This may not be as spectacular or amazing as the other moments listed below, but Captain Goomba's warm-up exercise is the first time we truly see how powerful a Goomba can be. By just head-butting the boulder two times, he was able to completely destroy it! This shows why Mario gets one-hit KO'd by a Goomba when he's caught off guard by their attacks and why Bowser keeps them employed as his minions.
How about his ultimate rallying speech to his soldiers before the final battle? It literally defines who he is as a character in his entirety—a loyal, determined, and humble litter boy who's willing to pull off miracles for his friends. And when you consider how for most of the time the soldiers were telling him about all the fancy rewards that comes with being a captain and not the real leadership and character behind it, it makes this quote, where he says he's nothing more than a Goomba, all the more awesome. It proves that he doesn't care about all the fancy stuff. He just wants to rescue Bowser and the army and go back home.
Captain Goomba: My friends! My BROTHERS! Our journey is at its end. If we survive this next trial, Lord Bowser awaits us. It's a double-edged sword to admit this, but...Mario and Green Guy will surely defeat that faker. Those guys are so strong...It makes me SO MAD...Anyway, that will give us the chance to rescue the real Lord Bowser. And this time, we won't fail! We'll be at our king's side before the day is done! I know I'm just a humble Goomba...just a run-of-the-mill Bowser fanboy. At first, I never thought I could be a worthy captain for you fine Minions. But then I met a quiet Shy Guy captain will still waters that run deep...A mischevious Boo captain who's actually quite kind...A Koopa Troopa captain who rhymes for attention but is beyond loyal...The Notorious Koopalings...Private Goomp's Trio...With every new member, the Goomba Squad grew stronger. And so did I! That's how I know we'll be OK. NO ONE can beat this team. Whether we're up against weird machines...or weirder Fawful...Whether it's the green Mario Bro...or even Mario himself...From this moment on, no matter what challenge we face, we WILL prevail! So let's go show the world what we're made of! This is for all the marbles! For our king! Yeah! This is for you, Lord Bowser!! GOOMBA SQUAAAD!! CHAAARGE!!!
It all shows clearly that Captain Goomba is the born leader that his soldiers jokingly cracked that he was. And when he proves himself as a true leader, proves them all right, and shocks them all, it goes to show, he is a true minion and the most loyal soldier that Bowser could ever have—-so much that he is able to withstand himself against Fawful's most powerful brainwashing headgear smoke.
Captain Goomba: There will be no forgiveness for you, Fawful! The Koopalings... The Trio... You used diabolical tricks to brainwash and control my friends!
Fawful: I am having little to no understanding. You are evil Minions, yes? You should fall to your knees of worship for a genius of evil such as Fawful!
Captain Goomba: Stop saying weird things in weird ways! Enough is ENOUGH! GIVE US BACK OUR BOWSER!
Fawful: Hahahaha! Oh, the chortles I am having! Did I not already tell you the news of your ultimate sadness? Bowser is not a thing that is here... Your tears make hee and har and cheer... He's gone! He's gone! Fawfully-doo! Just like, soon, the one who is you! Go ahead and have searchings for all of the eternities! Hah!
Any time the Goombas and the squad starts to rally around Captain Goomba for real. Coming from a guy who they only chose to be their captain because they didn't want to do it, when they start to realize how great of a captain he truly is, they start to support him as the squad grows larger. And to think that all of this started with just one Goomba who was willing to do anything for his leader, we see just what one man can do all on his own with nothing but determination, character, and just straight-up loyalty. If there was ever the definition of a true Determinator in the Mario series, it would be Captain Goomba without question.
One of the Goombas: Dare to dream, Cap! We're counting on you!
If you still don't get it, then how about we let this one scene from Joke's End tell you everything? Never before in the Mario series, no less, has one Mook managed to rally an entire group of true, undyingly loyal friends and comrades to pull of something this epic. And after all the hard times that his squad put him through and all the teasing and heckling they gave him, for them to declare their undying loyalty and admiration for the one soldier who was willing to put everything on the line for their leader effectively solidifies them as True Companions.
Captain Koopa Troopa: Phew! What a ruckus.
Captain Boo: Soon we'll be able to go home, back to Bowser's Castle...But first, we need to take out that Fawful jerk!
Captain Shy Guy: He always had it in him, right from the beginning.
Captain Boo: What?! You can't be serious!
Captain Shy Guy: He reminds me of Lord Bowser.
Captain Boo: Are you FEELING all right? Maybe you should lie down.
But in the end, if there's any moment that takes the cake, it is this. Just as the squad stands aboard the Koopa Cruiser, ready to storm Bowser's Castle, take on Fawful and his army, and take back their leader, Captain Goomba stands at the helm of the Cruiser, and after stuttering a bit, proceeds to rally the squad in the most epic way possible. If you still had any doubts about whether this kid is the captain of the squad, then by the time this is done, they'll all be gone.
Captain Boo: I don't like this.
Captain Shy Guy: Not one bit.
Captain Goomba: Oh...
Captain Boo: You're talking like old you. All nervous and stuff. It's not very inspiring. Are you our captain, or aren't you?! You've got to sell it to the back row to get us in the fighting spirit! (beat) OK! Now try that again, but this time, put some FEELING into it!
(dramatic pause)
Captain Goomba: Hehehe...I got this...
(Captain Goomba jumps onto the helm of the Cruiser)
Captain Goomba:ATTENTION, all Minions! REPORT TO BOWSER'S CASTLE!
(STOMP)
Captain Goomba:Do NOT run, no matter what! JUST KEEP FIGHTING!!
(STOMP)
Captain Goomba:We WILL rescue Lord Bowser! WE WILL PREVAIL!! TOGETHER!
(STOMP)
Captain Goomba:JOIN ME, COMRADES!!!
And just like that, the squad gets fired up and jumps into Bowser's Castle, ready to fight like hell, as fellow Captain Boo compliments his Goomba comrade for a well-done job.
