Fireball (Donkey Kong)

This article is about the Donkey Kong enemy. For the similar fireball enemy from 100m, see Fire (100m).

Fireball
A Fireball from Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
First appearance	Donkey Kong (1981)
Latest appearance	Tetris 99 (version 2.0, cameo) (2019) Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018, Mario franchise)
Variants Faiachū Fire (100m)
Comparable Flame (Donkey Kong 64) Hothead

Fireballs (also generically fireballs or firefoxes) are enemies that first appeared in Donkey Kong. They are living embodiments of fire similar to the Lava Bubbles from Super Mario Bros.

History

Donkey Kong franchise

Donkey Kong

Fireball first emerging from an oil drum

Fireballs make their first appearance in the original Donkey Kong as enemies. In levels 25 m and 50 m, Fireballs emerge from the oil drums and then chase after Mario, although they have short attention spans. In the former level, they only emerge when the oil drum is hit by a blue barrel. If Mario is touched by a Fireball, he loses a life and is forced to restart the level. Fireballs 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 Mario jumps over a Fireball, he receives points, but the only way to destroy them is with a hammer. Picking up a hammer causes the Fireballs to turn blue. In 25m and 50m, there can be a maximum of five Fireballs simultaneously onscreen. In 75 m, two Fireballs patrol a set of platforms.

Donkey Kong Circus

In their second appearance, Donkey Kong has to dodge Fireballs while trying to juggle pineapples in Donkey Kong Circus for the Game & Watch.

Donkey Kong (Game Boy)

In Donkey Kong for Game Boy, Fireballs appear in the Start, which is a recreation of the arcade original, as well as in Stage 1-3, Stage 5-6, and Stage 5-8.

Donkey Kong 64

During the events of Donkey Kong 64, Fireballs retain their role of enemies in a built-in port of the classic Donkey Kong game, playable through an arcade machine found inside Frantic Factory.

Donkey Kong Country Returns / Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

Fireballs make cameo appearances in Donkey Kong Country Returns and its enhanced port. In a level called Shifty Smashers, some crushing blocks feature renders of Donkey Kong agitatingly leaping over a Fireball enemy. The imprints are imitations of the characters' original sprites from the Donkey Kong arcade classic.

Super Mario Bros. Special

Their third appearance is in Super Mario Bros. Special, where they are credited as Sigebou. These enemies can fall off the edges of platforms. They are found only in Worlds 7-4 and 8-2 and are indestructible.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong series

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Fireballs appear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong, where they are often seen monitoring a set area. However, they are considerably scarce during the course of the game. They will instantly burn Mario on contact, thus causing him to lose a life. Much to the plumber's advantage, they can be crushed with hammers usually found nearby.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis

Fireballs reappear 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 drums 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.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!

Fireballs appear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! as enemies once again, being introduced in Area 5-2. They closely resemble their arcade counterparts and walk at a moderate pace along the ground, although they will start treading faster once the Minis take hold of hammers.

Super Smash Bros. series

Fireball as it appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Fireballs also appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the 75 m stage. On that stage, Fireballs can damage the fighters by touching them. Each hit does 10% damage and moderate knockback.

NES Remix series

Stamp

Fireballs appear in Donkey Kong related challenges in NES Remix, NES Remix Pack, and Ultimate NES Remix.

Profiles and statistics

Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten

ドラムカンファイア
種族　ゴースト族
性格　熱血
登場ゲーム　GBドンキー
近づくと丸こげだぞ！
ドラム缶から出てくる火の玉。少しでち触れると、一発で丸こげになってしまう。ハンマーを持っていれば倒せるが、素手では、たちうちできない。ひたすら逃げまくろう。

Fireball
Tribe: Ghost clan
Disposition: Hot-blooded
Game appearances: GB Donkey
Get close enough and you'll get a full burn!
A fireball coming out of a drum. If you touch it even a little, it will burn you to a crisp. If you have a hammer, you can defeat them, but you cannot hit them with your bare hands. Just keep running away from them.

Gallery

Artwork

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  Arcade Fireball from Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten, labeled as 「おじゃま虫(ファイア)」 (ojama mushi (Faia), "trouble bug (Fire)").

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  Game Boy Fireball from Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten, labeled as 「ドラムカンファイア」 (Doramu Kan Faia, "Drum Can Fire").

Sprites

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  Donkey Kong (Arcade)

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  Donkey Kong (NES)

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  Donkey Kong (Amstrad CPC)

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  Donkey Kong (Atari 7800)

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	火の玉 Hi no Tama おじゃまむし Ojama Mushi	Fireball Trouble Bug
German	Feuerball[?]	Fireball
Italian	insetto rognoso	troublesome insect
Spanish	el brasas	the embers