Fireball

A Fireball (also written as Fire Ball) or Ball of Fire is a common projectile in the Mario franchise. Typically, a character can shoot fireballs only if they acquire a Fire Flower. Some enemies can shoot fireballs without the use of a power-up. In some spin-off games, Mario and Luigi can shoot fireballs from their hands without using a Fire Flower. In most games, fireballs are capable of being thrown even underwater. Ice Balls can be seen as a parallel to fireballs.

Mario Bros.
Fireballs first appear as obstacles in Mario Bros., where they randomly appear on the stage, moving and bouncing off the edges of the screen.

Super Mario Bros. / Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels / Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
Fireballs make their debut as projectiles in Super Mario Bros., where Mario and Luigi can shoot these fireballs only if they acquire a Fire Flower. They are affected by gravity and bounce only on the ground. If they hit a block sideways or from the underside, they will usually explode. Most enemies can be defeated by one fireball, and Bowser can be defeated by five. Hitting Bowser and his fakes with five fireballs will defeat them and give 5,000 points; the latter seven will also reveal the common enemy that was in disguise.

Super Mario Bros. 2
Fireballs only appear in Super Mario Bros. 2 as enemy projectiles. Pansers shoot two fireballs at a time (gray/green ones shoot them straight up, while the others shoot them toward the player in an arc). Red and Green/Gray Birdos spit fireballs; the former also shoots eggs, but the latter does not, forcing the use of Mushroom Blocks to defeat them. Autobombs also shoot fireballs at players if Shyguys are on them.

Super Mario Bros. 3 / Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
Fireballs return in Super Mario Bros. 3, being usable projectiles again. Though Mario and Luigi aren't the only ones that can shoot fireballs, as Venus Fire Traps, Fire Brothers, and Fiery Walking Piranhas can also shoot fireballs from their mouths; these fireballs can be blocked if the Mario Bros. crouch while wearing a Hammer Suit.

Due to palette limitations in the NES version of the game, Mario and Luigi's fireballs appear green inside Toad Houses and cyan during Koopaling fights.

In Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, the Orange Switch makes any enemies defeated by Fire Mario's fireballs become coins, as in Super Mario World.

Super Mario World
Fireballs appear in Super Mario World where they are used as a weapon. When enemies are hit by fireballs, they become coins. Additionally, Yoshi can breathe fireballs if he eats a Red Shell and Red Yoshi can also breathe fireballs if he eats a Koopa Shell. The fireballs that Yoshi spit out look like Lava Bubbles and destroy most enemies. Jumping Fire Piranha Plants spit fireballs at the peak of their jumps, and Volcano Lotuses release four at a time.

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS
In Super Mario 64, flame throwers and Fly Guys spit fireballs at Mario when he is near them. The lava and volcano of Lethal Lava Land also spew fireballs at certain intervals.

Fireballs also appear in Super Mario 64 DS as a stream of Fire Breath with Yoshi's Power Flower ability. They are also found by swallowing flame throwers, Fly Guys and campfires.

New Super Mario Bros.
Fireballs return in New Super Mario Bros., where they have the same function as in the previous game, when Fire Mario shoots fireballs. In the Mario vs. Luigi game mode, fireballs can stun a brother and knock a big star from him, but can defeat a brother in Mini form.

Super Mario Galaxy
Fireballs reappear in Super Mario Galaxy as Fire Mario's projectiles; however, the form has a time limit, and though he can shoot more than two fireballs at a time, he cannot do so underwater. Kamella and Magikoopas also shoot fireballs from their wands (the former also spawns Green Shells), and King Kaliente and Roctos spit them and coconuts (the latter of which can be hit back at them).

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Fireballs appear in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, appearing when Fire Mario shoots them. Fire Bros. also throw fireballs, and Fire Piranha Plants spit them out, melting any Ice Block in their way. Yoshi can also spit a giant Fireball (like in Super Mario World) by eating a fireball launched by a character with a Fire Flower power up, or from a Fire Piranha Plant. This giant fireball transforms all enemies encountered into coins.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
Fireballs return in Super Mario Galaxy 2, acting as they did in its predecessor, though Magikoopas instead spawn Goombas. Prince Pikante also shoots fireballs and coconuts in his battle.

Super Mario 3D Land
Fire Mario reappears in Super Mario 3D Land, acting as it does in the 2D Mario games. The fireballs thrown bounce off walls and fizzle out after two seconds. Fire Piranha Plants also spit fireballs.

New Super Mario Bros. 2
Fireballs return in New Super Mario Bros. 2 and behave as they always have. There is an extra gimmick where Fire Mario can shoot fireballs into certain pipes and coins and other items (like Mega Mushrooms) can come out the other end.

New Super Mario Bros. U
Fireballs reappear in New Super Mario Bros. U, acting as they did in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
Fireballs reappear in Super Mario 3D World and its Nintendo Switch port Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, and behave like they did in Super Mario 3D Land; they can also go through Clear Pipes and destroy any spiked balls within them. Fire Bros. also throw fireballs, which can go through Clear Pipes and be put out by players' fireballs.

In the Bowser's Fury campaign of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, fireballs that make contact with the water surrounding Lake Lapcat will be put out.

Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS / Super Mario Maker 2
Fireballs return in Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS due to the return of the Fire Flower item and enemies such as Fire Piranha Plants. Yoshi can also swallow fireballs from enemies that shoot them, or get fireballs from fire obstacles such as Fire Bars or Burners. Additionally, the Fire Koopa Clown Car, an object released via a software update on December 22, 2015, has the ability to shoot fireballs from its mouth, and Fire Flowers give it a triple spread-shot. A charge can create larger fireballs, which can destroy blocks.

In Super Mario Maker 2, Fire Bros. also return, though only in the Super Mario 3D World style; a new Sledge Bro-like variation also debuts, the Heavy Fire Bro. Red Yoshis also return in the Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros. U styles, and spit fireballs instead of licking, unlike in Super Mario World; their fireballs work like those of the Fire Koopa Clown Car, though these cannot be charged up.

Super Mario Kart
Fireballs make their debut in the Mario Kart series in Super Mario Kart, where Bowser would drop these items and touching them would make the driver spin out. Unlike other laid down items such as Banana Peels, however, they move around a bit on the course.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Fireballs reappeared in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, where they are the Special Items of Mario (and Petey Piranha and King Boo, due to their ability to have any special item). Luigi's is a Green Fireball, but it acts the same. When the special item is used, five fireballs will be launched into the racetrack, hitting other drivers and causing their karts to spin-out. These fireballs are capable of ricocheting off walls. However, after a short amount of time, the launched fireballs will fizzle out.

Mario Kart Arcade GP series
The Fireball appears as an item in Mario Kart Arcade GP, Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, and Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, in which it is one of Mario and Luigi's special items. The Fireball is one of the few items that can be thrown both forwards and backwards depending on the player's input. When thrown, the Fireball bounces across the track and ricochets off walls, exactly as it does in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. However, only one Fireball is launched instead of five.

In Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, Fire Mario's special item is the Double Fireball, which allows him to throw two Fireballs rather than one.

Mario Kart Wii
Fireballs also appeared in Mario Kart Wii, where they could only be seen in the 2nd Competition of March 2009. Here, Dry Bowser would spit out fireballs to attack the player. He would either fire three fireballs backwards or one fireball forward, depending on the player's racing position.

Mario Kart 7
Fireballs appear in Mario Kart 7 where they are used as a special weapon. They can only be used if the Fire Flower item, which allows the racers to shoot fireballs forwards and backwards, is acquired. A racer hit with a fireball loses a single coin. The item lasts until ten fireballs are thrown or for ten seconds.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Fireballs appear in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, where they have the same use and effect as in Mario Kart 7.

Mario Kart Tour
Fireballs appear in Mario Kart Tour, where they have the same use as in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Unlike in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, however, three fireballs (four when Fire Flower+ is active) are launched instead of five and fireballs orbit the player's kart prior to being launched. Fire Piranha Plants also shoot fireballs at drivers. A fireball also appears in one of Fire Bro's Jump Boost animations, albeit only with an aesthetic purpose.

Fireballs can be destroyed by hitting them with an item or by driving into them while powered-up, granting bonus points in the process. The action of destroying a fireball thrown by another driver is displayed on-screen as "Item destroyed!", while the same action done to fireballs thrown by Fire Piranha Plants is displayed as "Ball of Fire".

Mario Superstar Baseball
The Fireball is Mario's Star Skill in Mario Superstar Baseball. When pitched with, the Fireball sets the ball on fire and is thrown as a fastball with extremely high velocity and very little movement. Compared to Luigi's equivalent Green Fireball, it has slightly higher velocity and lower movement, matching Mario's specialties as a pitcher. When batted with, the Fireball also sets the ball on fire, hitting it as a fast, low line drive to the outfield. Players who attempt to catch the ball are burned, stunning them for a short time.

In Challenge Mode, players must purchase the Red Fireball item in order to use this skill.

Mario's Fireball icon is the same as Luigi's colored red, even keeping the L in the cap.

Mario Super Sluggers
Fireballs reappeared in Mario Super Sluggers. Like in Mario Superstar Baseball, it is used as Mario's Star Pitch, though Luigi is given a different Star Pitch. Just like in the predecessor, Mario will throw the baseball at a fast speed, which makes it harder for batters to properly hit it. However, unlike some other Star Pitches, the ball will still be able to travel a far distance if the player hits it with good timing. This makes it possible to get home runs with this Star Pitch since it does not affect how far the ball can go when hit.

Super Smash Bros. series
Fireballs appear as the standard special move used by both Mario and Luigi throughout the Super Smash Bros. series. Mario's Fireballs are red and affected by gravity (meaning they bounce against the ground), while Luigi's Fireballs are green and shoot straight no matter what, unless it ricochets off of something in front of Luigi. Kirby can also use the Fireball move once he has sucked up Mario or Luigi, and the color and performance of the Fireball are according to which Mario Brother he has sucked up. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Yoshi can spit single fireballs in his Final Smash form.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the first custom variant of Mario's Fireball is Fast Fireball, in which the fireball travels directly forward at high speed but doesn't cause knockback and deals less damage. The second is Fire Orb, which fires a larger but slower fireball that moves similarly to the standard Fireball but can hit multiple times. The custom variants for Luigi's Fireball are Bouncing Fireball, which behaves like Mario's standard Fireball, and Ice Ball, which moves more slowly but can freeze opponents.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, both Mario Brothers' Fireballs remain unaltered, aside from visual improvements, including brighter, flashier particle effects, as well as the appearance of smoke. However, Mario's Fireballs can now hit multiple times when used near opponents, just like the Fire Orb custom variant from the previous game.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga / Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and its remake, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, Mario throws his fireballs upon using Fire Bros. Bros. Attack in the battle. Mario is also given his fire technique known as Firebrand, which acts like fireballs, lighting all the Torches so that some location can be accessible for the Bros.

In the tutorial battle with Bowser, Bowser only attacks Mario using his Fire Breath. As Rookie, he also spits fireballs alongside throwing hammers, similar to how he attacked in the original Super Mario Bros. Bowletta, a transformation between Cackletta and Bowser, also tries to breathe heavily and, after a few seconds, tries to breathe massive fire to defeat the Mario Bros. which can be done by dodging. Additionally, fireballs also appear during the final battle with Cackletta.

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the Bros. Flowers is one of the Bros. Items that allows Mario, Luigi, and their baby counterparts to throw fireballs at the enemies during the battle. Blazing Shroobs, found in Thwomp Caverns, the Shrooboid Brat and Elder Shrooboid can also attack using fireballs.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story / Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and its remake, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, Mario and Luigi can obtain the Fire Flower Special Attack that allows them to throw fireballs at enemies.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
In Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, the Fire Flower returns as a Bros. Attack, which once again allows Mario and Luigi to throw fireballs at the enemies. The Luiginary Flame Luiginary Attack also involves the use of fireballs to damage all enemies, and the Fire Bros. also attack by using fireballs.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, the Fire Flower once again returns as a Bros. Attack which makes the bros throw fireballs at all enemies. These fireballs deal critical damage to Paper enemies.

Wario Land: Shake It!
Fireballs only appear as uncommon enemy attacks. Volcannons shoot them from their erupting tops, and the Shake King can drop waves of fireballs during his battle.

Club Nintendo comics
In the Club Nintendo comic "Super Mario: Verloren in der Zeit", Fire Mario uses a Fireball to defeat a Tyrannosaurus rex.

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
Fireballs appear in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! They are used by Fire Mario (known as Super Mario in the show). The episode, "The Fire of Hercufleas" introduces the Great Balls of Fire, very powerful fireballs that can damage a wall.

The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3
Fireballs also appear in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3. Once again, they are used by Fire Mario. The episode, "Princess Toadstool for President" includes the song, "Great Balls of Fire," which is a real song. Fireballs are also produced by Fire Chomps and Fire Snakes.

Super Mario World television series
Fireballs reappear in the Super Mario World television series. They can be used by Fire Mario and Bowser Statues.

Super Mario Bros. 3

 * Wii Virtual Console manual description: Press to throw fireballs. (You must pick up a Fire Flower first.)