Lakilester

"My name is Lakilester... Er, no, it's Michael... No, um... Oh yeah... Spike. Yeah yeah, I'm Spike... Well whatever. Never mind."

- Lakilester

Lakilester (self-nicknamed Michael, Spike, and Jonathan (Japanese version only)) is a Lakitu who is the eighth and last party member to join Mario's party in Paper Mario. Lakilester is a portmanteau of "Lakitu" and "Lester", and is probably a pun on "lackluster". Lakilester joins Mario's team after he is defeated by the plumber, as well as abandoning the antagonists to do so. This trait is later carried on with Vivian from the sequel, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. His appearance is no different than an ordinary Lakitu, besides sporting a pair of shades and having more hair than an ordinary Lakitu's 3-lined hair. Lakilester also has a habit of saying "man" to try and sound "cool".

Paper Mario
In Flower Fields, after talking with the sun in his tower, Mario and his team find a Lakitu on the way to Cloudy Climb. He introduces himself by his nickname Michael, then Spike, then attacks. After he is defeated, a female Lakitu named Lakilulu comes and asks Mario not to finish Lakilester. Lakilester is annoyed and asks Lakilulu to call him Spike because it's his new name. Lakilester tells Mario that he is working for Huff N. Puff and asks him why he is trying to save the world. No matter what he answers, Lakilester thinks Mario is cool and joins the party. Lakilester wants to be stronger for his girlfriend, which is similar to Koops in the sequel. By using his field ability, Mario can hop on his cloud and move much quicker. He can also hover over certain surfaces, such as spikes and lava, without getting hurt. Though it is entirely possible to use Lakilester to travel over lava, he visibly struggles while doing so. He moves considerably slower and his cloud's expression changes to an angry frown. However, because Lakilester floats low over the ground, he cannot be used to cross gaps like Parakarry can.

Lakilester receives two letters at the Toad Town Post Office: one from Lakilulu and the other from Flight.

Super Paper Mario
In Super Paper Mario, Lakilester appears as a Catch Card found on the ninetieth floor of the Flopside Pit of 100 Trials. Lakilester also has unused sprite data for the game.

Super Mario-kun
Lakilester makes an appearance also in volume 26 of Super Mario-kun. As in the game, he initially attacks Mario. His moves include throwing a Spiny Surge while his cloud can use Hurricane. Mario and his partners eventually fight back by stacking each other and having Mario using this stack to reach Lakilester. Lakilester then joins Mario to help him on his quest.

Super Mario Odyssey
In 2023, a Lakilester Nintendo Switch user icon, based on his appearance in Paper Mario, was made available exclusively for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. As a result, if a player uses this icon, it will appear on balloons placed within Balloon World in Super Mario Odyssey.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Originally, Lakilester was going to make an appearance in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, but he was removed along with most of the other partners from the original Paper Mario.

Start Menu description

 * This wannabe talks like a tough guy to impress his girlfriend. Press to ride the cloud with him over spikes or lava. His specialty is throwing spiny eggs.

Nintendo Player's Guide description

 * Once compelled to fight for the forces of Bowser, the Lakitu with a 'tude will break his bonds with King Koopa and join your team. Even though it says "Lakilester" on his cloud riding license, the green-haired Spiny-tosser calls himself "Spike." You can ride with him over dangerous terrain.

Super Paper Mario Catch Card

 * Card Type: Rare
 * Card Description: This is Mario's good buddy Lakilester from Paper Mario. He played it cool in shades as he flew over lava.

Trivia

 * Lakilester's pupils can be seen when he is damaged in battle and unable to attack.