Dolphin
| Dolphin | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 In-game artwork of a Dolphin from Dr. Mario World | |||
| First appearance | Super Mario World (1990) | ||
| Latest appearance | Mario Party Superstars (cameo) (2021) | ||
| |||
- “Want to ride the Dolphin Shuttle? Travel 20 spaces for 15 coins right now!”
- —Dolphin, Mario Party 8
Dolphins are a species in Super Mario World. They are defined as blue cetaceans that wear goggles. Though they help Mario and Luigi reach items and avoid enemies in their debut, Dolphins are often featured as background elements, but they are relatively common in the Mario Party series.
History[edit]
Super Mario World / Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2[edit]
Dolphins are encountered in Vanilla Secret 3 and in a hidden area near the end of Chocolate Island 1 in Super Mario World. They are makeshift platforms for crossing bodies of water filled with Porcu-Puffers. Dolphins jump in and out of water, sometimes in an arc formation. Dolphins can be eaten by Yoshi, though not in Western releases of the original Super Mario World.[1] Dolphins are amongst the enemies in the opening of the remake.[2]
Super Mario World television series[edit]
The only episode of the Super Mario World television series where Dolphins appear is in "Mama Luigi". Two of them assist Luigi and Yoshi by allowing them to ride their backs as a Torpedo Ted heads their way. The Dolphins drop off the two characters at the beach before returning into the water, cheering happily.
Nintendo Adventure Books[edit]
A Dolphin is depicted on the cover and within Dinosaur Dilemma, even though none appear during the story. However, varieties of them named micro-dolphins do appear in Unjust Desserts.
Super Mario-kun[edit]
Dolphins appear in the second chapter of the second volume of Super Mario-kun as allies. When the Mekakuppa attacks Mario, Luigi and Yoshi at Vanilla Dome, it creates a hole in the roof, flooding the dome with the water of Vanilla Secret 3. Dolphins come down with the water and offer to help the three heroes to escape by making them ride their backs and swim over the waterfall, reaching the surface. Mario then proceeds to clog the hole, trapping (briefly) the Mekakuppa in the dome and then proceeds to thank the Dolphins, along with saving them from Yoshi (who kept trying to eat them).
Mario Party series[edit]
Mario Party 4[edit]
Players can ride Dolphins in Koopa's Seaside Soiree in Mario Party 4,[3] to quickly travel between areas of the board.[4]
Mario Party Advance[edit]
- “Hello, ladies and germs! Enjoy the show!”
- —Dolphin, Mario Party Advance
A Dolphin is met at the Mario Vaudeville in the Shroom City mode of Mario Party Advance. If the player agrees to listen to the Dolphin's story, he explains that he is a stand-up comedian who cannot get gigs and is considered to be unfunny.[5] As the player hears Dolphin's routine, they are asked to laugh only at the punchlines.[6] Following a successful routine, the Dolphin is joined by several others of his kind. He becomes a self-proclaimed comic genius[7] and rewards the Snow Globe Gaddget to the player. In a different quest, Dolphin is one of three possible suspects of dragging Shroomlock off of Sushi Cliff, but the perpetrator is later revealed to have been Blooper. In the ending, Dolphin is said to have become a very popular TV star.[8]
Mario Party 5[edit]
A Dolphin shows up in the Undersea Dream if the player lands on the Green Space on the sunken ship in Mario Party 5.
Mario Party 8[edit]
Dolphins, also referred to as Dolphin Shuttles, have a role on the board Goomba's Booty Boardwalk in Mario Party 8. By paying them a certain number of coins, a character can ride on a Dolphin's back and advance a number of spaces.
Mario Party 9[edit]
Dolphins are depicted on the game cover of Mario Party 9. In gameplay, Dolphins are found on Blooper Beach, where one is the first active aquatic creature when starting the mode. Dolphins begin six spaces away but move two spaces every turn, and if the captain catches up, they receive five Mini Stars from the Dolphin. A trio of Dolphins later appear when activating a Lucky Space toward the end, taking the character to an island with several Mini Stars. Dolphins are used for transportation in the minigame Ring Leader by each character as they jump through hoops along the way.
Dolphins are depicted on the Mario Party 9 cover in the Collection mode of Mario Party: The Top 100 and the Data House in Mario Party Superstars
Mario Kart series[edit]
Mario Kart Wii[edit]
Dolphins do not appear in Mario Kart Wii, but there is a bike titled the Dolphin Dasher that is based on them.
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX[edit]
Dolphins are background elements in the Splash Circuit and Tropical Coast stages of Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, where they jump out of water. There is also a kart based on them, the Turbo Dolphin.
Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[edit]
A banner depicting Dolphin artwork from Super Mario World is located in Toad Harbor in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. They are shown in their namesake course Dolphin Shoals to be jumping out of the water, and the course also has hill structures in their likeness.
Mario Kart Tour[edit]
A Dolphin appears on a badge in Mario Kart Tour. Additionally, a Mii Racing Suit based on the Dolphin was added in the Ocean Tour as part of Wave 11 of the Mii suits, with the Dash Ring as its special skill. A kart based on a Dolphin, named Dolphin Drifter, is also added in the Vacation Tour.
Mario Playing Cards[edit]
A Dolphin appears on the three of clubs in the NAP-06 deck of the Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary release of the Mario Playing Cards.
Dr. Mario World[edit]
Dolphins appear as assistants in Dr. Mario World. Their stage mode effect increases the player's base score for every blue virus that are eliminated. Their versus mode effect grants a chance one of the viruses that appear is transformed into an exploder when all viruses in the player's play area are eliminated. The amount of points gained and the chance of an exploder appearing are increased at higher levels, starting from 50 points and 20% respectively to 200 points and 100% respectively.
A Dolphin named Dr. Dolphin is a playable character, which is the first instance of a Dolphin ever being playable. His skill effect is the same as Dr. Bowser Jr.'s in that in stage mode an amount of bubbles are popped, while in versus mode viruses are covered inside bubbles. The amount of bubbles or viruses targeted are fewer than Dr. Bowser Jr.'s skill, where Dr. Dolphin's skill pops 4 bubbles (3 prior to version 2.2.0) as opposed to Dr. Bowser Jr.'s 10, while in versus mode at maximum level, Dr. Dolphin covers up to 6 viruses inside bubbles as opposed to Dr. Bowser Jr.'s maximum of 10. To compensate, his skill charges faster compared to Dr. Bowser Jr.'s.
Other appearances[edit]
In the Super Mario Mash-up of Minecraft, regular dolphins are reskinned as Dolphins from the Super Mario franchise.
Profiles and statistics[edit]
Super Mario World[edit]
- Instruction booklet description:
- English:
Don't worry, these guys aren't enemies; they help Mario cross water. A useful shoal of dolphin look alikes![9]
- English:
Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten[edit]
| リフトン (JP) / Dolphin (EN) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Original text (Japanese) | Translation | ||
| アクア |
Tribe | Aqua clan | |
| やさしい、 |
Disposition | Gentle, cheerful | |
| ワールド | Game appearances | World | |
| Cheerful and friendly dolphin Helpful characters that swim in groups. Some jump vertically, while others jump left and right. Since there are many of them, you need to move around them and move on. | |||
Mario Party 9[edit]
| Dolphin On Porpoise | |
|---|---|
|
A constellation based on the goggle-wearing Dolphin. Would a sea mammal need goggles? You sure ask a lot of questions. |
Dr. Mario World[edit]
Doctor[edit]
| Image | Abilities | Attack | Speed | Defense | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
 15% |
 15% |
 10% |
 10% | |||
| Stage Mode | Versus Mode | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Speed | Description | Speed |
| 1 | 24 | Hides viruses (1) in opponent's stage in bubbles. | 32 |
| 2 | 22 | Hides viruses (2) in opponent's stage in bubbles. | 32 |
| 3 | 20 | Hides viruses (3) in opponent's stage in bubbles. | 32 |
| 4 | 19 | Hides viruses (4) in opponent's stage in bubbles. | 32 |
| 5 | 18 | Hides viruses (6) in opponent's stage in bubbles. | 32 |
Assistant[edit]
- Stage mode: Increases base score by 50/70/100/150/200 points for every blue virus eliminated.
- Versus mode: If all viruses in your stage are eliminated, grants 20%/40%/60%/80%/100% chance an exploder will appear.
- Dr. Mario World Twitter: Yellow: "The second doctor coming May 28, 2 AM PT is Dr. Dolphin! This kind doctor will let you ride on their back when you're in a pinch. Just be careful not to let your bag get wet...and please don't hurt me."[11]
Gallery[edit]
- For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Dolphin.
Super Mario World television series ("Mama Luigi")
Mario Party Advance
Mario Party 9
Three of Clubs Mario Trump card
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | リフトン[12][13] Rifuton |
Lifton; from "lift" | |
| イルカ[?] Iruka |
Dolphin | Mario Party Advance | |
| リフトンタクシー[?] Rifuton Takushī |
Lifton Taxi | Mario Party 8 | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 蓝海豚[?] Lán Hǎitún |
Blue Dolphin | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 便車海豚[?] Biànchē Hǎitún |
Taxi Dolphin | |
| French | Dauphin[?] | Dolphin | |
| German | Delphin[14] | Dolphin | Super Mario World |
| Italian | Delfì[?] | From delfino ("dolphin") | |
| Korean | 리프튼[?] Ripeuteun |
From the Japanese name | |
| Portuguese | Golfinho[?] | Dolphin | |
| Romanian | Delfin[15] | Dolphin | Super Mario World television series |
| Spanish | Delfín[?] | Dolphin |
Trivia[edit]
- Blurps, Bubs, Mantas, and Jumbo Rays wear similar goggles to Dolphins. Additionally, in Super Mario 64 DS, Dorrie was redesigned with elements seemingly influenced by the Dolphins. This design is the basis for all of Dorrie's subsequent appearances.
- The rival character Guppy from Super Mario Galaxy was initially envisioned as one of the Dolphins from Super Mario World. However, as his role was finalized as an intimidating bully with a wild nature, they shifted his design to that of the new orca character seen in the final game.[16]
References[edit]
- ^ Super Mario World (SNES)/Version Differences § Dolphins!. The Cutting Room Floor.
- ^ VideoGamePhenomHD (October 16, 2019). Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 - Intro (0:49). YouTube.
- ^ "Ahoy there! Hop on my back, and let's ride!" – Dolphin (2002). Mario Party 4. Nintendo.
- ^ NintendoMovies (January 3, 2020). Mario Party 4 - Koopa's Seaside Soiree (3 Players, 50 Turns) (26:07). YouTube.
- ^ "See, I'm a stand-up comedian... Or would it be, but I can't get any gigs." – Dolphin (2005). Mario Party Advance. Nintendo.
- ^ "Press the A Button to laugh at punch lines." – Dolphin (2005). Mario Party Advance. Nintendo.
- ^ "...I'm a genius! I'm a comic genius!" – Dolphin (2005). Mario Party Advance. Nintendo.
- ^ "He's become a massive TV star." – Epilogue (2005). Mario Party Advance. Nintendo.
- ^ 1991. Super Mario World instruction booklet (PDF). Nintendo of America (American English). Page 24.
- ^ November 20, 1994. 「パーフェクト版 マリオキャラクター大事典」 (Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten). Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-259067-9. Page 231.
- ^ Drmarioworld_EN (May 26, 2020). Post. Twitter (English). Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ Super Mario World Japanese instruction booklet (fold-out)
- ^ Kagawa, Ryo (APE/Shigesato Itoi), Koichi Toda (100 Percent), Masaki Kuramochi (100 Percent), Shigeo Tanabe, Naomaru Asao, and Ryuji Osawa, editors (1991). "UNIT 2 CHARACTER" in『任天堂公式ガイドブック スーパーマリオワールド』. Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-104117-5. Page 27.
- ^ Menold, Marcus, Claude M. Moyse, and Andreas G. Kämmerer, editors (1993). Der offizielle Nintendo Spieleberater "Super Mario World". Großostheim: Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). Page 20.
- ^ May 20, 2015. "Mama Luigi", dubbed in Romanian by KidsCo. Odnoklassniki (OK.ru). Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Black, Fletcher (November 9, 2007). Super Mario Galaxy: PRIMA Official Game Guide (Collector's Edition). Roseville: Prima Games (American English). ISBN 978-0-7615-5713-5. Page 349.
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