Skeeter
- 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.).
- Not to be confused with Scuttlebug.
Template:Species-infobox Skeeters[1] are giant pond skater-like bugs that float on top of the water that are first introduced in Super Mario 64. They appear in a few of the 3D Mario games. Skeeters are based off a real-world insect known as the water strider.
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
Super Mario series
Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS
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 appear as big blue-green pond skaters with plate webbings on their feet and antennae on their backs. They can be defeated by most methods of attack, and 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. If hit, Mario will lose two health points.
In Super Mario 64 DS, Skeeters are now blue with yellow-tipped legs; the angler on their head is red instead of orange, and they have black eyes. 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
Skeeters reappear in Super Mario Sunshine, where they are referred to as Blue Spiders[2][3] or Pondskaters.[4] They are found exclusively in the lake of Bianco Hills. When jumped on, Mario propels upward to a height rivaling the Rocket Nozzle. They are also resistant to F.L.U.D.D., as spraying them only makes them stop moving for a short while. The only way to defeat them is to bring a Yoshi onto a lilypad and eat them.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Despite not appearing in the previous game in the series, Skeeters reappear in Super Mario Galaxy 2, with an overhauled appearance. They now have a flat, purple body without an antenna, and first appear in the Cosmic Cove Galaxy. They always home in on Mario, and 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.
Other appeerances
In Mario Party 3, a completely static Skeeter can be seen in the background of Woody Woods.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | メンボ[5] Menbo |
From amenbo, water strider. | |
| German | Wasserläufer[?] | Water Strider | |
| Italian | Idroragno[?] | Hydrospider (from Idrogeno (hydrogen) and ragno (spider)) | |
| Korean | 소금쟁이[?] Sogeumjaeng'i |
Water strider |
References
- ^ Super Mario 64 Player's Guide, pages 11 & 87
- ^ Loe, Casey. Super Mario Sunshine Perfect Guide. Page 33.
- ^ Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh. Super Mario Sunshine BradyGames Official Strategy Guide. Page 5.
- ^ Hodgson, David S J, Bryan Stratton, and Stephen Stratton. Super Mario Sunshine Prima Official Strategy Guide. Page 18.
- ^ Scan of 「スーパーマリオ64完全クリアガイド」 (Super Mario 64 Kanzen Clear Guide)
