Bullet Bill

Bullet Bills are missile-like enemies appearing in the Mario series. They have been enemies of Mario since Super Mario Bros., when they made their debut. These enemies can be found throughout many of the classic Mario games and in newer games, where they have increasingly been items. They are shot out of Bill Blasters, and are usually under Bowser's control. However, when the player stands on or walks so near that they touch the Bill Blaster the Bullet Bills are shooting from, the Bill Blaster will chicken out and not shoot the Bullet Bills.

''Super Mario Bros.
When the Mushroom Kingdom was overrun by Bowser in Super Mario Bros., Bullet Bills were Bowser's prime ammunition. Bullet Bills first appeared in World 5-1. They were usually shot from a large cannon, the Bill Blaster. Sometimes, Bullet Bills would be shot from random locations somewhere off-screen. The Bill Blasters were placed very strategically in almost all levels, being wherever Mario was. One of the most frustrating places was on the ground, so even a normal-sized Mario would have to jump over them. To defeat a Bullet Bill, the player had to either jump on them, kick a Koopa Shell at them or use a Starman. They were immune to Fire Flowers.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Bullet Bills reappeared in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels when, once again, Bowser kidnapped Princess Peach. As most of the original enemies from Super Mario Bros. reappeared, Bullet Bills did too. They could be defeated like their Super Mario Bros. cousins, with a jump, Koopa Shell, or Starman, and were also immune to flames. The Blasters in The Lost Levels were even more well-placed than in the other game; on levels with Bill Blasters, a player had to watch where they jumped very well.

Super Mario Bros. 3
Bullet Bills did not appear as much in Super Mario Bros. 3 as they did in previous games, mainly appearing in later worlds and on the bosses' Airships. A new type of Bullet Bill appeared in this game, the Missile Bill, which turned around and went towards Mario if it missed him the first time it went by him. These ones could be defeated with a Koopa Shell, a Jump, a Starman, a Hammer or a Bob-omb on certain levels. They were immune to Fire Flowers and Racoon Mario. They also appeared in the remakes of this game: Super Mario All-Stars and Super Mario Advance 4.

Super Mario World
Bullet Bills once again made an appearance when Yoshi's Island was under the tyranny of Bowser. This time, they were very uncommon enemies, appearing in only a few levels. Super Mario World also featured the first appearance of a couple other subspecies of Bullet Bills that were used in later games. One of these is the Torpedo Ted, which was a Bullet Bill that was launched from a cannon underwater. Banzai Bills also made their first appearance, which are larger, more menacing version of Bullet Bills, but could be defeated with a single stomp. Also, when the player finished the Special World, all of the Bullet Bills turned into Pidgit Bills, which were just Pidgets launced out of a Bill Blaster.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Bullet Bills appeared again on Yoshi's Island when Kamek kidnapped Baby Luigi. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island introduced Bouncing Bullet Bills, which bounce and ricochet off walls after being fired. Also, in the Game Boy Advance version there were red Bullet Bills with gnashing fangs that homed in on Yoshi upon being shot out of their cannon. Also added was a Green Bullet Bill, whose Blaster would follow Yoshi and turn with him. The Bills in this game could be defeated by any way enemies could be defeated. If Yoshi caught a Bill with his tougue, it could be spit out and would go away from Yoshi like it had been shot out of a cannon.

Super Mario Land


Although the Bullet Bill doesn't appear in Super Mario Land, a sub-species called Gira does appear.

Giras are sub-species of Bullet Bills found in Sarasaland, in the game Super Mario Land. Giras appear in the last two kingdoms, the Easton and Chai Kingdom. The launchpads (more than likely called Gira Blasters) are harmless themselves, much like many other Bill Blasters, however, the Gira will travel in a straight line at a dangerous speed. If Mario stands directly in front of the Gira Blaster, it will be unable to shoot Giras. Some Gira Blasters can be used as a stepping stone to reach high areas. Just like other types of Bills, Gira can be defeated in a single stomp. Defeating a Gira awards Mario with 400 points. In appearance, Giras look like ordinary Bullet Bills with an added feature of a rocket. It is speculated that the missiles under Roketons are Giras.

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Bullet Bills were commonly found in the Mario Zone in Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins. Bullet Bills acted much like the previous Bullet Bills in other games. They flew in a straight direction and were shot by Bill Blasters. Mario could get rid of them simply by jumping on them or just dodging them, letting them fly off-screen. Torpedo Teds also made their second appearance in this game.

''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Snifits and Big Berthas would use Bullet Bills as a way to attack. This game also introduced Magnums, an alternate variety of Bullet Bills. Smithy could use Magnums as a way to attack. Magnums could defeat Mario or one of his partners with one hit.

Super Mario 64
The official Super Mario 64 Player's Guide asked, "What would a Mario game be without Bullet Bill?", although they appeared only once. Bullet Bills were only found in one location in Super Mario 64, in the level Whomp's Fortress. In the levels after Mario had defeat the Whomp King, a Bill Blaster would appear at the top of the fortress. The Bullet Bills shot out would home in on Mario. Bullet Bills could not be defeated in this game. They took away 3 pieces of Mario's Life Meter.

In Super Mario 64 DS, there was another spot for Bullet Bills. It was at the base of Whomp's Fortress, directly opposite of where Mario starts. They also appeared in Dire Dire Docks.

Yoshi's Story


In Yoshi's Story, Bullet Bills followed the same pattern as in other games. However, this game introduced tongues for the mechanical irritants. The Bill Blasters of this game were slightly different in appearance.

Paper Mario
Normal Bullet Bills were in Paper Mario when, once again, Bowser kidnapped Peach. These would attack by ramming into Mario, defeating themselves but causing a lot of damage to Mario. There was an infinite supply shot from Bill Blasters. They could be found in the Koopa Bros. Fortress, right before the Koopa Bros. were fought.

Gold Bullet Bills known as Bombshell Bills were also introduced in Paper Mario and were shot from Bombshell Bill Blasters. They were found in Bowser's Castle. These attacked the same way as the Bullet Bills from this game, but had more HP, did more damage, and had 1 defense.

Super Mario Sunshine


In Super Mario Sunshine, a Monty Mole appeared that manned a cannon, firing Bullet Bills at Mario. This game also featured Missile Bills; they were purple in color, with a red nosecone. The Bullet Bills homed in on Mario and exploded after a short time. They could be destroyed with a burst of water from F.L.U.D.D.. Rarely, Monty Mole would fire a golden Bullet Bill, which when destroyed, would yield extra coins. Bullet Bills were also fired by Mecha Bowser, one of the bosses at Pinna Park. Finally, in the final battle against Bowser and Bowser Jr., Bowser Jr. would fire regular black Bullet Bills and the occasional Blue Bullet Bills, which when jumped on, gave Mario a 1-Up Mushroom or a water bottle.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Bullet Bills and Bill Blasters returned as enemies at Stardust Fields. These ones fought the same way as in Paper Mario: launching themselves and destroying themselves, causing Mario or Luigi lots of damage. The game also featured a new subspecies called the Sniper Bill, a large Bullet Bill that used a Super Scope as a weapon that fired a smaller Bullet Bill. It was found in Bowser's Castle.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Bullet Bills appeared as enemies in the Pirate's Grotto, where they were once again shot by Bill Blasters. Bombshell Bills and their Blasters also appeared in the Palace of Shadow. Bullet Bills would home in on Mario to damage him, destroying themselves by doing so.

Super Princess Peach
When Bowser kidnaps Mario and Luigi and took them to Vibe Island, Bullet Bills once again reappeared. In Super Princess Peach, they could be defeated with a stomp, as usual. There was also a more dangerous type of Bullet Bills, known as Mad Bullet Bills. These went very fast out of their Blasters, and were red.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
Subspecies of Shy Guy called Boom Guys and Elite Boom Guys carried Bill Blasters on their head. They'll run up to the Mario Bros. and shoot out a Bullet Bill to harm them.

New Super Mario Bros.
In New Super Mario Bros., Bullet Bills appeared in various levels, and would be shot out of Bill Blasters. If Mario or Luigi jumped them, they would be defeated. Banzai Bills returned, and now the Banzai Bills' source is seen.

Super Mario Galaxy
In Super Mario Galaxy, Bullet Bills follow Mario until it hits an obstacle or enemy. These can also be used to break open cages and destroy fences. Torpedo Teds also appear and can be used the same way as Bullet Bills although they make a specific radar sound in order to tell the player know how close they are. After Bullet Bills have been fired and if they spot the player, they will twirl and their eyes will turn red and it will home-in on the player if he or she is near. Banzai Bills also appear on Bowser's Galaxy Reactor, but did not home in on the character.

Super Smash Bros. Melee
A Banzai Bill is also found in Super Smash Bros. Melee. The missile falls from the sky and crashes into Princess Peach's Castle, causing an explosion which damages the characters. Another Banzai Bill can be seen in the background of the Yoshi's Island stage.

Mario Superstar Baseball
Bullet Bills are a special item in the Challenge Mode of Mario Superstar Baseball. When bought, it will allow Bowser to use his Power Shot, the Killer Ball, in a Challenge Mode game. The Bullet Bill is also Bowser and Bowser Jr.'s Power Shot. While pitching, when fired, a Bullet Bill will be launched at the batter. It will go slow at first, but when it gets close to the batter, it will fly in a loop. then zoom pass the batter. It can still be hit, however. While batting, when Bowser or Bowser Jr. hit the ball, they will launch a Bullet Bill across the field which, if caught, will push the catcher really far back. It stops working when it hits the ground. Bowser Jr.'s Bullet Bill wears a Bandanna.

Mario Super Sluggers
Bullet Bills make a pretty large appearance in Mario Super Sluggers. Bowser uses it as his pitching special. Also, a Bullet Bill made a small, yet extremely important cameo in the ending movie. When Mario and DK are blasting Bob-ombs out of Mario Stadium, Wario and Waluigi shove a Bullet Bill into the Bob-omb cannon. Mario, too scared to move, watches in horror as it blasts toward him. Bowser comes out of nowhere, and smashes it back at the Warios, blasting them into the air. Some think he did this because, if he did not do this, he would have no archrival.

Mario Kart Series
In the game Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii, the player can collect Bullet Bills as items. After activating the Bullet Bill, it will guide the player's kart, and rocket automatically down the track, knocking over any enemies or projectiles in the player's way, similarly to the Chain Chomp from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. The Bullet Bill can only be received by the drivers on 6th-8th place. However, this item can sometimes also be a curse. When on the trickier, narrower courses these can some time drive right up to the edge of the track and then drop the kart, causing the kart to fall off the track, and lose all the spots gained using that item.

Mario Strikers Charged
Bullet Bill makes a short appearance in Mario Strikers Charged. It appears as the Skillshot of Shy Guy known as Bullet Bill Blast. Upon fully charged the Metal Ball, Shy Guy summons a Bullet Bill, whom rides on it while holding the ball, going directly to the Goalkeeper to knock him out in a explosion for a score.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Bullet Bills appear in a few stages of The Subspace Emissary, the adventure mode. They are seen flying straight from right to left, as they did in Mario platformers. Their size has been increased. Bullet Bills may or may not be affiliated with the Subspace Army.

Cameo Appearances
Bullet Bills have appeared occasionally as enemies in a Mario Party mini-game since Mario Party 3 (which had the game Crazy Cogs). In the mini-game Cardiators from Mario Party 8, three Bullet Bills appear as a card enemy and do 9 damage.

They also appeared in Mario Power Tennis in a mini-game, fired by a Mecha Bowser 2.0. Bowser Jr.'s kart in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! takes the form of a Bullet Bill and is called the Bullet Blaster. Bullet Bills are also an obstacle in the Airship Fortress track in Mario Kart DS. In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, a Bullet Bill can be seen on the shirt of Fyer, a clown that operates the cannon.

A Bullet Bill appears in Mario Party Advance as a track and field athlete. He will give a Gaddget if beaten by the player on a short sprint race.

Cartoons
Bullet Bills make only one appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, in the series finale of the show, "Robo Koopa", although Bullet Bill-like projectiles with faces were fired by a Snifit in the earlier episode "On Her Majesty's Sewer Service".

In The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, Bullet Bills make a small appearance in the episode "Mush-Rumors", where they are fired from the Doomship alongside other munitions during the Koopa Family's attack on a group of "aliens" (actually, a family of lost humans).

Publications
In the Nintendo Comics System story "The Kingdom Enquirer", several Bullet Bills (depicted as being able to talk) appear among the various monsters pestering Toad (who had become a reporter) for an interview. A later story, entitled "Bowser Knows Best!", also features Bullet Bills, who the Koopalings hitch a ride on in order to chase down Princess Toadstool, who had previously escaped their clutches.

In Nintendo Power's Super Mario Adventures comic, a Bullet Bill makes a relatively small appearance; after accidentally activating a Bill Blaster after knocking Luigi off it, Mario is blasted by a Bullet Bill, which he ends-up riding straight into the Koopaling's Tower, where he is captured by Bowser's forces.

Film
In the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film, miniature, non-explosive Bullet Bills appear as the power source of the Thwomp Stomper boots used by Mario, Luigi and Big Bertha; a neon sign advertising a bar called "Bullet Bill's" can also be seen prominently displayed in Dinohattan throughout the film.

Sub-Species

 * Banzai Bill – Gigantic Bullet Bills.
 * Mad Banzai Bill – Red and enraged Banzai Bills.
 * Biting Bullet Bill – Dark red, target seeking Bullet Bills which bite enemies.
 * Bombshell Bill – Golden, extremely powerful Bullet Bills.
 * Bouncing Bullet Bill – Orange Bullet Bills that can bounce off surfaces.
 * Mad Bullet Bill – Red and angry Bullet Bills.
 * Missile Bill – Target-seeking Bullet Bills, shown to be either red or purple in color.
 * Pidgit Bill – Bullet Bills resembling Pidgits.
 * Sniper Bill – Bullet Bills wielding Super Scope.
 * Torpedo Ted – An underwater variant of Bullet Bills.
 * Glad Torpedo Ted – Extremely happy and ditzy Torpedo Teds.

Paper Mario Stats and Tattle Information

 * HP: 2
 * Attack: 2
 * Defense: 0
 * Location: Koopa Bros. Fortress
 * Tattle: This is a Bullet Bill, a kamikaze attacker. If you don't beat Bullet Bills quickly, they'll slam into you and explode. I'm serious, Mario. These guys will really make us pay if they manage to hit us! We have to beat 'em before they get the chance to strike us.

Trophy Information from Super Smash Bros. Brawl
''A shell fired from a special cannon known as a Bullet Blaster. Easily identified by their angry eyes, Bullet Bills fly across the land in perfectly straight lines. Though they easily shrug off fireballs, they can be stopped by jumping on them. A unique characteristic of the cannons is that they will not fire a Bullet Bill if Mario is standing right beside one.''

Trivia

 * Whether Bullet Bills are alive or not, they produce emotions like any other enemy. They will usually cry when stomped on, and in the cartoons, some talk. Bullet Bills also chase and sacrifice themselves to destroy their enemy, meaning that they are either brave or extremely unintelligent.
 * In most games, Bullet Bills cannot be punched, kicked, or hurt. Yet, in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, they cannot be jumped on.
 * Although like every other enemy that dies in one jump, in the RPG series games, Bullet Bills have particularly high defense.
 * In the trophy information for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it is stated that Bullet Bills fly in a straight line. Some fly freely all over the place, and some stay in place, such as the Bullet Bills in the Paper Mario series.
 * Recently, Giras, or a species similar to them, have re-appeared outside the Mario series. Specifically, they appeared in the Nintendo DS game "Kirby: Super Star Ultra", and they are fired by a Banzai Bill-like, dirigible monster called Kabula. In the game, Kabula will open itself up and fire gigantic Giras that are directed at Kirby. They can be dodged, however, but not destroyed.