Penguin
Penguins are a species of flightless bird found in the Mario series. They are good swimmers and often inhabit cold climates, like their real-world counterparts, to which they bear varying degrees of resemblance, depending on the game. Penguins do not hurt Mario, though they sometimes act as obstacles or hindrances to his quest. Benevolent penguins often speak with Mario, sometimes asking for his help or offering him a service. Penguins are often confused with smaller, similar-looking Bumpties.
History
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3
Penguins were first seen in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 episode 7 Continents for 7 Koopas. In the episode, Bowser had assigned Big Mouth Koopa to take over the continent of Antarctica. To do so, Big Mouth build an Abominable Snowkoopa, which he brought to life with his Magic Wand, so that it could terrorize the local penguins. Later on, Luigi stole Big Mouth's Wand, which he used to not only destroy the Abominable Snowkoopa, but also to enlarge the penguins, which gave chase after Big Mouth.
Mario is Missing!
Penguins then appeared in the PC edition of Mario is Missing!, where they were a part of the background of Antarctica; also of note, the game's narrator states that if Bowser succeeds in his plan to melt Antarctica in Mario is Missing!, "dozens of Penguins will be left homeless".
Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land
Later, half-Penguin, half-raccoon enemies known as Penkoons appeared in Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land.
Super Mario series
Super Mario 64
Penguins were given more prominent appearances in Super Mario 64, where they could be seen in the level Cool Cool Mountain. In the game, a Penguin had lost her baby Tuxie and asks Mario to find her. Mario finds her and is awarded with a Power Star. Also, later, Mario has to race down a long, icy slide and get to the finish line before a Penguin does. If Mario wins, he will be awarded with another Power Star. Also, in Snowman's Land, there's a Penguin on the bridge leading to the top of the giant snowman. The Penguin can be used to sneak around the giant snowman head. Super Mario 64 also introduced the appearance given to the Penguins of Mushroom World, as opposed to the standard Penguins of Earth.
Super Mario Galaxy
In Super Mario Galaxy, Penguins reappear residing on the Loopdeeloop Galaxy, the Loopdeeswoop Galaxy, the Sea Slide Galaxy, Drip Drop Galaxy and the Beach Bowl Galaxy. There is also one lone penguin in Freezeflame Galaxy. Usually, the penguins will challenge Mario to some sort of water challenge, such as surfing, collecting shells, or racing them. They are quite friendly, and will give Mario tips on how to swim, or even help him find Silver Stars. In the Loopdeeloop and Loopdeeswoop Galaxies, the penguins spend their time surfing on Manta Rays. They also have a "coach" which is a black penguin (similar to the Real World kind of penguin) bigger than normal penguins who teaches Mario (and Luigi) how to use shells to swim with. The penguins in this game are shown to live in more tropical areas than the previous games, which had penguins living mainly in cold areas.
Mario Kart series
Mario Kart 64
In Mario Kart 64, they could be found as obstacles in Sherbet Land. Also, in this same course a giant Penguin could be found on an unreachable ice island. This cource reappeared in Mario Kart Wii.
Mario Pinball Land
In Mario Pinball Land, Penguins appear to be in the Ice World; if Mario hits one of them, the Penguin will slip down to the icy floor, waddling while sliding. If Mario hits it one more time while the Penguin is down lying on the icy floor, he will earn 2,000 points. While sliding, if a Penguin hits another waddling Penguin, the other Penguin slips down to the icy floor while sliding as the process repeats.
Mario Party series
The Penguins also appear in the Mario Party series (such as in the mini-game Pushy Penguins from Mario Party 5) and more games in the Mario Kart series. They are not to be confused with Bumpties, who are shorter, smaller, and generally appear mainly in the Yoshi series, with a few exceptions.
Mario Party Advance
In Mario Party Advance a Penguin can be found in the Ice Casino of Shroom City. He is trying to save up money to buy a ring for his girlfriend, Pengwen, but has lost all of his money playing Drop 'em. If the Player wins the game for him, he will thank the player by giving away a Gaddget.
Mario Strikers Charged Football
Penguins appear in a Mario Strikers Charged Football and are actually just part of the audience.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games Penguins appear as spectators in Dream Curling. Also, one appears as VIP.
Notable Penguins
Trivia
- The Lemguins of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! and Donkey Kong Land III are a type of penguins with lemming-ish instincts.
- At the end of a Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat level, a bunch of Penguins are seen in the background. However, these penguins look more "real life-like" than the Mario version of them.
- In Wario: Master of Disguise one of the exhibits is a Penguin. This Penguin resembles a real life version as well.
- Mario Party 8 has brought about a matter of confusion among various gamers in that, despite Penguins never appearing as enemies, various mini-games include them as enemies (it may be noted that all their appearances as enemies would have also been fit for Bumpties), and one mini-game places them among famous Mario enemies and, within the context of the mini-game rules, the penguin is called a "classic enemy," even though Bumpties are classic Yoshi enemies whereas Penguins have never been an enemy at all. In short, Penguins (notably short Penguins) appeared in the game wherever it would have been more fit for a Bumpty to appear.
- Penguins are possible relatives to Bumpties.
