Pokey (projectile)

The projectile variety of Pokeys, initially referred to as Needlenoses or Needles, are small, round enemies first appearing in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. They are yellow or green cactuses shaped like a spiky ball with a smiling face, commonly thrown by certain enemies to attack Yoshi.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island / Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Both the green and yellow variations of Needles debut in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 as common enemies. Yellow Needles are spat out by Blow Hards and Wild Ptooie Piranhas in Yoshi's direction. When they hit a surface or Yoshi himself, they will pop and disappear.

Green Needles are often seen bouncing on top of Pokey cacti, dropped by Baron von Zeppelins, or thrown by Seedy Sallies. They are also spat out by Sanbo Flowers if Yoshi has less than six eggs, with the unique property of simply falling off the screen and not coming into contact with any surface.

Needles will damage Yoshi on contact. However, they can be defeated by eating and spitting them at other enemies, turning them into eggs, or throwing an egg at them.

Yoshi Touch & Go
In Yoshi Touch & Go, Needles appear as projectiles tossed out by Ukikis. They can be destroyed by throwing eggs at them.

Yoshi's Island DS
Both varieties of Pokeys reappear in Yoshi's Island DS, reprising their role from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. While Blow Hards, Wild Ptooie Piranhas, and Baron von Zeppelins return, Pokey cacti are absent. Yellow Pokeys are also used by Priscilla the Peckish to attack.

Yoshi's New Island
Pokeys reappear in Yoshi's New Island with the same purpose from previous games. Wild Ptooie Piranhas do not appear here, but green Pokeys are still found with Pokey cacti and Baron von Zeppelins.

Sanbo Flowers only appear during Kamek's battle in Slime Drop Drama, and spit out yellow Pokeys instead of green ones as in previous games.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
A yellow Pokey appears in the artwork used for Ukiki's spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

 * Player's Guide: Nothing puts a smile on Needle's face like a chance to puncture Yoshi's party.

Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3

 * Shogakukan guide: さくてもサボテン. ふむとイタいにあうぞ！にぶらがっててきたり、にっててくることもある. (A rather small cactus. You'll be sorry if you step on it! It sometimes hangs from a balloon or rides in a pot.)