Game Over
A Game Over is a term in nearly every Mario Game, given to the player when they run out of lives. Usually, they cannot continue and must restart the game, but can still often load their progress. In few cases, they cannot load any progress at all and a Game Over can be more of a big deal than in other games.
The game over screen differs from game to game, but the text is usually against a black screen and playing background music that seems to be mocking the player.
In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, if the player dies in World 9, the Game Over screen looks different.
Apparently, a Game Over in the Mario series is the equivalent of death, as evidenced in Super Paper Mario, when Dimentio sends Mario and his teammates to "the next world", which is like either going to Heaven or Hell. Mario, Luigi, and Bowser end up in The Underwhere which is a little like Hell, where some Shaydes ask Mario how his "game", referring to his life, was. Also, many Shaydes can be seen discussing how they got a Game Over. The Overthere, where Princess Peach went, is like the Heaven surrounded in clouds, sun, and rainbows.
That said, all the conversations in the The Underwhere seem to suggest that Shaydes can request an audience with Queen Jaydes who will weigh in their sins and send them to The Overthere, submit them to punishments befitting of their crimes or even return them to the land of the playing if the situation calls it.
One Shayde speculates that if a dead person dies in the Underwhere or Overthere, their aftergame ends and they go to the "post-aftergame", if such a place really exists.
When Count Bleck was using The Void to destroy all worlds, The Void also appeared in the Overthere, indicating that it would even destroy the aftergame. Where all the dead characters (or even all the characters altogether) would have gone following the aftergame's destruction is unknown.
Aside from Bowser (who appears to have infinite lives, though his deaths in New Super Mario Bros. and Super Paper Mario seem to be the exception, as in the former he has to be revived by Bowser Jr. with his bones, and in the latter, he was only temporarily killed. However, it is also likely he survived all his other defeats), several enemies have appeared to return from the dead. The most infamous is Petey Piranha, who dies after each battle yet often returns for another game. King Boo was also killed in Super Mario Sunshine, yet returned in Super Princess Peach. Also, the Koopalings were apparently killed in their respective battles in Super Mario World and Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, (either falling into the lava or vanishing in a puff of smoke in the former, and suffering the normal enemy death scene in the latter) yet returned in Partners in Time and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, respectively. It is likely that Bowser somehow revived all seven for their next appearances. This suggests that he has the power to resurrect his destroyed followers. It is more than likely, since Bowser Jr. is seen bringing Bowser back to life in New Super Mario Bros. after he is killed and reduced to a skeleton.
In Super Mario 64, when Mario gets a game over, the game will return to the title screen, but the background is red, and says "Game Over". Disappointing music plays, and Mario's face looks worn out. In Super Mario 64 DS, Mario's face doesn't appear, but the disappointing music still plays.
In Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy, the "Too Bad!" changes into a red Game Over sign. In the latter one, the color of is purple. Both include a brief disappointing song.
List of characters who get a game over
Known
This list excludes those who are revived, as it is shown on another list.
Super Mario Bros.
Most defeated enemies fell off the screen when shot with fireballs.
- Goomba Bowser: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
- Koopa Bowser: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
- Buzzy Beetle Bowser: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
- Spiny Bowser: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
- Lakitu Bowser: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
- Blooper Bowser: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
- Hammerbro Bowser: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
Super Mario Bros. 2
All defeated enemies except Fryguy fell off the screen. Fryguy would split into four, and they would vanish in a puff of smoke. It is important to note that, while some of the enemies did exist in the real Mario universe, none of the bosses (except the Birdos) did, as the entire game was a dream.
- Mouser: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad with a bomb
- Tryclyde: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad when blocks were thrown at him
- Mouser: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad with a bomb
- Fryguy: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad when blocks were thrown at him
- Clawgrip: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad when rocks were thrown at him
- Tryclyde: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad when blocks were thrown at him
- Wart: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad when vegetables were thrown into his mouth. Though he fell off the screen, his body was later shown intact.
Super Mario Land
Defeated enemies exploded in this game.
- King Totomesu: Defeated by Mario.
- Dragonzamasu: Defeated by Mario.
- Tamao: Was destroyed when Dragonzamasu was defeated
- Hiyoihoi: Defeated by Mario
- Biokinton: Defeated by Mario
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Defeated enemies would fall off the screen.
- Radonkel: Defeated by Mario.
- Ricky: Defeated by Mario.
- Sabasa: Defeated by Mario.
- Three Little Pigheads: Defeated by Mario.
- Octopus: Defeated by Mario.
- Tatanga: Defeated by Mario.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Destroyed enemies would usually not be seen after the battle.
- Mack: Defeated by Mario and Mallow
- Bowyer: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, and Geno
- Punchinello: Accidentally crushed by the King Bomb he sent falling into the battle to destroy Mario
- Bundt: Eaten by Booster
- Yaridovich: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach
- Smilax: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach
- Czar Dragon: Knocked into the lava by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach. Returned as the undead Zombone.
- Zombone: Knocked into the lava by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
- Axem Rangers: Killed in the explosion of their ship, the Blade, when Mario, Mallow, Geno, Peach, and Bowser destroyed it.
- Boomer: After being defeated, he cut a rope holding his chandelier up, ashamed of his defeat, and fell to his death.
- Count Down: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
- Cloaker: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
- Domino: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
- Mad Adder: Destroyed along with Domino. (Note: If he is not fought, it is presumed he was either automatically destroyed when Domino was, or else was destroyed with the rest of Smithy's remaining henchmen, like Exor)
- Earth Link: Destroyed along with Cloaker. (Note: If he is not fought, it is presumed he was either automatically destroyed when Cloaker was, or else was destroyed with the rest of Smithy's remaining henchmen)
- Clerk: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
- Manager: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
- Director: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
- Gunyolk: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
- Factory Chief: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
- Smithy: Defeated by Mario, Mallow, Geno, Bowser, and Peach.
- Exor: Dissolved into nothingness when Smithy was defeated.
Super Mario 64
Bosses rarely died in this game, though they seem to shatter to pieces, the way they talk, it is more likely that they just teleport away.
- Big Bully: Knocked into the lava by Mario.
- Big Bully: Knocked into the lava by Mario. (This is the one that came when the three smaller Bullies were defeated in the same way)
- Chill Bully: Knocked into the ice by Mario.
Paper Mario
(Note: Mario's partners mentioned are Goombario, Kooper, Bombette, Parakarry, Bow, Watt, Sushie, and Lakilester, although he does not have Lakilester by the time he fights Lava Piranha)
- Lava Piranha: Defeated by Mario and his partners. Sank back into the lava afterwards, and did not come back up.
- Huff N. Puff: Defeated by Mario and his partners. Exploded, scattering the Tuff Puffs within him.
- Crystal King: Defeated by Mario and his partners. Dissolved into snow.
Super Mario Sunshine
- Wiggler: This Wiggler was defeated when Mario ground pounded him three times. He turned into sand and dissolved.
- Manta Ray: Defeated by Mario. Though it split into several manta rays, all were defeated by Mario using FLUDD.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
(Note: Mario's partners are Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, Yoshi, Vivian, Bobbery, and Ms. Mowz)
- Professor Kolorado's father: Became trapped in Hooktail Castle. His bones were later discovered by Mario and Koops.
- Red Bones: Defeated by Mario, Goombella, and Koops
- Hooktail: Defeated by Mario, Goombella, and Koops. Was last seen lying on her back mortally wounded, and has vanished by the next time Mario ventures into her lair. Her death is confirmed by her brother Gloomtail.
- Grubba: As Macho Grubba, was defeated by Mario and his partners (Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, and Yoshi). His death is strongly hinted at when Jolene says "Now that Grubba's out of the picture, I'm taking over management of the Glitz Pit".
- Hizza: Both of his heads struck each other while going for Luigi (as he jumped out of the way). Exploded in a cloud of smoke. (Note: Mentioned by Luigi)
- Smorg: Defeated by Mario and his partners. The Smorgs kept saying "Smorg", but appeared to be getting weaker, possibly at the point of death, and then fell off of their victims and drifted away in the wind, presumably due to their deaths.
- Cranberry: Vanished along with Rapturous Ruins after giving Luigi a compass piece. (Note: Mentioned by Luigi)
- Minister Crepe: Smote by Luigi with his hammer. (Note: Mentioned in Luigi's book)
- Gloomtail: Defeated by Mario and his partners. If a player leaves the Palace of Shadow before placing the Star Key and returns to Gloomtail's room, he has vanished.
- Shadow Queen: Defeated by Mario and his partners, and exploded in an energy wave of darkness, releasing Peach unharmed. The coffin that previously held her remains open, indicating that she has not been resealed inside it, and could truly be destroyed because of the Crystal Stars negating her immortality which previously prevented the four heroes from destroying her.
- Bonetail: Defeated by Mario and his partners. If a player returns to this room after beating him, he has completely vanished.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Most defeated enemies would appear to be taking damage/transparent, and then disappear.
- Trunkle: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Cackletta: As Cackletta's Ghost (her body was destroyed earlier but thanks to Fawful, her spirit lived on and was placed inside Bowser), was defeated in battle by Mario and Luigi. She left Bowser's body and was destroyed.
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Most defeated enemies would brilliantly explode.
- Swiggler: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi.
- Sunnycide: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi.
- Yoob: Was deactivated when Sunnycide was destroyed.
- Shrooboid Brat: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi.
- Commander Shroob: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi.
- Princess Shroob: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi.
- Elder Princess Shroob: While possessing Bowser, as Shrowser, was defeated by Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi. She exploded like the others, but Bowser remained intact, though unconscious. (Note: She seemed to appear in Bowser's Inside Story, cryogenically frozen in the background along with other Shroobs. The precise reasons behind this are unknown, as the previous events leave little possibility open for her survival.)
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
- Scutlet: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Alpha Kretin: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Bowser's Memory M: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Bowser's Memory L: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Junker: Ran into a locked gate, destroying himself and inadvertently opening the gate.
- Dark Bowser: Punched repeatedly by Bowser, following Fawful's defeat, which left him unstable, so he was unable to take Bowser's attack and exploded.
- Fawful: Defeated by Mario and Luigi. With the Dark Star destroyed, it could no longer sustain him after the battle, and he exploded.
Super Princess Peach
Most defeated enemies would explode or else quickly turn transparent and vanish. Giant Kamek slowly turned transparent and vanished, and could easily have teleported away, evidenced by his appearance and apparent death in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
- Hoo the Owl: Defeated by Peach.
- King Boo: Defeated by Peach.
- Wiggler: This Wiggler was defeated by Peach.
- Gooper Blooper: Defeated by Peach.
- Blizzaurus: Defeated by Peach.
- Army Hammer Bro: Defeated by Peach.
New Super Mario Bros.
- Mummypokey: Defeated by Mario and Luigi
- Cheepskipper: Defeated by Mario and Luigi
- Mega Goomba: Defeated by Mario and Luigi
- Petey Piranha: Defeated by Mario and Luigi
- Monty Tank: Defeated by Mario and Luigi (Note: The actual "character" was a Monty Mole driving the Monty Tank)
- Lakithunder: Defeated by Mario and Luigi
Super Mario Galaxy
- Tarantox: Defeated by Mario
- Bouldergeist: Defeated by Mario
- Major Burrows: Defeated by Mario
- Baron Brrr: Defeated by Mario
- Kingfin: Defeated by Mario
- King Kaliente: Defeated by Mario. The second time seems to kill him
- Kamella: Defeated by Mario, leaving only a star
- Topmaniac: Defeated by Mario.
- Fiery Dino Piranha: Defeated by Mario.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
- Kamek: After powering Bowser up and increasing his size, he was knocked off his broom by Bowser as he rose up from the lava, knocking Kamek into the lava.
Super Paper Mario
- Fracktail: Defeated by Mario. Turned to a skeleton and fell in pieces.
- Underchomp: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, and Bowser.
- Bonechill: Defeated by Mario, Peach, Bowser, and Luigi, and shattered to pieces.
- Dimentio: As Super Dimentio, was defeated by Mario, Peach, and Bowser. His body was destroyed, leaving only his head, which, with a final "Ciao", exploded, sinking into the ground, releasing Luigi unharmed (unfortunately the Chaos Heart also survived, as Dimentio left a shadow of his power behind to control it).
- Wracktail: Defeated by Mario, Peach, Bowser, and Luigi. His death scene is identical to Fracktail's.
- Shadoo: Defeated by Mario, Peach, Bowser, and Luigi. All four of his forms (as shadows of Luigi, Bowser, Peach, and Mario) were defeated, and got regular enemy death scenes.
Revived
This applies to those who are revived after their death, and may occur more than once. (Note: Bowser's apparent deaths in Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and Super Mario 64 will not be mentioned here because it is possible he survived them all. He also may have returned by means of infinite lives, in which case is not technically a "Game over" for him). Most are revived without explanation.
Super Mario World
Most defeated Koopalings would either fall into the lava or spiral into the distance and explode in a puff of smoke. All were apparently revived for Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.
- Iggy Koopa: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
- Morton Koopa Jr.: Defeated by Mario and Luigi
- Lemmy Koopa: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
- Ludwig von Koopa: Defeated by Mario and Luigi
- Roy Koopa: Defeated by Mario and Luigi
- Wendy O. Koopa: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
- Larry Koopa: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi
Super Mario Sunshine
- Petey Piranha: Ground pounded by Mario three times. Turned into graffiti, melted, and dissolved. This happened twice, as he was revived after the first time. He was apparently revived for Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga after the second time.
- King Boo: After being stunned by a spicy pepper thrown into his mouth, a fruit was thrown at him by Mario, and he exploded. He was later revived for Super Princess Peach.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- TEC: Was shut down by Grodus and two X-Nauts. He later detonated X-Naut Fortress, destroying himself in the process, but both returned after the Shadow Queen was defeated.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
The defeated Koopalings would die the same way as other enemies, yet they returned in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
- Iggy Koopa: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Morton Koopa Jr.: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Lemmy Koopa: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Ludwig von Koopa: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Roy Koopa: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Wendy O. Koopa: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
- Larry Koopa: Defeated by Mario and Luigi.
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
- Petey Piranha: Defeated by Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi, but returned in Super Princess Peach, possibly revived by Bowser.
Super Princess Peach
- Petey Piranha: Defeated by Peach, only to return in New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros.
- Bowser: Knocked into the lava by Mario and Luigi. Was reduced to a skeleton, and revived by Bowser Jr.
Super Mario Galaxy
- Dino Piranha: Defeated by Mario. He later reappeared in the credits, indicating that he was revived at some point.
- Topmaniac: The first time he was destroyed by Mario, he was revived, and returned to fight him again
Super Paper Mario
- King Croacus: Defeated in battle by Mario, Peach, and Bowser. The Floro Sapiens were able to revive him.
- King Sammer: Was destroyed when his world was sucked into The Void. He later returned when The Void was destroyed and Sammer's Kingdom returned.
- The Sammer Guys: All 100 were sucked into The Void along with Sammer's Kingdom, and returned when their kingdom did after The Void was destroyed.
- Luigi: As Mr. L, was destroyed by Dimentio, who trapped him in an energy box and blew him up. Was only temporarily killed, however, and was revived by Jaydes.
- Mario: Destroyed by Dimentio. Was only temporarily killed, and was revived by Jaydes.
- Princess Peach: Destroyed by Dimentio. Was only temporarily killed, and was able to return to the world of the living afterward.
- Bowser: Destroyed by Dimentio. Was only temporarily killed, and was able to return to the world of the living afterward.
- Nastasia: Killed by Dimentio with an energy ball. Sacrificed herself to save Count Bleck, whom the attack was intended for. She came back to life when The Void was destroyed.
Possible/debatable deaths
This applies those to whose deaths are never specified, but not impossible either, however their survival is also possible.
Paper Mario
- Goomba King: When Mario activated a switch, the bridge activated and sent him flying off into the distance. It is unknown if he survived.
- The Koopa Bros.: Defeated by Jr. Troopa, sent flying sky high, though the ceiling was very low and they vanished, never to be seen again.
Super Mario Sunshine
- Gooper Blooper: Defeated by Mario, sent flying off into the distance and into the water. He did return three times, twice in Super Mario Sunshine and once in Super Princess Peach, either indicating his revival or survival.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Kammy Koopa: She was defeated by Mario and his partners, along with Bowser. Both were knocked out from the battle, and have vanished. Though Bowser clearly returns in later games, Kammy does not, and has not been seen since the following game, however she has also not been seen in any games between Paper Mario and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, so she might have survived. Her current whereabouts remain unknown.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
- Larry Koopa: Castle fell on top of him and the others. They may have been crushed by it.
- Morton Koopa Jr.: Castle fell on top of him and the others. They may have been crushed by it.
- Wendy O. Koopa: Castle fell on top of her and the others. They may have been crushed by it.
- Iggy Koopa: Castle fell on top of him and the others. They may have been crushed by it.
- Roy Koopa: Castle fell on top of him and the others. They may have been crushed by it.
- Lemmy Koopa: Castle fell on top of him and the others. They may have been crushed by it.
- Ludwig von Koopa: Castle fell on top of him and the others. They may have been crushed by it.
- Bowser Jr.: Castle fell on top of him and the others. They may have been crushed by it.
Super Paper Mario
- Tippi: When she married Count Bleck to destroy the Chaos Heart, it is speculated that both were destroyed with it, however, it is also speculated that they survived and were transported to another dimension. The end credits suggest that they were indeed transported to a paradise dimension.
- Count Bleck: When he married Tippi to destroy the Chaos Heart, is is speculated that both were destroyed with it, however, it is also speculated that they survived and were transported to another dimension. The end credits suggest that they were indeed transported to a paradise dimension.
