In my other biographies of Mario Characters. I stated how a lot of Mario enemies like the shy guys and hammer bros are staples in Mario Games. Another staple in Mario games, that anybody who has played Mario games knows, is the Bob-Ombs also sometimes spelled as Bomb-Ombs.


Bob-Ombs actually made their debut in a non Mario Nintendo Game called Doki Doki Panic. However, that game was converted to Super Mario Bros 2. The family characters in Doki Panic where replaced by Mario and his friends, and the plot was changed to accommodate Mario and his friends. But a lot of the enemies was carried over into Super Mario Bros 2. Bob-Ombs, again sometimes spelled as Bomb-Obs, was one of those enemies.

In Super Mario Bros 2 Bob-Ombs serve the evil dictator Wart who used his 8 bit army to take over Subcon, capture the Subcon fairies, and used his lackeys to create nightmares. However, after Super Mario Bros 2 they appeared in Super Mario Bros 3 working for Bowser and his family.

Since Super Mario Bros 3 Bob-Ombs mostly work for King Bowser and his family. They are usually thrown to explode by Bowser's troops. In addition, they are also used by the Koopa Army to blow up walls. Sometimes they are ordered to walk around and explode.

However, it shows that the Bob-Ombs have a king named King Bob-Omb. King Bob-Omb works for Bowser and is one of his lackeys similar to how King Boo is. Thus, King Bob-Omb is over the Bob-Omb unit in Bowser's Army. They are loyal to their king as well as Bowser.

It is revealed that they are made from a factory. In some of the booklets it says after one explodes another one is ready to take its place. But in some games the bombs are able to respawn after a few seconds.

While most Bob-Ombs work for their king and King Koopa. A lot of them are independent and do not work for anybody. In Paper Mario Bombella is an ally to Mario. Her and her friends help Mario in his quest to rescue the 7 star spirits, and save Peach. In the next Paper Mario Game it is revealed that one bob-omb is a former captain of a ship, there is a group of them that speak with Russian accents that help Mario in his quest to rescue Peach.

Bob-Ombs appear in Mario Party Games they can either be a supporting character or an obstacle. In one Mario Party Game they will let the characters take a short cut in their mind. On the other hand, they will follow the character and explode. When they explode the player will loose coins they have collected.

Appearance- Their appearances have changed over the years. In their first game they were a black sphere with a fuse on the top of their heads. Their arms and legs where either red or white. In Super Mario Bros 3 they were black and white. Starting in Super Mario World they maintained their original shape but have a wind up on their backs.

In future games it is revealed that there are several colors of the bob-ombs. Some Bob-Ombs are pink, blue, purple, green, orange, and red. Most of the time they are black/blue with a fuse on top of their head. They will either have a white or gold wind up on their back. Their legs and arms are usually blue, white or red.

Personality- Their personality is complex. In Super Mario Bros 2 they just walked around and explode. IN future games those that work for Bowser or King Bob-Omb state how they love blowing things up. They love to cause destruction and they love to explode just for the fun of it. In addition, they give a bold type personality when they state when we explode another one of us will take their place. In some games they respawn only to blow up again. Another booklet says they walk around, are part of Bowser's army, when they get mad they explode. Therefore, it could be that some have temper issues.

On the other hand, those that do not work for King Bob-Omb or Bowser have different personalities. The ones that are allies want to help Mario and are loyal to him and his friends. Bombella wants to help Mario defeat Bowser. She also cared for her colleagues who where pushed to the limit by the Koopa Bros. In Paper Mario Bobby was a former Captain that was grieving over the loss of his wife. He blamed himself as she died why he was piloting a ship. He was able to overcome this though. The group of bomb-ombs where friendly but had a military type code.

Even the good bob-ombs though showed they had a temper. Some of them exploded when they got mad. They also where aware that their attacks and explosives where powerful. Hence one of the allies, that was a bob-omb stated don't get me mad you will not like it.

Abilities- Most Bob-Ombs will walk around and explode. Their explosions are powerful. They can take out comrades, take out walls, and do massive damage to their opponents. When one explodes another one is ready to take its place. sometimes when they explode they are able to respawn. Those that are allies can explode and not be harmed.

Attacks/Moves- They are infamous for their explosions. Their explosions will do damage to anyone even their comrades. This is why a lot of the Koopa Troops and minions stand back. Some can explode and not be harmed. Regardless, they will walk around, flash, then explode. That is their main attack, its simple yet destructive.

Weaknesses- They are immune to fireballs, yet in some games fireballs can be used to ignite them. In Super Mario Bros 2 they can be picked up and thrown. In other games they can be stunned by jumping on them, then they can even be thrown. However, the player will need to be quick as they can ignite while being held. Yoshi can eat them and turn them into eggs.

Relationships

Friends (Not including the good Bob-Ombs)

Wart- They serve Wart and enjoy terrorizing Subcon.

King Bob-Omb- They are loyal to their king and will do what he asks. They want to serve him.

Bowser and his family- They are loyal to King Bob-Omb who in turn is loyal to Bowser and is one of his minions. They will do anything to please Bowser and his family.

Koopa Troop- They are loyal to the Koopa Troops and other minions. Even though they can be destructive they recognize they are comrades.

Enemies

Mario and Luigi- They are enemies to the brothers. The Brothers have used them against their comrades. They also have foiled Bowser plans so many times. Sometimes seeing Mario and Luigi will cause them to ignite quicker.

Peach- While they are used to scare Peach and guard her door in some games. They do not harm her under Bowser's orders. Still they do not like her because they see her standing in the way of Bowser having complete control of the Kingdom.

Yoshi- They fear Yoshi because Yoshi can eat them and turn them into eggs. Also he has defeated Bowser as well.


Their name Bob-Omb is a play on the word Bomb. In fact, this is why they are sometimes spelled are known as Bomb-Ombs. Since their debut they have become a staple in Mario games. Mostly working for Bowser. Those that work for Bowser or his lacky King Bomb-Omb are aggressive, love causing terrorism, mischief, and destruction. They are aware they are destructive and they make no bones about it.

It is hinted that they went to work for Bowser because their king did. This would explain why they where carried over from Super Mario Bros 2. However, it is not explained how some served Wart. One theory is Wart created his own Bob-Ombs. Another theory is that Wart borrowed them. Another theory is like the other games there are several types. Regardless after Super Mario Bros 2 they became staples in the Koopa Army and for the most part serve as Bowser's Minions.

The ones that are allies will do anything they can to help their friends. But like the bad ones they do have a temper and are not afraid to explode. Although, they share their feelings more. The ones that are allies are similar to the Boos who do not work for King Boo or Bowser.

In conclusion, it is easy to see why this character became a staple in Mario Franchises. They are one of the most recognized enemies in the game along with shy guys, Koopa Troopas, and Hammer Bros. This concludes the Bob-Omb biography.