Boo
- This article is about the recurring enemies in the Super Mario franchise. For other uses, see Boo (disambiguation).
- "Boo Buddy" redirects here. For other uses, see Boo Buddy (disambiguation).
| Boo | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Artwork from Mario Party Superstars | |||
| First appearance | Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988) | ||
| Latest appearance | The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (cameo) (2026) | ||
| Latest portrayal | Sanae Uchida (2004–present) | ||
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- “Mind turning around for a minute?”
- —Boo, Paper Mario: Color Splash
Boos, formerly known as "Boo" Diddlies[1] (a nod to the late American R&B singer Bo Diddley) and later Boo Buddies[2][3][4][5][6][7] or simply Ghosts,[8] are recurring ghost enemies that first appear in Super Mario Bros. 3. They are a type of white spherical ghost with menacing and normally open mouths. They are known for their large tongues and small stubby arms. However, the most distinctive characteristic of the Boos is their shy personality, as they cover their faces when someone looks directly at them, but then uncover and move after the character when their back is turned.
Shigeru Miyamoto got the idea for Boos' shy and aggressive dual natures from the wife of his coworker and close friend Takashi Tezuka, as she is shy but one day got very angry with him for coming home late from work.[9][10]
General information[edit]
Physical description[edit]
Boos are usually white spherical ghosts with stubby arms and a small tail behind them. They have a mouth usually open in a wide smile, with four upper fangs and a large tongue sticking out of it. Their eyes are small and beady, marked by a thick brow giving them a mischievous expression. When embarrassed, they use their arms to cover their eyes, and their expression becomes a timid one, with red blush marks covering their face. Other variants of Boos can have different colors, such as Red Boos, who are pink, or Bomb Boos, who are black.
In their early appearances in the Yoshi and Paper Mario series, Boos have two angry eyebrows instead of a thick brow. Instead of four upper fangs, they have two upper fangs and two lower fangs as well. Some other appearances also feature Boos with only two upper fangs.
Color variations[edit]
Boos come in many different colors. The following is a list of Boo colors and their first appearances.
| Image | Color | First appearance |
|---|---|---|
|
White | Super Mario Bros. 3 |
|
Blue | Super Mario World (as Big Boos) |
|
Red | Super Mario Bros. Deluxe |
|
Green | Super Mario Bros. Deluxe |
|
Black | Super Mario Bros. Deluxe |
|
Chartreuse | Paper Mario |
|
Mint | Paper Mario |
|
Brown | Paper Mario |
|
Light-blue | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door |
|
Yellow | Mario Party DS |
Personality[edit]
Boos are generally mischievous. They enjoy playing tricks on unsuspecting victims, sneaking up behind them and scaring them. Despite this, they are usually described as bashful and cowardly and when they are looked at, they tend to cover their faces and stop moving entirely. Despite their usual shyness, some Boos can appear as NPCs or playable characters in spinoff games.
Speech[edit]
Since Super Mario 64, Boos have been portrayed with a unique, high-pitched laugh. Both this laugh and Bowser's laugh are derived from the same stock recording of a human man laughing recorded by Charles Martinet;[11] it was sped up for the Boos and slowed down for Bowser. However, Boos received a new laugh starting in Mario Power Tennis, being more of a haunting laugh than before.
Boos in the Luigi's Mansion series have names based on puns with the word Boo, such as BamBoo or Bootanist. Paper Mario also features Boos replacing certain words with "Boo":
I am so bored!! Boo-ored!
Boo-st of luck!
Hey, what can I Boo for you?
It's going to be the most Boo-tiful wedding ever!
Powers and abilities[edit]
Boos can float, and sometimes become invisible and intangible. They can often be found in groups, such as in Boo Buddies or Boo Crews, and according to the Luigi's Mansion series, grow in power when in large numbers.[12][13] Some Boos can even merge together to form much larger Boos, such as Boolossus. Boos can also create trick doors, and other illusions to trick players inside Ghost House levels.
Boos' most common weakness is their timid nature, which causes them to stop moving when looked at. In the Super Mario series, they can usually only be defeated in very few ways, such as by using Super Stars. Boos are also especially vulnerable to the light. If they are exposed to a source of light, Boos are usually weakened, and in some cases, such as Super Mario Galaxy and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, also defeated. However, King Boo claims that Boos cannot truly be killed. Like their shyness, Boos' weakness to light is usually not present when they appear as friendly NPCs or playable characters.
Habitat[edit]
Boos are typically found in Ghost Houses and other haunted buildings. A few of those locations include Ghostly Galaxy, Boo's Mansion, The Enigmansion. They can also be found in dark forests, such as Forever Forest and the Boo Woods. One of the only Boo villages in an open space is Gusty Gulch.
Allegiance[edit]
In the Luigi's Mansion series, Boos work under King Boo. In most other games, they are part of Bowser's Minions, with King Boo himself also being considered part of the group under Bowser. However, some Boos act independently, such as the Boos working under Lady Bow in Paper Mario and the ones in the Creepy Steeple from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
History[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario Bros. 3 / Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]
"Boo" Diddlys[14] appear in Super Mario Bros. 3. They are first encountered in World 2-Fortress, and are largely found in fortress stages, though are not exclusive to them. A "Boo" Diddly shields its face if looked at, but chases the player character if not looked at. "Boo" Diddlys can be defeated only from either the effects of a Hammer Suit or a Starman, or from a Koopa shell. "Boo" Diddlys are depicted with either a dark-blue or dark-red outline in the Family Computer and Nintendo Entertainment System version, depending on the level.
"Boo" Diddlys have a variant called Stretches, which are fixed to certain white platforms and lack their characteristic shyness.
Super Mario World / Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2[edit]
"Boo" Buddies (called "Boo" Diddlys earlier in development)[15] appear in Super Mario World and its reissue. They are solely encountered in Ghost Houses and the Sunken Ghost Ship level. "Boo" Buddies behave identically but move slower than before, a consistency retained throughout the Super Mario series. "Boo" Buddies appear to have multiple tails. "Boo" Buddies change their face very briefly if looked at for long enough, and groups of them make a variety of facial expressions. More varieties are introduced in the game, including Boo Buddy Blocks, Boo Buddy Snakes, Boo Crews, Circling Boo Buddies, Eeries, Disappearing Boo Buddies, the Big Boo, and the Big Boo boss in Donut Secret House, though Stretches are absent. A "Boo" Buddy is defeated only from the effects of Super Stars. The two "Boo" Buddies that accompany the Big Boo boss disappear in puffs of smoke when the boss is defeated.
Super Mario Land 2 - 6 Golden Coins[edit]
Boo Buddies appear in the Pumpkin Zone levels of Super Mario Land 2 - 6 Golden Coins, in addition to their introduced Ghost Goomba variants. Boo Buddies move in a slower, wave-like pattern than before. They can be defeated by a Koopa Shell.
Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[edit]
- “Ghosts...don't...DIE! Heh, heh, heh! Can you get out of here...alive?”
- —Message from Big Boo's Haunt
Boos (also called Baby Boos)[16] appear in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. They use their design from Mario Party 4 in the latter version. Boos are encountered in the courtyard of Peach's Castle and in Big Boo's Haunt. Big Boos are recurring mini-bosses in the latter location, as well as a different Big Boo in the Big Boo Battle stage in the remake only. When Boos are looked at, they become partially visible, but are fully opaque otherwise and follow the player character. Boos take away two wedges of health on contact. The Boos in the courtyard hold a Yellow Coin each, and those in Big Boo's Haunt each have a Blue Coin; the remake changes the former instance to Red Coins until the player collects all eight and then the Power Star. Boos are defeated from either a punch, a kick, a Pound the Ground attack, or Luigi's spin jump in the remake only. Boos cannot be defeated by Yoshi in the remake, and it is spit out if Yoshi attempts to do so.[17] A line of dialogue displays each time a Boo is defeated in the first mission of Big Boo's Haunt.[18] A Big Boo appears in the hallway of the Mushroom Castle after twelve Stars are collected, or fifteen in the remake, while the remake additionally features a normal Boo in the same position after three Stars are collected, disappearing if the eight Red Coins in the courtyard are collected and being replaced with the Big Boo either way once 15 are collected. In several missions of the remake, a Boo wearing a Luigi's cap appears in the stage.
Super Mario Bros. Deluxe[edit]
Super Mario Bros. Deluxe,
arranged by speed
Boos appear in Super Mario Bros. Deluxe. They are competitors in the "You VS. Boo" mode, competing to reach the flagpole before the player can. Boos do not damage the player character on contact. If the Boo is defeated within a time frame, it flies away, being replaced by a faster green Boo, then by a faster red Boo, and lastly a Black Boo[19] with a yellow outline. The Black Boo travels in a way mimicking the player's best time.
Super Mario Sunshine[edit]
Boos return in Super Mario Sunshine. They have a different design consisting of drooping eyelids, blue circles around their black pupils, and long, coiled tails, due to being made of goop.[20] They are encountered in Sirena Beach only, inside of Hotel Delfino. Two varieties of Boo appear, Pink Boos and Sleepy Boos, and the boss fought below Hotel Delfino is King Boo. Boos move around in slow, swooping motions. They do not react if looked at. There are Boos that are mostly invisible, besides a distorted visual effect, but spraying them with water makes them become increasingly visible. The invisible Boos take on disguises such as Yellow Coins or Blue Coins, differentiated only from not spinning at a constant pace, or Shadow Mario, differentiated by appearing lighter colored, lacking the magic brush, and the Shadow Mario theme not playing. If a disguised Boo is approached, it laughs and bumps into Mario, unless it has been sprayed prior.
New Super Mario Bros.[edit]
Boos appear in New Super Mario Bros. They are encountered in Ghost Houses and World 8-1. They act the same as in Super Mario Bros. 3, though the ways of defeating them include a Shell, a Starman, a Mega Mushroom, or a Blue Shell. The game introduces Balloon Boos, which inhale air to inflate themselves, and Broozers, which are boxers.
Super Mario Galaxy[edit]
Boos appear in Super Mario Galaxy and its Nintendo Switch port. Normally, Boos become transparent when the player character looks at them but are opaque and go after the player character if they are not looking. There is also an underwater type that simple floats back-and-forth a short distance oblivious to the player character. A Boo can be defeated mainly from any ray of light or when touched by Rainbow Mario. Captain Toad's headlight is also capable of defeating them. Boos can be spun off course from a spin attack. Varieties that appear include Atomic Boo and the debuting Bomb Boos, and there is an Atomic Boo character who is raced, the Spooky Speedster. One of the power-ups, Boo Mario, has the player character become a Boo, retaining only his face and cap. Boos are attracted to Boo Mario and Boo Luigi and follow them. If a Boo hits them, they do not take damage but lose the power-up.
Transparent smaller Boos can be spotted along the bone walls and on the finish line planet of Ghostly Galaxy during the mission A Very Spooky Sprint. Every few moments, one spawns and moves a short distance while emitting a cluster of even smaller ones before disappearing.
Boos appear in the following list of galaxies and missions. If no mission is stated, Boos appear during all missions:
- Ghostly Galaxy ("Luigi and the Haunted Mansion", "Matter Splatter Mansion")
- Bigmouth Galaxy (underwater variant)
- Sand Spiral Galaxy
- Deep Dark Galaxy ("The Underground Ghost Ship", "Ghost Ship Daredevil Run", "Plunder the Purple Coins", "Boo in a Box")
In this game, Boos have their own unique language called Booish, found on various signs in the game. Mario can gain the ability to read those signs by becoming Boo Mario.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]
Boos return in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. They are depicted with a blue glow. Boos are encountered in Ghost Houses only. They behave identically as in New Super Mario Bros. Varieties that appear include Big Boos, Broozers, and Circling Boo Buddies. Every Ghost House on the world map has a Boo who watches the player character and laughs whenever he either enters or is kicked out from losing a life. Once the level is cleared, the Boo only covers its face henceforth. Boos are defeated only from the effects of a Star.
Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]
Boos appear in Super Mario Galaxy 2 and its Nintendo Switch port. They behave identically to their appearance in Super Mario Galaxy, with both the normal and underwater types reappearing. Besides Bomb Boos returning, two variants make their debut: Octoboos, a cross between an Octoomba and Boo, and Mega Boos, larger than even Big Boos.
Boos appear in the following list of galaxies and missions. If no mission is stated, Boos appear during all missions:
- Haunty Halls Galaxy ("Sneaking Down the Creepy Corridor", "Spooky Cosmic Clone Chase")
- Boo Moon Galaxy
- Slimy Spring Galaxy (underwater variant)
- Battle Belt Galaxy (underwater variant)
Super Mario 3D Land[edit]
Boos appear in Super Mario 3D Land. They behave similarly as before, but disappear briefly if hit by a tail whip from Tanooki Mario or one of Fire Mario's fireballs. Their laugh is similar as in Super Mario 64. Aside from Big Boos returning, Tail Boos and Peepas makes their debut in this game.
New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]
Boos return in New Super Mario Bros. 2. They are encountered in Ghost Houses. There are Boos in World 4-
Ghost House that push the wall either left or right, and they are not shy of being looked at. Boos otherwise are the same as in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, except they can be defeated from the effects of either a Star or Gold Flower. Aside from Peepas returning, the game introduces the giant Boohemoths and Gold Boos, which Boos transform into while a Gold Ring during the effects of a Gold Ring.
New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe[edit]
Boos appear in New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Luigi U and the port. They are the same as before, though Baby Yoshis can defeat Boos. Big Boos and Circling Boo Buddies both also return. Boos appear in an Enemy Course in the haunted area of Soda Jungle, where a Flying ? Block with the Super Star is required to defeat them.
Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[edit]
Boos appear in Super Mario 3D World and its port. Their only differences are cosmetic, being more transparent, having a bluish glow like in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and its sequels unless stared at, in which case they have a reddish glow while emitting steam. Big Boos and Peepas also return.
Super Mario Maker subseries[edit]
Boos are course elements in Super Mario Maker, its port, and Super Mario Maker 2. They have newly designed sprites for the Super Mario Bros. style, but are otherwise the same as in other entries of the Super Mario series. Boos can be inserted into Bill Blasters, Blocks, a Koopa Clown Car, tracks, or Warp Pipes. Boos can be shaken to become Boo Buddies or dragged on to platforms to become Stretches. Applying a Super Mushroom to a Boo changes it into a Big Boo, while giving it wings gives it faster movement. Boos in Koopa Clown Cars affect the vehicle to stop and close its eyes when looked at and sneak up on the player while they are not looking. In Super Mario Maker 2, Peepas also appear in the Super Mario 3D World style, replacing Boo Buddies.
In Super Mario Maker 2, a Boo-shaped hat named the Shy Cap can be unlocked as a wearable outfit for the player's Maker Mii. It is unlocked by receiving 100 plays on a course.
Super Mario Run[edit]
Boos appear in Super Mario Run. They are encountered in Ghost House levels. Boos cover their eyes and float up and down while looked at, including if they are close to the player's vertical position, and turn to look at the player character. Boos otherwise follow in a quick, wavy motion. Boos are defeated by either jumping backward over them using a Backflip Block or a Wall Jump. The pink P Switch of certain levels defeat every Boo on-screen. Boos drop Keys, Coins, or Color coins upon defeat, with the item being slightly visible before their defeat. Boos in the level Dark and Stormy are defeated whenever lightning strikes happen. Boo cannot leveled. Besides Boos, Stretches also return.
There is a Boo Statue in Kingdom Builder, which has an interaction where it briefly covers its eyes.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder / Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park[edit]
Boos are enemies in