The Mario franchise has a lots of enemies that represent animals: turtles (Koopas), lots of fish enemies, squids, avian enemies, bats, and even snakes. Yes believe or not snakes did appear in a Mario game. The game was Super Mario Bros 2 and the character Cobrat.


Cobrat like most Super Mario Bros 2 characters made his debut in a non Mario Game. The game was Doki Doki Panic made by Nintendo but only released in Japan. Nintendo decided to convert that game to a Mario Game. The family characters where changed to Mario and his friends. The plot was changed to fit Mario, but the enemies mostly stayed the same.

In the original Doki Doki Panic Cobrat was a peaceful resident of Subcon that would appear in the dreams of the residents. If he appeared he was seen as a good luck charm. However, when Wart took over Subcon, created monsters, sent his 8 bit army to take over the land, he used his magic to charm the once peaceful snakes. Thus they became minions of Wart.

In Super Mario Bros 2 booklets, as there has been several versions of the game made, it states these peaceful snakes have been charmed by Wart. Now they appear as nightmares. Basically, they where charmed by Wart, a reference to snake charming, and they serve him accordingly.

Cobrats due to be under Wart's spell follow his orders directly. They most spread nightmares by appearing in dreams and they destroy good dreams by spitting bullets. In Subcon they often jump out of vases or jars to attack Mario and his friends. They mainly also serve as an obstacle to the players.

Appearance- They are rather long snakes as evident when they stand up they are about the size of Luigi. They are taller than Mario, Toad, or Peach. Their appearance has been unchanged over the years. In all versions of Super Mario Bros 2 they are red snakes that have a white belly.

Personality- Before Wart took control of them they where peaceful residents of Subcon. Often appearing in dreams as good luck symbols. After Wart took control of them they changed. They became aggressive shooting bullets at players, destroying good dreams with their bullets, and causing fear.

Abilities- As the booklet states they have the ability to appear in dreams. After Wart took control of them they are often asleep in their jars/vases until a player gets near them. They will jump out, slither around and shoot bullets at Mario and his friends. They can also move at a decent clip.

Attacks- Their main attack is to jump out in front of the player creating an element of surprise in hopes to get a cheap shot in. Cobrats will do either 1 of two things. They can jump up and down out of their jars and shot bullets at the player. Second, they jump out of their jars, slither or walk around and shoot bullets. It should be noted some Cobrats may appear out of the sand and start shooting bullets.

Weaknesses- They are only a dangerous when they are in tight spaces or in numbers. Otherwise they can be picked up and thrown. When thrown they can take out multiple enemies including other Cobrats. They are also weak to POW blocks, Shells, and of course star power.

Relationships

Friends

Wart- Wart has charmed these normally peaceful snakes to serve as his minions. Thus, they follow Wart's orders directly.

8 Bites- Due to being minions of Wart they also are on good terms with his main army.

TryClyde- Tryclyde is a three headed Cobrat and is also under the control of Wart. However, some booklets say Wart impressed him and he joined Wart's Army.

Enemies

Mario and Luigi- He is hostile toward the brothers because they are rising up against Wart.

Peach- He is also hostile toward Peach because she is helping Mario and Luigi

Toad- The booklets says he appears in the dreams of Toad after Wart took control of him. Since he spreads nightmares after Wart took control of him. It is likely Toad has a fear of snakes. Anyway, he is hostile Toward Toad.

Cobrat is likely a reference to the name Cobra and Brat. Given how they are found in the desert levels, and how they spit bullets, Cobrats are likely a reference to Spitting Cobras. Some of the Spitting Cobras are found in the Deserts of Africa and Asia. The term Brat refers to how he pops up unexpectedly and serves as an annoyance to the players.

Cobrat also coming out of jars/vases and being referenced to be under Wart's control is a reference to the practice of snake charming.

The characters only appearance remains in Super Mario Bros 2. He has not appeared in other games nor has he appeared as an active character in future Mario Games. Therefore, he is a once and done character. One explanation is that he only resides in Subcon. This would explain why he did not become part of Bowser's Minions like other enemies did. Another explanation is he only serves Wart. In that case he would be a lot like Mouser, Tryclyde, Claw-grip, and Panser as they where chosen or created by Wart. His fate after Super Mario Bros 2 is unknown. He could have vanished after Wart's defeat or more likely he went back to being peaceful. This concludes the Cobrat Biography.