View source for Fireball (Donkey Kong)

{{Split|Fireball|Blue Fireball}}
{{italic title|id=yes}}
{{about|the [[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]] enemy|the similar fireball enemy from [[100m]]|[[Fire (enemy)]]}}
{{species infobox
|name=Fireball
|image=[[File:FireballMvsDKMOTM.png]]<br>A Fireball from ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]''
|first_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' ([[1981]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns HD]]'' (cameo) ([[2025]])
|variants=[[Blue Fireball]]<br>[[Faiachū]]<br>[[Fire (enemy)]]
|comparable=[[Flame (Donkey Kong 64)|Flame (''Donkey Kong 64'')]]<br>[[Podoboo]]
}}
The '''Fireballs''', also called '''firefoxes'''<ref>Instruction manual for the Commodore VIC-20 port{{page needed}}</ref> or '''foxfires''',<ref>[[Donkey Kong (coloring/activity books)|Donkey Kong: Puzzles & Mazes]]</ref> are fire-like enemies that first appeared in the original ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', where they usually reside in [[oil drum]]s and chase the player whenever they get near. The Fireballs are notable for being [[Mario]]'s first encountered and longest-standing enemy within the [[Mario (franchise)|franchise]].<ref name=Daijiten2/>

==''Donkey Kong'' appearances==
===''Donkey Kong'' series===
====''Donkey Kong''====
{{multiframe|[[File:DK Arcade Fireball Sprite.png]] [[File:DK Blue Fire.png]]}}
[[File:DK Oil Drum and Fireball.png|thumb|120px|left]]
The Fireballs make their first appearance in the original ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', where they appear as enemies encountered all throughout the game. In the levels [[25m|25 m]] and [[50m|50 m]], Fireballs will emerge from [[oil drum]]s (although in the former level, they will only spawn once the oil drum at the beginning of the level is hit by a blue barrel) before proceeding to chase after [[Mario]] for a short distance, while in [[75m|75 m]] and [[100m|100 m]], the Fireballs will continually patrol the sets of platforms throughout the stage (although in the case of the latter's stage, the Fireballs grow larger, making it harder to avoid them), with them also being able to climb [[ladder]]s, no matter if they are broken or fixed (though they cannot reverse directions during the climb), as well as not being able to fall of ledges. Additionally, there can only be up to five Fireballs onscreen at once in the [[arcade]] version, lowered slightly to four in the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] port. Like with other enemies and obstacles in the game, if Mario is touched by a Fireball, he loses a [[extra life|life]] and is forced to restart the level. If Mario jumps over a Fireball, he receives [[point]]s, but the only way to defeat them is with a [[hammer]], which also turns the Fireballs as well.

In the [[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Game Boy version]] of the game, the Fireballs appear in the [[Construction Site|Start]] of the game, being a recreation of the original arcade game, as well as appearing in [[Stage 1-3]], [[Stage 5-6]], and [[Stage 5-8]]. In this game, their role is virtually identical to how they behaved within the original arcade game.

Fireballs retain their role as enemies in the built-in port of the ''Donkey Kong'' arcade game in ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', acting the exact same as in the original.

====''Donkey Kong Circus''====
The Fireballs reappear as enemies in the [[Game & Watch]] game ''[[Donkey Kong Circus]]'', where [[Cranky Kong|Donkey Kong]] has to dodge them while trying to juggle [[pineapple]]s. If Donkey Kong grasps a Fireball, he will flail and count as a miss.

===''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series===
====''Mario vs. Donkey Kong''====
[[File:FireMvsDK.png|frame|left]]
In ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'' and its [[Nintendo Switch]] [[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)|remake]], the Fireballs reappear as uncommon enemies, where they are often seen monitoring set areas and will instantly cause [[Mario]] to lose a [[extra life|life]] if he comes into contact with them. Like in the original ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', the Fireballs can only be defeated by using [[hammer]]s (which are usually found nearby where the Fireballs are located).

In the remake, the Fireballs are redesigned to more closely resemble [[Podoboo|Lava Bubble]]s, who also return in the remake as well. Additionally, a new variant of the Fireballs known as the [[Blue Fireball]]s can be encountered in both [[Slippery Summit]] and its [[Slippery Summit Plus|plus variant]], acting the same as their regular counterparts, with the main difference being their capability of chilling Mario upon contact rather than burning him.

====''Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis''====
Fireballs reappear as enemies in ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]'' where they are only encountered during the final battle against Donkey Kong on the [[Roof (Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis)|Roof]], as well as [[B1]] and [[B2]] in [[DK's Hideout]]. On the Roof, Fireballs spawn from an [[Oil drum|oil can]] if a [[Barrel|barrel]] falls into it, while in B1, fireballs spawn from oil cans periodically without the use of barrels. In B2 however, two Fireballs spawn at the beginning of the level without being produced from an oil can. Similarly to their first appearance in ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', the Fireballs move along girders and ladders to pursue the [[Mini Mario (toy)|Mini Mario]]s, though unlike in previous appearances, the Fireballs can reverse their direction while climbing ladders. If a Mini Mario comes into contact with a Fireball, they will be burned and destroyed (although this can be circumvented if the Mini Mario is protected by a [[water drop]]). Like in previous appearances, the Fireballs can only be defeated by any [[Mini]] when using the [[Hammer]].

In addition to their appearance in the main game, the Fireballs also appear in the [[Construction Zone]], where they can be used in the [[Lava Dome]] construction kit and [[Special Kit 3]].

====''Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!''====  
Fireballs return once again as enemies in ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!]]'', where they first appear in [[Area 5-2]] and several subsequent levels. In this game, they behave similarly to their [[Donkey Kong (game)|original appearance]] by walking at a moderate pace along the ground, although they will start treading faster if the [[Mini]]s are holding [[hammer]]s. Beyond that, they function nearly identically to their previous appearances.

===''Donkey Kong Country Returns'' / ''Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D''===
[[File:Shifty Fire.png|thumb|A crushing block depicting Donkey Kong jumping over a Fireball from ''Donkey Kong Country Returns'']]
In ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'', as well as its [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D|remake]] and [[Nintendo Switch]] [[Donkey Kong Country Returns HD|remaster]], the Fireballs make a small cameo during the level [[Shifty Smashers]], where renders of them being jumped over by [[Cranky Kong|Donkey Kong]] in the same style as the original [[Donkey Kong (game)|arcade game]] can be found on some of the crushing blocks found throughout the stage.

==''Mario'' appearances==
===''Super Mario Bros. Special''===
[[File:SMBS Fireball Sharp X1.png|left|frame]]
In ''[[Super Mario Bros. Special]]'', the Fireballs (being referred to as '''Sigebou''' in this game) appear as enemies in both [[World 7-4 (Super Mario Bros. Special)|World 7-4]] and [[World 8-2 (Super Mario Bros. Special)|World 8-2]], acting similarly to how they did back in their [[Donkey Kong (game)|first appearance]]. However, unlike in the original ''Donkey Kong'', the Sigebou are able to fall off ledges.

===''Mario Kart'' series===
In both ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' and the ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]] – [[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]]'', a Fireball makes a small cameo in [[New York Minute]] on the {{wp|Times Square}} jumbotron, displaying a small animation based on the [[25m]] stage from the original ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' where [[Mario]] gets quickly defeated by a Fireball after climbing a [[ladder]].

==Crossover appearances==
===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
[[File:Fire in Brawl.png|thumb|[[Luigi]] right next to a Fireball in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'']]
In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', the Fireballs appear as obstacles on the [[75 m (stage)|75 m]] stage. In this stage, the Fireballs behave identically to their appearance in the original [[75m]] stage from the original ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]''. If a fighters comes into contact with a Fireball, they will receive 10% damage and moderate knockback.

===''NES Remix'' series===
[[File:NES Remix Stamp 082.png|thumb|left|A [[List of NES Remix stamps|Stamp]] of the Fireball from ''[[NES Remix]]'']]
In the [[NES Remix (series)|''NES Remix'' series]], Fireballs appear in ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]''-related challenges in ''[[NES Remix]]'', ''[[NES Remix Pack]]'', and ''[[Ultimate NES Remix]]''. Additionally, the Fireball also has an unlockable [[List of NES Remix stamps|Stamp]] as well.

===''Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle''===
While not physically appearing, the Fireballs are briefly referenced in the [[Donkey Kong Adventure]] DLC of ''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]'' during the description of [[Rabbid Cranky]]'s Barrel Bolt weapon, the [[List of weapons in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle#Oil Drum|Oil Drum]] (based on the [[oil drum|object from the same name]] from the original ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]''), it states that the weapon does not turn enemies into blue flames with eyes that chase the player, referencing the Fireballs color pattern when [[Mario]] acquires a [[hammer]] in that game.

===''Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition''===
In ''[[Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition]]'', the Fireballs appear in the ''Donkey Kong''-related challenges, retaining the same role that they had within the original game.
{{br|left}}
==Profiles and statistics==
===''[[Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten]]''===
====''Donkey Kong''====
'''<big>おじゃま虫(ファイア)</big><br>
'''{{hover|種族|しゅぞく}}'''　ゴースト{{hover|族|ぞく}}<br>
'''{{hover|性格|せいかく}}'''　のんびり{{hover|屋|や}}<br>
'''{{hover|登場|とうじょう}}ゲーム'''　ドンキー<br>
'''<big>{{ruby|遅|おそ}}いけどばかにできない</big><br>
マリオと{{ruby|出会|であ}}って１０{{ruby|年以上|ねにじょう}}、いちばん{{ruby|長|なが}}いつきあいのザコ{{ruby|敵|てき}}キャラだ。ファイア{{ruby|系|けい}}・ゴースト{{ruby|族|ぞく}}の{{ruby|長老|ちょうろう}}。{{ruby|動|うご}}きはゆっくりだが、とにかくジャマ。タイミングをはかって、{{ruby|抜|ぬ}}けよう。<ref name=Daijiten2>「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」 (''Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten''), [https://i.imgur.com/JvlCwyh.jpeg page 49].</ref>

'''<big>Trouble bug</big><br>
''Tribe: Ghost clan''<br>
''Disposition: Easygoing''<br>
''Game appearances: Donkey''<br>
'''''<big>Slow but not ridiculous</big><br>
''He has been Mario's longest-standing enemy character for more than 10 years. He is the elder of the fire and ghost clan. He moves slowly, but he is a nuisance. Try to get out of the way at the right time.''

====''Donkey Kong'' (Game Boy)====
'''<big>ドラムカンファイア</big><br>
'''{{hover|種族|しゅぞく}}'''　ゴースト族<br>
'''{{hover|性格|せいかく}}'''　熱血<br>
'''{{hover|登場|とうじょう}}ゲーム'''　GBドンキー<br>
'''<big>近づくと丸こげだぞ！</big><br>
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。<ref name=Daijiten>「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」 (''Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten''), [https://i.imgur.com/7TQ9Q1l.jpeg page 135].</ref>

'''''<big>Drum Can Fire</big><br>
''Tribe: Ghost clan''<br>
''Disposition: Hot-blooded''<br>
''Game appearances: GB Donkey''<br>
'''''<big>Get close enough and you'll get a full burn!</big><br>
''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==
{{main-gallery}}

==Additional names==
===Internal names===
{{internal names
|game1=''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]''
|file1=<tt>data/data/anims/fireball_anim.bin</tt>
|name1=fireball
|meaning1=-
|game2=[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)|''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' (Nintendo Switch)]]
|file2=<tt>Model/FireBall_Shared.bfres.zs</tt>
|name2=FireBall
|meaning2=Fire Ball
|game3=''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' (Nintendo Switch)
|file3=<tt>FireBallBlue.bfres.zs</tt>
|name3=FireBallBlue
|meaning3=Blue Fire Ball; applied to Slippery Summit variant
}}

===Names in other languages===
{{foreign names
|Jap=おじゃまむし
|JapR=Ojama mushi
|JapM=Trouble bug
|Jap2=ドラムカンファイア
|Jap2R=Doramu Kan Faia
|Jap2M=Drum Can Fire<ref name=Daijiten/>
|Jap3=火の玉
|Jap3R=Hi no Tama
|Jap3M=Fireball
|Fre=Insectes à problèmes
|FreM=Problem insects<ref>[https://www.smashbros.com/wii/fr/stages/stage30.html 75m]. Smash Bros. DOJO!!.</ref>
|Fre2=Boule de feu
|Fre2M=Fireball<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/11lIyNWuXIS7IN4RNE_Rih--i2L2iMomO/view ''Donkey Kong'' (Amstrad CPC) French instruction booklet]. Page 2.</ref><ref>''Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!'' Help Mode & Construction Zone</ref>
|Fre3=Renard de feu
|Fre3M=Fire fox<ref>''Donkey Kong'' (Atari) European instruction booklet, page 2.</ref>
|Ger=Feuerball
|GerM=Fireball
|Ita=Volpe di fuoco
|ItaM=Firefox
|ItaC=<ref>{{cite|title=''Donkey Kong'' Atari manual|page=2}}</ref>
|Ita2=Palla di fuoco
|Ita2M=Fireball
|Ita3=Insetto rognoso
|Ita3M=Troublesome insect<ref>[https://www.smashbros.com/wii/it/stages/stage30.html 75m]. Smash Bros. DOJO!!.</ref>
|Ita4=Fiammella
|Ita4M=Little flame<ref>''[[Arcade Archives]] Donkey Kong'', in-game manual</ref>
|Kor=방해꾼 벌레
|KorR=Banghaekkun bul-lae
|KorM=Disrupter Bug
|Por=Bola de fogo
|PorM=Fireball <small>(''Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition'')</small>
|Spa=El brasas
|SpaM=The embers
}}

==Trivia==
*The Fireballs are notable for being the first ever enemy encountered within the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise as a whole.
*The Fireballs bear a striking resemblance to the [[Podoboo]]s, a common reoccurring fire-like enemy that debuted in the original ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
*The Fireballs make a small appearance in the [[2015]] film ''[[wikipedia:Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]'', where they are present during the final battle scene with [[Cranky Kong|Donkey Kong]] based on the original [[Donkey Kong (game)|arcade game]], acting as obstacles for Sam Brenner and his allies to avoid.

==References==
<references/>

{{DK}}
{{SMBS}}
{{DKGB}}
{{DK64}}
{{MVDK}}
{{MVDK2MOTM}}
{{MVDKMLM}}
[[Category:Fire creatures]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong (game)]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong (game) enemies]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong (Game Boy) enemies]]
[[Category:Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis enemies]]
[[Category:Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario Bros. Special enemies]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. series enemies]]