Editing Fireball (obstacle)

{{about|the ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' enemy|other uses|[[Fireball (disambiguation)]]}}
{{species infobox
|image=[[File:SMBW Fluff-Puff Peaks Palace second 10-flower coin.jpg|250px]]<br>Fireballs, as they appear in ''Super Mario Bros. Wonder''
|first_appearance=''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' ([[List of games by date#1983|1983]])
|latest_appearance=''[[WarioWare: Move It!]]'' ([[List of games by date#2023|2023]])
}}
'''Fireballs''' (alternatively '''fire balls'''<ref>''{{cite|title=Mario Bros.'' instruction booklet|page=8|author=Nintendo|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=1985|language=American English}}</ref> or '''Fire Balls'''<ref>{{cite|author=Williams, Drew|title=''Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3'' Player's Guide|date=2002|page=4|publisher=[[Nintendo Power]]|language=American English|isbn=1-930206-25-9}}</ref>), also called '''Discs''',<ref>Instruction manual for Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum ports of ''Mario Bros.''</ref> '''Fires''',<ref>{{cite|title=''Mario Clash'' instruction booklet|page=18 and 22|date=1995|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=American English|author=Nintendo}}</ref> or '''swirls''',<ref>{{cite|title=''Nintendo Power Advance'' Volume 1|page=40|date=Spring 2001|publisher=[[Nintendo Power]]|language=American English}}</ref> in the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]] sometimes appear in the context of being obstacles, but are most commonly used by [[Mario]], [[Bowser]], and other characters as means of attack.
==History==
===''Mario Bros.'' series===
====''Mario Bros.''====
[[File:MB fireballs.png|thumb|left|[[Mario]] dodging fireballs in ''Mario Bros.'']]
Fireballs in ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' make their first appearance in a ''Super Mario'' game. They appear in red and green varieties, and are unique enemies in that they cannot cross the left or right edge of the screen and come out on the other side. There can be a maximum of four fireballs, two of each color, on screen at any given time. Fireballs and [[Icicle]]s are the only enemies that can harm players hiding behind the bottom [[Warp Pipe|pipe]]s. A fireball will appear to impede the player if they take too long to complete a phase. Red fireballs are slower and bounce diagonally all around the stage, and if they hit one side of the screen, they ricochet off the side and keep going until making a full circuit of the screen after which they will disappear and respawn as a faster opponent. The quicker '''green fireballs'''<ref>''Mario Bros.'' Atari 7800 game manual, Scoring page.</ref> move horizontally from one side of the screen to the other where it will disappear until respawning elsewhere. It has a pattern of two small wavy bounces and one long bounce. Typically, the green fireballs spawn on a row where a player is located. To destroy fireballs, the player has to bump them from below while they are touching the [[floor (Mario Bros.)|floor]], or use a [[POW Block]]. Fireballs respawn as faster enemies a few moments after being destroyed.

[[File:SMB3BattleMode-BonusFountain.png|thumb|Fireball bonus stage in ''Super Mario Bros. 3'']]
In the {{wp|Atari 2600}} port, fireballs are orange but behave like the green types from the original. It flies straight forward very quickly. In the {{wp|Atari 5200}} port, the orange fireball takes the place of the red one while the green one is replaced by the gold fireball. In the {{wp|PC-8001}} port, there is only one red fireball and it can travel through the wraparound screen. In the {{wp|Commodore 64}} port, there is a single red fireball but it behaves like the green fireball from the arcade version. In the {{wp|Amstrad CPC}} and {{wp|ZX Spectrum}} ports, the single fireball will float to the bottom floor as if it was affected by gravity and just roll around continuously. In the {{wp|Atari 7800}} port, the red type is called the orange fireball but it looks purplish. In the Atari 8-bit port, the red and green types are replaced by orange and blue respectively.

In the 1983 [[Family Computer]] port, fireballs are significantly smaller, making them easier to avoid. They were restored to their correct size by the [[Kaettekita Mario Bros.|1988 FDS port]] and 1993 NES port.

Fireballs in the [[Mario Bros. (Super Mario Bros. 3)|Mario Bros.]] game of ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' are all depicted red, but some behave like green fireballs. In addition, there is a bonus stage in which fireballs are shot out of a pipe. The in-game battle mode in its ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' version also has both fireballs using the red sprite, while the [[Battle Game (Super Mario All-Stars)|Battle Game]] in the main menu replaces the sprites with [[Boo]]s, which can go through the wraparound screen.

Fireballs in ''[[Luigi Bros.]]'' of ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' function identically to their appearance in the Family Computer port of ''Mario Bros.''

====''Mario Bros. Special''====
Fireballs in ''[[Mario Bros. Special]]'' appear in red and green varieties, both of which are invincible. Green fireballs in the game appear only in trampoline stages and have a sharper angle to their turn with a pattern of alternating broad and narrow waves. Red fireballs in the game appear only in conveyor belt stages and patrol a narrow range.

====''Punch Ball Mario Bros.''====
Fireballs in ''[[Punch Ball Mario Bros.]]'' are invincible and look red. They act like green fireballs, but with a simpler wave pattern.

====''Mario Clash''====
Fire in ''[[Mario Clash]]'', as they are called, function like the green fireballs from ''Mario Bros.'' but with a simpler wave pattern. They can be destroyed with a [[Koopa Shell|Turtle Shell]].

===''VS. Wrecking Crew'' / ''Wrecking Crew''===
{{multiframe|[[File:VSWC Fireball.png]] [[File:WC Fireball.png]]|bg=black|align=left|Fireballs in ''VS. Wrecking Crew'' and ''Wrecking Crew''|size=130}}
Fireballs in ''[[VS. Wrecking Crew]]'' and ''[[Wrecking Crew]]'' behave like the green fireballs of ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' but with a simpler wavy pattern. A fireball will appear if too much time is spent in one place. Careful positioning can allow the fireball to fly harmlessly over Mario or Luigi's head. The in-game manual of the ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' release of ''VS. Wrecking Crew'' classifies fireballs as characters.<ref>{{cite|title=''Arcade Archives VS. Wrecking Crew'' in-game manual|page=7}}</ref>

===''Hotel Mario''===
Balls of fire in ''[[Hotel Mario]]'' are obstacles in [[Bowser's Seizures Palace Hotel]]. They are preceded by a match-striking sound, and then dart from one end of a floor to another horizontally. In certain stages, more than one ball can appear at once. If they appear on the same floor as the player, the player can duck underneath them or hide into a door to avoid them. Alternatively, if the player is [[Fire Mario]], they can shoot a [[fireball]] at one of them, which will make them stop spawning for the remainder of the hotel.

===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario 64'' / ''Super Mario 64 DS''====
Fireballs in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and its [[Super Mario 64 DS|Nintendo DS version]] are very common obstacles featured as both standalone objects and enemy projectiles. Stationary ones light torches in the [[Peach's Castle|Mushroom Castle]] and [[Hazy Maze Cave]], and they are shot out in large groups by the volcano in [[Lethal Lava Land]]. They can also be shot by [[flame thrower (Flame Chomp)|flame thrower]]s, [[Fly Guy]]s, [[Small Piranha]]s, [[Big Fire Piranha|Piranha Flower]]s, and [[Bowser]], with some staying still and others chasing Mario. In the remake, stationary fireballs also light small bonfires at [[Cool, Cool Mountain]] and [[Snowman's Land]], and they can be eaten by [[Yoshi]] for [[Fire Power (Yoshi)|fire breath]].

====''Super Mario Galaxy'' / ''Super Mario Galaxy 2''====
Fireballs in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'' move in circular patterns, either through the air or coming out of lava, appearing as an arc. They appear in places like the [[Freezeflame Galaxy]], the [[Melty Molten Galaxy]], the lava pool in the [[Freezy Flake Galaxy]], and the [[Melty Monster Galaxy]]. Unlike most depictions, these fireballs have long, burning tails. A small, rolling variety can be spawned by [[Magikoopa]]s, and in the former game, is in fact the only object generic Magikoopas can spawn in gameplay with their main attack. [[Kamella]] also uses this and [[Koopa Troopa|Koopa]] [[Shell]]s during her fights, and becomes more likely to summon fireballs as she takes damage.

===''Super Mario Bros. Wonder''===
Fireballs in ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'' are obstacles spawned from hazardous ooze. They are first encountered during the level [[Fluff-Puff Peaks Palace]]. The direction in which a fireball moves depends, but if a character touches one, they take damage.

===''Mario Power Tennis''===
[[File:Coin_Collectors.jpg|thumb|left|A green fireball in ''Mario Power Tennis'']]
Green fireballs from ''Mario Bros.'' in ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]'' are obstacles bouncing around the court in the [[minigame]] [[Coin Collectors]]. These fireballs can stun a player for three seconds on contact as the defeated sound effect from ''Mario Bros.'' is heard playing.
{{br}}
===''Donkey Kong'' franchise===
====''Donkey Kong Jungle Beat''====
Fireballs in ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Beat]]'' are recurring lava obstacles that may travel straight or in arcs, and usually leap from magma. Fireballs in the game first appear in the level [[Grim Volcano]].

====''Donkey Kong Country'' series====
[[File:Fireballs.png|thumb|Several fireballs soar past [[Donkey Kong]] on his [[Rocket Barrel]] in ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'']]
Fireballs in the [[Donkey Kong Country (series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' series]] first appear in ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' and return in the [[Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D|Nintendo 3DS version]], then in ''[[Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze]]'' shortly afterward. In all games, they appear as a type of hazard capable of damaging the Kongs.

Fireballs in ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' appear as hazards during a short section of [[Hot Rocket]].<ref>{{cite|quote=As some '''fireballs''' come at you from behind, try to fly in the middle.|author=Knight, Michael|title=''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' Prima Official Game Guide|page=140|date=2010|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|isbn=978-0-307-47102-4}}</ref> They come out from behind and fly across the screen, destroying the [[Kong]]s' [[Rocket Barrel]] and causing them to lose a life if they come into contact. However, if avoided, fireballs simply fly past them. Fireballs cannot be stopped or destroyed. At one point, a fireball crashes into a chunk of rock falling from the ceiling, destroying it and revealing a [[Puzzle Piece (Donkey Kong Country series)|Puzzle Piece]].

Fireballs in ''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze'' appear in [[Scorch 'n' Torch]], where they drop from baobab canopies at regular intervals and fall into [[pit]]s below. Fireballs can only be destroyed with a [[Water Sack]].

===''WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase''===
A green fire in ''[[WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase]]'' appears in [[18-Volt]]'s boss [[microgame]] [[Dustpan]] as roaming obstacle. It appears to have been recolored from the fireball sprites in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' 

==Profiles==
===''[[Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia|Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten]]''===
{{PEGMCE profile
|name=ファイアボール (JP) / Fireball (EN)
|shuzoku=ゴースト{{ruby|族|ぞく}}
|seikaku=勝気
|tojo_gemu=ブラザー、クルー
|desc='''<big>{{ruby|突然現|とつぜんげん}}れる{{ruby|小|ちい}}さに{{ruby|火|ひ}}の{{ruby|玉|たま}}</big>'''<br>
マリオの{{ruby|投|な}}げるファイアボールとは{{ruby|違|ちが}}い、はじの{{ruby|方|ほう}}から{{ruby|突然姿|とつげんすがた}}を{{ruby|現|あらわ}}し、{{ruby|画面|がめん}}を{{ruby|横切|よこぎ}}る。{{ruby|当|あ}}たると{{ruby|丸焦|まるこ}}げになってしまうので、{{ruby|他|ほか}}の{{ruby|階|かい}}へ{{ruby|移動|いどう}}するかジャンプをして{{ruby|避|さ}}けよう。<ref name=Daijiten>{{cite|title=''Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten''|page=[https://imgur.com/sEM7tEO 180]|language=Japanese|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|date=1994}}</ref>
|tribe=Ghost clan
|disposition=Unyielding spirit
|game_appearances=Bros., Crew
|eng_desc='''''<big>Sudden appearance of a small fireball</big>'''''<br>
''Unlike the fireballs thrown by Mario, these fireballs suddenly appear from the beginning and cross the screen. If it hits you, you will be burned to a crisp, so move to another floor or jump to avoid it.''
}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
MB Arcade Red Fireball.png|''Mario Bros.'' arcade sprite (red)
MB Arcade Green Fireball.png|''Mario Bros.'' arcade sprite (green)
SMW2 Fireball Roger.png|A fireball produced by [[Roger the Potted Ghost]] in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''
MC Fire.png|''[[Mario Clash]]''
SM64 Asset Model Fireball.png|''[[Super Mario 64]]''
D.I.Y.Chiritorie.png|A green fire in ''[[WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase]]'', as an obstacle in [[18-Volt]]'s [[Dustpan]] microgame
FireballsDKCTF.jpg|Two fireballs raining down in front of [[Donkey Kong]] in ''Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze''
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=ファイアボール<ref>{{cite|title=レッキングクルー (''Rekkingu Kurū'') instruction booklet|date=1985|page=5|language=Japanese|author=Nintendo|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref><ref name=Daijiten/>
|JapR=Faiabōru
|JapM=Fireball
|Jap2=ファイア<ref>{{cite|title=マリオクラッシュ (''Mario Kurasshu'') instruction booklet|page=16 and 20|date=1995|language=Japanese|author=Nintendo|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
|Jap2R=Faia
|Jap2M=Fire
|Jap3={{ruby|炎|ほのお}}<ref>{{cite|title=''Wrecking Crew '98'' physical release manual|page=15|date=1998|author=Nintendo|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
|Jap3R=Honō
|Jap3M=Flame
|FreE=Boule de Feu<ref name=SMAEman/>
|FreEM=Fire Ball
|Ger=Feuerball<ref name=SMAEman/>
|GerM=Fireball
|Ita=Fiamma<ref>''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' Italian manual, pag. 28</ref>
|Ita2=Sfera di fuoco<ref name=SMAEman/>
|Ita3=Palla di fuoco (''NES Remix'')
|ItaM=Flame
|Ita2M=Fire sphere
|Ita3M=Fire ball
|SpaE=Bola de fuego<ref name=SMAEman>{{cite|url=cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/game_boy_advance_8/Manual_GameBoyAdvance_SuperMarioAdvance_EN_DE_FR_ES_IT.pdf|title=''Super Mario Advance'' European instruction booklet|page=38, 58, 98, and 118|format=PDF|language=Italian|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|date=2001|accessdate=April 6, 2019}}</ref>
|SpaEM=Fire Ball
}}

==References==
<references/>

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[[Category:Fire creatures]]
[[Category:Hazardous objects]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Jungle Beat objects]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country Returns objects]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze objects]]
[[Category:Hotel Mario enemies]]
[[Category:Mario Bros. enemies]]
[[Category:Mario Clash enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario 64 objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Bros. Wonder objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy objects]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy 2 objects]]
[[Category:VS. Wrecking Crew]]
[[Category:Wrecking Crew]]