Buzzy Shell

A Buzzy Shell (also called a Buzzy Beetle Shell in Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS) is the Buzzy Beetle equivalent of the shell worn by Koopa Troopas. Like its counterpart, after the Buzzy Beetle retracts into its shell after being stomped on, it can be kicked to send it sliding along the ground, defeating any enemy it hits. Unlike Koopa Shells, however, Buzzy Shells are fireproof.

In Super Mario World, if a Buzzy Shell is taken into a Warp Pipe, the shell becomes empty and can be held indefinitely. If Yoshi eats a Buzzy Shell, he swallows it immediately, unlike with a Koopa Shell.

In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, the Flashy Shell sticker depicts a Buzzy Shell. When it is used, Mario stomps on a Buzzy Beetle, sending it into its shell, and kicks the shell to attack enemies.

In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Nabbit may take out a Buzzy Shell while battling alongside the Mario Bros. during the Bad Nabbit mission. He then imitates the 3D Red Shell Bros. Attack, with either Mario or Luigi.

In Super Mario Maker, Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Mario Maker 2, the Buzzy Shell appears as an item Mario can wear on his head. It is created by shaking a Buzzy Beetle in the editor mode to make it hide inside its shell. When an empty Buzzy Shell falls onto Mario's head or he crouches while holding it (except in the Super Mario Bros. style), he wears the shell as a helmet, becomes Buzzy Mario, and can take an extra hit. The Buzzy Shell also protects Mario from Spike Traps that are above his head, along with enemies attacking from above (such as Thwomps), for as long as the player is wearing one. The Buzzy Shell can also knock enemies upward. They make the collision sound effect when deflected. Buzzy Shells can deflect enemy attacks and defeat certain enemies instantly. When Mario ducks as Small Mario, walking enemies bounce off him as if he were a wall. Buzzy Shells can allow Small Mario to break Brick Blocks.

The Buzzy Shells can be kicked and act similarly to any other shell that slides along the ground, meaning they can harm Mario on contact while sliding unless he touches one from below, in which he wears the shell. If empty Buzzy Shells are shot out of a Bill Blaster, they cannot be stomped, but Mario can ride the shells instead.

Once wearing the Buzzy Shell, Mario cannot take it off willingly unless he takes damage or collects a Mystery Mushroom. However, a glitch does exist that allows Mario to wear the Buzzy Shell while using the Costume Mario power-up, but it can be executed only in the Course Maker. The glitch was fixed as of version 1.30. In edit mode, Mario can be shaken to remove the Buzzy Shell, as well as reverting back to Small Mario if any other power-up was given to him.

Buzzy Shells make a minor appearance in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, where they are donated by Buzzy Beetles to repair the Koopa Cruiser, although Captain Koopa Troopa's rhymes nearly cause them to be taken back.