Spined Puffer

Needle Poppos are puffer fish-like enemies in Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. They do not attack, instead they defend themselves by using their retractable spikes. It is only when the spikes are down that Donkey Kong can use his sound wave attack to immobilize them. He can then punch the enemy until it is defeated, and it will explode, leaving five beats in its place.

Needle Poppos appear in underwater levels throughout the game.

Trivia

 * Needle Poppo exists as an unused model under the name RushAirFish in Super Mario Galaxy, missing all but its idle and puffing animations from Donkey Kong Jungle Beat.