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[[Image:Sm64skeeter.jpg|frame|right|A '''Skeeter''' in the [[Wet-Dry World]]]]
{{about|the enemies first appearing in Super Mario 64|the similar enemy of the same name from [[New Super Mario Bros.]]|[[Skeeter (New Super Mario Bros.)]]}}
{{species infobox
|image=[[File:Skeeterartwork SMG2.png|230px]]<br>Artwork of a Skeeter from ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''
|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]'' ([[List of games by date#2020|2020]])
|variants=[[Skeeter (New Super Mario Bros.)]]
|relatives=[[Klamber]]
|comparable=[[Scuttlebug]]
}}
'''Skeeters'''<ref>{{cite|author=Pelland, Scott, and Dan Owsen|title=Super Mario 64 Player's Guide|date=1996|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America|page=11}}</ref> are giant {{wp|Gerridae|water strider}} enemies that are introduced in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. They appear in a few of the 3D ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' games. Like real water striders, they usually skim on the surface of water. Their name comes from "water skeeter," one of many alternate names for water striders.


'''Skeeters''' are giant bugs that float on top of the water that were first introduced in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. They have appeared in most of [[Mario]]'s 3-D adventures, they are related to the [[Scuttle Bug]]. Skeeters may not actually be enemies as they do not chase Mario or hurt him on purpose (unless Mario lowers them onto dry land).
Skeeters have had distinct designs throughout all four of their ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' series appearances, though their abilities have remained largely the same. In addition to skating on water, they can also walk on land, though they move a bit slower.
==History==
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario 64'' / ''Super Mario 64 DS''====
[[File:Skeeter64.jpg|thumb|left|A Skeeter in ''Super Mario 64'', its first appearance]]
In ''Super Mario 64'', Skeeters appear frequently in [[Wet-Dry World]], where one is seen on the entrance [[painting]]. They are found floating aimlessly on the water, and they appear as big cyan-colored pond skaters with yellow suction cup-like webbed feet and vermillion-colored antennae on their backs, with bulgy eyes. They can be defeated by most methods of attack, and they release three [[coin]]s upon defeat. They can be lowered onto platforms, where they will slowly skitter about and home in on [[Mario]] if they see him, acting just like a [[Scuttlebug|Scuttle Bug]]. If hit, Mario will lose two [[Health Meter|health]] wedges.


In ''Super Mario 64'' they are seen on the painting of [[Wet-Dry World]] and also are enemies floating aimlessly on the water in Wet-Dry World and [[Dire Dire Docks]]. When [[Jump]]ed on, Mario get an extra high jump which is useful in reaching high ledges. They look like big blue spiders that plate webbings on their feet and an antennae on its back. If killed, they release three Coins. In Wet-Dry World, they can be lowered onto a platform. When they see Mario, they do get mad for him taking them off the water, and home in on him.
In ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'', Skeeters are now blue, and their yellow webbed feet are slightly larger and also cover their ankles; the antennae on their heads are red instead of vermillion, and they have black eyes that are now positioned flat on their faces, instead of bulging out. Skeeters now also appear in [[Dire, Dire Docks]], where five of them can be found. Their other attributes remain unchanged from the original.


Skeeters can be seen in ''[[Mario Party 3]]'' in a background of a level. They do not even move and are not important.  
====''Super Mario Sunshine''====
Skeeters reappear in ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', where they are referred to as '''Pondskaters'''<ref>{{cite|author=Hodgson, David S J, Bryan Stratton, and Stephen Stratton|date=September 3, 2002|title=Super Mario Sunshine Prima Official Strategy Guide|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|isbn=0-7615-3961-1|page=18}}</ref> or '''Blue Spiders'''.<ref>{{cite|author=Loe, Casey|date=August 12, 2002|title=Super Mario Sunshine Perfect Guide|publisher=Versus Books|isbn=1-931886-09-1|page=33}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh|date=2002|title=Super Mario Sunshine Official Strategy Guide|publisher=BradyGames|isbn=0-7440-0180-3|page=5}}</ref> They are found exclusively in the lake of [[Bianco Hills]]. When they are [[jump]]ed on, Mario propels upward to a height rivaling the [[Rocket Nozzle]]. Pondskaters stop moving temporarily if sprayed with [[F.L.U.D.D.|FLUDD]]. Pondskaters can be defeated only by a [[Yoshi (species)|Yoshi]], by either eating them or spraying [[juice]] at them to turn them into platforms, which will remove the Pondskaters after the platform disappears.


[[Image:Shine_strider.jpg|left|thumb|A Skeeter in ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''.]]
====''Super Mario Galaxy 2''====
Skeeters reappeared in ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', but they are referred to as '''Pondskaters''' in this game. They follow a similar design to their ''Super Mario 64'' cousins with sharp tipped legs and are found in Bianco Hills. When jumped on, Mario propelled upward to a height rivaling the [[Rocket Nozzle]]. Also, they are resistant to [[F.L.U.D.D]], as spraying them only made them stop moving for a very short while. The only way to defeat them was to bring a [[Yoshi (species)|Yoshi]] while riding on a lily pad and eat them.
[[File:SkeeterSMG2.png|thumb|''Super Mario Galaxy 2'' redesigned the appearance of Skeeters]]
Skeeters in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'' were given an overhauled appearance consisting of flat purple bodies without antennae. They are enemies first encountered in the [[Cosmic Cove Galaxy]]. They always home in on Mario or Luigi, and they can be [[stomp]]ed for a coin or hit with a [[spin]] to release three [[Star Bit]]s. They also appear in [[Starshine Beach Galaxy]] and [[Throwback Galaxy]].


In ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'', Skeeters were found in the same places as in ''Super Mario 64'', but are blue with yellow-tipped legs, the angler on their head is red instead of orange, and they have black eyes here. 3 Coins are again released for their death. Again, they only home in [[Yoshi|on]] [[Luigi|the]] [[Wario|heroes]] if they were lowered onto land.
===''Mario Party 3''===
In ''[[Mario Party 3]]'', an immobile static Skeeter is in the background of [[Woody Woods]], and a large mechanical Skeeter is one of the vehicles in [[Ridiculous Relay]].


Skeeters made another reappearance in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', but they received an another overhaul in appearance; they are now fat and red, instead of gangly-legged and blue. They appeared in two levels, [[World 3 (NSMB)|3-A]] and [[World 8 (NSMB)|8-2]]. They skated aimlessly across the water, and drop [[Skull Bomb]]s, which actually do not explode unless they hit something, and the explosion could destroy [[Brick Block|blocks]]. The Skull Bombs are in fact helpful, as they gave access to two [[Star Coin]]s (one normally, and one mini [[Warp Pipe|pipe]], which held one). They and their Skull Bombs only release [[Coin]]s if [[Fire Flower]]ed. In [[Super Mario Galaxy 2]], Skeeters reappear with their appearance from New Super Mario Bros. and are found in an icy galaxy where they could be frozen.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Wet Dry World painting.png|''[[Super Mario 64]]''
SM64 Asset Model Skeeter.png|''Super Mario 64''
SMS Artwork Skeeter.png|''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''
SMS Asset Model Skeeter.png|''Super Mario Sunshine''
SkeeterSMS.png|A Pondskater in ''Super Mario Sunshine''
SM64DS Painting 11.png|''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''
SM64DS Asset Model Skeeter.png|''Super Mario 64 DS''
SkeeterDS.png|A Skeeter seen in ''Super Mario 64 DS''
SMG2 Throwback Galaxy pool.png|''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2]]''
</gallery>


==Trivia==
==Names in other languages==
*Skeeters are based off a real-world bug known as the water strider.
{{foreign names
|Jap=メンボ<ref>{{cite|title=スーパーマリオ64完全クリアガイド (''Super Mario 64 Kanzen Clear Guide'')|publisher=KADOKAWA(メディアファクトリー)|language=ja|isbn=4889914110|page=[https://ia902503.us.archive.org/view_archive.php?archive=/3/items/super-mario-64-complete-guide-book_202204/Super%20Mario%2064%20Complete%20Guide%20Book.zip&file=017.jpg 13]|accessdate=March 30, 2024}}</ref>
|JapR=Menbo
|JapM=Clipping of「{{ruby|水黽|アメンボ}}」(''amenbo'', "pond skater")
|Fre=Aquaraignée
|FreM=Combination of "aqua" and ''araignée'' ("spider")
|Ger=Wasserläufer<ref>{{cite|author=Kraft, John D., Thomas Görg, and Marko Hein, editors|title=''Der offizielle Nintendo 64 Spieleberater "Super Mario 64"''|language=de|location=Großostheim|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of Europe GmbH]]|date=1997|page=9}}</ref>
|GerM=Water Strider
|Ita=Idroragno
|ItaM=Hydrospider
|Ita2=I Pattinatori<ref>{{cite|title=Super Mario Sunshine Prima's Official Strategy Guide|publisher=You Too Videogames srl|language=it|isbn=8890092211|page=[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WIS8L7XceLhy_kFemrrSgTzcCyGiCkfq/view 18]|accessdate=November 8, 2020}}</ref>
|Ita2N=''Super Mario Sunshine''
|Ita2M=The Skaters, probably a translation mistake
|Kor=소금쟁이
|KorR=Sogeumjaeng'i
|KorM=Water strider
|SpaE=Acuaraña
|SpaEM=Portmanteau of ''acua'' ("aqua") and ''araña'' ("spider")
}}
 
==References==
<references/>


<br clear=all>
{{SM64}}
{{SM64}}
{{NSMB}}
{{Super Mario Sunshine}}
{{SMSS}}
{{SMG2}}
 
[[Category:Species]]
[[Category:Enemies]]
[[Category:Insects]]
[[Category:Insects]]
[[Category:Super Mario 64 enemies]]
[[Category:Super Mario Galaxy 2 enemies]]
[[de:Wasserläufer]]
[[it:Idroragno]]

Latest revision as of 23:40, September 6, 2024

This article is about the enemies first appearing in Super Mario 64. For the similar enemy of the same name from New Super Mario Bros., see Skeeter (New Super Mario Bros.).
Skeeter
Artwork of Skeeter from Super Mario Galaxy 2
Artwork of a Skeeter from Super Mario Galaxy 2
First appearance Super Mario 64 (1996)
Latest appearance Super Mario 3D All-Stars (2020)
Variants
Relatives
Comparable

Skeeters[1] are giant water strider enemies that are introduced in Super Mario 64. They appear in a few of the 3D Super Mario games. Like real water striders, they usually skim on the surface of water. Their name comes from "water skeeter," one of many alternate names for water striders.

Skeeters have had distinct designs throughout all four of their Super Mario series appearances, though their abilities have remained largely the same. In addition to skating on water, they can also walk on land, though they move a bit slower.

History[edit]

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS[edit]

A Skeeter in Super Mario 64, its first appearance

In Super Mario 64, Skeeters appear frequently in Wet-Dry World, where one is seen on the entrance painting. They are found floating aimlessly on the water, and they appear as big cyan-colored pond skaters with yellow suction cup-like webbed feet and vermillion-colored antennae on their backs, with bulgy eyes. They can be defeated by most methods of attack, and they release three coins upon defeat. They can be lowered onto platforms, where they will slowly skitter about and home in on Mario if they see him, acting just like a Scuttle Bug. If hit, Mario will lose two health wedges.

In Super Mario 64 DS, Skeeters are now blue, and their yellow webbed feet are slightly larger and also cover their ankles; the antennae on their heads are red instead of vermillion, and they have black eyes that are now positioned flat on their faces, instead of bulging out. Skeeters now also appear in Dire, Dire Docks, where five of them can be found. Their other attributes remain unchanged from the original.

Super Mario Sunshine[edit]

Skeeters reappear in Super Mario Sunshine, where they are referred to as Pondskaters[2] or Blue Spiders.[3][4] They are found exclusively in the lake of Bianco Hills. When they are jumped on, Mario propels upward to a height rivaling the Rocket Nozzle. Pondskaters stop moving temporarily if sprayed with FLUDD. Pondskaters can be defeated only by a Yoshi, by either eating them or spraying juice at them to turn them into platforms, which will remove the Pondskaters after the platform disappears.

Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]

Super Mario Galaxy 2 redesigned the appearance of Skeeters

Skeeters in Super Mario Galaxy 2 were given an overhauled appearance consisting of flat purple bodies without antennae. They are enemies first encountered in the Cosmic Cove Galaxy. They always home in on Mario or Luigi, and they can be stomped for a coin or hit with a spin to release three Star Bits. They also appear in Starshine Beach Galaxy and Throwback Galaxy.

Mario Party 3[edit]

In Mario Party 3, an immobile static Skeeter is in the background of Woody Woods, and a large mechanical Skeeter is one of the vehicles in Ridiculous Relay.

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese メンボ[5]
Menbo
Clipping of「水黽アメンボ」(amenbo, "pond skater")
French Aquaraignée[?] Combination of "aqua" and araignée ("spider")
German Wasserläufer[6] Water Strider
Italian Idroragno[?] Hydrospider
I Pattinatori[7] The Skaters, probably a translation mistake Super Mario Sunshine
Korean 소금쟁이[?]
Sogeumjaeng'i
Water strider
Spanish (NOE) Acuaraña[?] Portmanteau of acua ("aqua") and araña ("spider")

References[edit]

  1. ^ Pelland, Scott, and Dan Owsen (1996). Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 11.
  2. ^ Hodgson, David S J, Bryan Stratton, and Stephen Stratton (September 3, 2002). Super Mario Sunshine Prima Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games. ISBN 0-7615-3961-1. Page 18.
  3. ^ Loe, Casey (August 12, 2002). Super Mario Sunshine Perfect Guide. Versus Books. ISBN 1-931886-09-1. Page 33.
  4. ^ Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh (2002). Super Mario Sunshine Official Strategy Guide. BradyGames. ISBN 0-7440-0180-3. Page 5.
  5. ^ スーパーマリオ64完全クリアガイド (Super Mario 64 Kanzen Clear Guide). KADOKAWA(メディアファクトリー) (Japanese). ISBN 4889914110. Page 13. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Kraft, John D., Thomas Görg, and Marko Hein, editors (1997). Der offizielle Nintendo 64 Spieleberater "Super Mario 64". Großostheim: Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). Page 9.
  7. ^ Super Mario Sunshine Prima's Official Strategy Guide. You Too Videogames srl (Italian). ISBN 8890092211. Page 18. Retrieved November 8, 2020.