The Mario franchise has given us some excellent characters including enemy characters. Some of the excellent enemy characters include the Hammer Bros, Boos, Koopa Troopas, Spineys, Bullet Bills, Shy guys and of course snifits. Snifits like most of the enemies have become staples in the Mario Games.

When Snifits actually made their debut is confusing. Technically they made their debut in the Nintendo Game Doki Doki Panic, which was only released to Japan. However, Nintendo was afraid the lost levels which was supposed to be the sequel to the first Mario game, proved to be too difficult. Therefore, Nintendo made Doki Doki Panic into a Mario game. They changed the plot and the characters to Mario characters. However, they kept the enemies. The new game was Super Mario Bros 2 and like the rest of the enemies Snifits where included.

But Snifits in the Mario time line appeared in Yoshi's Island working for Baby Bowser and the Koopas. Technically, in the cannon timeline this would be when they made their debut in the Mario franchise.

In Super Mario Bros 2 they are members of Wart's 8 bite gang and serve the dictator. After, Super Mario Bros 2 a lot of the enemies from that game such as Shy Guys, Ninji, Bomb-Ombs, Pokey, Phanto, and Snifits appear in future games working for King Bowser and the Koopas.

In future games Snifits appear to serve as Bowser's shock troops. They often accompany the Koopa Troop in Bowser's Schemes. In some games Bowser, Bowser Jr, or the Koopalings use Snifits in their raiding parties.

Appearance- Snifits are shy guys with a different type of mask. Their masks is similar to a gas mask. It appears they wear goggles. They have a cannon for mouth/nose. They can either fire bullets or cannon balls out of their cannons. Snifits come in a variety of colors yellow, red, blue, green, white, gray, pink, red, and purple. However, the most common colors are red, pink, white, and blue. In recent games it also appears that they wear belts.

Personality- Not much is known about their personality. However, some of them have taunted Mario and his friends telling them they are in spitting range. In another game they state stay out of our way. Therefore, it is likely they have attitudes and think highly of themselves. On the other hand, this could be due to them being shock troops. Even though they are capable of speech like a shy guy they do not talk much. That is why it has been speculated that they are a typical shy guy in the fact that they are shy.

Abilities- Snifits can fire an unlimited amount of bullets from their cannons. They can also fire them while they are jumping or walking. In some games they can fire cannon balls from their cannon, though this sends them flying backwards due to the recoil. In addition, they can move at a good clip and are excellent jumpers.

Moves- Their main attack is to fire bullets at their opponents. Sometimes they can fire a stream of bullets. They have been shown to fire cannon balls as well. Moreover, they can try to walk right into their opponents. They can also do jumping attacks.

Weaknesses- When they fire a cannon ball it will send them flying backwards due to the recoil. When that happens they can be open to attacks. Sometimes there is a slight delay when they fire their bullets leaving them open for attacks. Their main weakness is the POW block as it will literally knock them out. Blocks and star power are also effective at defeating them. Yoshi can actually eat them thus defeating them that away as well.

Relationships These are their allies

Bowser, Bowser Jr, and the Koopalings. They work for Bowser and his family as his shock troops. They are often used in raiding parties. Sometimes they are also used as guardians of fort castles as well.

Kamek- They worked for Kamek when in the Yoshi Island series when Kamek was the caretaker for baby Bowser.

Wart- In the Super Mario 2 Booklet it stats that they are members of Wart's 8 bits gang. In Super Mario Bros 2 they serve Wart when he took over Subcon. Their main objective is to attack Mario and his friends in hopes of slowing them down.

Shy Guys- They are the same species as Shy Guys the only difference is the masks. As Snifits mask allows them to fire their bullets. They get along great with the shy guys as they are both used in raiding parties.

Enemies-

Mario and Luigi- The brothers have stopped Bowser plans so many times. Thus, this makes them a natural enemy. Also the brothers know of ways to defeat them.

Peach- They serve as guardians of the fort castles which Peach is usually put in when she gets kidnapped. However, under Bowser and his family's orders she is not to be harmed. Still, she does not like them since they serve Bowser.

Yoshi- They fear Yoshi because he can actually eat them and turn them into an egg.

Birdo- Even though Birdo was a fellow enemy in Super Mario Bros 2. Since that game Birdo has become a good character and friends with Mario. In one game she egged a snifit thus defeating it. Given how Birdo reformed they most certainly do not get along.

The origin of snifits are confusing. As I mentioned earlier they appear in Yoshi's Island working for the Koopas. That story in cannon takes place several years before the first Mario game. In this case it would seem to suggest they have always been part of Bowser's minions. ON the other hand, they serve Wart in Super Mario Bros 2. This has lead to some interesting theories. One theory is that Wart may have borrowed them from Bowser. Some have speculated Wart and Bowser may have a connection or be distant cousins. Another theory is that Wart created his own snifits to serve him. This is actually stated in one of the Booklets for Super Mario Bros 2. Another theory is there are several snifits some work for Bowser, some are independent, and some work for Wart. That is very well possible and the Snifits would be like boos. A lot of Boos work for Bowser or King Boo, some are independent, and some work for Lady Bow.

It is likely that Wart creating his own or being several species of them is the case. Nintendo has not gave a direct answer. Regardless, they are enemies that are used in raiding parties. The Koopa Troop values the shy guys and the snifits. Snifits are valued due to their ability to fire unlimited bullets and even cannon balls.