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{{Species-infobox
{{species infobox
|title=Amp
|image=[[File:DMW-Amp.png|160px]]<br>In-game artwork of an Amp from ''[[Dr. Mario World]]''
|image=[[File:Amp.png|110px]]<br>An '''Amp''' from ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''.
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|species_origin=[[Chain Chomp]]
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario Party Jamboree]]'' ([[List of games by date#2024|2024]])
|sub_species=
|variants=[[Big Amp]]
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario 64]]'' ([[1996]])
|comparable=[[Spark]]<br>[[Bowser Stunner]]<br>[[Lil Sparky]]
|notable=
|affiliation=[[Koopa Troop]]
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'' ([[2010]])
|expand=
}}
}}
'''Amps''', also known as '''Electro-Chomps''' in the ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' strategy guide, are small, electrified metal balls who have appeared as enemies throughout the ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]'' series.
'''Amps''' are small electrified metal balls that have appeared as enemies throughout the ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' franchise. Their name stems from "{{wp|ampere}}" (often shortened to "amp"), the standard unit of measurement for the flow of electrical currents. They first appear in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', though they resemble the earlier [[Spark]] enemy, having a similar appearance and behavior to its ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' rendition.
 
Amps are usually depicted with joyful eyes and a smiling mouth with white lips. They were originally silver-colored, sported white {{wp|Manga iconography#Head and face|"cross-popping" veins}}, and their mouth was solid red; this appearance was last used in ''[[Mario Party Advance]]''. Since ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'', they were redesigned to have wider yellow eyes and a larger mouth with a visible interior and tongue, also becoming black rather than grayish and losing the angry veins. In ''Super Mario Galaxy'' and ''Super Mario Galaxy 2'', they are smaller black orbs with simplified red eyes and mouth. As of ''Dr. Mario World'', they have become silver again, but keep all other updates to their design from ''Super Mario 64 DS'', albeit slightly tweaked.


==History==
==History==
===''Super Mario'' series===
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario 64''/''Super Mario 64 DS''====
====''Super Mario 64'' / ''Super Mario 64 DS''====
[[File:Amp_SM64.png|thumb|left|150px|Three Amps circling around crystals in ''Super Mario 64''.]]
[[File:AmpSM64.png|frame|left]]
Amps make their first appearance in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and are featured in several levels through out ''Super Mario 64'' and its remake ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. Similar to [[Li'l Sparky|Li'l Sparkie]]s and [[Hothead]]s, they move around objects and platforms and if [[Mario]] comes into contact with one, he will be shocked and lose one wedge of health. There is no possible way to defeat Amps in this game. Amps can be found in [[Bowser in the Dark World]], [[Shifting Sand Land]], [[Vanish Cap Under the Moat]], [[Bowser in the Fire Sea]], [[Tick Tock Clock]], [[Rainbow Ride]], and [[Bowser in the Sky]]
[[File:Amp SM64.png|thumb|Three Amps circling around crystals in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'']]
{{br}}
Amps are featured in several levels throughout ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and its remake, ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. Amps travel in quick, wide circles (often around objects) and if [[Mario]], [[Yoshi]], [[Luigi]], or [[Wario]] comes into contact with one of them, he will be shocked and lose one wedge of [[Health Meter|health]]. They cannot be defeated in this game. While being electrocuted, the player character flashes and becomes immobile for about one second.
 
In the Nintendo 64 version, Amps have red eyes with an anger mark and gray lips. In the DS remake, they have yellow eyes and white lips, and they no longer have the anger mark.
 
Exclusively in the [[Nintendo 64]] version, in the pyramid of [[Shifting Sand Land]], there are two Amps that, instead of circling, grow from thin air while rotating in place, eventually pursuing Mario slowly if he stays nearby and then disappearing after a brief period. These are made into standard circling Amps in the DS version.
{{br|left}}
 
=====Appearances=====
<div class="contentbox mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"data-expandtext="Show appearances"data-collapsetext="appearances">
*[[Bowser in the Dark World]]
*[[Shifting Sand Land]]
*[[The Secret Under the Moat|Vanish Cap Under the Moat]]
*[[Wet-Dry World]]
*[[Snowman's Land]]
*[[Bowser in the Fire Sea]]
*[[Tick Tock Clock]]
*[[Rainbow Ride]]
*[[Bowser in the Sky]]
</div>
 
====''New Super Mario Bros.''====
====''New Super Mario Bros.''====
[[File:4-Tower NSMB.jpg|200px|thumb|Amps in ''New Super Mario Bros.''.]]
[[File:AmpNSMB.png|frame|left]]
Amps reappear as an uncommon enemy in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', in several [[Tower]] levels. In this game, they appear mostly in groups, and if Mario comes in contact with one, he will be shocked. They can only be defeated with a [[Mega Mushroom]], [[Shell Mario|Blue Shell]], or [[Starman]].They will lose their electricity for a moment if Mario or Luigi get shocked by one.
Amps reappear as uncommon enemies in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', in {{World link|3|towern|World 3-Tower (New Super Mario Bros.)}}, {{World link|4|towern|World 4-Tower (New Super Mario Bros.)}} and {{World link|7|castlen|World 7-Castle (New Super Mario Bros.)}}. In this game, they appear mostly in groups, and if Mario comes in contact with one, he will be shocked. They retain their design from ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. They can only be defeated with a [[Mega Mushroom]] or [[Super Star|Starman]]. Amps lose their electricity for a moment if they shock Mario or [[Luigi]], except for ones on fences, which disappear after shocking the player.
{{br}}
{{br|left}}


====''Super Mario Galaxy''====
====''Super Mario Galaxy''====
Amps can also be found in many areas of ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', including the [[Buoy Base Galaxy]], the [[Battlerock Galaxy]], and the [[Dreadnought Galaxy]]. They have faces, however their eyes and mouth are both bright red. There also other Amps that are large, face-less orbs. Despite that, they will still act the same way as in the other games, and they will move as well. Just like ''Super Mario 64'', Amps cannot be defeated.
[[File:AmpSMG.png|thumb|Artwork of an Amp from ''Super Mario Galaxy'']]
{{br}}
Amps can also be found in a few areas of ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', where they travel either around perimeters of planets or back and forth a short distance. Their faces are a simplified version of their design from ''Super Mario 64'', having the red features (which are slightly larger) but lacking the veins or lips. There are also other, more common Amps that are large, faceless balls, called [[Big Amp|Zap Ball]]s. Similar to ''Super Mario 64'', Amps cannot be defeated. However, the second player can freeze them in place. If two Amps hit each other, they bonk off in the other direction while producing a few extra sparks.
 
=====Appearances=====
<div class="contentbox mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"data-expandtext="Show appearances"data-collapsetext="appearances">
'''Note:''' [[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png]] marks missions where they are absent.
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-style="color:white;background:red"
!Domes
!Galaxies
!Missions
|-
|[[Terrace (Super Mario Galaxy)|Terrace]]
|[[Good Egg Galaxy]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Dino Piranha (mission)]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=A Snack of Cosmic Proportions]][[File:Smg icon powerstar.png|link=King Kaliente's Battle Fleet]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Dino Piranha Speed Run]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Purple Coin Omelet]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Luigi on the Roof]]
|-
|[[Kitchen (Super Mario Galaxy)|Kitchen]]
|[[Buoy Base Galaxy]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[File:Smg icon powerstar.png|link=The Floating Fortress]][[File:Smg icon greenstar.png|link=The Secret of Buoy Base]]
|-
|[[Garden (Super Mario Galaxy)|Garden]]
|[[Dreadnought Galaxy]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[File:Smg icon powerstar.png|link=Infiltrating the Dreadnought]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Dreadnought's Colossal Cannons]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Revenge of the Topman Tribe]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Topman Tribe Speed Run]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Battlestation's Purple Coins]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Dreadnought's Garbage Dump]]
|}
</div>
{{br|left}}
 
====''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''====
====''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''====
[[File:Ampsnsmbwii.PNG|200px|thumb|Amps as they appear in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''.]]
[[File:NSMBW Amp Screenshot.png|thumb|left|Amps as they appear in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''.]]
Amps also appear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', behaving the same way it did in ''New Super Mario Bros.'' They can be defeated by getting frozen by the Ice Flower then being ground pounded on, touched by a character using a [[Starman]], or by having a frozen enemy thrown at them.
Amps also appear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' as very rare enemies, behaving as they did in ''New Super Mario Bros.'' Only six of them appear in the first half of {{world link|3|tower|World 3-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)}}, where they must be dodged in order to reach [[Red Coin]]s. They can be defeated by freezing them with [[Ice Ball|ice ball]]s from an [[Ice Flower]] or [[Penguin Suit]] and then [[Ground Pound]]ing them, touching them with a character using a [[Super Star]], or by having a frozen enemy thrown at them.
{{br}}
{{br}}
====''Super Mario Galaxy 2''====
====''Super Mario Galaxy 2''====
[[File:SMG2 SS Amp.png|left|thumb|200px|An Amp from ''Super Mario Galaxy 2''.]]
[[File:SMG2 Sky Station Amp Screenshot.png|thumb|Two Amps from ''Super Mario Galaxy 2''.]]
Amps reappear in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', behaving the same way they did in the prequel. Amps also have the same appearance as in ''Super Mario Galaxy''. They can now be defeated by using a [[Rainbow Star]]. They appear in [[Sky Station Galaxy]], [[Space Storm Galaxy]], and [[Spin-Dig Galaxy]].
Amps reappear in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', behaving and appearing the same way they did in the predecessor. However, they can now be defeated by using a [[Rainbow Star]]. They appear in [[Sky Station Galaxy]], [[Spin-Dig Galaxy]], and [[Space Storm Galaxy]].
{{br}}
 
=====Appearances=====
<div class="contentbox mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"data-expandtext="Show appearances"data-collapsetext="appearances">
'''Note:''' [[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png]] marks missions where they are absent.
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-style="color:white;background:red"
!Worlds
!Galaxies
!Missions
|-
|rowspan=2|[[World 1 (Super Mario Galaxy 2)|World 1]]
|[[Sky Station Galaxy]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Peewee Piranha's Temper Tantrum]][[File:Smg2 icon powerstar.png|link=Storming the Sky Fleet]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Peewee Piranha's Speed Run]]
|-
|[[Spin-Dig Galaxy]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Digga-Leg's Planet]][[File:Smg2 icon powerstar.png|link=Silver Stars Down Deep]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Digga-Leg's Daredevil Run]]
|-
|[[World 5 (Super Mario Galaxy 2)|World 5]]
|[[Space Storm Galaxy]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=Follow Me, Bob-omb]][[File:Smg2 icon powerstar.png|link=To the Top of Topman's Tower]][[File:SMG Asset Sprite Star Cursor.png|link=C'mere, Topman]]
|}
</div>
 
====''New Super Mario Bros. 2''====
Amps reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', acting like they did in the predecessor, though they can also be seen moving on lines, like [[Fuzzy|Fuzzies]]. They appear in [[World 4-B (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 4-B]] and {{World link|flower|cannonn2|World Flower-Warp Cannon}}.
{{br|left}}
 
====''New Super Mario Bros. U''====
[[File:AmpNSMBU.png|thumb|left|Amps in ''New Super Mario Bros. U''.]]
Amps and [[Big Amp]]s reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'', appearing only in [[Snake Block Tower]] and in [[Ludwig's Clockwork Castle]]. They behave like in the predecessor. There is also a new, similar enemy known as [[Bowser Stunner]]s that conduct electricity with each other. They are one of the few enemies that do not reappear in ''[[New Super Luigi U]]''.
 
In [[Boost Mode]], when touched on the [[nwiki:Wii U GamePad|Wii U GamePad]], they get stunned and lose their electricity, allowing the players to stomp and defeat them.
{{br|left}}


===''Mario Party'' series===
===''Mario Party'' series===
[[File:MP8 Amp.png|frame|left|An Amp in ''Mario Party 8''.]]
Amps appear in various games in the [[Mario Party (series)|''Mario Party'' series]], either serving as obstacles in minigames or as usable items.
They appear in various games in the ''[[Mario Party (series)|Mario Party'' series]].
 
{{br}}
====''Mario Party 3'' / ''Mario Party Superstars''====
====''Mario Party 4====
In ''[[Mario Party 3]]'', where they appear as the main obstacles in [[Motor Rooter]], as well as in the minigame's reappearance in ''[[Mario Party Superstars]]''. Indicated by shockwaves on the central map, these Amps form an electrical current that covers the path except for one tile, and they slow down players that are hit by them and their electrical currents. Players can avoid them by changing lanes to an area that is not covered with electricity.
In ''[[Mario Party 4]]'', the [[Sparky Sticker]] was made as a sticker of an amp. The sticker is [[Waluigi]]'s favorite item.
 
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====''Mario Party 4''====
====''Mario Party 5====
''[[Mario Party 4]]'' features the [[Sparky Sticker]], which is a sticker of an Amp that players can deploy on the ground to serve as a trap. Once deployed, it blends with the spaces, hiding until a player passes over it. When players pass over it, they lose ten coins as well as the effect of a [[Mini Mushroom]] and [[Mega Mushroom]].
They also appeared as orbs in ''[[Mario Party 5]]'', but they were referred to by the traditional name of "Amps". They were the main obstacle in [[Shock Absorbers]].
 
{{br}}
====''Mario Party 5''====
[[File:Yoshi Electrocuted 5.png|200px|thumb|Amps in the ''[[Mario Party 5]]'' minigame [[Shock Absorbers (Mario Party 5)|Shock Absorbers]].]]
Amps are the main obstacles in [[Shock Absorbers (Mario Party 5)|Shock Absorbers]] in ''[[Mario Party 5]]'', where touching one loses the minigame. Players are trapped in a small arena where there are multiple Amps that move around. As in ''Mario Party 3'', these Amps can also form a line of electricity, where their indication to perform this attack happens when they stop in place and begin to emit electricity. Amps on the borders of the course form a permanent barrier of electricity.
 
====''Mario Party 6''====
Amps appear in ''[[Mario Party 6]]'' as the [[Zap Orb]]. Once a player passes over a set Zap Orb, they would lose five coins for each space they moved beyond it for the rest of their turn. Amps are the main enemy in the [[Circuit Maximus]] mini-game, where players need to make a lap around a circular course, where the number of Amps progressively gets bigger the more rooms players pass through. Some Amps are stationary while other Amps are moving obstacles.
 
====''Mario Party Advance''====
{{quote|Beat this game and I'm ohm free!|Amp|[[Mario Party Advance]]}}
[[File:MPA Amp.png|frame|left]]
Amp appears in [[Shroom City (Mario Party Advance)|Shroom City]] mode in ''[[Mario Party Advance]]'', gambling in [[Town Game Room B]]. He has a habit of speaking in electricity-based puns, such as saying "Shocking!" after saying that a lot can be won at the room. According to his description, he loves to play games, though he angers easily. When said Game Room is entered, Amp notices the player and asks for help. If the player accepts, he explains that he has been trying to play the games at the game room for a long time, but he cannot win a single game. He hopes that if the player wins in his stead, he might start being luckier. In exchange, the player gets to keep the game that he has been losing in, [[Match 'Em]]. If the player wins more [[coin]]s than what is started with, Amp excitedly says that his luck's finally going to change and wonders if the player is the [[Kamek|Game Mage]] before saying goodbye. The end of the game states that the Amp is able to "hit a hot streak".
 
Amps also appear in the minigames [[Amplifried]], [[Cloud Climb]], and [[Broom Zoom]] as hazards, where they continuously emit electricity that harms the player. In Amplifried, they serve as the main obstacles, where the main goal of the game is to avoid them. Their attack pattern in this minigame is somewhat similar to their appearance in Shock Absorbers from ''Mario Party 5'', where they can move around and form electrical currents. As the minigame goes on, they move faster and form more electrical lines. In Cloud Climb and Broom Zoom, Amps are stationary obstacles, and touching them impedes the players' progress rather than defeats the players.
 
====''Mario Party 7''====
Amps once again return in ''[[Mario Party 7]]'', still in the form of the Zap Orb, which has the same effect as before. However, the player loses three coins for every space instead of five.  
 
====''Mario Party 8''====
[[File:MP8 Amp.png|frame|left|An Amp in ''[[Mario Party 8]]''.]]
In ''[[Mario Party 8]]'', an Amp is one of the eleven enemies that can be found in the minigame, [[Specter Inspector]]. It is found under a cover on the table. Amps also appear in the two-player version of [[Puzzle Pillars]], appearing on some of the colored blocks. If a player selects a column with one or more Amps in it, they are stunned temporarily.
 
====''Mario Party: Island Tour''====
Amps appear in ''[[Mario Party: Island Tour]]'' in the minigame [[Amp My Style]], where they serve as obstacles for the players. In this minigame, a line of them forms an electrical barrier around the player, and these Amps can change positions to emit different shapes. Players who touch Amps and their electricity are eliminated. Amps are featured as one of the many enemy tiles in the minigames [[Match Faker]] and [[Tap Dash]], where players can tap them if the game instructs the players to do so. Amps also can appear as a constellation in the minigame [[Starring Artist]], where players need to redraw their constellation by connecting stars with their stylus.
 
====''Mario Party 10''====
[[File:Bowser's Wicked Wheel.png|thumb|Amps in Bowser's Wicked Wheel in ''Mario Party 10'']]
In [[Bowser's Wicked Wheel]], a [[minigame]] from ''[[Mario Party 10]]'', two pairs of Amps form electrical bonds at the left and right sides of the running wheel. The characters need to keep running on the wheel as [[Bowser]] rotates without touching these bonds, otherwise they are kicked out. [[Big Amp]]s also appear in the minigame [[Kamek's Rocket Rampage]], where if the player comes in contact with one, they lose two points and are stunned for one second.
 
====''Mario Party: Star Rush''====
Amps appear as obstacles in the minigame [[Corkscrew Climb]] in ''[[Mario Party: Star Rush]]''. Players need to jump over them as they automatically ascend a tower. If a player touches the Amp, the player is knocked out and sent to the back of the line of players. They also appear in the minigame [[Jewel Janitors]], dropping down periodically and briefly stunning any players that touch them. Additionally, they are the main obstacles of a mode named Challenge Tower, where they are hidden and if a player touches them, the player receives a game over. The tower's spaces light up in accordance to the number of Amps adjacent to the space, and Amps are never found directly next to each other.
 
====''Super Mario Party''====
[[File:HalftheBattle SuperMarioParty.png|thumb|left|Amps in Half the Battle in ''Super Mario Party'']]
Amps appear in ''[[Super Mario Party]]'', where they are obstacles in the minigame [[Half the Battle]]. If a player touches one, they are stunned for a brief moment.
 
====''Super Mario Party Jamboree''====
Amps appear in several minigames in ''[[Super Mario Party Jamboree]]'', including [[Scare-ousel]] and [[Shuttle Scuttle]], where they cause players to instantly lose should contact occur. Amps also appear as hazards in the Koopathlon minigames [[Lane Change]] and [[Sky-High Cannons]] and can sometimes appear in the Showdown minigame [[Jr.'s Jauntlet]] as well. In addition, an Amp can be used as an item in Koopathlon. A player who uses the item will cause the player in front of them to get shocked for a few seconds, slowing down their gameplay.
 
===''Mario Sports Superstars''===
Amps appear in ''[[Mario Sports Superstars]]'' as obstacles in boss battles with the Big [[Yellow Magikoopa]] in the Road to Superstar mode. Big Yellow Magikoopa can spawn them and toss them straight towards the cards.
 
===''Dr. Mario World''===
Amps appear in ''[[Dr. Mario World]]'' as assistants. Their body is now silver like in their debut appearance in ''Super Mario 64'', while still having their modern eyes from ''Super Mario 64 DS'' onwards. In both stage mode and versus mode, their effect is to transform an object, mainly a [[virus]], into an [[exploder]] when the stage starts, where the chance of activation is higher at higher levels (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% from levels 1 to 5 respectively).
 
===''Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit''===
Amps make their ''Mario Kart'' series debut in ''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]'' as gate features in [[Lightning Lagoon]], [[Glazed Gardens]], and [[Windswept Prairie]], zapping any drivers that make contact with them along with having their speed greatly reduced for a short period of time.
 
===''Mario Golf: Super Rush''===
While Amps themselves do not appear in ''[[Mario Golf: Super Rush]]'', there are Trick Golf items based on them known as Amp Balls. They emit a shock that cause multiple zones within its range to be knocked out, granting the player points on the zone that their golf ball landed on, with a Dead-Aim Bonus being rewarded if all zones were knocked out regardless if the player's golf ball landed on those zones or not.
 
==Profiles and statistics==
===''Mario Party: Star Rush''===
{|width=100% class=wikitable
!Image
!Name
!Bio
|-
|align="center"|[[File:MPSRCM_Amp.png|75px]]
|align="center"|[[Amp]]<br>''A black sphere buzzing with electricity.''
|"''All that crackling energy can't be healthy... Perhaps you'd better avoid touching these things.''"
|}


====''Mario Party 6====
===''Dr. Mario World''===
Amps, still under the name of Zaps, appeared in ''[[Mario Party 6]]'' as the [[Zap Orb]]. Once a player passed over a set Zap Orb, they would lose five coins for each space they moved beyond it for the rest of their turn.
*'''Stage mode:''' "''Grants 20%/40%/60%/80%/100% chance an exploder will appear on stage start.''"
{{br}}
*'''Versus mode:''' "''Grants 20%/40%/60%/80%/100% chance an exploder will appear on stage start.''"
====''Mario Party 7====
Amps once again returned in ''[[Mario Party 7]]'', still in the form of the Zap Orb, which had the same effect as before. However, the player lost three coins for every space instead of five.
{{br}}
====''Mario Party 8====
An Amp also appeared in the ''[[Mario Party 8]]'' mini-game [[Spector Inspector]]. They were one of the nine enemies that needed to be found in the mini-games.
{{br}}
====''Mario Party Advance====
[[File:MPA Amp.png|thumb]]
A single Amp appeared in ''[[Mario Party Advance]]''. There, it appears as a citizen of [[Town Area]] and needs help in winning a game in [[Town Game Room B]]. Notably, it sometimes uses electric terms in its speech. However, when the player enters the game room, Amp will tell him that he needs the player to help him break his losing streak. Once the player wins the mini-game, [[Match 'Em]], he/she will win the mini-game. The end of the game states that he finally broke his streak on his own.


Also, Amps appear in various mini-games as enemies.
==Gallery==
{{br}}
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
Amp 64DS.png|''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''
SMG Asset Model Amp.png|''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
Amp NSMB2 Prima.jpg|''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]''
Amp NSMBU model.png|''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]''
MKLHC Lightning Lagoon Course Icon.png|''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]''
</gallery>


==Appearance and Traits==
==Names in other languages==
Amps originally sported white [[Wikipedia:Manga iconography#Head and face|"cross-popping" veins]], joyful red eyes, and rounded metallic lips with a pure red mouth. Since ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'' and ''[[Mario Party 7]]'', their appearance has been changed a bit. They now have more jagged yellow eyes and a larger, jagged mouth. Their lips are now white, with a pink tongue and black interior being visible inside the mouth. They are also now black rather than grayish and sport no angry veins.
{{foreign names
{{br}}
|Jap=ビリキュー<ref>{{cite|author=Shogakukan editors|title=「敵キャラクターリスト」in『ニュー・スーパーマリオブラザーズ: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』|url=i.imgur.com/rilbHbm.jpg|date=2006|language=ja|location=Tokyo|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=19|isbn=4-091063-07-1}}</ref>
==Names in Other Languages==
|JapR=Birikyū
{{foreignname
|JapM=From「ビリビリ」(''biribiri'', onomatopoeia for electric shocking) and「球」(''kyū'', sphere)
|Jap=ビリキュー
|JapR=birikyū
|JapM=Electric ball
|Ger=Sparky
|Ger=Sparky
|GerM=-
|Ger2=Energini<ref>{{cite|author=Kraft, John D., Thomas Görg, and Marko Hein, editors|title=''Der offizielle Nintendo 64 Spieleberater "Super Mario 64"''|language=de|location=Großostheim|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe GmbH]]|date=1997|page=6}}</ref>
|Fra=Amp
|Ger2M=Energy
|FraM=-
|SpaA=Chispayaso
|SpaAM=From ''chispa'' ("spark") and ''payaso'' ("clown")
|SpaE=Sparky
|SpaE2=Amp
|Fre=Amp
|Ita=Amperino
|ItaC=<ref>{{cite|author=Canale New Super Mario Bros. U|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=L64Gdz21avs|title=New Super Mario Bros. U - Giungla gassata TORRE - Arrampicata libera con il Gioco assistito (Wii U)|publisher=YouTube|date=April 25, 2013|language=it}}</ref>
|ItaM=From ''ampere'' and the diminutive suffix ''-ino''
|Ita2=Amperetto
|Ita2C=<ref>{{cite|date=November 15, 2018|title=''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia]]''|publisher=Magazzini Salani|language=it|isbn=889367436X|page=146}}</ref>
|Ita2M=From ''ampere'' and the diminutive suffix ''-etto''
|Ita2N=''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''
|Por=Faísca
|PorM=Spark
|Rus=Ампер
|RusR=Amper
|RusM=Ampere
|Kor=감전볼
|KorR=Gamjeon Bol
|KorM=Electric Shock Ball
|ChiS=霹雳球
|ChiSR=Pīlì Qiú
|ChiSM=Thunderbolt Ball
|ChiT=霹靂球
|ChiTR=Pīlì Qiú
|ChiTM=Thunderbolt Ball
}}
}}
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==Trivia==
==References==
*Their name stems from "[[wikipedia:Ampere|ampere]]" (often shortened to "amp"), the standard unit of measurement for the speed of electrical currents.
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*In the pyramid of [[Shifting Sand Land]], there are two Amps that, instead of circling around objects, come out of walls and chase Mario until he gets far away. However, these Amps do not appear in the DS remake.
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Latest revision as of 23:37, January 3, 2025

Amp
DMW-Amp.png
In-game artwork of an Amp from Dr. Mario World
First appearance Super Mario 64 (1996)
Latest appearance Super Mario Party Jamboree (2024)
Variants
Comparable

Amps are small electrified metal balls that have appeared as enemies throughout the Super Mario franchise. Their name stems from "ampere" (often shortened to "amp"), the standard unit of measurement for the flow of electrical currents. They first appear in Super Mario 64, though they resemble the earlier Spark enemy, having a similar appearance and behavior to its Super Mario Bros. 2 rendition.

Amps are usually depicted with joyful eyes and a smiling mouth with white lips. They were originally silver-colored, sported white "cross-popping" veins, and their mouth was solid red; this appearance was last used in Mario Party Advance. Since Super Mario 64 DS, they were redesigned to have wider yellow eyes and a larger mouth with a visible interior and tongue, also becoming black rather than grayish and losing the angry veins. In Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, they are smaller black orbs with simplified red eyes and mouth. As of Dr. Mario World, they have become silver again, but keep all other updates to their design from Super Mario 64 DS, albeit slightly tweaked.

History[edit]

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[edit]

AmpSM64.png
Amps circling around crystals while Mario is looking at them in Bowser in the Dark World.
Three Amps circling around crystals in Super Mario 64

Amps are featured in several levels throughout Super Mario 64 and its remake, Super Mario 64 DS. Amps travel in quick, wide circles (often around objects) and if Mario, Yoshi, Luigi, or Wario comes into contact with one of them, he will be shocked and lose one wedge of health. They cannot be defeated in this game. While being electrocuted, the player character flashes and becomes immobile for about one second.

In the Nintendo 64 version, Amps have red eyes with an anger mark and gray lips. In the DS remake, they have yellow eyes and white lips, and they no longer have the anger mark.

Exclusively in the Nintendo 64 version, in the pyramid of Shifting Sand Land, there are two Amps that, instead of circling, grow from thin air while rotating in place, eventually pursuing Mario slowly if he stays nearby and then disappearing after a brief period. These are made into standard circling Amps in the DS version.

Appearances[edit]

New Super Mario Bros.[edit]

AmpNSMB.png

Amps reappear as uncommon enemies in New Super Mario Bros., in World 3-Tower, World 4-Tower and World 7-Castle. In this game, they appear mostly in groups, and if Mario comes in contact with one, he will be shocked. They retain their design from Super Mario 64 DS. They can only be defeated with a Mega Mushroom or Starman. Amps lose their electricity for a moment if they shock Mario or Luigi, except for ones on fences, which disappear after shocking the player.

Super Mario Galaxy[edit]

An Amp
Artwork of an Amp from Super Mario Galaxy

Amps can also be found in a few areas of Super Mario Galaxy, where they travel either around perimeters of planets or back and forth a short distance. Their faces are a simplified version of their design from Super Mario 64, having the red features (which are slightly larger) but lacking the veins or lips. There are also other, more common Amps that are large, faceless balls, called Zap Balls. Similar to Super Mario 64, Amps cannot be defeated. However, the second player can freeze them in place. If two Amps hit each other, they bonk off in the other direction while producing a few extra sparks.

Appearances[edit]

Note: Baseline sprite of the Star Pointer in Super Mario Galaxy. marks missions where they are absent.

Domes Galaxies Missions
Terrace Good Egg Galaxy Dino Piranha (mission)A Snack of Cosmic ProportionsKing Kaliente's Battle FleetDino Piranha Speed RunPurple Coin OmeletLuigi on the Roof
Kitchen Buoy Base Galaxy The Floating FortressThe Secret of Buoy Base
Garden Dreadnought Galaxy Infiltrating the DreadnoughtDreadnought's Colossal CannonsRevenge of the Topman TribeTopman Tribe Speed RunBattlestation's Purple CoinsDreadnought's Garbage Dump

New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]

Amps as they appear in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

Amps also appear in New Super Mario Bros. Wii as very rare enemies, behaving as they did in New Super Mario Bros. Only six of them appear in the first half of World 3-Tower, where they must be dodged in order to reach Red Coins. They can be defeated by freezing them with ice balls from an Ice Flower or Penguin Suit and then Ground Pounding them, touching them with a character using a Super Star, or by having a frozen enemy thrown at them.

Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]

Two Amps from Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Amps reappear in Super Mario Galaxy 2, behaving and appearing the same way they did in the predecessor. However, they can now be defeated by using a Rainbow Star. They appear in Sky Station Galaxy, Spin-Dig Galaxy, and Space Storm Galaxy.

Appearances[edit]

Note: Baseline sprite of the Star Pointer in Super Mario Galaxy. marks missions where they are absent.

Worlds Galaxies Missions
World 1 Sky Station Galaxy Peewee Piranha's Temper TantrumStorming the Sky FleetPeewee Piranha's Speed Run
Spin-Dig Galaxy Digga-Leg's PlanetSilver Stars Down DeepDigga-Leg's Daredevil Run
World 5 Space Storm Galaxy Follow Me, Bob-ombTo the Top of Topman's TowerC'mere, Topman

New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]

Amps reappear in New Super Mario Bros. 2, acting like they did in the predecessor, though they can also be seen moving on lines, like Fuzzies. They appear in World 4-B and World Flower-Warp Cannon.

New Super Mario Bros. U[edit]

Amps in New Super Mario Bros. U.

Amps and Big Amps reappear in New Super Mario Bros. U, appearing only in Snake Block Tower and in Ludwig's Clockwork Castle. They behave like in the predecessor. There is also a new, similar enemy known as Bowser Stunners that conduct electricity with each other. They are one of the few enemies that do not reappear in New Super Luigi U.

In Boost Mode, when touched on the Wii U GamePad, they get stunned and lose their electricity, allowing the players to stomp and defeat them.

Mario Party series[edit]

Amps appear in various games in the Mario Party series, either serving as obstacles in minigames or as usable items.

Mario Party 3 / Mario Party Superstars[edit]

In Mario Party 3, where they appear as the main obstacles in Motor Rooter, as well as in the minigame's reappearance in Mario Party Superstars. Indicated by shockwaves on the central map, these Amps form an electrical current that covers the path except for one tile, and they slow down players that are hit by them and their electrical currents. Players can avoid them by changing lanes to an area that is not covered with electricity.

Mario Party 4[edit]

Mario Party 4 features the Sparky Sticker, which is a sticker of an Amp that players can deploy on the ground to serve as a trap. Once deployed, it blends with the spaces, hiding until a player passes over it. When players pass over it, they lose ten coins as well as the effect of a Mini Mushroom and Mega Mushroom.

Mario Party 5[edit]

Shock Absorbers from Mario Party 5
Amps in the Mario Party 5 minigame Shock Absorbers.

Amps are the main obstacles in Shock Absorbers in Mario Party 5, where touching one loses the minigame. Players are trapped in a small arena where there are multiple Amps that move around. As in Mario Party 3, these Amps can also form a line of electricity, where their indication to perform this attack happens when they stop in place and begin to emit electricity. Amps on the borders of the course form a permanent barrier of electricity.

Mario Party 6[edit]

Amps appear in Mario Party 6 as the Zap Orb. Once a player passes over a set Zap Orb, they would lose five coins for each space they moved beyond it for the rest of their turn. Amps are the main enemy in the Circuit Maximus mini-game, where players need to make a lap around a circular course, where the number of Amps progressively gets bigger the more rooms players pass through. Some Amps are stationary while other Amps are moving obstacles.

Mario Party Advance[edit]

“Beat this game and I'm ohm free!”
Amp, Mario Party Advance
MPA Amp.png

Amp appears in Shroom City mode in Mario Party Advance, gambling in Town Game Room B. He has a habit of speaking in electricity-based puns, such as saying "Shocking!" after saying that a lot can be won at the room. According to his description, he loves to play games, though he angers easily. When said Game Room is entered, Amp notices the player and asks for help. If the player accepts, he explains that he has been trying to play the games at the game room for a long time, but he cannot win a single game. He hopes that if the player wins in his stead, he might start being luckier. In exchange, the player gets to keep the game that he has been losing in, Match 'Em. If the player wins more coins than what is started with, Amp excitedly says that his luck's finally going to change and wonders if the player is the Game Mage before saying goodbye. The end of the game states that the Amp is able to "hit a hot streak".

Amps also appear in the minigames Amplifried, Cloud Climb, and Broom Zoom as hazards, where they continuously emit electricity that harms the player. In Amplifried, they serve as the main obstacles, where the main goal of the game is to avoid them. Their attack pattern in this minigame is somewhat similar to their appearance in Shock Absorbers from Mario Party 5, where they can move around and form electrical currents. As the minigame goes on, they move faster and form more electrical lines. In Cloud Climb and Broom Zoom, Amps are stationary obstacles, and touching them impedes the players' progress rather than defeats the players.

Mario Party 7[edit]

Amps once again return in Mario Party 7, still in the form of the Zap Orb, which has the same effect as before. However, the player loses three coins for every space instead of five.

Mario Party 8[edit]

Amp
An Amp in Mario Party 8.

In Mario Party 8, an Amp is one of the eleven enemies that can be found in the minigame, Specter Inspector. It is found under a cover on the table. Amps also appear in the two-player version of Puzzle Pillars, appearing on some of the colored blocks. If a player selects a column with one or more Amps in it, they are stunned temporarily.

Mario Party: Island Tour[edit]

Amps appear in Mario Party: Island Tour in the minigame Amp My Style, where they serve as obstacles for the players. In this minigame, a line of them forms an electrical barrier around the player, and these Amps can change positions to emit different shapes. Players who touch Amps and their electricity are eliminated. Amps are featured as one of the many enemy tiles in the minigames Match Faker and Tap Dash, where players can tap them if the game instructs the players to do so. Amps also can appear as a constellation in the minigame Starring Artist, where players need to redraw their constellation by connecting stars with their stylus.

Mario Party 10[edit]

Bowser's Wicked Wheel from Mario Party 10.
Amps in Bowser's Wicked Wheel in Mario Party 10

In Bowser's Wicked Wheel, a minigame from Mario Party 10, two pairs of Amps form electrical bonds at the left and right sides of the running wheel. The characters need to keep running on the wheel as Bowser rotates without touching these bonds, otherwise they are kicked out. Big Amps also appear in the minigame Kamek's Rocket Rampage, where if the player comes in contact with one, they lose two points and are stunned for one second.

Mario Party: Star Rush[edit]

Amps appear as obstacles in the minigame Corkscrew Climb in Mario Party: Star Rush. Players need to jump over them as they automatically ascend a tower. If a player touches the Amp, the player is knocked out and sent to the back of the line of players. They also appear in the minigame Jewel Janitors, dropping down periodically and briefly stunning any players that touch them. Additionally, they are the main obstacles of a mode named Challenge Tower, where they are hidden and if a player touches them, the player receives a game over. The tower's spaces light up in accordance to the number of Amps adjacent to the space, and Amps are never found directly next to each other.

Super Mario Party[edit]

Amps in Half the Battle in Super Mario Party

Amps appear in Super Mario Party, where they are obstacles in the minigame Half the Battle. If a player touches one, they are stunned for a brief moment.

Super Mario Party Jamboree[edit]

Amps appear in several minigames in Super Mario Party Jamboree, including Scare-ousel and Shuttle Scuttle, where they cause players to instantly lose should contact occur. Amps also appear as hazards in the Koopathlon minigames Lane Change and Sky-High Cannons and can sometimes appear in the Showdown minigame Jr.'s Jauntlet as well. In addition, an Amp can be used as an item in Koopathlon. A player who uses the item will cause the player in front of them to get shocked for a few seconds, slowing down their gameplay.

Mario Sports Superstars[edit]

Amps appear in Mario Sports Superstars as obstacles in boss battles with the Big Yellow Magikoopa in the Road to Superstar mode. Big Yellow Magikoopa can spawn them and toss them straight towards the cards.

Dr. Mario World[edit]

Amps appear in Dr. Mario World as assistants. Their body is now silver like in their debut appearance in Super Mario 64, while still having their modern eyes from Super Mario 64 DS onwards. In both stage mode and versus mode, their effect is to transform an object, mainly a virus, into an exploder when the stage starts, where the chance of activation is higher at higher levels (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% from levels 1 to 5 respectively).

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit[edit]

Amps make their Mario Kart series debut in Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit as gate features in Lightning Lagoon, Glazed Gardens, and Windswept Prairie, zapping any drivers that make contact with them along with having their speed greatly reduced for a short period of time.

Mario Golf: Super Rush[edit]

While Amps themselves do not appear in Mario Golf: Super Rush, there are Trick Golf items based on them known as Amp Balls. They emit a shock that cause multiple zones within its range to be knocked out, granting the player points on the zone that their golf ball landed on, with a Dead-Aim Bonus being rewarded if all zones were knocked out regardless if the player's golf ball landed on those zones or not.

Profiles and statistics[edit]

Mario Party: Star Rush[edit]

Image Name Bio
Amp as viewed in the Character Museum from Mario Party: Star Rush Amp
A black sphere buzzing with electricity.
"All that crackling energy can't be healthy... Perhaps you'd better avoid touching these things."

Dr. Mario World[edit]

  • Stage mode: "Grants 20%/40%/60%/80%/100% chance an exploder will appear on stage start."
  • Versus mode: "Grants 20%/40%/60%/80%/100% chance an exploder will appear on stage start."

Gallery[edit]

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Amp.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ビリキュー[1]
Birikyū
From「ビリビリ」(biribiri, onomatopoeia for electric shocking) and「球」(kyū, sphere)
Chinese (simplified) 霹雳球[?]
Pīlì Qiú
Thunderbolt Ball
Chinese (traditional) 霹靂球[?]
Pīlì Qiú
Thunderbolt Ball
French Amp[?] -
German Sparky[?] -
Energini[2] Energy
Italian Amperino[3] From ampere and the diminutive suffix -ino
Amperetto[4] From ampere and the diminutive suffix -etto New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Korean 감전볼[?]
Gamjeon Bol
Electric Shock Ball
Portuguese Faísca[?] Spark
Russian Ампер[?]
Amper
Ampere
Spanish (NOA) Chispayaso[?] From chispa ("spark") and payaso ("clown")
Spanish (NOE) Sparky[?] -
Amp[?]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Shogakukan editors (2006). 「敵キャラクターリスト」in『ニュー・スーパーマリオブラザーズ: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-091063-07-1. Page 19.
  2. ^ Kraft, John D., Thomas Görg, and Marko Hein, editors (1997). Der offizielle Nintendo 64 Spieleberater "Super Mario 64". Großostheim: Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). Page 6.
  3. ^ Canale New Super Mario Bros. U (April 25, 2013). New Super Mario Bros. U - Giungla gassata TORRE - Arrampicata libera con il Gioco assistito (Wii U). YouTube (Italian).
  4. ^ November 15, 2018. Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia. Magazzini Salani (Italian). ISBN 889367436X. Page 146.