Whomp : la dalle de pierre qui écrase Mario

Whomp: the Stone Slab that Crushes Mario

1148 mots | Temps de lecture : 5 minute(s)

It looks like a wall that grew arms: the Whomp is a large gray stone slab with a grumpy face, one of the most recognizable enemies to appear in Super Mario 64 in 1996 (Japan). Its tactic is as simple as it is brutal: as soon as Mario approaches, it falls with all its weight to flatten him.

It is often confused with the Thwomp, but these are two distinct creatures. The Whomp tumbles forward to crush its target, then exposes a cracked weak point on its back. Here's its complete profile: folkloric origin, difference from the Thwomp, the formidable Whomp King and its variants.

Summary

What is a Whomp?

The Whomp (called Ba-Boum in Quebec, バッタン Battan in Japanese) is a stone creature in the shape of a rectangular slab, with two small arms, legless feet, and a face with misaligned teeth. Its glowing red eyes and perpetually angry expression make it an immediately recognizable figure.

First appearing in Super Mario 64 (1996 in Japan), the Whomp belongs to the same family as the Thwomp and most often serves as a minion to Bowser. Its sole purpose is to prevent Mario from advancing by blocking his path, then by crushing him.

Whomp or Thwomp: Don't confuse them anymore

Despite their resemblance and similar names, the Whomp and the Thwomp are distinctly different:

  • The Thwomp is usually suspended high up and falls vertically to crush anything below it, before rising back up. It's an almost immobile trap.
  • The Whomp, on the other hand, is standing and active: it waits for Mario to pass, then tilts forward, face down, to flatten him. It then has to get back up.

Another major difference: the Thwomp is often invulnerable and mainly serves as an obstacle, while the Whomp deliberately exposes a weak point on its back, making it an enemy that can actually be defeated.

A folkloric origin: the nurikabe

The Whomp draws directly from Japanese folklore. It is inspired by the nurikabe (塗り壁), a traditional yōkai described as an invisible, living wall that appears before travelers at night to block their path, without them being able to go around it.

This connection perfectly explains the Whomp's behavior in Mario games: in the Mario Party series, it acts as an obstacle that blocks players' passage on the board, just as the nurikabe hinders the path of travelers in folklore.

How to defeat a Whomp

Attacking a Whomp head-on is useless: its stone surface is indestructible. The method relies entirely on its dorsal weak point.

  • The Whomp eventually falls forward to try and crush Mario. Dodge the fall at the last moment.
  • Once face down, it exposes its back, marked by cracks and a cross-shaped bandage (replaced by a ground-pound symbol starting from Super Mario Galaxy 2).
  • Perform a Ground Pound on this area to inflict damage.

This same logic, albeit more challenging, awaits you when facing their monarch.

The Whomp King, boss of Super Mario 64

The Whomp King (King Ba-Boum in Quebec) is a giant Whomp wearing a crown. He reigns over Whomp's Fortress, the second level of Super Mario 64, and is one of the first bosses in the adventure.

The fight follows the classic principle: you must dodge his falls then strike his back with a ground pound, three times, to defeat him and free a star. The Whomp King makes his grand return in Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010), at the end of the Throwback Galaxy, a revamped cosmic version of his original fortress, where he appears even more imposing.

Whomp variants

Throughout the games, the Whomp has given rise to several variations:

  • Whimp: a mini-Whomp introduced in Super Mario Galaxy 2. Smaller, with a single tooth and a less rectangular body, it assists the Whomp King during the "Return of the Whomp King" mission. It is to the Whomp what the Thwimp is to the Thwomp.
  • Big Whomp: a simply enlarged version of the classic Whomp.
  • Whamp: a wedge-shaped creature that appeared in Mario Kart World (2025), which crushes racers on the tracks; its flattened back can then serve as a ramp for performing tricks.

Whomp ID Card

Japanese Name バッタン (Battan)
Quebec Name Ba-Boum
Type Stone enemy (Thwomp family)
First Appearance Super Mario 64 (1996, Japan)
Inspiration The nurikabe, Japanese living wall yōkai
Weak Point Cracked back (ground pound)
Leader The Whomp King, boss of Whomp's Fortress

🍄 Want to extend the adventure? Discover our Mario plush toys in the shop.

FAQ

  • What is the difference between a Whomp and a Thwomp?
    The Thwomp falls vertically from the ceiling then rises, mainly serving as a trap. The Whomp, on the other hand, stands and tilts forward to flatten Mario, then exposing a weak point on its back that can be hit.
  • How to defeat a Whomp in Mario 64?
    You need to dodge its fall, wait for it to be face down, then perform a ground pound on the cracked and bandaged area of its back. Hitting it from the front is useless.
  • Where did the idea of the Whomp come from?
    The Whomp is inspired by the nurikabe, a Japanese folklore spirit depicted as a living, invisible wall that appears to block travelers' paths, exactly as the Whomp blocks Mario's path.
  • Who is the Whomp King?
    He is a giant, crowned Whomp, boss of Whomp's Fortress in Super Mario 64. He is defeated by hitting his back three times with a ground pound. He returns in Super Mario Galaxy 2, in the Throwback Galaxy.
  • Does the Whomp appear in other games?
    Yes. It appears in New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Galaxy 2, the Mario Party series, Mario Kart, and Paper Mario, where it often acts as an impassable obstacle.
Back to blog