Balloon Fighter

Balloon Fighter is a character that originates from , and has since made multiple appearances in the Mario franchise. In his original game, he attempts to fly around using a pair of balloons while dodging various obstacles and enemies that try to stop him. If he is hit, his balloons are popped and he is defeated. Though his actual name is unknown, he has still been dubbed "Balloon Fighter".

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
Balloon Fighter first appears in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! in the Balloon Fight microgame. He must continually fly while avoiding little sparkling fires and a fish at the bottom of the screen. As the microgame increases in difficulty, more lightning is placed in the sky for Balloon Fighter to dodge.

WarioWare: Twisted!
Balloon Fighter appears in WarioWare: Twisted!'s Balloon Fight microgame. Here, he is holding onto a rope, and the player must tilt a nearby balloon towards him so that he can grab onto it and start flying. The game's increases in difficulty make it more difficult to navigate the balloon to him. A souvenir appears, also titled Balloon Fight, that plays the microgame's music (which is a theme from the original Balloon Fight).

WarioWare: Touched!
Another microgame based on Balloon Fight appears in WarioWare: Touched!, again titled Balloon Fight, and as a result, Balloon Fighter appears again. In this microgame, Balloon Fighter is being attacked by enemy balloon riders, and the player must tap on the enemies' balloons to defeat them. It is also possible for the player to tap on Balloon Fighter's balloons, though doing so causes him to fall, failing the microgame.

WarioWare: Smooth Moves
Balloon Fighter appears in WarioWare: Smooth Moves in the microgame titled Balloon Fight (the same as the previous three microgames). This time, the microgame does not use the NES game's graphics and instead opts for 3D models. The gameplay emulates the original game, similar to the microgame in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, only it takes place from a rear view perspective. The goal is for Balloon Fighter to survive while avoiding the obstacles in the sky. A full minigame, Balloon Trip, also appears in the game, with the goal of obtaining a high score. This is done by reaching long distances, popping balloons, and avoiding more obstacles.

WarioWare: D.I.Y.
The fifth and final microgame based on Balloon Fight in the series is B. Fight. It is exactly like the microgame in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, with Balloon Fighter trying to keep his balloons from being popped.

WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase
Balloon Fighter appears in the Music section of WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase whenever listening music in the Wario-Man Super Store. In this game, he has an older appearance with gray hair and a mustache. In Game Play, the player must make Balloon Fighter fly into the notes to make the song play. Due to his size, playing the complete song is impossible. If Balloon Fighter flies too close to the water, a fish pops up and attempts to eat him. Getting eaten by the fish, falling into the water, or flying into a spark causes him to respawn near the top of the screen. In Auto Play, Balloon Fighter is gigantic and plays all the notes. The player can move him towards the left to decrease the tempo or move him right to increase the tempo, though he returns to the center of the screen when the player lets go.

Super Smash Bros. Melee
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Balloon Fighter is given a trophy. This also names him for the first time, though his description mostly covers the Balloon Fight game.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
A Sticker of Balloon Fighter appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, based on artwork from the cover of Balloon Fight for the Famicom. In the Subspace Emissary, it can only be used on Pit, giving him +4 to his weapon attacks.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Balloon fighter appears as an advanced support spirit, who grants fighters with increased jumping abilities.

Super Mario Maker
Balloon Fighter appears as an unlockable costume via Costume Mario in Super Mario Maker. He can be randomly unlocked after clearing the 100 Mario Challenge on Normal or harder.

Super Mario Odyssey
In 2022, Nintendo Switch user icons of Balloon Fighter, based on his appearance in Balloon Fight, were made available for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. As a result, if a player uses one of these icons, it will appear on balloons placed within Balloon World in Super Mario Odyssey.