Blockhopper

Blockhoppers are enemies encountered in New Super Mario Bros. They are found only in World 2-5. Each of them disguises itself as a ? Block with bricks on top of it, which can be distinguished by the fact that the question mark on it is motionless. Once Mario or Luigi approaches a Blockhopper, it reveals a black body with blue feet. Blockhoppers hop at every vocal "paah!" in the background music, and if Mario or Luigi is standing on top of one, the Blockhopper will move in the direction that he is facing. Blockhoppers are harmless when touched from the side due to them being disguised as blocks, but they will damage one of the Mario Bros. if they land on him. Blockhoppers can be defeated with a thrown Koopa Shell or a Ground Pound or by running into them using the shell dash ability using the Blue Shell. Mini Mario cannot defeat Blockhoppers due to his very small size. If the ? Block on a Blockhopper is ground-pounded, Mario or Luigi will receive a coin or an item such as an ordinary ? Block.

Blockhoppers are similar to the Pile Driver Micro-Goombas that disguise themselves as blocks from Super Mario Bros. 3. Blockhoppers are also similar to the hopping Fake Blocks and segmented Blokkabloks from Super Mario 3D Land.