Fireball (Donkey Kong)

Fireballs (also generically fireballs or firefoxes ) are the first generic enemies in a Mario game. They are living embodiments of fire similar to the Lava Bubbles from Super Mario Bros.

Donkey Kong
Fireballs make their first appearance in the original Donkey Kong as enemies. In levels 25 m and 50 m, Fireballs emerge from the oil drums and then chase after Mario, although they have short attention spans. In the former level, they only emerge when the oil drum is hit by a blue barrel. If Mario is touched by a Fireball, he loses a life and is forced to restart the level. Fireballs can climb ladders, no matter if they are broken or fixed, but cannot reverse directions during the climb. They cannot fall from ledges or cross gaps. Eventually, they migrate to the top of the level. If Mario jumps over a Fireball, he receives points, but the only way to destroy them is with a hammer. Picking up a hammer causes the Fireballs to turn blue. In 25m and 50m, there can be a maximum of five Fireballs simultaneously onscreen. In 75 m, two Fireballs patrol a set of platforms.

Donkey Kong Circus
In their second appearance, Donkey Kong has to dodge Fireballs while trying to juggle pineapples in Donkey Kong Circus for the Game & Watch.

Donkey Kong (Game Boy)
In Donkey Kong for Game Boy, Fireballs appear in the Start, which is a recreation of the arcade original, as well as in Stage 1-3, Stage 5-6, and Stage 5-8.

Donkey Kong 64
During the events of Donkey Kong 64, Fireballs retain their role of enemies in a built-in port of the classic Donkey Kong game, playable through an arcade machine found inside Frantic Factory.

Donkey Kong Country Returns/3D
Fireballs make cameo appearances in Donkey Kong Country Returns and its enhanced port. In a level called Shifty Smashers, some crushing blocks feature renders of Donkey Kong agitatingly leaping over a Fireball enemy. The imprints are imitations of the characters' original sprites from the Donkey Kong arcade classic.

Super Mario Bros. Special
Their third appearance is in Super Mario Bros. Special, where they are credited as Sigebou. These enemies can fall off the edges of platforms.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Fireballs appear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong, where they are often seen monitoring a set area. However, they are considerably scarce during the course of the game. They will instantly burn Mario on contact, thus causing him to lose a life. Much to the plumber's advantage, they can be crushed with hammers usually found nearby.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Fireballs reappear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis in the final boss fight with Donkey Kong, on the roof and the basement levels. They will spawn from oil drums if a wooden barrel falls in to them just like in the original Donkey Kong and they will throughout the field in the same as in the original as well. They can now reverse directions while climbing ladders.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
Fireballs appear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! as enemies once again, being introduced in Area 5-2. They closely resemble their arcade counterparts and walk at a moderate pace along the ground, although they will start treading faster once the Minis take hold of hammers.

Super Smash Bros. series
Fireballs also appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the 75 m stage. On that stage, Fireballs can damage the fighters by touching them. Each hit does 10% damage and moderate knockback.