Time Bob-omb

The Time Bob-omb during the battle with Roy Koopa.

“When the number on the face of the Time Bob-omb reaches zero, it's Game Over for you! Defeat the Koopaling before the number reaches zero!”

—Time Bob-omb, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

The Time Bob-omb is a small red Bob-omb with a digital timer on its face that appears in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. It appears during the boss battles with Roy Koopa, Wendy O. Koopa, and Larry Koopa in Bowser's Castle. It does not attack Mario and Luigi until the digital timer on its face reaches zero. When it does, the Mario Bros. will be instantly knocked out under normal circumstances. The timer counts down from 8, and the brothers have only eight turns to beat the Koopalings. It retreats from each battle after the Koopaling is defeated.

The Time Bob-omb eventually sneaks up behind the Bros. after they nearly defeat Bowletta, and self-destructs right next to them, incapacitating them. This allows Bowletta to suck them into her stomach, where they fight Cackletta's Soul. Even if they manage to defeat Bowletta in just one hit, they will still get sucked in.

The Time Bob-omb actually does a set amount of damage to the Mario Bros., which is -398 HP. During the Koopaling battles, if Mario and/or Luigi have more than 398 HP, they will not get knocked out and have unlimited turns to defeat the boss after it detonates. Bowletta will still find the Bros. conscious if they have more than 398 HP during the final battle, but still sucks them in regardless of their condition.

Trivia

• This Bob-omb bears a resemblance to the Bob-ombs seen in Super Mario Sunshine as both have digital faces; however, it lacks the wind-up key located at the top of their heads.