Spikey (Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars)

Spikeys are common creatures that appear in the game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. They heavily resemble the Spinies from the original Super Mario Bros. and other Mario series titles, but unlike Spinies, Spikeys are bipedal and have their heads tucked into their shells. Also like Spinies, Spikeys can be dropped from above by Lakitus. They are first seen in Mushroom Way, and later appear in Bandit's Way, the Pipe Vault, and Booster Pass. Spikeys have a green-shelled relative called Spikesters. Coincidentally, Spikesters also appear in Booster Pass. Additionally, Spikey has a purple counterpart called Oerlikon that appears in Barrel Volcano.

At Mushroom Way, Spikeys appear in the last section of the level, being dropped by a Lakitu that hovers overhead (and cannot be attacked). This Lakitu will drop Spikeys until there are about four on the ground, and will replenish their numbers as Mario defeats the creatures in combat. Once dropped to the ground, a Spikey will wander around the area until it bumps into Mario, prompting a battle to begin. A couple Spikeys even hide behind bushes to ambush Mario as he walks by. If they miss, they will return into hiding, waiting for their next opportunity to strike. The Spikeys of Bandit's Way are a bit more aggressive, as they will attack Mario on sight and actively pursue him if they miss.

In battle, a Spikey attacks by either rolling up into a spiked ball and striking its opponent, or by shooting a spike at its target. Mario cannot jump on a Spikey with any of his jump attacks, unless he is wearing a pair of Jump Shoes. Although he will not be hurt by its spikes, the Spikey will receive no damage. Indeed, a Spikey's Psychopath thought even dares Mario to try to jump on it, knowing full well the attack will be futile (without the Jump Shoes). Likewise, a Spikey cannot be eaten by Yoshi if Mario's party uses a Yoshi Cookie, presumably because of the Spikey's shell of sharp spikes.

Spikeys often attack in groups of two or three, and will sometimes be accompanied into battle by a Sky Troopa or a Frogog. In Bandit's Way, Spikeys will also appear alongside Goombas and K-9s. Spikeys appear in the Pipe Vault as well, although by this point in the game they are extremely weak compared to Mario's party. Besides attacking alongside Goombas like in Bandit's Way, Spikeys also appear in the Goomba Thumping mini-game inside the Pipe Vault, where they cause Mario to lose one point if he jumps on them, again because of their sharp spikes.

The last area Spikeys are encountered is in Booster Pass. They serve as obstacles in the level's hidden obstacle course, which can only be accessed after pressing a certain switch in Booster Tower. The obstacle course serves as a training ground for Booster's Apprentices -- Spookums training to become full-fledged Snifits. Part of the Apprentices' training is constantly jumping from ledge to ledge over scores of Spikeys, honing their skills while trying to avoid the Spikeys' spiny shells. After Mario unlocks the hidden area, the mustachioed plumber can also jump over the Spikeys if he wishes, and doing so will allow him to reach a trio of Treasure Boxes filled with goodies. On the other hand, Mario can also jump down from the ledge to fight the Spikeys if he pleases, although the Spikeys are not much of a match for his party and offer little Experience Points and Coins this late in the game. These Spikeys always fight in pairs, either with another Spikey or a Sky Troopa.

Trivia

 * Spikeys have a unused sub-species named Super Spike.