Hammer Bros. (ハンマーブロス), or Hammer Brothers, are a recurring enemy in the Mario franchise. They first appear in Super Mario Bros..
Profile[]
Physical description[]
Hammer Bros. are a Koopa Troopa variant that wear green armor, either light or dark, depending on the appearance. A consistency is that, like Koopa Troopas, Hammer Bros. have a yellow body, although a difference in earlier media is that Hammer Bros. have been bipedal from the start, even before this became an established characteristic of Koopa Troopas since Super Mario World.
Behavior[]
Hammer Bros. are described in various games as being the elite units of the Koopa Troop and often appear in games either as powerful generic enemies or as boss characters. Hammer Bros. are commonly found in pairs, hence the "Bros." part of their name, and their attack pattern consists of guarding a small area, usually while standing on a series of Brick Blocks, and throwing hammers at Mario or another character. Hammer Bros. occasionally move around and jump while doing so.
The Mario role-playing games introduced a more varied attack pattern for Hammer Bros., such as the ability to throw a rapid volley of hammers or throw a single hammer with enough force to shrink the player. Since Mario Superstar Baseball, Hammer Bros. have sometimes, but not often, appeared as playable characters in spin-off Mario games. In Mario Superstar Baseball, the Hammer Bro uses a hammer as his baseball bat.
Variants[]
Hammer Bros. have a few variants. The first two that were introduced are Boomerang Bros. and Fire Bros., both in Super Mario Bros. 3. Boomerang Bros. attack by throwing a boomerang, and Fire Bros. attack by throwing fireballs, similarly to Fire Mario. In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, there are Ice Bros., which throw Ice Balls to attack. Boomerang Bros., Fire Bros., and Ice Bros. wear blue, red, and white armor, respectively.
History[]
In the Super Mario Platforming Series[]
Hammer Bros make their debut in Super Mario Bros., where Mario encounters 20 of them in the game. These Hammer Bros. throw claw hammers. Hammer Bros. are vulnerable to any move, with their defeat granting 1,000 points.
In Super Mario Bros. 3, Hammer Bros now have black helmets and shells akin to Buzzy Beetles. They have the same tactics as before. They only appear in Enemy Courses and the first trap level in the Dark Lands. Hammer Bros also have a few variants, like Fire Bros which throw fireballs, Boomerang Bros which throw boomerangs, and Sledge Bros which have access to a Ground Pound attack. As in their prior appearance, Hammer Bros can be defeated through any attack.
Regular Hammer Bros were going to be put in Super Mario World, only to be cut from the game. There is a variation named Amazing Flyin' Hammer Brother that rides on a platform in the sky, as well as a sumo wrestling variant called a Sumo Bro that attacks by summoning waves of fire.
In the New Super Mario Bros. franchise[]
Hammer Bros return in New Super Mario Bros. DS, retaining their tactics and designs, save for this game giving them the shoes of a regular Koopa Troopa. A pair can be encountered in the fourth stage of World 2 guarding the final Star Coin. Hammer Bros can also appear on the world map starting from World 5, with their position changing every time Mario clears a level or fails. Upon defeat here, they drop an item.
Hammer Bros are even rarer in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, where they only appear in the third stage of World 1. Hammer Bros cannot be eaten by Yoshi; however, Yoshi can still grab their hammers with his tongue and use these hammers against them. A new variation called Ice Bro can be found.
Hammer Bros. also appear in New Super Mario Bros. 3DS, only appearing in the second stage of World 2 in the main game. In this game, they retain their behaviour from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but the Gold Ring turns their hammers into Coins.
Hammer Bros. return in New Super Mario Bros. U, retaining their behaviour from before. This game features them in the fifth stage of this game's first world, Acorn Plains.
In Super Mario Galaxy 2[]
Hammer Bros return in this game, making appearances in Bowser's Lava Lair and Galaxy Generator, Bowser Jr.'s Fearsome Fleet, and the Grandmaster Galaxy. Hammer Bros retain their hammer attack, but now aimed right at Mario. Mario can neutralise their hammers with his new Star Spin attack. Attacking them flips them onto their shell; this stun lasts for a while, with the Hammer Bros getting back up on their feet to continue attacking. They can be instantly defeated via Ground Pound or if Yoshi grabs their hammer with his tongue and throws it back at them.
In Super Mario 3D Land[]
Hammer Bros return in this game, typically being featured in castle levels. They behave identically as in Super Mario Galaxy 2, but now take only one hit to defeat, with their death animation upon being stomped having them pop back up only to fly backward. This time, Hammer Bros drop three coins when defeated, though Mario will have to manually pick these coins up if he used a projectile attack.
In Super Mario 3D World[]
Hammer Bros return in this game. They retain their behaviour from 3D Land, but their hammers now land closer to them and fly in a higher arc.
In the Super Mario Maker games[]
Hammer Bros are placeable enemies in this game, being placed in any of the game styles available and receiving unique sprites for the Super Mario World style. They can now be eaten by Yoshi, who can spit out a hammer. If given wings, they can jump higher.
In Super Mario Odyssey[]
Hammer Bros return as enemies in Super Mario Odyssey, where they can be encountered in the Metro Kingdom, the Luncheon Kingdom, the Moon Kingdom, and the Dark Side area. In this game, Hammer Bros can be captured after Mario knocks their helmets off with his hat (which is possessed by Cappy; knocking the helmet off reveals blue spiky hair). While possessing them, Mario can throw hammers to attack, not unlike when he gets the Hammer Suit in Super Mario Bros. 3.
In Super Mario Bros. Wonder[]
Hammer Bros return in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, where they behave like in the Super Mario Maker games.
In Yoshi's Safari[]
Hammer Bros are mini-bosses in this game, where they can attack by throwing hammers that Mario can shoot down with the Super Scope. They take several hits from the Super Scope to be defeated.
In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[]
Hammer Bros appear in this game, where they can be encountered as common enemies. They have large bodies and wield wooden hammers. Hammer Bros can attack their opposition by smashing them with their hammers or throwing these hammers. Two of them appear as a miniboss at the end of Mushroom Way, guarding the path to the Mushroom Kingdom. (Only one of them appears in the field.)
In the Mario & Luigi franchise[]
Hammer Bros appear as enemies in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, where they have white pupil-less eyes and a more hunched and somewhat portly posture and no shoes. They appear in Bowser Castle, where they can be found assisting Gunner Guys and Boos, though they do not appear on the field. In combat, Hammer Bros throw their hammers at their target, with a regular throw targeting Mario and a jumping throw targeting Luigi. When the Hammer Bro's health is low, two hammers may be thrown. Attacking with fire heals the Hammer Bro, while using lightning deals increased damage to them. New variants appear including the Yo Bro (which yields yo-yos as a weapon and haunts the Woohoo Hooniversity, a new lean version of the Boomerang Bro inhabiting Gwarhar Lagoon, the Limbo Bro (which appears in Guffawha Ruins with a stronger version in Teehee Valley), and Chomp Bro (which can be found in Bowser Castle).
In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, two Hammer Bros are enslaved by the Shroobs and ordered to guard the Vim Factory. These Hammer Bros, known as the L33t Hamm3r Broz., act as a miniboss in that area; upon defeat, they become friendly and teach the player how to use Hammers.
Trivia[]
- Although Blooper has not returned in any other future home console game --in the Mario Party series (counting just the home console games)-- after Mario Party 8, Hammer Bro and Blooper are the fourth and fifth antagonists to be playable characters in the series (the fourth and fifth antagonists after Koopa Kid/Bowser Jr., Boo, and Dry Bones). He (Hammer Bro) and Boo both return as playable characters in the two later home console games (that being, Super Mario Party and Super Mario Party Jamboree). Dry Bones (after Mario Party 7 and 8) only returns in Super Mario Party as a playable character, but not in Super Mario Party Jamboree. Koopa Kid has been succeeded by Bowser Jr. (since the home console game Mario Party 9) and is playable in the two said later home console games (both Super Mario Party and Super Mario Party Jamboree).
- Blooper --on the other hand-- he (along with Kamek) are the only two antagonists to be playable in one later home console game and not return in any future home console games as playable characters (such as Super Mario Party and/or Super Mario Party Jamboree). Pom Pom has only been playable in just one later home console game as well (that being, in just Super Mario Party).
- This would mean Hammer Bro --along with Boo-- are the only two antagonists to be playable in more than one, two, or three later home console games (not counting Dry Bones who was in Mario Party 7 and returned in the two home console games Mario Party 8 and Superstars to make it three). That is, after their debut of a new home console game. (That is, prior to Super Mario Party and Super Mario Party Jamboree.) While the former's case (Boo) made his first playable appearance in Mario Party 5, that latter (Hammer Bro) he made his first playable appearance in Mario Party 8.
- While Hammer Bro is playable in Mario Party 8 --since he (Hammer Bro) began there as a playable character-- and returns in Super Mario Party and Super Mario Party Jamboree, Boo is playable in Mario Party 5 --since he (Boo) began there as a playable character-- and all later home console games after that (except for Mario Party 9, 10, and Superstars).
- Aside from Hammer Bro and Boo, while Dry Bones only was playable in three later home console games after Mario Party 5 --that being in Mario Party 7, 8, and Superstars-- the other characters who appeared as playable antagonists (Blooper, Kamek, Koopa Troopa, Spike, Goomba, Monty Mole, Pom Pom, and Ninji) have only been playable in one or two later home console games after Mario Party 5. Blooper and Pom Pom are the only two antagonists to be playable in one later home console game. Ninji is just a newcomer. So he started with Super Mario Party Jamboree. So it is unknown whether he is going to return in any other future home console game after Super Mario Party Jamboree. (That is, since the latest home console game is Super Mario Party Jamboree. And it was released in Oct. 17, 2024.)
- This does not include Koopa Kid/Bowser Jr.. Bowser Jr. succeeded Koopa Kid (despite only being playable in the first 6 two future home console games) beginning with the home console game Mario Party 9.
Statistics[]
For Hammer Bro's in-game statistics, click here.
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Timeline[]
For information on Hammer Bro's appearances, click here.
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[Edit] Game
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Role | Year | Console | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Super Mario Bros. | Enemy | 1985 | Family Computer / Nintendo Entertainment System | |
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels | Enemy | 1986 | Family Computer Disk System | |
Super Mario Bros. / Duck Hunt | Enemy | 1988 | Nintendo Entertainment System | Appears in Super Mario Bros. only |
Super Mario Bros. 3 | Enemy | 1989 | Family Computer / Nintendo Entertainment System | |
Super Mario Bros. / Duck Hunt / World Class Track Meet | Enemy | 1990 | Nintendo Entertainment System | Appears in Super Mario Bros. only |
Mario the Juggler | Enemy | 1991 | Game & Watch | Featured in Game B only |
Super Mario All-Stars | Enemy | 1993 | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | Appears in the remasters for Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, and Super Mario Bros. 3 |
Yoshi's Safari | Mini-boss | 1993 | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | |
Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World | Enemy | 1994 | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | Same as in Super Mario All-Stars |
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars | Enemy | 1996 | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | |
Mario Party | Non-playable character | 1998 | Nintendo 64 | One appears in the minigame Hammer Drop |
Super Smash Bros. | Cameo | 1999 | Nintendo 64 | Sometimes appears in the background of the Mushroom Kingdom stage |
Mario Party 2 | Non-playable character | 1999 | Nintendo 64 | One appears in the minigame Deep Sea Salvage |
Paper Mario | Enemy | 2000 | Nintendo 64 | |
Mario Party 3 | Non-playable character | 2000 | Nintendo 64 | They appear in three minigames: Awful Tower, Puddle Paddle, and Parasol Plummet |
Mario Kart: Super Circuit | Cameo | 2001 | Game Boy Advance | One briefly appears in the background of the awards ceremony |
Super Smash Bros. Melee | Cameo | 2001 | Nintendo GameCube | Same as in Super Smash Bros., but in a different Mushroom Kingdom stage |
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 | Enemy | 2003 | Game Boy Advance | Same as in Super Mario Bros. 3 |
Mario Party 5 | Non-playable character | 2003 | Nintendo GameCube | Featured within the Hammer Bro. Capsule and hosts the minigame Fight Cards |
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga | Enemy | 2003 | Game Boy Advance | |
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | Enemy | 2004 | Nintendo GameCube | |
Mario Party Advance | Cameo | 2004 | Game Boy Advance | Aside from the game having their own Hammer Bro representative, several Hammer Bros. appear in the background of Hammergeddon. |
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix | Opponent | 2005 | Nintendo GameCube | |
Mario Superstar Baseball | Unlockable playable character | 2005 | Nintendo GameCube | |
Super Princess Peach | Enemy | 2005 | Nintendo DS | |
Mario Party 7 | Non-playable character | 2005 | Nintendo GameCube | Featured as an orb; four also appear in Hammer Spammer |
Super Mario Strikers | Playable character | 2005 | Nintendo GameCube | Featured as sidekicks on a team |
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time | Character | 2005 | Nintendo DS | Only one pair appears, named the L33t Hamm3r Broz. while brainwashed |
New Super Mario Bros. | Enemy | 2006 | Nintendo DS | |
Super Paper Mario | Enemy | 2007 | Wii | |
Mario Strikers Charged | Playable character | 2007 | Wii | Featured as sidekicks like in Super Mario Strikers |
Mario Party 8 | Unlockable playable character | 2007 | Wii | |
Mario Party DS | Boss | 2007 | Nintendo DS | Fought as a boss in the minigame Hammer Chime |
Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Non-playable character, enemy | 2008 | Wii | Featured as an Assist Trophy as well as Subspace Army members in Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary |
Mario Kart Wii | Cameo | 2008 | Wii | Appears in the crowds of certain courses, such as Mario Circuit |
Mario Super Sluggers | Playable character | 2008 | Wii | |
New Super Mario Bros. Wii | Enemy | 2009 | Wii | |
Super Mario Galaxy 2 | Enemy | 2010 | Wii | |
Super Mario 3D Land | Enemy | 2011 | Nintendo 3DS | |
Mario Kart 7 | Cameo | 2011 | Nintendo 3DS | Spectators in the background of Toad Circuit |
Mario Party 9 | Non-playable character | 2012 | Wii | One of the Battle Minigame hosts |
New Super Mario Bros. 2 | Enemy | 2012 | Nintendo 3DS | |
Paper Mario: Sticker Star | Enemy | 2012 | Nintendo 3DS | |
New Super Mario Bros. U | Enemy | 2012 | Wii U | |
New Super Luigi U | Enemy | 2013 | Wii U | |
Super Mario 3D World | Enemy | 2013 | Wii U | |
Mario Party: Island Tour | Non-playable character | 2013 | Nintendo 3DS | Appears in two minigames, Match Faker and Tap Dash |
Mario Golf: World Tour | Non-playable character | 2014 | Nintendo 3DS | |
Mario Kart 8 | Cameo | 2014 | Wii U | Spectators in Bowser's Castle and 3DS Neo Bowser City. |
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | Non-playable character, Enemy | 2014 | Nintendo 3DS | Featured as an Assist Trophy and as an enemy in Smash Run |
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | Enemy | 2014 | Wii U | |
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | Non-playable character | 2014 | Wii U | Featured as an Assist Trophy |
Mario Party 10 | Non-playable character | 2015 | Wii U | |
Super Mario Maker | Enemy | 2015 | Wii U | |
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam | Enemy | 2015 | Nintendo 3DS | |
Mario Party: Star Rush | Non-playable character | 2016 | Nintendo 3DS | Appears in Pinball Brawl |
Paper Mario: Color Splash | Enemy | 2016 | Wii U | |
Minecraft | Character skin | 2016 | Wii U | Featured in the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack, also appearing in the Nintendo Switch and New Nintendo 3DS versions in 2017 and 2018 respectively |
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS | Enemy | 2016 | Nintendo 3DS | Same as in Super Mario Maker |
Mario Sports Superstars | Sidekick | 2017 | Nintendo 3DS | Featured as sidekicks in the soccer and baseball sports |
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Cameo | 2017 | Nintendo Switch | Same as in Mario Kart 8 |
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions | Enemy | 2017 | Nintendo 3DS | Same role in the Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga remake; also appear as recruitable enemies in Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser |
Super Mario Odyssey | Enemy | 2017 | Nintendo Switch | One of the enemies that can be captured and controlled using Cappy |
Mario Party: The Top 100 | Non-playable character | 2017 | Nintendo 3DS | |
Super Mario Party | Playable character | 2018 | Nintendo Switch | |
Mario Tennis Aces | Opponent | 2018 | Nintendo Switch | |
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | Enemy | 2018 | Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS | Same as in the original Wii U version |
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Non-playable character | 2018 | Nintendo Switch | Featured as an Assist Trophy |
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey | Enemy | 2018 | Nintendo 3DS | Only featured in Bowser Jr.'s Journey as recruitable enemies |
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | Enemy | 2019 | Nintendo Switch | Same as in both New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U |
Super Mario Maker 2 | Enemy | 2019 | Nintendo Switch | |
Dr. Mario World | Assistant | 2019 | iOS, Android | |
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 | Opponent | 2019 | Nintendo Switch | Featured as opponents in some of the 2D Events |
Mario Kart Tour | Opponent, playable character | 2020 | iOS, Android | Opponent in the Baby Rosalina Tour; playable since Hammer Bro Tour |
Paper Mario: The Origami King | Enemy | 2020 | Nintendo Switch | Featured as allies but have an enemy variant named Origami Hammer Bro |
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury | Enemy | 2021 | Nintendo Switch | Same as in Super Mario 3D World |
Mario Golf: Super Rush | Non-playable character | 2021 | Nintendo Switch | |
Mario Party Superstars | Non-playable character | 2021 | Nintendo Switch |
Gallery[]
To view Hammer Bro's image gallery, click here.
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