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 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 unlocked; this includes Captain Shy Guy, Captain Boo, and Captain Koopa Troopa. 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 Mechawful 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
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'll 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.

After Cackletta possesses Bowser to form Bowletta, 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 Mechawfuls, he and the minions follow Bowser, who is attached to Princess Peach's plane, back home. In the end, it is revealed that he landed on Bowser's head and inadvertently gave him amnesia in the first place. Bowser angrily chases him. Afterwards, the narration states that he was stripped of his title and flag, resuming his old name, Goomba, although the minions never forget his bravery and leadership.

On a side note, Captain Goomba did make one more appearence in the main game, running along a path while being seen by the Mario Bros. This unlocks Minion Quest.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
Captain Goomba appears in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, where he is an enemy and recruitable ally in the Bowser Jr.'s Journey mode. In the beginning, Captain Goomba is forced to fight Bowser Jr. due to the latter insisting on ten wins, something he is reluctant to do as he wanted to do a lot of Goomba training and didn't wish to upset Bowser, especially not after the last time he upset him. This was made even worse as, due to Bowser Jr. not knowing how to count, he had to fight him even more times. He is later dispatched by Ludwig to fight Bowser Jr. as a test alongside Captain Shy Guy, Captain Boo, and Captain Koopa Troopa. He fights alongside Captain Shy Guy, Captain Boo, Captain Koopa Troopa, and includes King Bob-omb as a "game-changer". He alongside his fellow Captains are among the only minions other than six of the seven Koopalings as well as Kamek to not be brainwashed either by Fawful or the Best Fitness Friends, and even proceeded to save Bowser Jr. and Wendy O. Koopa from the latter party and drive them off. In the post-game, he is replaced by Private Goomp, his friend and rival, as Bowser Jr.'s sparring partner for life, much to Goomba's barely-hidden relief.