Goombas (), known in Japan as Kuribō, and originally Little Goomba, are a fictional species and enemy from Nintendo's Mario franchise. They first appeared in the NES video game Super Mario Bros. as the first enemy players encounter, part of Bowser's army. There are multiple variants of Goombas, including Paragoombas and Cat Goombas, as well as offshoots like Galoombas and Goombrats. There have also been non-antagonistic Goombas in the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series. They have appeared outside video games, including in film and television. Goombas are brown shiitake-like creatures with long black eyebrows, a sharp underbite, a tan stem, dark brown feet, no limbs, and are most commonly seen walking around aimlessly, often as an obstacle. They were included late in the development of Super Mario Bros. as a simple, easy-to-defeat enemy after playtesters found the Koopa Troopa enemy too difficult, creating a sprite and flipping it to convey walking. The species is considered one of the most iconic elements of the Super Mario series, appearing in nearly every game in the series, and is often ranked amongst the most famous enemies in video games. In 2009, CraveOnline described it as the series' "everyman". The video game incarnation has been made into several plush toys.
Concept and creation
Goombas are brown creatures designed to resemble shiitake, with bushy eyebrows and a pair of tusk-like teeth sprouting from their lower jaw. They have no arms and two feet. In their debut game, Super Mario Bros., they were the last enemy added after playtesters stated that the Koopa Troopa enemy was too difficult. The designers created it as a more basic enemy. Due to limited space remaining, the team created a single sprite that they flipped back and forth to convey walking. It bears a resemblance to the Super Mushroom power-up that Mario can use to strengthen himself, which forced designers to change the mechanics and appearance of the Super Mushroom. They used the Goomba's ability to be jumped on and defeated to teach players how to deal with enemies and to not fear the Super Mushroom. Early concept art for the live-action Super Mario Bros. film showed that the design of the Goombas were originally intended to be for Koopa Troopas, another kind of Mario enemy. A separate company from the primary makeup departments designed the Goombas in the film.
Etymology The name Goomba is derived from "Goombah" (from Neapolitan cumpà) which refers to an Italian American man. Also, in Hungarian, gomba means 'mushroom'. In Japanese, Goombas are called Kuribō, which loosely translates as 'chestnut person'.
Appearances
Goombas debuted in Super Mario Bros., and have reappeared in most games in the series. In the 2D games, they walk aimlessly in a straight line, turning only when meeting an obstacle. They can be defeated by jumping on them, which flattens them. In this game, Goombas can come in different colors depending on the setting, appearing as brown in overworld levels, blue in underground levels, and gray in castle levels. Goombas come in multiple variants as well, including ones bigger and smaller. Other variants include undead Goombas called Bone Goombas, Cat Goombas, and winged Goombas called Paragoombas. In Super Mario Sunshine, Goombas are not present; instead, a Goomba-like enemy called Strollin' Stu is introduced. In Super Mario Bros. 3, a variant can be found riding in an item called Goomba's Shoe, which Mario can ride in after defeating the Goomba. Multiple offshoots of the Goomba have also been created, including the Goombo in Super Mario Land, Galoomba in Super Mario World, Goombrat in New Super Mario Bros. U, and Goombud in Super Mario Maker 2. In Super Mario Odyssey, a female Goomba called Goombette was introduced, which will flee from the player unless they are in control of a Goomba. Goombas appear as bosses multiple times, including Goomboss in Paper Mario and Super Mario 64 DS and a large Goomba called Mega Goomba in New Super Mario Bros.
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