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Super Mario Mario Kart Super Smash Bros. Mario & Luigi Mario Baseball
This article is about the Mario object. For the enemy originating from the Donkey Kong series, see Fireball (Donkey Kong). For other uses, see Fireball (disambiguation).

Fireball, alternatively spelled Fire Ball, is a recurring object in the Mario franchise and related media. As a projectile, fireballs first appear in Super Mario Bros., although fireballs in general first appear in Mario Bros. as a type of enemy.

Description[]

As a usable projectile, fireballs can only be shot if the character acquires a Fire Flower, turning them into their Fire form. In some spinoff series as well as the Super Smash Bros. series, Mario and Luigi are capable of shooting fireballs from their hands without having to use a Fire Flower. In the Super Mario series, fireballs can even be thrown underwater. Ice Balls can be seen as a parallel to fireballs.

As an obstacle, fireballs often appear in fiery or volcanic areas. They can also be thrown by certain fire-elemental enemies such as Fire Bros.

In Super Mario series[]

Super Mario Bros.[]

Fire Mario shooting Fireballs SMB

Fire Mario shooting fireballs at Goombas in World 1-1 of Super Mario Bros.

Mario and Luigi can shoot fireballs if they are in their Fire form. When shooting a fireball, it bounces along the ground until hitting an enemy, causing the fireball to disappear. If a fireball hits a block sideways or from the underside, it gives an explosive-like animation before disappearing. Fire Mario or Fire Luigi can only shoot two fireballs at a time.

Most enemies can be defeated by one fireball, such as Koopa Troopas, which cannot be defeated from a stomp attack. Bowser and Fake Bowsers can be defeated after taking hits from five fireballs, also rewarding 5,000 points. In addition, hitting a Fake Bowser with five fireballs properly reveals it to be an enemy in disguise.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels[]

Fireballs make a reappearance, acting the same as in Super Mario Bros..

Super Mario Bros. 2[]

Fireballs only appear as projectiles shot by certain enemies. Pansers shoot two fireballs at a time, with certain color variations shooting them straight up and others shooting them toward the player in an arc. Red Birdos can spit fireballs alongside eggs, and green Birdos can only spit fireballs, and Mushroom Blocks are therefore required to defeat them. Autobombs can also shoot fireballs if a Shyguy is riding one.

Super Mario Bros. 3[]

Fireball obstacle SMB3 sprite

Aside from being returning as one of Fire Mario and Luigi's projectiles, Fireballs also appear in the Mario Bros.-based Battle Game mode. Like in Super Mario Bros. 2, fireballs also appear as enemy projectiles, now also being spit by Venus Fire Traps, Fire Bros. and Fiery Walking Piranhas. If Mario or Luigi are in their Hammer form, they can block the attack by crouching.

In Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, activating the Orange Switch e-Reader card makes it so that any enemy defeated by Fire Mario's fireballs become coins, like in Super Mario World.

Super Mario World[]

Fireballs return as projectiles that can be shot by Fire Mario. This is the first game in which defeating an enemy with a fireball turns it into a coin. Yoshi can breathe three Podoboo-like fireballs if he eats a Red Shell, and Red Yoshi can breathe fireballs if he eats a Koopa Shell. Most enemies can be defeated from a Yoshi's fireballs. Jumping Venus Fire Traps spit fireballs at the peak of their jumps, and Volcano Lotuses release four at a time.

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[]

Fireballs only appear as an obstacle. Kuromame and Fly Guys spit fireballs at Mario when he is near them. In Lethal Lava Land, the volcano can release fireballs at certain intervals, and fireballs can spurt out of the lava and jump in a straight line. If Mario touches a fireball, let alone fire in general, he takes damage and runs uncontrollably for a few seconds. Bowser can use fireballs as a means of attack.

New Super Mario Bros.[]

NSMB 2-1

Fire Mario shooting a Fireball at a Pokey in World 2-1 in New Super Mario Bros.

Fireballs return as projectiles shot by Fire Mario or Fire Luigi, acting the same as in Super Mario World. In Mario vs. Luigi, if Mario or Luigi gets hit by a fireball, they are knocked over and release a Big Star if they have one. However, if Mario or Luigi are in their Mini form, a fireball can defeat them.

Super Mario Galaxy[]

Fireballs return as projectiles that Fire Mario can use. He can now shoot more than two fireballs at once, but this can no longer be done underwater. Fireballs can also be shot by some enemies. Kamella and Magikoopas can shoot fireballs from their wands, and both King Kaliente and Octopuses can spit both fireballs and coconuts, the latter of which can be hit back at them.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii[]

Fireballs return as projectiles shot by Fire Mario and Luigi. With the inclusion of Yellow Toad and Blue Toad, both characters can also shoot Fireballs in their Fire form. Two returning enemies, Fire Bros. and Venus Fire Traps, throw fireballs and spit them out, respectively. Fireballs are capable of melting Ice Blocks in its path.

Like with Super Mario World, a Yoshi can store a fireball in his mouth spit from a Venus Fire Trap. A Yoshi can also eat a fireball shot from a character in their Fire form. If a Yoshi spits out a fireball, it becomes giant and travels along the path, defeating any enemy along the way and turning them into coins.

Super Mario Galaxy 2[]

Fireballs make a reappearance, acting the same as in Super Mario Galaxy, although Magikoopas now spawn Goombas instead. Prince Pikante also shoots fireballs and coconuts during his battle.

Super Mario 3D Land[]

Fireballs return as Fire Mario's projectiles, now acting similarly to the 2D Super Mario installments for the first time. The fireballs can bounce off of walls, and they fizzle out after two seconds. The game introduces an enemy capable of spitting fireballs, Fire Piranha Plants.

New Super Mario Bros. 2[]

Exclamation Pipe NSMB2 screenshot

Fire Mario shooting fireballs into a ! Pipe in New Super Mario Bros. 2

Fireballs return as projectiles shot by Fire Mario. The game introduces the ! Pipe, which Fire Mario can shoot fireballs into for coins and a power-up item to come out the other side.

New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe[]

Fireballs appear in all three games, acting the same as in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[]

Fire Princess Peach Artwork - Super Mario 3D World

Super Mario 3D World artwork of Fire Peach throwing a fireball

Fireballs act the same as in Super Mario 3D Land, but with their role slightly expanded upon. The game introduces Clear Pipes, which fireballs can be shot into, either from a playable character in their Fire form or from a Fire Bro, and this is the only way to defeat the spike balls inside of them. If both Fire Mario and a Fire Bro throw a fireball into opposite ends of a Clear Pipe, both fireballs are cancelled out.

In the Bowser's Fury campaign of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, any fireball that makes contact with the water surrounding Lake Lapcat is put out.

Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS[]

Fireballs return as projectiles shot by Fire Mario and Venus Fire Traps alike. Like in Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Yoshi can swallow a fireball from a Venus Fire Trap, but he can also get them from fire obstacles such as Fire Bars and Burners.

A software update on December 22, 2015 introduces the Fire Koopa Clown Car, an object with the ability to shoot fireballs from its mouth, and if Mario is in his Fire Form, the Fire Koopa Clown Car gets a triple spread-shot. The Fire Koopa Clown Car can be charged to create larger fireballs, which can destroy blocks.

Super Mario Maker 2[]

Fireballs act the same as in Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS. Fireballs are now also launched by Fire Bros., which make a reappearance, but are exclusive to the Super Mario 3D World style. The game introduces another enemy capable of throwing fireballs, Heavy Fire Bro. Red Yoshis appear in the Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros. U styles, and while they are capable of spitting fireballs, they are no longer able to extend their tongue out. A Red Yoshi's fireballs function like those of the Fire Koopa Clown Car, though these cannot be charged up.

In Mario Kart series[]

Fireballs appear throughout the series, especially in the Bowser's Castle courses.

Super Mario Kart[]

Fireball SMK sprite

Bowser can drop fireballs, although only if controlled by the CPU. If a driver touches a fireball, they spin out and lose four coins. Unlike other placeable items such as Banana Peels, Fireballs make some movement around the course.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!![]

Fireball MKDD icon

Fireballs are the Special Item of Mario. Upon being used, five fireballs are launched into the track, bouncing across and ricocheting off walls. In Battle Mode, only three fireballs are thrown at a time. If a driver pair is hit by a fireball, their kart spins out. After a short amount of time, the launched fireballs fizzle out.

Near the end of Bowser's Castle, there is a Mechanical Bowser that shoots giant fireballs, and he switches left and right to cover both sides of the track.

Luigi has a similar Special Item, the Green Fireball, which is essentially the same as Mario's Fireball aside from the light green coloration.

Mario Kart Arcade GP sub-series[]

Similarly to Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the Fireball returns as a Special Item of Mario's and Luigi's in Mario Kart Arcade GP, Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, and Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. The Fireball is one of the few items that can be thrown both forward and backward, depending on the input. The Fireball retains its function from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, except only one Fireball can be launched at a time instead of five.

In Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, Fire Mario's special item is the Double Fireball, allowing him to throw two Fireballs rather than one.

Mario Kart Wii[]

Fireballs only made an appearance in the 2nd Competition of March 2009, where Dry Bowser would spit out fireballs to attack the player. Dry Bowser would either launch three fireballs backward or one forward, depending on the current position of the player's character.

Mario Kart 7[]

Mario7Fireball

Artwork of Mario preparing to throw a fireball for Mario Kart 7

Fireballs are now projectiles that can be shot from acquiring the Fire Flower item. With it, a racer can shoot fireballs both forward and backward. If an opponent is hit by a fireball, they lose a coin. The Fire Flower wears off either if ten fireballs are thrown or when ten seconds have passed.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[]

Fireballs return as an item in both games, acting the same as in Mario Kart 7.

In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[]

Fireballs are the second Special Attack used by Mario. There is also a fireball-based enemy of the same name.

In Mario & Luigi series[]

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga / Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions[]

FireBros3

The Fire Bros. move being used in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

During battle, Mario can throw fireballs upon using the Bros. Attack Fire Bros.. Mario has a unique fire technique named Firebrand, which is essentially throwing fireballs while on the field, and this lights the Torches.

In his tutorial battle, Bowser only attacks Mario using his Fire Breath, but as Rookie, he also spits fireballs and throws hammers, similarly to how he attacked in the original Super Mario Bros.. Additionally, fireballs appear during the final battle with Cackletta.

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time[]

The Bros. Flower is one of the Bros. Items that allow both the adult and baby Mario Bros. to throw fireballs at enemies during the battle. One enemy can use fireballs as a projectile, Blazing Shroobs, and two bosses, Shrooboid Brat and Elder Shrooboid, can also attack using fireballs.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story / Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[]

Mario and Luigi can obtain the Fire Flower Special Attack that allows them to throw fireballs at enemies.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team[]

The Fire Flower returns as a Bros. Attack, and it once again involves Mario and Luigi throwing fireballs at the enemies. One of the Luiginary Attacks, Luiginary Flame, involves the use of fireballs to damage all enemies. Fire Bros. also return as an enemy, retaining their usual ability to shoot fireballs.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam[]

The Fire Flower once again returns as a Bros. Attack, which involves throwing fireballs at all enemies. Fireballs inflict critical damage on Paper enemies.

In Mario Baseball series[]

Mario Superstar Baseball[]

The Fireball is Mario's Star Skill, with Luigi having his own equivalent named Green Fireball. When pitched with, the Fireball sets the ball on fire and is thrown as a fastball with extremely high velocity and very little movement. Compared to the Green Fireball, the Fireball has slightly higher velocity and lower movement, matching Mario's specialties as a pitcher. If the Fireball is used for batting, the ball is set on fire, hitting it as a fast, low line drive to the outfield. Any fielders who attempt to catch the ball are burned and stunned temporarily.

In Challenge mode, if Mario is either the captain or recruited to the player's team, the Red Fireball must be bought before he can use the skill.

Mario's Fireball icon is the same as Luigi's, but is colored red. The icon erroneously retains the L in the cap.

Mario Super Sluggers[]

Mario-FireBall-MSS

Mario using his Fireball in Mario Super Sluggers

The Fireball is instead only used as Mario's Star Pitch, as Fire Swing instead appears as his Star Swing. Like in Mario Superstar Baseball, Mario throws the baseball at a fast speed, making it harder for the batter to hit it. Unlike some other Star Pitches, even if the batter hits the baseball, it can still travel a far distance if hit with good timing, meaning it is still possible to get a potential home run.

Crossover appearances[]

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Mario fireball attack SSBB

Mario using his Fireball attack in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Fireball is both Mario and Luigi's standard special move, the former of whom uses red fireballs that are affected by gravity while the latter uses green fireballs that shoot up regardless. Both versions are adoptable by Kirby upon the sucking up of Mario and Luigi and are, by default, performed by pressing the B Button (unless the player customizes the control scheme). The move allows Mario to shoot a red fireball from his hand in the style of Fire Mario from Super Mario Bros.. The fireballs are affected by gravity, bouncing against the ground until they burn out or hit an opponent. Fireball is a fire attack; opponents hit by the move suffer damage from the fire rather than the impact.

Gallery[]

Hat mario To view Fireball's
image gallery, click here.


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