View source for Spark

{{about|the enemies debuting in [[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]|other uses of the word Spark|[[Spark (disambiguation)]]}}
{{distinguish|Sparx|Sparkle}}
{{species infobox
|image=[[File:SMA Spark Artwork.jpg]]<br>Artwork from ''Super Mario Advance''
|first_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' ([[List of games by date#1982|1982]])
|latest_appearance=''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom}}'' (2024, overall)<br>''[[Yoshi's New Island]]'' ([[List of games by date#2014|2014]], ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' franchise)
|variants=[[Magnet Sparky]]<br>[[Wire Trap]]
|comparable=[[Amp]]<br>[[Guriguri]]<br>[[Li'l Sparky]]<br>[[Motivational spark]]<br>[[Sparky (Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3)|Sparky (''Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3'')]]
}}
'''Sparks''' are orb-shaped creatures that emit pulses and flashes of electricity continually. They are mostly found crawling around walls and ceilings and moving across wires. Sparks are the first in a series of enemies in the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]] that are balls of electricity, including [[Li'l Sparky|Li'l Sparkies]] and [[Amp]]s.

==History==
===''Donkey Kong'' series===
====''Donkey Kong Jr.''====
[[File:DKJrSpark1.png|frame|left]]
Sparks first appear in [[Mario's Hideout]] of ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' Red Sparks (also known as '''Globes'''<ref>Instruction manual for Atari 8-bit and Atari 7800 conversions{{page needed}}</ref>) continue to circle their own platform, but blue ones can travel to other platforms through static particles. These Sparks are generated by [[Mario]] in order to shock [[Donkey Kong Jr.]], preventing him from saving [[Donkey Kong|his father]]. Blue Sparks do not appear in the Coleco Adam port, which alters the stage layout and replaces them with hazardous green water [[drop]]s instead.

====''Donkey Kong'' (Game Boy)====
[[File:DKGB Spark 6-4.png|frame|left]]
In the [[Game Boy]] version of ''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]'', only one Spark<ref>{{cite|language=ja|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|date=August 20, 1994|isbn=4-09-102485-8|title=「任天堂公式ガイドブック　ドンキーコング」 (''Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook – Donkey Kong'')|page=59}}</ref> appears in [[Stage 6-4]], rotating clockwise at a medium pace around a small platform in the path of a [[Conveyor Belt]]. It has the same behavior as the [[Sniper]] and [[Sukōpī]] seen earlier in the game, except losing a life from the Spark displays an electrocution animation. Unlike other appearances, the Spark in this game lacks eyes. This game also introduces a more common [[Wire Trap|wire-crossing successor]].
{{br}}

===''Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic'' / ''Super Mario Bros. 2''===
[[File:DokiSpark.png|thumb|Artwork from ''Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic'']]
Sparks appear in ''[[Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', usually underground or in buildings. Sparks circle platforms, though some can hover in the air if a [[Mushroom Block]] is pulled out from beneath them.  Sparks cannot be jumped on and damage the player character when touched. A Spark is defeated if either hit by an object or from a [[POW Block]] being used nearby. A Spark is defeated automatically if the screen scrolls while they are in a specific position.<ref>{{cite|author=Small Mario Findings|url=64.media.tumblr.com/762f152f9bbcf81a0ced7fbf750b32dc/5f0b4fcbe4b4d7b1-97/s400x600/345f3f01430927dc8b63d0ce2976959fc0f44bfe.gifv|title=Video|publisher=Tumblr|language=en|accessdate=July 4, 2024}}</ref> In original versions, Sparks have red outlines around their eyes; in the ''Super Mario All-Stars'' version and other subsequent remakes, they have yellow outlines as well as an orange outer body outline. In the [[Super Mario Advance|remake]], touching a Spark knocks the player back as the screen briefly pixelates, and an item named the [[Spark Chaser]] can expel them from [[jar]] interiors.

===''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!''===
[[File:SparkCartoon.jpg|thumb||left|A Spark from ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'']]
{{quote|Spark on the warpath!|[[Mario]]|"[[On Her Majesty's Sewer Service]]"}}
A Spark only appears in the episode "[[On Her Majesty's Sewer Service]]" in ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' It does not discharge any electricity. The Spark is encountered by Mario and [[Luigi]] in the [[Tunnel of Doom]] as they run from a [[Goomba]]. Both are avoided when Mario and Luigi create a grappling hook out of a super spy hose nozzle and mini plunger; apparently unable to stop moving, the Spark and Goomba subsequently crash into one another, causing an explosion.
{{br|left}}

===''Nintendo Comics System''===
[[File:SparkComic.JPG|thumb|Three Sparks from "Bedtime for Drain-Head"]]
Sparks appear prominently in issues of ''[[Nintendo Comics System]]'', appearing in such stories as "[[The Legend]]," "[[Bedtime for Drain-Head]]," and "[[A Mouser in the Houser]]." Like most enemies featured in the stories, they are shown to be intelligent and fully capable of speech.

===''Yoshi's Island'' series===
====''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island'' / ''Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3''====
[[File:PiroGreen.png|thumb|left|A Piro Dangle without fire in ''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island'']]
Sparks are referred to as '''Piro Dangles'''<ref name=guide>{{cite|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=1995|author=Miller, Kent, and Terry Munson|title=''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island'' Player's Guide|page={{file link|SMW2 Guide 128.jpg|128}}}}</ref> in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' and its [[Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3|remake]]. They emit fire instead of electricity and have faces similar to that of [[Fryguy]]. Occasionally, their fire temporarily goes out, revealing that underneath they are white spheres. During this time, they are harmless. Piro Dangles can be found only in a secret room in [[Burt The Bashful's Fort]], as well as in [[Endless World of Yoshis]] in the remake, where they can also be defeated from a [[ice watermelon|blue watermelon]]. There is also an [[List of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island pre-release and unused content|unused]] variant of [[Boo Blah]] that has a Piro Dangle on its head.

====''Yoshi's New Island''====
In ''[[Yoshi's New Island]]'', Sparks maintain their appearance and behavior from ''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island'', and appear only within dark rooms in [[Beware the Boo Brigade]] and [[Fort Key Calamity]].

===''The Legend of Zelda'' series===
{{main-wiki|ZeldaWiki|Spark|Zelda Wiki}}
Sparks appear with the same wall-running behavior in multiple games in [[zeldawiki:The Legend of Zelda (Series)|The ''Legend of Zelda'' series]]. In ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past}}'', Sparks flash between orange and blue and are completely invincible, appearing in a few dungeons. In this game, they also share the same graphics as the segmented [[Fire Bar|fire bar]]s and {{iw|zeldawiki|Winder|Fire Snake}}s, which stay orange. Sparks are more common in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening]]'', ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons}}''/''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Ages}}'', and ''{{iw|zeldawiki|The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap}}'', and can be destroyed with the {{iw|zeldawiki|boomerang}}, which turns them into {{iw|zeldawiki|fairy|fairies}}.
{{br|left}}

==Profiles and statistics==
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario Bros. 2''====
{{multilang profile
|type=manual
|columns=1
|Eng=He shines and moves in a circular motion around the walls and floors of the underground. He moves fast or slow.<ref>{{cite|language=en|date=1988|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo of America|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/clv/manuals/en/pdf/CLV-P-NAADE.pdf|title=''Super Mario Bros. 2'' Instruction Booklet|accessdate=March 28, 2022|website=nintendo.co.jp}}{{page needed}}</ref>
|Dut=Hij vonkt en vliegt rondjes bij de muren en vloeren in de onderwereld. Hij beweegt snel of langzaam.<ref name=smb2fgs/>
|DutM=He sparks and rushes in circles on the walls and floors in the underworld. He moves fast or slow.
|Fre=Il brille en tournant autour des murs et planchers du monde souterrain. Il se déplace vite ou lentement.<ref name=smb2fgs/>}}

;Game Boy Advance
{{multilang profile
|type=manual
|EngE=You'll find Sparks circling blocks and steps. It's best to use POW blocks to turn off their power.''<ref>{{cite|language=en-gb|date=2001|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|title=''Super Mario Advance'' European instruction booklet|url=www.nintendo.com/eu/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/game_boy_advance_8/Manual_GameBoyAdvance_SuperMarioAdvance_EN_DE_FR_ES_IT.pdf|format=PDF|page=11|accessdate=April 17, 2025|website=nintendo.com}}</ref>}}

===''[[Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten]]''===
====''Donkey Kong'' series====
{{PBMCD profile
|name=スパーク (JP) / Wire Trap (EN)
|artwork=[[File:Spark Perfect.png|100px]]
|shuzoku=ウエポン{{ruby|族|ぞく}}
|seikaku={{ruby|一直線|いっちょくせん}}
|tojo_gemu={{ruby|ＪＲ|ジュニア}}、{{ruby|ＧＢ|ゲームボーイ}}ドンキー
|desc='''<big>{{ruby|火花|ひばな}}を{{ruby|散|ち}}らす{{ruby|電気|でんき}}のかたまり</big><br>
{{ruby|ＪＲ|ジュニア}}では、{{ruby|床|ゆか}}を{{ruby|走|はし}}り{{ruby|回|まわ}}っているので、すきを{{ruby|見|み}}て{{ruby|一気|いっき}}に{{ruby|走|はし}}り{{ruby|抜|ぬ}}けよう。{{ruby|ＧＢ|ゲームボーイ}}では、ロープの{{ruby|上|うえ}}を{{ruby|伝|つた}}ってやってくるからとにかく{{ruby|避|さ}}けよう。どちらも{{ruby|触|ふ}}れれば{{ruby|感電死|かんでんし}}してしまうぞ。<ref name=Shogakukan/>{{ref page|96}}
|tribe=Weapon clan
|disposition=Straight line
|game_appearances=Jr., GB Donkey
|eng_desc='''''<big>A lump of electricity that emits sparks</big><br>
''In JR, they are running around on the floor, so you have to run past them at once when you see a chance; in GB, they are moving over the ropes, so avoid them at all costs. In both cases, you will be electrocuted if you touch them.''
}}

====''Super Mario USA''====
{{PBMCD profile
|name=スパック (JP) / Spark (EN)
|artwork=[[File:Spark USA Perfect.png|200px]]
|shuzoku=ウエポン{{ruby|族|ぞく}}
|seikaku=あきらめが{{ruby|悪|わる}}い
|tojo_gemu={{ruby|ＵＳＡ|ユーエスエー}}
|desc='''<big>アメリカ{{ruby|生|う}}まれのスパック</big>'''<br>
スパックと{{ruby|同|おな}}じく{{ruby|電気|でんき}}のかたまりで、ブロックの{{ruby|回|まわ}}りを{{ruby|走|はし}}っている。ジャンプで{{ruby|避|さ}}けながら{{ruby|進|すす}}んでいこう。カギやキノコブロックがあれあば、これをぶつけて{{ruby|倒|たお}}せる。<ref name=Shogakukan/>{{ref page|225}}
|tribe=Weapon clan
|disposition=Reluctant to give up
|game_appearances=USA
|eng_desc='''''<big>American-born Spark</big>'''''<br>
''Like Spark, it is a mass of electricity and runs around blocks. Jump to avoid them as you go. If you have a key or Mushroom Block, you can hit it with them to defeat it.''
}}

===''Yoshi's Island'' series===
====''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island''====
*'''Shogakukan guide:''' 暗闇の中で、壁に沿って動いている。火が消えて白くなったときをねらって、通り抜けよう。<ref name=white/> (''They move along walls in the dark. Try to get by when their flames are extinguished and they turn white.'')
*'''[[Nintendo Power|Player's Guide]]:''' ''Mr. P.D. jealously guards a secret cache of coins in Burt the Bashful's Fort.''<ref name=guide/>

====''Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3''====
*'''Shogakukan guide:''' 暗やみの中で、かべに沿って動いている。火が消えて白くなったスキに、通りぬけよう。<ref name=Advance/> (''They move along walls in the dark. Get by when their flames are extinguished and they turn white.'')

===''Yoshi's New Island''===
*'''Shogakukan guide:''' 一定の間隔で光を放ち、ゆっくりと移動すろ。光を照明がわりにして暗い部屋を進もう。光ったときだけ、触れるとダメージを受ける。倒すことはできない。<ref name=YNI/> (''Emits light at regular intervals and moves slowly. Use the light as a light source to advance through the dark room. If you touch it, you will take damage only when it glows. It cannot be defeated.'')

==Gallery==
{{Main-gallery}}
<gallery>
DKJR Artwork Spark.png|''[[Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' ([[Family Computer|Famicom]])
DKJR Artwork Spark 2.png|''Donkey Kong Jr.'' (Famicom 40th Anniversary)
SMB2 Spark.png|''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]''
DKJrSpark1.png|''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' (arcade, red)
DKJ Arcade Blue Spark.png|''Donkey Kong Jr.'' (arcade, blue)
DKJrNESSpark1.gif|''Donkey Kong Jr.'' (NES, red)
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
===Spark===
{{foreign names
|Jpn=スパーク
|JpnN=''Donkey Kong'' series, ''Yoshi's Island'' series, and ''The Legend of Zelda'' series
|JpnR=Supāku
|JpnM=Spark
|JpnC=<ref name=Shogakukan>{{cite|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|date=November 20, 1994|title=''Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten''|isbn=4-09-259067-9|language=ja|page=[https://i.imgur.com/rMet0zG.jpg 96] and [https://i.imgur.com/lVHkZlH.jpg 225]|accessdate=April 24, 2018|website=Imgur}}</ref>{{ref page|96}}<ref name=white>{{cite|date=September 20, 1995|language=ja|publisher=Shogakukan|title=「スーパーマリオヨッシーアイランド任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (''Super Mario: Yossy Island Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook'')|page={{file link|Super Mario Yossy Island Shogakukan P5.jpg|5}}|isbn=4-09-102523-4}}</ref><ref name=YNI>{{cite|language=ja|date=August 9, 2014|publisher=Shogakukan|title=「ヨッシー New アイランド 任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (''Yoshi's New Island Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook'')|page={{file link|Yoshi New Island Shogakukan P20.jpg|20}}|isbn=978-4-09-106542-1}}</ref><ref name=Advance>{{cite|language=ja|date=November 20, 2002|publisher=Shogakukan|title=「スーパーマリオアドバンス3任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (''Super Mario Advance 3 Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook'')|page={{file link|Advance 3 Shogakukan P17.png|17}}|isbn=4-09-106701-4}}</ref><ref name=LANS>[https://triforcewiki.com/wiki/User:LTL/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Link%27s_Awakening_(2019)_enemy_glossary ''The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening'' (Nintendo Switch) enemy glossary]</ref>
|Jpn2=スパック
|Jpn2R=Supakku
|Jpn2M=A corruption of "Spark"
|Jpn2N=''Super Mario Bros. 2''
|Jpn2C=<ref name=Shogakukan/>{{ref page|96, 225}}
|Chi=火花
|ChiR=Huǒhuā
|ChiM=Spark
|ChiC=<ref>From the ending scenes of ''[[Super Mario Advance]]'' as localized by [[iQue]]. Reference: {{cite|language=zh-hans|author=无敌阿尔宙斯|date=August 28, 2013|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20170226161109/https://tieba.baidu.com/p/2559790043?red_tag=f0666802113|title=神游 超级马力欧2敌人官译|publisher=Baidu Tieba|accessdate=July 4, 2024}}</ref>
|ChiS=电球
|ChiSR=Diànqiú
|ChiSM=Electric ball
|ChiSN=''The Legend of Zelda'' series
|ChiSC=<ref name=LANS/>
|ChiT=電球
|ChiTR=Diànqiú
|ChiTM=Electric ball
|ChiTN=''The Legend of Zelda'' series
|ChiTC=<ref name=LANS/>
|Dut=Spark
|DutN=''The Legend of Zelda'' series
|DutC=<ref name=LANS/>
|Fre=Spark
|FreC=<ref name=smb2fgs>{{cite|date=1989|title=''Super Mario Bros. 2 Handleiding / Mode d'emploi''|language=Dutch and French|url=drive.google.com/file/d/1k3ylzfjnrB3Bb1CFUK5ZHQIkha9TZ3C-/view|location=Großostheim|publisher=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|page=30|accessdate=March 14, 2025|website=Google Drive}}</ref>
|FreA=Spark
|FreAN=''The Legend of Zelda'' series
|FreAC=<ref name=LANS/>
|FreE=Eclair
|FreEM=From ''éclair'' ("sparkle")
|FreEC=<ref name=int>''Donkey Kong Junior'' Atari computer version manual (International){{page needed}}</ref>
|Ger=Spark
|GerC=<ref name=smb2fgs/><ref>{{cite|author=Matsumoto, Atsuko, Rie Ishii, and Claude Moyse, editors|title=''Der Spieleberater Super Mario Power''|language=de|location=Großostheim|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe GmbH]]|date=1992|isbn=3-929034-02-6|page=118}}</ref><ref name=LANS/>
|Ger2=Funke
|Ger2M=Spark
|Ger2C=<ref name=int/>
|Ger3=Pyro Head
|Ita=Scintilla
|ItaM=Spark
|ItaN=''Donkey Kong Jr.'', ''The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia''
|ItaC=<ref name=int/><ref>{{cite|title=''Donkey Kong Jr.'' (3DS - [[Virtual Console]]) Italian e-manual|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite|title=''The Legend of Zelda: Enciclopedia di Hyrule''|page=205}}</ref>
|Ita2=Scarica elettrica
|Ita2M=Electrical charge
|Ita2N=''Donkey Kong II''
|Ita2C=<ref>''[[Donkey Kong II]]'' Italian manual</ref>
|Ita3=Spark
|Ita3N=''Super Mario Bros. 2'', ''The Legend of Zelda'' series
|Ita3C=<ref>{{cite|title=''Super Mario Bros. 2'' Italian manual|page=26}}</ref><ref>''The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap'' figurine gallery: "080 - Spark"</ref><ref name=LANS/>
|Ita4=Favilla
|Ita4M=Spark
|Ita4N=''Super Mario Advance''
|Ita4C=<ref>{{cite|language=it|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|date=2001|title=''Super Mario Advance'' manual|page=111}}</ref>
|Ita5=Sfavillotto
|Ita5M=Li'l Spark; shared with [[Luma]]
|Ita5N=''Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia''
|Ita5C=<ref>{{cite|date=November 15, 2018|title=''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia]]''|publisher=Magazzini Salani|language=it|isbn=978-88-9367-436-2|page=67}}</ref>
|Kor=스파크
|KorR=Seupakeu
|KorM=Spark
|KorN=''The Legend of Zelda'' series
|KorC=<ref name=LANS/>
|Por=Choquim
|PorM=Shock
|PorN=''The Legend of Zelda'' series
|Rus=Искрик
|RusR=Iskrik
|RusM=Sparks
|RusN=''The Legend of Zelda'' series
|RusC=<ref name=LANS/>
|Spa=Chispa
|SpaM=Spark
|SpaN=''Donkey Kong Jr.'', ''The Legend of Zelda'' series (NOA)
|SpaC=<ref name=int/><ref name=LANS/>
|SpaE=Spark
|SpaEM=Spark
|SpaEN=''The Legend of Zelda'' series
|SpaEC=<ref name=LANS/>
}}

===Globe===
{{foreign names
|Jpn=スパーク
|JpnR=Supāku
|JpnM=Spark
|JpnC=<ref name=Shogakukan/>{{ref page|96}}
|Fre=Boulet
|FreM=Ball
|FreC=<ref name=int/>
|Ger=Feuerkugel
|GerM=Fireball
|GerC=<ref name=int/>
|Ita=Globo
|ItaM=Globe
|ItaC=<ref name=int/>
|Spa=Globo
|SpaM=Globe
|SpaC=<ref name=int/>
}}

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{NIWA|ZeldaWiki=1}}
*[https://zeldadungeon.net/wiki/Spark Spark on Zelda Dungeon Wiki]
*[https://triforcewiki.com/wiki/Spark Spark on Triforce Wiki]
{{DKJR}}
{{SMB2}}
{{TSMBSS animation}}
{{NCS}}
{{DKGB}}
{{YI}}
{{YNI}}
[[Category:Electrical creatures]]
[[Category:Fire creatures]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong Jr. enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario Bros. 2 enemies]]
[[Category:The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! enemies]]
[[Category:Nintendo Comics System]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong (Game Boy) enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario Advance enemies]]
[[Category:Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 enemies]]
[[Category:Yoshi's New Island enemies]]
[[de:Spark (Donkey Kong)]]
[[it:Sfavillo]]