Chain Chomp

"Ruff! Ruff! (I'm gonna steal coins or stars just for you!)"

- Chain Chomp

Chain Chomps (or Chomps) are common enemies in the Mushroom World, first appearing in Super Mario Bros. 3. They bear a resemblance to a ball and chain and behave in a very dog-like manner, to the point where they even start to bark and whimper. They are a strong, animal-like species and commonly used as guard dogs in most games. The presence of ancient statues of them in the Dry Dry Ruins suggests that they have been used as such for centuries. Many Chomps in the Mario series have been part of the Koopa Troop, though a couple of them have been shown to be independent.

''Super Mario Bros. 3
Chain Chomps first appearance is in World 2-5 of Super Mario Bros. 3 for the Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom as Chain Chomps, along with their relatives, the fire-spitting flying Fire Chomps. Here they are attached to Wooden Blocks and try to lange at Mario. When the timer hits 160 seconds, all Chain Chomps come loose. They have returned in the remake, Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3.

There are four ways to defeat Chain Chomps in this game: using a Starman, throwing a Koopa Shell or a hammer at it as Hammer Mario, and stomping on it as a statue from Tanooki Mario.

''Super Mario 64
In Super Mario 64 and its remake, Super Mario 64 DS, a giant Chain Chomp is found in Bob-omb Battlefield, guarding a jail cell containing a Power Star. Chain Chomp is attached to a wooden stake, and it can lunge at Mario if the plumber gets too close. It can be temporarily immobilized by hitting it with a Bob-omb or a small box. In order to obtain the Star that Chain Chomp guards, Mario must ground-pound the Chain Chomp's pole three times to break the chain. The Chain Chomp jumps around, smashes the jail cell open in the process, and leaps away, while allowing Mario to reach the Star.

In this game the Chomp acquired its famous bark, which is used in later games.

''Super Mario Sunshine
Small puppy-like Chain Chomps called Chain Chomplets as well as a large Red Chomp appear in Pianta Village in Super Mario Sunshine. The large Chain Chomp is overheated and very angry. Mario has to spray it with FLUDD to cool it. This is only temporary, however, as the Chain Chomp gets angry and flares up again. Mario has to drag it by its chain to the Pianta Spring where it cools completely and awards Mario a Shine Sprite. Unlike most other Chain Chomps, this one has a scar on the left side of its face.

''New Super Mario Bros.
Chain Chomps appear as extremely rare enemies in New Super Mario Bros.. In fact, there is only a single level they appear in, which is 6-6, and there are only 3 of them. In this game, the Chain Chomps have their usual bark and lunging attack, and weaknesses: Koopa Shells and stars. They have a new weakness: the new Mega Mushroom. They are also defeated by pounding the post 3 times, which releases 3 coins. The last post in the level can also be used to reach 6 coins and a 1-up, and the second one has a Star Coin. Oddly, the post still stays if the Chain Chomp is defeated with a shell, Star, or Mega Mushroom, allowing Mario or Luigi to still ground pound it 3 times and get 3 coins.

''Super Mario Galaxy
Chain Chomps in Super Mario Galaxy are referred to as just "Chomps" since they do not have their chains, and they attack by rolling around on the ground towards Mario or Luigi. The only way they can be destroyed is with a Rainbow Star. In 2-P mode, one player can hold one Chomp's back still while the other player Spins it in the front, or one player makes one Chomp stunned while the other collides with it, which will make them explode into many Star Bits. Bob-ombing them also works. There is one particular golden Chomp that, when defeated with a nearby Rainbow Star, releases a Power Star. It is located in the Gusty Garden Galaxy. Chomp Pup appears in this game and its sequel.

''New Super Mario Bros. Wii
The Chain Chomp makes its return in the game New Super Mario Bros. Wii. One of them is seen as a pulley for Iggy, one of Bowser's children. Every time Iggy is hit by Mario, it angers similar to what it did in Super Mario Sunshine and goes on a short rampage.

Chain Chomps also appear in World 7-2. In this stage, they are attached to a wooden stake, and Mario can free it by doing what he did in Super Mario 64; ground pounding the stake 3 times. Chain Chomps can also be defeated by running toward it with a Starman.

''Super Mario Galaxy 2
Chain Chomps also appear in Super Mario Galaxy 2. In the game, they appear in many galaxies such as the Flip Swap Galaxy. They behave the same way as they did in the previous Mario Galaxy. A new sub-species called Silver Chomp are introduced. They home on Mario or Luigi. They appear in Rolling Masterpiece Galaxy, Slipsand Galaxy, and Battle Belt Galaxy. Also, a complete galaxy focused on Chomps called Chompworks Galaxy is found in this game. Chomp Pups and the golden Chain Chomp return in this game.

''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3
Chain Chomps make several appearances in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, appearing in such episodes as "Reptiles in the Rose Garden" and "The Venice Menace". They are guard dogs of the Koopa King, and they attack Mario and Luigi. They seem to be in a lot of episodes that Kootie Pie is in, and they seem to listen to her. They are also shown to be able to swim in The Venice Menace where they bite holes in Mario and Luigi's boat.

''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Chain Chomps, simply referred to as Chomps in this game, first appear as guards in Booster Tower. In battle, Chomps can use skills like Iron Maiden and Carni Kiss. They possess no strengths and a weakness to thunder attacks. Chomps have good defense; in fact, their defense exceeds their attack power. Since they are bound to a stake, the party can easily flee from the battle.

In addition to Chomps being encountered as enemies, Bowser is able to equip and use a small Chomp as a weapon. The game also introduces golden, much more powerful versions of Chomps known as Chomp Chomps, as well as Kinklinks, which are Chomps used to hold chandeliers in Bowser's Keep.

''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Chain Chomps appear in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island for the SNES. Only a single one is found in the game; it appears in a room near the beginning of Sluggy the Unshaven's Fort. This Chain Chomp can be only defeated by using a POW Block. Doing so grants the player access to a room with a Hint Block in it.

Apart from this enemy, two subspecies introduced in this game: Chomp Sharks and Incoming Chomps. These species are devoid of their chains and are massive in size, a trait retained by Chomps in many future games. The Incoming Chomps fall into the ground in certain levels and create a large abyss. If one falls on Yoshi, Baby Mario does not fall off Yoshi's back; instead, Yoshi is pushed into the newly created pit. Chomp Sharks, instead of trying to crush Yoshi, chase him during certain sections of the levels they appear in.

Chomp Rocks also make an appearance as objects or obstacles that can be used to reach higher places or flatten enemies. They resemble Chomp heads made of rock.

''Yoshi's Story
Chain Chomps appear as enemies in Yoshi's Story, resembling the Chomp Shark. These are the first to actually be called simply Chomps. They only appeared in one of the huts on Stage 4-1: Jungle Hut. They are invincible and act nearly identical to the Incoming Chomps from Super Mario World 2:Yoshi's Island. The Baby Yoshis must avoid these enemies to get past.

''Yoshi's Island DS
Chomp Sharks and Incoming Chomps also make an appearance in Yoshi's Island DS. They behave in a very similar way compared to the original Yoshi's Island. Chomp Rocks also make a return. In the level Return of the Moving Chomp Rock!, the Chomp Rock is required for crossing deadly spikes and other dangers.

Yoshi's Island DS introduced another new sub-species, Stompin' Chomps, which main method of attacking is bouncing around the stage, trying to squash Yoshi. They usually appear in groups. All of these Chain Chomps make an exclusive appearance in Rompin' Stompin' Chomps.

''Mario Kart 64
In Mario Kart 64, three Chain Chomps appear on the Rainbow Road track where they travel at road level in the opposite direction of the racers in a regular zig-zag pattern. If touched, the driver is sent flying up.

''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, a Chain Chomp is a usable item for Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, as well as Petey Piranha and King Boo, who have the ability to receive any other character's special item. It pulls the racers forward for a few seconds and bowls over other racers in its path, while a special tune plays. After a certain amount of time, it abandons the vehicle and goes on its own until it runs off the course. If at any time a Chain Chomp pulls the racers forward, and the kart gets hit with another Item or Special Item, it also abandons the vehicle and goes on its own until runs off the course. Bigger Chain Chomps also appear as obstacles on the Mario Circuit and Luigi Circuit tracks.

''Mario Kart DS
In Mario Kart DS, Chain Chomps appear in the original Luigi Circuit racetrack from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and the new course Peach Gardens. The latter level has a lot of stray Chain Chomps with item boxes behind them, but they have no chains. The Chain Chomp was going to be an item, but is replaced in favor of the Bullet Bill. However they work very similar to one another. In mission 2-4, Luigi has to get 15 coins at Luigi Circuit, avoiding the Chain Chomp that is now on the middle of the track. Also, in mission 5-1, Peach has to race one lap at Peach Gardens and beat a stray Chain Chomp while a remix of the Chain Chomp Theme from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! plays. Also the Mario Kart DS Chain Chomps do not chomp their mouths like a regular Chain Chomp; their mouths stay open at all times.

''Mario Kart Wii
In Mario Kart Wii a chained Chain Chomp appears at Mario Circuit, while stray ones reappear at the returning Peach Gardens. They also return in the Mario Circuit from Double Dash. The stray ones now have small chains that hold the Item Boxes together, and they do not bounce on the ground. An Incoming Chomp appears in Chain Chomp Roulette, a large roulette wheel where the Chomp rolls, flattening any racer in its path. The Item Bullet Bill works very similar to the Chain Chomp.

''Paper Mario
A single Chain Chomp, nicknamed Chompy, appears in Paper Mario in the Dry Dry Ruins. He is in fact a pet of the ghost Tutankoopa, and he fights alongside him as the boss of Chapter 2. Strangely Goombario calls them "Chomp" instead of Chain Chomp. They attack by lunging at the player. Stone Chomps also appear at several places inside the Dry Dry Ruins.

''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door features two types of Chain Chomps: Red Chomps, which appear in Glitzville, and traditional Chain Chomps, appearing in the Palace of Shadow. Both types are found in the Pit of 100 Trials. There are also a new fish-like sub-species that attack Mario whenever he falls in water, which are called Nibbles who have the same teeth and expression.

Chain Chomps have a very high defense and attack. Oddly, when Mario first-strikes by jumping on them in the overworld, the camera bounces along them before Mario stomps them.

''Super Paper Mario
In Super Paper Mario, Francis has a pet Chain Chomp in his basement. They appear mainly the Flipside Pit of 100 Trials where they attack the same as the one Francis has. Also, the guardian of The Underwhere is a "three-headed" Chain Chomp called Underchomp (it is actually three Chain Chomps, each of a different color). It is battled in a RPG manner similar to the Earthbound series. Dark Chomps are introduced in this game and are stronger versions of chain chomps, but they are only found in the Flopside Pit of 100 Trials.

Paper Mario 3DS
A Chain Chomp is seen in a screenshot to appear in the upcoming game for the Nintendo 3DS, Paper Mario 3DS. It appears to be a partner of Mario. However it has no distinguishing effects that mark it different from other Chain Chomps. In the overworld it is seen to be able to attack like Chain Chomps from the previous Paper Mario games, and break blocks.

Mario Party series
Chain Chomps have also made plenty appearances in the Mario Party series. Most of the time, they serve as obstacles that players must avoid or helpful items that steals stars or coins for players.

Mario Party 2
Chain Chomps first appear in Mario Party 2 in the minigame Sneak n' Snore, where the player has to infiltrate a sleeping Chain Chomp in a barrel. If the Chain Chomp finds any players when awake, the Chain Chomp eliminates them by grabbing them and throwing them into a warp pipe.

Mario Party 3
They appear in Mario Party 3 as a partner in Duel Mode. They attack both the player and the partner. They also appear in a battle mini-game called Merry-Go-Chomp. A chain chomp in this minigame attacks any unlucky player who is closest to the chain chomp after the roulette has stopped spinning. In Game Guy's Sweet Surprise two Chain Chomps of different sizes are eating a cake. The player has to decide if the bigger Chain Chomp is going to eat the cake first or the smaller one is. Usually, the bigger Chain Chomp eats the cake first, but there is a bigger reward if the player guesses correctly that the smaller Chain Chomp eats the cake first.

Mario Party 4
In Mario Party 4 an item called a Chomp Call is introduced in which a Chain Chomp is called to move the location of the Star. They also appear in the 4-player minigame Long Claw of the Law as one of the possible enemies to grab. They appear in the battle minigame Chain Chomp Fever, where a Chain Chomp tries to tackle any player in a given time limit.

Mario Party 5
Chain Chomps also appear in Mario Party 5 as Chain Chomp Capsules. They can steal coins for free or steal a star for 30 coins. They also appear in the 4-player mini-game Chomp Romp, where the players have to lead a Chain Chomp through a park. In the 4-player mini-game Night Light Fright, players have to stun Chain Chomps with a light as close as they can before the Chain Chomp tackles them. In the 4-player mini-game, Rumble Fumble, Chain Chomps hide in any bucket and attack players that chose the wrong bucket.

Mario Party 6
In Mario Party 6, Chain Chomps are vital in Snowflake Lake to steal other players' stars. Players must pay them a fee at a Chain Chomp house depending on how much dice blocks they roll. They can pay 20 coins for 1 dice block during the day time. In the night time, they can pay 10 coins for 1 dice block, 20 coins for 2 dice blocks, and 30 coins for 3 dice blocks. Defending players can counterattack Chain Chomps by possessing a Snack Orb. Chain Chomps appear in Solo Mode board Infernal Tower as happening spaces. They attack the player that lands on the happening space and sends him/her back to the start. In the 4-player mini-game Throw Me a Bone, players ride a Chain Chomp and throw a bone while leading the Chain Chomp to the finish line. There are breakable stone pillars that stun the Chain Chomp if the Chain Chomp hits them. Chain Chomps can be a result in the Rare mini-game Seer Terror. Chain Chomps occasionally appear in the background in the 2-vs-2 mini-game Dunk Bros.

Mario Party 7
Chain Chomps in Pyramid Park in Mario Party 7 serve the same purpose like the ones in Snowflake Lake. They steal stars for players for a fee. The player must pay coins to roll the dice blocks as usual. Chain Chomps appear in the 1-vs-3 mic game Wheel of Woe. They are one command that the player can give to attempt to eliminate the other three players.

Mario Party 8
In Mario Party 8, Chain Chomps appear in a special mini-game Chomping Frenzy, where the player has to feed Chain Chomps. In the 4-player mini-game, At the Chomp Wash, players clean a Chain Chomp covered in paint. In the duel mini-game Cardiators, Chain Chomps appear as one card that deals 12 out of 20 HP of an opponent. There is also an Extras mini-game called Chomping Frenzy which features Chain Chomps.

''Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
A sleeping Chain Chomp appears briefly in the opening sequence in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour. Yoshi during his round wakes up the Chain Chomp. The Chain Chomp barks at Yoshi and scares him.

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour features a couple of holes where a Chain Chomp devours any ball that enters the hole, wasting two turns. It seems to be an advanced version of a sandbar. It is a big nuisance and should be avoided at all cost.

''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, two Chain Chomp enemies appear. In one area at Woohoo Hooniversity, Mecha-Chomps, dog-like mechanical Chomps, appear. The Chomp Bros., a variation of the Hammer Bros. that swing small Chomps as weapons, appear in Bowser's Castle.

''Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the Pocket Chomp is a Bros. Item. At first it appears to be a small Chomp in a Mario Party-like orb, but when released, it more than triples in size and chases the brothers across the screen, forcing them to Jump on any enemy in their wake. Occasionally, a Chomp with a ribbon on its head appears, and it is slower than a normal one. This is likely implying it is female. The Pocket Chomps bark, but it sounds more of the bark in Super Mario 64 and its remake than recent games like Mario Party 7. A Chain Chomp also directs Mario, Luigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi into the castle sewers. It is later fought, and the group hit blocks to shoot lasers at it. When it has one energy left, it splits into five. The real one is noticed because the copies chomp slower, allowing the Bros. to destroy it and let go the block the Chain Chomp has eaten. The Elder Princess Shroob in battle uses Shroob versions of regular Chain Chomps.

''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Chain Chomps appear in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story as minions of Fawful, being called Chain Chawful. A Fawful-like sworm is found inside them, forcing them to fight for Fawful. If Bowser can swallow the sworm, then the Chain Chomp turns back to normal and run away. They also appear in the fight with Junker and Junker X when Mario or Luigi defeats a Junker Can.

''Mario Power Tennis
In Mario Power Tennis there is a mini-game that takes place in the Wario Factory Court featuring Chain Chomps. If pelted with water, the Chain Chomp goes to sleep or calm down, but if it is struck with a Bob-omb, it wakes up, gets really mad, or chases the player. When a tennis ball is shot at it, the player gets a point. When the Chain Chomp is mad, two points are rewarded instead.

''Mario Superstar Baseball
Two Chain Chomps appear in Mario Superstar Baseball as an obstacle in the foul line in the Wario Palace field. There is also one that appears in the "Chain Chomp Sprint" minigame. It sleeps in the center of the bases, and if players are still running the bases it while it is awake, it rams into them, causing them to be out for a few seconds. The Chain Chomp in Wario Palace also appears in the intro.

''Mario Super Sluggers
In Mario Super Sluggers, a Chain Chomp appears as a gimmick on the Bowser Jr's Playroom field. If the ball lands on a Chain Chomp image on the field, one appears and attacks the fielders.

They also appear in a mini-game called Graffiti Runner. A character activates them by opening a treasure chest. Once activated, the Chain Chomp rampages through the field, removing any paint and hitting any player in the way, even if the player has a star.

''Super Princess Peach
In Super Princess Peach, normal Chain Chomps, along with a variation of Chain Chomp, known as Calm Chain Chomp, can be found. These Chain Chomps sleep unless Princess Peach wakes them up. They then act like normal Chain Chomps. The super-dangerous Big Chain Chomp also debuts here. Chain Chomps do not bark in this game, but they did gain a chomping noise.

Mario Football series
Mario Smash Football features a Chain Chomp as an item with which the player can attack. If used, the Chomp attacks all opposing players on the field, leaving them on the ground for a few seconds. However it is very rare, and it only appears if the team is losing badly. It is the strongest offensive item in the game, however sometimes it backfires on the user. It may attack the user's team along with the opponent's team.

It reappears in the sequel, Mario Strikers Charged Football acting very similarly as they did in Mario Smash Football. Like in the first game, it rampages whole field attacking anyone who has the ball and stunning him/her for an amount of time. They only appear when the team is losing badly. However they appear more often than in the previous game.

''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
A Chain Chomp appears as a VIP character in the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games during Dream Ski Cross and as an obstacle in Extreme Snow Boarding in the DS version. It would make the player trip if touched. It is large and should be avoided.

The Legend of Zelda series
The Chain Chomps make many cameo appearances in The Legend of Zelda games. Link's Awakening features a domesticated Chomp while The Four Swords Adventures and A Link to the Past has Chain Chomp-like enemies that Link must avoid.

WarioWare series
In WarioWare: Touched!, there is a souvenir called "Reel-to-Reel", which is a projector that features a red Chomp.

Characteristics and Traits
Chomps resemble a ball with chains. They have big circular eyes, large gaping mouths, and razor-sharp teeth. Most also have a restraining tail-like chain, which are commonly tied to some sort of post to restrict their movement. These creatures are an extremely dark shade of purplish-blue with bright white eyes and teeth (though they have appeared in other colors, such as red, blue, and yellow). Unlike most enemies from the Mario games, Chomps are incapable of human speech; rather they communicate through dog like barks (hence their Japanese name). Behavior-wise, they act similar to guard dogs, and they attack without thinking. Chain Chomps are rarely seen calm and many have a ferocious personality. Chain Chomps also have a tendency to sleep, as shown in some games (most likely because they use up a lot of energy). Chomps also seem to have varying sizes, some growing to huge proportions while others are as big as Mario.

Chomps are some of the tougher enemies in the Mario series. In a couple of games, they are invincible, and they usually have an above-average defense in RPGs. Many games seem to even hint that they are made of a hard, metallic substance. Their main method of attack is lunging at the enemy and biting them, though they are usually pulled back by their chains. Chainless Chomps, therefore, make for more difficult enemies, especially due to them generally being larger than their other brethren. With a few exceptions (such as in Paper Mario), most Chomps that aren't tied charges at their enemy instead of lunge.

Chomps are more animal-like than other enemies such as Goombas and Shy Guys. However, a few Chomps seem to have some more capabilities of thinking than others. Lack of technology is evident in their usage as guards. Some items, such as the Chomp Whistle and Pocket Chomp, can be used to summon Chomps, which further proves that they have some traits of loyalty and obedience, similar to a dog. In short, Chomps may be considered the Mario-equivalent to the Real World guard dog.

Gallery
For pictures, see this subject's gallery.

Trivia

 * The Chain Chomp was inspired by a childhood experience of Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, where a dog tried to attack him. The dog lunged at him, but was jerked back by its leash just as the canine snapped at Miyamoto inches in front of his face.
 * In the Japanese version of Mario's games, the Chomp is named Wanwan, the Japanese onomatopoeic equivalent of "Woof Woof." This explains its dog-like personality, and also why the creature extremly similar in appearance was called Bow Wow in the North American version of Link's Awakening.
 * In the Paper Mario series, its name is hyphenated as "Chain-Chomp" instead of "Chain Chomp". On the sign in Bob-omb Battlefield in Super Mario 64, it was also hyphenated.