Big Boo

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"Giant Boo" redirects here. For the lazy variant from Super Mario Sunshine, see Sleepy Boo.
This article is about large Boos in general. For Boos from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, known as "The Big Boo", see Boo § Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. For the Big Boo character known as "Boss Teresa" in Japanese debuting in Super Mario 64, see Big Boo (character).
Big Boo
A Big Boo from Super Mario 3D World.
Artwork from Super Mario 3D World
First appearance Super Mario World (1990)
Latest appearance Luigi's Mansion 2 HD (2024)
Variant of Boo
Variants
Notable members
“I may not be the king, but I sure am BIG. Big enough to crush you!”
Big Boo, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

Big Boos, also known as Atomic Boos, are a species of Boo. Usually, they resemble and behave similarly to normal Boos, except they are larger and stronger.

History[edit]

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario World[edit]

Sprite of a Big Boo from Super Mario World
The Big Boo
Donut Secret House from Super Mario World
Small Mario fights the Big Boo boss in the hidden path of the Donut Secret House.

The Big Boos, formatted as The Big “Boo” in-game and also named Big Blue Boo in various Player's Guides[1][2] to differentiate from the Big Boo boss,[3][4] first appear in Super Mario World. In the game, Big Boos inhabit the various Ghost Houses located around Dinosaur Land. They first appear in the Donut Secret House. They are four times bigger than a normal Boo Buddy in both height and width, but they still have the same mannerisms of their smaller counterparts, meaning that when looked at, they hide behind their arms, occasionally peeking to see if they are still being looked at. However, if Mario's or Luigi's back is turned, a Big Boo attacks him from behind. Big Boos are much more difficult to pass than their smaller brethren. As such, Mario or Luigi usually has to use a Jumping Board to jump over them. However, if Mario or Luigi can get a running start, he can usually spin-jump over a Big Boo. Additionally, if there is room, the brothers can use a Cape to fly over a Big Boo or perform a sliding attack during descent to defeat the Big Boo.

The Big Boo boss is a hidden encounter of the Donut Secret House. This Big Boo does not hide when Mario or Luigi is facing it, but it periodically changes from invisible to visible. It can be defeated by throwing Grab Blocks at its face while it is visible. This boss does not damage Mario or Luigi, but two normal Boo Buddies accompany it. Once the Big Boo is defeated, a new path is revealed on the overworld, leading to Star World. Unlike the Koopalings and Reznors, the Big Boo can be refought in all versions of the game.

During development, when "Boo" Buddies were still referred to as "Boo" Diddlys, the name for the Big "Boo" was originally going to be localized as "Boo" Jackson, a reference to multi-sport athlete Bo Jackson.[5]

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[edit]

In Super Mario 64, a Big Boo appears in the Mushroom Castle, leading Mario to the courtyard. In the courtyard itself, it can be found in one of the corners, appearing about twice as large as the other Boos. If Mario defeats it, it drops a birdcage (also misidentified as a "carousel")[6] leading to Big Boo's Haunt. A much larger Big Boo character appears in the course itself as the owner of the mansion and leader of the Boos. In Super Mario 64 DS, King Boo is also added and referred to as "Big Boo" as well.

Super Mario Sunshine[edit]

Regular Big Boos do not directly appear in Super Mario Sunshine; however, an obstructive variant known as Sleepy Boos appears, and the Golden Boo in Episode 2 of Sirena Beach is also described as a Giant Boo statue.[7] The Big Boo from Super Mario 64 reappears with a new design, being called King Boo.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]

There is a Big Boo in the first room of Vexing Doors, a World-e level in Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3. The Super Mario World boss is located at the end of both Doors o' Plenty and Vexing Doors, now able to damage the player character while solid. The player character can damage Big Boo by kicking White Blocks straight at him, instead of using Grab Blocks as in Super Mario World.

The unused sprites in the game show the Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island iteration of the enemy, specifically using alternate sprites that were likewise unused in the source.

Super Mario Galaxy[edit]

Screenshot of an area in Deep Dark Galaxy
The Atomic Boo in Super Mario Galaxy

In Super Mario Galaxy, one Atomic Boo appears in the "Boo in a Box" mission of Deep Dark Galaxy. It uses a model separate from the regular Boo (labeled "TeresaChief"; compare "KuriboChief"), but the object is scaled at nearly one-third its native size in the game itself. Despite this, it remains visibly bigger than regular Boos. The Atomic Boo is defeated only from a light source, and must be lured into one for its Power Star.

An individual Atomic Boo named the Spooky Speedster is found in two areas of the game. Mario must race him twice to win a Power Star: once in the Ghostly Galaxy and once again in the Boo's Boneyard Galaxy.

Appearances[edit]
  • Baseline sprite of the Star Pointer in Super Mario Galaxy. marks missions where they are completely absent.
  • Mission icon from Super Mario Galaxy marks missions where they are loaded and may be visible, but cannot be encountered directly.
Domes Galaxies Missions
Garden Deep Dark Galaxy The Underground Ghost Ship Bubble Blastoff Guppy and the Underground Lake Ghost Ship Daredevil Run Plunder the Purple Coins Boo in a Box

New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]

Big Boos from New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Big Boos as they appear in New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Big Boos are enemies fought in Ghost Houses, usually with Boos, in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. They are large Boos that retain the same behavior and properties as Boos, but their large size allows them to obscure objects placed behind them. In multiplayer, up to three players can stop the Big Boo from moving. It is worth 200 points when defeated.

Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]

Four Boos and a Mega Boo chase Mario in Super Mario Galaxy 2.
The Mega Boo and four Big Boos in Super Mario Galaxy 2

In Super Mario Galaxy 2, four Big Boos flank the Mega Boo in the Haunty Halls Galaxy. This time, they use a downscaled version of the Mega Boo's model (labeled "TeresaAtomic"). The version of Atomic Boo from Super Mario Galaxy is an unused leftover with its model deleted from the game data.

Appearances[edit]
  • Baseline sprite of the Star Pointer in Super Mario Galaxy. marks missions where they are completely absent.
  • Mission icon from Super Mario Galaxy marks missions where they are loaded and may be visible, but cannot be encountered directly.
Worlds Galaxies Missions
World 3 Haunty Halls Galaxy A Glimmer of Bulb Berry Sneaking Down the Creepy Corridor Spooky Cosmic Clone Chase

Super Mario 3D Land[edit]

Big Boos reappear in Super Mario 3D Land, where they behave similarly to their New Super Mario Bros. Wii counterparts. They appear in a few Ghost Houses. Sometimes, if Mario is very far away from the Big Boo and looks in the opposite direction, it floats away instead of drifting towards him.

New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]

Gold Big Boo
A Gold Big Boo leaving a trail of coins.

Big Boos reappear in the Ghost Houses of New Super Mario Bros. 2. They can be turned into Gold Big Boos by passing through a Gold Ring. While in their golden form, they cover their faces and leave a trail of coins behind them for Mario to take. Whenever it covers its face, the Big Boo glows red, while it radiates a dark shadow around it once Mario stops staring at it. Big Boos give 200 points, like in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

This game introduces a new type of Big Boo known as Boohemoth.

New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe[edit]

Big Boos reappear in New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Luigi U, and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, once again only appearing in Ghost Houses. Nothing changes about their behavior, but Big Boos are animated to sweat visibly when the player character looks at them. They are still worth 200 points each.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[edit]

Shiftier Boo Mansion in the game Super Mario 3D World
Big Boo in Super Mario 3D World

Big Boos also appear in Super Mario 3D World and its Nintendo Switch port Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury with the same behavior of Super Mario 3D Land. Some can be seen outside the windows in Ghost Houses watching the player, but these Big Boos do not do anything special. There are various ways to defeat Big Boos, including from Light Boxes, Invincible Mario, Lucky Cat Mario, and White Tanooki Mario. They drop three coins when defeated, and Big Boos are now worth 1000 points.

Super Mario Maker subseries[edit]

Big Boos reappear in Super Mario Maker, its port, and Super Mario Maker 2. The player can enlarge a normal Boo with a Super Mushroom, transforming it into a Big Boo although being slightly smaller than in other games, similar to the Yoshi's Island games. The player can also give them wings which make them slightly faster. They can also be put in Clown Cars, Lakitu's Cloud and on tracks. The Big Boos in Super Mario Maker 2 can also be attached to parachutes.

Super Mario World television series[edit]

A Big Boo, with three Boos, from the Super Mario World episode "Ghosts 'R' Us"
A Big Boo, with three Boos, from the Super Mario World episode "Ghosts 'R' Us".

Big Boos are in two episodes of the Super Mario World animated cartoon television series. A Big Boo and three Boos are encountered by Yoshi in "Ghosts 'R' Us." Some time after running fearfully, Yoshi locks the Big Boo in a room, which the Big Boo passes through, though Yoshi goes to the basement to escape from it. In "Mama Luigi", a Big Boo guards Neon Castle, likely a misinterpretation of Bowser in the Koopa Clown Car flying over it in the game's map. Mario, Luigi and Yoshi use a Warp Tube to bypass the Big Boo and enter the basement of Neon Castle.

Super Mario Adventures[edit]

The Big Boo, trying to sneak-up on Mario and Luigi while it's smaller brethren distract them.
The Big Boo trying to sneak up on Mario and Luigi while Boos distract them.

An unnamed Big Boo was also featured prominently in the Super Mario Adventures comic by Nintendo Power. After being lured into a Ghost House, Mario and Luigi, after an encounter with several dozen Boos, encounter a Big Boo. Attempting to stare down this Big Boo and the swarm of Boos, Mario and Luigi become exhausted after hours of simply staring at the shy ghosts. Nearly collapsing of exhaustion, Mario spots a door and, dragging Luigi, dashes to it, with the Boos and Big Boos after him. Bursting through the door of the room Mario and Luigi just entered, the Big Boo and his Boo minions are surprised to see Mario dressed as a doctor, with Luigi as his nurse. Acting as a psychiatrist, Mario manages to learn that, as a child, this Big Boo was constantly bullied, which led to its vicious behavior. After hearing this Big Boo's sad tale, Mario gives some helpful words of wisdom and advice. The Big Boo, having become a changed ghost through Mario's therapy, happily leads Mario out of the Ghost House and gratefully thanks him as Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi take-off to Bowser's Castle. Another Big Boo was later seen among the attendees to Bowser's wedding to the brainwashed Princess Toadstool.

Yoshi's Safari[edit]

The Big Boo is a boss fought at Ghost Mansion in Yoshi's Safari. Big Boo can be damaged from the Super Scope as parts of the wall hit it and later divides into three Circling Boo Buddies, with Mario being able to defeat the one with its tongue out.

Hotel Mario[edit]

Big Boos are large enemies fought at Ludwig's Thump Castle Hotel in Hotel Mario. They behave like Boos but are slower and not transparent. The Big Boo loses track of the player character when they enter a room, then Big Boo wanders in diagonal movements, slightly confused.

Mario's FUNdamentals[edit]

Big Boos appear on a suit of playing cards in Go Fish in Mario's FUNdamentals.

Yoshi's Island series[edit]

Big Boos are enemies in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. They appear in many Towers and Castles. However, in this game, they are only twice as large a normal Boo in height and width, making them half as large as the ones in Super Mario World. Like normal Boos, they could only be defeated by looking away from the ghost and bouncing an egg off a wall, hitting the ghost in the face. They release Stars when defeated. Additionally, one of the bosses, Bigger Boo, starts as a normal Big Boo before being transformed by Kamek's magic.

Big Boos also appear as enemies in both sequels, Yoshi's Island DS and Yoshi's New Island, acting no differently than in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[edit]

Bowser using the move Terrorize on a Hippopo.
Big Boo as seen in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, in Bowser's Terrorize move

A Big Boo is used in Bowser's Terrorize attack in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.[8] The enemy called "The Big Boo" in the original English translation is a misnamed regular Boo.

Luigi's Mansion series[edit]

Luigi's Mansion[edit]

Big Boos do not directly appear in Luigi's Mansion and its remake; however, a boss known as Boolossus is based on a Big Boo, being an enormous Boo made of 15 smaller Boos.

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon[edit]

Big Boo
The Big Boo in Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

In Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, a Big Boo[9][10] is one of the three bosses fought in Treacherous Mansion, the final mansion in the game, in the mission Ambush Maneuver. Luigi and E. Gadd were tricked by King Boo to come into the miniature train station inside the Train Exhibit, because E. Gadd thought that King Boo was there along with Mario's painting. Ten Boos are inside a mini train display in which they come together to form into Big Boo. The 10 Boos that assemble together are the only ghosts in the game who are not sucked into the Poltergust 5000, as they are trapped in the trains' cages and later placed in the Boo Canister by E. Gadd.

In battle, the Big Boo has three attacks. Its first attack involves it trying to crush Luigi from above. It attempts to crush Luigi three times in a row. If it misses all three times, it is momentarily dazed from hitting his face on the ground the third time. Its other attack involves hiding halfway in the ground and attempting to charge into Luigi from there. If it misses Luigi and hits the moving train, it is stunned. However, if it misses Luigi and the train, it just floats back into the arena. When separated into individual Boos, they can ram into Luigi. The third attack happens only if Luigi pulls back on Big Boo's tongue for too long, in which the boss will recover and ram into Luigi. This attack is also used by the Boos.

To defeat Big Boo, Luigi has two different methods of attacking it. The first one involves avoiding Big Boo while it slams into the ground three times before becoming stunned. Luigi has to pull Big Boo's tongue and launch it into the drill of the moving toy train. The other way is to make Big Boo dash slightly in front of the train. When the Big Boo hits the drill on the train, he splits into ten Boos. Luigi must pull their tongues and send them flying towards the carriages of the train. When one of them hits a carriage, that Boo gets imprisoned inside the carriage and is unable to escape. Once all of Boos have been imprisoned in the carriages, the mission is complete and the Pixelator takes Luigi out of the train display and back to the Bunker. Afterwards, E. Gadd Pixelates the Boos into the Boo Canister.

Although it is named "Big Boo" in English versions of the game, it shares the same Japanese name as Boolossus.

Game & Watch Gallery 4[edit]

Luigi fighting Big Boo in boxing
Screenshot from Game & Watch Gallery 4

Big Boo is the second opponent fought by Luigi in the Modern Boxing in Game & Watch Gallery 4. Big Boo uses Boos in place of boxing gloves. The Big Boo is part of the select screen animation showing Big Boo happy to get a strike upon throwing a Boo like a bowling ball at the Waluigis from the floor.

Mario Party-e[edit]

The Bolt from Boo minigame of Mario Party-e involves players attempting to outrun a Big Boo, otherwise it is a game over.

Paper Mario series[edit]

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[edit]

Atomic Boo in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch)
The Atomic Boo in the Nintendo Switch remake
Flurrie and Doopliss performing in a play in the epilogue of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
On stage.

Atomic Boos make their Paper Mario series debut in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, with a single one appearing as an optional mini-boss in Creepy Steeple. It closely resembles the sprite of Bigger Boo, similar to how normal Boos in this game are based on its artwork. This Atomic Boo is composed of about 200 different Boos. Mario can only fight it by going to the Creepy Steeple after freeing the 200 Boos in Chapter 4 (if he guesses the number right, a Boo gives him an Ultra Mushroom). Even though Mario agrees to be nice to the Boos, they swarm him as soon as they are free. If Mario disperses those Boos a few times with the spin ability of his Super Hammer, the Boos combine together to form the Atomic Boo.

The Atomic Boo attacks by flinging Boos at Mario, charging up a powerful glare attack, hiding his face and becoming invisible like regular Boos, floating over and falling onto both Mario and his partner, and inflicting Mario with status ailments such as confusion and paralysis. In the battle with Atomic Boo, Mario's audience consists of solely Boos. Once Atomic Boo is defeated, it drops the Lucky Start badge that Mario can collect, and the Boos stop their swarming, appearing as normal enemies.

A graphic of a Dark version of Atomic Boo is unused. It is reasonable to assume that it would have been a more powerful version of Atomic Boo.

It is possible for the Lucky Start badge to drop down the hole revealed by pushing the star statue. If this happens, the badge can be purchased from the Lovely Howz of Badges for 70 coins.[11]

It is also worth noting that, despite being made of 200 Boos, it is still smaller than Boolossus, which is made of only fifteen. The Big Boo of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, however, is roughly the same size as the Atomic Boo, and is made from ten Boos.

As a new addition to the Nintendo Switch remake, the Atomic Boo now has its own battle theme, and it uses some of King Boo's voice clips.

Super Paper Mario[edit]

Atomic Boos appear infrequently in Super Paper Mario. Only one appears in Merlee's Basement, where it is considerably weaker than the one in The Thousand-Year Door. This Atomic Boo attacks the player by charging at them while they are facing away from them, turning intangible if it is faced. As such, it attacks like the Big Boos of the Super Mario series, albeit somewhat slower than usual, as well as being susceptible to jumps. Multiple Atomic Boos occasionally appear in the Mansion Patrol minigame; though slower than regular Boos. Defeating one gives many more points than defeating a regular Boo.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star[edit]

In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, the enemy is referred to as Big Boo, and it looks like a large, crumpled paper ball with a Boo face to go with the game's paper motif. The Big Boo only appears once in the entire game and is a mini-boss found in World 4. It is formed when Kamek combines the Boos found in the Enigmansion.

In battle, the Big Boo's only attack is eating Mario and then spitting him out. However, once the Big Boo uses its turn, the candles light up and the Big Boo turns invisible. During this time, Mario is unable to attack the Big Boo, but the Big Boo is still able to hurt Mario. In order to make the mini-boss visible again, a Thing sticker with wind or water properties needs to be used in order to extinguish the candles. However, using a Thing sticker with fire properties such as Matches and Lighter while the candle is put out relights it. Although the Big Boo is invisible while the candle is lit, it can still take damage from Spike Helmet or Poison Mushroom.

Once the Big Boo has been defeated, the Book of Sealing stays on its pedestal and the mansion is free of ghosts.

Yoshi Topsy-Turvy[edit]

Big Boos are enemies found in the Tale of the Spirit of Kindness and the Tale of the Spirit of Fright in Yoshi Topsy-Turvy.

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[edit]

A Big Boo is part of the song Boo Boogie, covering notes if the player misses steps, in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix. The Big Boo can leave by stepping on Mini Boos.

Super Princess Peach[edit]

A Big Boo from Super Princess Peach
The Big Boo from Super Princess Peach

Big Boos return in Super Princess Peach, largely retaining their role from Super Mario World, in addition to receiving the Mad Big Boo variety. There is a Big Boo in Shriek Mansion 3-3 that becomes a usable platform some time after being freed and stunned by light.

Mario Golf: World Tour / Mario Sports Superstars[edit]

In Mario Golf: World Tour and Mario Sports Superstars, whenever Boo gets an Eagle, Albatross, or Hole-in-One, the animation shows multiple Boos combine with it to form a Big Boo.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker[edit]

Big Boos reappear in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and its ports with only a few tweaks from Super Mario 3D World. While they act the same by following a Toad when they are not being watched, they are far less a threat due to the headlamp Captain Toad and Toadette have, which can destroy them. Additionally, using a Double Cherry to shine two headlamps on a Big Boo will defeat it much faster, within one second. To compensate for this, Big Boos generally appear in groups of two or more.

Mario & Luigi series[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions[edit]

Sprite of a Big Boo from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions sprite

Big Boos appear in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, where they are enemies and recruitable allies found in Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser. They are flying troopers, and attack by running into enemies. Their Special Skill, Piercing Projectile, allows them to spit a blue beam at an enemy. Big Boos are slow, but have high HP and power. Their model bears a resemblance to King Boo's appearance from Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[edit]

Big Boos reappear in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, where they are enemies and recruitable allies found in Bowser Jr.'s Journey. However, the player can only befriend a maximum of two, meaning that the player would have to get rid of one of them after completing a level that involves them as enemy troops.

Mario Tennis Aces[edit]

A Big Boo appears in Mario Tennis Aces as the referee in Mirage Mansion.

Profiles and statistics[edit]

Super Mario World[edit]

  • Instruction booklet description:
    • English:
      You may remember the Boo Buddies from Super Mario Bros. 3. This time there's a whole horde of them! And amongst them there's a huge spook called The Big Boo. But don't worry, if you look at them, they act shy and turn away. Cute, aren't they? But watch it ... they're dangerous![12]

Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten[edit]

アトミックテレサ (JP) / Big Boo (EN)
A Big Boo from Super Mario World.
Original text (Japanese) Translation
種族しゅぞく ゴーストぞく Tribe Ghost clan
性格せいかく ちいさい Disposition Faint-hearted
登場とうじょうゲーム ワールド Game appearances World
おおきさトップクラスのテレサ

たくさんのテレサ(P116)が合体がったいしたオバケで、マリオキャラのなかでも1、2をあらそおおきさ。性格せいかくはテレサとおなじくなので、かおえばかおかくしてまってしまう。[13]

Top class size Boo

He is an obake that is a combination of many Boos (P116) and is one or two of the largest Mario characters. His personality is shy like Boo, so if your faces meet, he will stop and hide his face.

Yoshi's Island series[edit]

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island[edit]

  • Player's Guide: Just like a monster in the movies, Big Boos like to sneak up from behind when Yoshi's not looking.[14]

Yoshi's New Island[edit]

  • Shogakukan guide: 通常つうじょう何倍なんばいものおおきさのテレサ。テレサとおなじように、ヨッシーとうとうごかなくなり、けるとちかづいてくる。け、反射はんしゃでタマゴをぶつけてたおそう。[15] (A Boo many times larger than a normal one. Like Boo, it will stop moving when facing Yoshi, and will come closer when you turn your back to it. Turn your back on it, and use your reflexes to hit it with an egg to knock it down.)

Paper Mario series[edit]

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[edit]

GameCube[edit]
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door enemy
Atomic Boo
Atomic Boo Max HP 40 Attack 4 Defense 0
Location(s) Creepy Steeple Role Boss Level 52
Sleep? 40% Dizzy? 40% Confuse? 40%
Tiny? 0% Stop? 40% Soft? 80%
Burn? 100% Freeze? 30% Fright? 0%
Gale Force? 10% KO? 5% Moves Heavy Drop (4), Hide (N/A), Summon (4, Stop, Piercing), Spook (4 to the character in front, 3 to the character in back, Confusion, Piercing), Boo Swarm (3, 2, 1)
Exp. points 0 Coins 1 Items Lucky Start
Tattle Log #:
72
Log A massive creature made up of countless Boos. It attacks by breaking apart and sending out hundreds of Boos.
Tattle That's an Atomic Boo. It's a giant Boo made up of a ton of smaller Boos. Max HP is 40, Attack is 4, and Defense is 0. This thing will try to smoosh us. It can also split up and send hundreds of Boos at us. And, when we attack, we might get so scared that we get confused or can't move. I sure wouldn't want to see this thing standing behind me in the middle of the night... Creeeeeepy...
Nintendo Switch[edit]
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door enemy
Atomic Boo
Atomic Boo in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) Max HP 40 Attack 4 Defense 0
Location(s) Creepy Steeple Role Boss Level 52
Sleep? 40% Dizzy? 40% Confuse? 40%
Tiny? 0% Stop? 40% Soft? 80%
Burn? 100% Freeze? 30% Fright? 0%
Gale Force? 10% KO? 5% Moves Heavy Drop (4), Hide (N/A), Summon (4, Stop, Piercing), Spook (4 to the character in front, 3 to the character in back, Confusion, Piercing), Boo Swarm (3, 2, 1)
Exp. points 0 Coins 50 Items Lucky Start
Tattle Log #:
75
Log A massive creature made up of countless Boos. It attacks by breaking apart and sending out hundreds of Boos.
Tattle That's an Atomic Boo. It's a giant Boo made up of a ton of smaller Boos. Max HP is 40, Attack is 4, and Defense is 0. This thing will try to smoosh us. It can also split up and send hundreds of Boos at us. And when we attack, we might get so scared that we get confused or can't move. I sure wouldn't want to see this thing standing behind me in the middle of the night... Creeeeeepy...

Super Paper Mario[edit]

Super Paper Mario enemy
Atomic Boo
Sprite of an Atomic Boo from Super Paper Mario. Max HP 10 Role Common Location(s) Merlee's Basement (2-4)
Attack 2 Card type Common
Defense 0 Items Ghost Shroom Card location(s) Card Shop; Catch Card/SP
Score 800
Card description This gigantic Boo still hides when you look at it. Some say it's a gathering of many smaller Boos...
  List of Catch Cards  
  94      95      96  
Tattle That's an Atomic Boo. That is one enormous Boo... Max HP is 10. Attack is 2. It will follow you until you turn around, then it just disappears... It has a lot of HP, so you may want to use an item when your back is turned... Some say this Boo is a huge, massive ball of many smaller Boos...

Paper Mario: Sticker Star[edit]

Paper Mario: Sticker Star enemy
Big Boo
A Big Boo from Paper Mario: Sticker Star Max HP 100 Role Mini-boss Location(s) The Enigmansion
Attack 10 Stickers N/A
Defense 0 Moves Crumple (2x3 + 4)

Super Princess Peach[edit]

Big Boo
A Big Boo from Super Princess Peach
Vibe Vibeless Levels Shriek Mansion 3-3
Shriek Mansion 3-4
Shriek Mansion 3-8
Bowser's Villa 8-8
Glossary number 47 Glossary entry A giant Boo. Still as shy as ever.

Mario & Luigi series[edit]

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions[edit]

  • Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser profile: A big ol' Boo. It's slow, but it flies and has incredible HP and POW.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[edit]

  • Bowser Jr.'s Journey profile: An incredibly large Boo. What it lacks in speed it more than makes up for in stamina and power.

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Big Boo.

Naming[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Large-sized enemies have been referred to by different names throughout their respective histories. When introduced in Super Mario World, the large Boo enemy was referred to as「アトミックテレサ」(Atomikku Teresa, "Atomic Boo"). The use of 「アトミックテ」(atomikku) to distinguish the enemy from normal-sized Boos is unique when compared to the large enemies introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3, which are denoted with the term「巨大」(Kyodai, "Mega").

Standardization of names for large-sized enemies occurred around 2010, after which the localized adaptations of these names have also largely been consistent with the following schemes:

  • 「アトミック」(Atomikku) is the unique prefix applied only to the large Boo enemies in Super Mario World, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and Super Paper Mario. In English, this name is usually adapted as "Atomic" (e.g, 「アトミックテレサ」(Atomikku Teresa) is translated as "Atomic Boo"). When Super Mario World was first localized in English, this name was adapted "Big Boo."
  • 「でか」(Deka) is the preferred prefix applied to large enemies in most of the mainline Super Mario series of platformers. In English, this name is usually adapted as "Big" (e.g, 「でかテレサ」(Deka Teresa) is translated as "Big Boo").

There are three other large Boo characters that have been conflated with the Big Boo enemy in various localizations. Namely:

  1. 「巨大テレサ」(Kyodai Teresa, "Mega Boo") from Super Mario Galaxy 2.「巨大」(Kyodai) is the preferred prefix applied typically to similar large enemy variants that appear in Super Mario Bros. 3, but for Boos, it applies to an enemy much larger than the Big Boos that flank it.
  2. 「ボステレサ」(Bosu Teresa, "Boss Boo") from Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine.「ボス」(bosu) is transliterated from the English "boss: and in other contexts it is often applied to large boss characters of normal-sized enemies. However, the Boo boss is referred to in the English localization of Super Mario 64 as "Big Boo," conflated it with the enemy for English audiences. The boss reappears in Super Mario Sunshine under the name "King Boo," conflating it with the boss character from Luigi's Mansion.
  3. 「ジャンボテレサ」(Janbo Teresa, "Jumbo Boo"), the Japanese name for the boss Boolossus from Luigi's Mansion and Luigi's Mansion 3. Boolosus is conceptually similar to the Big Boo enemy that predated it in Super Mario World and is described similarly. In Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, there is a boss asserted to be named "Big Boo" by Professor E. Gadd that is called「ジャンボテレサ」(Janbo Teresa) in the Japanese script. Because Dark Moon was a collaboration between Nintendo, who created the original Boolosus, and the Western studio Next Level Games, it is unclear if this boss is intended to be Boolosus or the more generic Big Boo enemy.

Internal names[edit]

Game File Name Meaning

Super Mario Galaxy ObjectData/TeresaChief.arc TeresaChief Transliteration of below
StageData/ObjNameTable.arc/ObjNameTable.tbl テレサチーフ (Teresa Chīfu) Boo Chief

Names in other languages[edit]

In Japanese,「でかテレサ」(Deka Teresa) and「アトミックテレサ」(Atomikku Teresa) are listed together because they are both in current use. The contemporaneous localized adaptations for these two names are listed first for the applicable languages and denoted as such in the "notes" column. Where there is only one contemporary localization for both names, it is listed first. Otherwise, all subsequent names are listed in chronological order for each language, from oldest to newest.

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese でかテレサ[15][16]
Deka Teresa
Big Boo
アトミックテレサ[17][18][19][20]
Atomikku Teresa
Atomic Boo; officially romanized as "Atomic Teresa"
アトミック・テレサ[21]
Atomikku Teresa
Super Mario World
ビッグテレサ[22][23]
Biggu Teresa
Big Boo Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Mario Pinball Land
大きなテレサ[24]
Ōkina Teresa
Large Boo;「大きな」(ōkina) is typically an informal descriptor Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
テレサ(だい[25]
Teresa (Dai)
Boo (Big) Yoshi's Island DS
ジャンボテレサ[26]
Janbo Teresa
Jumbo Boo; shared with Boolossus Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Chinese (simplified) 强力害羞幽灵[20]
Qiánglì Hàixiūyōulíng
Powerful Boo
强力嘘嘘鬼[27]
Qiánglì Xūxūguǐ
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
巨型嘘嘘鬼[28]
Jùxíng Xūxūguǐ
Giant Boo Super Mario 3D Land
Chinese (traditional) 強力害羞幽靈[20]
Qiánglì Hàixiūyōulíng
Powerful Boo
龐大害羞幽靈[29]
Pángdà Hàxiūyōulíng
Enormous Boo; shared with Boolossus Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Dutch Reuzen-Boo[20] Giant Boo
The Big Boo[30]:54 - Super Mario World
Big Boo[31]:44 Yoshi's Safari
French (NOA) Boo géant[32] Giant Boo contemporary translation for Deka Teresa
Boo atomique[20] Atomic Boo contemporary translation for Atomikku Teresa
French (NOE) Maxi-Boo[33] Maximum Boo contemporary translation for Deka Teresa
Boo Atomique[34][20] Atomic Boo contemporary translation for Atomikku Teresa
The Big Boo[30]:24 - Super Mario World
Big Boo[35][31]:20 Shared with the boss from Super Mario 64 Hotel Mario, Yoshi's Safari
Boss "Boo"[36] - Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
Boo géant[37] Giant Boo Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
German Maxi-Buu[33] Maximum Boo contemporary translation for Deka Teresa
Atom-Buu[20] Atomic Boo contemporary translation for Atomikku Teresa
Big Buu[38] Big Boo Super Mario World
Buu Huu[39] Derived from "boohoo;" applied to one fought as a boss and shared with Boo
Blue-Boo Huu[39] Blue Big Boo; applied to the ones encountered in courses
Big Boo[40][41] Shared with the boss from Super Mario 64 and King Boo Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, Super Princess Peach
Großen Buu Huu[42] Giant Boo Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
Italian Boo gigante[43][44][33] Giant Boo contemporary translation for Deka Teresa
Grande Boo[45][20][46]:54, 226 Big Boo contemporary translation for Atomikku Teresa
Big Boo[47][48] - Super Mario World, Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (miniboss)
Grande Boo[48] Big Boo Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (enemy)
Grosso Boo[49] Large Boo Super Mario Adventures
Gran Boo[46]:145, 180 Great Boo Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia (New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Super Mario 3D Land)
Boo Gigante[46]:194 Giant Boo Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia (New Super Mario Bros. 2)
Mega Boo[46]:210 Shared with Mega Boo Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia (New Super Mario Bros. U)
Korean 점보부끄[33]
Jeombo Bukkeu
Jumbo Boo contemporary translation for Deka Teresa
아토믹부끄[20]
Atomik Bukkeu
Atomic Boo contemporary translation for Atomikku Teresa
그랜드부끄[50]
Geuraendeu Bukkeu
Grand Boo; shared with Boolossus Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Portuguese (NOA) Big Boo[51] -
Portuguese (NOE) Bu Gigante[52] Giant Boo
Russian Огромный бу[53]
Ogromnyy bu
Huge Boo
Spanish (NOA) Boosote[54] Boo with the suffix -ote, denoting the large size of the subject contemporary translation for Deka Teresa
Boo Atómico[20] Atomic Boo contemporary translation for Atomikku Teresa
Big Boo[55] - Super Mario World
Gran Bú[33] Big Boo Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Spanish (NOE) Gran Boo[33] Big Boo contemporary translation for Deka Teresa
Boo Atómico[20] Atomic Boo contemporary translation for Atomikku Teresa
El gran Boo[56] The big Boo Super Mario World
El Gran "Boo"[57] The Big "Boo" Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
Boo gigante[58] Giant Boo Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix

References[edit]

  1. ^ August 1991. Mario Mania Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 51.
  2. ^ 1992. Nintendo Super NES Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 15.
  3. ^ August 1991. Mario Mania Player's Guide. Nintendo of America. Page 72-73.
  4. ^ 1992. Nintendo Super NES Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 12.
  5. ^ TCRF. Development:Super Mario World (SNES)/Background Graphics and Tilemaps/Credits § Enemy Cast List. The Cutting Room Floor (English). Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  6. ^ Pelland, Scott and Dan Owsen (1996). Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 48.
  7. ^ Loe, Casey (August 12, 2002). Super Mario Sunshine Perfect Guide. Versus Books (American English). ISBN 1-931886-09-1. Page 79.
  8. ^ 1996. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 41.
  9. ^ "But when you defeated the Big Boo, the Parascope detected a strange new signal..." – Professor E. Gadd during Paranormal Chaos (24 Mar. 2013). Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon by Next Level Games and Nintendo SPD Group No.3. Nintendo of America.
  10. ^ "But after you defeated Big Boo, the Parascope detected a radical new signal..." – Professor E. Gadd during Paranormal Chaos (27 Jun. 2024). Luigi's Mansion 2 HD by Tantalus Media. Nintendo. (Archived 22 Dec. 2022 via YouTube by RetroArchive.)
  11. ^ Alpharad (March 5, 2016). "Shower Scene" | Paper Mario: TTYD – Stream Highlights #5 (21:36). YouTube (English). Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  12. ^ 1991. Super Mario World instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 24.
  13. ^ November 20, 1994. 「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」 (Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten). Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-259067-9. Page 38.
  14. ^ Miller, Kent, and Terry Munson (1995). Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 126.
  15. ^ a b August 9, 2014. 「ヨッシー New アイランド 任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (Yoshi's New Island Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook). Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 978-4-09-106542-1. Page 21.
  16. ^ Sakai, Kazuya (ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors (2015). 『スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 978-4-09-106569-8. Page 145, 180, 195, 210, 226.
  17. ^ Kagawa, Ryo (APE/Shigesato Itoi), Koichi Toda (100 Percent), Masaki Kuramochi (100 Percent), Shigeo Tanabe, Naomaru Asao, and Ryuji Osawa, editors (1991). "UNIT 2 CHARACTER" in『任天堂公式ガイドブック スーパーマリオワールド』. Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-104117-5. Page 30.
  18. ^ Okamoto, Daisuke, and Norio Ando (STF) (2006). 『スーパー プリンセスピーチ任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-106268-7. Page 28.
  19. ^ Sakai, Kazuya (ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors (2015). "Super Mario World" in『スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 978-4-09-106569-8. Page 54.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k In-game name displayed during battle in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Nintendo Switch) (stored internally under btl_hlp_atomic_teresa).
  21. ^ 1990. 『Super Mario World 取扱説明書』 (PDF). Kyoto: Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Japanese). Page 28.
  22. ^ 1996. Super Mario RPG instruction booklet. Nintendo (Japanese). Page 41.
  23. ^ Super Mario Ball Shogakukan book.[page number needed]
  24. ^ The Spriters Resource, in-game Japanese Mush Mode instructions for Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
  25. ^ テレサ(だいしょう」– April 11, 2007. 「ヨッシーアイランドDS任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (Yoshi's Island DS Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook). Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 978-4-09-106361-8. Page 22.
  26. ^ オレはジャンボテレサ」("I am Jumbo Teresa!") – Big Boo during Ambush Maneuver (20 Mar. 2013). Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon by Next Level Games and Nintendo SPD Group No.3. Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Japanese). (Archived 8 Jun. 2013 via YouTube by しゅーや.)
  27. ^ In-game name from the ending of the iQue version of Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2. (Archived 28 Aug. 2013 via Baidu Teiba by 无敌阿尔宙斯.)
  28. ^ iQue. 超级马力欧 3D乐园:游戏画面. iQue (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  29. ^ 捕捉龐大害羞幽靈」("Capture the Enormous Boo") – Directive during Ambush Meaneavur (28 Mar. 2013). Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon by Next Level Games and Nintendo SPD Group No.3. Nintendo (Traditional Chinese). (Archived 23 Oct. 2023 via YouTube by ZigZagGamerPt.)
  30. ^ a b 1992. Super Mario World mode d'emploi / Handleiding. Nederland, Brussels: Nintendo (French, Dutch).
  31. ^ a b 1993. Yoshi's Safari mode d'emploi / Handleiding. Nederland, Brussels: Nintendo (French, Dutch).
  32. ^ In-game name displayed during battle in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. (Archived 16 May 2016 via YouTube by Jérémie Sinnett.)
  33. ^ a b c d e f In-game name displayed during battle in Paper Mario: Sticker Star.
  34. ^ Glossaire (26 May 2006). Super Princess Peach by TOSE Software Co. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (French). (Archived via JeuxVideo by avav.)
  35. ^ 1994. Hotel Mario (PDF). Amsterdam: Philips (French). Page 9.
  36. ^ In-game name from the ending of Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (French). (Archived 19 Nov. 2010 via YouTube by Diddy64wii.)
  37. ^ « Si tu manques des flèches, un Boo géant va envahir l'écran. » – Mush Mode Explanation (28 Oct. 2005). Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix by Konami and Hudson Soft. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (French). Archived by Mr. C.
  38. ^ 1992. Super Mario World Spielanleitung. Großostheim: Nintendo (German). Page 24.
  39. ^ a b Menold, Marcus, Claude M. Moyse, and Andreas G. Kämmerer, editors (1993). Der offizielle Nintendo Spieleberater "Super Mario World". Großostheim: Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). Page 19.
  40. ^ In-game name from the ending of Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (German). (Archived 15 Oct. 2011 via YouTube by Spendem.)
  41. ^ Glossar (26 May 2006). Super Princess Peach by TOSE Software Co. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). (Archived via YouTube by PonyPlays2014.)
  42. ^ Tritt auf die kleinen Buu Huus, um dir den großen Buu Huu vom Leib zu halten!“ – Mush Mode Explanation (28 Oct. 2005). Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix by Konami and Hudson Soft. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). Archived by Mr. C.
  43. ^ «Colpisci i Boo piccolini per tenere alla larga il Boo gigante!» – Mush Mode Explanation (28 Oct. 2005). Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix by Konami and Hudson Soft. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Italian). Archived by Mr. C.
  44. ^ In-game name of Shiftier Boo Mansion from Super Mario 3D World.
  45. ^ Glossario (26 May 2006). Super Princess Peach by TOSE Software Co. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Italian). (Archived via Mario's Castle.)
  46. ^ a b c d Sakai, Kazuya (ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), and Marco Figini, editors (2018). Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia. Translated by Marco Amerighi. Milan: Magazzini Salani (Italian). ISBN 889367436X.
  47. ^ 1992. Super Mario World Libretto di Intruzioni. Großostheim: Nintendo (Italian). Page 24.
  48. ^ a b Andrea Minini Saldini (June 2002). Nintendo La Rivista Ufficiale Numero 1. Milan: Future Media Italy SpA (Italian). Page 83.
  49. ^ «Mario si è finto uno psicologo per sfuggire alle gauci di un grosso Boo ed è anche riuscito a estorcergli informazioni sulla strada per arrivare al castello del Re dei Koopa.» – Kentaro Takezuma (2017). Super Mario Adventures. Translated by Federico Salvan. Edizioni BD (Italian). Page 84.
  50. ^ "나는 그랜드부끄!" ("I am a Grand Boo!") – Big Boo during Ambush Maneuver (27 Jun. 2024). Luigi's Mansion 2 HD by Tantalus Media. Nintendo (Korean). (Archived 26 Sept. 2024 via YouTube by 애니한 게임.)
  51. ^ 1991. Super Mario World Manual de Instruções. Redmond: Nintendo of America (Brazilian Portuguese). Page 24.
  52. ^ «Mas, depois de teres derrotado o Bu Gigante, o parascópio detetou um sinal nobo muito estranho...» – Professor E. Gadd during Paranormal Chaos (27 Jun. 2024). Luigi's Mansion 2 HD by Tantalus Media. Nintendo (European Portuguese). (Archived 7 Jul. 2024 via YouTube by ZigZagGamerPt.)
  53. ^ «После того как ты поймал Огромного бу, пораскол засек очень необычный сигнал.» – Prof. E. Gadd during Paranormal Chaos (28 Mar. 2013). Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon by Next Level Games and Nintendo SPD Group No.3. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Russian).
  54. ^ In-game name displayed in Bowser Jr.'s Journey (Latin American Spanish). (Archived 30 Mar. 2019 via YouTube by Red Shock Inc.)
  55. ^ Rodriguez, Gustavo, and José Sierra, editoral directors (1992). "Super Mario World" in Club Nintendo, no. 3, year 1. Productos y Equipos Internacionales, Editorial Samra (Mexican Spanish). Page 9.
  56. ^ 1992. Super Mario World Manual de Instrucciones. Madrid: Nintendo (European Spanish). Page 24.
  57. ^ In-game name from the ending of Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (European Spanish). (Archived 12 Sept. 2021 via YouTube by El Tiempo Es Ahora.)
  58. ^ «¡Aplasta a todos los Boo pequeños para mantener al Boo gigante bien lejos!» – Mush Mode Explanation (28 Oct. 2005). Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix by Konami and Hudson Soft. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (European Spanish). Archived by Mr. C.