Gnat Attack

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Gnat Attack in Mario Paint.

Gnat Attack[1] is a minigame originating in Mario Paint, in which the player must swat different fly-like enemies using a flyswatter.

History[edit]

Mario Paint[edit]

Icons that appear at the top left corner of the screen from beating Gnat Attack
All 15 icons

In Mario Paint, the player controls a gloved hand (similar to the one seen on the title screen) holding a flyswatter using the Super NES Mouse, which must swat flying insects on the screen, before the insect stings the player's hand in one way or another. There are three levels, each with 100 insects; after defeating them, the boss, King Watinga, appears. Completing stages causes characters to walk across the screen. At first, only Mario is seen, then a Koopa Troopa walks next to him, and finally a Goomba, a Spiny, and a Bob-omb. When the player defeats the last boss, it takes them back to level one and adds a small icon in the top left corner of the screen; there is no final level or reward, as the game will loop endlessly, getting slightly harder each time.

WarioWare series[edit]

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$![edit]

Gnat Attack was modified into both a microgame and a bonus minigame in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, under the names Mario Paint: Fly Swatter and plain Fly Swatter, respectively. The microgame involved shooting the flies as they flew past a fixed target, while the minigame was more faithful to Gnat Attack's gameplay.

WarioWare: D.I.Y.[edit]

In WarioWare: D.I.Y., Gnat Attack was modified into a microgame, under the name Fly Swatter.

WarioWare Gold[edit]

In WarioWare Gold, Gnat Attack was modified into a microgame, under the name Mario Paint - Flyswatter.

Super Mario Maker[edit]

Gnat Attack as it appears in Super Mario Maker.
Gnat Attack in Super Mario Maker

Gnat Attack makes a return in Super Mario Maker. The minigame is triggered when the player taps and kills all three flies that appear during the editing mode at one particular time. The flies appear either after waiting 15 minutes while leaving the game idle, moving a block, or shaking a Muncher several times; the second method only works at random, and the third is the fastest in terms of effectiveness. Swatting all three flies using the GamePad touchscreen will trigger the minigame. It is split into three stages, with King Watinga appearing in the third stage, like in Mario Paint; each stage is completed once all of the flies in it are swatted, like in the SNES version. Since the game now uses the stylus in place of a mouse, there is no mouse cursor and therefore no need for health; instead, each stage is given a 30-second time limit. The Builder Mario costume for Costume Mario is unlocked upon beating the third stage of this game for the first time. Upon losing any stage or winning the third, the player is given an option to restart at Level 1 or quit to the editor; the game can also be exited early by pausing and touching the can of insect repellent.

The 1.20 update for Super Mario Maker released on November 4, 2015 adds a more challenging version of Gnat Attack with a pink background. It is accessible by shaking a Muncher until King Watinga spawns, then swatting him several times. Completing this mode will unlock the Fighter Fly costume for Costume Mario.

Gnat Attack does not appear in the Nintendo 3DS version, Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, or the sequel, Super Mario Maker 2.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Artwork of the Flies & Hand Assist Trophy

Elements of the minigame appear as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, under the name Flies & Hand. The flyswatter will hurt any enemies that make contact with it trying to hit the flies.

Unused appearances[edit]

Mario Artist: Paint Studio[edit]

The version of Gnat Attack in a pre-release build of Mario Artist: Paint Studio.
Gnat Attack in the Mario Artist: Paint Studio prototype

Gnat Attack appears in an early prototype build of Mario Artist: Paint Studio found and preserved in June 2020. It was completely removed in the final product. Like in Mario Paint, the minigame has three levels and one boss level and loops endlessly. However, this version takes place in a house, more specifically a bathroom, a bedroom, a kitchen, and a living room respectively. Additionally, the flies have a different appearance.[2][3]

Enemies[edit]

Enemy Image Battle style
Fly A single fly from Gnat Attack Flies across screen; cannot harm the hand.
Big Fly Big Fly from Gnat Attack Can fire projectiles. First enemy that can harm the hand.
Fly Parent Fly Parent from Gnat Attack Births Fly Children if not swatted quickly. Very aggressive; goes after the hand. In Super Mario Maker, they appear in the second stage.
Fly Bomb Fly Bomb from Gnat Attack Homes in and explodes when they get too close to the hand. Explosions can harm the hand. In Super Mario Maker, they appear during the third stage (and every stage in hard mode, and in horde) and one second is lost if they explode.
King Watinga King Watinga The minigame's boss. Fires projectiles at the hand. Takes 20 hits to kill. In Super Mario Maker, he only spawns Fly Children and vanishes until all the children are swatted.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirit[edit]

Name Image Game Type Class Effect How to obtain Spirit battle
Opponents Battle conditions Stage Song
Flies & Hand Flies & Hand SSBU.png Mario Paint Series Support (1) Advanced Battering Items ↑ Beedle's Tent; Spirit Board Giant Donkey Kong, Dark Pit ×4 Rule: Assist Trophy Enemies (Flies & Hand); Item: Food
  • Survive until the timer runs out
  • Hostile assist trophies will appear
Living Room Mario Paint Medley

See also[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese ゲーム[4]
Gēmu
Game

French Attaque des moucherons
Gnat Attack
Italian Splattamosca
Splat-fly
Portuguese (NOE) Ataque aos Insetos[5]
Attack against Insects

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mario Paint English instruction booklet, pages 2 and 29.
  2. ^ Hard4Games (June 20, 2020). N64 DD Blue Disk Found | Mario Artist: Paint Studio Prototype. YouTube. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  3. ^ LuigiBlood (June 20, 2020). Mario Artist Paint Studio (1999-02-11 Prototype) - Gnat Attack Showcase. YouTube. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  4. ^ Mario Paint Japanese instruction booklet, page 38.
  5. ^ Nintendo Portugal. (October 29, 2015). Super Mario Maker - Atualização de novembro (Wii U). YouTube. Retrieved January 10, 2021.