Shy Guy

This article is about the enemy. For the character in Mario Party 4, see Shy Guy (Mario Party 4).

"Red Shy Guy" redirects here. For the character on the Sunset Express in Paper Mario: Color Splash, see Red Shy Guy (character).

Shy Guy
Artwork of a Shy Guy from Mario Party Superstars
First appearance	Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic (1987, overall) Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988, Super Mario franchise)
Latest appearance	Super Mario Run (version 3.2.4, cameo) (2024)
Latest portrayal	Nate Bihldorff (2004-present)
Variants Animal Trainer Shy Guy Bandit Bazooka Heyho Beezo Black Shy Guy Bomb Guy Boo Guy Boom Guy Burner Heihō Clip Guy Coal Guy Door Guy Donguri Heyho Dreamy Shy Guy Exploring Shy Guy Fake Yoshi Fat Guy Fawful Guy Fly Guy Fly Heyho Flying Shy Guy Fire Shy Guy Ghost Guy Glide Guy Glohm Shy Guy Gold Shy Guy Groove Guy Itsunomanika Heihō Juggling Heyho Lantern Ghost Mace Guy Medi Guy Mega Guy Mummy Guy Ninja Guy Paint Guy Paper Macho Shy Guy Paper Shy Guy Petal Guy Pharaoh Guy Pirate Guy Pyro Guy Robo Shyguy Rocket Guy Roller Guy Rush Heyho Sensuikan Heihō Shield Guy Shy Guy Airtub Shy Guy R Shy Guy 4-Stack Shy Guy 5-Stack Shy Guy Tent Shy Guy Tower Shy Guys on Pogo Sticks Shy Ranger Shyguy Lion Shymore Shyndelier Silver Shy Guy Skall Heyho Skating Shy Guy Sky Guy Sling Shy Slurp Guy Snifit Snow Guy Snowboarding Shy Guy Soggy Guy Sombrero Guy Spear Guy Spike Guy Spooky Spy Guy Stilt Guy Stretch Toober Guy Train Bandit Trampoline Shy Guy Tree Guy Unicycle Shy Guy Vampire Heyho Walker Guy White Shy Guy Woozy Guy Zombie Guy
Comparable Bowbow Tweeter
Notable members Big Guy the Stilted Captain Shy Guy (Mario Party 8) Captain Shy Guy (Mario & Luigi series) Emcee Shy Guy Game Guy General Guy Gourmet Guy Hulu Laundry Guy Pry Guy Red Shy Guy Ruddy Road Paint Guy Sergeant Guy Shai Guyz Shy Guy Well Shy Squad The Shy Bandit White Shy Guy

“I ain't scared... I'm terrified!”

—Shy Guy, Paper Mario: Color Splash

Shy Guys, alternatively formatted as Shyguys, Shy-Guys, or ShyGuys, are recurring enemies that are recognizable by their masks, which they wear due to their shyness. Shy Guys first appear in Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, later released in the Western world as Super Mario Bros. 2.

History

Super Mario series

Super Mario Bros. 2 / Super Mario Advance

A Shyguy in the original and Super Mario All-Stars versions

Shyguys, are the most common enemies in Super Mario Bros. 2. They debut alongside Snifits and Beezos. Shyguys damage the player character on contact. Shyguys can be defeated either from throwing an object at them or by picking them up and throwing them at another enemy. Red Shyguys walk off of ledges, unlike the pink type, and are also found riding Autobombs and Ostros, as well as appearing from jars. Pink Shyguys are recolored blue in the remakes of Super Mario Bros. 2. The remakes also recolor the shoes of Red Shyguys to purple, as well as the blue Shyguys' shoes to orange (besides artwork depicting it white). The heavier Big Shy Guys were also added in the remake Super Mario Advance.

Super Mario Maker

A Shy Guy with its Super Mario Bros. 2 design is an unlockable costume in Super Mario Maker, and is unlocked by clearing 100 Mario Challenge on any difficulty. The Shy Guy costume reuses some of the sound effects from Super Mario Bros. 2.

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!

“Your Malignant Meanness! I have terrible news! The Princess and the Mario Brothers have escaped!”

—Shyguy, "Brooklyn Bound"

Four Shyguys in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! episode, "Too Hot to Handle".

Shyguys are antagonists working for King Koopa in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, and their outfits correspond to the theme of an episode, like some of Bowser's other troops.

Nintendo Comics System

Shyguys commonly appear as disgruntled soldiers of Bowser in several issues of Nintendo Comics System, like Koopa Troopas.

Nintendo Adventure Books

Double Trouble features Shyguys and their GLOM-created sand clones, but Mario never fights Shyguys.

Shyguys are among the crowd members at the International Mushroom Games in Leaping Lizards.

Luigi mentions that he is "shivering like a Shy Guy" in a cave area in Koopa Capers.

One is encountered by Mario and Luigi at the Koopahari Desert in Pipe Down!. Shy Guys can also appear with Tweeters and Cheep Cheeps if Mario and Luigi, activate a lever in the Mushroom Palace.

Mario and Yoshi jump over Shy Guys to dodge them in Dinosaur Dilemma.

Shy Guys are among the enemies in Unjust Desserts that are sent after Mario as he goes into Yoshi's body to save Luigi.

Shy Guys attack Luigi if he chooses to follow Princess Toadstool in Brain Drain. They also hold up the line at Iggy Koopa's lair from mumbling and also appear at the WMUSH radio station later on.

Yoshi series

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island / Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3

Shy-Guys in red, yellow, green, and magenta varieties are common enemies in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and its remake. Their mask straps are colored, and dark levels show their shoes glowing. They either walk or hop in a direction, as well as sometimes looking left or right. Certain Pipes spawn Shy-Guys endlessly if Yoshi does not have six eggs. Either a stomp or being swallowed by a Yoshi defeats a Shy-Guy, but only the latter stops them from respawning if Yoshi continues forward and returns. The game adds the ghostly Boo Guy variety.

Yoshi's Story

Shy Guys retain their role of being common enemies in Yoshi's Story. They have voice clips, such as saying their unlocalized name, "Heihō." Shy Guys either carry fruit or hide in trees, though Yoshi can ground-pound to have Shy Guys fall out of the latter. A ground-pound near a Shy Guy also changes its color, and a Shy Guy can become a Lucky Fruit if Yoshi ground-pounds near it while under the effects of a Heart Fruit. Eating a Shy Guy of the same color restore three petals of that Yoshi's Smile Meter instead of one, and the resulting Yoshi Egg also matches the Shy Guy color. The game adds the allies White Shy Guys and the enemies Black Shy Guys. The level Shy Guy's Ship includes Shy Guys launching Bob-ombs at the player character from a pirate ship in the background.

Yoshi Touch & Go

Shy Guys, mostly the red variety, return in Yoshi Touch & Go. Like other enemies, touching a Shy Guy results in a Game Over, but a Shy Guy is worth a Yellow Coin when defeated.

Yoshi's Island DS

Artwork of three Shy Guy colors for Yoshi's Island DS

Shy Guys are enemies in Yoshi's Island DS, appearing in red, yellow, green, and blue varieties. Their mechanics are the same as in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, though the game adds some varieties such as Toober Guys. Shy Guys are featured in their own section of the Island Museum.

Yoshi's New Island

Shy Guys are enemies in Yoshi's New Island, retaining their usual mechanics. Besides the returning Mega Guys, the game adds more varieties, such as Door Guy^[derived], Tree Guy^[derived], and Fake Yoshi, which is actually a green-spotted white Shy Guy.

Yoshi's Woolly World / Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World

A Shy Guy from Yoshi's Woolly World

Shy Guys appear in Yoshi's Woolly World and Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World. If they are eaten, their masks are removed as the Shy Guys become unraveled into yarn balls. The game adds three varieties: Bomb Guys, Hook Guys, and Pharaoh Guys, as well as brown colored Shy Guys. There is one Shy Guy sitting peacefully in the foreground of the inside of Miss Cluck the Insincere's Castle in front of the entrance Yoshi enters. In Lair of the Smooch Spiders, Shy Guys can be found tied to webs; Yoshi can use his tongue to untie and release them. In King Bowser's Castle, Yoshi must obtain yarn balls from Shy Guys of four different colors and use each to wrap one of the four statues at a large entrance to open it. However, only a few of the necessary Shy Guys appear among a multitude of black ones. When the player picks a music track to play in the Scrapbook Theater, Shy Guys drift from right to left in the form of musical notes. Shy Guys also appear in course previews on the world map, such as for Bounceabout Woods, where a red one is seen bouncing on a Spring Tree.

Yoshi's Crafted World

A Shy Guy in Yoshi's Crafted World

Shy Guys reappear in Yoshi's Crafted World, serving the same purpose as in previous Yoshi games. They can be seen doing various activities such as flying a kite, hiding behind cardboard cutouts, etc. They act and appear as they did in previous games, but in Dino Desert, they can wear a dinosaur skull. When this happens, they proceed to chase after Yoshi, destroying any stone block in front of them, and cannot be defeated. Besides Yoshi, Shy Guys can also be defeated by bigger enemies. Yoshi's Crafted World brings many more new types of Shy Guy including: Attack Ghosts, Bazooka Heyho, Donguri Heyho, Fly Heyho, Juggling Heyho, Ninja Guys, Rush Heyho, Skall Heyho, Vampire Heyho, Zombie Guys, and Zombie Debuho. Additionally, several variants wear pilot-themed orange clothing in Altitude Adjustment, pirate-themed clothing in Pirate Pier and Bombs Away on Pirate Island, space-themed silver clothing in Outer Orbit as well as The Great King Bowser, and circus-themed red and black clothing in Hoop-Jump Hop.

Shy Guys also appear as crafts, which include four Sneaky Shy Guys, black Shy Guy wearing hats and made from cut cardboard found on the flip side of Hoop-Jump Hop; five Shy Guy Acorns, acorns with a Shy Guy face painted on each found in Weighing Acorns; four Shy Guy Kites, blue Shy Guys made from cut and folded cardboard with black headbands on their foreheads found on the flip side of Behind the Shoji; and five Shy Guy Cruisers, red Shy Guys made from cut paper piloting rockets found in Space-Hub Hubbub. The Beach Umbrella craft depicts a red Shy Guy sitting under a beach umbrella next to a picnic basket on a blanket and is found on the flip side of Dino Smash. Three red Shy Guys riding in a roller coaster also appear as a craft in Spinwheel Shuffle.

There are also crafts of Shy Guys in levels that are not part of the craft list. In Spring Sprung Trail, a drawing of a red Shy Guy watering a plant is seen near one of the pink flower platforms. In Poochy's Sweet Run, there are cardboard cutouts of Shy Guys with square and rectangular eyes, mouths, and shoes as if they are frosted gingerbread cookies. Inside the vertical walls of the Haunted Maker Mansion, there are framed Shy Guy painting crafts above the doors. In Ninjarama, there are some paintings of Shy Guys riding on and getting chased by tigers pictured on the doors as well as drawings of Shy Guys drawn on white paper by calligraphy brush. There are also cardboard cutout groups of red Shy Guys appearing as spectator crafts coming in threes or fours in Hoop-Jump Hop and Solar Zoom.

Super Mario Adventures

In Super Mario Adventures, a Shy Guy, along with a Snifit and Flurry, appeared as an attendee of Bowser's wedding to Princess Toadstool.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

A Shy Guy in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

“Hold still, okay?!”

—Shy Guy, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Shy Guys are enemies found at Rose Way in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and its remake, either sitting on treasure boxes, manning tiles, or being lowered from a Lakitu's fishing pole during battle. There is a Shy Guy in a mine cart at Mole Mines that releases a Frog Coin if Mario tries entering the area with a Super Star. A Shy Guy is last seen in the ending, piloting the Koopa Clown Car. Besides the regular type, there are Shy Guy varieties affiliated with the Smithy Gang, including Shymores, Shypers, and Springers. The games also adds Sling Shys, which serve Valentina, and Shy Rangers.

Tetris Attack

Shy-Guys appear in the eighth level, appearing to be allied with Raphael The Raven, in Tetris Attack.

Mario Party series

Mario Party / Mario Party 2 / Mario Party: The Top 100

The Shy Guy of Shy Guy Says in Mario Party 2

A Shy Guy is featured in the minigame Shy Guy Says in Mario Party and Mario Party 2, being dressed as a pirate in the former game and Mario Party: The Top 100 (with only the hat), or as an archer in the latter. Players try to lift the same flag he holds. Players who either hold the wrong flag or none are disqualified by Shy Guy, who cuts each losing player's rope attaching their barrel to the ship in Mario Party or shoots an arrow at each losing player's balloon in Mario Party 2.

There are Shy Guys at Mystery Land in Mario Party 2 only that can be paid 5 coins to cast a Slow Curse.

Mario Party 3

Main article: Game Guy

Mario Party 3 only features a Shy Guy named Game Guy, who runs a few chance-based minigames at a Game Guy Space.

Mario Party 4

Main article: Shy Guy (Mario Party 4)

Mario Party 4 features a unique Shy Guy character who hosts the Shy Guy's Jungle Jam and wears a jacket and fedora. Beach Volley Folley features a playable Shy Guy, likely a different one.

Mario Party 5

Shy Guys are in various minigames of Mario Party 5 at varying capacities: Chomp Romp, playing on the playground equivalent; Dinger Derby, spectating the players; Later Skater, firing a green pop gun at the start signal; Will Flower, where each bring in a sunflower to be watered; Triple Jump, at the 60-foot signpost; Curvy Curbs, in the background; Bus Buffer, where a Shy Guy is responsible for spilling paint on the green buses for players to clean; Rumble Ready, Curvy Curbs, and Rumble Ready in the background; Ice Hockey, as goalies; and most prominently Shy Guy Showdown, where a Shy Guy raises a sign that players try to hold up first.

Mario Party 6

Shy Guys are in fewer minigames in Mario Party 6: Snow Brawl, assisting the solo player at night only; Odd Card Out, appearing on cards; and Sunday Drivers, holding up signs.

Mario Party Advance

The Shy Guy character of Mario Party Advance

“...Oh, huh-hello. My name is Shy Guy.”

—Shy Guy, Mario Party Advance

Shy Guy is a non-playable character in Mario Party Advance. He is the conductor of Shroom City's Train Station. He is polite and works restlessly without complaining. If the player gives Shy Guy coal to start his train, they are rewarded the Cake Maker Gaddget. As a species, Shy Guys are among the passengers to take to their respective floor in Floor It!.

Mario Party 7

Mario Party 7 features them as Singing Shy Guys at Grand Canal and as Top Hat Shy Guys at Neon Heights. Shy Guys are also in the background of various minigames.

Mario Party 8

Shy Guys are non-playable characters in Mario Party 8. They have a featured board, Shy Guy's Perplex Express, featuring a train from the Shy Guy Conductor. Two Shy Guys are also cooks in the train's kitchen department, and there is an event involving them if the player lands on a Happening Space. Shy Guys are in the following minigames: Picture Perfect, Swing Kings, Water Ski Spree, Cardiators, Crops 'n' Robbers, Settle It in Court, Fruit Picker, Pour to Score, Stampede, Flagging Rights.

Mario Party DS

Shy Guys are non-playable characters in the minigames Fast Food Frenzy, Rotisserie Rampage, and Sweet Sleuth in Mario Party DS. "Shy Guy Rival" is the title of their collectible figure and badge.

Mario Party 9

Shy Guy is an unlockable playable character in Mario Party 9 and a competitor in Solo mode. The first four boards choose either Shy Guy or Magikoopa as the rival at random, while both Magma Mine and Bowser Station include them. Both Shy Guy and Magikoopa are unlocked for all other modes after completing Solo mode once.

Mario Party: Island Tour

Shy Guys are seen in their board Shy Guy's Shuffle City in Mario Party: Island Tour. They appear in the minigames The Choicest Voice, as a judge; and Spin and Bear It, where one is hit by a hammer at the start.

Mario Party 10

Shy Guys are non-playable characters in Mario Party 10. They are spectators in several minigames, and Petey's Bomb Battle shows them riding a rollercoaster at Mushroom Park.

Super Mario Party

Shy Guy with the rest of Bowser's minions in Super Mario Party

Shy Guy is a playable character and a possible ally in Super Mario Party. His unique Dice Block, Shy Guy Dice Block, consists of five 4's and one 0

Mario Party Superstars

Shy Guys are seen in the returning minigames Shy Guy Says, Catch You Letter, Later Skater, and Ice Hockey in Mario Party Superstars.

Super Mario Party Jamboree

Shy Guy returns as a playable character in Super Mario Party Jamboree. Various boards and minigames show red, green, and yellow Shy Guys in the background. In Party-Planner Trek, Shy Guy is sits on the banner that the Goombas lost, being blue if the player character is Shy Guy.

Mario Golf series

Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)

Shy Guys are only referenced in the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Golf: They are in the title of Shy Guy Desert, in one of the game artworks, as a name on the scoreboard, and as a silhouette shown when clearing a hole.

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour

Shy Guys are mentioned on the leaderboard and spectate during the award ceremonies in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour.

Mario Golf: World Tour

A couple of Shy Guys appear outside the entrance to the Forest Course.

Shy Guys not only have a name on the tournament scoreboard, but are also in the Castle Club of Mario Golf: World Tour.

Mario Golf: Super Rush

Shy Guy is a playable character in Mario Golf: Super Rush since version 4.0.0. It becomes a Mace Guy for its Special Shot, Spin Strike, and is carried by a Fly Guy for its Special Dash, Fly Guy Dash. As a species, Shy Guys appear throughout Bonny Greens.

Paper Mario series

Paper Mario

“Oh no... Poor me...”

—Shy Guy, Paper Mario

The five different colorations of the Shy Guy

Shy Guys are semi-common enemies in Paper Mario. They appear in five color varieties but are indifferent from one another. Several of them overrun Toad Town after Mario returns from the Forever Forest, causing problems for the local Toads, but hitting these Shy Guys with the Hammer chases them away. Shy Guys are fought in Shy Guy's Toy Box, their secret hideout, and either run directly at Mario, run away, or around him in circles. Shy Guys either tackle, inflicting 2 damage, or perform an acrobatic-like move that does 3 points of damage. The animation of blocking a Shy Guy shows it throwing a tantrum, wagging its body and making a noise. Shy Guys have their own written language, which Russ T. can understand because of his Dictionary. The ending shows some Shy Guys talking with Watt, as well as later dancing on General Guy's parade float, which has "Heihos" on both the left and right sides.

Shy Guys have several varieties. There are Groove Guys, Shy Guys that make Mario dizzy; Sky Guys, Shy Guys that have balloons to keep them in the air; Medi Guys, Shy Guys that heal any ally; Spy Guys, Shy Guys that wear camouflage gear; Pyro Guys from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island; and the powerful Anti Guy, three of which appear in Bowser's Castle if the player answers three questions incorrectly during the quiz with the second Guard Door. The leader of Shy Guy's Toy Box, General Guy, summons a Shy Squad, two Stilt Guys, and two Shy Stacks before battling Mario himself in a tank. Red Shy Guys can also be found on Lavalava Island when Spear Guys shed their armor.

Field Tattle

Outside of battle, Goombario can use Tattle only on a Shy Guy who has taken over Shroom Grocery in Toad Town before Mario whacks the Shy Guy into retreating.

• "This Shy Guy is just causing trouble in here. He's pretending to shop, but he's not buying anything. Hey, buy something or get out, pal! You hear me?"

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

A Shy Guy runs behind the stage

Shy Guys are not enemies in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, which features the relatively similar X-Nauts. Shy Guys are part of the Audience during several battles, sometimes going backstage and causing pieces of the set to hit Mario or his enemies, also signaling the occurrence of a hazard. Like other audience members, Shy Guys give Star Power to Mario if he performs a move correctly. A Shy Guy (a Black Shy Guy in the remake) can appear onstage when using Clock Out, and if an enemy or a large boss like Macho Grubba, Atomic Boo, Cortez, Smorg, Magnus von Grapple 2.0, Gloomtail and Bonetail, and the Shadow Queen's true form is on the ceiling, it holds the bomb for them and retreats after the attack is done. A few statues of Shy Guys are at the Poshley Heights fountain.

The name Heihoo, the Japanese name for Shy Guys appears alongside other scrapped enemy names (among which are also Faia Heihoo, Komando Heihoo, and Burakku Heihoo, the Japanese names for Pyro Guys, Spy Guys, and the Anti Guy respectively) in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door's coding, suggesting that Shy Guys, as well as the three variants of them identified earlier, were once going to appear as enemies in that game.

Super Paper Mario

Shy Guys are audience members in Super Paper Mario, appearing when using a stylish move, and Merlee's Mansion has a vase themed after them.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star

Shy Guys in Bowser's Snow Fort.

Shy Guys are enemies found at World 3 and World 4 in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. They attack by flailing their arms while running to Mario but can sometimes trip, making the attack unsuccessful. A Shy Guy also tries to steal the Tail sticker when attempting to use it. The Battle Spin can take away one of Mario's attacks. There are two Shy Guys bothering the Traveling Toad at World 4-6 and drop a Secret Door sticker when defeated.

Besides regular Shy Guys, there are also Sombrero Guys, along with one Accordion Guy and Maraca Guy each. There are also Shy Guys holding paper clips, known as Clip Guys, and Paint Guys, who hold a bucket of paint. Both of these enemies can assist a Shy Guy in battle. Spear Guys and Snifits also appear in the game.

Paper Mario: Color Splash

The different colors of Shy Guys in Paper Mario: Color Splash.

“I can totally relate to the stage-fright thing. They don't call me Shy Guy for nothing.”

—A Shy Guy at the Emerald Circus, Paper Mario: Color Splash

Shy Guys are the most common enemies in Paper Mario: Color Splash, now appearing in all the colors from the first Paper Mario. In battle, Shy Guys attack by running up to Mario and slapping him. While Mario is choosing Battle Cards during his turn, they may steal a card from him, and Mario gets the card back at the end of the battle if he defeats the Shy Guy. They appear throughout the game, and are first seen at Port Prisma. The paper versions of the Yellow, Pink, Blue, and Green Shy Guys now match the modern look of their regular counterparts. In addition, the Black Shy Guy returns as an enemy for the first time since Paper Mario, now sporting the same modern design as the regular ones.

At Ruddy Road, Shy Guys roll up the ground to attack Mario. On the Sunset Express, one train car contains Shy Guys that peek through windows; if they see Mario, they drag him into their room and crumple him. Many Shy Guys are seen exercising at Fort Cobalt, trained by Whistle Snifits. The lumber mill at Sunglow Ridge is invaded by Shy Guys. When Mario visits Tangerino Grill, the kitchen is under attack by Shy Guys, which he must defeat before he can cook the Mamma Mia Pizza. At Dark Bloo Inn, a Shy Guy is shown to have stolen "it," and eight Shy Guys are fought at once in the linen closet.

Many non-hostile Shy Guys appear throughout the game. On Vortex Island, the parallel world contains Shy Guys instead of Toads. Shy Guys are frequent customers at the Prisma Café at Fort Cobalt, and are seen eating Magma Burgers at the latter. The Emerald Circus's audience consists of Shy Guys and the red Rescue Squad. While regular Shy Guys appear at the Golden Coliseum in the Battle Royal, Mario can also talk to a fighting team called the Shai Guyz. A red Shy Guy is the second-round opponent in Roshambo Temple #1.

In the Sunset Express, a Red Shy Guy talks to Mario and tells him about his life. He wonders if he will have to fight Mario later, and thanks him for listening. Later, at Mossrock Theater, this same Shy Guy is fought on a trapeze. While sad about being defeated, he is glad he got to see Mario again.

New variants of Shy Guy are introduced in Paper Mario: Color Splash. Slurp Guys, which are Shy Guys with straws, are responsible for draining the colors of Prism Island. Shy Guy 4-Stacks and Shy Guy 5-Stacks are Shy Guys stacked together. The Emerald Circus features Animal Trainer Shy Guys, Unicycle Shy Guys, and Trampoline Shy Guys. Coal Guys are found at Toad Trainworks and Sunset Express. Gold Shy Guys and Silver Shy Guys are Shy Guys in coats of metal that must be removed before revealing the Shy Guy underneath. Laundry Guy appears on Vortex Island, while Pry Guy is found at Cherry Lake. Roller Guys are Shy Guys that are found inside rings, who appear at Mossrock Theater. Shield Guys hold shields that protect them from hammer attacks. The Shunned Guy is a Slurp Guy that is immune to all attacks except fire. Soggy Guys are wet Shy Guys found at Cherry Lake and Violet Passage, while Spike Guys wear spike helmets that protect them from jumps similar to Spiked Goombas from the first three games.

Paper Mario: The Origami King

“Can you believe that Lord Bowser banned me from flying the clown car again? I mean, whaddaya expect? Putting me out there without the proper training. Not even a thank-you for saving him back at Peach's Castle. Hmph.”

—Shy Guy, Paper Mario: The Origami King

An origami Shy Guy

A Paper Macho Shy Guy

Shy Guys appear in Paper Mario: The Origami King as members of the Folded Soldiers and as ordinary paper Shy Guys. Although Snifits appear in different colors in The Origami King, only red Shy Guys appear for the majority of the game. A Shy Guy riding the Koopa Clown Car rescues Mario, Bowser and Olivia from Peach's Castle while it is being covered with streamers. In Bowser's Castle, Mario is able to speak with this same Shy Guy, where he complains about being banned from flying the Koopa Clown Car. King Olly is able to fold himself into a yellow Shy Guy. Paper Macho Shy Guys also appear as mini-bosses. Emcee Shy Guy appears and hosts the game show Shy Guys Finish Last.

Mario Tennis series

Mario Tennis

Shy Guy makes his playable debut in the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis. It becomes a Fly Guy in its trophy ceremony to begin playing around. Shy Guy is a Technique player unlocked after winning the Star Cup in Singles.

Mario Power Tennis

Luigi getting a glimpse of Shy Guy's true appearance after he drops his mask in a cutscene of Mario Power Tennis

Shy Guy is a starter playable character of the Technique type in Mario Power Tennis. He becomes a Spear Guy to electrify the ball or to extend his spear at the ball for his Offensive Power Shot and Defensive Power Shot, respectively.

During his ceremony from winning a Singles Tournament, Shy Guy trips accidentally, shocking Luigi as his mask falls off briefly before putting it back on. Shy Guy has no additional geometry behind the mask, never shown at an angle visible to the player.

Mario Tennis Open

Shy Guys are line judges at Wario Dunes, as well as having an unlockable costume and racket in Mario Tennis Open.

Mario Tennis Aces

Artwork of Shy Guy in Mario Tennis Aces

Shy Guys are not only audience members but also stage hazards on Snowfall Mountain in Mario Tennis Aces, where they run across. One is an opponent in Adventure Mode, during One versus...One?, and Mario trains with other Shy Guys during Sure Shot Challenge (Intermediate). Shy Guy has been a playable character of the technical type since version 2.0.0, becoming available after participating in the online doubles tournament for December 2018 or after January 1, 2019.

Mario Kart series

Mario Kart: Super Circuit

Shy Guys appear at Shy Guy Beach in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, shooting cannonballs from a pirate ship in the background. The game also adds the Shy Guy Tent variety in Sunset Wilds as obstacles.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

A green and a red Shy Guy in the audience

Shy Guys are only depicted in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, with two statues of them in Baby Park, and the red and green types being in the audience of Waluigi Stadium. The game adds the Skating Shy Guys variety as obstacles in Sherbet Land.

Mario Kart DS

Shy Guys in Mario Kart DS are playable only through those utilizing DS Download Play. They are randomly colored either red, blue, green, yellow, black, white, pink, or cyan. Shy Guy always rides the Standard SG, and the stats are shared with Yoshi in his Standard YS.

Shy Guy has an unused character select portrait in the Records menu.

Mario Kart Wii

Shy Guys are hazards on the returning GBA Shy Guy Beach from Mario Kart: Super Circuit as well as on DK Summit as snowboarders. There is also a Shy Guy emblem on the guard rails of the city section of Moonview Highway.

Mario Kart 7

Artwork of Shy Guy from Mario Kart 7

Shy Guy makes is an unlockable playable racer of the Feather class in Mario Kart 7. He is unlocked by getting a gold trophy in the 150cc Shell Cup. Shy Guy has high acceleration and Off-Road stats. He is in the title of the course Shy Guy Bazaar, also being the Staff Ghost character there as well as at N64 Kalimari Desert. Shy Guy is the only player character in Download Play, but their color going from players 2 to 8 are in a fixed order: blue, yellow, green, cyan, pink, black, and white.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The various Shy Guy colors in Mario Kart 8

Red Shy Guy is a starting playable racer in Mario Kart 8 and one of the heavier lightweights. The Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda downloadable packs also add the color varieties Light-blue, Black, Green, Yellow, White, Blue, Pink, and Orange. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes the alternate colors in the base game and gives Shy Guy stats identical to Toad and Larry.

Non-playable Shy Guys make some appearances, often as spectators. Shy Guy Falls features Shy Guys of various colors mining on various parts of the track, as well as in the returning Wii Wario's Gold Mine. They sing not only in both courses, but all parts of Electrodrome and Wild Woods, leading through a Shy Guy village. Shy Guy is the 150cc staff ghost for Shy Guy Falls, Merry Mountain, Super Bell Subway (Pink), and Ninja Hideaway (Black), whereas the 200cc staff ghost features him on N64 Yoshi Valley (Green) and GCN Yoshi Circuit (Light-Blue). Skating Shy Guys, Ninja Shy Guys, and and Snowboarding Shy Guys also return on GCN Sherbet Land, Ninja Hideaway, and Wii DK Summit, respectively. Shy Guys take the role of Miis at Wii Coconut Mall of being the drivers in the parking lot.

One of the sponsors is a business titled Shy Guy Metals, which the graphic suggests a founding date of 1987, referencing their debut in Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic.

Mario Kart Tour

Shy Guy (Pastry Chef)

Shy Guy (Gold)

Shy Guy reappears in Mario Kart Tour as a Normal driver whose special skill is the Double Bob-ombs. All of Shy Guy's alternate colors from Mario Kart 8 return as Super drivers, with Black, Pink, Green, Light-blue, Blue, White, Orange, and Yellow Shy Guy respectively debuting in the 2019 Winter Tour, Valentine's Tour, 2021 Ninja Tour, Sky Tour, November—December 2022 Peach vs. Bowser Tour, 2023 Doctor Tour, 2023 Ninja Tour, and Night Tour, with the Bob-omb Cannon, Heart, Triple Green Shells, Ice Flower, Dash Ring, Triple Mushrooms, Double Bob-ombs, and Triple Bananas as their respective special skills.

The game also introduces a number of High-End variants of Shy Guy with various special skills. Shy Guy in a chef outfit, known as Shy Guy (Pastry Chef), debuted in the 2019 Paris Tour as the second spotlight driver; his special skill is the Mushroom Cannon. He returned as a spotlight driver during the Valentine's Tour (also based in Paris), Cooking Tour, 1st Anniversary Tour, and Peach vs. Daisy Tour, making him one of two tour-themed drivers to appear in the spotlight four times, with the other being Peach (Vacation). A gold-coated Shy Guy named Shy Guy (Gold) was introduced in the 1st Anniversary Tour, with the Giga Bob-omb as his special skill, making him one of two gold drivers to not have the Coin Box as their special skill, the other being Dry Bowser (Gold). Later, the 2021 Ninja Tour marked the debut of a blue, ninja-clad Shy Guy called Shy Guy (Ninja) or Ninja Shy Guy as the tour's spotlight driver, whose special skill is the Boomerang Flower. A pink variant of Shy Guy (Ninja) known as Pink Shy Guy (Ninja), who has the Giant Banana as its special skill, debuted in the Samurai Tour. Two differently-colored variants in explorer outfits, Light-blue Shy Guy (Explorer) and Yellow Shy Guy (Explorer), with the Lucky Seven and Hammer special skills respectively, debuted in the 2023 Exploration Tour.

Shy Guy is one of the few characters in the game not to receive any new favorite tracks beyond his debut, with his only default favorite track being 3DS Shy Guy Bazaar. He shares this distinction with Baby Peach, Baby Rosalina, Dry Bones, Morton and Wendy.

A reportMedia:MKT Report 2021 multiplayer grade S drivers.jpg published on the game's official social media accounts revealed that Pink Shy Guy was the most used driver in multiplayer races throughout 2021 by players with a multiplayer grade of S or higher.

In various instances, Shy Guys also act as course obstacles, vulnerable to most attacks. GBA Sunset Wilds features Exploring Shy Guys, taking the place of Shy Guy Tents from Mario Kart: Super Circuit and having the same design as the playable explorer variants. Snowboarding Shy Guys return in the game's rendition of DK Summit, acting the same as in Mario Kart Wii. Black, white, and orange ninja Shy Guys similar to the playable Shy Guy variant, also designated Shy Guys (Ninja), impede drivers in Ninja Hideaway: some assume a guarding stance on the track while periodically vanishing and reappearing, leaving Banana peels in their place when gone; others are suspended in the air by kites in gliding sections. Skating Shy Guys that twirl on ice appear in Vancouver Velocity 2's R and T variants. Like in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Shy Guys drive the cars in Wii Coconut Mall.

Mario Kart (Nintendo Switch 2)

This section is referring to a subject in an upcoming or recently released game. When the game is released, or more information about this subject is found, this section may need major rewriting.
This notice should be removed after a month has passed since the game was first released.

Shy Guy himself is set to return as a playable character in Mario Kart for the Nintendo Switch 2, alongside many other veterans.

Mario & Luigi series

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga / Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions

While normal Shy Guys are absent in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, variations of them, such as Chuck Guys and their Elite counterparts, and further variations of Snifits, make an appearance. A camo-robed one appears during one of the attacks of Gunner Guy, one of the new Snifit variations.

Regular Shy Guys do appear in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, where they appear as enemies and allies in the Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser mode. They are first encountered in the level Turnip Tantrum. A Shy Guy known as Captain Shy Guy also appears as an unlockable captain in the story. Shy Guys are Ranged troopers, and attack by throwing turnips at enemies. Their special attack is Throw the Fight, which allows them to throw a large turnip at an enemy. They are strong against Lakitus and Lakipeas. Additionally, the camo-clad ones from the original now wear normal red robes.

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

A Boom Guy panics due to having no Bill Blaster

In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, a type of Shy Guy called Boom Guys appear in Baby Bowser's Castle. They are Shy Guys with Bill Blasters on their heads. Later in the game, Elite Boom Guys, stronger versions of Boom Guys, appear in the Gritzy Caves. Fly Guys also appear on Star Hill and Star Shrine. A ghostly version of Shy Guy named Boo Guy also appears in the game, near Vim Factory; and a stronger, revamped version named Ghoul Guy appears in Shroob Castle.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story / Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey

“Shy Guy corps reporting. They got us. They got us all. We're such bad soldiers!”

—Shy Guy, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

The Shy Guy squad, upon being rescued

In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and its 3DS remake, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, Shy Guys appear in the game, but regular red ones are not enemies to battle. A couple of Shy Guys can be found in Bowser Castle. A notable Shy Guy, Sergeant Guy, makes his debut in this game. In Bowser Path, Dimble Wood, and Peach's Castle, Shy Guy variants can also be found. Fawful Guys can be fought by Mario and Luigi. Leaf Guys can be found in the Wiggler boss battle when Wiggler waters the saplings and in the air they can be inhaled by Bowser too. Dark Fawful Guys are only found when Bowser battles enemies, and like Leaf Guys they can be inhaled for Mario and Luigi to fight. They are also a special attack for Bowser called Shy Guy Squad, where he withdraws into his shell which the Shy Guys push into a rope they use as a slingshot, which is controlled by sliding to the left with the stylus. Pink, Yellow, and Cyan Shy Guys reappear in the remake as enemies and allies. Yellow Shy Guys are strong against Goombas and their variants, and pink ones are strong against Koopa Troopas. Four Shy Guys are also the first brainwashed minions Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings encounter.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

Shy Guys piloting the Shy Guy Airtub.

Shy Guys reappear as an enemy in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team while Mario and Luigi are searching for the Ultibed parts. Shy Guys can only be fought after the Shy Guy Airtub they were inhabiting has been destroyed, and always appear in a group of three when battled at that point. They are never found on the field. In battle, they attack by bouncing to either side of Mario or Luigi, and running at them simultaneously, similar to how Fawflants from the previous game attack. This can be dodged by jumping over or on to the Shy Guys, but they can give a bro the trip status. Cyan Shy Guys known as Walker Guys appear in Neo Bowser Castle. These types of Shy Guys hold chains against Chain Chomps.

Shy Guys assist the Elite Trio in one of their attacks, loading the Sergeant Guy Cannon with a Banzai Bill for a later turn. The same occurs for the Elite Trio X fight later in the game, with the Sergeant Guy Cannon X. Shy Guys also contribute to the Bowser Jr. boss fight, in two of his attacks. One has two Shy Guys carry a flaming rope to jump over, the other has nine Shy Guys carry gifts for both the Bros. and Bowser Jr.

A stronger variation of Shy Guys called Shy Guys R appear in Neo Bowser Castle on Shy Guy Airtubs R and Dreamy Shy Guys appear during the final battle with Dreamy Bowser, both on the field and on the Shy Guy Airtub DX.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

A Shy Guy holding both a Chain Chomp and a Paper Chomp

Shy Guys appear in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam in both their normal and paper versions in Mount Brrr, on the path to Neo Bowser Castle. One of their attacks involves tossing a rock or their paper counterpart at a Mario Bro. that results in one of them appearing on the battlefield if not hammered back. Occasionally, they instead toss a mushroom that the Mario Brothers can use to restore 50 HP. If there are two, they will both line up with the regular Mario Bros. and run at them, whichever one trips will roll into their target and strike first, and both Shy Guys must be hammered. A regular Shy Guy can also pair with a Paper Shy Guy for this attack, although the regular version will always strike first. In Neo Bowser Castle, they can wield Paper Chomps as well as regular Chain Chomps. If the Shy Guy is defeated, both Chain Chomps will flee. Two Shy Guys are fought alongside two Paper Shy Guys as one of Bowser's last lines of defense, and these ones act as they did in Mount Brrr.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership

Shy Guys appear in Mario & Luigi: Brothership as enemies in Bowser's Castle. Shy Guys pull out a hammer for one attack which the Bros. must counter with their hammers. If a Bro. readies his hammer, the Shy Guy steps back and soon throws its hammer; leaving the hammer down instead lets them approach. If they walk towards the Bros., they whack them with the hammer. Shy Guys also grab presents which contain either coins or a Bob-omb, and slowly walk towards the Bros. while pushing the presents after the presents' contents are shown. If the Bros. avoid jumping on a present containing a Bob-omb, the Bob-omb explodes and damages the Shy Guy that was pushing it. Shy Guys may initiate a jumping challenge, where a Bro. must jump when the Shy Guy holds a flag with a Bros.' emblem,. If the Shy Guy holds only a pole, neither Bro. must jump. If one command is missed, a bomb falls on and damages the Bro. who missed the command, whereas if the Bros. are successful enough times, a bomb falls on and damages the Shy Guy. This attack in particular is based on the minigame Shy Guy Says from the Mario Party series.

Glohm infected Shy Guys appear on the path to the part of Bowser's Airship.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong series

Shy Guys, also known as Mini Shy Guys or Red Mini Shy Guys, appear with a toylike design in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. They act similarly to Shy Guys from Super Mario Bros. 2, simply patrolling left to right on a platform. Touching them from the sides is harmful for both Mario and the Mini toys. They are among the weakest enemies in the series and can be defeated with any form of attack available in a game, of which the most commonly seen are hammers. They tend to move faster when hammers are in use, similar to Bowbows from the Game Boy Donkey Kong. As they are basic enemies, Shy Guys often appear in early levels and only occasionally return in later levels.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

A Shy Guy on Donkey Kong's television

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong and its remake, Mario can ride them or pick and throw them at other enemies to defeat them (as in Super Mario Bros. 2). They can also be defeated by throwing another enemy or an object, such as a Garbage Can or key, at them. Shy Guys debut in the first level of the game, where they patrol areas in front of Garbage Cans which can be used to attack them, and continue to appear occasionally in subsequent levels. Exclusively in the Spooky House boss stage, Level 4-DK, Shy Guys are transformed into Polterguys and vice versa by Donkey Kong's switches. Remarkably, throughout the entirety of Level x-7, a Shy Guy needs to be used to cross beds of spikes.

Certain types of Shy Guys wield weapons and have different colors and behavior from the standard red Shy Guys; these include Fire Shy Guys, Spear Guys, and Wrench Shy Guys.

One normal Shy Guy news reporter is seen briefly on Donkey Kong's television in the game's introduction.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis

A Shy Guy, as seen in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis

Shy Guys return in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, where they now pause for an extended period of time after reaching a wall and turning around. Minis can ride Shy Guys to safely cross certain hazards, although touching the sides of a Shy Guy (or any other enemy) will instead instantly break a Mini.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!

Regular Shy Guys do not appear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!; they are replaced by Spear Guys. Despite this, they are simply referred to as Shy Guys in the American English version.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!

Spear-less Shy Guys return Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, shortening their vertical reach. Despite the change, they remain harmful to touch from above, unlike in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. Shy Guys appear early in the game, starting with Area 1-5 where the player learns that it is possible to destroy enemies using hammers. In this game, they can also be defeated by shooting into one from a Cannon or sliding into one from a slope. Later in the game, in Super Skywheel, Shy Guys can fill Shy Guy Blocks, becoming solid platforms.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars

Shy Guys in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars act and look the same as in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!. They are also introduced in a similar stance in Level 1-3, where the player can pick up a pair of hammers and destroy the Shy Guy present in the level.

A portrait of what looks like a normal Shy Guy can be seen in the background of Clattering Cabin-themed levels (as shown, for instance, hereMedia:MvsDKTSofficial99.jpg).

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge

In Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge, Shy Guys once again appear as enemies. In addition to being vulnerable to hammers or a slope slide, Shy Guys can be defeated by eating them with Mini Yoshi, or less commonly by being hit with Mini Bowser's Bowser Bomb.

Mario Pinball Land

A skate-wearing Shy Guy leaps at Mario in Mario Pinball Land

Shy Guys are enemies found at Shifting Sands Stage in Mario Pinball Land, both inside and outside of the pyramid, hiding behind objects such as catci. There are also Shy Guys on Skates, found at Frosty Frontier Stage.

Yakuman DS

Shy Guy in Yakuman DS

Shy Guy is an opponent in Yakuman DS. His default rank (Ranking mode) is 18, he has 1/5 of the difficulty.

Super Mario Stadium series

“IT'S HORRIBLE! HIDE THE CHILDREN! LOCK THE DOORS! BOLT THE WINDOWS!”

—Shy Guy, Mario Super Sluggers

The different colors of Shy Guy in Mario Superstar Baseball.

Shy Guys of all different colors are playable in Mario Superstar Baseball. They are balanced characters. Ironically, their starting captain is Yoshi, one of their earliest enemies. They appear in Mario Super Sluggers, still on Yoshi's team.

In Mario Super Sluggers, all the Shy Guys have their fielding skills boosted a few levels, with the Black Shy Guy showing the best fielding abilities. Their batting ranges from average to low, their pitching is weak and their running is generally slow.

Regarding chemistry, in Mario Superstar Baseball, Shy Guys show good chemistry with Birdo and Monty Mole, while showing bad chemistry with Baby Mario and Baby Luigi. In Mario Super Sluggers, the Shy Guys maintain their good chemistry with Birdo and Monty Mole, but they also display good chemistry with Boo. Their bad chemistry is also expanded to include their relationships with Yoshi and the Yoshi species, as well as Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, and Baby DK.

Mario Strikers series

Mario Strikers Charged

A Shy Guy in Mario Strikers Charged

Shy Guys are balanced sidekicks in Mario Strikers Charged with the skillshot Bullet Bill Blast. Shy Guy recovers quicker than other teammates, meaning he can quickly get to the ball and score. Upon scoring, Shy Guy's mask sometimes falls off as he trips, and is shown to make happy and mad faces in other scenes.

Mario Strikers: Battle League

Shy Guys are audience members in Mario Strikers: Battle League, though the version 1.1.0 update adds a playable character of the All-Rounder type, giving it balanced statistics, although Shy Guy's strength, shooting, and passing are slightly higher than its speed and technique. Multiple Shy Guys can be placed on the player's team, and its Hyper Strike is Propeller Dive.

Mario & Sonic series

In the Mario & Sonic series, Shy Guys appear in several of the events. They first act as referees for Super Mario characters in a few events in the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, including 10m Platform, Trampoline and Vault. Shy Guys appear in the audience in several of the events in both the Wii version and the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, and they appear in colors such as red, pink, and light blue. Furthermore, the Nintendo DS version also includes Shy Guys as goalies in the Ice Hockey and Fever Hockey events. In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Shy Guys are both spectators and referees. In the Nintendo 3DS version, red Shy Guys appear defending the goal in Hockey, and one appears to kick the balls to the player in Football. Teams of four yellow, blue, and green Shy Guys appear as opponents for the player in all Events that require the player to use a full team of four characters, though the Shy Guys only physically appear for the 4x100m Relay. In Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Shy Guys appear as goalies in Ice Hockey and Snow Day Street Hockey, either red or blue in color, depending on the team.

A yellow Shy Guy talking to Mario in the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

A Shy Guy in London Party mode

Shy Guys have a role in Adventure Tours, where they host some of the missions or are regular NPCs that can be talked to. Here, it seems that Yellow Shy Guys tend to lie, except for one particular one residing in Cubyrinth.

In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Shy Guys are among the characters on the map in London Party, where they can be talked to initiate a minigame.

In the Story Mode in the Nintendo 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Shy Guys make some appearances. A few Shy Guys are first seen outside Big Ben in the opening, and three blue Shy Guys form the rest of Eggman Nega's team when the Heroes face him in the 4x100m Relay. A pair of red and yellow Shy Guys later appear in Waluigi's Ambition to ask Waluigi to borrow his binoculars, who he scares off, with an identically colored-pair later being scared off by the reappearance of the Phantasmal Fog. All four colors of Shy Guy appear at the opening ceremony, as well as in Junior Hits England, where a pair of green and blue ones first encourage Bowser Jr. to challenge Yoshi, and are later joined by red and yellow ones who direct Bowser Jr. to London. Goomba also briefly mentions Shy Guy in Mario's Defeat?!. There are obtainable badges of the four colors of Shy Guy that can be won from the Badge Machine.

A swarm of Shy Guys in Tokyo preparing to fight Tails in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, multicolored Shy Guys appear as spectators and as crown members in Tokyo, as seen in Story Mode. Here, Shy Guys first appear in Chapter 9, in the crowd along with many Toads in the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. They serve as a distraction when the player is supposed to be looking for several Toads holding different objects. Red, pink and light blue Shy Guys also appear in the Treeside Rumble minigame in Chapter 13. Tails has to defeat a horde of them which Larry Koopa sends at him and Luigi when they travel to TOKYO SKYTREE. The Shy Guys fight Tails by throwing spiked balls and occasionally firecrackers at him. Hitting a firecracker will defeat any Shy Guys that get caught in the explosion.

Super Smash Bros. series

SmashWiki article: Shy Guy

Shy Guys in Mario Circuit from Super Smash Bros. Brawl

A Shy Guy as an enemy in the Smash Run mode of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Shy Guys physically appear in every Super Smash Bros. series from Super Smash Bros. Brawl onward. They are part of the Mario Circuit stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, racing in karts either from the top or bottom lane. Fighters can hit Shy Guys to have them spin out. Shy Guys are similarly features in the Rainbow Road stage of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Mario Circuit of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, based on their appearances in Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8, respectively. Furthermore, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS features four colors of Shy Guys as enemies in Smash Run, each attacking by charging at the player to hit them and having their own attributes: red has a higher attack; green runs faster; light blue has higher defense; and yellow has higher jumps.

Shy Guys also appear in the form of collectible items. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, there is both a collectible trophy and a sticker of a Shy Guy. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, there is a trophy of Shy Guy driving his Standard Kart, and it incorrectly cites Mario Kart 7 as Shy Guy's first playable appearance in the series, when it was actually Mario Kart DS. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a Shy Guy appears as a spirit that, when equipped, takes up two slots and slightly increases the power of a character's punches and elbow strikes. In World of Light, the spirit is on the Light Realm map. The spirit battle takes place in the Battlefield form of the Mushroom Kingdom II stage, with Mii Brawler, Mii Swordfighter, and Mii Gunner, wearing Shy Guy masks, as opponents.

"Shy Guy" is erroneously the name used for Fly Guys in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Mario Sports Mix

Shy Guys are goalkeepers during Hockey in Mario Sports Mix. They can only be commanded to lunge by pressing . Shy Guys also throw either Banana Peels or coins in the Western Junction court, and the crowd of Wario Factory features Shy Guys in a variety of colors.

NES Remix series

Shy Guys are featured in challenges based around Super Mario Bros. 2 in NES Remix 2 and Ultimate NES Remix, where the goal is to either defeating or avoid them.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

A Light-blue Shy Guy in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Shy Guys are enemies in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and its ports. There is the red type, which moves along paths, and the light-blue stationary type, which change direction while moving. They go after Captain Toad or Toadette upon noticing either player character, but stop after a while. There is a discrepancy with the look of a Shy Guy's robe appearing to be made of wool in-game, but not in artworks.

Dr. Mario World

Shy Guys are assistants in Dr. Mario World. In stage mode, their skill has a chance of granting an easier skill meter increase, in which it reduces a doctor's skill gauge by 10 points prior to version 2.2.0 or by 10% of the doctor's maximum skill gauge since that version. If the skill gauge is reduced to a negative value this way, the doctor's skill gauge will not be able to fill. In versus mode, their effect grants doctors an extra chance to defend against an opponent's attacks. A Shy Guy was featured as a patient during season 9 of Clinic Events. A Shy Guy assistant is rewarded after clearing the first are in World 7.

Yellow Shy Guys also appear as assistants. In stage mode, their effect has a chance of eliminating the remaining yellow viruses when there are only two of them left regardless of how many hits they take to eliminate, but it only activates once throughout the stage, meaning that it will not activate again in a scrolling stage or Daily Booster after the effect successfully activated once despite the condition being met again. In versus mode, their effect grants a chance in defending against one-line attacks, which does not stack with the doctor's innate defense. They are also seen at World 17 after an area is cleared of viruses. A Yellow Shy Guy assistant is rewarded after clearing the first area in World 17.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Several Shy Guys in The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Shy Guys appear in The Super Mario Bros. Movie where they are a part of Bowser's army. Two Shy Guys and a Snifit are seen taking Luigi to Bowser in Bowser's Castle.

Other appearances

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Zelda Wiki article: Shy Guy

A Shy Guy in the remake

Shy Guys are enemies in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. The original guide refers to them as Mask-Mimics. Unlike other games, Shy Guys mimic Link's movements, albeit in reverse. Link cannot attack them from the front with his Sword, due to the protective mask worn by Shy Guys, but only from using a Spin Attack behind the Shy Guy. The Legend of Zelda – Link's Awakening DX and the Nintendo Switch remake both depict Shy Guys red. A very similar enemy known as Arm-Mimic, known as Hollow Mimic in the Nintendo Switch remake, is essentially a stronger version of them. There is an obtainable figure of Shy Guy at the Trendy Game in the remake that can be placed in the Quadruples' house. When acquiring the figure, the text reads, "You got a Shy Guy figure! Just don't ask what's underneath the mask."

Sonic Lost World

A Shy Guy in Sonic Lost World

Shy Guys appear as enemies in the Yoshi's Island Zone, only in the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World, with either the Homing Attack or Flying Kick defeating them.

Minecraft

A Shy Guy is a usable skin in the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack in Minecraft. Endermen are replaced by Stilt Guys, while Ender Pearls and Eye of Enders are replaced by Shy Guy masks.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

An area with bookshelves and carpets in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. Note the Shy Guy masks under the top surface of the shelves.

Spooky Trails has areas with several bureaus and bookshelves decorated with Shy Guy masks on the front in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.

General information

Allegiance

Shy Guys are enemies in some of the platforming and role-playing games, typically as part of Bowser's Minions, but they first served as part of the 8-bits, led by Wart, in Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic and Super Mario Bros. 2. Shy Guys have also worked for other villains, such as Smithy. Friendly Shy Guys typically appear in spinoff media, like the Mario Party series, or notably the White Shy Guys in Yoshi's Story.

Physical appearance

Shy Guy's appearance in 1987 (left, from Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic), his modern design in 2019 (right, from Play Nintendo)

Shy Guys are short creatures that wear masks with three holes, each intended to represent eyes and a mouth, as well as robes. Shy Guys are normally red, but they also exist in other colors. A Shy Guy's mask rarely falls off, and it is never shown what is behind, but when it occurs, the characters are shown to be alarmed, like Luigi in Mario Power Tennis as well as a Goomba and Koopa Troopa in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Shy Guys are suggested to be faceless in Paper Mario: Color Splash, as one in the Golden Coliseum says that Mario would make a terrible Shy Guy for having one. Other times, Shy Guys' masks make facial movements. The Shy Guys of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars have spinning eye holes while confused, and they are to blush. They have closed eye holes while asleep in Yoshi's Island DS. Mario Strikers Charged also has Shy Guys that can change the expressions on their masks.

Some early Super Mario Bros. 2 artwork as well as The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! depicted Shy Guys as wearing mask-like badges depicting an angry face, similar to that of Phanto. Another Shy Guy-related element seen only in Super Mario Bros. 2 and The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! are also notable for using game artwork of the earliest forms of Shy Guys, making them tall, stout, and human-like; however, the appearance of Shy Guys was later redesigned to their in-game sprite appearance in Super Mario Bros. 2.

Early episodes of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! depict Shy Guys with only two holes, representing their eyes, and with a scowling look. Later episodes add a third hole in Shy Guys' masks, representing their mouth.

Shy Guys are shown to have stick-like legs under their robes in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and their legs are also shown when winning first place in Mario Kart 8 or during certain tricks. A scene from the rave in The Super Mario Bros. Movie shows a Shy Guy (or a Snifit) attempting to catch a running Buzzy Beetle by diving into it, flashing briefly a pink skin leg (or legware) under the robe.

In Paper Mario: The Origami King, a Shy Guy in Spring of Jungle Mist implies that Shy Guys have very short necks that make it difficult to look up.

Although Shy Guys generally do not wear much else besides their masks and robes, there are a few instances where they wore additional items. An example of this is in Mario Kart Tour, where a Shy Guy wears a pastry chef hat and a red neckerchief, carrying a whisk.

Color variations

Much like Koopa Troopas, Yoshis, and Birdos, Shy Guys come in many different colors. The following is a list of all known Shy Guys and the first appearance of said Shy Guy.

Image	Color	Shoe color	First appearance
	Red	Blue	Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic
	Pink	Purple	Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic
	Blue	Magenta	Super Mario All-Stars
	Yellow	Green	Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
	Green	Brown	Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
	Black	White	Yoshi's Story (as black Flying Shy Guys) Mario Superstar Baseball (as normal Shy Guys)
	White	Black	Yoshi's Story (as White Shy Guys)
	Light-blue	Red-brown	Mario Kart DS
	Orange	Azure	Mario Strikers Charged
	White with green spots	Orange	Yoshi's New Island
	Purple	Orange	Yoshi's Woolly World (as Woozy Guys) Yoshi's Crafted World (as normal Shy Guys)
	Brown	Green	Yoshi's Woolly World

Quotes

• Tee hee hee hee! Welcome to Shy Guy's Shop. Too bad I'm not gonna sell anything to you, Mario! - Paper Mario
• Waaah! Help me! - Paper Mario
• Yes, sir!!!!! - Paper Mario
• HURRY! HURRY! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT'S GOOD AND PURE, HUUUUUURRY! - Mario Super Sluggers
• Shoo-rah! - Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
• Sweet! I came in first! I'm the Superstar! It's winner take all, and I'm the winner, so... I'll be taking those Mini Stars now! (...I can't let you have Bowser's Mini Stars.) Later! - Mario Party 9
• Once smitten, twice shy... - Paper Mario: Color Splash
• Who knows what happens if you take me with you. - Super Mario Party

Profiles and statistics

Main article: List of Shy Guy profiles and statistics

Mario Power Tennis

• Offensive Power Shot: Lightning Spear
• Defensive Power Shot: Spear Dance Return
• Doubles Partner: Boo

Bio: Shy Guy's proud of his finely-honed style and loves to surprise people who underestimate him because of his height.

Mario Kart 7

• Class: Feather
• Stat Boosts
  • Speed: 3
  • Acceleration: 4
  • Weight: 2.25
  • Handling: 3
  • Off-Road: 4
• Website bios:
  • He may be hiding behind a red robe and mask, but Shy Guy really loves to show off his love of racing.
  • The diminutive Shy Guy won’t be bullying the big boys, but his light frame does make for superb handling.

Gallery

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

• 

  Super Mario Bros. 2

• 

  Yoshi's Story

• 

  Yoshi's Island DS

• 

  Mario Super Sluggers

• 

  Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions

• 

  Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Names in other languages

Main article: List of Shy Guy names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	ヘイホー Heihō	Anagram of「歩兵」(hohei, "foot soldier"), with「ホ」elongated; officially romanized as "Hey-Ho", "Heyho", and "Heiho".
	シャイガイ Shaigai	Transliteration of the Super Mario Bros. 2 name
	カタカタヘイホー Katakata Heihō	From「カタカタ」(katakata, Japanese onomatopoeia for mechanisms rattling) and「ヘイホー」(Heihō, Shy Guy)	Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Chinese (simplified)	嘿呵[?] Hēihe	Transliteration of the Japanese name
	嘿虎 Hēihǔ		Prior to Mario Kart Tour
Chinese (traditional)	嘿呵[?] Hēihe	Transliteration of the Japanese name
Dutch	Shy Guy[?]	-
French (NOA)	Maskache[?]	Pun on masque ("mask") and cache ("hide")
	Shy Guy[?]	-	Early translations
French (NOE)	Maskass:51	From masque ("mask") with the pejorative suffix -asse
	Shyguy	-
German	Shy Guy[?]	-
	Shyguy
Italian	Tipo timido:111	Shy guy
Korean	헤이호[?] Heiho	Derived from the Japanese name
Portuguese (NOA)	Shy Guy[?]	-
Portuguese (NOE)	Masquito[?]	From máscara ("mask") and the diminutive suffix -ito
Romanian	Timidul	The Shy One	LEGO Super Mario
Russian	Скромняга[?] Skromnyaga	From скромный (skromnyy, "shy") and «-яга» (-yaga, Russian suffix used for creating nouns denoting a possessor of a certain quality)
Spanish	Shy Guy:91	-	Also spelled "shy guy" in the Latin American Spanish localization from 2012 to 2019, when species names were always written in lowercase.

External links

• Shy Guy on Zelda Dungeon Wiki
• Shy Guy on Triforce Wiki