Bill Blaster: Difference between revisions

Bill Blaster
	; A Bill Blaster from New Super Mario Bros. Wii;
First appearance	Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Latest appearance	The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Variants
	Air Cannon; B. Bill Blaster; Banzai Bill Cannon; Bill Blaster Turret; Blaster; Bull's-Eye Blaster; Gold Bill Blaster; Torpedo Base
Relatives
	Bullet Bill
Comparable
	Burner; Cannon
Notable members
	Sergeant Guy Cannon; Sergeant Guy Cannon X

Revision as of 15:37, August 27, 2023

This article is about the cannons that fire Bullet Bills. For the minigame Bill Blasters in Mario Party 5, see Bill Blasters (minigame).

Not to be confused with Bullet Blaster.

A Bill Blaster, originally known as a Turtle Cannon^[1]^[2] and also referred to as a Bullet Bill Cannon,^[3] simply Cannon,^[4] or Bullet Bill Launcher,^[5] is a black cannon that fires Bullet Bills from either side. Bill Blasters are usually used as defense emplacements in fortresses and castles. While some Bill Blasters are pure black, others have a design (usually a skull icon) emblazoned on their sides.

Bill Blasters are immobile and usually indestructible, as they are commonly part of the environment. Some of them briefly expand in size before shooting Bullet Bills, such as in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Although they cannot move around, some Bill Blasters in more recent games have been shown to be able to rotate, like a turret. However, recent games in the series have made Bill Blasters enemies that are capable of being defeated. Due to their nature, they are usually paired with Bullet Bills as their main attack.

Bill Blasters are similar to Burners. The latter emits flames instead of Bullet Bills.

History

Super Mario series

Super Mario Bros.

Turtle Cannons as they appear in Super Mario Bros.

Turtle Cannons first appear in World 5-1 in Super Mario Bros., where they were placed throughout the Mushroom Kingdom during Bowser's initial invasion. They are also found in World 5-2, World 7-1, World 8-2 and World 8-3. They are found in locations that are difficult for the Bros. to travel through, such as on the ground or above the player where they would be hit if the player jumped. They will not fire if the player is directly above one or completely within a sprite box next to one.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia artwork

In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Turtle Cannons return and this time are found in even more difficult places. They now are more common and act just the same as they did in Super Mario Bros. They sometimes appear in underwater levels, where in the original, their details are colored green due to having the same palette as the scenery; though they do not fire any Bullet Bills. They are colored normally in the Super Mario All-Stars version.

Super Mario Bros. 3

Turtle Cannons as they appear in Super Mario Bros. 3

Turtle Cannons appear in Super Mario Bros. 3. They first appear on Larry's Airship along with Cannons. They are also invincible. They appear numerous times on all airships, tanks, and boats. Some fire Missile Bills.

Super Mario Land

A different form called Pipe Cannons^[6] appear in Super Mario Land. Unlike their stationary counterparts, Pipe Cannons move out of Warp Pipes like Piranha Plants and then fire a Bullet Biff before retreating.

Super Mario World

In Super Mario World, Turtle Cannons can be found in the Sunken Ghost Ship and Outrageous. This game also introduces the Torpedo Base, which shoots Torpedo Teds.

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

In Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Turtle Cannons can be seen in some levels of Mario Zone. In this game, they appear more box-shaped, but still fire Bullet Bills at a periodic rate.

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS

A Turtle Cannon as it appears in Super Mario 64

A single Turtle Cannon appears in Super Mario 64, and a few more appear in its remake, Super Mario 64 DS. This Turtle Cannon is found on the top of the tower in Whomp's Fortress after the player defeats the Whomp King. It looks drastically different from its previous appearances, more resembling a simple gray box with a hole for launching Bullet Bills rather than an actual cannon. This is the only game in which Mario can force a Turtle Cannon to fire; it will do so if he performs a Pound the Ground attack on top of it. In the DS remake, another of these cannons can be found in Whomp's Fortress in the new area surrounding the fortress, after a large gap, and more can be found in Dire, Dire Docks before the player completes Bowser in the Fire Sea. The ability to force out a Bullet Bill via a Pound the Ground attack has been removed, and Turtle Cannons can now be destroyed using a mushroom.

New Super Mario Bros.

In New Super Mario Bros., Bill Blasters return to their original role of being a part of the game's environment, having the same behavior they had in previous 2D games. However, in this game, they can be destroyed by use of a Mega Mushroom. An advanced tower version of a Bill Blaster called the Bill Blaster Turret is introduced. Also, a new variant of Bill Blasters that shoot Banzai Bills first appear in this game, called the Banzai Bill Cannon.

Super Mario Galaxy

Several Bill Blasters in Super Mario Galaxy

A traditional Bill Blaster

In Super Mario Galaxy, Bill Blasters (localized as Bullet Bill cannons)^[7] appear in many of the game's levels. They are often found on planets or other areas where various items are trapped in cages, where Mario must lure a Bullet Bill from the Bill Blaster to the cage or cages in order to access what is inside. Their appearance here is more typical of a cannon and noticeably lacks the familiar skull icon. The Bullet Bills they shoot out will home in on Mario upon becoming aware of his presence. Some Bill Blasters can be destroyed by luring the Bullet Bill back. Others are too far into their base for one to reach.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Bill Blasters as well as Bill Blaster Turrets and Banzai Bill Cannons reappear in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and act the same as in New Super Mario Bros.. Unlike in New Super Mario Bros., they are again invincible, as the Mega Mushroom is absent from the game. Bill Blasters also briefly expand when shooting Bullet Bills.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

A loaded Bill Blaster

Bill Blasters reappear in Super Mario Galaxy 2 and serve the same purpose as in its predecessor. Banzai Bill Cannons appear as well. They have the exact same appearance in the predecessor.

Super Mario 3D Land

Bill Blasters firing Bullet Bills in World 2-5.

Bill Blasters and Bill Blaster Turrets later appear in Super Mario 3D Land and serve the same purpose as the games before. However, they are shown to appear differently, similar to their appearance in Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel.

New Super Mario Bros. 2

The Bill Blaster in New Super Mario Bros. 2

Bill Blasters reappear in New Super Mario Bros. 2 and act the same as in its predecessors. Gold Bill Blasters are golden versions of a Bill Blaster that are created by a Gold Ring, and fire Gold Bullet Bills.

New Super Mario Bros. U

Bill Blasters and Bill Blaster Turrets reappear in New Super Mario Bros. U, behaving the same way it did in previous games. This time, Roy Koopa utilizes a cannon in his boss battle. In the game's code, a variant of the blaster that can stretch up and down appears, similar to New Super Mario Bros. Wii.^[8]

Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

In Super Mario 3D World and its Nintendo Switch port Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, Bill Blasters appear in various levels, behaving the same as in Super Mario 3D Land. In this game, they resemble their appearances in the first three Paper Mario games, and are also capable of firing Cat Bullet Bills.

Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS / Super Mario Maker 2

Mary O. hammering on a Bill Blaster

Bill Blasters reappear in Super Mario Maker, Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Mario Maker 2 as the only way to generate Bullet Bills. In Course Maker, their length can be adjusted by grabbing their tip and stretching it up or down. The regular black variants fire Bullet Bills by default, but if another enemy or an item is placed inside one, it will shoot an indefinite amount of them in Mario's direction — except for Coins, of which multiple are shot in three consecutive bursts before they stop appearing. Shaking a Bill Blaster will turn it into a red Bull's-Eye Blaster and make it fire Bull's-Eye Bills. An element can be placed inside a red Bill Blaster, which will shoot such elements much faster than a regular Bill Blaster. A sound effect can be placed on a Bill Blaster of either color to make it generate that sound every time it shoots things out of it.

Although static objects, Bill Blasters are affected by gravity and will fall down if positioned in mid-air or bounce on Springboards continuously if placed atop them. In addition, they will slowly sink into lava if they end up there. They can also be attached to tracks and glide along them.

Bill Blasters can be destroyed by pounding them with a big Stiletto or the smoke clouds it releases.

In Super Mario Maker 2, red Bill Blasters instead shoot Cat Bullet Bills in the Super Mario 3D World style.

Super Mario Odyssey

A Bill Blaster in the Sand Kingdom.

Bill Blasters are present in Super Mario Odyssey, retaining their Super Mario 3D World look in 3D and their Super Mario Bros. look in 2D sections. They can also shoot visor-wearing Bullet Bills in the Metro Kingdom and Sand Kingdom.

Yoshi franchise

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

In Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Turtle Cannons are green, like the Bullet Bills themselves, but act entirely like previous incarnations. Their cannon visibly expands upon preparing to shoot Bullet Bills, then returns to normal after having done so. They can be frozen with use of a blue watermelon, and then shattered by being touched or struck with an egg.

Yoshi's Story

Turtle Cannons make an appearance in Yoshi's Story where they look slightly different. Much like previous games, most shoot Bullet Bills forward, though some will shoot them upward.

Yoshi's Island DS

Bill Blasters return in Yoshi's Island DS, although this time, like the Bullet Bills themselves, they are colored black like in the main Super Mario games. They appear in The Goonie Coast Isn't Clear!, Welcome to Yoshi Tower!, Bessie Bass's Battleship, Return of the Moving Chomp Rock!, Island of Peril, Let There Be Light!, and Superhard Acrobatics!.

Yoshi's New Island

Yoshi's New Island

In Yoshi's New Island, Bill Blasters, as well as the Bullet Bills they shoot, return retaining their appearance from the main Super Mario games. There are also Bill Blasters that have a cannon in only one side.

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

Bill Blasters return in Yoshi's Woolly World and Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World, acting the same as in previous games, except this time they are made of wool. If Yoshi throws a yarn ball at a Bill Blaster, it will get tied up and become temporarily deactivated.

The World 6 boss, Knot-Wing the Koopa, launches Bullet Bills and Bull's-Eye Bills from a Bill Blaster on his shell.

Paper Mario series

Paper Mario

In Paper Mario, three Bill Blasters appear under their current name in Koopa Bros. Fortress right before facing the Koopa Bros. themselves. They are considered separate enemies from the Bullet Bills they launch. They must be destroyed before Mario and his allies can end a battle and progress through the level. On the overworld, Bill Blasters fire Bullet Bills at Mario. If hit, Mario and his friends have to fight the Bullet Bills before continuing to the Bill Blaster.

In battle, Bill Blasters cannot directly attack Mario; instead, they fire Bullet Bills, which become independent enemies that attack Mario. A Bill Blaster has an unlimited supply of Bullet Bills; the cannons will continue firing Bullet Bills until defeated. However, they skip every other turn, limiting their rate of shooting Bullet Bills. Jumping attacks are generally ineffective against Bill Blasters, as their hard armor protects against such attacks.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Bill Blasters return in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and are first encountered in the Pirate's Grotto, and appear quite often there as well. They look exactly the same, though more refined with the improved graphics, and their battle strategy was largely unchanged. They still shoot out Bullet Bills to attack for them, but now have a new move, which allows them to shoot out two Bullet Bills instead of one, which they sometimes use if not accompanied by another Bill Blaster. They can also shoot Bullet Bills higher in the air, where they cannot be targeted by ground-based moves such as Mario's Hammer. Unlike in Paper Mario, Bill Blasters shoot Bullet Bills every turn, instead of skipping every other turn.

Also returning is the B. Bill Blaster which fires Bombshell Bills. They are much alike, except for the higher attack, defense, and golden color. These are encountered in the Palace of Shadow.

Super Paper Mario

In Super Paper Mario, Bill Blasters appear exclusively in Chapter 3-1 guarding Bowser's castle. They shoot Bullet Bills like any other Bill Blaster, but these ones will only shoot in the left direction instead of both.

If the player completes the level then comes back later in the game, the Bill Blasters can also be defeated by using Bowser's Fire Breath or very accurately using Luigi's super jump. They can also be defeated by using a Catch Card.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star

Only two Bill Blasters appear on Bowser Jr.'s Flotilla in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. Here, they appear as mere obstacles and cannot be battled. However, they were originally meant to be fought, but were cut from the game.^[9]

Paper Mario: Color Splash

One Bill Blaster makes a minor appearance in Paper Mario: Color Splash. It can be found in a secret underground area of the Super Mario Bros. 3-themed level in the Green Energy Plant. Because of this, the Bill Blaster is seen in its sprite-based Super Mario Bros. 3 appearance, and the Bullet Bills it fires use the same style as well. Roy Koopa's Bill Blaster also returns, though he uses it to launch paint.

Mario & Luigi series

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

In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and its remake, Bill Blasters appear as enemies in Stardust Fields. Bill Blasters do not appear in the overworld; they only appear in battle alongside Fighter Flies. Bill Blasters attack by shooting their Bullet Bills directly at the brother that is standing in front of them.

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

While Bill Blasters do not appear as stand-alone enemies in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Boom Guys and Elite Boom Guys carry one on their heads.

Mario Kart series

Mario Kart DS

In Mario Kart DS, a single Bill Blaster appears in Airship Fortress firing Bullet Bills from the airship at racers, while other Bill Blasters can be seen on the airship section of the race course.

Mario's Time Machine

Two Turtle Cannons cameo in the NES release of Mario's Time Machine, aboard Ferdinand Magellan's ship in 1520. However, they do not fire, and as such are only there for aesthetic purposes.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

A Bill Blaster in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

Bill Blasters appear in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS as Smash Run enemies. They sit in place, and do not move as they take damage. In addition to firing Bullet Bills, they may also fire other enemies, such as Koopa Troopas or Shy Guys.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Bill Blasters return in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker with an appearance and function identical to Super Mario 3D World. The standard Bill Blasters fire normal Bullet Bills, while red Bull's-Eye Blasters fire Bull's-Eye Bills.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

In Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, two giant Bill Blasters can be seen at Sherbet Desert: one in the desert area and the other in the snowy area.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Bill Blasters appear in The Super Mario Bros. Movie used by the Koopa Troop just like in the games, with Buzzy Beetles having them on their shells during the Troop's attack on the Snow Kingdom in the beginning of the movie. They are also present on the Koopa Troop's kart vehicles during the Rainbow Road ambush, and two Koopa Troopas fire a Bullet Bill from one upon seeing Mario and Donkey Kong riding a Rocket Barrel left over from the latter's kart to stop the wedding between Bowser and Peach.