Torpedo Ted
| Torpedo Ted | |||
|---|---|---|---|
.png) Model from New Super Mario Bros. U | |||
| First appearance | Super Mario World (1990) | ||
| Latest appearance | Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2025) | ||
| Variant of | Bullet Bill | ||
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| |||
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Torpedo Teds are enemies introduced in Super Mario World. They are a variant of Bullet Bills resembling anthropomorphic torpedoes that are dropped underwater by torpedo tubes, their equivalent to Bill Blasters. Torpedo Teds resemble Bullet Bills, having the same white arms, jet-black coloration, and black, fireproof metallic bodies. However, they have a more elongated form, a distinct, smug grin, eyes constantly squinted shut, and a rear propeller instead of a thruster.
History[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario World[edit]
Torpedo Teds are encountered only in Soda Lake in Super Mario World. They are dropped by four-fingered gloved arms protruding out of any of the nineteen torpedo tubes in the level, deployed in the direction of the player character. Following the same straight trajectory of their Bullet Bill cousins, Torpedo Teds are nevertheless noticeably faster. Torpedo Teds are nearly invincible in the original SNES game and can be only defeated by a Super Star, a powerup not present in Soda Lake. If they are somehow defeated, Torpedo Teds, which were not intended to be destructible, will glitch out, still propelling itself forward and damaging the player even as it falls off the screen. However, they can be properly defeated in the Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 version of Super Mario World. The player must play as Luigi and have a Yoshi eat the only other enemy in the level, a Blurp. Since a Yoshi holds enemies in its mouth and can spit them back out when ridden by Luigi, the player can defeat Torpedo Teds by spitting the Blurp out at the Torpedo Ted, earning 100 points in the process.
During development of Super Mario World, Bullet Bill–sized versions of Torpedo Ted were planned.[1] Additionally, the name "Water Killer" is present in prototype assets.[2]
Super Mario Galaxy[edit]
Torpedo Teds (erroneously referred to as Bullet Bills by Prima Games)[3][4] are enemies in Super Mario Galaxy and its Nintendo Switch port. They appear only in Buoy Base Galaxy and Drip Drop Galaxy, where they have a chrome coloration and mechanical-looking arms, three propeller blades instead of two, and are fired from cannons that resemble underwater Bill Blasters. Like the Bullet Bills featured in this game, they gain red eyes when they see the player character and home in on them rather than travel in a straight line, but unlike them, they produce light from their front and make a beeping noise based on how close they are to Mario. They can be defeated either as Rainbow Mario or by causing them to crash into an object. Torpedo Teds do not reappear in the sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2.
New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe[edit]
Torpedo Teds reappear in New Super Mario Bros. U. They retain their appearance and behavior from Super Mario World, though they are slightly longer, their propeller caps are red, and the propeller base is white. Similar to Bullet Bills, Torpedo Teds from opposite directions slide against each other on collision, slightly shifting their path in the process. The game also introduces a red version known as Targeting Teds. Launched from red Torpedo Bases, Targeting Teds home in on the player like their Bullet Bill equivalent, the Missile Bill, chasing them for a short time, flashing red twelve seconds after deployment, then exploding three seconds after that, though they will blow up prematurely upon hitting anything, whether it is their intended target or not. If the player freezes a Torpedo Ted, it breaks out immediately. Torpedo Teds can be defeated in Boost Mode and Super Boost Mode; in the former case, when it is frozen, the player can tap on the ice block quickly, while in the latter, players can defeat Torpedo Teds simply by tapping on them. Furthermore, freezing a Torpedo Ted while another is immediately behind it will defeat the frozen one.
Fourteen black Torpedo Bases appear in the second, water-filled room of Larry's Torpedo Castle (which also serves as the setting of the Penguin vs. Torpedo challenge), while a total of 38 individual Torpedo Teds not deployed by these bases can be found in the waters of first and third rooms, which are only partially flood. Similarly, in that level's version from New Super Luigi U, Larry's Trigger-Happy Castle, eleven Torpedo Teds can be found in the waters of the first section of the castle, with another eleven in the waters of the third room, while three red Torpedo Bases are encountered in the second room, which is entirely underwater. In The Mighty Cannonship of the former game, three red Torpedo Bases can be found in the second, water-filled room of the Airship. In the boss battles of the The Mighty Cannonship and its equivalent from New Super Luigi U, All Aboard!, Bowser Jr. deploys Targeting Teds with a claw from the bottom of his Junior Clown Car. These must be lured back at him since they are the only means to defeat him. Bowser Jr. summons three normal Torpedo Teds from each side of his room after being hit once, as well as eight more (four from the floor, four from the ceiling) after being struck a second time.
Super Mario World television series[edit]
A Torpedo Ted, though not named in this appearance, appears only in "Mama Luigi" of the Super Mario World television series. One attacks Luigi and Yoshi after they escape a pursuing Rip Van Fish up to the point of the duo reaching the surface. The Torpedo Ted misses both Luigi and Yoshi, who are saved by two friendly Dolphins.
Super Mario Kodansha manga[edit]
While Torpedo Teds appear in some Super Mario World-related stories, they are only seen when the heroes dive in Soda Lake in the first two chapters of Super Mario Bros. 4: Super Mario World 5. They are not given a personality, and instead one of their bases ends up getting a relevant role, when Mario discovers the body behind the hand.
Super Mario-kun[edit]
In Super Mario-kun, Torpedo Teds are depicted as normal missiles, without personalities. Like in the Kodansha manga, their bases end up having more relevance than them. However, in Chapter 6 of Volume 3, a Thwomp takes a Torpedo Ted to travel from Bowser's Castle to Chocolate Island to meet his former gang leader, conversing with the Ted like he was a taxi driver.
Super Princess Peach[edit]
Torpedo Teds appear in Super Princess Peach. They are encountered in a few underwater areas. Torpedo Teds behave similarly as in Super Mario World. There is also a Joy variant under the influence of the Vibe Scepter, transforming them into G. Torpedo Teds.
Mario Party series[edit]
Torpedo Teds appear in only two games of the Mario Party series. In Mario Party 10, Torpedo Teds are an obstacle in Blooper Blastoff, where they are fired out from Torpedo Bases, and if a player is hit by a Torpedo Ted, they spin out for one second. In Super Mario Party, a Torpedo Ted can sometimes appear in Rattle and Hmmm as one of the choices.
Profiles and statistics[edit]
Super Princess Peach[edit]
| Torpedo Ted | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Vibe | Vibeless | Levels | Wavy Beach 5-3 Wavy Beach 5-5 Gleam Glacier 6-8 Giddy Sky 7-5 Bowser's Villa 8-3 Bowser's Villa 8-4 |
| Glossary number | 57 | Glossary entry | An underwater version of Bullet Bill. Watch out! |
Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten[edit]
| トーピード (JP) / Torpedo Ted (EN) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Original text (Japanese) | Translation | ||
| ウエポン |
Tribe | Weapon clan | |
| Disposition | Ruinous type | ||
| ワールド | Game appearances | World | |
| かなりスピードがあるぞ キラー（P63 |
You're going pretty fast A member of the Bullet Bill (see p. 63) family, it is a type of underwater torpedo. They move through the water at great speed. Mario will have a hard time dodging them because it is difficult to control him underwater. | ||
Gallery[edit]
Super Mario World (cast roll)
Artwork for Super Mario World
Sprite sheet for Super Mario World containing graphics for a Bullet Bill–sized Torpedo Ted
Screenshot of the Super Mario World television show ("Mama Luigi")
A size chart for a 1996 Nintendo Character Manual
Super Mario Picture Book with Peel-and-Release Stickers 1: Get Yoshi Back
Sticker sheet from Super Mario Picture Book with Peel-and-Release Stickers 1: Get Yoshi Back
Model from Super Mario Galaxy
Model from Super Mario Galaxy
Model from Super Mario Galaxy
Screenshot of Super Mario Galaxy (before seeing player)
Screenshot of Super Mario Galaxy (after seeing player)
Model from New Super Mario Bros. U
Naming[edit]
Torpedo Teds' name follows the naming convention established by Bullet Bills, describing a type of ammunition and a single-syllable English given name. However, the names have a special connection, being a reference to the Bill & Ted franchise.
Names in other languages[edit]
The contemporaneous name for each language is listed first. Subsequent names are listed in chronological order for each language, from oldest to newest, and have the media they are associated with in the "notes" column.
| Language | Name | Meaning | Note(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | トーピード Tōpīdo |
Torpedo | [6][7][8] | |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 鱼雷先锋 Yúléi Xiānfēng |
From "鱼雷" (yúléi, "torpedo") and "炮弹先锋" (Pàodànxiānfēng, "Bullet Bill") | contemporary name within Chinese releases | [?] |
| 鱼雷刺客 Yúléi Cìkè |
From "鱼雷" (yúléi, "torpedo") and "炮弹刺客" (Pàodàncìkè, "Bullet Bill") | contemporary name within international releases | [9] | |
| 鱼雷杀手 Yúléi Shāshǒu |
Torpedo Bullet Bill | prior to New Super Mario Bros. Deluxe | [10] | |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 魚雷刺客 Yúléi Cìkè |
From「魚雷」(yúléi, "torpedo") and「炮彈刺客」(Pàodàncìkè, "Bullet Bill") | [11] | |
| Dutch | Torpedo Ted | - | [12] | |
| French | Ted Torpille | Torpedo Ted | [13][14][15] | |
| German | Torpedo-Ted | - | [16] | |
| Torpedo Ted | Super Mario World, Super Princess Peach | [17][18][19] | ||
| Torpedo | New Super Mario Bros. U | [20] | ||
| Italian | Ted Torpedine | Torpedo Ted | [21][22] | |
| Torpedine | Torpedo | New Super Mario Bros. U | [23] | |
| Ted torpedine | Torpedo Ted | New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | [24] | |
| Korean | 어뢰킬러 Eoroe Killeo |
Torpedo Bullet Bill | [25] | |
| Portuguese | Ted Torpedo | Torpedo Ted | [26] | |
| Torpedo | - | New Super Mario Bros. U | [27] | |
| Romanian | Ted Torpilă | Ted Torpedo | [28] | |
| Russian | Тед-торпеда Ted-torpeda |
Ted torpedo | [29] | |
| Торпедо Torpedo |
Torpedo | New Super Mario Bros. U | [30] | |
| Spanish | Ted Torpedo | Torpedo Ted | [31][32] | |
| Torpedo | - | New Super Mario Bros. U | [33] |
References[edit]
- ^ Verneri Kontto (July 24, 2020). Post. Twitter (English). Retrieved June 27, 2024.[dead link]
- ^ TCRF. Development:Super Mario World (SNES)/Background Graphics and Tilemaps/Credits § Enemy Cast List. The Cutting Room Floor (English). Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ "The warp pipe is encased in a steel-and-glass cage. Fortunately, there is a Bullet Bill torpedo tube nearby." – Black, Fletcher (November 9, 2007). Super Mario Galaxy PRIMA Official Game Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 978-0-7615-5643-5. Page 157.
- ^ "A massive weight hangs from the tower’s bottom. This holds the tower in place. Mario must somehow remove the weight. There is a torpedo tube in the side of the sea bowl. Swim over to it to catch the eyes of a Bullet Bill as it blasts into the water. Then, swim toward the weight with the Bullet Bill in tow. Quickly paddle to the weight’s other side so the Bullet Bill crashes into it. The explosion drops the weight, allowing several floating devices to rise. Now Mario can climb to the tower’s top." – Black. Super Mario Galaxy PRIMA Official Game Guide. Page 158.
- ^ 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 120.
- ^ 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 30.
- ^ Okamoto, Daisuke, and Norio Ando (STF) (2006). 『スーパー プリンセスピーチ任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-106268-7. Page 29.
- ^ Sakai, Kazuya (ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan), editors (2015). 『スーパーマリオブラザーズ百科: 任天堂公式ガイドブック』. Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 978-4-09-106569-8. Page 55, 127, 210.
- ^ 2021. 角色包 – 系列 3 #71394. LEGO (Simplified Chinese). Archived October 27, 2021, 03:38:29 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 Jun. 2025.
- ^ In-game name from the ending of the iQue version of Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2. (Archived 28 Aug. 2013 via Baidu Teiba by 无敌阿尔宙斯.)
- ^ 2021. 角色組合包－第 3 代 #71394. LEGO (Traditional Chinese). Archived January 24, 2022, 13:03:25 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 Jun. 2025.
- ^ 2021. Personagepakketten - serie 3 #71394. LEGO (Dutch). (Archived May 28, 2025, 21:00:25 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ In-game name from the ending of Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (French). (Archived 19 Nov. 2010 via YouTube by Diddy64wii.)
- ^ Glossaire (26 May 2006). Super Princess Peach by TOSE Software Co. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (French). (Archived via JeuxVideo by avav.)
- ^ Chaîne New Super Mario Bros. U (5 Feb. 2013). New Super Mario Bros. U - Défis : Le grand plongeon (Wii U). YouTube (French).
- ^ 2021. Mario-Charaktere-Serie 3 #71394. LEGO (German). Retrieved 2 Jun. 2025. (Archived October 21, 2021, 08:31:37 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ 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 18.
- ^ In-game name from the ending of Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (German). (Archived 15 Oct. 2011 via YouTube by Spendem.)
- ^ Glossar (26 May 2006). Super Princess Peach by TOSE Software Co. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). (Archived via YouTube by PonyPlays2014.)
- ^ New Super Mario Bros. U Kanal (5 Feb. 2013). New Super Mario Bros. U - Herausforderungen: Pinguin vs. Torpedo (Wii U). YouTube (German).
- ^ Glossario (26 May 2006). Super Princess Peach by TOSE Software Co. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Italian). (Archived via Mario's Castle.)
- ^ 2021. Pack Personaggi - Serie 3 #71394. LEGO (Italian). (Archived October 27, 2021, 01:54:58 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ Canale New Super Mario Bros. U (5 Feb. 2013). New Super Mario Bros. U - Sfide: Un pinguino contro le torpedini (Wii U). YouTube (Italian).
- ^ «Venire a contatto con un Ted torpedine significa perdere, ma devi comunque cercare di stargli vicino il più possibile e sgusciare fino al traguardo!» – Video extra (11 Jan. 2019). 144: Un pinguino contro le torpedini. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Italian).
- ^ 2021. 캐릭터팩 - 시즌 3 #71394. LEGO (Korean). (Archived January 19, 2022, 18:08:30 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ 2021. Packs de Personagens – Série 3 #71394. LEGO (European Portuguese). Retrieved 30 Mar. 2025. (Archived March 30, 2025, 17:27:05 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ Canal New Super Mario Bros. U (6 Feb. 2013). New Super Mario Bros. U - Desafios: Pinguim vs. Torpedo (Wii U). YouTube (European Portuguese). Retrieved 23 Aug. 2024.
- ^ 2021. Pachete de personaje - Seria 3 #71394. LEGO (Romanian). (Archived January 19, 2022, 18:08:30 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ 2021. Фигурки персонажей: серия 3 #71394. LEGO (Russian). Archived September 20, 2021, 12:26:21 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 Jun. 2025.
- ^ «Если вы коснетесь торпеды, вы проиграете, но вам придется находиться рядом с ней до конца уровня!» – Канал New Super Mario Bros. U (6 Feb. 2013). New Super Mario Bros. U - Challenges: Penguin vs. Torpedo (Wii U). YouTube (Russian).
- ^ In-game name from the ending of Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (European Spanish). (Archived 12 Sept. 2021 via YouTube by El Tiempo Es Ahora.)
- ^ 2021. Pachete de personaje - Seria 3 #71394. LEGO (European Spanish). (Archived October 18, 2021, 05:30:04 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ Canal New Super Mario Bros. U (6 Feb. 2013). New Super Mario Bros. U - Desafíos: Torpedo Polar (Wii U). YouTube (European Spanish).
