Buzzy Shell
| Buzzy Shell | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Render from New Super Mario Bros. Wii | |||
| First appearance | Super Mario Bros. (1985) | ||
| Latest appearance | Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023) | ||
| Effect | Places a Buzzy Beetle's shell on Mario's head as a helmet (Super Mario Maker series) | ||
| |||
Buzzy Shells[1] (also called Buzzy Beetle Shells in Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS) are the shells worn by Buzzy Beetles. In many of their appearances, they act as a more resilient version of typical Koopa Shells, protecting the Buzzy Beetles inside them from hot hazards such as fireballs or lava. The player character can also sometimes equip Buzzy Shells as protective headgear.
History
Super Mario series
In the Super Mario series, Buzzy Shells act similarly to Koopa Shells. When a Buzzy Beetle is stomped on, it retracts into its shell, which can then be kicked and sent sliding along the ground. While sliding, it defeats any enemy it hits, changes direction when encountering a wall, and can fall off ledges. Unlike Koopa Shells, however, Buzzy Shells cannot be destroyed with Fire Mario's fireballs. These properties are seen in all their appearances across 2D Super Mario platform games, including Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, the New Super Mario Bros. sub-series, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
The following sections detail instances in the Super Mario platform games where Buzzy Shells have additional properties to the ones so described.
Super Mario World
In Super Mario World, if a Buzzy Shell is taken into a Warp Pipe, the shell becomes empty and can be held indefinitely. If Yoshi eats a Buzzy Shell, he swallows it immediately, unlike with a Koopa Shell.
Super Mario Maker series
- “There's no way Mario is getting through! Well, unless he figures out that he can pick up Buzzy Shells with
and tilt 
↓ to wear them as helmets! BUT THAT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!” - —Father of Name Withheld, Super Mario Maker 2
In Super Mario Maker, Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Mario Maker 2, the Buzzy Shell appears as an item Mario can wear on his head. It is created by shaking a Buzzy Beetle in the editor mode to make it hide inside its shell. When an empty Buzzy Shell falls onto Mario's head or he crouches while holding it (except in the Super Mario Bros. style), he wears the shell as a helmet, becomes Buzzy Mario, and can take an extra hit. The Buzzy Shell also protects Mario from Spike Traps that are above his head, along with enemies attacking from above (such as Thwomps), for as long as the player is wearing one. The Buzzy Shell can also knock enemies upward. They make the collision sound effect when deflected. Buzzy Shells can deflect enemy attacks and defeat certain enemies instantly. When Mario ducks as Small Mario, walking enemies bounce off him as if he were a wall, though this behavior was removed in Super Mario Maker 2. Buzzy Shells can allow Small Mario to break Brick Blocks.
The Buzzy Shells can be kicked and act similarly to any other shell that slides along the ground, meaning they can harm Mario on contact while sliding unless he touches one from below, in which he wears the shell. If empty Buzzy Shells are shot out of a Bill Blaster, they cannot be stomped, but Mario can ride the shells instead.
Once wearing the Buzzy Shell, Mario cannot take it off willingly unless he takes damage or collects a Mystery Mushroom. However, a glitch does exist that allows Mario to wear the Buzzy Shell while using the Costume Mario power-up, but it can be executed only in the Course Maker. The glitch was fixed as of version 1.30. In edit mode, Mario can be shaken to remove the Buzzy Shell, as well as reverting back to Small Mario if any other power-up was given to him.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, the Flashy Shell sticker depicts a Buzzy Shell. When it is used, Mario stomps on a Buzzy Beetle, sending it into its shell, and kicks the shell to attack enemies.
Mario & Luigi series
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Nabbit may take out a Buzzy Shell while battling alongside the Mario Bros. during the Bad Nabbit mission. He then imitates the 3D Red Shell Bros. Attack, with either Mario or Luigi.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
Buzzy Shells make a minor appearance in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, where they are donated by Buzzy Beetles to repair the Koopa Cruiser, although Captain Koopa Troopa's rhymes nearly cause them to be taken back.
Gallery
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario All-Stars (Super Mario Bros.)
Super Mario All-Stars (Super Mario Bros. 3)
Super Mario Maker
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | メットこうら[?] Metto Kōra |
Buzzy Beetle Shell | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 钢盔龟壳[?] Gāngkuīguī Ké |
Pun on "钢盔龟/鋼盔龜" (Gāngkuīguī, "Buzzy Beetle") and "龟壳/龜殼" (guīké, "shell") | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 鋼盔龜殼[?] Gāngkuīguī Ké |
Pun on "钢盔龟/鋼盔龜" (Gāngkuīguī, "Buzzy Beetle") and "龟壳/龜殼" (guīké, "shell") | |
| French | Carapace de Bruyinsecte[?] | Buzzy Beetle Shell | |
| Italian | Guscio di Nella[?] | Buzzy Beetle shell |
- Buzzy Mario
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian | Mario Nella[?] | Buzzy Beetle Mario |
References
- ^ "Mario's Moves" from Yamamura's Dojo, Super Mario Maker 2
