Goomba's Shoe
A Goomba's Shoe is a large, green-colored boot with a wind-up key sticking out of the back of it; it is one of the most uncommon of all the power-ups in all of the Mario series, and made its first game appearance in Super Mario Bros. 3, with the latest appearance in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. It was originally known in English as Kuribo's Shoe, with "Kuribo" being the Japanese name of Goomba left unchanged. The name is translated in the re-releases of Super Mario Bros. 3 and the Game Boy Advance remake, but the item has been called Kuribo's Shoe again in Super Mario All-Stars.
History
Super Mario Bros. 3
The first appearance of the Goomba's Shoe was in Super Mario Bros. 3, where they explicitly appeared in World 5-3. The Goombas of this level would hop around aimlessly in Goomba's Shoes and if jumped on by Mario, would be defeated; however, if Mario was to attack one of these Goombas from below, the Goomba will be knocked from the shoe and Mario could take it and ride in it. In Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, there is an unreleased e-Reader level called "With Boots On, GO! GO!" that uses the Goomba's Shoe and adds it coming out of blocks in that level, like a normal power-up.
Once wearing a Goomba's Shoe, Mario will be able to easily hop across spikes and sharp-toothed or spiky enemies, such as Munchers and Spinies. Once the end of the level is reached, though, Mario will lose the Goomba's Shoe. In the original Japanese version, a hit will also cause Mario to shrink to Small Mario in addition to losing the shoe. However, if the player was already small, Mario will only lose the shoe, as in the international versions of the games.
In several of the unused levels of Super Mario Bros. 3, Goomba's Shoes can be found and used.
In the original version and the SNES remake, on the rare occasion that Mario should be wearing the Tanooki Suit, entering a Goomba's Shoe allows the normally stationary Statue Mario to become mobile, while retaining invincibility.[1] However, this ability was fixed in Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 so when attempting to enter Goomba's Shoe while a statue, Mario will revert to Tanooki Mario.
In the Virtual Console re-release, the Goomba's Shoe is not mentioned in the Operations Guide. It was not mentioned in the manuals for the original game or its remakes either.
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3
Goomba's Shoes only appeared in the episode "Super Koopa" of The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, despite also appearing in the show's opening sequence. During the episode, they were referred to as Karoobi's Shoes, a mispronunciation of Kuribo's Shoes.
In the Brazilian dubbing for the episode, Mario calls the Goomba's Shoe "seven-league boot", probably alluding to European folklore. The original seven-league boots are used for running, not jumping, however.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
After over twenty-four years of absence, Goomba's Shoes return as uncommon stickers in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. Here, they are named Super Boots and can be bought at Outlook Point. By pressing 
, Mario can dodge most attacks with the boot. The boot also allows Mario to stomp spiked enemies, and also increases the power of other Jump attacks used when the boot is in effect. Shiny versions of this sticker appear as well, also for sale at Outlook Point.
Also, the Clone Jump stickers resemble a Goomba's Shoe with a wind-up on the back, which was mistaken for the Goomba's Shoe itself in development phases.
Super Mario 3D World
While the Goomba's Shoe itself is not seen in Super Mario 3D World, the similar Ice Skate that can be used on frozen lakes is present. Both playable characters and Goombas can ride them. These shoes have different colors, which are based on the rider.
Names in other languages
Trivia
- In Super Paper Mario, one Sammer Guy is called Shoe of Kuribo, a reference to the Goomba's Shoe.
- In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, the enemy Sockop is very similar to a Goomba's Shoe, especially when Luigi is walking around in it. One Sockop is even named Kuribo.
- The Nintendo Power Strategy Guide for Super Mario Bros. 3 refers to the Goomba in the shoe as "Kuribo's Goomba", essentially meaning "Goomba's Goomba".
- Goomba's Shoe was set to re-appear in Super Mario 3D Land, but this idea was scrapped for unknown reasons.[2]
References
- ^ Demonstrated in a recent 25th anniversary Super Tips video.
- ^ 1Up.com - Super Mario 3D Land: Game Design Before Fan Service
