You’re swimming through a pixelated sea, trying to time your breaths, and suddenly a round, red fish with wings just... floats into your path. It’s a Cheep Cheep. Most players don't even think twice about them. They’re basically the Goombas of the sea, right? Well, sort of. But after forty years of dodging these things, I’ve realized they are actually one of the most mechanically complex "simple" enemies in the Nintendo universe.
Honestly, Cheep Cheeps are kind of weird. They’ve been around since the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES (1985), and unlike the Koopa Troopa or even Bowser, their design hasn't changed all that much. They have those vacant, staring eyes, those tiny white wings that somehow let them fly, and a permanent look of surprise. It’s like they’re as shocked to see you as you are to see them.
The Evolutionary History of the Mario Cheep Cheep
In the beginning, they were just red and gray. In the 1985 classic, the red ones were the aggressive ones, constantly swimming toward you or leaping from the bottom of the screen in those infamous bridge levels. The gray ones (which eventually became the green ones we know today) just kind of hung out at specific depths. It was a simple binary system. If it’s red, it’s coming for you. If it’s not, it’s just vibing.
Then came Super Mario Bros. 3. This is where things got intense. We got the Boss Bass—which is essentially just a giant Cheep Cheep that wants to swallow you whole. It was terrifying. You’re trying to jump across moving platforms in World 3, and this massive red fish is tracking your every move, waiting for your toe to touch the water. It changed the dynamic from "avoid the obstacle" to "run for your life from a predator."
By the time we hit the 3D era with Super Mario 64, the Cheep Cheep from Mario became more environmental. They weren't just hurdles; they were part of the scenery in Jolly Roger Bay. But Nintendo didn’t stop there. They started introducing sub-species. You’ve got the Blurps, the Deep-Cheeps, and those annoying Spiny Cheep Cheeps that make water levels a nightmare.
Why the Cheep Cheep is a Masterclass in Game Design
It’s easy to dismiss a fish that moves in a straight line, but let’s talk about area denial. In a platformer, movement is everything. The Cheep Cheep exists to restrict your movement options. When you’re underwater, you’re already slower. You’re floaty. By placing a Cheep Cheep in your path, the designers aren't just giving you something to kill; they’re forcing you to manage your momentum.
Think about the "Cheep Cheep bridge" levels. You know the ones. You're running across a long bridge, and dozens of fish are arching over you. This isn't just random. The arc of a jumping Cheep Cheep is specifically calculated to intersect with Mario’s jump height. It’s a timing puzzle disguised as a fish.
They aren't just in the water anymore
One of the funniest things about these guys is their blatant disregard for biology. They have wings. They use them. In Mario Kart, they’re obstacles on the track. In Super Mario Odyssey, you can actually capture them using Cappy. This was a revelation for me. Finally, we got to feel how they move. They don't have to worry about oxygen. They just glide. It’s oddly peaceful, until you realize you’re still a target for everything else in the ocean.
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The Variants You Definitely Forgot
If you think there's only one type of Cheep Cheep, you haven't been paying attention. The Mario universe is crawling with them.
- Eep-Cheeps: These are the ones from New Super Mario Bros. Wii that turn yellow and run away when you get close. They’re basically cowards.
- Mecha Cheeps: From Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam. Yes, someone actually built robotic versions of these fish. Why? Probably because the real ones weren't efficient enough at being annoying.
- Fishbone: This is the undead version. If you go into a sunken ghost ship or a castle underwater, you’ll find these skeletal remains. They don’t follow the "stop when I look at you" rule like Boos. They just keep coming.
The sheer variety shows that Nintendo views the Cheep Cheep as a fundamental building block. You need a fast enemy? Make a green one. You need a heavy hitter? Bring in the Big Bertha. You need a jump scare? Use the ones that leap from the lava in Bowser’s Castle.
Technical Nuance: How Cheep Cheeps Function in Code
Back in the 8-bit days, the "jumping" Cheep Cheep was actually a clever way to handle memory limitations. Water levels are resource-heavy because of the physics involved. By having enemies jump from the "off-screen" area (the void below the bridge), the game didn't have to render them constantly. They only existed for the duration of their arc.
This created a specific rhythm. Once you learn the "spawn rate" of a Cheep Cheep bridge, the level becomes a dance. You aren't reacting to the fish; you're reacting to the rhythm of the game's internal clock. Modern Mario games like Super Mario Maker 2 allow players to place these fish in pipes, making them infinite hazards. It’s a testament to their utility.
Real Talk: Why do they have goggles in some games?
In Super Mario Sunshine, some Cheep Cheeps actually wear goggles. It’s one of those "don't think too hard about it" Nintendo moments. They are fish. Underwater. Wearing goggles. Maybe the water in Isle Delfino is just really salty? Or maybe it’s just a style choice. Either way, it adds to that weird, surreal charm that makes the Mario universe feel alive.
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The Most Iconic Appearances
You can't talk about these fish without mentioning Mario Kart. Cheep Cheep Beach is a staple. It’s usually a low-tier mushroom cup track, but it’s beautiful. The fish here act as dynamic obstacles. Hit one, and your drift is ruined. It’s a classic example of taking a platformer enemy and translating its core mechanic—unpredictable movement—into a racing context.
Then there’s Super Princess Peach. In this game, Cheep Cheeps actually change based on Peach's emotions. If she's "Sad," the fish might behave differently. It’s a weird footnote in the history of the franchise, but it shows how versatile the "blank slate" design of the fish really is.
Debunking the "Useless Fish" Myth
Some people say Cheep Cheeps are the weakest enemies. I disagree.
A Goomba is easy to stomp. A Koopa gives you a shell to use as a weapon. But a Cheep Cheep? In many games, you can't even touch them without a Fire Flower or a Starman. If you’re playing a "pure" platforming run without power-ups, the Cheep Cheep is actually one of the most dangerous enemies because it is often untouchable. You can't jump on a fish in the water. You can only avoid it.
That makes them a "hard" obstacle in game design terms. They are a wall you have to navigate around rather than a speed bump you can crush.
How to Handle Cheep Cheeps Like a Pro
If you’re struggling with a water level or a bridge section, there are a few real strategies you can use.
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First, watch the screen edges. In most classic Mario games, jumping Cheep Cheeps trigger based on your horizontal position. If you stop moving, they stop spawning. You can literally control the flow of enemies by stuttering your movement.
Second, remember that in 3D games like Mario Odyssey, the Cheep Cheep has a turning radius. They aren't nimble. If you can get behind them, they’re harmless. They don't have a "back attack" like a Pokey or a Spiny.
Third, use the environment. In many levels, there are "safe pockets" where the fish's AI pathing can't reach. If you see a dip in the floor or a pipe, stay there and observe the pattern. Every Cheep Cheep has a pattern.
Actionable Steps for your next Playthrough:
- Master the "Mid-Air Stall": When dealing with jumping fish on bridges, learn to tap "back" on the D-pad mid-jump. This changes your trajectory and lets the fish pass in front of you.
- Fire Flower Priority: Always save your Fire Flower for water levels. It is the only consistent way to clear a path. Without it, you're playing a game of "Don't Touch the Stove."
- Capture Mechanics: In Super Mario Odyssey, use the Cheep Cheep capture to explore deep underwater areas without worrying about air. It’s the fastest way to find hidden Moons in the Lake Kingdom.
- Observation: Before rushing through a school of fish, count to three. Most schools in Mario move in cycles. If you time your entrance to the "gap" in the cycle, you won't have to dodge at all.
Cheep Cheeps are a permanent fixture for a reason. They are the perfect blend of cute and annoying. They represent the "chaos factor" in Mario’s world. Whether they are flying through the air or lurking in the depths of a tropical reef, they remind us that in the Mushroom Kingdom, nowhere is truly safe—not even the water. Next time you see one, don't just swim past. Appreciate the forty years of design that went into that little red fish with the vacant stare. It’s earned its spot in the pantheon.