There are few video game series that are as iconic as Nintendo’s Super Mario. Mario started as a reliable mascot for Nintendo consoles, but he’s turned into a constant innovator when it comes to what platforming video games can accomplish. Nintendo has done an excellent job in fleshing out their respective series, yet no one else seems to have the eternal allure of Mario.
Mario’s adventures keep getting bigger and feature more surprising environments and enemies to conquer. A lot of Super Mario enemies have become celebrated in various ways, yet some hold higher esteem than others. Chargin’ Chucks should be familiar faces to any longtime Mario fans, but there’s a lot about them that people don’t know.
10 He’s Playable For The First Time In Mario Golf: Super Rush
The various Super Mario multiplayer endeavors have featured more and more supporting characters and random enemies on the roster. It’s exciting to control Koopas, Piranha Plants, or Shy Guys, but now audiences can finally play as a Chargin’ Chuck. Mario Golf: Super Rush is the latest entry in the popular Mario sports spin-off series, but it gives Chargin’ Chuck some appreciated focus. Chargin’ Chuck may seem more at home in a Mario football title, but perhaps that’s part of the novelty of his inclusion in a golf title.
9 Their First Appearance Is In Super Mario World
Ask any Nintendo fan what their favorite game in the Super Mario franchise is and it’s impossible to predict what they’ll choose. There is constant innovation across Super Mario titles, but it’s impossible to overlook how the Super Nintendo’s Super Mario World pushed both the series as well as platformers in general forward. Super Mario World is still a masterpiece decades later, and it’s responsible for many firsts in the franchise. Chargin’ Chucks are among several of the new enemies that appear for the first time in Super Mario World, but they’ve remained an important presence ever since.
8 Multiple Variations Of The Character Exist
Chargin’ Chucks are some of the most frustrating and creative enemies to appear in the Super Nintendo classic Super Mario World, but the game doesn’t squander the character’s design and pushes it as far as possible.
Rather than just stand on this one unique enemy, Super Mario World is full of different takes on the character that are all slightly altered to feature different obstacles. Alongside Chargin’ Chucks are Clappin’ Chucks, Passin’ Chucks, Diggin’ Chucks, Lookout Chucks, Confused Chucks, Splittin’ Chucks, and more, yet the original is the only one with a lasting legacy.
7 Their Name Is Changed In Different Regions Of The World
A very entertaining component of the characters and enemies that fill up the Super Mario universe is that they usually have names that are comical in some way or are just plain weird. Chargin’ Chuck feels incredibly appropriate for the character, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s actually an Americanized name. Chargin’ Chuck has many creative monikers in different regions, like Fred Lafonce, Charlie the Charger, and Bill Dozer in certain French markets. He’s referred to as Demolikoopa in some Portuguese regions, and in Japan, the character is simply known as Bull.
6 They Have A Fashionable Blue Mohawk Hidden Under Their Helmets
What’s so interesting about video game characters is that anything that isn’t explicitly shown is considered a mystery. It’s surprising how long it took a character like Mario to ditch his hat and reveal his full head of hair. Similarly, Chargin’ Chucks are largely defined by their bulbous football helmets which keep the rest of their heads a mystery. Super Mario 3D World finally pulls back the veil here and shows that these enemies have a striking blue mohawk underneath their helmets. This design element has stuck, but it’s surprising that it took nearly 25 years after Chargin’ Chuck’s debut to come to light.
5 Their Primary Purpose Is To Protect Dinosaur Land Goals
Bowser is quite determined in his mission to keep Mario away from success. His efforts lead to a wealth of enemies, some of which are seemingly scattered around environments with random abandon. However, some enemies have distinct purposes, which is a privilege that extends to the Chargin’ Chucks.
The different levels in Super Mario World are mostly complemented with football-esque goalposts that mark their ends. Chargin’ Chucks typically guard these goals to provide one final challenge. However, the whole football aesthetic that accompanies the Chargin’ Chucks is likely an extension of the goalpost imagery that’s present.
4 They Share Many Similarities With Fellow Mario Enemy, Broozers
The Super Mario universe is full of hundreds of diverse enemies, which means that it's inevitable that there are similarities and crossovers between certain creatures. Chargin' Chuck feels distinct, but New Super Mario Bros. brings forward Broozers, an aggressive ghost-like enemy that charges through blocks and takes several hits to defeat. This connection between the two is solidified even further in Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser as well as Bowser Jr.'s Journey, where both Chargin' Chucks and Broozers carry the same special skills.
3 They Have A Weakness Against Mechakoopas
Over the course of the Super Mario franchise, there has steadily been an increase of enemies that test Mario’s resilience and platforming skills. Some of these enemies feel disposable and don’t make much of an impact, but Chargin’ Chucks are so distinct that they’re often present during congregations of Bowser’s best. Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga, Bowser’s Inside Story, and Minion Quest give Chargin’ Chucks plenty of focus. These games explain that Chargin’ Chucks are actually weak against Mechakoopas, which may just be specific to these games, but still hints at an interesting hierarchy among Bowser’s minions.
2 They Love To Frequent Hot Springs
The Paper Mario series has gone through many interesting periods of transition that often prioritize new aesthetics that can turn into a premise. The Nintendo Switch entry in the series, Paper Mario: The Origami King, reinvents classic Super Mario figures as intricate works of papercraft. The Origami King has Chargin’ Chucks in tow, but the game reveals an enlightening detail regarding how these brutes relax. Chargin’ Chucks are featured in the Shangri-Spa area, but the game explicitly mentions that they’re passionate about hot springs. It likely helps soothe their bodies after all of that charging and tackling.
1 They Have A Presence In The Mario Manga And Animated Series
Mario has made his biggest mark in video games, but the character’s rampant popularity has pushed Nintendo’s mascot into other forms of media, such as manga and television series. The Super Mario World animated series is a bit of a lost relic that’s not the strongest representation of Mario, but it makes prominent use of Chargin’ Chucks and doubles down on their football influence. Super Mario-kun is a comedic gag manga that reinterprets the events from the video games, and the Super Mario World volumes get a lot of use out of Chargin’ Chucks as aggressive obstacles.