Muncher

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A few different varieties. At the first two Munchers are 16-bit Super Mario Bros. 3 versions; and at the bottom are Super Mario World versions.

Three Munchers.

Munchers ("Black Pakkun" in Japan) are an indestructible species of Piranha Plants. They first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3 and later appeared in Super Mario World. Unlike their white cousins, Muncher Plants come in black, depending on the location. They are almost completely invulnerable.

Acting much like spikes would, touching a Muncher results in instant death. However, both the Kuribo's Shoe and any Yoshi can walk on them without harm. In a couple levels, they spring from thin pipes. The only way to cross a patch of Munchers is by acquiring a Starman or by carefully jumping to the gaps between Muncher patches.

They also appear in Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land. They are once again black and indestructible.

Munchers can become frozen if hit with an Ice Block. Frozen Munchers can be identified by the black ice block in which they are encased (in contrast to yellow ice blocks, which hold coins). They are harmless when frozen and act like platforms, but if one thaws a Muncher out with a fireball, the Muncher will become active again. If Mario hits a P-Switch, then thaws a frozen Muncher in an ice block, the Muncher will turn into a coin, the only way to kill them.

There is often confusion on what a Muncher exactly is. They are about the size of a Nipper Plant, but are firmly planted in the ground like a Piranha Plant. They also have eyes much like a Nipper Plant. They appear to be a sub-species and not part of the normal evolution chain of a Piranha Plant. In Super Mario All-Stars, these SMB3 enemies were recolored, greatly resembling a Nipper Plant and not "black" like the Japanese namesake.

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