Character Sheet: Goomba (Original Sidescrollers)

GOOMBA

Now that we have all of the original sidescrolling Mario titles for the NES and SNES under our belt, I think it's time we go through and evaluate every character we have picked so far as being playable.

Now let's move on to the enemy characters. I have narrowed down the field to all of the enemies that have an immediate yes, even if they might not have a moveset just yet. My final count is twelve:

1. Koopa Troopa
1e. Dry Bones
2. Shy Guy
3. Goomba
4. Piranha Plant
5. Boo
6. Lakitu
7. Hammer Bro.
8. Chargin' Chuck
9. Magikoopa
10. Boom Boom
11. Birdo

Today, let's talk about the Goomba, the walking little mushroom (which is actually apparently supposed to be a chestnut) who serves as the most basic enemy in any Mario game. Now, in general, the Goomba on its own is by design supposed to do nothing, however, it has seen enough variants in its lifetime to eke out just enough moveset potential. It appears primarily in Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, and Super Mario Bros. 3, and doesn't exactly appear in Super Mario World, instead being replaced by Galoombas, their cousins who are clearly closer to the chestnut tree than they are. I figure Galoombas count well enough, and might even serve as a color swap or two.

So, the basic Goomba move in any game is to simply walk forward and do nothing. However, in Super Mario Bros. 3, we see the introduction of the Paragoomba, which is a Goomba with wings, as well as the Mini-Goomba, a tiny Goomba which can be dropped from the Paragoomba and can also hide under a brick before picking it up and tossing it. The game also introduces us to the Kuribo's Shoe, an item that Goombas can hop around in and stomp on opponents. This gives us at least a little to work with.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Headbutt
This one is actually drawn straight from Goombario and Goombella's moveset in the Paper Mario games. Goomba will jump into the air and come down on top of an opponent, bashing them with their own head for moderate damage.

Side B: Kuribo's Shoe

The Goomba will hop into a Kuribo's shoe, which will allow it to jump around across the stage and bury any enemies it lands on, while also allowing it to cross hazardous areas it couldn't normally cross. 

Up B: Paragoomba

Goomba will sprout a pair of wings that will allow it to fly up and up while dropping Mini-Goombas by parachute as it goes. The wings will disappear after a short time, while the Mini-Goombas will last until they hit an opponent.

Down B: Brick

The Goomba will pick up a large brick, just like their mini counterpart, and carry it around for a time, protecting it from harm, before chucking it at the nearest opponent, doing heavy damage and shattering the brick in the process.

Final Smash: Goomboss

I know this guy doesn't come around until Paper Mario, but I literally could not think of anything else that would work as a Goomba's final smash. Basically, Goomboss will pop out and tromp around the stage erratically, crushing any opponent it comes across and send them flying.

Entrance: Descends by parachute

Taunts: "I'm a lonely Goomba, stuck between two pipes." Okay, not really. But that would be fun, wouldn't it? Maybe have him play a little Game Boy for a second anyway.

Next up: Let's cover the Piranha Plant, the character literally no one saw coming but turned out to be really fun anyway.