Big Boo

"Stop staring at me!"

- Big Boo



A Big Boo is a larger than normal Boo that first appeared in Super Mario World. In the game, Big Boos inhabited the various Ghost Houses located around Dinosaur Land. Curiously, although they are over ten times bigger than a normal Boo, Big Boos still have the same mannerisms of their smaller counterparts. Of course, this means that when looked at, a Big Boo will fade and hide behind its arms. However, if someone's back is turned, a Big Boo will attack him or her from behind.

In the game, Big Boos are much more difficult to pass then their smaller brethren. As such, Mario or Luigi usually have to use a trampoline to jump over these massive ghosts. However, if Mario or Luigi can get a running start, they 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 Cape Attack during descent to actually destroy the Big Boo. In the game, the ghost's proper name is "The Big Boo". additionally, one The Big Boo, known as Big Blue Boo, is a hidden boss of the secret Donut Plains Ghost House. He could be defeated by throwing Grab Blocks at his face. He had two normal Boos accompany him in battle.

In Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Big Boos reappear, but they are substantially smaller than their Super Mario World counterparts. These Big Boos are only about three times bigger than a regular Boo (whereas in Super Mario World, they are at least ten times bigger). However, like before, Big Boos will hide behind their arms if Yoshi looks at them. Unfortunately, while hiding, Big Boos cannot be hurt. To defeat a Big Boo, Yoshi must look away from the ghost and bounce an egg off a wall, hitting the ghost in the face as it approaches from behind. Big Boos also reappear in the game's sequels, Yoshi's Story and Yoshi's Island DS.

During the events of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Big Boos are even smaller. In fact, they are the same size as a normal Boo, implying that they were named incorrectly. Regardless, these Boos, like other Boos before them, hide behind their arms when stared at. However, some Big Boos teleport around the room, attempting to scare Mario and his friends. Big Boos live in Kero Sewers along with many other ghouls, including Hobgoblins and Shadows. Often, these three undead monsters will assist each other in battle. Strangely enough, Big Boos have no physical defense, making them extremely weak enemies (even a Goomba has three defense points). However, Big Boos make up for their lack of defense with high evasion, meaning that most attacks against a Big Boo will miss. In battle, Big Boos command powerful lighting magic, including the attacks Lightning Orb and Bolt. Big Boos also know the special attack Scream, which cuts a party member's attack and defense in half. When not using magic, a Big Boo will approach one of Mario's party members and make a face, damaging that character. A more traditional Big Boo is also used in Bowser's Terrorize attack.

Big Boos return in the game Super Mario 64. Again, a Big Boo would disappear when looked at, and become visible again when Mario turns away. Big Boos can only be attacked when visible, so Mario had to attack these massive ghosts by either Ground Pounding them from above or punching them from the side. The first one appears in the courtyard of Princess Peach's Castle. This first Big Boo is the keeper of Big Boo's Haunt, a miniature ghost house that one must shrink to enter. Inside the ghost house, Mario fights three more Big Boos. These Big Boos take three hits to defeat, becoming smaller after each hit. After destroying a Big Boo, Mario will receive a Power Star.

The leader of the Boos himself, King Boo, has seemingly replaced the Big Boo in Super Mario 64 DS. In this game, the Big Boo has King Boo's trademark crown and cackle. However, in game, he is still referred to as Big Boo.

Big Boos also appear in Super Princess Peach, which also introduces a new variant of Big Boos, Mad Big Boos.

Appearances in Other Games
In Hotel Mario, Big Boos, first appearing in Ludwig's Thump Castle Hotel, are powerful enemies, being about one-sixth the size of a hotel floor; Big Boos in this game attacked in a manner similar to the ones of Super Mario World, slowly floating towards Mario or Luigi when they look away, turning transparent when directly looked at.

Big Boo is an opponent in the Boxing game for Game & Watch Gallery 4. He is Luigi's second opponent. However, instead of boxing gloves, Big Boo uses smaller Boos to pummel his opponents

Cartoons


Big Boos appeared in two episodes of the Super Mario World animated series.

In the episode "Ghosts 'R' Us", Yoshi, while exploring Wizardheimer's Haunted House, encounters a Big Boo and three regular Boos. Terrified of the Boos, Yoshi proceeds to run away in a panic as the four ghosts give chase. After running some time through Wizardheimer's Haunted House and losing the three regular Boos, Yoshi manages to trick the Big Boo into entering a vacant room. With the Big Boo apparently trapped in this room, Yoshi locks the door. Unfortunately, the Big Boo simply phases through the wall and resumes chasing Yoshi. Yoshi eventually escapes his Big Boo tormentor by fleeing into the basement of Wizardheimer's Haunted House.

In Super Mario World's final episode, "Mama Luigi", a Big Boo is seen acting as a guard to Neon Castle. Mario, Luigi and Yoshi easily sneak past this Big Boo guard by using a nearby Warp Tube, which led to the basement of Neon Castle.

Comics


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 it's 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.

Sub-Species

 * Mad Big Boo - Big Boos are powered-up by the Rage Vibe; they are stronger and faster than regular Big Boos and work under opposite mechanics (they shy away when not looked at but charge when faced).

Notable Big Boos

 * King Boo – Luigi's Mansion
 * Bigger Boo – Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
 * Boolossus – Luigi's Mansion
 * Atomic Boo – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
 * Balloon Boo – New Super Mario Bros.