The best baddies in the Mushroom Kingdom.
Nintendo
No single character represents video games like Mario, but he can’t do it alone. No, we’re not talking about his human (or human-ish) allies. It’s Mario’s enemies that make the games timeless.
Nintendo
5. Bob-omb
Bob-ombs are the most existentially horrifying enemy in the Mario series, existing only to blow themselves up. Their grim determination makes them memorable as much as their adorable little eyes, and you’ve just got to admire their commitment to the bit.
We may never know much about the Piranha Plant, like why they live in pipes or who taught them to drive for Mario Kart. They’ve been around since the first Super Mario Bros., growing from a minor nuisance to a full-fledged staple of the series, which is something to be proud of.
Most of Mario’s enemies seem to be motivated by an irrational hatred of plumbers, but for Lakitu, it’s just a job. How do you know? Because Lakitu is just as happy to act as a camera operator or fish your car out of a lake depending on the gig.
Because being barked at by an angry dog and fearing it might escape its leash is the most relatable experience in a Mario game. And just like those dogs, you have to wonder, is Chain Chomp tied up because it’s angry or angry because it’s tied up? Maybe Chain Chomp is the real victim here.