Penguin

"OK, everyone! Let's swim!"

- Penguin

Penguins are a species of flightless bird found in the Mario series. They are good swimmers and often inhabit cold climates, like their real-world counterparts, to which they bear varying degrees of resemblance, depending on the game. Most of them do not hurt Mario, though they sometimes act as obstacles or hindrances to his quest. Benevolent penguins often speak with Mario, sometimes asking for his help or offering him a service. Penguins are often confused with smaller, similar-looking Bumpties.

The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3
Penguins were first seen in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 episode 7 Continents for 7 Koopas. In the episode, Bowser had assigned Big Mouth Koopa to take over the continent of Antarctica. To do so, Big Mouth build an Abominable Snowkoopa, which he brought to life with his Magic Wand, so that it could terrorize the local penguins. Later on, Luigi stole Big Mouth's Wand, which he used to not only destroy the Abominable Snowkoopa, but also to enlarge the penguins, which gave chase after Big Mouth.

Mario is Missing!
Penguins then appeared in the PC edition of Mario is Missing!, where they were a part of the background of Antarctica; also of note, the game's narrator states that if Bowser succeeds in his plan to melt Antarctica in Mario is Missing!, "dozens of Penguins will be left homeless".

Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land
Later, half-Penguin, half-raccoon enemies known as Penkoons appeared in Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land.

Donkey Kong
In Donkey Kong for the Game Boy, Penguins appeared as enemies of Mario. They inhabit the Iceberg in stage 7-3. Penguins kill Mario if he runs into them, but he can stand on them fine. He can also pick the penguins up and throw them at other enemies.

Super Mario 64
"Egad! My baby!! Have you seen my baby??? She´s the most precious baby in the whole wide world. (They say she has my beak...) I just can´t remember where I left her. Let´s see...I stopped for herring and ice cubes, then I...oohh! I just don´t know!"

- Penguin Penguins were given more prominent appearances in Super Mario 64, where they could be seen in the level Cool Cool Mountain. In the game, a Penguin had lost her baby Tuxie and asks Mario to find her. Mario finds her and is awarded with a Power Star. Also, later, Mario has to race down a long, icy slide and get to the finish line before a Penguin does. If Mario wins, he will be awarded with another Power Star. Also, in Snowman's Land, there's a Penguin on the bridge leading to the top of the giant snowman. The Penguin can be used to sneak around the giant snowman head. Super Mario 64 also introduced the appearance given to the Penguins of Mushroom World, as opposed to the standard Penguins of Earth.

Super Mario Galaxy
In Super Mario Galaxy, Penguins reappear residing in the Loopdeeloop Galaxy, Sea Slide Galaxy, Drip Drop Galaxy, Buoy Base Galaxy, Loopdeeswoop Galaxy and Beach Bowl Galaxy. There is also one lone penguin in Freezeflame Galaxy, and an elderly penguin named Penguru in the Drip Drop Galaxy, Bigmouth Galaxy, and Sea Slide Galaxy. Usually, the Penguins will challenge Mario to some sort of water challenge, such as surfing, collecting shells, or racing them. They are quite friendly, and will give Mario tips on how to swim, or even help him find Silver Stars. In the Loopdeeloop Galaxy and Loopdeeswoop Galaxy, the penguins spend their time surfing on Manta Rays. They also have a Coach which is a black penguin bigger than normal penguins who teaches Mario (and Luigi) how to use shells to swim with. The penguins in this game are shown to live in more tropical areas than the previous games, which had penguins living mainly in cold areas.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
Penguins reappear in Super Mario Galaxy 2. In this game the Penguins appear only in one galaxy; the Cosmic Cove Galaxy. They appear with Penguru (who also appeared in Hightail Falls Galaxy) and Coach in all levels of the galaxy. In the first level, Penguins are all throughout giving Mario hints on how to swim and leading him along.

In the second level of the Cosmic Cove Galaxy, a Luma has been trapped in a cage and all the Penguins have gone searching around the galaxy to find the key. They lead Mario in the correct direction and give him many hints on how to swim. After Mario has completed this second mission, one penguin will appear on Starship Mario and tell Mario how to swim whenever spoken to.

Mario Kart 64
In Mario Kart 64, they could be found as obstacles in Sherbet Land. Also, in this same course a giant Penguin could be found on an unreachable ice island. This course reappeared in Mario Kart Wii.

Mario Kart: Super Circuit
In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Penguins spinning around can be found as obstacles on the track Snow Land.

Mario Pinball Land
In Mario Pinball Land, Penguins appear to be in the Ice World; if Mario hits one of them, the Penguin will slip down to the icy floor, waddling while sliding. If Mario hits it one more time while the Penguin is down lying on the icy floor, he will earn 2,000 points. While sliding, if a Penguin hits another waddling Penguin, the other Penguin slips down to the icy floor while sliding as the process repeats.

Mario Party series
The Penguins also appear in the Mario Party series (such as in the mini-game Pushy Penguins from Mario Party 5) and more games in the Mario Kart series. They are not to be confused with Bumpties, who are shorter, smaller, and generally appear mainly in the Yoshi series, with a few exceptions.

Mario Party Advance
In Mario Party Advance a Penguin can be found in the Ice Casino of Shroom City. He is trying to save up money to buy a ring for his girlfriend, Pengwen, but has lost all of his money playing Drop 'em. If the Player wins the game for him, he will thank the player by giving away a Gaddget. Also, there is a multiplayer function in the game known as the Penguin Race. Both Players must have the game, and whoever has the highest minigame high scores wins.

Mario Strikers Charged Football
Penguins appear in Mario Strikers Charged Football as just part of the audience.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, Penguins appear as spectators in Dream Curling. Also, one appears as VIP.

Mario Sports Mix
In Mario Sports Mix, Penguins are seen standing on icebergs in the background of the Sherbet Sea arena in the party game, Smash Skate.

Notable Penguins

 * Tuxie
 * Coach
 * Penguru
 * Hinyari

Trivia

 * The Lemguins of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! and Donkey Kong Land III are a type of penguins with lemming-ish instincts.
 * At the end of a Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat level, a bunch of Penguins are seen in the background. However, these penguins look more "real life-like" than the Mario version of them.
 * In Wario: Master of Disguise one of the exhibits is a Penguin. This Penguin resembles a real life version as well.
 * Penguins are possible relatives to Bumpties.
 * In Super Mario 64, the lookalike doesn't make a sound when picked up, opposed to Tuxie, who makes sounds when picked up.
 * Cooligans in New Super Mario Bros. Wii look like Penguins.