Fronk
- This article is about 9-Volt's pet. For Fronks as a species, see Fronk (species).
| Fronk | |
|---|---|
 Artwork of Fronk from WarioWare Gold. | |
| Species | Fronk |
| First appearance | WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! (2003) |
| Latest appearance | WarioWare: Move It! (2023) |
| Latest portrayal | Todd Haberkorn (2018–present) |
- “That's right. Want to know my secret? It's 8-bit yoga.”
- —Fronk, WarioWare Gold
Fronk is 9-Volt's pet in the WarioWare series. In his first appearance in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, he goes by the name of Shag in the English version, which is derived from his Japanese name Shaggy. Since WarioWare: Twisted!, however, he has been known as Fronk in English, due to the word "shag" doubling as a vulgar slang term for sexual intercourse in British English.
History[edit]
WarioWare series[edit]
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$![edit]
In WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, Shag appears as 9-Volt's third break scene, where 9-Volt pets Shag and causes him to sweat, and Chicken Race, where Shag competes against 9-Volt.
WarioWare: Twisted![edit]
In WarioWare: Twisted!, Fronk has his own set of microgames. Unlike the other characters, they can appear at any point in stages. They must be completed faster compared to other microgames and are signaled to the player with a unique sound.
Game & Wario[edit]
In Game & Wario, Fronk hosts the minigame Islands. In Patchwork, the last medium puzzle is based off of him. In the Shutter minigame, the player can take a picture of Fronk to earn an additional 200 points.
WarioWare Gold[edit]
9-Volt's pet Fronk appears in WarioWare Gold. He first appears in 9-Volt's story, where he expresses concern over 9-Volt's hatred of math. Fronk, after realizing that 9-Volt has some skill in the subject, then compares math to an RPG. With this comparison, 9-Volt thanks Fronk for "kind of mak[ing] math fun", and offers to give Fronk his dessert as thanks. However, Fronk declines, saying that "an old guy like [him]" should not eat sweet foods, admitting that he turned 1 the previous month and owes his youthful looks to practicing "8-bit yoga". Fronk also appears in the ending of 5-Volt's story.
Additionally, like in WarioWare: Twisted!, Fronk has his own set of microgames, which involve himself and have shorter lengths than the other microgames. However, he does not have his own stage. Instead, Fronk's microgames appear alongside others' microgames, such as in the Dancing Team and Potluck Gang stages. This game marks Fronk's first speaking role, where he has a deep voice. In the Japanese version of the game, like Dribble & Spitz, he speaks in the Kansai dialect,[1] a dialect stereotypically associated with fun-loving, boisterous characters.
In Sneaky Gamer, Fronk can enter 9-Volt's room from the door and hum. He also has his own alarm clock.
WarioWare: Get It Together![edit]
Fronk is the only main character from WarioWare Gold to not reappear as a playable character in WarioWare: Get It Together!, though he does appear as a supporting character in 9-Volt's story. After he and 9-Volt get home from school and are put to bed by 5-Volt, 9-Volt leaps out of bed to show Fronk his new Epic Augmented Reality Game. Fronk's enthusiastic reaction alerts 5-Volt to the fact that they are still awake, but they hide in bed and are able to proceed playing once 5-Volt has left. In the Variety Pack game Frenemy Frenzy, Fronk appears to notify players when their character is about to be swapped, bidding them good luck afterwards.
WarioWare: Move It![edit]
In WarioWare: Move It!, Fronk appears in the microgame Phone for You as a caller. When the player answers the phone, Fronk may either say "Good luck to you!", or make beatboxing sounds.
Profiles and statistics[edit]
Game & Wario character card[edit]
-9-Volt's pet
-Yellow; has colorful friends
-Marches to own drum
-Can survive three days underwater
WarioWare Gold character cards[edit]
- Rank C – This odd creature is thankful that 9-Volt rescued him when he was lost, but he bristles at being called a pet.
- Rank B – For such a tiny guy, Fronk gets lots done: cake baking, bike repairing, and hacking. He's good with his hands.
- Rank A – Fronk adores 5-Volt's pancakes. Ever since he told her, Fronk only gets pancakes as his snacks.
WarioWare, Inc. Official Site[edit]
That's life, kid.
"The name's Fronk. Aren't you tired of being so busy all the time? Take a load off. Relax. You'll live longer."
- Day job: "Let's just say I'm always looking for my next gig."
- Hobbies: "Oh, motorcycles, definitely. I like working with my hands."
- Skills: "I can hold my breath for three days underwater, bake cakes with the best of them―and I'm also a skilled hacker."
- Favorite food: "That would be the pancakes that 5-Volt makes. The problem is, if you TELL her that, it's all you'll eat for a week."
- Family: "Did I never mention I have a wife and kid?"
- About 9-Volt: "He seems to think I'm his pet, but it's not as if he owns me."
- Objective: "To create a smash hit video game starring yours truly!"
- CEO Comment: "Fronk is 9-Volt's pet. Why does he talk like some old guy? Beats me. I guess he likes being the center of the attention, 'cause he keeps making games where HE'S the star! But as long as he's making me money and I don't have to cut a paycheck, I say go for it. Wahaha!"
Gallery[edit]
Artwork used for the interview page on the Japanese website for WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
2004 nengajō for Nintendo Dream based on WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!
Game & Wario
Game & Wario
Game & Wario
Fronk speaking in the Kansai dialect in the Japanese version of WarioWare Gold
WarioWare Gold
WarioWare Gold
WarioWare Gold
WarioWare Gold
WarioWare Gold
WarioWare Gold
WarioWare Gold
WarioWare Gold
Fronk Alarm Clock from WarioWare Gold
Character trailer for WarioWare Gold
WarioWare: Get It Together!
WarioWare: Get It Together!
WarioWare: Get It Together!
WarioWare: Get It Together!
WarioWare: Get It Together!
WarioWare: Get It Together!
WarioWare: Get It Together!
WarioWare: Get It Together!
WarioWare: Get It Together!
WarioWare: Get It Together!
WarioWare: Get It Together!
Group artwork from the WarioWare website
Group artwork from the WarioWare website
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | しゃぎぃ[?] Shagī |
Shaggy | |
| Chinese | 蓬蓬[?] Péng Péng |
Shaggy | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |
| 毛茸茸[?] Máoróngróng |
Hairy | WarioWare: Get It Together! | |
| Dutch | Fronk[?] | - | |
| French | Shag[?] | - | Mega Microgame$! |
| Fronk[?] | rest of the games | ||
| German | Fronk[?] | - | |
| Italian | Miao[?] | Meow | Mega Microgame$! |
| Fronk[?] | - | rest of the games | |
| Korean | 섀기[?] Syaegi |
Shaggy | |
| Russian | Фронк[?] Fronk |
Fronk | |
| Spanish | Shag[?] | - | Mega Microgame$! |
| Fronk[?] | rest of the games |
