Roketon

Roketons are airborne enemies that served Tatanga during his invasion of Sarasaland during the events of Super Mario Land. The only visible part of a Roketon's body is its head, which resembles a Lakitu, to which they are assumed to be related. Instead of clouds, Roketons fly planes; these aircraft are based on either the MiG-15 or the improved design, the MiG-17; both are jet fighters of the former USSR.

Roketons only appeared in the final stage in the Chai Kingdom, Level 4-3, protecting the path to both Biokinton and Tatanga. If Mario succeeded in shooting the Roketon down before it left the screen, he would be awarded with 400 points. However, if a Roketon made its way past Mario in his Sky Pop, it would fire a Bullet Biff-like projectile backwards at the plumber. The official artwork also depicts cannonballs being shot forward out of the nose of the plane, but this feature was never used in the actual game.

Trivia

 * Interestingly enough, the Minions from the movie Despicable Me have similar heads to Roketons.