----------------------------------Enemies-----------------------------------

Explore the diverse enemy roster of Super Mario Bros. 3, from Goombas to Hammer Brothers. Learn their attack patterns and discover the best strategies to defeat each foe.

This section details the various enemies encountered in Super Mario Bros. 3, organized into families for easier reference: Fortress Family, Goomba Family, Hammer Brother Family, Koopa Military Family, Koopa Troopa Family, Pirahna Plant Family, Water Family, and Miscellaneous.

Fortress Family

• Boo Diddly — A white ghost that charges when Mario turns his back. Unkillable without a Hammer Brother Suit, Tanooki Suit, or Invincible Starman; must be avoided.
• Boom-Boom — A spiked turtle that walks and sometimes flies, guarding fortresses. Attacks by running, flying, or using spikes. Jump on his head just as he starts moving or wait for him to swoop if flying.
• Dry Bones — A skeletal turtle that walks and can revive. Stomping causes it to crumble, but it can be defeated with an Invincible Starman, hammer, or statue stomp.
• Hot Foot — A walking red flame that charges when Mario turns his back. Unkillable without a Hammer Brother Suit, Tanooki Suit, or Invincible Starman; must be avoided.
• Podoboo — A fireball that flies out of lava pits. Unkillable without a Hammer Brother Suit or Invincible Starman; time jumps between lava pits to avoid.
• Roto-Disc — A glowing white ball that rotates around a point in fortresses. Unkillable without a Hammer Brother Suit or Tanooki Suit; pass without getting hit.
• Statue — Carvings of Bowser that can shoot laser beams at 45-degree angles. Run underneath quickly to pass.
• Stretch — A white ghost within a small white bar, moving its head to hit Mario. Unkillable without a Hammer Brother Suit, Tanooki Suit, or Invincible Starman; walk or swim past.
• Thwomp — A blue stone being that tries to crush Mario when he passes underneath or moves horizontally. Unkillable without a Hammer Brother Suit, Tanooki Suit, or Invincible Starman.

Goomba Family

• Giant Goomba — A large walking mushroom. Tries to walk into Mario. Any attack works except a tail attack.
• Goomba — A small walking mushroom. Tries to walk into Mario. Any attack works.
• Mugger Micro-Goomba — A tiny Goomba that drops from Para-Goombas, impairing Mario's mobility. Repeatedly press LEFT and RIGHT and the A Button when swarmed to break free.
• Para-Goomba — Winged mushrooms; dark brown ones hop, light brown ones fly and drop Micro-Goombas. Any attack finishes them, but jumping on them turns them into Goombas.
• Pile Driver Micro-Goomba — A tiny Goomba found under large bricks that tries to jump on Mario. Fireballs are ineffective.

Hammer Brothers Family

• Boomerang Brother — A green turtle that throws up to two boomerangs. Use Fire Flower from a distance, or get close to jump on it or use a tail attack.
• Fiery Brother — A red turtle that spits fireballs. Use fireballs if possible, or get very close (not recommended).
• Hammer Brother — A brown turtle that throws hammers in large arcs. Shoot with fireballs or hit.