Punchinello

"Good day. The name's Nello...PUNCHINELLO!"

- Punchinello

Punchinello is a somewhat minor villain who appears in the game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. He's an explosives expert who likes to use Bob-ombs in battle. However, it should also be noted that Punchinello is absolutely insane and has a bit of a temper, a character flaw that eventually brings about his destruction. As far as any rational being is concerned, his physical appearance resembles absolutely nothing this side of death itself (besides, perhaps, maybe an eggplant). Apparently, Punchinello lives as an outcast in the Moleville Mines, being ostracized from society because of his bad disposition. When one of the seven Star Piece crashed into the mine, he claimed the rare artifact for himself. Strangely enough, Punchinello also wants to be famous one day (perhaps a result from his status as an outcast). Of course, when Mario and his allies arrive in Punchinello's lair looking for the Star Piece, the master of explosives sees an excellent opportunity. If he can defeat Mario (where so many others have failed), Punchinello realizes he will become famous all over the world.

Before the inevitable battle, Punchinello throws tiny Micro Bombs (miniature Bob-ombs) at Mario, hoping to eliminate the plumber without having to get his hands dirty. Additionally, if Mario walks up in front of Punchinello, the villain will shove the plumber with his powerful arms, sending Mario flying back into the other room. Thus Mario must approach Punchinello behind to start the actual battle.

In battle, Punchinello attacks with his spiked fist, digging his claws into one of Mario's party members. Punchinello also knows the debilitating Sand Storm attack, summoning a massive sandstorm that induces the Fear status ailment in all party members. However, his trademark attack is summoning his mechanical minions, the Bob-ombs.

Punchinello uses four varieties of Bob-omb to aid him in battle. In the beginning of skirmish, Punchinello releases four Micro Bombs, tiny Bob-ombs that do relatively little damage. Mallow's Thunderbolt attack can easily eliminate these minor threats. As Mallow focuses on the bombs, Mario and Geno can attack Punchinello directly. After Punchinello receives enough damage, the mad villain realizes his opponents are tougher than he originally thought. Scarping the Micro Bombs, he summons regular-sized Bob-ombs to attack the heroes. Again, Mallow can use his lighting magic to defeat these bomb enemies, while Mario and Geno focus on pummeling Punchinello. After a few more rounds, Punchinello summons the large Mezzo Bombs, powerful Bob-ombs that inflict major damage when they self-destruct. At this time, Mallow should switch from magic to regular attacks, hitting Punchinello with his Cymbals. Although the Mezzo Bombs are strong, if Mario, Mallow, and Geno can quickly eliminate Punchinello, the Mezzo Bombs won't be a threat.

After Punchinello is defeated, the villain attempted to have the last laugh. In fact, Punchinello goes mad and enters a state of hubris. The now-insane villain attempts to summon a King Bomb, a gigantic Bob-omb that, when self-destructed, would eliminate everything caught in its explosion. Mario's party believes the villain is bluffing, for surely Punchinello would be caught in the explosion as well. However, Punchinello was in a state of rage and ignored their warnings. Strangely, the humongous bomb did not fall when summoned. Even more enraged, Punchinello angrily pounds the ground, attempting to summon the King Bomb. Eventually, a King Bomb does fall from the ceiling. However, in his rage, Punchinello wasn't paying attention and the King Bomb smushed him. In the end, his overweening pride proved to be end of him. Ironically, Punchinello was flattened by the very tool he was going to use to make himself immortal.

Ultimately, the King Bomb explodes before Mario and his allies can defuse the massive bomb. Thankfully, the bomb was a dud; although the King Bomb exploded, all the explosion did was char Mario's party a little bit. After Mario and his allies clean themselves off, the heroes recover the third Star Piece and venture deeper into the mines. You fight King Bomb later at Bowser's Castle in the Magikoopa Battle.

Punchinello and the Smithy Gang
Although Punchinello is the keeper of a Star Piece, uses weapons in combat, and has a slight resemblance to a bomb himself, he is not a member of the Smithy Gang. In fact, Punchinello's only allegiance is to himself. This is further supported by the fact that the Factory Clerk made no mention of Punchinello while listing all of Smithy's lieutenants that were defeated, nor was there a Machine Made version of him. Also, a certain theme song would usually play whenever a Smithy Gang member was present; this wasn't the case with Punchinello.

Trivia

 * "Punchinello" is the name of the short, fan buffoon in Italian puppet shows. The name is very fitting for a character such as Punchinello.
 * Punchinello's claim of his name being "Nello... PUNCHINELLO!" is likely a reference to James Bond's catchphrase of being "Bond, James Bond". On a somewhat-related note, Punchinello is never referred to as "Nello" again and it is therefore unknown if this is actually a separate part of his name.
 * Before releasing his Mezzo Bombs, Punchinello gives a cry of "It's CLOBBERING TIME!". This is likely a reference to The Thing's catchphrase of "It's clobberin' time!".
 * Punchinello is the only major boss character in possession of a Star Piece, with no affiliation with the Smithy Gang.