The Hammer Bro is a recurring enemy in the Mario video game series. Created by Japanese video game designer Kazuaki Morita, it is a subspecies of Koopa Troopa that walks upright and attacks by throwing hammer projectiles at the player character. Different variations of the character, based on projectiles they throw, include Boomerang Bro, Fire Bro, Sledge Bro, Sumo Bro, and Ice Bro. It has appeared in nearly every Super Mario game since its first appearance in Super Mario Bros., and has also appeared in various animated and printed adaptations.
Appearances
''Super Mario'' series
The Hammer Bro. first appeared in Super Mario Bros., where they would jump from platforms and throw hammers at Mario or Luigi. In the game, they were usually found in pairs. They later appeared in its sequel, , where they were found more commonly. Although they were absent in Super Mario Bros. 2, they did appear in Super Mario Bros. 3, in which they behaved in the same way as they did in the original game. Also, more varieties of the Hammer Bro. were added, including the Boomerang Bro., whose boomerangs returned to them, the Fire Bro., who spat fireballs, and the Sledge Bro., who was considerably larger and could cause an earthquake when he landed from a jump. Super Mario Bros. 3 also featured the Hammer Bros. Suit, which granted Mario and Luigi the ability to throw hammers of their own and also conferred immunity against fire attacks while ducking. Although the basic Hammer Bro. was absent again from Super Mario World, two new subspecies were added, the Amazing Flyin' Hammer Brother, and the Sumo Brother, both of which would later appear in New Super Mario Bros., New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Super Mario 3D Land, Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. 2, New Super Mario Bros. U. They reappeared in Super Mario Odyssey, where Mario can use their powers for the first time in 3D and on Super Mario Maker and also Super Mario Maker 2. They appear mostly in the Luncheon Kingdom, wearing chef hats and tossing frying pans instead of hammers. ''
Other appearances
The Hammer Bro. appeared in most of the Mario spin-off games, such as Super Mario RPG, the Paper Mario series, the Mario & Luigi series, the Mario Party series, even as a playable character in Mario Party 8 and Super Mario Party, Dance Dance RevolutionMario Mix, the Mario sports games and Super Princess Peach. They also appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as an Assist Trophy and an Adventure Mode enemy. Hammer Bro officially made its Mario Kart debut as a playable driver in Mario Kart Tour. In media, Hammer Bros. have appeared in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! and The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 television series, as well as in printed media such as Nintendo Comics System and Nintendo Adventure Books. In the Mario role-playing games, the Hammer Bros. usually appear in pairs and reprise their role as Bowser's minions, trying to stop Mario and Luigi. Sometimes, however, they are neutral.
Reception
The Hammer Bros. were named as one of the eight most underrated video game characters by CNET editor Nate Lanxon, who contrasted the duo in the first Super Mario Bros. from other enemies in the series who would merely wander aimlessly in the level. Game Daily listed Hammer Bros. as the fifth best Mario enemy, citing the difficulty involved in defeating them. Nintendo Power listed the Hammer Bros. as one of the things that they love to hate, citing the difficulty involved in defeating or avoiding them. IGN listed Hammer Bro. as one of the characters they wanted for the then-unreleased Mario Kart 7, saying that the "terrifying twin turtles were the most devious and dangerous foes in the original Super Mario Bros. besides Bowser himself." The Hammer Bros. were listed as second in Nintendo 3DS Daily's list of the top ten enemies more common in recent games, claiming "Super Mario World already kind of screwed them over by sticking them on winged blocks and having them appear only ever so often, but they've technically been absent from the platformers for two whole console generations!" It was also described by IGN's Audrey Drake as one of the best Mario enemies, stating that "Hammer Bros., naturally, throw hammers, while their Boomerang Bro. counterparts throw boomerangs. Whatever you do, make sure you don't underestimate these guys - when you're trapped in a room with them as small Mario without a Power-Up in sight, they can be downright frightening". A variety of Mario-related merchandise depicting Hammer Bros. have been produced over the years by Nintendo; this merchandise includes figures made by Jakks Pacific, Figurine, and a Plush toy.
