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4[[quoteright:247:[[Franchise/DragonQuest https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mascot_mook.png]]]]
5[[caption-width-right:247:@@Slime sodas draw near!\
6Command?@@]]
7
8Most {{Mooks}} exist solely to [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die en masse]] at the hero's hands. Some become emblematic of the series in the process.
9
10The Mascot Mook combines the ubiquitous nature of a {{Mook}} with the iconic appeal of a {{Mascot}}, and despite lacking NominalImportance these guys have become spotlight stealers among the game's bestiary.
11
12Perhaps there's something memorable about their design or behavior. Maybe they are one the [[TheGoomba more basic and common enemies]] so their presence becomes a part of the series' setting. Maybe they are so [[AdorableEvilMinions cute]] or goofy that the player can't help but smile every time one of them pops up -- despite how often they ''will'' [[RandomEncounters suddenly pop up]] or how many of them the player will slaughter throughout the game. Or perhaps it's that they're the most consistently-appearing characters, with each installment otherwise using a completely new cast.
13
14Whatever the case, these Mooks have somehow become just as vital to the series as a whole as your core party members are to the narrative of each separate installment. Fans [[TheCoconutEffect silently expect]] these guys to appear ''somewhere'' in each and every installment (often in [[UndergroundMonkey multiple versions]]), simply because ''[[GrandfatherClause they always have]]'', and no new game would be fit for release without their appearance.
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16Notably, there is something of a duality regarding these enemies' natures in their games of origin. They're very frequently TheGoomba, very weak and very common, and gain their popularity through a dual effect of being a very commonly seen and interacted-with part of the game while also weak enough that players don't see them as serious villains. Most of the exceptions are instead powerful {{Elite Mook}}s, much rarer and more dangerous, and made distinctive through a combination of rarity value, elaborate designs, unique and attention-grabbing abilities and/or memorably challenging fights.
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18While this trope is most prevalent in video games, it is by no means exclusive to them. [[Franchise/StarWars Stormtroopers]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Zakus]], [[Series/DoctorWho Daleks]], and [[Franchise/DespicableMe Minions]] are some iconic non-video game examples.
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20Often a SeriesMascot. Sometimes the popularity of the Mascot Mook can result in [[SpinOff spin-off titles]] ([[MerchandiseDriven and other products]]) dedicated entirely to them; see BreakoutMookCharacter. Alternatively, sometimes a single instance of the Mascot Mook species will join the main cast as a TokenHeroicOrc. See RecurringElement for non-monster examples.
21----
22!!Examples:
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24[[foldercontrol]]
25
26!!Video Game Examples
27
28[[folder:Action Adventure]]
29* ''VideoGame/HorizonZeroDawn'' has the almighty [[HumongousMecha Thunderjaw]], which are essentially robotic [[UsefulNotes/TyrannosaurusRex T-Rexes]] (without tiny arms) and are far and away one of the hardest enemy encounters in the game. They're also front and center for every promotional material of the game alongside [[TheHero Aloy]] herself.
30* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
31** The Octoroks are the most common enemies in the series, featuring in every single game with the sole exception of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', appearing early and often in each installment, and appearing in a fair amount of official art as Link's default low-level foes.
32** The -blin family of enemies, especially the Moblins and Bokoblins, have established themselves as the default and most common troops of any given game's villainous forces, and have gotten their own share of merchandise. Bokoblins even got an ''Toys/{{Amiibo}}'' for ''Breath of the Wild''.
33** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'':
34*** The base game also uses the mechanical Guardians in this role. These feature heavily in its promotional material -- a chase and battle between one of them and Link served as the game's reveal trailer -- are used as a central piece of the game's post-apocalyptic {{Magitek}} motif, and are the one enemy besides the Bokoblins to get an amiibo.
35*** The Lynels, the game's most complex and challenging enemies outside of the bosses, became this after launch and in particular served as central parts of the advertising for the DLC pack ''The Master Trials'', which prominently features [[http://assets.rpgsite.net/images/images/000/054/860/original/ZeldaDLC.png Link facing a powerful Gold Lynel as advertisement for itself]].
36* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': The Arctic Warfare soldiers in the original game. While the game has other types of enemy soldiers, the arctic variants are the only ones that appear in the VR missions and are used to represent the original ''MGS'' in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidPortableOps Plus''. Even Genola, a giant genome soldier who appears in the VR missions added in ''Metal Gear Solid: Integral'' and ''Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance'', is dressed in arctic warfare gear.
37* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'':
38** The titular Metroids, given that the franchise was named after them. Unlike most examples of this trope, even the weakest of them are powerful {{Elite Mook}}s that are usually met towards the end of most entries in the series. So until Samus gains enough power to defeat them, her most common enemies will be the Space Pirates instead.
39** ''VideoGame/MetroidDread'': The E.M.M.I. (more specifically, E.M.M.I.-02SM, the white variant) has a starring role in most media associated with the game. Plus, it even has its own amiibo, much akin to the Metroid from ''VideoGame/MetroidSamusReturns''.
40* ''VideoGame/{{Overlord}}'': [[VillainProtagonist Your]] UglyCute Minions, who even get their own DS spin-off.
41* ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'': The Sharpclaw Tribe is the most common source of enemies you'll find in the game, as they're the dinosaurs who are directly under the command of General Scales. The bigger ones have a pale skin and use a shield to deflect many of Fox's attacks with the Staff. Near the end of the game, [[spoiler:all Sharpclaws turn against Scales once they discover that his increased power wasn't from himself, but from Andross]].
42* ''VideoGame/DemonHunterTheReturnOfTheWings'': A Varian has a full artwork and is featured on the game cover despite being the second weakest mook in the game.
43[[/folder]]
44
45[[folder:Action RPG]]
46* ''VideoGame/MegaManLegends'' featured [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Tron Bonne]] and her army of Servbots, little smiley-faced Lego men who obey her every instruction (although not always to the letter). They behave like children (Tron even refers to them as her kids), generally getting into trouble and making mischief, and when Mega Man faces them on the field of battle (usually piloting the Bonne Family's latest generation of mayhem-making machine), the little guys ''themselves'' [[InvincibleMinorMinion can't actually be destroyed]]. [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential Although you can kick them for health, if you're feeling mean]]. Whenever Tron appears in a [[VideoGame/CapcomVs crossover]] [[VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom game]] her Servbots are guaranteed to be somewhere nearby.
47** ''Legends'' also contains the Zakobon, easily the most recognisable reaverbot; a smiley, [[CyberCyclops one eyed]], waddling, bomb throwing [[MechaMooks Mecha Mook]].
48* The Kittens from ''VideoGame/TailConcerto'' and Poulets from ''VideoGame/SkyGunner'' are practically [[{{Expy}} Expies]] of Servbots, all legions of childlike, [[ImprobableInfantSurvival invincible]] minions who pilot the villains' battle machines. Of course, Kittens are the only ones who aren't robots, and you ''are'' tasked with actually removing them from the battlefield...which involves shooting them with a bubble gun and teleporting them back to the police station.
49* Shadow Heartless, the [[TheGoomba single weakest enemies]] of the ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' series. It helps that [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter they're adorable]]. There's also the Soldier, the second-weakest Heartless and most well-known example of the Emblem Heartless with several variations to go with it. With the release of ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance Dream Drop Distance]]'', the Meow Wow [[{{Mons}} Spirit]] has become a second mascot, representing Dream Eaters at large.
50* Rabites from the ''VideoGame/WorldOfMana'' series: Small, legless creatures with rabbit-like ears, a cottonpuff tail, and at their higher levels especially, [[KillerRabbit one mean bite]]. Some entries in the series even allow you to have a Rabite as [[{{Mon}} your own sidekick]].
51* ''VideoGame/RuneFactory'' has the [[SweetSheep Woolies, adorable bipedal sheep]]. Since the series a spin-off of ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' with monster battles and exploration added, the woolies can actually be tamed and used as a source of wool.
52* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' has the [[http://www.gamershell.com/static/screenshots/24378/532172_full.jpg Black Knights]], who dominate official artwork and promotional material.
53* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' has one monster grace the cover of each game, usually referred to as the "Flagship" Monster of that game.
54** Rathalos for the original ''[[VideoGame/MonsterHunter2004 Monster Hunter]]'', the first ''Freedom'', and the international release of ''[[VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld World]]'' (which it shares with Anjanath), as well as Azure Rathalos for ''Monster Hunter G'' and the Western release of ''3 Ultimate''. Rathalos and Rathian also serve as this for the series in general, having appeared in every game in the series and being subject to tons of merchandise (alongside the Yian Kut-Ku). This was cemented by the Rathalos' appearances in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidPeaceWalker'' (alongside Tigrex), ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' as a guest boss. There's also the Felynes and Melynxes, who have become popular enough that they make more non-mook appearances than mook appearances, though they're definitely still mooks.
55** Starting from the second generation, each game has had a unique monster serving as its flagship, with some regional differences in between: Kushala Daora for ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter2Dos'' (making it the first Elder Dragon to grace a game cover), Tigrex for ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterFreedom2'', Nargacuga for ''Freedom Unite'', Lagiacrus for ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter3Tri'', Zinogre for ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterPortable3rd'', Brachydios for the Japanese version of ''3 Ultimate'', Gore Magala for ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter4'' and the American release of ''4 Ultimate'' (it also represents the ''Monster Hunter'' franchise as a whole in ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogMegaManWorldsUnite''), Seregios for the Japanese and European release of ''4 Ultimate'', up to ''four'' monsters for ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterGenerations'' (referred to collectively as [[EliteFour the Fated Four]]: Astalos, Gammoth, Mizutsune and Glavenus), other two for ''Generations Ultimate'' (Valstrax and Bloodbath Diablos, though only the former appears in the cover), Nergigante for ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld'', Velkhana for ''World: Iceborne'', Magnamalo for ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterRise'', and Malzeno for ''Rise: Sunbreak''. And the ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterFrontier'' games have even more with the overall flagship being Espinas.
56* In ''VideoGame/GrimDawn'', the Aetherial Gazer and the Ch'thonian Devourer are the game's mascots. ''Crate Entertainment'' sold plushies of those two little critters.
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58
59[[folder:Action Shooter]]
60* The Rebel Grunts from ''VideoGame/MetalSlug'' are one of the most remembered parts of the game. A lot of the humor comes from their funny and casual actions. They've got to be playable in their own mode in the Xbox version of ''Metal Slug 3''. Equally, or perhaps Even more famous are the [[StarfishAliens Mars People.]]
61* ''VideoGame/EnterTheGungeon'' has the Bullet-Kin, walking bullets who bear different firearms to stop you from getting though the Gungeon. They have multiple variants (including Shotgun-Kin and Sniper Shells) and one is even playable.
62[[/folder]]
63
64[[folder:Beat 'em Up]]
65* ''VideoGame/FinalFight'' has the [[GiantMook Andoré]] family. The biggest, heaviest hitting, [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed No Celebs Were Harmediest]] recurring enemy that's in all the ''Final Fight'' games, ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIII'', and ''Ultra VideoGame/StreetFighterIV''.
66* ''VideoGame/JitsuSquad'' have green Emaki ninja soldiers - TheGoomba in-game - which is so memorable, [[https://twitter.com/tanuki_creative?lang=en they're the avatar of Tanuki Studio's Twitter page]]! Said mooks even have [[https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20200306019/screenshot.html?num=009 plushies]] based on them.
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68
69[[folder:Eastern RPG]]
70* ''Franchise/DragonQuest'':
71** [[CuteSlimeMook Slimes]], which subvert prior RPG depictions of the BlobMonster by being teardrop-shaped and having [[PerpetualSmiler large goofy smiles]] on their faces. The regular blue slimes are the [[TheGoomba first enemies]] encountered in the games and one of the weakest; however, they come in a [[UndergroundMonkey plethora of variations]] including the nigh-indestructible MetalSlime and the gigantic [[KingMook King Slime]]. They are probably one of the most well-recognized [=RPG=] monsters in gaming history, spawning tons of merchandise (in Japan, at least).
72** There's even a DS title starring one: ''VideoGame/DragonQuestHeroesRocketSlime''.
73** The ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVI'' remake also retooled monster recruiting, limiting it to a handful of specific slimes (and one dragon).
74** In the ''VideoGame/DragonQuestMonsters'' games, there is a whole (elemental) family just for all the different types of slimes in the series.
75** Second to the Slimes are the Platypunks, who show up in the ''VideoGame/FortuneStreet'' games as playable characters.
76** In ''VideoGame/DragonQuestI'', Wyverns/Chimerae and Drakees/Drackys, give the Slimes a run for their money in recognizability.
77* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' has no shortage of these.
78** The classic titles feature [[BossInMookClothing Tonberry]], a little green-skinned hooded guy, [[MetalSlime Cactuar]], a running cactus, and Malboro, a giant stinky plant (though all three qualify as EliteMooks); ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'' features its own take on Goblins, and the little Mandragora people. All of these have been immortalized in plushie form.
79** Moreover, it seems that they attempt to add a new one with each iteration. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyI'' introduced Goblins. Malboros came into play in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'', with Chocobos expanding into battles in later titles. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII'' saw the first appearance of Moogles. In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' there was the debut of the Zus. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' brought Tonberries and Magic Pots to the world. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' was where Cactuars made their introduction.
80** Bombs, who even made a cameo appearance in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII''.
81* The Poo Snake from ''VideoGame/BlueDragon'' was an intentional attempt to create one of these, because of the ClicheStorm theme. It worked - you can recruit one named Poopie in the sequel. They're basically Slimes, with all their {{Underground Monkey}}s.
82* And the Punis, the Slimes-by-another-name of the ''VideoGame/AtelierSeries''.
83* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' has Jack Frost, who is the spirit of winter as a cute snowman dressed up like a clown. He has a bunch of related "Frost" type characters in each game to go along with him, such as his DistaffCounterpart Strawberry Frost and EvilTwin Black Frost. There's also {{superboss}} King Frost.
84** To a lesser extent is Cerberus, who is usually the player's first summonable demon in every game. Because the novel the series was based on had Cerberus as the main character's most dependable demon ally. Though this Cerberus is actually a white lion with a dragon tail instead of a hellhound (Cerberus is often depicted with 3 heads modernly, the number is inconsistent in the myths).
85** Also to a lesser extent is the Pixie, being probably as close to a CuteMonsterGirl that you can get from [=MegaTen=].
86** Mara is also a pretty famous recurring demon, by virtue of being a giant GagPenis.
87** Alice also applies, though she's less of a mascot mook and more of a mascot [[KillerRabbit monster.]]
88* The radish-like Kopins from the ''VideoGame/LuminousArc'' series.
89* The ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'' games had Rappies (known as [[UndergroundMonkey Chirpers, Warblers and Squawkers]] in ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIII''). They're become especially prominent in ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline2'', where they've gained a SuperDeformed appearance, and have numerous weapons and costumes featuring them.
90* ''VideoGame/{{Mother}}'': The Starmen, who serve as the main foot soldiers for Giygas in ''VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings'' and ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}'', are as emblematic for the series in merchandise as the friendly Mr. Saturns from both ''[=EarthBound=]'' and ''VideoGame/Mother3''. The US box art for ''[=EarthBound=]'' even depicts a Final Starman, though [[CoversAlwaysLie the encounter depicted there does not exactly occur in the game itself]].
91* Pikachu from ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' is a classic example. A rare {{mon}} who only appeared in one to two areas each in the entire original game, it quickly became an EnsembleDarkhorse, and [[BreakoutCharacter Nintendo noticed]]. Interestingly, the developers originally intended for Clefairy and Poliwhirl to hold this role which can be seen to some extent with some of the promotional material from the first generation.
92* Dogoos (slimes with dog-like features) are the most readily-recognizable enemy in the ''Franchise/{{Neptunia}}'' series.
93* Hit-Point Studio, a company that makes short RPGS for smartphones and home consoles, has the Pancho. This mushroom enemy appears in most if not all of their games, usually as the first enemy you fight.
94* The TAMADRA from ''VideoGame/PuzzleAndDragons''. Interestingly, they are somewhat decent in the early game, due to having [[JackOfAllStats a solid 100 in all stats,]] but they're meant to be used as material to unlock a card's Awoken Skills.
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97[[folder:First-Person Shooter]]
98* The brain-devouring, body-possessing Headcrabs from the ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' series have been merchandised as plushies and even ''hats''. (Someone in the game itself even keeps a Headcrab as a pet.)
99* ''VideoGame/DukeNukem'' has the pig cops, who, since their appearance in ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D'', have proven to be the most popular enemies; since that game, they've appeared in many spin-offs of the main series.
100* The Boomer in the ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'' franchise has gotten popular enough to have Valve's store sell a plushie of the said bloated special infected, complete with sounds it makes in the game if [[{{Squick}} you press the boils on its belly.]] Plushies of the other special infected are in the works.
101* ''VideoGame/{{Descent}}'' had two of these, owing to their at-the-time unique designs: The [[http://www.descent2.com/goodies/3dmodels/thinman/previews/3d_003.jpg Class One Drone]] and the [[http://www.descent2.com/goodies/3dmodels/thinman/previews/3d_002.jpg Medium Lifter]]. A recolored Medium Lifter was on the [[http://opaquedream.com/images/gameost_descent2.jpg Box Art for ''Descent 2'']] (although the Medium Lifter was replaced by [[http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/1/13307/1413793-diamond_large.jpg the similar-looking Diamond Claw]] for ''Descent 2''), and the Class One Drones were in a few places in ''Descent 3''.
102* The Big Daddies for the first two ''VideoGame/BioShock'' games, especially the Bouncer. The Little Sisters, too, even if they're not Mooks.
103* ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' has the Cacodemon, thanks to its somewhat goofy [[{{Oculothorax}} round design]] and relative ineffectiveness as an attacker, is widely considered to be cute by the community, enough for [[https://doomwiki.org/wiki/Hissy Hissy]] to become the mascot of both the Doomworld forums and the wiki.
104* Psychos from the ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' series. They're on the cover of the games for a reason. The [[VideoGame/Borderlands2 second game]] even [[BreakoutMookCharacter features a heroic Psycho as a playable character]].
105* Painheads from ''VideoGame/IllWill2023'' are tiny, waddling, imp-like critters who tends to appear in most of the game's promotional materials and cover art. The game's trailer on Steam notably has a Painhead dragging the ''Unreal'' logo along... moments before it's blasted to bits by a shotgun firing offscreen.
106* The Helghast soldier from ''VideoGame/{{Killzone}}''. In fact in ''VideoGame/PlayStationAllStarsBattleRoyale'' the one representing Killzone is their ColonelBadass leader, Colonel Mael Radec.
107* ''VideoGame/PencilWhipped'' has the Dooby Dummies, the mook that appears in most of the game's promotional materials.
108* The Chimera Hybrid is this for ''VideoGame/{{Resistance}}''.
109* Imperial Stormtroopers are among many contenders to the title of ''The'' Franchise/StarWars Mascot, but in the ''VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga'', they appear and the other guys (Yoda, Darth Vader, [=R2D2=] etc) don't. So this makes the Stormtroopers de facto mascot mooks of the series.
110* The Headless Kamikazes for ''VideoGame/SeriousSam''. They were even the focus of the first trailer for ''Serious Sam 3''.
111* The [[RobotDog Panzerhund]] from ''VideoGame/WolfensteinTheNewOrder''. By the virtue of being both unique and menacing, it is featured heavily in trailers, promotional artwork, [[http://tg24.sky.it/static/contentimages/original/sezioni/tg24/economia/2013/06/13/02_los_angeles_expo_entertainment_ansa.jpeg the game's booth on E3]], and as a [[http://store.bethsoft.com/wolfenstein-the-new-order-panzerhund-edition.html collector's edition bonus]]. And it's also [[https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6Z4XWeI8ozwVnBEUnYwRFpsUTQ/edit?usp=sharing now also available as papercraft!]]
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114[[folder:MMORPG]]
115* The Murlocs from ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''. They got their own song, and are sold as plushie toys. Most famous critter in the game, mostly due to the sound it makes when it attacks. Players can even get baby murlocs as pets and they are often part of the annual Blizzcon events. They're also heavily featured in their card game spinoff, ''VideoGame/{{Hearthstone}}'', and are their own tribe of minions.
116* Fallens and Goatmen are the better-known enemies of the ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'' franchise, appearing in all 3 games.
117* The Porings, ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline'''s [[{{Expy}} expies]] of the ''Franchise/DragonQuest'' Slime.
118* ''VideoGame/MapleStory'' has the Orange Mushroom, but a number of other cute monsters, such as Slimes and Pigs, are prominent in the game.
119* ''VideoGame/{{Elsword}}'' has Phorus, walking critters that can talk with William (early game boss and appearing upon getting dud items) being the most famous of them. Events in the game often have costumed ones to defeat for their quests. And we have their ancestors the Ancient Phorus which are quadruped firebreathers, now available in mount form.
120** More recently, with a side of EnsembleDarkhorse, is the [[http://78.media.tumblr.com/311ad68381f2a269c5490d9288125b30/tumblr_inline_o0ut7pHtr21rllbl3_500.jpg Icy Hedgehog]] mob, who took the community by storm when it was released as a pet. Particularly its baby form, with its very simplistic face and design. It became such a fan-favorite that when an [[http://elsword.nexon.com/events2017/1227/cafe.aspx Elsword-themed popup café]] was opened in Korea, a portion of the merchandise had nothing to do with the actual main cast. Instead, it featured baby Icy Hedgehogs.
121* ''VideoGame/LaTale'' has the Prirings and their palette swaps, the original of which is the first monster you fight. They were so popular that they were later made available as a pet. The shaggies are also popular, with some players actually trying to make real world replicas of their item drop - the shaggy doll.
122* ''VideoGame/FlyFF'' has the aibatts, cute flying eye creatures.
123* ''VideoGame/{{Wizard101}}'' has Gobblers which are {{Extreme Omnivore}}s and featured in many of the cartoon depictions. There is even a gobbler Piñata in game.
124* ''VideoGame/AnarchyOnline'' has the leets: small, fuzzy creatures about the size of a shoe that speak exclusively in [[LeetLingo Leet]] [[PunnyName Lingo]].
125* The Rascal Rabbits in ''VideoGame/SealOnline'' are white bunnies with a bloody cleaver, a {{Slasher Smile}}, and visible buttocks. Although it is a literal {{Killer Rabbit}}, only the gladiator variant is really dangerous. There are also other potential mascot mooks like piyas and beanies but not as prominent as the Rascal Rabbits.
126* Though numerous creatures in the ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'' are revered by various members of the community, including bugbears, ninja snowmen, and the vicious gnauga, only the sabre-toothed lime, a low-level monster found only in the Daily Dungeon and generally regarded as the "base" level of combat familiar, can truly be considered the game's mascot mook.
127* The Namazu beastmen (a race of short and chubby catfish) in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' have become very popular when they were introduced in the ''Stormblood'' expansion. The Namazu became so popular that they appear in the background of the developer's blog and were also used in the image for the returners campaign (a week-long event that entices inactive players to play the game again for free up to 96 hours). The Namazu are also in plushie form and are extremely popular among fans collecting merchandise.
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130[[folder:Maze Game]]
131* ''VideoGame/DigDug'' has the Pooka, a red round balloon thing wearing [[GogglesDoNothing goggles]]. Reportedly, a lot of merchandise was made off of this mook, plus you can unlock one as a playable multiplayer character in ''Ms. VideoGame/PacMan Maze Madness'', and one was even factored into the storyline of the first ''Pac-Man World'' as one of the rescuable friends. They even make appearances as enemies in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' in the Namco-developed [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU 4th title]].
132* The ghosts from ''VideoGame/PacMan''.
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134
135[[folder:Platform Game]]
136* ''[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Super Mario]]'' has gained many of these over the years; [[TheGoomba Goombas]], [[SturdyAndSteadyTurtles Koopa Troopas]], [[ActionBomb Bob-Ombs]], [[AirborneMook Lakitus]], [[AngryGuardDog Chain Chomps]], [[ManEatingPlant Piranha Plants]], [[SillySpook Boos]], and [[TheFaceless Shy Guys]] being some notable examples.
137* Metall (or Mettool, [[ViewerNameConfusion or however you spell it]]) from ''Franchise/MegaMan''. Sniper Joes, although they're mainly locked into the [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Classic]] series. In exchange, not a single one of those games doesn't feature some variant of them, and [[VideoGame/MegaManZX the first ZX game]] even features a Metall-themed [[AmusementParkOfDoom theme park]]. Metalls are a popular recurring enemy in ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'', but [[Anime/MegaManNTWarrior the anime]] turned the Pop-Up virus into a BreakoutMookCharacter of sorts; the heroes reprogram one of the Pop-Ups into an ally named Rush, whose special ability basically involves popping into the real world to lend help, and he gets a fair bit of focus for what is otherwise a somewhat-known, mildly annoying enemy in the original games.
138* The trouble-making, gold obsessed, Koma Pigs from ''VideoGame/{{Tomba}}''
139* The Pipo Monkeys from the ''VideoGame/ApeEscape'' games. In fact, your objective is to [[GottaCatchEmAll capture them.]]
140* The [[MechaMooks Biankies]] of ''VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe'', who are based on the Putties of ''[[Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers Power Rangers]]'' and an homage to sentai mooks in general.
141* The Dopefish from ''VideoGame/CommanderKeen'' is iconic enough to be the subject of many {{Easter Egg}}s from a wide variety of other games.
142* The Hoodmongers from ''VideoGame/Rayman3HoodlumHavoc''. It should be noted that there is nothing cute, adorable, or "wuvable" about them; they're basically potato sacks with large hats and shotguns. They're the [[TheHeartless Heartless]] of fairy-like creatures that have been {{Mind Rape}}d, so there's a certain element of pity. They're also comically stupid, even more so than the Space Pirates. And eventually you get the ability to repair their damaged minds and restore them to what they once were.
143* Waddle Dees from the ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'' series: little [[WaddlingHead clumsy red creatures]] that somewhat resemble Kirby, aside from their [[NoMouth lack of a mouth]]. They are the weakest enemy in most of the games, more likely to serve as ammo for Kirby to spit at other enemies than a genuine threat; however, they can also be found wielding a variety of weapons, or piloting vehicles of various types. In some games "[[BreakoutMookCharacter specific]]" Waddle Dees even appear as allies. To a lesser extent, the enemies that give Kirby [[PowerCopying Copy Abilities]] are in essence living [[PowerUp power-ups]] and some grow to become heavily associated with their copy abilities. The [[PlatformingPocketPal Helper]] system in ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar'' allowed Kirby to sacrifice a copy ability to summon some of these as playable characters.
144* Moos from the ''VideoGame/{{Klonoa}}'' series are big round creatures known for their CatSmile and [[TheDitz spacey]] expression (they sort of resemble a cross between a cat, a rabbit). They like to mill around aimlessly, waiting for Klonoa to use them as either a springboard or a missile. Their inherent harmlessness coupled with their adorable appearance easily makes Moos one of the most recognizable creatures in the franchise.
145* The Mafia goons from ''VideoGame/AHatInTime''. Mafia become face of game, maybe take over job for little hat girl. Maybe Mafia dress up as small mustache girl as well. Sell game as "A Mafia in Mafia." Everybody play! Maybe more profitable than fish...
146* The Kremlings in the ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'' series, as they're led by the reptilian antagonist King K. Rool. Since they're absent in ''[[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns Returns]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze Tropical Freeze]]'', the role is filled in them by the Tikis and the Snowmads (specifically the Tucks) respectively.
147[[/folder]]
148
149[[folder:Puzzle Game]]
150* The ''[[VideoGame/DeadlyRoomsOfDeath DROD]]'' roaches are quite adorable, even if they are mowed down by the tens of thousands. They are also among the most notable elements in ''DROD'', and the inexplicable cuteness of roaches is pointed out at every turn. Seeps are even cuter. This would be because they have a tendency to show up in extremely difficult puzzles.
151* The bullet-spewing turrets of ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'' have their own life-sized plushies.
152[[/folder]]
153
154[[folder:Real Time Strategy]]
155* ''VideoGame/DungeonKeeper'' has the Imps, in a fashion. They're prominent ''enough'' on the videogame material, but the one that stands more is the [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Horned Reaper]] who adorns the cover art box of the first game, where he's an EliteMook. ''And'' the second'' where he's become an AscendedExtra of sorts and has become the ipso facto right hand man to the Keeper. You'll not find anyone who doesn't think of the Horned Reaper when they hear "Dungeon Keeper".
156* ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'': Red Bulborbs, one of the enemy types encountered earliest and most frequently in the games, are used in promotional material nearly as often as the Pikmin themselves, featuring on game covers, in merchandise, and in crossover cameos in other games.
157[[/folder]]
158
159[[folder:Shoot 'em Up]]
160* ''VideoGame/KikiKaiKai'' has the Puka Pukas, which are cute, sock-puppet like ghosts which wear hitaikakushi on their heads.
161* ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' ''also'' had a visually identical enemy to the above in the Bakebake, but around the later games, fairies began to take their place, to the point that the former vanished entierly. Without them, the games would be grueling exercises of {{Boss Rush}}es. There are two spin-offs whose main character is/are fairy/ies: the manga Eastern and Little Nature Deity featuring three mischievous fairy, and the GaidenGame ''Fairy Wars'', starring a [[UsefulNotes/{{Baka}} well-known ice fairy]] fighting the aforementioned mischief makers; indeed, fairies are just as likely to be allies as they are to be foes.
162** Kedamas (balls of fluff with cartoonish expressions) are sometimes used but have caught on with fan artists almost as much as the fairies.
163* ''VideoGame/{{Xevious}}'' has the Bacura, spinning gray InvincibleMinorMinion square panels. They didn't achieve Mascot status and were actually unnamed until their cameo appearances in Namco's ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'', where they actually appeared in various different roles, and even with UndergroundMonkey variants. They eventually also appeared in ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' and even the 3DS entry into the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series as enemies in Smash Run, as it was co-developed by Namco.
164* VideoGame/MadSistersWeekOff: [[ParodiedTrope Parodied]] with the Slimo, whose collection description mentions various pieces of Slimo-themed merchandise, such as migs, t-shirts, and coasters with all their variants.
165[[/folder]]
166
167[[folder:Survival Horror]]
168* [[ImplacableMan Pyramid Head]] and the nurses from ''Franchise/SilentHill'' are easily the most recognized monsters from the series. The latter have managed to appear in almost every game to date.
169* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'':
170** The Zombies in the very first game, ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil1''. In particular, the very first one, with its memorable introduction.
171** The Lickers of the second game, ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil2''. Those went on to become {{Breakout Mook Character}}s.
172** [[EliteMook Dr. Salvador]] in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'', being featured in some promotional artwork.
173[[/folder]]
174
175[[folder:Simulation Game]]
176* ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' doesn't really have "mooks" per se, but the adorable, blank-faced, wiggling Gyroids are as iconic of the series as the cute little characters themselves. ''City Folk'' even introduces a Gyroid character named Lloid who runs the Auction House, for no other reason than Gyroids are adorable. Not bad for a little clay fire hydrant.
177* ''VideoGame/MonsterRancher'' actually has ''six'' mascot monsters--although they vary in prominence, they are the six species most associated with the franchise (probably due to their [[Anime/MonsterRancher prominence in the anime]]). "Officially," the series' mascot is eyeball-monster Suezo, but pudgy penguin-like monster Mocchi is often used more prominently in the games' art and advertising. Tiger the blue wolf is also used prominently in the advertising, and Hare is especially popular in Japan. Finally, there are rock-monster Golem and CuteMonsterGirl Pixie rounding off the list of series mascots.
178* ''VideoGame/ConwaysGameOfLife'' has the glider, an extremely common spaceship. Its evolution, which is simple enough to easily demonstrate to a newcomer while complex enough to illustrate the concept of emergent behavior, has made it a symbol of not just the Game of Life, but the field of cellular automata as a whole. It is also sometimes used as a "[[MovementMascot hacker emblem]]".
179[[/folder]]
180
181[[folder:Third-Person Shooter]]
182* {{VideoGame/Warframe}} has the Grineer Lancers, bulky Space Marine-esque soldiers and the first enemies fought in the game. The MOA unit line, bipedal robots best described as 'energy guns on bird legs', are this for the [[MegaCorp Corpus]] enemy faction instead.
183[[/folder]]
184[[folder:Tower Defense]]
185* The titular zombies in ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies''. They are even more used in marketing than the plants.
186[[/folder]]
187
188[[folder:Turn-Based Strategy]]
189* Prinnies from the ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'' series are condemned souls forced to work off their afterlife sentence in the hopes of being reincarnated as something ''not'' a Prinny in their next life. They also happen to be [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter adorable little patchwork]] penguins who are good with knives, [[MadeOfExplodium explode when thrown]] and are contractually obligated to use [[VerbalTic "dood!"]] in every line they say. Of course, this being ''Disgaea'' we're talking about, the fact that they're {{Mooks}} puts them squarely under the ''[[PlayerMooks player's]]'' command. They do show up as enemies, but not nearly as often as some other monster types, and when they do, it's generally in the tutorial levels or [[BreatherLevel joke levels]] that expect the player to take full advantage of their volatile nature.
190** Prinnies are beloved enough to star in their own nigh-PlatformHell PSP game ([[NoFourthWall much to the consternation of the heroine of a cancelled game who's stuck doing cameos]]), appropriately called ''VideoGame/PrinnyCanIReallyBeTheHero''. [[NintendoHard You get a thousand lives at the start.]]
191* The Mooscues from ''VideoGame/EternalEyes.'' In addition to being one of the first allies you get in the game, and one of the earliest you fight, they also feature in the game's loading screens and have a prominent role in the intro.
192[[/folder]]
193
194
195[[folder:Western RPG]]
196* Frogzards in ''VideoGame/AdventureQuest'' and Sneevils in ''VideoGame/DragonFable''.
197** A dev-made, non-canon magazine suggests that they evolved from each other.
198* Fyoras in ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'' are this, MonsterAllies, and the commonest of ComMons all rolled into one. Physically, they're fire-spitting bipedal lizards--mentally, [[AllAnimalsAreDogs they're dogs]], and in one ending of game 2 the main character is shown passing time in prison by teaching one to roll over for treats.
199* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series has Mud Crabs, an [[GiantEnemyCrab aggressive, roughly tortoise-sized crab species]] found in many varieties throughout Tamriel. They're little more than [[TheGoomba Goombas]], going down easily to even low-level characters. Still, they've become quite famous. ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'' has a sentient one who is also, inexplicably, [[LethalJokeCharacter the wealthiest merchant in the vanilla game]]. ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]''[='s=] {{NPC}}s discuss them as part of their ArtificialAtmosphericActions, spawning a slew of memes. Further, you'd be easily forgiven for thinking they're fictional, but [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scylla_serrata you'd be wrong]]. (The ''Oblivion'' variety even looks somewhat like the real thing.)
200* ''VideoGame/DungeonsOfDredmor'' has the Diggles, weird little drill-nosed creatures that look like a cross between a mole and a penguin. The Expansion Pack Sequel even features a skill tree that turns you into a Were-Diggle.
201* The ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'' series has [[CreepyCockroach Radroaches]] from among the weaker early-game mooks, and Super Mutants and Deathclaws from among the stronger late-game mooks.
202* The White Mouse from ''VideoGame/{{Mousehunt}}'', which is usually featured in merchandise. It's also the [[TheGoomba easiest]] (and the most "normal") enemy in the game, where almost everything else is a NinjaPirateZombieRobot Mouse.
203[[/folder]]
204
205[[folder:Wide-Open Sandbox]]
206* ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'':
207** The game became heavily identified with the [[ActionBomb explosive Creeper monsters]] in the game, most likely due to their notoriety as a common enemy that is a nonetheless dreaded encounter for any player, infamous for their ability to [[{{Griefer}} ruin player creations]]. The Creeper's distinctive face got added [[CharacterInTheLogo inside the "A" in the game's title logo]], and the Creeper has become one of the most recognizable images from the game through memes and merchandising.
208** To a somewhat lesser degree, the Zombie and Enderman enemies are also very iconic -- the Zombie being one of the most commonly encountered and basic enemies in the game, and the Enderman one of the most distinctive and, for beginning players, most anxiety-inducing to deal with. Endermen serve as the ultimate antagonistic force in ''VideoGame/MinecraftDungeons'', and both feature commonly in real-life merchandise and were chosen to represent the game as alternative skins for Steve? in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''.
209* ''VideoGame/{{Subnautica}}:'' While not exactly mooks, since they don't attack you, if there is a creature symbolizing the game as a whole it's the omnipresent, adorable and delicious Peeper, a big-eyed fish found in most biomes that players adore and joke about often.
210[[/folder]]
211
212!!Non-Video Game Examples
213
214[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
215* Zakus are almost as iconic as the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Gundam]] itself, with or without the [[LawOfChromaticSuperiority red paint]], antenna and [[AceCustom 3x boost to]] ''[[AceCustom everything]]''. And if you fuse them with Servbots, you get the Zakos from ''Anime/SDGundamForce''.
216** [[http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/MSM-04_Acguy The Acguy]], a ridiculously obscure Zeon mobile suit, is similarly adored in many places, often accompanying the Zaku. This has led to the custom variants, [[http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/GPB-04B_Beargguy the Bearguy]] and its successor [[http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/KUMA-03_Beargguy_III Bearguy III]], appearing in [[Anime/ModelSuitGunplaBuildersBeginningG both Gunpla]] [[Anime/GundamBuildFighters fighting series]].
217** Every ''Gundam'' series has its own Zaku {{Expy}} that possesses similarities to the original including [[CyberCyclops a single eye]], using kinetic weapons instead of beam weapons, and being the antagonist faction's lowest-level Mobile Suit. However, much like the Gundams themselves, having all of these traits isn't a requirement to be a Zaku-based MS[[note]]In fact, in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'' the Zaku stand-in (which is outright called a [[FunWithAcronyms ZAKU]]) wields beam weapons and is fielded by ZAFT, who are the good guys...at least at the start of the show[[/note]].
218* Although ''Anime/MazingerZ'' basically used a MonsterOfTheWeek formula, two of Mazinger's first opponents: Garada K7, a skull-faced Mechanical Beast with two detachable scythes on its head; and Doublas M2, a beast with two serpentine laser-shooting heads, are among the most iconic, and show up in just about every adaptation and ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' game (even if no other [[{{Robeast}} Mechanical Beasts]] appear).
219* In ''Anime/ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman'', [[{{Robeast}} Turtle King]] was the first opponent the FiveManBand faced. In all adaptations and remakes have been done since, Turtle King always shows up, and usually he is the first MechanicalMonster than TheDragon sends.
220* ''Anime/{{Symphogear}}'': The Noise are the series' regular monsters that keep coming again every season. They generally appear in hordes and are easily fodder to the heroines, but deadly to anyone else who doesn't have a Relic. They often appear in various forms of merchandise and they tend to appear as mascots in [=OVAs=].
221* ''Anime/TheTowerOfDruaga'' has the ropers, possibly chosen because they don't really look at all marketable.
222[[/folder]]
223
224[[folder:Comic Books]]
225* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' has two of them, the Foot Soldiers and Mousers. In the [[ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMirage Mirage comics]], the Foot Clan's signature grunt ninjas were semi-recurring foes for the Turtles that went on to achieve greater prominence in just about every other continuity. Similarly, the Mousers initially appeared in a single issue of the comics, and their memorable mini-killer robot design made them popular enough to be their creator Baxter Stockman's go-to MechaMook for every series he did an appearance for afterwards.
226[[/folder]]
227
228[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
229* ''Franchise/DespicableMe'': The Minions. They even have their own [[https://www.facebook.com/minions Facebook Page]], (which sounds redundant after a million Facebook memes) and appear in more marketing than any of the lead characters. They even got [[WesternAnimation/{{Minions}} their own movie]]. They've become the face of Creator/IlluminationEntertainment in general, appearing in the VanityPlate.
230[[/folder]]
231
232[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
233* ''Franchise/StarWars'': Stormtroopers exist [[{{Mooks}} only to be mowed down]] and [[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy demonstrate that yes, it]] ''[[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy is]] ''[[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy possible to be incapable of hitting the broad side of a barn]], but where would ''Star Wars'' be without them? They even managed to put them into the [[Film/AttackOfTheClones prequel trilogy]], in the form of the Clone Troopers. And then there's the [[Film/RogueOne Death Troopers]], the EliteMooks capable of scoring numerous kills while being a menacing Mascot Mook.
234[[/folder]]
235
236[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
237* ''Series/DoctorWho'' has the Daleks, the most {{toyetic}} heartless, genocidal, world-destroying engines of destruction you'll ever meet.
238* The ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' usually has several mascot {{kaiju}} for each major entry, often overlapping with BreakoutVillain. This has become less common as the series recycle monsters more frequently though, resulting in more Mascot Mooks appearing over fresh new creatures.
239* The ''Franchise/KamenRider'' franchise has the Shocker Soldiers, the grunts from the [[Series/KamenRider original series]], who returned in ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'' to lead up to the big teamup movie, and then there was their use in the ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'' teamup net movies... their wacky 'Yee!' noises and hand movements made them good for comedy fodder, to the point that by now it's ''awkward'' to watch them in an actual Shocker-related movie. They're basically Kamen Rider's Pikachu by now, and here they are ''with knives. Attacking people. People we like.'' You don't see that every day anymore!
240[[/folder]]
241
242[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
243* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' has numerous examples. When ''D&D 3.5'' was partially open-sourced, some monsters such as the beholder and mind flayer were even set aside as "Product Identity."
244* The ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' RPG's crazy, singing, pyromaniac [[OurGoblinsAreDifferent Goblins]] have become this since the first adventure path.
245* ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'' has the Blood Apes, the go-to demon summon for breaking skulls.
246* The TabletopGame/GammaWorld retroclone ''Mutant Future'' has the spidergoats.
247* The basic Space Marine of ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''.
248* The [=UrbanMech=] of ''TabletopGame/BattleTech''. Short, slow, not all that strong, and absurdly popular to the point of being the second or third most identifiable 'Mech in the game, just behind the ''Atlas'' and the ''Timber Wolf''. Current ''VideoGame/MechWarrior'' license holder Pirahna Games noticed this and responded by dedicating [[https://mwomercs.com/urbanmech an entire update]] to it.
249[[/folder]]
250
251[[folder:Webcomics]]
252* Bogey from ''Webcomic/KidRadd'' was just one of a billion such Bogies in the game, and was likely a CaptainErsatz of Goombas and/or Metools.
253* The Imps from ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}''. Even though their appearances have been few and far between in the past year, their reactions and expressions in general were more than enough to win the hearts of the readers.
254[[/folder]]
255
256[[folder:WebAnimation]]
257* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': of the Creatures of Grimm, Beowolves seem to be by far the most common and instantly-recognizable; they are the first Grimm seen both in the series proper and Chibi (not Grimm Eclipse, but close) and tend to be very front-and-center in the merchandizing.
258* ''WebAnimation/MysterySkullsAnimated'': Lewis's simple purple ghost minions the deadbeats are easily recognizable and popular as plushies.
259[[/folder]]
260
261[[folder:WesternAnimation]]
262* The Battle Droids in ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' come off almost as [[{{Expy}} expies]] of [[Franchise/{{Disgaea}} Prinnies]], down to their pessimistic outlook and general disposability.
263[[/folder]]
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