Poochy

Poochy (Japanese name: Pochi) is dog that appears in the Yoshi series of video games. Poochy's name is sometimes spelled "Poochie" or "Poochey".

Yoshi's Helper
Poochy first shows up in level 2-1 of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, "Visit Koopa and Parakoopa". After that, he shows up in subsequent levels throughout the game. Poochy is an excitable little dog who looks quite happy to see Yoshi and Baby Mario. Yoshi can hop on Poochy's head and allow Poochy to transport him through whatever section they happen to be in. Controllable in a sense, Poochy will run whatever direction Yoshi faces. By jumping onto higher-up platforms, Yoshi can also make Poochy jump. Riding around on Poochy is preferable because he can walk on surfaces Yoshi can't â€” spikes, for example â€” and also because Poochy can plow through many enemies that Yoshi would otherwise have to fight himself. A developer favorite, Poochy even gets his own stage: an unlockable and especially difficult one called "Poochy Ain't Stupid."

Poochy shows up again in the sequel, Yoshi's Story. In this game, Poochy appears to be much smaller, but still helps Yoshi by sniffing out hidden items â€” notable especially because in any appearance Poochy has made in any game, Nintendo has never depicted him as having a nose.

Other Appearances
Poochy, was in an early screenshot from Paper Mario.Poochy also appears in Tetris Attack, as a character that Yoshi must initially beat in a one-on-one match of the game's panel-flipping puzzles. After Yoshi beats him, the player can select to play as Poochy, though the difference ultimately amounts to cheerful barks as opposed to Yoshi's mutterings. Poochy replaces the earth fairy Thiana from Panel de Pon, the Japanese title that Nintendo remade to create Tetris Attack.

In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Poochy makes an easily missable cameo in the background decor of the "Baby Park" racetrack. All of the amusement park rides in the background are themed with characters from the Yoshi games, and Poochy is not exception.