Editing Lakitu

{{moreImages}}

{{Species-infobox

|title=Lakitu

|image=[[File:Lakitu.jpg|300px]]<br>A '''Lakitu''', as it appears in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''.

|sub_species=[[Aqua Lakitu]]<br>[[Calm Lakitu]]<br>[[Calm Fishin' Boo]]<br>[[Dark Lakitu]]<br>[[Fishin' Boo]]<br>[[Fishin' Lakitu]]<br>[[Glam Lakitu]]<br>[[Lakipea]]<br>[[Lakitu King]]<br>[[Lakitufo]]<br>[[Pipe Lakitu]]<br>[[Thunder Lakitu]]<br>[[Wall Lakitu]]

|species_origin=[[Koopa (species)|Koopa]]

|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' ([[1985]])

|notable=[[Flight]]<br>[[Giga Lakitu]]<br>[[Laki]]<br>[[Lakilester]]<br>[[Lakilulu]]<br>[[Lakithunder]]<br>[[Lakitu Bros.]]<br>[[Royal Bus Driver]]<br>[[Spike Storm]]

|affiliation=[[Koopa Troop]], [[Spiny|Spinies]], [[Lakitu's Cloud|Clouds]], [[Giga Lakitu]]

'''Lakitus''' are bespectacled [[Koopa]]s who ride [[Lakitu's Cloud|clouds]] through the skies. Although Lakitus have become a recognizable trait of the [[Mario (series)|''Mario'' series]], they have suffered neglect in common appearances per game and seem especially rare in other forms of [[Mario]]-related media. Lakitus are the best known for tossing [[Spiny|Spinies]] to [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] below.

====''Super Mario Bros.====

[[File:Lakitulol.gif|frame|left]]

Lakitu's first appearance release-wise was in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', whose manual aptly described him as "the mysterious turtle who controls the clouds". Lakitu debuted in [[World 4 (SMB)|World 4-1]] in this game, where he would simply move back and forth at the top of the screen, occasionally ducking into his cloud to toss [[Spiny Egg]]s (which would hatch into adult Spinies upon collision with the ground) down at [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]]. Lakitu could be destroyed by both a [[jump|stomp]] or [[Fireball]], earning the heroes either 800 or 200 points, respectively; a Lakitu also [[False Bowser|dressed up as Bowser]] in [[World 5 (Super Mario Bros.)|World 5]]. Lakitu would retain his ''Super Mario Bros.'' role in the Japanese-only release ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''.

====''Super Mario Bros. 3====

Lakitu returned as one of the [[Koopa Troop]]'s many operatives in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''. In this game, the sprites of Lakitus made them appear somewhat more recognizable than they were in ''Super Mario Bros.'', clearly having easily visible heads and goggles here. They would once again throw Spiny Eggs down at Mario and Luigi, although the [[egg]]s were here thrown in a more realistic manner; while no major changes were made to Lakitus in this game, some of them tossed an unripened, green sub-species of Spiny Egg that would never become an actual Spiny, instead choosing to roll and bounce around on the ground.They first appear in [[Water Land]]. In the [[Game Boy Advance]] [[Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3|remake]] of this game, an unnamed Lakitu also helped in [[e-Reader]] use and conversion, and all editions of ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' allow Mario and Luigi to actually use Lakitu's Cloud as an item to skip over [[level]]s.

====''Super Mario World====

[[File:LakituSMW.png|frame|A Lakitu tossing a Spiny Egg in ''Super Mario World''.]]

Lakitu sub-species made their debut in ''[[Super Mario World]]'', whose technology also allowed normal Lakitus to pursue the Mario Bros. in a more frantic, realistic manner. Another noticeable change to Lakitus in this game was the ability for Mario or Luigi, after shooting Lakitu down with Fireballs or a throwable item, to actually steal the Koopa's cloud and use it to fly (in a four-directional manner) to hidden parts of stages and over other gaps and obstacles for a limited amount of time. Lakitus were also given an animation when hurt; they fell out of their clouds (revealing details of their lower bodies for the first time in [[games]]) when stomped and their cloud dissipated into nothing. As stated above, ''Super Mario World'' also introduced Lakitu sub-species, such as the [[Warp Pipe]]-dwelling [[Pipe Lakitu]]s, the tempting [[Fishin' Lakitu]]s, and the undead [[Fishin' Boo]]s.

====''Super Mario 64====

[[File: LakituBroSM64.png|200px|thumb|left|Lakitu's 3D debut in ''Super Mario 64''.]]

''[[Super Mario 64]]'' (as well as [[Super Mario 64 DS|its remake]]), Mario's debut in three-dimensional platforming, gave Lakitu a large role. The first two Lakitus seen in this game were the friendly [[Lakitu Bros.]], who helped Mario out towards the beginning of the game, gave him hints in [[Whomp's Fortress]], and, being camera-carrying Fishin' Lakitus, filmed his entire adventure. This "filming" technique was actually a creative way to depict players' views behind Mario; as such, going in front of mirrors, reflections, and the like would actually reveal that Mario was being followed by one Lakitu Bro. throughout the whole course of the game, although the Lakitu himself was invisible due to the fact that the tip of his camera was what the player was seeing through. Belligerent, unfriendly Lakitus also appeared as actual enemies in stages such as [[Tiny-Huge Island]] and [[Rainbow Ride]], where they would float around and (just like they did in older ''Mario'' platformers) throw Spinies down at the player. Destroying these Lakitus could be a challenge, although it would reward Mario with five [[coin]]s. A filmin' Lakitu appears in ''Super Mario 64 DS'' in the King Boo Battle. The Goomboss Battle stage has one Lakitu enemy. Finally, two Lakitus appear in [[Sunshine Isles]].

====''New Super Mario Bros.====

[[File:NSMB Lakitu.png|frame|left]]

[[File:Lakitu.JPG|thumb|160px|A Lakitu as it appears in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]''.]]

When Mario and Luigi returned to two-dimensional platforming in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', Lakitu was not absent. The Lakitus of this game fought in manners largely the same as those of classic, [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]-era ''Mario'' games (although the ''Super Mario World'' ability to take control of Lakitu's Cloud after its natural pilot had been knocked out by a Fireball returned), and they, like every other character in ''New Super Mario Bros.'', were rendered in three dimensions. Although Lakitus weren't extremely prominent in ''New Super Mario Bros.'', the boss of [[World 7 (NSMB)|World 7]] was a Dark Lakitu-like character called [[Lakithunder]], who combated the Mario Bros. with lighting.

<br clear=all>

[[File:Lakitu NSMBW.PNG|thumb|left]]

They appear exactly how they did in the first game. Additionally, some cloud blocks create a Lakitu that throws coins, but can still hurt the player if the player runs into the Lakitu's body. Lakitus also appeared in [[Enemy Course]]s in [[World 7 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 7]].

Lakitus appeared in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'' as well, and they behaved the same way they did in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. One notable Lakitu appears as a boss of the second mission in [[Yoshi Star Galaxy]], called [[Giga Lakitu]]. With the help of Yoshi, Lakitus can be knocked off their clouds by licking them with Yoshi's tounge to spitting Spiny Eggs at them. The Lakitu will flail its arms and legs while on its back until it is defeated or it forms another cloud.

===''Mario Kart'' series===

Lakitu may be best known for his role in the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]] of games, where he is depicted as the owner of the ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' Race Track.<ref>As stated in the ''Super Mario Kart'' manual.</ref> As such, Lakitu plays a friendly role in these nine games, helping his racer clientèle in various ways. In a short intro before the ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' opening screen, Lakitu is usually seen with the traffic light on his fishing pole and saluting the [[player]]s, but rarely appears with a [[Cheep-Cheep]] or a Giant Cheep-Cheep hanging on it. Here are the five ways that Lakitu can do in the ''Mario Kart'' series.

====Starting Races====

[[File:LuigiCircuitMKDD!!.png|thumb|200px|Lakitu holding up the starting lights as seen in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''.]]

Lakitu holds up the starting lights at the beginning of a course, which starts the countdown to the race. In all installments, the starting lights will alert the player when the race can begin. Sometimes, he can also use the lights for Battle Mode.

Lakitu indicates players when they're going in the wrong way during a race. For example, in ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'', Lakitu holds a yellow flag with an "X" mark. In ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', he shows a "reverse" sign, while in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!|Double Dash!!]]'' to ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', Lakitu shows a U-turn sign for the players to turn around and take the right way.

====Laps====

[[File:DryDryRuins5.png|thumb|left|Lakitu holding up the Final Lap sign as seen in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''.]]

During the race, Lakitu holds up lap signs to tell them that the next lap has officially begun (or the last one, if the Final Lap sign is held).

====Finishing the race====

Lakitu holds the checkered flag when a race is finished. If racers cross the finish line at the end of the final lap, then he will come in and wave the flag. This means that a player has scored points when a race is done.

====Getting back on track====

If they happen to fall in water, [[lava]], a [[Abyss|bottomless pit]] or succumb to another obstacle (a feat which he notably charged two coins for in ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''), Lakitu will help them get back in the race.

====''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island====

Lakitu's egg-throwing skills were temporarily amplified to match those of the [[Yoshi (species)|Yoshis]] in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' and [[Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island|its remake]], which featured him so prominently that he had three stages ("[[Watch out for Lakitu]]", "[[Lakitu's Wall]]", and "[[The Cave of the Lakitus]]") named in his moniker. In this game, Lakitus would chase their opponents (here Yoshi and some of his friends) in the same manner that they did in ''Super Mario World'', although the Lakitus' mechanics were changed the most in that they now used cursors (not unlike Yoshi's own) to throw Spiny Eggs; if a Yoshi was to accidentally touch one of these cursors, its Lakitu owner would initiate egg-throwing towards the Yoshi's spot, making his projectiles very accurate but somewhat easy to avoid (as he would fumble around before actually throwing the Spiny Egg, giving Yoshi time to escape). Lakitu's attacking methods were also changed by the fact that Spinies themselves did not exist in ''Super Mario World 2'', meaning that his eggs simply exploded upon contact with the ground. These Lakitus also threw [[Needlenose]]s, albeit rarely. The game also introduced the common, wall-bound [[Wall Lakitu]] sub-species, as well as a rarer [[Aqua Lakitu]] which used a snorkel to live underwater and an even rarer [[Thunder Lakitu]] creature (found only in the level "[[BLIZZARD!!!]]") which could emit thunderbolts at oncoming Yoshis. The game also reused ''Super Mario World''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s ability to hijack Lakitu's Cloud (although it was here done with a stomp due to ''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s lack of Fireballs) and gave the Fishin' Lakitu a return appearance, although rather than tempting Mario with a [[1-up Mushroom]] (as it did in the previous game), the Fishin' Lakitus of ''Yoshi's Island'' rather used actual fishing hooks to grab [[Baby Mario]] and run away with him.

====''Yoshi's Safari====

A lone Lakitu appeared as a mini-boss in ''[[Yoshi's Safari]]'', where he was combated in the [[Dark Realm]] stage [[Ghost Mansion]] (which was a [[Ghost House]], a rather strange place to find a Lakitu). This Lakitu, like all his brethren, attacked by throwing Spinies; although simply shooting him was all one had to do to defeat him, the fact that he had much [[HP]] and no "hurt" animation made him a very challenging and confusing enemy for Mario and [[Yoshi]] to fight. However, they eventually blasted him out of his cloud and he was not seen again in ''Yoshi's Safari'' until just before the final battle, where they fought him (or possibly another Lakitu) in a long round of rematches against other mini-bosses; he was here battled after [[Boomerang Bro.]] and before [[Sledge Bro.]].

===''Mario vs. Wario===

A single Lakitu makes a small appearance in ''[[Mario vs. Wario]]'', appearing as a mailman who delivers [[Wario]]'s letter to Mario at the start of the comic.

A Lakitu makes a small appearance as an umpire in ''[[Mario's Tennis]]'', released on the [[Virtual Boy]].

Lakitus help save lost balls in ''[[Mario Power Tennis (Nintendo GameCube)|Mario Power Tennis]]''. Lakitu also appeared in two mini-games in that game as well. In the mini-game [[Chain-Chomp Challenge]], he holds the game timer to tell the player how much time is left during the game. Lakitu is also responsible for starting the [[Artist On the Court]] mini-game with his Start Signal from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''.

===''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars===

|location=[[Mushroom Way]], [[Rose Way]], [[Booster Pass]], [[Bowser's Castle|Bowser's Keep]]

Lakitus made their [[RPG]] debut as a somewhat uncommon enemy in ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''. In this game, Lakitus for the most part took up their role in other games, although one noticeable change was given to them: rather than throwing Spinies, ''Super Mario RPG'' Lakitus tossed that game's similar [[Spikey]]s. Enemy Lakitus appeared in four different levels in the game, and all of these Lakitus behaved differently based on the level they appeared in. Despite their appearances being fairly spread out, there was no more powerful sub-species of Lakitus to take their place later in the game.

The first Lakitu Mario encountered was found in [[Mushroom Way]]. This Lakitu would throw Spikeys down at Mario, but could not be attacked because it flew so high above the ground, out of Mario's jumping range (and would make for a rather challenging enemy so early in the game if it could be attacked). The next one was found shortly afterward in [[Rose Way]]; this Lakitu (who was depicted with a Fishin' Lakitu pole on the overworld) attacked by lowering [[Shy Guy]]s down at Mario and [[Mallow]]. The crew (which then consisted of Mario, Mallow, and [[Geno]]) found the last Lakitu in [[Booster Pass]], where it attacked with [[Spikester]]s. Unlike the Lakitu from Mushroom Way, the Lakitu at Booster Pass could be attacked by scaling one of the rocky cliffs and jumping on the enemy from above. Lakitus could also be fought in the enemy corridors of [[Bowser's Keep]]. In battle, Lakitus would often use quick, hard-to-dodge attacks.

Although Lakitus had a minor role in this game, a [[Royal Bus Driver|huge, mustachioed Lakitu]] actually played a vital part in ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'' by operating a [[Royal Bus|bus]] from [[Nimbus Land]] to Bowser's Keep, and another Lakitu appeared in [[Tadpole Pond]] as a helper of [[Frogfucius]]. Both these Lakitus appeared riding a large cloud float based on the former's bus during the game's ending sequence.

''Super Mario RPG'' was also [[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars/Beta elements|initially going to feature]] a Fishin' Lakitu helper in [[Booster Tower]].

===''Tetris Attack===

When the largely ''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island''-themed game ''[[Tetris Attack]]'' was translated from the Japanese game ''Panel de Pon'', Lakitu took the role as a hero in place of the air fairy Windy. Yoshi and Lakitu settled their differences and became friends in this game, although the events of Vs. Com stated that Lakitu rejoined the Koopa Troop when [[Bowser]] and [[Kamek]] hypnotized him. Yoshi, bent on freeing all his friends, then traveled to the Breeze Stage and fought Lakitu and his [[Goonie]] ally, which broke the enchantment and reforged Lakitu's friendship with Yoshi. Like the majority of ''Tetris Attack'' bosses, Lakitu was also playable in that game's [[Time Trial]] mode, which made ''Tetris Attack'' the first game to feature a playable Lakitu and the only game where a generic, unnamed Lakitu can be taken control of by the player.

<br clear=all>

[[File:MiniGameWhistle.png‎|thumb|left|200px|Lakitu as the mini-game referee in ''[[Mario Party Advance]]''.]]

Thanks to the prosperity and fame of the ''Mario Kart'' series, Lakitu often takes up similar roles in other spin-offs. However, due to the fact that the [[Mario Party (series)|''Mario Party'' series]] often employs alternate hosts (such as [[Toad]] or the [[Star Spirits]]) per game, Lakitu is often left out of a main role. He does, though, manage to get similar purposes in the game, often as a mini-game character (for instance, Lakitu played a major role in the ''[[Mario Party 4]]'' mini-game [[Fish n' Drips]], and the ''[[Mario Party-e]]'' mini-game [[Lakitu's Luck]] was named after him).

====''Mario Party Advance''====

Despite [[Tumble]]'s role as the main host of ''[[Mario Party Advance]]'', Lakitu actually did get minor (but noticeable) roles as that game's mini-game referee; at the start of a mini-game, Lakitu (and his whistle-blowing cloud) would alert players to start and announce the end when time runs out for mini-games. A single Lakitu also appeared in the [[Lakitu House]] in the [[Seaside Area]] of [[Shroom City]]. This Lakitu is an avid [[Toad Force V]] fan, and carrys a Fishing Pole with a Toad Force V Action Figure on the end of it. He enjoys knowing trivia about the show, and the Quest "What's That Line" revolves around traveling to the [[Mushroom Condo]] to ask [[Mushbert]] what a certain line in the show is, and then returning to the Lakitu House to inform the questioner. He then rewards the [[Player]] with the Gaddget [[Bait 'n Wait]]. The ending of the game states that he secretly wants to be a screenwriter.

Lakitu is perhaps best known in the ''Mario Party'' series for his [[Orb]], the aptly-named [[Lakitu Orb]]. This Orb (under the name "Lakitu Capsule") debuted in ''[[Mario Party 5]]'' and allowed players to either steal Orbs of their choice from other players (if they landed on the space which the possessor of the Lakitu Orb placed his Orb) or earn ten coins.

The Lakitu Orb (finally being named as such) made a return appearance in ''[[Mario Party 7]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Neon Heights]], where players could use it to swipe one of [[Koopa Kid]]'s [[Treasure Chest]]s at random, awarding the player with the item inside (which could vary in helpfulness).

In ''[[Mario Party 8]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Test for the Best]], Lakitu holds up the 6,000 point sign with his fishing pole. One Lakitu appears in the mini-game [[Glacial Meltdown]] where, instead of throwing Spines at the player, this Lakitu strangely threw [[Buzzy Beetle]]s at the player.

[[File: BrawlLakitu.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Lakitu in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.]]

Lakitus made their debut in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', where a [[Lakitu Bros.|Lakitu Bro.]] rarely appeared in the background of the [[Princess Peach's Castle]] stage. It would then again appear in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', where a ''Super Mario World'' sprite of him cameoed alongside a [[Banzai Bill]] in the background of the [[Yoshi's Island (place)|Yoshi's Island]] stage. It also appeared in the upper part of ''[[Mushroom Kingdom (stage)|Mushroom Kingdom]]'', alongside two green [[Koopa Troopa]]s and a [[Goomba]]. Also, a [[Fishin' Lakitu]] (although simply named "Lakitu") also appeared as a [[trophy]]. Lakitu appears again in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as an [[Assist Trophy]] character, appearing in its original 8-bit form from ''Super Mario Bros.'' It will toss Spinies on the ground when released from the Assist Trophy, hurting players who hit the Spinies. It is, however, one of the few Assist Trophies that can be attacked and defeated.

===''Mario Golf'' series===

[[File:WaterHazard.jpg|thumb|Lakitu as seen in ''Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour'', signaling a Water Hazard for the player.]]

In ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]'', perhaps with influence from ''Super Mario 64'', places a Lakitu in the role of a cameraman and referee of the Speed Golf sub-game with his Start Signal from ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' that can be seen at the start of the first hole of any course.

Lakitu is used as catcher of balls lost to water hazards in ''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]'', which also featured a surprisingly Lakitu-less course called [[Lakitu Valley]]. Also in the game, he is served as the referee of the Speed Golf sub-game once again, but this time, with his ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!|Double Dash!!]]'' Start Signal.

====''Paper Mario====

In ''[[Paper Mario]]'', Lakitu are found only in the area [[Flower Fields]], where they aid [[Huff N. Puff]] in his plot to cover the fauna filled place with clouds. In this game, Lakitus, as well as throwing Spiny Eggs, employ a new tactic, if one sights Mario in the field, it will charge towards him, attempting to ram the plumber. As well as appearing as generic enemies, Lakitus appear as mini-bosses at least three times in ''Paper Mario''. The Lakitu in this game appear to directly serve Huff N. Puff rather than just [[Bowser]].

Two notable Lakitu in this game are [[Lakilester]] , who joins the party after a fight, and his girlfriend [[Lakilulu]].

====''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door====

|image=[[File:Cloudzz.PNG|170px]]

|hp=5

|atk=2

|def=0

|items=[[Super Shroom]], [[Volt Shroom]]

|location=[[Glitzville]], [[Pit of 100 Trials (Rogueport)|Pit of 100 Trials]] (Levels 21-29)

|tattle=That's a Lakitu. It's a member of the Koopa clan that rides on clouds. It attacks by throwing Spinies. If you stomp on it when it's holding up a Spiny, you'll take damage, so DON'T do it! Spinies slowly open after being thrown, so beat the Lakitu before fighting the Spinies. Aw, this book doesn't answer my real question: where does it keep all those Spinies?

|after=[[Dark Lakitu|28]]

[[File:CameraBlueLakitu.png|left|thumb|A Cameraman Lakitu, in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]''.]]

Although the [[Nintendo GameCube]] RPG ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' featured certain Lakitu non-playable characters (such as [[Laki]], a train enthusiast found near the [[Excess Express]] boarding area), its most memorable Lakitu (or at least the only one that could be battled) was a part of [[Spike Storm]], a Lakitu/Spiny team Mario (under the fighting pseudonym "the Great Gonzales") and his partners fought in the [[Glitz Pit]]'s major league. Although these were the only combat-friendly normal Lakitus in the game, a more powerful sub-species known as the [[Dark Lakitu]], along with the regular ones, could be found in the [[Pit of 100 Trials (Rogueport)|Pit of 100 Trials]].

====''Super Paper Mario====

As is par with ''Mario'' RPGs, Lakitu was a rare enemy character in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', which is actually a cross between platforming and role-playing. In this game, Lakitus are only seen in areas such as [[The Dotwood Tree]] and [[Overthere Stair]]; however, the aforementioned Laki character from ''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door'' was given a reference in some [[Merlee's Mansion]] graffiti in this game and a Lakitu (despite his species's obscurity in ''Super Paper Mario'') can appear as one of the randomly-generated characters on the first page of [http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/r8pj/index.html the Japanese ''Super Paper Mario'' website]. The Lakitu [[Catch Card]] in ''Super Paper Mario'' states Lakitu's motives for throwing Spiny Eggs at opponents: Lakitu's actions are because someone "made fun of its glasses".

====''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga====

[[File:LakituMLSS.png|thumb|left|110px|Lakitu carrying the level-up bonus from ''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga''.]]

Lakitu has always been a rare thing to come across in the [[Mario & Luigi Series|''Mario & Luigi'' series]], which he debuted in with ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''. In that game, a Fishin' Lakitu would appear every time a Mario Bro. [[Level Up|leveled up]], carrying a selecting device that would let Mario and Luigi choose what they wished to level up in; the device would then flip over and become a roulette that would determine how many points the brother would earn. The only other appearance of Lakitus in this game was in the final battle with [[Fawful]], where a cutscene before said battle would depict a pair of Lakitus holding up spotlights to reveal Fawful's cloakless form; Lakitus also had the [[Lakipea]] sub-species in the game, one of the [[Beanbean Kingdom]]'s many vegetable-based answers to [[Mushroom Kingdom]] foes. Lakipeas, who threw [[Sharpea]]s rather than Spinies, could be found in a northeastern area of the Beanbean Kingdom near the entrance to [[Teehee Valley]].

====''Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time====

Lakitu's minor, friendly roles in the ''Mario & Luigi'' series continued with ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'', where he took on his role of level up assistant yet again, only here with a better-animated fishing line. A Fishin' Lakitu with a camera (quite possibly one of ''Super Mario 64''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Lakitu Bros.) also went to [[Princess Peach's Castle]] presumably to report on the launch of [[Professor Elvin Gadd]]'s [[Time Machine]] towards the beginning of the game; when [[Toadsworth]]'s fainting faced Mario with the challenge of retrieving a [[Refreshroom]] from the elderly [[Toad (species)|Toad]]'s room, this friendly Lakitu reporter aided the [[plumber]] with a "cloud-cam view" of the castle, actually the bird's-eye [[map]] that Mario, Luigi, and their baby selves would continue to use throughout the rest of their adventure. The Lakitu then flew off and was never seen again; as a matter of fact, the only other generic Lakitu seen in ''Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time'' was an unnamed agent of [[Lakitu Travel]] who transported [[Kylie Koopa]] and [[Toadbert]] to the [[Star Shrine]] right before the battle with [[Elder Shrooboid]]. However, another Lakitu sub-species could be fought in the [[Vim Factory]]; these [[Shroobified]] Lakitus, the [[Lakitufo]]s, flew on UFOs rather than clouds, had antennae, and beamed down [[Spiny Shroopa]]s rather than throwing Spinies.

====''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story''====

Lakitu kept his role in the ''Mario & Luigi'' series for a third time in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' as the level up assistant yet again. However this was his only role. Two new species of Lakitu were also introduced: [[Glam Lakitu]] and [[Lakitu King]], respectively.

Lakitus appear in the ''Mario''-themed mahjong game ''[[Yakuman DS]]'' as the host of the tutorial, as well as providing advice to the player during games.

===''Mario Baseball'' series===

[[File:Daisy-mss-intro-2.png|thumb|Lakitu as seen in the opening for ''Mario Super Sluggers''.]]

In both ''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]'' and ''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]'', a Lakitu takes the role of an umpire just as it did in ''Mario Tennis''. This time, he calls the strikes, outs, and announces the start or the end of any exhibition game.

===''Super Princess Peach===

Bowser brought many Lakitus with him (who in this game fought with Spiny Egg-throwing mechanics similar to those seen in ''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island'') when he invaded [[Vibe Island]] in ''[[Super Princess Peach]]'', and some of them (the [[Calm Lakitu]]s) were even made drowsy by the [[Vibe Scepter]] (only sneaking past these sleeping Lakitus could keep them from waking up and fighting like normal Lakitus). ''Super Princess Peach'' also brings back the long-neglected Fishin' Boos, and even introduces [[Calm Fishin' Boo|a calm variety of them]].

 

A ''Super Mario Bros.'' Lakitu sprite is the opponent icon in the fourth difficulty level of the Vs. CPU mode featured in ''[[Tetris DS]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Standard Mode, as well as the player's own icon in various other Standard Mode games.

[[File:Bgespio.PNG|thumb|right|Lakitu alongside [[Espio]] in ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]''.]]

Lakitus appear as referees in the game ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'' and ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]''.

In ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]'', a special Lakitu asks [[Princess Daisy]] to compete in two events which would give them the Curling Puck for Curling Bowling, Also he made an appearance in the [[Extreme Snowboarding]] in which, just like in ''Mario Kart'', he would inform them what lap the players are on, respectively.

===''Mario Sports Mix''===

[[File:MSM 1-1 Hockey.png|thumb|200px|left|Lakitu as seen in ''Mario Sports Mix'', ready to drop the [[Coin|coin]] as a puck.]]

Lakitu appears in ''[[Mario Sports Mix]]'' where he is served as the referee of the [[Mario Sports Mix#Basketball|basketball]], [[Mario Sports Mix#Hockey|hockey]], and [[Mario Sports Mix#Dodgeball|dodgeball]] matches. He drops the puck in hockey matches during a face-off, and throws the dodgeball or basketball in the air for basketball and dodgeball matches during a tip-off.

====''Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!====

[[File:LakituTheGreatMission.png|thumb|left|Lakitu joyously shakes a jarred Mario's hand in ''Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!''.]]

In the obscure ''Mario'' anime movie ''[[Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!]]'', the only difference in the appearance of the Lakitus was that their clouds had no faces (However, a pair of Lakitus whose clouds did have faces appeared in the film's opening credits). In the movie itself, many Lakitus made their debut toward the beginning of the anime during the Koopa Troopa invasion of [[Mario's Pad|Mario's house]]; however, no Lakitus were given major roles until shortly after Mario and Luigi had collected the [[Super Mushroom]]. During the events that followed, the Mario Bros. were eventually attacked by a Lakitu who ended up trapping Luigi amongst a horde of giant Spinies, although Mario managed to escape his eggs. Mario then made a [[Magic Vine]] appear and was disorientingly boosted to Lakitu's height; the amused Lakitu then scoffed at Mario and shook his hand before realizing that he was so close to his enemy; after this epiphany came to the Lakitu, he quickly flew away. However, Mario managed to get control of the Koopa's cloud, which he tampered with until he accidentally destroyed the Spinies, saving Luigi.

====''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!====

[[File: CartoonLakitu.jpg|thumb|Lakitu in ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!''.]]

Only one Lakitu ever appeared on ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'', in the episode "[[Mario and the Red Baron Koopa]]". ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'' strangely depicted Lakitu as a green, more-reptilian turtle with a large nose (which was actually how all generic Koopa Troopas looked in the cartoon) who wore red-lensed, gold-framed aviator's goggles. In the episode, King Koopa (using a [[Magic Carpet]] he had stolen from [[Sam Shalam]]) brought Lakitu to the country of [[Pasta Land]], where he terrorized the citizens (as well as the visiting group of Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad) with Spinies and rain. Afterwards, Lakitu helped King Koopa launch the [[Wicked Weather Satellite]] and the two relaxed atop Lakitu's Cloud until Mario, Luigi, and Toad avenged themselves and defeated King Koopa, in addition to destroying the Wicked Weather Satellite. Lakitu himself was last seen attempting at maintaining his cloud, which had been broken by the Mario Brothers' biplane; it is assumed he later plummeted to his doom. Finally, it is interesting to note that this cartoon episode marked the only time Lakitu's Western name was spoken; King Koopa and Princess Toadstool pronounced it /ˈlækiːtuː/. Also of note, this Lakitu's voice was similar to that of comedian [[Wikipedia: Groucho Marx|Groucho Marx]].

====''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3====

Lakitu made his final cartoon appearance as a minor, unnamed character (with no speaking roles) in the ''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' episode "[[Life's Ruff]]". Compared to the ''Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'' counterpart, the one Lakitu seen in this episode looked quite a bit more accurate to the games; however, he had a more prominent nose and forehead, in addition to the fact that his [[Lakitu's Cloud]] (which was a dark, eyed, non-smiling storm cloud) was vastly different. Lakitu's only role in this cartoon was to throw some (strangely explosive) Spiny Eggs down at the then-canine Luigi to stall him in his chase with [[Lemmy Koopa|Hip]] and [[Iggy Koopa|Hop Koopa]].

====Nintendo Comics System====

====="Cloud Burst"=====

[[File: CloudBurst.jpg|thumb|left|Lakitu in "Cloud Burst".]]

Lakitu's one and only appearance in the [[Nintendo Comics System]] came in the comic "[[Cloud Burst]]", which depicted Lakitu as almost identical to how he appeared in games. However, drastic changes were made to this Lakitu's cloud; although the front of this cloud (which happened to be the only side with a smile) looked par to game art, this front was attached to a larger, flat cloud where Lakitu kept his things and seemed to live in. This Lakitu's Cloud, which Lakitu identified in one line of dialogue as [[Fluffy]], was also capable of speech, limited free movement, and it had a large dissipation plug amidst it. Lakitu himself was depicted in this comic as a kleptomaniac, stealing most everything he saw, including his own king's crown and [[Koopabit]]s. The Lakitu had also stolen Princess Toadstool's crown, which she desperately needed for her re-coronation ceremony; as such, she sent Mario and Luigi out to find the jeweled headdress (which she thought had been stolen by King Koopa). Lakitu, with orders from his king (who happened to not be aware of the cloud-riding Koopa's mutinous crimes), attacked Mario and Luigi with Spinies; although Mario managed to get away from Lakitu, a less fortunate Luigi was sprung up into his cloud. This Lakitu, despite his later cruelty to the plumber in green, actually started a limited friendship with Luigi as he stole his clothing; however, Luigi would appear to have just been playing along when he started a bond with the turtle, as he had found Princess Toadstool's crown amongst Lakitu's treasures and had to get away with it. In the end, Luigi pulled the cloud's aforementioned dissipation plug (raining Koopabits and the like down at Bowser's troops) and got away with Princess Toadstool's crown along with Mario. While it is unknown what happened to Lakitu, it is assumed that he was reprimanded by Bowser for theft.

====''Club Nintendo====

In its only appearance in the ''[[Club Nintendo]]'' comics, Lakitu was briefly seen in the opening panel of "[[Mario will hoch hinaus]]".

Many Lakitus also appeared in ''[[Super Mario Adventures]]'', where they briefly attacked Princess Toadstool and her Toads with Spiny Eggs. These Lakitus appeared in an unknown desert area just at a time when Princess Toadstool's troopers were dehydrating; when the gang of Toads first saw a Lakitu's Cloud appear, they mistook it for a harmless raincloud and initiated a rain dance to ensure water. However, when they saw that their actions had only provoked the Lakitus, they declared that they had "done the wrong dance" and chaos ensued. After this brief appearance, it was later revealed that Bowser had kidnapped Princess Toadstool and therefore assumed that the Lakitus captured her and her gang. Later, during Bowser and the princess's wedding, a Lakitu could be seen tossing confetti.

====''Super Mario-Kun====

[[File:Super Mario Kun 06 p039.jpg|thumb|Lakitu as the ''Mario Kart'' referee in ''[[Super Mario-Kun]]''.]]

Lakitu appeared in various issues of ''[[Super Mario-Kun]]'' where he is served as an enemy, a ''Mario Kart'' referee, and an announcer in various ''Mario Kart'' tracks.

====''The Legend of Zelda series''====

[[zeldawiki:Lakitu|Lakitu]] is notable for [[Game Sightings|breaking the boundaries of the ''Mario'' series]] by appearing in non-''Mario'' games such as the ''[[zeldawiki:Legend of Zelda|Legend of Zelda]]'' game ''[[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap]]''. In this game, Lakitus were recognizable, but their clouds had no smiles, they seemed to not wear goggles, their hair was thicker (actually resembling Lakitu's hair as it appeared in ''Mario Superstar Baseball''), and they threw thunderbolts rather than Spiny Eggs (much like the ''Mario'' enemy [[Thunder Lakitu]]). They were found in the sky and even [[Link]] had the ability to steal their clouds with an item called the Gust Jar.

====''Nintendo 3DS''====

A Lakitu randomly appears in the Free Fishing mini-game included in the [[Augmented Reality Games]] software on the [[Nintendo 3DS]], in which it fishes for [[Blooper]]s. Such Bloopers can also be caught by the player.

===Game Boy Camera===

A Lakitu appeared as a sticker featured on the [[wikipedia:Game Boy Camera|Game Boy Camera]].

==Physical Appearance==

[[File:Lakitu SMB.png|thumb|100px|left|An earlier, sketchier Lakitu.]]

Lakitus are Koopas who employ clouds as vehicles. However, Lakitus themselves have a rather different appearance than the normal Koopa Troopas; Lakitus have very different heads with much smaller, circular noses, all generic Lakitus wear thick goggles, and Lakitus have a ring pattern on their shells rather than the hexagon pattern featured on those of Koopas. Also, while most Koopas (other than the [[Dry Bones]] of certain [[Paper Mario (series)|''Paper Mario'' games]]) have no hair at all, Lakitus are usually depicted with three small strands of hair, or (as seen in ''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]'') a small clump of black hair.

However, Lakitus are most differentiatable from Koopa Troopas in that they simply ride clouds. These clouds have changed over the years perhaps even more than Lakitus themselves; although 8-bit [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] games depicted Lakitu as riding a cloud identical to certain [[block]]-like cloud platforms, ''[[Super Mario World]]'' (which still included these small platforms of old) gave Lakitus more realistic, larger clouds to commandeer.

===Tools===

*[[Fishin' Lakitu|Fishing Pole]] - ''[[Super Mario World]]'', ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series, ''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]'', and ''[[Mario Sports Mix]]''.

*[[Lakitu's Cloud]] - All games Lakitus appeared in.

*Start Signal - The ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series, ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]'', ''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]'', and ''[[Mario Power Tennis (Nintendo GameCube)|Mario Power Tennis]]''.

*[[Spiny Egg]] - ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'', ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', ''[[Super Mario World]]'', ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', ''[[Paper Mario]]'', ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'', ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''.

==Official Stats and Information==

===''Paper Mario'' Stats and Tattle===

|image=[[Image:PMlakitu.gif]]

|location=[[Flower Fields]]

|tattle=This is a Lakitu. Lakitus are strange Koopas that can ride clouds. Max HP: 12, Attack Power: 3, Defense Power: 0 They toss down Spiny Eggs, and these sometimes turn into crawling Spinies. We'd better deal with them quickly or else we'll be surrounded by Spinies. It seems like these Lakitus have been hassling you for your entire career, Mario.

}}

===''Super Paper Mario'' Stats and Tattle===

{{spmenemybox

===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===

!Lakitu

|align=center|''Super Mario Bros.''<br>10/85

|''These airborne menaces used to ride their clouds exclusively as Bowser's henchmen. They typically hover just out of Mario's reach and hurl Spinies with irritating precision. More recently, however, they've been known to take on less evil tasks, such as doing camera work for sports events and even helping Mario on his quests.''

|}

====Brawl====

{|border=1 cellpadding=1 cellspacing=0 width=100%

|-

!width=100px|Name!!width=100px|Image!!width=200px|Game!!|Description

!rowspan=2|Lakitu & Spinies

|rowspan=2|[[File:TrLakitu.jpg|100px]]

|align=center|'''NES''' ''Super Mario Bros.''

|rowspan=2|''A particularly stubborn breed of Koopa. Lakitus chase Mario aboard clouds and attack by throwing Spiny Eggs down from above. More recently, Lakitus have taken over the role of cameramen, filming with cameras that they dangle from long rods. Spinies are Koopa creatures with tough, spiked shells. Jumping onto them has no effect, but fireballs can dispatch them.''

|align=center|'''N64''' ''Super Mario 64''

|-

|}

{{morepic}}

==Names in Other Languages==

{{Foreignname

|Jap=ジュゲム

|JapM=In Japan, there is a well known tale of "寿限無"(Jugem/Immortal);it could have been derived from there. Officially romanized as "Jugem" in ''Super Mario Bros. 3''

|Fra=Lakitu<br>Billolotos ''(Yoshi's Island)''

|FraM=The second name has no real meaning and was only used in the localization of ''Yoshi's Island''. Everywhere else, their name is Lakitu.

|Chi=朱盖木

|ChiR=Zhūgàimù

|ChiM=Transliteration of the Japanese name

|GerM=Lakitu

|SpaM=Lakitu}}

*After being asked what video game character would represent him the best, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] replied that Lakitu would, as he "seems to be very free, floating in the air, going anywhere", a type of personality Miyamoto can apparently relate to. <ref>[http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=271 N-Sider] (Retrieved on 2007-7-14)</ref>

<br clear=all>

{{navtemplate|

{{Super Mario Bros.}}

{{Super Mario Bros. 3}}

{{Yoshi's Island}}

{{Super Mario RPG}}

{{NSMB}}

{{NSMB Wii}}

{{SPP}}

{{PM2}}

{{Yoshi's Island DS}}

{{The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! Animated}}

{{The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3}}

{{SSB}}

{{MASATOG}}

{{MASATOWG}}

{{Mario Pinball Land}}

}}

[[Category:Bosses]]

[[Category:Paper Mario Series Bosses]]

[[Category:Paper Mario Series Enemies]]

[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Stickers]]

[[Category:Itadaki Street DS Characters]]

[[Category:Super Mario Bros. Enemies]]

[[Category:Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]]

[[Category:Paper Mario Enemies]]

[[Category:Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Enemies]]

[[Category:Super Paper Mario Enemies]]

[[Category:Mario Party Advance]]

[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy 2]]

[[Category:Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]

[[Category:Paper Mario]]

[[Category:Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]

[[Category:New Super Mario Bros. Wii Trading Cards]]

[[Category:Yoshi Touch & Go]]

[[Category:Mario Sports Mix]]

[[Category:Mario Kart Wii]]

[[Category:Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]

[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]

[[Category:Mario Kart DS]]

[[Category:Mario Super Sluggers]]

[[Category:Mario Party 8]]

[[Category:Playable Characters]]

[[Category:Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]

[[Category:Mario Party 6]]

[[Category:Mario Party 4]]

[[Category:Super Mario Bros.]]

[[Category:Mario Party 3]]

[[Category:Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]

[[Category:Mario Power Tennis]]

[[Category:Yoshi's Safari]]

[[Category:Reptiles and Amphibians]]

[[Category:Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix]]

[[Category:Mario Pinball Land]]

[[Category:Mario Golf 64]]

[[Category:Mario Tennis 64]]