Torpedo Base

Skull Boxes are black artillery that first appeared in Super Mario World. Gloved hands from the Skull Boxes release Torpedo Teds at Mario.

Super Mario World
Skull Boxes first appeared in Super Mario World in only one level, Soda Lake, where they fire Torpedo Teds that are invincible to all available forms of attack, making the level tricky to traverse.

Super Mario Galaxy
Skull Boxes (referred to as torpedo tubes by Prima Games ) also appear in Super Mario Galaxy, where they sport a different design. They are most often found in the water, and now can be destroyed by leading a Torpedo Ted right back at them.

New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U
Skull Boxes, as well as the Torpedo Teds, return in the Wii U game, New Super Mario Bros. U. They behave and look exactly as they do in Super Mario World, and appear in Larry's Torpedo Castle; they are once again invincible. Targeting Teds and Red Skull Boxes debut in The Mighty Cannonship level, being both obstacles and weapons that appear in the fight with Bowser Jr. While Torpedo Teds reappear in New Super Luigi U, the Skull Boxes do not.

Super Princess Peach
Skull Boxes return alongside the Torpedo Teds in the game Super Princess Peach, where they are invincible.

Mario Party 10
Skull Boxes reappear in Mario Party 10 in the minigame Blooper Blast-Off launching Torpedo Teds.

Trivia

 * In Super Mario World, the gloves have four fingers. In New Super Mario Bros. U, they have five fingers.