- This article is about the character from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. For other uses of the term "Rookie", see Rookie (disambiguation).
- “For some reason, fighting these guys... makes my gut flare up something fierce...”
- —Rookie, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Template:Character-infobox
Rookie is Bowser's amnesiac alter ego and Popple's accomplice in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.
Rookie's appearance is largely similar to his normal self's, though it differs in a few ways. The most noticeable physical difference is Rookie's blue, cat burglar-styled mask. For unknown reasons, Superstar Saga also depicts him with green eyes, although this trait is not carried over to its Nintendo 3DS remake, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions. In contrast to his physical appearance, Rookie's personality is drastically different than Bowser's; he is extremely trusting, loyal, and ultimately submissive to Popple, whereas his normal self is self-serving and believes others beneath him.
When Bowser takes Mario and Luigi to the Beanbean Kingdom in his Koopa Cruiser, Cackletta and Fawful attack the Cruiser, causing it to crash in Stardust Fields. Bowser lands in Tolstar's cannon and winds up being fired to Hoohoo Mountain by one of the Starshade Bros., where Popple finds him and nurses him back to health off-screen.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions significantly expands upon Rookie's origin. The remake reveals that Rookie's creation was indirectly and unintentionally engineered by Captain Goomba, the main protagonist of Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser. The reason for Rookie joining Popple is also revealed in a flashback: after losing his memory, Bowser collapsed from hunger. Popple was stealing food from nearby households at the time, and accidentally fed the amnesiac Koopa King when he tripped while escaping. Mistaking this mishap for genuine kindness, Bowser began to follow Popple around in spite of the thief's initial protests.
Rookie fighting Mario and Luigi in
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario and Luigi first encounter Rookie in Chateau de Chucklehuck, shortly after seeing Popple for the first time. Popple orders Rookie to fight the Mario Bros. so that he can obtain the Chuckola Reserve, which the Bros. were also looking for in order to remove a Belly Belch Worm from Queen Bean. Rookie attacks with hammers and Fire Breath, the latter of which occurs when he faintly recalls his memories of fighting the Mario Bros. Whenever he jumps before performing his attacks, the victim is Luigi; whenever he does not, the victim is Mario. Rookie protects Popple very zealously, counterattacking the Bros. every time they attack Popple.
After the battle, Popple reprimands Rookie for being unable to destroy the Mario Bros., and the two run off in hopes of getting to the Chuckola Reserve before the Mario Brothers. The thieving duo reach the Reserve before the Bros., but are captured by the Chuckolator. Mario and Luigi arrive and battle the Chuckolator, but not before the living soft drink hits the barrels Rookie and Popple are inside of with such force that they are ejected out of the room.
The Mario Bros. encounter Rookie once more at Woohoo Hooniversity right after Popple finds the Beanstar which had just fallen right next to him. Popple once more orders Rookie to fight the Bros. to protect the Beanstar. This time, Popple and Rookie have their own versions of Bros. Attacks, but the Bros. still defeat them without much effort. After the battle, a Peach Bot falls into the room and enrages the Beanstar with its squeaking, causing it to fly out of the room.
Mario, Luigi, Popple, and Rookie grab onto the Beanstar in an attempt to stop its escape; however, the combined stress of hearing Birdo's unpleasant voice and bearing the collective weight of the Mario Bros., Popple, and Rookie causes the Beanstar to shatter into four pieces. Each of the four clingers begin to fall off one by one until only Rookie is left, as the fragmented Beanstar heads toward Stardust Fields. It is only as he returns to the place where he lost his memory that Rookie at last remembers that he is Bowser. His recollection is short-lived, however, as Fawful encounters an unconscious Bowser and uses his body to house Cackletta's soul, creating Bowletta.
In the Minions' story, the captains battle Popple when he might know Bowser's whereabouts. Rookie doesn't remember his minions and leaves with Popple after berating them for defeating his boss. After meeting Popple again, they learn Rookie went missing before the meeting starts another battle. After returning home, Bowser slowly remembers Captain Goomba was the one who gave him amnesia while on the mountain and revokes him of his title while chasing him in rage.
Rookie never reappeared in any other games (his true identity as Bowser nonwithstanding), although he, or more specifically Captain Goomba's inadvertent role in his creation, was given an indirect reference when Captain Goomba, when explaining he didn't wish to slack off on Goomba training by play-fighting Bowser Jr. and get Bowser upset, adds "again" at the end of the sentence.
Stat Information
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga enemy
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Rookie (1)
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HP
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120
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POW
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32-42
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Defense
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40
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Speed
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30
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Experience
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110 (120)
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Coins
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34 (30)
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Location
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Chateau de Chucklehuck
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Jump
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Normal
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Hammer
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Normal
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Hand
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Normal
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Fire
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Heal
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Thunder
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Critical
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Stat down?
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30%
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Stun?
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30%
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Burn?
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0%
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Level
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11
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Role
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Boss
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Item drop
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1-Up Mushroom – 100% None – 0%
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Notice
- Stats in parentheses are from the Japanese version (if they differ from the original American and European stats).
- Stats in gray are only found in the game's coding and are not available during "normal" gameplay.
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Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga enemy
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Rookie (2)
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HP
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250
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POW
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48-70
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Defense
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60
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Speed
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60
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Experience
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180 (250)
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Coins
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33 (30)
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Location
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Woohoo Hooniversity
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Jump
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Normal
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Hammer
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Normal
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Hand
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Normal
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Fire
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Heal
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Thunder
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Critical
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Stat down?
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30%
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Stun?
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30%
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Burn?
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0%
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Level
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15
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Role
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Boss
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Item drop
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1-Up Mushroom (Red Pepper) – 100% None – 0%
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Notice
- Stats in parentheses are from the Japanese version (if they differ from the original American and European stats).
- Stats in gray are only found in the game's coding and are not available during "normal" gameplay.
|
Gallery
Rookie dancing in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Popple and Rookie use a Bros. Attack in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Cackletta possessing Bowser.PNG
Cackletta about to possess Rookie (Bowser) in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
Names in other languages
Language
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Name
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Meaning
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Notes
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Japanese
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新人クッパ[?] Shinjin Kuppa
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Rookie Koopa (Koopa being Bowser's Japanese name).
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Dutch
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Groentje[?]
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Rookie
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German
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BowsAzubi[?]
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Pun of "Bowser" and Azubi (German for apprentice).
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Italian
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Recluta[?]
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Recruit
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Spanish
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Bowser novato[?]
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Rookie Bowser
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Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga / Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions / Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser
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Characters (Superstar Saga) |
Protagonists
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Mario1,2 • Luigi1,2 • Princess Peach1,2 • Prince Peasley • Bowser1,2
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Antagonists
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Cackletta (Bowletta) • Fawful • Popple • Bowser (Rookie)1,2
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Supporting characters
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Beanbean troops1,2 • Bink1,2 • Blablanadon1,2 • Bloat1,2 • Boddle1,2 • Border Bros1,2 • Bubbles • Chuckleroot1,2 • Chuckleroot's granddaughter1,2 • Cork and Cask • Doctor1,2 • Dr. Toadley2 • Fava1,2 • Firebrand and Thunderhand1,2 • Hammerhead Bros.1,2 • Harhall1,2 • Hermie III • Hoohoo civilization1,2 • Jellyfish Sisters1,2 • Koopa Cruiser photographer • Lady Lima1,2 • Miles Tones1,2 • Moai1,2 • Mole1,2 • Pea1,2 • Peach-bot1,2 • Pipeman1,2 • Professor E. Gadd • Prospector1,2 • Psycho Kamek1 • Queen Bean1,2 • Soybean civilization1,2 • Spangle • Starshade Bros.1,2 • Toadsworth1,2 • Tolstar1,2 • Tuki1,2 • Yoshi Fan Club1,2
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Species
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Ankoopa1 • Beanish1,2 • Beanlet1,2 • Big Koopa Troopa2 • Designbomb1,2 • Ghost1,2 • Hoohooligan1,2 • Kurako1,2 • Lagoon-dweller1,2 • Oho Jee • Sailor1,2 • Thwomp • Toad1,2 • Winkle1,2 • Yoshi1,2
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Characters (The Search for Bowser) |
Protagonists
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Captain Goomba3 (Gold3) • Captain Shy Guy3 • Captain Boo3 (Gold3) • Captain Koopa Troopa3 (Gold3) • Koopalings (Iggy · Morton · Lemmy · Ludwig · Roy · Wendy · Larry)
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Antagonists
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Cackletta (Bowletta) • Fawful • Popple
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Supporting characters
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Bowser3 • Corporal Paraplonk3 • Private Goomp3 • Sergeant Guy3 • Prince Peasley • Bubbles • Cork and Cask • Hermie III • Professor E. Gadd • Spangle • Starlow3
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Special moves |
Overworld/solo attacks
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Emergency Block2 • Counterattack1,2 • Dash1,2 • Dunk Hammer1,2 • Firebrand1,2 • Flee1,2 • Hammer1,2 • High Jump1,2 • Jump1,2 • Mini-Mario1,2 • Pump Mario1,2 • Spin Jump1,2 • Surfboard1,2 • Tickle1,2 • Thunderhand1,2
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Bros. Attacks1,2
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Bounce Bros. • Chopper Bros. • Cyclone Bros. • Fire Bros. • Knockback Bros. • Splash Bros. • Swing Bros. • Thunder Bros.
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Captain Commands3
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Deny • Rally • Chance • Play Dead • Lightning • Parry • Pass the Bob-omb • Thwomp Thump • Clash of Captains • Call for Backup • Sneak Attack • Shell Shock
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Bosses |
Superstar Saga
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Birdo • Bowletta1,2 • Bowser1,2 • Cackletta1,2 • Chuckolator1,2 • Dragohoho1,2 • Fawful • Flaret1,2 • Hermie III1,2 • Hoohooros1,2 • Jojora1,2 • Jojora's friends1,2 • Koopalings (Iggy · Morton · Lemmy · Ludwig · Roy · Wendy · Larry) • Mom Piranha1,2 • Popple • Queen Bean1,2 • Rookie1,2 • Tolstar1,2 • Trunkle1,2 • Wiggler1,2
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The Search for Bowser
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Birdo • Corporal Paraplonk3 • Fawful • Koopalings (Iggy · Morton · Lemmy · Ludwig · Roy · Wendy · Larry) • Popple • Private Goomp3 • Sergeant Guy3
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Locations
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Beanbean Airport1,2 • Beanbean Borderland1,2 • Beanbean Castle1,2 • Beanbean Castle Sewers/Beanbean Castle Sewer1,2 • Beanbean Castle Town1,2 • Beanbean Outskirts/Beanbean Fields • Beanbean Kingdom • Bowser's Castle • Castle Town Item Shop1,2 • Chateau de Chucklehuck1,2 • Chucklehuck Woods • Fire Palace1,2 • Guffawha Ruins1,2 • Gwarhar Lagoon • Harhall's Studio1,2 • Hoohoo Mountain • Hoohoo Village1,2 • Information Booth1,2 • Joke's End • Koopa Cruiser • Little Fungitown1,2 • Little Fungitown Item Shop1,2 • Mario and Luigi's house1,2 • Mushroom Kingdom1,2 • Oho Oasis1,2 • Oho Ocean1,2 • Pipe House1,2 • Princess Peach's Castle1,2 • Relaxation Room1,2 • S.S. Chuckola1,2 • Seabed1,2 • Starbeans Cafe1,2 • Stardust Fields1,2 • Teehee Valley • Thunder Palace1,2 • Toadtown Square/Peach's Castle1,2 • Winkle Colosseum1,2 • Woohoo Hooniversity1,2 • Yoshi Theater1,2
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Enemies |
Superstar Saga
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Anuboo1,2 • Beanerang Bro • Beanie • Belly Blech1,2 • Bill Blaster1,2 • Blooper1,2 • Bob-omb • Boo • Cheep Cheep1 • Chomp Bro1,2 • Chuck Guy • Chuckorok1,2 • Clumph • Dry Bones4 • Eeker1,2 • Elite Chuck Guy • Elite Dry Bones1,2 • Elite Gritty Goomba1,2 • Elite Limbo Bro • Elite Pestnut • Elite Troopea • Fighter Fly1,2 • Fuzzbush • Fuzzy1,2 • Glurp1,2 • Gold Beanie • Goomba • Goomdiver1,2 • Gritty Goomba • Gunner Guy1,2 • Hammer Bro • Ice Snifit • Lakipea • Laser Snifit1,2 • Limbo Bro • Magikoopa • Malibut1,2 • Mecha-Blooper1,2 • Mecha-Chomp1 • Mechakoopa • Oucher Glass1,2 • Parabeanie • Paratroopea • Pestnut • Piranha Bean • Piranha Plant1,2 • Puffer-Cheep1 • Rex • Roto-Disc1,2 • Sand Cheep1,2 • Scaratroopea • Sharkbone1,2 • Sharpea • Sniper Bill1,2 • Spiky Snifit1,2 • Spiny4 • Spiny Cheep Cheep2 • Starkiss • Super Fly1,2 • Sworm1,2 • Tanoomba • Time Bob-omb1,2 • Troopea • Virus1,2 • Yo Bro1,2
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The Search for Bowser
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Bandit3 • Beanerang Bro • Beanie • Big Boo3 • Big Tail Goomba3 • Bob-omb • Bomb Boo3 • Boo • Boomerang Bro3 • Broozer3 • Buzzy Beetle3 • Chain Chomp3 • Chargin' Chuck3 • Chuck Guy • Clumph • Dry Bones4 • Elite Captain Quartet3 • Elite Chuck Guy • Elite Limbo Bro • Elite Pestnut • Elite Troopea • Fire Bro3 • Fire Stalking Piranha Plant3 • Fly Guy3 • Fuzzbush • Gold Beanie • Goomba • Goomba Tower3 • Green Magikoopa3 • Gritty Goomba • Hammer Bro • Ice Bro3 • Ice Snifit • Koopa Paratroopa3 • Koopa Troopa3 • Lakipea • Lakitu3 • Limbo Bro • Magikoopa • Mechakoopa • Mechawful3 • Para-Beetle3 • Parabeanie • Paragoomba3 • Paratroopea • Pestnut • Piranha Bean • Pokey3 • Red Magikoopa3 • Rex • Scaratroopea • Sharpea • Shy Guy3 • Spear Guy3 • Spike3 • Spiny4 • Spiny Cheep Cheep2 • Starkiss • Tail Boo3 • Tanoomba • Troopea • White Magikoopa3
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Items |
Consumables
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1-Up Mushroom1,2 • 1-Up Super1,2 • 100 Coin2 • 10 Coin2 • 50-Coin2 • Beanbean coin1,2 • Boo Biscuit2 • Coin1,2 • Five Coin1,2 • Golden Mushroom1,2 • Green Pepper1,2 • Max Mushroom1,2 • Max Nut1,2 • Max Syrup1,2 • Mushroom1,2 • Nut1,2 • Red Pepper1,2 • Refreshing Herb1,2 • Super Mushroom1,2 • Super Nut1,2 • Super Syrup1,2 • Syrup1,2 • Ultra Mushroom1,2 • Ultra Nut1,2 • Ultra Syrup1,2
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Key items
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Bean Fruit1,2 • Beanbean Brooch1,2 • Beanbean Map1,2 • Beanstar1,2 • Beanstar piece1,2 • Beanstone1,2 • Chuckola Fruit1,2 • Chuckola Reserve1,2 • Crabbie Grass1,2 • Face1,2 • Fake Beanstar1,2 • Flaming statue1,2 • Hoohoo Spirit1,2 • Invincishroom • Membership Card1,2 • Neon Egg1,2 • Peach's Extra Dress1,2 • Pearl Bean1,2 • Peasley's Rose1,2 • Precious belonging1,2 • Red and Green Goblets1,2 • Secret Scroll 11,2 • Secret Scroll 21,2 • Suitcase1,2 • Winkle Card1,2
|
Bean Juice1,2
|
Chuckle Blend • Chuckoccino • Hoohoo Blend • Hoolumbian • Teehee Blend • Teeheespresso • Woohoo Blend
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Special items
|
Bonus Ring1,2 • Cobalt Necktie1,2 • Excite Spring1,2 • Game Boy Horror SP1,2 • Great Force1,2 • Greed Wallet1,2 • Power Grip1 • Secret Specs2
|
Blocks1,2
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! Block • ? Block • Bros. Block • Command Block • Hidden Block • Hoohoo Block • L Block • M Block • Rally Block • Random Block • Recovery block • Save Album • Simu-Block • Spin Block
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Other
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Axe1,2 • Badge1,2 • Bean1,2 • Bike Pads1,2 • Black Rock1,2 • Boo Statue1,2 • Brown Rock1,2 • Button1,2 • Cart1,2 • Gold ring • Chuckola Cola1,2 • Clothing1,2 • Conductor1,2 • Gown1,2 • Gray Rock1,2 • Headgear1,2 • Invincibility Mushroom3 • Koopa Clown Car1,2 • Lift1,2 • Poison Mushroom1,2 • Poltergust 30001,2 • Pressure Plate1,2 • Region map1 • Rolling Bar Defense System1,2 • Spiky Stardust Defense System1,2 • Spring Pad1,2 • Super Poltergust 30011,2 • Surfing Spot1,2 • Toad Express1,2 • Torch1,2 • Wall Face1,2 • Warp Pipe1,2 • Watering hole1,2 • Waterspout1,2
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Minigames1,2
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Border Jump • Mysterious Mine Carts • Star 'Stache Smash • Barrel • Chuckola Bounce • Surfing Game • Splart
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Stats
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Bros. Point1,2 • Defense • Experience Point • Heart Point • Level up • Power • Speed1,2 • Spirit3 • Stache1,2
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Status
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Burn1,2 • Charred1,2 • DEF-Down • DEF-Up • Dizzy • Fury2 • Heavy G1,2 • Invisible2 • Light G1,2 • Poison1,2 • POW-Down • POW-Up • Prohibited Command1,2 • SPD-Down1,2 • SPD-Up1,2 • Trip1,2
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Other
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Bean Fever1,2 • Beanbean Air • Beanhole locations1 (Bowser's Minions2) • Block locations1 (Bowser's Minions2) • Bestiary1 (Bowser's Minions2) • Enemy formations1,2 • Gallery1 (Bowser's Minions2) • Gear1 (Bowser's Minions2) • Glitches1 (Bowser's Minions2) • Hidden Block locations1 • Hooroglyphs1,2 • Kingdom Courier1,2 • Level up progressions1,2 • Mario & Luigi RPG: Sound Selection1 • Mario Bros.1 • Pre-release and unused content1 • Quotes1 (Bowser's Minions2) • Shops2 • Special Skill3 • Sound test2 • Staff1 (Bowser's Minions2) • Story summaries2 • Super Attack1,2
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