrown at other characters to create an explosion, thus, inflicting heavy damage on the player, or even KOing them. If they're left on the ground long enough, however, they walk around by themselves, and eventually stop and stand in one spot when they draw near to exploding by themselves. The Bob-omb is also a Trophy in this game.

Sub-Species

• Bulky Bob-omb: A much stronger Bob-Omb. After 4 turns it will explode.
• Bob-ulk: The strongest Bob-Omb. After 4 turns it will explode. The power of their bomb attack is 16.
• Bob-omb Buddy: A friendly type of bob-omb that will open cannons for Mario in Super Mario 64.
• Kab-Omb: A Bob-Omb that can be ignited, exploding into fireworks.
• Para-bomb: Parachuting Bob-ombs
• Glad Parabomb: Very happy parachuting Bob-ombs
• Rob-omb A Bob-omb with purple shoes from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
• Lethal Bob-omb: A highly volatile and dangerous variety of Bob-omb from Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.

Notable Bob-ombs

A Bob-Omb toy found in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2

• Admiral Bobbery – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
• Big Bob-omb – Super Mario 64
• Bombette – Paper Mario
• Bomberto – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
• Fahr Outpost Mayor – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
• General White – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
• Goldbob – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
• Jerry – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
• Lucky – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
• Master Crash – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
• Pa-Patch – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario Stats and Tattle Information

• HP: 3
• Attack: 1
• Defense: 0
• Location: Koopa Bros. Fortress
• Tattle: Bob-ombs are pretty temperamental, and they get steaming mad when you attack 'em. You'd better not Jump on 'em when they're angry or they'll blow up in your face. In fact, stay away entirely. Attack 'em from a distance with items like Hammers. Or you could send in other things, like shells. If they attack when angry, they'll charge in and explode. So you'd better take care of them before they blow!

Trophy Information from Super Smash Bros. Melee

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These little guys are just what they appear to be: walking bombs. Pick one up and hurl it for an incredibly potent attack. If no one picks them up, Bob-ombs light their own fuses and start wandering around armed and dangerous. In Super Mario 64, Bob-ombs chased Mario down once they noticed him. Pink Bob-ombs are nice and capable of speech.

Trivia

• Interestingly, Mario Party 2 seems to imply that Bob-ombs are aliens.
• Despite the fact that Bob-ombs are mechanical, various facts in the Paper Mario series suggest that they have gender and are even capable of reproduction. It is also worth noting that they show much intellect for robotic beings and may possess artificial intelligence. As a matter of fact, Bob-ombs may even be living creatures, as is implied by the fact that they visibly breathe in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door's Fahr Outpost area.

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