Spark

File:SparlArt.jpg

A Spark.

Sparks are black, orb-shaped creatures who continually emit pulses and flashes of electricity; they are also capable of hovering in the air (although they are usually seen clinging to walls).

Sparks first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2 as uncommon enemies, usually encountered underground or in buildings, circling platforms. Sparks are immune to virtually all attacks, but can be defeated by a Mushroom Block throw. Sparks can hurt the player's character by simply touching them.

Though absent from a game for some time, Sparks have recently made a comeback in the game Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, in levels taking place in the Magnet Mania area.

Appearances in Other Media

Cartoons

A Spark made only one appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, in the episode "On Her Majesty's Sewer Service". Having been dumped into the Tunnel of Doom, Mario and Luigi, while running from a Goomba, encountered a Spark that was quickly approaching. Mario and Luigi managed to avoid this Spark and Goomba by creating a grappling hook out of a super spy hose nozzle and mini plunger; apparently unable to stop moving, the Spark and Goomba subsequently crashed into one another, exploding violently. Strangely, in this appearance, the Spark featured didn't radiate any electricity at all.

Three Sparks from "Bedtime for Drain-Head".

Comics

Sparks were featured quite prominently in issue of Nintendo Comics System, appearing in such stories as "The Legend", "Bedtime for Drain-Head" and "A Mouser in the Houser". Unlike other versions of Sparks, the comic book versions of Sparks were shown to be fully capable of speaking.

Trivia

• Various creatures similar to sparks have appeared in miscellaneous Mario games – These include Li'l Sparkies, Hotheads, Piro Dangles and the ghostly Sparks.