Gnat Attack
Gnat Attack[1] is a minigame originating in Mario Paint and has the goal of having to swat different fly-like enemies with a flyswatter.
History[edit]
Mario Paint[edit]
In Mario Paint, the player controls a gloved hand (similar to the one seen on the title screen) holding a flyswatter using the Super NES Mouse, which must swat flying insects on the screen, before the insect stings the player's hand in one way or another. There are three levels, each with 100 insects; after defeating them, the boss, King Watinga, appears. Completing stages causes characters to walk across the screen. At first, only Mario is seen, then a Koopa Troopa walks next to him, and finally a Goomba, a Spiny, and a Bob-omb. When the player defeats the last boss, it takes them back to level one and adds a small icon in the top left corner of the screen; there is no final level or reward, as the game will loop endlessly, getting slightly harder each time.
WarioWare series[edit]
In the WarioWare series, Gnat Attack was first included in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, where it was modified into both a microgame and a bonus minigame, under the names Mario Paint: Fly Swatter and plain Fly Swatter, respectively; the microgame involved shooting the flies as they flew past a fixed target, while the minigame more accurately recreated Gnat Attack's gameplay. WarioWare: D.I.Y. and WarioWare Gold also had Gnat Attack modified into microgames, under the names Fly Swatter and Mario Paint - Flyswatter, respectively.
Super Mario Maker[edit]
Gnat Attack makes a return in Super Mario Maker. The minigame is triggered when the player taps and kills all three flies that appear during the editing mode at one particular time. The flies appear either after waiting 15 minutes while leaving the game idle, moving a block, or shaking a Muncher several times; the second method only works at random, and the third is the fastest in terms of effectiveness. Swatting all three flies using the 
touchscreen will trigger the minigame. It is split into three stages, with King Watinga appearing in the third stage, like in Mario Paint; each stage is completed once all of the flies in it are swatted, like in the SNES version. Since the game now uses the stylus in place of a mouse, there is no mouse cursor and therefore no need for health; instead, each stage is given a 30-second time limit. The Builder Mario costume for Costume Mario is unlocked upon beating the third stage of this game for the first time. Upon losing any stage or winning the third, the player is given an option to restart at Level 1 or quit to the editor; the game can also be exited early by pausing and touching the can of insect repellent.
The 1.20 update for Super Mario Maker released on November 4, 2015 adds a more challenging version of Gnat Attack with a pink background. It is accessible by shaking a Muncher until King Watinga spawns, then swatting him several times. Completing this mode will unlock the Fighter Fly costume for Costume Mario.
Gnat Attack does not appear in Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS or Super Mario Maker 2.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
Elements of the minigame appear as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, under the name Flies & Hand. The flyswatter will hurt any enemies that make contact with it trying to hit the flies.
Unused appearances[edit]
Mario Artist: Paint Studio[edit]
Gnat Attack appears in an early prototype build of Mario Artist: Paint Studio found and preserved in June 2020. It was completely removed in the final product. Like in Mario Paint, the minigame has three levels and one boss level and loops endlessly. However, this version takes place in a house, more specifically a bathroom, a bedroom, a kitchen, and a living room respectively. Additionally, the flies have a different appearance.[2][3]
Enemies[edit]
| Image | Name | Description
|
|---|---|---|
 |
Fly | Flies across screen; cannot harm the hand. |
 |
Big Fly | Can fire projectiles. First enemy that can harm the hand. |
 |
Fly Parent | Births Fly Children if not swatted quickly. Very aggressive; goes after the hand. In Super Mario Maker, they appear in the second stage. |
 |
Fly Bomb | Homes in and explodes when they get too close to the hand. Explosions can harm the hand. In Super Mario Maker, they appear during the third stage (and every stage in hard mode, and in horde) and one second is lost if they explode. |
 |
King Watinga | The minigame's boss. Fires projectiles at the hand. Takes 20 hits to kill. In Super Mario Maker, he only spawns Fly Children and vanishes until all the children are swatted. |
Profiles and statistics[edit]
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
| Spirit #117 Flies & Hand | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Series/game | Mario Paint Series |
| Type | Support | |
| Slots | 1 | |
| Class | Advanced | |
| Strength / effect(s) | Battering Items ↑ | |
| How to obtain | Beedle's Tent; Spirit Board | |
| Spirit battle | Opponent(s) | Giant Donkey Kong, Dark Pit ×4 |
| Conditions |
Rule: Assist Trophy Enemies (Flies & Hand); Item: Food
| |
| Stage | Living Room | |
| Song | Mario Paint Medley |
See also[edit]
- Big Bug Bash!: A bonus game in Donkey Kong 64 that plays similarly.
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ゲーム[4] Gēmu |
Game | |
| French | Attaque des moucherons[?] | Gnat Attack | |
| Italian | Splattamosca[?] | Splat-fly | |
| Portuguese (NOE) | Ataque aos Insetos[5] | Attack against Insects |
References[edit]
- ^ 1992. Mario Paint instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 2 and 29.
- ^ Hard4Games (June 20, 2020). N64 DD Blue Disk Found | Mario Artist: Paint Studio Prototype. YouTube. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- ^ LuigiBlood (June 20, 2020). Mario Artist Paint Studio (1999-02-11 Prototype) - Gnat Attack Showcase. YouTube. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
- ^ 1992. マリオペイント (Mario Peinto) instruction booklet. Nintendo (Japanese). Page 38.
- ^ Nintendo Portugal (October 29, 2015). Super Mario Maker - Atualização de novembro (Wii U). YouTube (Portuguese). Retrieved January 10, 2021.
| Mario Paint | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characters | Mario • Undodog • Mr. Crayon • Baker • Baby Face | |
| Gnat Attack | Big Fly • Fly • Fly Bomb • Fly Child • Fly Parent • King Watinga | |
| Other | Media • Staff • Gallery • Mario Artist series | |
