Captain Goomba (Mario & Luigi series)

Captain Goomba is the main protagonist of the Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser story mode from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, and the Mario Bros' first enemy in the original version of the game. The mode takes place concurrent with the main story of Superstar Saga, after the Koopa Cruiser crashes into Stardust Fields. His goal throughout the story is to travel around the Beanbean Kingdom to reunite and rally all members of Bowser's army, and ultimately, reunite with their leader, Bowser, and multiple times, this plays a direct role in the Mario Bros' adventure. While Captain Goomba serves as the main character of the story, other captains can be recruited for his group; this includes Captain Shy Guy, Captain Boo, and Captain Koopa Troopa.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
Captain Goomba is first seen at the start of the game running from a Koopa Troopa but is contained in a barrel with Mario's help. As Captain Goomba himself, he appears only once in the main game, running along a path south of Hoohoo Mountain towards Beanbean Castle Town while being seen by the Mario Bros. as they made their way to Beanbean Castle for the first time. This scripted event unlocks Minion Quest. According to Minion Quest itself, this scene occurred around the sixth level of the game where Captain Goomba was still searching for Bowser and not trying to save the Koopalings at that point.

After the Mario Bros. defeat him and another Goomba in the first battle of the game, he starts out in a barrel, swearing with his Goomba comrade that they will have a bigger role. However, after Fawful's attack on the Koopa Cruiser, he was separated from his fellow minions and grew worried. He eventually heard a crash and Bowser being flung through the sky upon emerging from a cave on Hoohoo Mountain (presumably, this occurred after Mario and Luigi's fight against Tolstar due to the timing). He eventually ends up inadvertently picking a fight with a Beanie. After reuniting with his allies (leading to an "awkward hug" by pouncing on one of them), he is then promoted to captain of the unit (although it is heavily implied that they simply stuck him in the position because the others were unwilling to take up the mantle), which he accepts, although he humorously ends up not understanding the position or the flag. He then leads them to his first battle and recruiting more soldiers (and being told he had an aura) before charging off to save Bowser. However, he ends up running into a wall. Over the course of the adventure, however, he starts to prove himself a truly great and effective leader, with his fellow comrade Captain Shy Guy remarking at one point that he reminds him of Bowser, and his soldiers ultimately gain a lot of respect for the Goomba and look up to him. Even the Koopalings eventually gain respect for Captain Goomba in the level "Goomba's Worth" where he proves to have loyalty towards Bowser exceeding even their own. Only Roy and Wendy lack respect for him as they were only working for him to recover Bowser. Eventually, after beating Fawful for seemingly the final time, in the level "Showdown Time!!", Captain Goomba finally finds Bowser (not knowing it was actually Bowletta) and expresses delight at finding it. It congratulates him before telling him that Mario and "Green 'Stache" are coming and telling him to "destroy Mario", which surprises Goomba but he is quickly shut down. Regardless, he obeys and orders his minion army to move out and attack Mario.

Shortly before the Mario Bros. would confront Fawful during the main game's penultimate battle, Captain Goomba grows suspicious at "Bowser's" unusually harsh order to destroy Mario, and his suspicions are confirmed by Lakitu spying on her. After defeating Fawful and his Mecha-Fawfuls, he and the minions follow Bowser, who is attached to Princess Peach's plane, back home. With the minions' journey through the Beanbean Kingdom over, Bowser and his minions rebuild the castle. Once repairs are complete, Bowser calls a meeting with the minions and even the Koopalings and sends for Captain Goomba, whom he decides to make the permanent captain of the minions after hearing of his heroic exploits. However, he starts to recognize him and it is revealed through a flashback that he landed on Bowser's head and inadvertently gave him amnesia in the first place. He tries to apologize but Bowser angrily chases him. Afterwards, the narration states that he was stripped of his title and flag as payback from Bowser for causing his memory loss and returned to his old name, Goomba. However, the minions never forget his bravery and leadership.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
By the time of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, Captain Goomba has partially regained his status as head of the minions, although he later reveals that he still lacked complete command. This is revealed after Bowser Jr. forgives him for being absent and he asks for his former position back (the response being that he gets to fight Bowser Jr. for the rest of his life much to his dismay). In spite of not regaining his status, he is shown great respect by the Koopalings with Morton and Ludwig each telling Bowser Jr. that they saved Bowser in the Beanbean Kingdom once.

He is first seen near the beginning of the game with his Goomba Squad, being forced to battle Bowser Jr. for around the tenth time. He quickly loses and is forced to fight again due to Bowser Jr. not being able to count very well. After Bowser Jr. leaves with a Mechakoopa to find the ingredients for Skeletone Formula:D, Ludwig summons Captain Goomba along with the other Captains to lead their troops in testing Jr. to see if he is ready.

He also makes a cameo in the post game, more specifically when Bowser Jr. challenges Private Goomp to a sparring round and beats him. After Bowser Jr. announces that Goomp is his new sparring partner, Captain Goomba takes the opportunity to offer sarcastic encouragements to Goomp, calling it an "honor" to be Bowser Jr.'s "best friend" (although he almost admits his true relationship to Bowser Jr. is closer to a punching bag before correcting himself), although when Bowser Jr. demands to know whether Captain Goomba wants to join in, he quickly flees.

Captain Goomba is fought twice in Bowser's Castle (east), firstly as the captain of the last round in Goomba Squad, Go!, and in The Power of Junior where he and the other captains are regular troops with King Bob-omb as the captain only to be defeated. He and the other captains appear once more at the start of the level The Trio Clash! in Bowser's Castle (west), where he and the other Captains rescue Wendy from the Best Fitness Friends and then join Bowser Jr's army.

Personality
Just like almost all of the minions, Captain Goomba loathes the Mario Bros, being the first enemy they fought in the original game, but he still maintains a grudging respect towards them, as even he thinks that "Bowser's" order to destroy Mario was too much, and later on in the Mecha-Fawful factory, he has faith that the duo will defeat Bowletta so he and his squad can reunite with the true Bowser, as he knows from Fawful and Cackletta that the Mario Bros. are going to confront them soon.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions

 * Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser profile: The go-to soldiers among Bowser's Minions. They move fast and charge into foes!

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey

 * Bowser Jr.'s Journey profile: One of the legendary original captains who saved Bowser and the Minions from catastrophe. Charges into action with gumption and stylish eyebrows.

Names in other languages
Capitan Goomba (serie di Mario & Luigi)