Circus Balls (also called Beach Balls, Magical Balls, Rubber Balls, or simply Balls) are a type of yellow bouncy ball with stars imprinted on them that are primarily used by Lemmy Koopa. During his battles, Lemmy is often seen balancing on a Circus Ball and he can spawn Circus Balls from his wand which Mario/Luigi must dodge and bounce upon to reach Lemmy. The Circus Balls are rather bouncy so the plumbers will spring back if they are hit. Outside battles, Circus Balls are sometimes used as a means of reaching high platforms.
History[]
Super Mario Bros. 3[]
Lemmy tossing his Circus Balls around the room.
Circus Balls are first seen in Super Mario Bros. 3. In this game, they are mainly seen during the battle with Lemmy Koopa (at the end of the Ice Land). In this game, Lemmy can be seen riding on a Circus Ball and from it, he will launch Circus Balls at Mario/Luigi (rather than the usual Magic Projectile attacks the other Koopalings possess). If the plumbers are to be bumped by a bouncing Circus Ball, they will be bounced back so the plumbers must dodge and bounce on the Circus Balls to reach Lemmy. When Lemmy Koopa is hit, he will bounce in his shell before donning a new Circus Ball, after the hits, Lemmy falls with his Circus Ball and the plumbers emerge victorious.
Super Mario World[]
Iggy Koopa rolls a Circus Ball.
Circus Balls reappear in Super Mario World however this time, they are not used by Lemmy Koopa but rather, Iggy Koopa and Larry Koopa use them instead. During their respective battles, Iggy and Larry will try to toss Circus Balls at the plumbers which they must dodge. If they are hit, they will be bounced back which makes it easier to fall in the lava so avoid them at all costs as you go to jump on Iggy/Larry's head.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[]
Lemmy tossing Circus Balls at the Mario Crew.
Circus Balls appear again in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, in this game, they are once again utilized by Lemmy Koopa in his battles in World 3-Tower and World 3-Castle. In these games, Lemmy balances atop a Circus Ball whilst spawning several bouncing Circus Balls from his wand, if the heroes are hit by a Circus Ball, they will be bounced back and may slip off the icy edges so be careful. Whenever Lemmy is stomped, his Circus Ball falls as he takes damage, when Lemmy emerges from his shell, he gets a new Circus Ball. As the battle progresses, Lemmy will shoot more Circus Balls. In World 3-Castle, there are several Circus Balls seen bouncing around which the plumbers can use to reach higher platforms. Also in the same level during the boss fight, Lemmy rides on a Large Circus Ball which makes reaching him more difficult.
New Super Mario Bros. 2[]
Lemmy about to launch a Circus Ball at Mario from his own.
Circus Balls return in New Super Mario Bros. 2 once again being utilized by Lemmy Koopa in his battle in World Flower-Castle. During the battle, Lemmy will ride on a Circus Ball while tossing more Circus Balls at Mario/Luigi. The plumbers must dodge and bounce on these Circus Balls and avoid falling off to hit Lemmy. They can also bounce off a Circus Ball to hit the switch on the room's roof to change the conveyor belt's direction. Just as before, being hit by a Circus Ball will bounce the plumbers around, when Lemmy is hit, his Circus Ball will drop and he will spin in his shell before utilizing a new Circus Ball. Circus Balls can also be seen around World Flower-Castle as well where they can be used to bounce to higher platforms.
New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe[]
Lemmy shocked at the appearance of the Mario Crew from his Circus Ball.
Circus Balls also appear in New Super Mario Bros. U as well as New Super Luigi U and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe once again being used by Lemmy Koopa in his boss fights in Lemmy's Swingback Castle and Lemmy's Lights-Out Castle. During the battle, Lemmy rides his Circus Ball as he attacks but this time, he is seen tossing Circus Bombs at the heroes rather than Circus Balls. These variations of Circus Balls explode on impact so avoid them at all costs. With every hit, Lemmy's Circus Ball will drop as he spins in his shell before retrieving a new Circus Ball.
Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition[]
Little Lemmy Koopa on his Circus Ball.
Circus Balls appear again in Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition once again being utilized by Lemmy Koopa. Most of Lemmy's attacks often involve him utilizing the Circus Balls, additionally, Lemmy is also seen riding a Circus Ball.
Paper Mario: Color Splash[]
Lemmy's putting on a show with his Circus Ball performance.
Circus Balls are seen once again in Paper Mario: Color Splash where they are once again utilized by Lemmy Koopa. In this game however, they have a different design (having red and green stripes) highly resembling a beachball. In the Emerald Circus, Lemmy is often seen using the Circus Ball during his performances and acts. He also uses it in his boss battle, to beat him, Mario will need to use jump attacks to attack him from way atop the Circus Ball. Halfway through the battle, Lemmy ditches the Circus Ball for a much more powerful variety called the Wonder Ball. To pop it, Mario will need to use a Disco card to distract Lemmy and the Ice Pick to pop the Wonder Ball.
Super Mario Maker 2[]
Little Lemmy rides on his Circus Ball again!
Circus Balls are seen yet again in Super Mario Maker 2. In this game, they are once again used by Lemmy Koopa and he is seen riding a Circus Ball by default. Lemmy also tosses Circus Balls from his magic wand which Mario can dodge or bounce upon. If Mario is hit by a Circus Ball, he will be bounced back. They can once again be bounced upon to reach Lemmy. The Circus Balls function similarly to Bumpers.
Trivia[]
- Most Circus Balls have a few stars imprinted on them but the one Lemmy Koopa is seen riding in World 3-Castle of New Super Mario Bros. Wii has stars imprinted all over. This is primarily because it was later enlarged into a Large Circus Ball by Kamek.
- The Circus Balls slightly resemble the Pixar Ball from the movie Toy Story.
