Dunk Hammer
Dunk Hammer[1] is a Bros. Action that appears in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and its 3DS remake, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions. In the former, this move is known as Luigi Dunk.[2] It is taught by Cork and Cask in Chateau de Chucklehuck along with the Mini-Mario technique. When Mario whacks Luigi from behind with his hammer, Luigi will be buried into the ground, unless the two are above certain surfaces such as metallic plating. While in this state Luigi can move underground, allowing him to pass under obstacles and jump into barrels from beneath, though he cannot pass through some surfaces.
If Luigi passes through an obstacle in which Mario cannot follow, like a metal gate, he will be separated from him. Luigi can also be used to find beans hidden in underground spots marked with an "X", and also Bean Fruit and Beanstones. Once Luigi has emerged from the ground, he cannot go underground again without Mario's help. If this is used over a Surfing Spot, Luigi will be turned into a surfboard that Mario can use to surf across Oho Ocean to reach Joke's End later in the game. The in-battle equivalent to this move is Chopper Bros., and it is also used in the advanced version of the Thunder Bros. Bros. Attack. If Mario surfaces Luigi under certain enemies and pop out of the ground in the overworld, the enemy will be launched into the air and fall back down stunned, which allows the bros to either escape or First Strike them more easily.
In Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Mario and Luigi switch roles and the move is now known as Mole Mario. Mole Mario is taught by two Shelltops working for Britta in Dozing Sands along with Mini-Mario, which is used instead of Mole Mario if the move is attempted above hard ground.
There are some tweaks compared to Dunk Hammer. Mario is fully underground, so his position is indicated by a pointing glove. Mole Mario cannot be used if Luigi is standing in the same space as Mario, or if Mario is standing over a ledge. The hammer swing has to hit Mario; it is possible for a wall or object to block the swing. Mario is not allowed to dig out from below enemies. With Mario underground, Luigi can still jump or use his Hammer, enabling him to use First Strikes with the Hammer. Mole Mario is additionally used to flip over panels in the overworld by having Mario pop up from below them, while no Bean Fruit, Beanstones, barrels or Surfing Spots appear. The hard surfaces that are used for Mini-Mario additionally serve as boundaries for the underground Mario.
Mole Mario is the focus of the Mole Hunt minigame, where it is used to dig up hermit crabs to score points.
Profiles[edit]
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga[edit]
- Instruction manual description:[2] "If Mario uses to pound Luigi with his Hammer, Luigi will get buried in the ground and become able to do things only a mole could do. When you want to return him aboveground, press ."
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team[edit]
- Instruction manual description: "Luigi hits Mario with the hammer, sending him underground. In this state, Mario can do things like go under fences. Press to return to the surface."
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions[edit]
- Instruction manual description: "Bury Luigi under the ground to allow him to get under obstacles. Press to bring him to the surface again."
See also[edit]
Names in other languages[edit]
Dunk Hammer / Luigi Dunk[edit]
Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Japanese | もぐルイージ[?] Mogu Ruīji |
Likely a contraction of「潜る」(moguru, to dive) and「ルイージ」(Ruīji, Luigi) | |
German | Erd-Luigi[?] | Earth Luigi | |
Italian | Schiaccia Luigi (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga's manual) Luigi Talpa (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions)[?] |
Squash Luigi Mole Luigi |
|
Spanish (NOE) | Supergolpe Martillo[?] | Hammer Superhit |
Mole Mario[edit]
Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Japanese | もぐりマリオ[?] Moguri Mario |
Diving Mario | |
French | Mario taupe[?] | Mole Mario | |
German | Klein-Mario[?] | Small Mario | |
Portuguese | Mario Toupeira[?] | Mole Mario |
References[edit]
- ^ Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions in-game guide
- ^ a b Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga instruction manual, page 20.