Summary
TheSuper Mario Bros.games have featured a long line of enemies over the years. Each of these enemies has a unique driving force for their actions, with some of the most detailed backstories going towards central antagonist figures. Mario has amassed quite the rogue gallery over the years, from long-running foes to one-time appearances.
Understandably, enemies that have had more than one run-in with the plumber have built up the most disdain for him. Not all enemies of Mario stay enemies, with some of them able to mend the turmoil between the two and put their past differences behind them.
7Bowser Jr.
Bowser’s Son Who Wants To Steal Peach As A Step-Mother
Bowser Jr. first appeared in Super Mario Sunshine. In the game, Bowser Jr. donned the guise of Shadow Mario in an attempt to ruin Mario’s reputation. This is because his father had told him that Princess Peach was his mother and that she was kidnapped by a bad man named Mario. He hatches a planat a tropical resortto rescue her and enact his revenge against Mario.
While Jr. does not like Mario in the slightest, he has reluctantly teamed up with him in the past. This took place inSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury,where he was unable to quell his father’s rampage on his own.
6Wario
A Greedy Rival, Envious Of Mario’s Success And Heroism
There have been various Super Mario comics over the life of the franchise, and they have mentioned the past between Mario and Wario. BothSuper Mario AdventuresandSuper Mario-Kunmention how Wario has hated Mario ever since they were both children. This makes Wario someone who has hated Mario longer than any other antagonist in the franchise.
Young Mario would pick on young Wario, and play pranks on him. Mario’s heroics and fame are also something that Wario is gravely envious of. Wario’s first appearance in the franchise was inSuper Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins,where he acts as the central antagonist of the game, buthe has some great spin-off gamessince.
5King Boo
Tries To Kidnap Mario Due To His Constant Disruption In The Ghost Mansions
King Boo is a very malevolent foe who enjoys toying with his victims. His hatred is not limited to just Luigi but to both of the Mario Brothers. While King Boo had not appeared in any games prior toLuigi’s Mansion, he harbors negative feelings towards them — indicating off-screen adventures. He kidnaps Mario and traps him in a portrait in an attempt to lure Luigi so that he can do the same to him.
This sends Luigi off onseveral ghost-hunting escapadesin the hopes of saving his brother. InLuigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, he is far more malicious in nature and shows little regard for his actions' effects on the world around him. Whilst King Boo has never stated why he hates the Mario brothers, it’s implied that is due to their constant disruption within the ghost mansions.
4Wart
Someone Who Dreams Of Conquer, Who Has His Plans Foiled By Mario
Wart may not be as well known as other entries on this list, but he is a long-running enemy of Mario — dating all the way back to 1988. He has appeared in many other Nintendo properties, such as theLegend of Zelda. Their most noteworthy appearances are from the Game Boy Advance line ofSuper Mariogames, as well as theSuper Mario-Kunmanga.
Wart is able to use a special machine to make all manner of minions and monsters and finds amusement in the struggles of others as he torments them. However, the more Mario overcomes the hurdles put before him by Wart, the more infuriated he becomes with the Plumber.
3Bowser
The Ultimate Rival Who Wants To Steal Princess Peach And The Mushroom Kingdom
Bowser is easily the most recognizable enemy on this list and has been Mario’s primary nemesis since the firstSuper Mario Bros.game. Bowser kidnapped Princess Peach to make her his wife, but was thwarted by Mario. However, time and time again, Bowser has continued to successfully kidnap the princess throughout the franchise, only to fail at the end of each endeavor.
Bowser has had many powerful allies throughout the various games, such as the Koopalings and Kamak the Magikoopa. He commands vast legions of troops, as well as being an incredibly powerful being himself. This makes him one of the most powerful threats in theSuper Mariofranchise.
2Cranky Kong
First Appearance: Donkey Kong (1981)
Cranky Kong is the original Donkey Kong that appeared in the firstDonkey Konggame. In this game, he serves as Mario’s pet gorilla. At the time of the game,Mario went by Jumpmanand was a carpenter rather than a plumber. He was also not the kindest of owners, being so bad in fact that his pet gorilla got fed up with being mistreated and lashed out.
This caused him to kidnap Mario’s girlfriend, Pauline, and start throwing barrels down an incomplete building project. Cranky Kong would become the name used for installments where the mantle of “Donkey Kong” had been passed down. InDonkey Kong 64and theSuper Mario Bros. Movie, he serves as the father to the current Donkey Kong. However, inDonkey Kong Country, he is the grandfather to the current Donkey Kong.
1Donkey Kong
Mario’s Playful Rival Who Comes From A Line Of Kongs
After the events of the originalDonkey Konggame, Mario has locked up Donkey Kong in a cage, and it is up to Donkey Kong Jr. to save him. In this game, Mario is the villain, and the player controls Donkey Kong Jr. As stated before, developers have used the DK we know as the son of Cranky Kong, but also as the grandson. This has led to wild speculations about what the actual family tree is like.
However, the modern DK has had a long-running antagonistic relationship with the modern-day plumber. Some good modern examples of this are evident in theMario vs. Donkey Konggames and theSuper Mario Bros. Movie. While Donkey Kong in the previously mentioned film outright states this fact, the two of them become proper allies before the end of the movie. Just like Mario, he has along line of gamesdedicated to him.
