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{{Species-infobox
{{species infobox
|title=Cataquack
|image=[[File:Cataquack SMS.png|250px|]]<br>Artwork from ''Super Mario Sunshine''
|image=[[File:Cataquack.jpg|250px|]]
|sub_species=[[Plungelo]]
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' ([[List of games by date#2002|2002]])
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' ([[List of games by date#2002|2002]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' ([[List of games by date#2008|2008]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]'' ([[List of games by date#2020|2020]])
|variants=[[Plungelo]]
|relatives=[[Wiggler]]
|comparable=[[Heave-Ho]]
}}
}}
{{quote|Those large-billed Cataquacks tend to be very territorial. So, when they spot an outsider such as [[Mario|yourself]], they go wild! They'll run up and hurl you into the air, but they mean no harm.|Noki|Super Mario Sunshine}}
{{quote|Those large-billed Cataquacks tend to be very territorial. So, when they spot an outsider such as [[Mario|yourself]], they go wild! They'll run up and hurl you into the air, but they mean no harm.|Noki|Super Mario Sunshine}}
 
'''Cataquacks''', also called '''Paihanas''',<ref name=bradygames>{{cite|author=Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh|title=''Super Mario Sunshine'' Official Strategy Guide|page=6|publisher=BradyGAMES|language=en-us|isbn=0-7440-0180-3|date=2002}}</ref> '''Piahanas''',<ref>{{cite|author=Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh|title=''Super Mario Sunshine'' Official Strategy Guide|page=103|publisher=BradyGAMES|language=en-us|isbn=0-7440-0180-3|date=2002}}</ref> or '''Pihanas''',<ref>{{cite|author=Hodgson, David S J, Bryan Stratton, and Stephen Stratton|title=''Super Mario Sunshine'' Prima's Official Strategy Guide|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|page=19|date=September 3, 2002|language=en-us|isbn=0-7615-3961-1}}</ref> are duck-like enemies that first appear in ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''. They are known for catapulting [[Mario]] or other characters into the air. Blue Cataquacks are said to become nervous when confronted by strangers, but they never want to harm them; however, a red variant called '''Chuhanas'''<ref name="bradygames"/> or '''Red Cataquacks'''<ref>{{cite|author=Averill, Alan, and Jennifer Villarreal|title=''Super Mario Sunshine'' Player's Guide|page=63|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|date=2002|isbn=1-930206-23-2}}</ref> harms any strangers that are in its way. Their name is likely a portmanteau of "catapult" and "quack," referring to their behavior and appearance (similar to a {{wp|duck}}), respectively. Cataquacks resemble [[Wiggler]] segments, not unlike [[Plungelo]]s, and they are further connected by their similar location and Japanese names. Enemies with similar functions, called [[Heave-Ho]]s, appear in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.
'''Cataquacks''' are duck-like creatures that first appeared in ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' on [[Gelato Beach]]. When they sense [[Mario]] nearby, they speed up and approach him. If they make contact, they will use their beaks to forcefully hurl Mario into the air. They can be both useful and dangerous; the height at which Mario is thrown will damage him if he lands on the same plane from which he was launched. The blue Cataquacks are said to become nervous when confronted by strangers, but never want to harm them. However, the red Cataquacks will harm any strangers that are in their way. Their name may be based on the words ''catapult'' and ''quack'', referring to their behavior and appearance (similar to a [[Wikipedia:Duck|duck]]), respectively. Cataquacks, like [[Plungelo]]s, resemble [[Wiggler]] segments.


==History==
==History==
===''Super Mario'' series===
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario Sunshine''====
====''Super Mario Sunshine''====
In ''Super Mario Sunshine'', Cataquacks come in two colors, red and blue. The blue Cataquacks cannot damage Mario (unless he touches them directly), but the red ones can. The blue variety tends to be rather lazy and will fall asleep if left undisturbed. The red version is reportedly new to the area. However, as the game continues, more and more red Cataquacks are seen, as well as the number of the Cataquacks in general increases. In the end, only one blue Cataquack is remaining. By running into a Cataquack and getting thrown upwards, Mario can get high-floating [[coin]]s. When sprayed with [[F.L.U.D.D.]], they turn over, and Mario can jump on them for an additional coin. When turned over, they will be stunned for a second, but when jumped on, they will be stunned for several seconds. If Mario sprays them over sand, then they'll naturally sink into the sand, eliminating the need for him to jump on them. However, they can only be truly defeated by [[Yoshi (species)|Yoshi]], or when getting catapulted into the air by the outburst of a nearby [[Dune Bud]]. In the eighth episode of Gelato Beach, The Watermelon Festival, Cataquacks have swarmed from the beach to the higher areas of the level. They hinder Mario from rolling the watermelon to the beach; when the rolling watermelon hits a Cataquack, it is thrown upwards and destroyed.  
[[File:SMS Red Cataquack.png|thumb|left|A Red Cataquack]]
In ''Super Mario Sunshine'', Cataquacks come in red and blue varieties. They walk aimlessly on [[Gelato Beach]], but when they sense Mario nearby, they charge at him until he gets far enough away from them or they reach a ledge or water. If Cataquacks make contact, they use their beaks to throw Mario into the air. This can be both helpful and harmful; Mario can sustain damage if he lands on the same ground from which he was launched, but he can also reach [[platform]]s and [[coin]]s he otherwise could not with normal [[jump]]s. Whenever Mario gets launched in the air by a Cataquack, he screams the same way he does when falling a great distance instead of when getting tossed in other ways, such as getting launched by [[chuckster]]s. Cataquacks are usually not affected by Mario's direct attacks, but when sprayed with [[F.L.U.D.D.|FLUDD]], they flip over and become stunned. During this time, Mario can get a coin from a Cataquack by jumping onto it, causing it to sink into the ground. If he sprays a stunned Cataquack, it remains stunned for a longer time. When sprayed over sand, Cataquacks sink into it without having to jump on them, but they do not give a coin. Cataquacks can be defeated only by eating them with a [[Yoshi (species)|Yoshi]], catapulting them into the air with the outburst of a nearby [[Dune Bud]], or luring them towards water while using the [[Hover Nozzle]].<ref>{{cite|author=BeaverThingify|date=September 15, 2020|url=youtu.be/rz7gCXSJmJs|title=Super Mario Sunshine - Killing every Cataquack in "The Watermelon Festival"|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=January 6, 2021}}</ref> A subspecies of Cataquacks called Plungelos appears as mini-bosses in [[Mirror Madness! Tilt, Slam, Bam!|Episode 2]] of Gelato Beach. Cataquacks can also appear in [[Sirena Beach]]'s fifth episode, [[King Boo Down Below]], where if [[Big Boo (character)|King Boo]] spins three question marks on the slot machines, he may spit out two Blue Cataquacks that disappear after a short time.


In the first episodes, Mario can get a [[Blue Coin]] by overturning the single red Cataquack and jumping on it, and in the last episodes, he can get a Blue Coin by doing so on the remaining blue Cataquack.  
The differently colored Cataquacks act differently from one another, similarly to most other species. Blue Cataquacks cannot damage Mario unless he touches them directly, but red ones can damage Mario by catapulting him. If swarmed by Red Cataquacks, Mario may become trapped in a loop of catapulting and suffer a large amount of damage, possibly up to the point that he loses a life. Blue Cataquacks tend to be calmer, and they fall asleep if left undisturbed. According to a [[Noki]] on Gelato Beach, Red Cataquacks are new to the area.<ref>{{cite|quote=Watch out for the red Cataquacks! Seriously! They can hurt you. They only appeared on this beach recently.|author=[[Noki]]|title=''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''}}</ref> As the player progresses through Gelato Beach's episodes, the number of Red Cataquacks and Cataquacks in general increases, while the number of Blue Cataquacks decreases. By the eighth episode, [[The Watermelon Festival]], only one Blue Cataquack remains, sleeping atop a palm tree away from the beach, and Mario can obtain a [[Blue Coin]] from the Cataquack while it is overturned; conversely, in the first episode, [[Dune Bud Sand Castle Secret]], Mario can get a Blue Coin by overturning the single Red Cataquack and jumping on it. In The Watermelon Festival, Red Cataquacks swarm most of Gelato Beach, increasing the difficulty of bringing the [[watermelon]] to the [[Surf Cabana]]. If the watermelon hits a Cataquack, it is thrown upwards and destroyed when it hits the ground, leaving a coin behind.


A sub-species of Cataquacks called [[Plungelo]]s appear as mini-bosses also in ''Super Mario Sunshine'', in Episode 2 of Gelato Beach.
Blue Cataquacks are one of the few enemies in the game confirmed to be native to [[Isle Delfino]], as most of the others (presumably including Red Cataquacks) were created from [[Shadow Mario]]'s [[graffiti]].<ref>An excerpt of page 107 of the ''Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros.'' The title of the box is 「クッパJr.の落書き!」 ("''The graffiti of Bowser Jr.!''") and the text says 「本作の敵キャラクターたちは、クッパJr.が落書きで生み出したという設定。そのため、水に弱かったり、デザインが他のシリーズと少々異なっていたりする。ヨッシーも、同様の理由で水に落ちると消えてしまう。」 ("''This game's enemy characters are created by Bowser Jr.'s graffiti. That is why they are weak to water, and differ slightly in design from the rest of the series. Yoshi also vanishes if he falls in water for the same reason.''")</ref> Despite this, both colors of Cataquacks splatter when defeated from a Dune Bud.


In [[Sirena Beach]], during the boss battle with King Boo, if he spins three question marks on the slot machines, he may spit out two blue Cataquacks. These Cataquacks act like red ones and can hurt Mario.
====''Super Mario Galaxy''====
[[File:CataquackGalaxy.png|200px|thumb|left|[[Mario]] encountering Cataquacks in the [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]]]]
In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', the blue variety of Cataquacks reappears in the [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]] and the [[Beach Bowl Galaxy]]. Mario can use them to fling himself to high or out-of-reach places. [[Honeybee]]s are seen to keep them as pets, fencing them in. In this game, they can be defeated only by luring them into the water, where they vanish, but they reappear shortly after (along with [[Koopa Troopa]]s, they are the only enemies that respawn). If Mario [[spin]]s next to them, [[Ground Pound|ground-pounds]] near them, or touches them while in his [[Rainbow Mario|Rainbow form]], they will flip over and be stunned for a few seconds. Unlike in ''Super Mario Sunshine'', Cataquacks are completely harmless due to the game's lack of falling damage. Additionally, these Cataquacks jump and give out an excited squeak before chasing, rather than immediately pursuing Mario. They have a very slight redesign in that the yellow circles on their sides are now a defined ridge rather than simply a pattern, lessening the resemblance to Wiggler segments. According to a honeybee in the Gold Leaf Galaxy, Cataquacks (or at least one specimen found nearby) are native to the [[Gold Leaf Galaxy#Flower Planet|Flower Planet]].<ref>{{file link|SM3DAS SMG GLG Cataquack to the Skies dialog.jpg|Screenshot}}</ref>


====''Super Mario Galaxy''====
Additionally, the flag on the [[Sea Slide Galaxy]] tower depicts a seagull with a stylized head that resembles a Cataquack's.<ref>{{cite|date=July 21, 2021|url=www.suppermariobroth.com/post/657268426219356160/the-tower-in-sea-slide-galaxy-in-super-mario|title=The tower in Sea Slide Galaxy in Super Mario Galaxy is decorated with a flag on the roof. The flag depicts a stylized seagull eating a mushroom.|publisher=Supper Mario Broth|accessdate=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
{{multiple image
|align=left
|direction=horizontal
|image1=SMG_Cataquacks.JPG
|width1=200
|caption1='''Cataquacks''' in ''Super Mario Galaxy''.
|image2=CataquackGalaxy.jpg
|width2=200
|caption2=[[Mario]], encountering a '''Cataquack''' at the [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]].
}}
In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', Cataquacks make a reappearance. Mario uses them to fling him to high or out-of-reach places. Only the blue variety is present in this game, found in the [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]] and the [[Beach Bowl Galaxy]]. Bees are seen to keep them as pets. In this game, they can only be defeated by luring them into the water, where they will vanish, but will reappear shortly after. If Mario [[spin]]s the tail, they will be knocked out for a few seconds. Unlike in ''Super Mario Sunshine'', Cataquacks are completely harmless in this game.
{{br}}
{{br}}


===''Mario Kart'' series===
===''Mario Kart'' series===
====''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''====
[[File:MKW Purple Cataquack.png|thumb|150px|Screenshot of a purple Cataquack from ''Mario Kart Wii'']]
[[File:PeachBeach-Cataquack-MKDD.png|thumb|200px|right|Different colored '''Cataquacks''' appear at Peach Beach.]]
In the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]], Cataquacks physically appear only on the course [[GCN Peach Beach|Peach Beach]], introduced in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' and returning in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''. Cataquacks are given additional purple and green varieties in addition to the original two varieties. They walk on the beach and target [[kart]]s like in ''Super Mario Sunshine'', but they avoid the stone path in between the grass and the beach. If a kart runs into them, it is thrown upwards, removing all of its speed and making the drivers drop their items. Cataquacks can be temporarily knocked out by [[Green Shell]]s and [[Red Shell]]s, as well as [[Lightning]]. Differences with Cataquacks in ''Mario Kart Wii'' include having an exclamation point appear above one's head upon being alerted to passing karts, being able to trespass the stone path between grass and sand, and being stunned by a [[POW Block]], a [[Mega Mushroom]], or a [[Bullet Bill]], none of which are in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' Additionally, Cataquacks do not give chase in [[Mario Kart (series)#Modes of play|Time Trial]] (or [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] before the service had been discontinued).
In ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', Cataquacks are revealed to come in purple and green varieties, in addition to the other red and blue colors. The game also reveals that they are also known as '''Pihanas''' (which is similar to their Japanese name, ''Poihana''). They can be found on [[Peach Beach]]. When a [[kart]] runs into them, the car is thrown upwards, stopping the drivers and making them drop their items. The Cataquacks can be temporarily knocked out by [[Green Shell|Green]] and [[Red Shell]]s, as well as [[Thunderbolt (item)|Thunderbolts]]. Cataquacks in this game also appear to not have a tail unlike other games.


====''Mario Kart Wii''====
In ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]'', Red and Blue Cataquacks appear in the backgrounds of certain courses in the [[Mario Cup]].<ref>{{cite|author=RobertoLPDX|date=June 28, 2015|url=youtu.be/D14ZwD1uxgA?t=2329timestamp=00:38:49|title=Let's Play: Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (Longplay)|language=en|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=May 24, 2024}}</ref>
This course reappears in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' with the Cataquacks. In that game, exclamation points appear above their heads when they become aware of any passing karts. They also behave a bit differently when karts come through the beach in the [[Wii]] version. In the original version, Cataquacks would not bother karts that were on the stone path along the edge of the beach. However, karts on the path can be attacked by Cataquacks in the Wii version. On Wi-Fi Connection and Time Trials, they do not chase anyone.
{{br}}


==List of appearances by date==
==List of appearances by date==
{|class=sortable cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 border=1 align=center width=100% style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!width=50%|Title
!width=50%|Title
!width=20%|Description
!width=20%|Description
!width=20%|Original Release Date
!width=20%|Release
!width=10%|System/Format
!width=10%|System/format
|-
|-
|''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''
|''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''
|Enemy  
|Enemy  
|[[Japan]]:<br>July 19, [[List of games by date#2002|2002]]
|[[Japan]]:<br>July 19, [[List of games by date#2002|2002]]
|[[Gamecube]]
|[[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]
|-
|-
|''[[Mario Kart Double Dash!!]]''
|''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''
|Obstacle
|Obstacle
|Japan:<br>November 7, [[List of games by date#2003|2003]]
|Japan:<br>November 7, [[List of games by date#2003|2003]]
|Gamecube
|GameCube
|-
|-
|''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
|''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
Line 71: Line 59:
|Japan:<br>April 10, [[List of games by date#2008|2008]]
|Japan:<br>April 10, [[List of games by date#2008|2008]]
|Wii
|Wii
|-
|''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]''
|Enemy
|Japan:<br>September 18, [[List of games by date#2020|2020]]
|[[Nintendo Switch|Switch]]
|}
|}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
SMS Artwork Cataquacks.png|Artwork from ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''
SMS Artwork Cataquack (Red).png|Artwork of a Red Cataquack from ''Super Mario Sunshine''
SMS GelatoBeach BlueCoin 30.png|Screenshot from ''Super Mario Sunshine''
PeachBeachIcon-MKDD.png|Course preview banner for [[GCN Peach Beach|Peach Beach]] from ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''
PeachBeach-Cataquack-MKDD.png|Screenshot from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''
MKDDCataquackModel.png|Model from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''
MKGPscene.jpg|Key art from ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP]]''
MKAGP 2 Move Giant Watermelon!.png|Challenge icon from ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]''
CataquackSMG.png|Model from ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
SMG Screenshot Gold Leaf Galaxy (Cataquack Launch Pad).png|Cataquack launch pad in the [[Gold Leaf Galaxy]] from ''Super Mario Galaxy''
CataquackMKW.png|Screenshot of a Red Cataquack from ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''
MKW Green Cataquack.png|Screenshot of a green Cataquack from ''Mario Kart Wii''
</gallery>


==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
{{Foreignname
{{foreign names
|Jap=ポイハナ
|Jap=ポイハナ
|JapR=Poihana
|JapR=Poihana
|JapM=「ぽい」 ''poi'' is a colloquialism for throwing something away, 「鼻」 ''hana'' means "nose"
|Jap2=あおポイハナ<ref name=Sho>{{cite|language=ja|date=October 10, 2002|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|title=「スーパーマリオサンシャイン任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (''Super Mario Sunshine Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook'')|page=[https://i.imgur.com/cR55rqr.jpg 18]|isbn=4-09-106064-1}}</ref>
|Jap2N=''Super Mario Sunshine''
|Jap2R=Ao Poihana
|Jap3=あかポイハナ<ref name=Sho/>
|Jap3N=''Super Mario Sunshine''
|Jap3R=Aka Poihana
|JapM=From「ポイ」(''poi'', onomatopoeia for tossing) and「鼻」(''hana'', nose); also a combination of「ポポイ」(''Popoi'', [[Heave-Ho#Names in other languages|Heave-Ho]]) and「ハナチャン」(''Hanachan'', [[Wiggler#Names in other languages|Wiggler]])
|Jap2M=Blue Cataquack
|Jap3M=Red Cataquack
|Chi=咻地
|ChiR=Xiū de
|ChiM=Thrown
|Fre=Catacouac
|FreM=From the English name
|Ger=Kataquax
|GerM=Similar to the English name
|Ita=Catapapero
|ItaM=From ''catapulta'' ("catapult") and ''papero'' ("duck")
|Kor=날꽃
|KorR=Nalkkot
|KorM=From "날다" (''nalda'', "to fly") and "꽃충이" (''Kkotchung-i'', "Wiggler")
|Spa=Picocuac
|Spa=Picocuac
|SpaM=From ''pico'' (beak) and ''cuac'' (Spanish onomatopoeia for "quack")
|SpaM=From ''pico'' ("beak") and ''cuac'' (onomatopoeic term meaning "quack")
|Ger=Kataquack
|GerM=Literal Translation
|Ita=Catapapero
|ItaM=From "catapulta" (catapult) and "papero" (duck)
}}
}}


==Trivia==
==References==
*[[Heave Ho]]s from ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' could have been the precursor to Cataquacks, in that both enemies attack by flinging Mario high into the air, which can be either useful or harmful, depending on the situation.
<references/>
*The [[Frackle]] and [[Wrackle]] from ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' have a similar appearance to a Cataquack.
 
{{BoxTop}}
{{Super Mario Sunshine}}
{{Super Mario Sunshine}}
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{{MKDD}}
{{SMG}}
{{SMG}}
{{MKW}}
{{MKW}}
[[Category:Waterfowl]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Arcade GP]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]
[[Category:Mario Kart: Double Dash!! species]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Wii species]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario Sunshine enemies]]
[[de:Kataquax]]
[[de:Kataquax]]
[[Category:Birds]]
[[it:Catapapero]]
[[Category:Species]]
[[Category:Enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy Enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario Sunshine Enemies]]
[[Category:Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Wii]]

Latest revision as of 23:34, October 23, 2024

Cataquack
A blue Cataquack from Super Mario Sunshine.
Artwork from Super Mario Sunshine
First appearance Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
Latest appearance Super Mario 3D All-Stars (2020)
Variants
Relatives
Comparable
“Those large-billed Cataquacks tend to be very territorial. So, when they spot an outsider such as yourself, they go wild! They'll run up and hurl you into the air, but they mean no harm.”
Noki, Super Mario Sunshine

Cataquacks, also called Paihanas,[1] Piahanas,[2] or Pihanas,[3] are duck-like enemies that first appear in Super Mario Sunshine. They are known for catapulting Mario or other characters into the air. Blue Cataquacks are said to become nervous when confronted by strangers, but they never want to harm them; however, a red variant called Chuhanas[1] or Red Cataquacks[4] harms any strangers that are in its way. Their name is likely a portmanteau of "catapult" and "quack," referring to their behavior and appearance (similar to a duck), respectively. Cataquacks resemble Wiggler segments, not unlike Plungelos, and they are further connected by their similar location and Japanese names. Enemies with similar functions, called Heave-Hos, appear in Super Mario 64.

History[edit]

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario Sunshine[edit]

Cataquack
A Red Cataquack

In Super Mario Sunshine, Cataquacks come in red and blue varieties. They walk aimlessly on Gelato Beach, but when they sense Mario nearby, they charge at him until he gets far enough away from them or they reach a ledge or water. If Cataquacks make contact, they use their beaks to throw Mario into the air. This can be both helpful and harmful; Mario can sustain damage if he lands on the same ground from which he was launched, but he can also reach platforms and coins he otherwise could not with normal jumps. Whenever Mario gets launched in the air by a Cataquack, he screams the same way he does when falling a great distance instead of when getting tossed in other ways, such as getting launched by chucksters. Cataquacks are usually not affected by Mario's direct attacks, but when sprayed with FLUDD, they flip over and become stunned. During this time, Mario can get a coin from a Cataquack by jumping onto it, causing it to sink into the ground. If he sprays a stunned Cataquack, it remains stunned for a longer time. When sprayed over sand, Cataquacks sink into it without having to jump on them, but they do not give a coin. Cataquacks can be defeated only by eating them with a Yoshi, catapulting them into the air with the outburst of a nearby Dune Bud, or luring them towards water while using the Hover Nozzle.[5] A subspecies of Cataquacks called Plungelos appears as mini-bosses in Episode 2 of Gelato Beach. Cataquacks can also appear in Sirena Beach's fifth episode, King Boo Down Below, where if King Boo spins three question marks on the slot machines, he may spit out two Blue Cataquacks that disappear after a short time.

The differently colored Cataquacks act differently from one another, similarly to most other species. Blue Cataquacks cannot damage Mario unless he touches them directly, but red ones can damage Mario by catapulting him. If swarmed by Red Cataquacks, Mario may become trapped in a loop of catapulting and suffer a large amount of damage, possibly up to the point that he loses a life. Blue Cataquacks tend to be calmer, and they fall asleep if left undisturbed. According to a Noki on Gelato Beach, Red Cataquacks are new to the area.[6] As the player progresses through Gelato Beach's episodes, the number of Red Cataquacks and Cataquacks in general increases, while the number of Blue Cataquacks decreases. By the eighth episode, The Watermelon Festival, only one Blue Cataquack remains, sleeping atop a palm tree away from the beach, and Mario can obtain a Blue Coin from the Cataquack while it is overturned; conversely, in the first episode, Dune Bud Sand Castle Secret, Mario can get a Blue Coin by overturning the single Red Cataquack and jumping on it. In The Watermelon Festival, Red Cataquacks swarm most of Gelato Beach, increasing the difficulty of bringing the watermelon to the Surf Cabana. If the watermelon hits a Cataquack, it is thrown upwards and destroyed when it hits the ground, leaving a coin behind.

Blue Cataquacks are one of the few enemies in the game confirmed to be native to Isle Delfino, as most of the others (presumably including Red Cataquacks) were created from Shadow Mario's graffiti.[7] Despite this, both colors of Cataquacks splatter when defeated from a Dune Bud.

Super Mario Galaxy[edit]

A screenshot of Cataquacks approching Mario at the Gold Leaf Galaxy.
Mario encountering Cataquacks in the Gold Leaf Galaxy

In Super Mario Galaxy, the blue variety of Cataquacks reappears in the Gold Leaf Galaxy and the Beach Bowl Galaxy. Mario can use them to fling himself to high or out-of-reach places. Honeybees are seen to keep them as pets, fencing them in. In this game, they can be defeated only by luring them into the water, where they vanish, but they reappear shortly after (along with Koopa Troopas, they are the only enemies that respawn). If Mario spins next to them, ground-pounds near them, or touches them while in his Rainbow form, they will flip over and be stunned for a few seconds. Unlike in Super Mario Sunshine, Cataquacks are completely harmless due to the game's lack of falling damage. Additionally, these Cataquacks jump and give out an excited squeak before chasing, rather than immediately pursuing Mario. They have a very slight redesign in that the yellow circles on their sides are now a defined ridge rather than simply a pattern, lessening the resemblance to Wiggler segments. According to a honeybee in the Gold Leaf Galaxy, Cataquacks (or at least one specimen found nearby) are native to the Flower Planet.[8]

Additionally, the flag on the Sea Slide Galaxy tower depicts a seagull with a stylized head that resembles a Cataquack's.[9]

Mario Kart series[edit]

A purple Cataquack
Screenshot of a purple Cataquack from Mario Kart Wii

In the Mario Kart series, Cataquacks physically appear only on the course Peach Beach, introduced in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and returning in Mario Kart Wii. Cataquacks are given additional purple and green varieties in addition to the original two varieties. They walk on the beach and target karts like in Super Mario Sunshine, but they avoid the stone path in between the grass and the beach. If a kart runs into them, it is thrown upwards, removing all of its speed and making the drivers drop their items. Cataquacks can be temporarily knocked out by Green Shells and Red Shells, as well as Lightning. Differences with Cataquacks in Mario Kart Wii include having an exclamation point appear above one's head upon being alerted to passing karts, being able to trespass the stone path between grass and sand, and being stunned by a POW Block, a Mega Mushroom, or a Bullet Bill, none of which are in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Additionally, Cataquacks do not give chase in Time Trial (or Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection before the service had been discontinued).

In Mario Kart Arcade GP and Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, Red and Blue Cataquacks appear in the backgrounds of certain courses in the Mario Cup.[10]

List of appearances by date[edit]

Title Description Release System/format
Super Mario Sunshine Enemy Japan:
July 19, 2002
GameCube
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Obstacle Japan:
November 7, 2003
GameCube
Super Mario Galaxy Enemy Japan:
November 1, 2007
Wii
Mario Kart Wii Obstacle Japan:
April 10, 2008
Wii
Super Mario 3D All-Stars Enemy Japan:
September 18, 2020
Switch

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ポイハナ[?]
Poihana
From「ポイ」(poi, onomatopoeia for tossing) and「鼻」(hana, nose); also a combination of「ポポイ」(Popoi, Heave-Ho) and「ハナチャン」(Hanachan, Wiggler)
あおポイハナ[11]
Ao Poihana
Blue Cataquack Super Mario Sunshine
あかポイハナ[11]
Aka Poihana
Red Cataquack Super Mario Sunshine
Chinese 咻地[?]
Xiū de
Thrown
French Catacouac[?] From the English name
German Kataquax[?] Similar to the English name
Italian Catapapero[?] From catapulta ("catapult") and papero ("duck")
Korean 날꽃[?]
Nalkkot
From "날다" (nalda, "to fly") and "꽃충이" (Kkotchung-i, "Wiggler")
Spanish Picocuac[?] From pico ("beak") and cuac (onomatopoeic term meaning "quack")

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh (2002). Super Mario Sunshine Official Strategy Guide. BradyGAMES (American English). ISBN 0-7440-0180-3. Page 6.
  2. ^ Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh (2002). Super Mario Sunshine Official Strategy Guide. BradyGAMES (American English). ISBN 0-7440-0180-3. Page 103.
  3. ^ Hodgson, David S J, Bryan Stratton, and Stephen Stratton (September 3, 2002). Super Mario Sunshine Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 0-7615-3961-1. Page 19.
  4. ^ Averill, Alan, and Jennifer Villarreal (2002). Super Mario Sunshine Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). ISBN 1-930206-23-2. Page 63.
  5. ^ BeaverThingify (September 15, 2020). Super Mario Sunshine - Killing every Cataquack in "The Watermelon Festival". YouTube. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  6. ^ "Watch out for the red Cataquacks! Seriously! They can hurt you. They only appeared on this beach recently." – Noki. Super Mario Sunshine.
  7. ^ An excerpt of page 107 of the Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros. The title of the box is 「クッパJr.の落書き!」 ("The graffiti of Bowser Jr.!") and the text says 「本作の敵キャラクターたちは、クッパJr.が落書きで生み出したという設定。そのため、水に弱かったり、デザインが他のシリーズと少々異なっていたりする。ヨッシーも、同様の理由で水に落ちると消えてしまう。」 ("This game's enemy characters are created by Bowser Jr.'s graffiti. That is why they are weak to water, and differ slightly in design from the rest of the series. Yoshi also vanishes if he falls in water for the same reason.")
  8. ^ ScreenshotMedia:SM3DAS SMG GLG Cataquack to the Skies dialog.jpg
  9. ^ July 21, 2021. The tower in Sea Slide Galaxy in Super Mario Galaxy is decorated with a flag on the roof. The flag depicts a stylized seagull eating a mushroom.. Supper Mario Broth. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  10. ^ RobertoLPDX (June 28, 2015). Let's Play: Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (Longplay). YouTube (English). Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  11. ^ a b October 10, 2002. 「スーパーマリオサンシャイン任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (Super Mario Sunshine Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook). Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-106064-1. Page 18.