Spike Ball (move)
The Spike Ball is an ability learned by Bowser in the DS game, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, and its 3DS remake, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey. The ability is learned at Peach's Castle Garden when Mario and Luigi cure Bowser of his back pain by drilling into the center of the Lumbar Nook. When they finish the process, Bowser's back loosens; he becomes more flexible and can use the Spike Ball ability. This ability allows Bowser to roll up into his shell to become a spike ball when the player selects the ability using the shoulder buttons. He can use this ability to climb walls of soft dirt, smash through certain objects, get shot through a spring and activate treadmills in the overworld. During the battle with Super Peach's Castle of Fury, Giant Bowser uses the Spike Ball to defend against one of its attacks.
When Bowser is burned by the twin fire-breathing Piranha Plants, and when fighting Dark Bowser at Peach's Castle, Mario and Luigi can visit the Chest Station in order to play a minigame where they can fling Bowser while he is in his Spike Ball form.
A slightly similar ability is utilized by Bowser in Super Mario Galaxy during the last fight against him in the final galaxy of the game, Bowser's Galaxy Reactor. It must be countered by spinning a rubbery bulb at him during the second phase of the fight. In Super Mario Galaxy 2 during the final battle, Bowser briefly uses this ability to move from side to side, during which the meteorites will bounce right off him if ground-pounded at him.
He also uses this move in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team during the battle against him and Antasma in Dream's Deep. First he curls up, then he grows larger, and last he jumps to crush Mario. This is only a cutscene setting up for the actual attack. Mario runs away, while Bowser spits orange fire that lands ahead of Mario. He does this while still in a Spike Ball. Bowser starts chasing Mario down, and the player must evade the fires, with large purple fires that have to be walked around and small orange ones that can also be jumped over. Taking damage or moving left and right will slow Mario down, and slowing down too much allows Bowser to catch up and stomp on Mario, ending the attack early. If Mario stays ahead of Bowser for long enough, Bowser will trip and the chase will end. In the Battle Ring, Bowser X and Antasma X can use this attack as well.
In Super Mario Odyssey, during the second Bowser battle in the Moon Kingdom, one of Bowser's attacks is to throw burning Bowser shells at Mario. Their appearance resembles the Spike Ball.
Gallery[edit]
Sprite of Bowser using the Spike Ball ability.
Bowser using the Spike Ball in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
Sprite of the Spike Ball ability from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
Sprite of Dark Bowser's spike ball move in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Sprite of Dark Bowser's spike ball move in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | スパイクボール[?] Supaiku Bōru |
Spike Ball | |
| Italian | Sferarmata[?] | Armed-sphere/Tank-sphere | |
| Spanish (NOA) | Bola con púas[?] | Spiked Ball |
Trivia[edit]
- When Bowser learns the Spike Ball, he suggests that he could never roll up into a ball before. However, the Shy Guy Squad Special Attack has Bowser roll up into a ball so the Shy Guys can push him into a rope before he is launched at the selected target. These Shy Guys can be rescued long before Bowser learns the Spike Ball ability. However, Bowser might have been referring to being able to move on his own in Spike Ball form, as in Shy Guy Squad, he requires the Shy Guys to push him rather then moving on his own.
