King Bob-omb: The Legendary Boss of Super Mario 64

A crown, an imposing moustache and an ego to match: King Bob-omb rules unchallenged over the bomb enemies of the Mario universe. The first boss of the unforgettable Super Mario 64, this explosive monarch left his mark on generations of players. Meet the most combustible sovereign in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Contents

• Who is King Bob-omb?
• The first boss in Super Mario 64
• King Bob-omb, ordinary Bob-ombs and pink Bob-ombs
• A regular at the Mario parties
• Profile
• Frequently asked questions

Who is King Bob-omb?

King Bob-omb is the king and leader of the Bob-ombs, those black bomb enemies from the Mario saga. You spot him instantly: he's a giant Bob-omb, topped with a jewel-studded crown, sporting a thick white moustache and spotless gloves. Proud, commanding and theatrical, he carries himself like a true monarch, and he holds a special reverence for moustaches, which he sees as a symbol of power.

The first boss in Super Mario 64

King Bob-omb owes his fame to a prime role: he is the very first boss in Super Mario 64 (1996), waiting for Mario at the top of the mountain in the “Bob-omb Battlefield” course. Forget about jumping on him: you have to get behind him, lift him up and slam him to the ground — three times over. Just be careful not to hurl him out of the arena: he would accuse Mario of cheating and the whole fight would start again! Once beaten, he gracefully hands over a Power Star.

King Bob-omb, ordinary Bob-ombs and pink Bob-ombs

Careful not to mix them all up. An ordinary Bob-omb is a small bomb enemy that blows up on contact; the King Bob-omb, meanwhile, is their giant crowned ruler. And then there are the Bob-omb Buddies, those pink Bob-ombs, peace-loving allies of Mario: they open the cannons to help him out and are flat-out at war with King Bob-omb's black Bob-ombs. Three camps, one explosive family.

A regular at the Mario parties

Since Super Mario 64, King Bob-omb has become a familiar face in the saga, above all in the spin-offs. You run into him regularly in the Mario Party series, in the golf and sports games, in Mario Kart Tour, and he even makes a cameo in the film Super Mario Bros. (2023). Still proud, still regal, he remains one of the most memorable lieutenants in the army of Bowser.

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King Bob-omb profile

Frequently asked questions

• What is his name in French?
  “Roi Bob-omb” is his current official French name (King Bob-omb in English). He was once called “Gros Bob-omb”, and his Japanese name is Bomu Kingu, literally “Bomb King”.
• Which game does he first appear in?
  In Super Mario 64 (1996), where he is the game's very first boss, at the top of the mountain in the “Bob-omb Battlefield” course.
• How do you beat King Bob-omb in Super Mario 64?
  You have to get behind him, lift him up and slam him to the ground — three times in a row — while staying inside the battle area. Throw him off the mountain and he cries foul, and the fight starts over.
• What reward does he give?
  A Power Star, handed over once he is beaten at the top of Bob-omb Battlefield.
• Is King Bob-omb different from a normal Bob-omb?
  Yes: he is their king. Far bigger, he is recognizable by his jewel-studded crown and his thick white moustache, where an ordinary Bob-omb is just a small bomb enemy.
• What's the link with the pink Bob-ombs?
  The Bob-omb Buddies (the friendly pink Bob-ombs) are peace-loving Bob-ombs on Mario's side, at war with the black Bob-ombs commanded by King Bob-omb.

In short

An explosive sovereign, guardian of the very first Star in Super Mario 64 and a regular at Mushroom Kingdom parties, King Bob-omb has carved his name into players' memories. Proof that a simple bomb enemy can, with a crown and a little flair, become a genuine video game legend.