Plungelo

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Plungelo
Artwork of a Plungelo in Super Mario Sunshine.
Artwork of a Plungelo
First appearance Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
Latest appearance Super Mario 3D All-Stars (2020)
Variant of Cataquack
Relatives
“So, we need to get rid of those Plungelos that are up there!”
Noki, Super Mario Sunshine

Plungelos, also called Giant Cataquacks,[1] Chuhanas,[2] and Red Cataquacks,[3] are parrot-like creatures that appear as miniature bosses in Super Mario Sunshine. They possess round bodies with beak-like mouths as well as flowers on their heads. Their bodies resemble Wiggler segments. They furthermore have plungers for feet (hence the name), allowing them to maintain their footing even on inclined surfaces. Plungelos bear a resemblance to Cataquacks, but they do not exhibit any of their characteristic behavior.

Mario fighting three Plungelos on a solar panel

Six Plungelos appear in Super Mario Sunshine, together with a giant Wiggler. They temporarily take up residence on Isle Delfino's Gelato Beach during the second episode, Mirror Madness! Tilt, Slam, Bam! Here, they can be seen moving around on the three large mirrors situated around the Shine Tower, each having a different number of Plungelos on it: one, two, and three. Their weight knocks the mirrors out of focus and prevents them from redirecting the sun's light into the Sand Bird egg, thereby posing a threat to the Sand Bird's hatching process. A battle starts whenever Mario sets foot on a mirror with at least one Plungelo on it. Plungelos have plunger feet that protect them from losing their footing on the mirror, so to defeat them, Mario has to push them to the edge of the mirror with FLUDD, causing them to lift one of their feet and weaken their footing. After doing so, Mario then has to ground-pound the opposite side of the mirror to launch the Plungelo off. When one of the Plungelos is sprayed with water, the other ones become aggressive and chase Mario. Once every Plungelo is defeated, the three mirrors swing back into their original position, and Mario obtains the episode's Shine Sprite.

While Plungelos do not appear in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour or Mario Golf: Advance Tour, the name "Plungelo" can be seen on score charts.

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning
Japanese チュウハナ
Chūhana
From「チュウ」(chū, onomatopoeia for a chirping or kissing sound) and「ポイハナ」(Poihana, Cataquack)

French Plungelo
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German Plungelo
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Italian Sturapapero
Portmanteau of sturalavandino (plunger) and Catapapero (Cataquack)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Loe, Casey. Super Mario Sunshine Perfect Guide. Page 57.
  2. ^ Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh. Super Mario Sunshine BradyGames Official Strategy Guide. Page 64.
  3. ^ Hodgson, David S J, Bryan Stratton, and Stephen Stratton. Super Mario Sunshine Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 19.