Trouble Bug
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| Trouble Bug | |
|---|---|
 A Trouble Bug from Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. | |
| First appearance | Donkey Kong (1981) |
| Latest appearance | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) |
Trouble Bugs (also called Fires, Fireballs, and Firefoxes) are the first generic enemies in a Mario game. They are living embodiments of fire similar to the Podoboos from Super Mario Bros.
History
Donkey Kong
Trouble Bugs make their first appearance in the original Donkey Kong and in its remake for the Game Boy as enemies. In levels 25m and 50m, Trouble Bugs emerge from the Oil Drums and then chase after Jumpman, although they have short attention spans. If Jumpman is touched by a Trouble Bug, he loses a life and is forced to restart the level. Trouble bugs can climb ladders, no matter if they are broken or fixed, but cannot reverse directions during the climb. They cannot fall from ledges or cross gaps. Eventually, they migrate to the top of the level. If Jumpman jumps over a Trouble Bug, he receives points, but the only way to destroy them is with a hammer. Picking up a hammer causes the Trouble Bugs to turn blue. In the climactic fourth level, they grow larger, which makes them more difficult to jump over. There can only be five or less Trouble Bugs on the screen at the same time in the arcade version; that number was lowered to four in the Nintendo Entertainment System remake of the game.
Super Mario Bros. Special
Their next appearance was in Super Mario Bros. Special where they were credited as Sigebou. The name was created by Hudson Soft's staff. These enemies can fall off the edges of platforms.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
They appear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong, where they will often be seen monitoring a set area. They will instantly burn Mario on contact thus causing him to lose a life.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
They re-appear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis in the final boss fight with Donkey Kong, on the roof and the basement levels. They will spawn from Oil Barrels if a wooden barrel falls in to them just like in the original Donkey Kong and they will throughout the field in the same as in the original as well. They can now reverse directions while climbing ladders.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Trouble Bug also appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the 75m stage. On that stage, Trouble Bugs can damage the fighters by touching them. Each hit does 10% damage and moderate knockback.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
Trouble Bug appears in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! as enemies once again. They sport a more retro appearance and will also suicidally charge at Mario if he is holding a hammer.
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | おじゃま虫 Ojamamushi ファイア Faia |
Trouble Bug Fire |
| Italian | Fiammetto | Same name as the Podoboo |
Trivia
- Trouble Bugs made a small appearance in the 2015 film Pixels. They are present during the final battle scene with Donkey Kong based on the Arcade Game. They acted as obstacles for Sam Brenner (the protagonist) and his allies to avoid.
