Bob-omb
- “We're Bob-ombs. We just ran away from the Koopa Bros. Fortress. We thought we'd at least find some peace in the village. Boy, were we wrong. The Fuzzies are running wild around here. All we want is a little peace...”
- —Bob-omb, Paper Mario
Bob-ombs are living, moving explosive devices. They are generic enemies who first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2, and have appeared in nearly every Mario game since then. They are traditionally colored black, but they can also be seen in red, blue, or even green. They sometimes feature wind-up keys on their backs and fuses. Their appearance, intelligence, and ally/enemy status differs widely from game to game.
Bob-ombs serve multiple roles in various games. In their most common appearances, they are enemies who explode upon being irritated, although they sometimes chase after Mario upon seeing him, exploding in a few seconds. Bob-ombs can also be used as weapons, particularly in Mario Kart Series and Super Smash Bros. Series. Bob-ombs are also involved in several Mini-games in the Mario Party Series.
Bob-ombs are Waluigi's weapon of choice. They should not be confused with Bombs, non-living explosives that have been faded out of the Marioverse in favor of Bob-ombs.
Appearances
Baby Bowser's Keep
Bob-ombs first appearance (chronologically) was Yoshi's Story. Bob-ombs appear during level 5-4: Shy Guy Ship where they are fired by Pirate Guy ships' cannons. They also appear during Yoshi's battle with Baby Bowser at the end of the game, where Baby Bowser would attack the hero by throwing Bob-ombs at him from the back of his large green "pet". Yoshi could actually use these Bob-ombs against him, by licking them up and throwing them at the ceiling of the room, causing large stalactites from the ceiling to fall onto Baby Bowser, eventually knocking him off the back of his pet so that Yoshi could battle him hand-to-hand.
In this game, Bob-ombs are treated more like items then actual enemies.
Working for Wart
Bob-ombs next appearance was in Super Mario Bros. 2, where they were semi-common enemies that worked for the tyrannical frog Wart. They were often dropped from the sky by the vulture-like Albatosses. After landing they would walk around for a while before exploding, doing damage to anyone nearby. Some Bob-ombs could be found (instead of Vegetables or Coins) when a red tuft of grass was pulled up. If this happens, the Player must throw the Bob-omb away before it explodes in the hero's hands.
Near the end of the game, some Bob-ombs appear out of Vases like Shy Guys. Because it is debated if the events of Super Mario Bros. 2 ever actually happened, it may be that Bob-ombs never actually worked for Wart. Also interesting is the fact that in Super Mario Bros. 2, Bob-ombs were shown with hands, the only time they were ever given limbs, further influencing the idea that the game may have never happened.
The Conquest of Dino Land
Bob-ombs can once again be seen working for Bowser in Super Mario World. In this game Bob-ombs will walk steadily back and forth before flashing pink and then exploding. If Mario, Luigi, or Yoshi jump on the Bob-omb before it explodes, it will become stationary and lifeless, and can even be picked up with no danger. Some Bob-ombs will also appear floating in bubbles, which will resume their normal activities if the bubble is popped.
Punchinello's Munitions
Bob-ombs also appeared in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, where they first appeared in Moleville Mines. Here, they were mere enemies roaming around Moleville's local mining mountain, although they were featured quite prominently in the battle with Punchinello. In said battle, Punchinello would summon three Bob-omb-type enemies (including the new subspecies Micro Bombs and Mezzo Bombs) for every three defeated, each getting larger and more powerful every "stage" or Punchinello's remaining health. Towards the end of his battle, a seemingly insane Punchinello tried his Bob-omb-summoning act one more time by creating a huge King Bomb, although this piece of ammunition only ended up squishing him and allowing Mario and his party to collect the Star Piece he was guarding and save Dyna and Mite Mole. Later in Super Mario RPG, a stronger, purple shoe-clad variety of Bob-omb appeared in Booster Tower.
Bob-omb Battlefield
Bob-ombs are common enemies in Super Mario 64 (and Super Mario 64 DS). They first appeared in Bob-omb Battlefield, a level that is ruled by the Big Bob-omb.
Bob-ombs attack pattern in this game is different and more aggressive than before. When Mario, Luigi, Wario, or Yoshi is spotted by a Bob-omb, the Bob-omb will light themselves and them rush towards him and begin to walk directly behind the heroes, so that when it explodes it will damage the Player. The Bob-ombs can be beaten simply by circling behind them, picking them up, and throwing them. When they hit the ground they will promptly explode, away from the hero. A pink sub-species of Bob-ombs called Bob-omb Buddies also appear in the game.
Paper Explosions
Bob-ombs appear both as allies and enemies in Paper Mario. A few can be first be found in Koopa Village. These Bob-ombs explained to Mario and his partners that they had been kidnapped and enslaved by the Koopa Bros.. When Mario reaches the Koopa Bros. Fortress he finds (and is attacked by) several Bob-ombs employed by Bowser. These Bob-ombs have two basic attacks: the first is simply to ram themselves into Mario, and the other is to light themselves, walk up to Mario, and explode right next to him.
Mario later frees the remainder of the enslaved Bob-ombs, one of which is a pink Bob-omb who joins his party, named Bombette. Interestingly, some Bob-ombs in this game are shown to be able to explode, and then simply regenerate themselves. Also notable, only Bob-ombs that are allies of Mario can do this.
Bean Bombs
Bob-ombs were semi-common enemies in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. Their attack pattern here was similar to that of the Paper Mario Bob-ombs; however, they also had the power to defuse themselves at will. If a Bob-omb spots Mario or Luigi, it will light its fuse and begin to run around frantically, initiating battle if touched.
"Digital" Bob-ombs
Bob-ombs appear in some stages of Super Mario Sunshine as weapons used by Monty Moles. After a certain amount of time, the eyes will start a countdown from 3, exploding at 0. But, if Mario sprays them with FLUDD they will momentarily turn blue and freeze, and can then be picked up and thrown by Mario.
Paper Bombs
Bob-ombs were rare enemies in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. A group of them called the Bob-omb Squad (led by Master Crash) can first be encountered in Glitzville. Later on Bob-ombs may be fought in the Pit of 100 Trials. There battle Plan in this game is completly unchanged from there Paper Mario strategies.
Although Bob-ombs, as enemies, are rare in this game, Bob-ombs are commonly found in Rougeport, most of them sailors. A large group of peaceful Bob-ombs live in the Fahr Outpost, where they are the main inhabitants of the region. Most of these Bob-ombs are actually allies of Mario.
The Bob-omb sub-species Bob-ulk is introduced in this game.
Trivia
- Interestingly, Mario Party 2 seems to imply that Bob-ombs are aliens.
- Despite the fact that Bob-ombs are mechanical, various facts in the Paper Mario series suggest that they have gender and are even capable of reproduction. It is also worth noting that they show much intellect for robotic beings and may possess artificial intelligence. As a matter of fact, Bob-ombs may even be living creatures, as is implied by the fact that they visibly breathe in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door's Fahr Outpost area.
Other Appearances
Bob-ombs have even appeared in various Legend of Zelda games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. If Link strikes them with his sword once, they will run frantically around the room in a diagonal pattern, ricocheting off of walls and objects until they explode. If Link manages to strike them again, they will stop moving and explode.
A Bob-omb also appeared in the Super Mario Bros film. Unlike in the video games, it didn't have life and would only move if wound up. It could also walk up walls and was immensely more powerful than in the games (so much so that the mere sight of a Bob-omb caused mass panic and even made King Koopa duck and cover). In an obvious display of product placement, Bob-omb's feet were festooned with Reebok shoes, visible for a split second before it exploded.
Bob-ombs have been used as items in several Mario sports titles. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!! they were Wario and Waluigi's signature item. When thrown, they would stand still for a moment before exploding, throwing any nearby drivers into the air. Bob-ombs could be seen driving cars in Mushroom City, (despite having no arms) and if a Player accidentally drives into it, it will explode like the Bob-ombs Wario and Waluigi used. It is unknown if the Bob-ombs were actually driving the car, or if it was a kind of windup toy.
Super Smash Bros. series
Bob-Ombs appeared in both games as items. These can be thrown at other characters to make an explosion. If they're left on the ground long enough, they walk by themselves, and just as they're about to explode, they stop. The Bob-omb also appeared as a trophy.
Sub-Species
- Bulky Bob-omb: A much stronger Bob-Omb. After 4 turns it will explode.
- Bob-ulk: The strongest Bob-Omb. After 4 turns it will explode. The power of their bomb attack is 16!
- Bob-omb Buddy: A friendly type of bob-omb that will open cannons for Mario in Super Mario 64.
- Kab-Omb: A Bob-Omb that can be ignited, exploding into fireworks.
- Para-bomb: Parachuting Bob-ombs
- Glad Parabomb: Very happy parachuting Bob-ombs
- Rob-omb A Bob-omb with purple shoes from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
- Lethal Bob-omb: A highly volatile and dangerous variety of Bob-omb from Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.
Notable Bob-Ombs
- Admiral Bobbery – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Big Bob-omb – Super Mario 64
- Bombette – Paper Mario
- Fahr Outpost Mayor – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- General White – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Goldbob – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Jerry – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Lucky – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Master Crash – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Pa-Patch – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Paper Mario Stats and Tattle Information
- HP: 3
- Attack: 1
- Defense: 0
- Location: Koopa Bros. Fortress
- Tattle: Bob-ombs are pretty temperamental, and they get steaming mad when you attack 'em. You'd better not Jump on 'em when they're angry or they'll blow up in your face. In fact, stay away entirely. Attack 'em from a distance with items like Hammers. Or you could send in other things, like shells. If they attack when angry, they'll charge in and explode. So you'd better take care of them before they blow!
Trophy Information from Super Smash Bros. Melee
These little guys are just what they appear to be: walking bombs. Pick one up and hurl it for an incredibly potent attack. If no one picks them up, Bob-ombs light their own fuses and start wandering around armed and dangerous. In Super Mario 64, Bob-ombs chased Mario down once they noticed him. Pink Bob-ombs are nice and capable of speech.
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