Amp

Amps are small, electrified metal balls featured in several levels of Super Mario 64. Similar to Li'l Sparkys and Hotheads, they move around objects and platforms and if Mario comes into contact with one, he will be shocked and lose some of his health. Amps can only be defeated by a Mega Mushroom, Shell, or a Starman. This can only be attempted on New Super Mario Bros.

They appear in various games in the Mario Party series. in Mario Party 4, the Sparky Sticker was made as a sticker of an amp. They were renamed Zaps for the next Mario Parties. A Zap Orb appeared in Mario Party 6 and Mario Party 7. They also appeared in Mario Party 5, but they were referred to by the traditional name of "Amps". An Amp also appeared in the Mario Party 8 Mini-Game Spector Inspector. Amps can also be seen in Super Mario 64 DS.

Amps reappear as an uncommon enemy in New Super Mario Bros, in several Tower levels. In the game's Strategy Guide, Amps were mistakenly classified as types of Chain Chomps.

Amps can also be found in many areas of Super Mario Galaxy, including the Buoy Base Galaxy, the Battlerock Galaxy, and the Dreadnought Galaxy.

Amps originally sported white "cross-popping" veins, joyful red eyes, and rounded metallic lips with a pure red mouth. Since Super Mario 64 DS and Mario Party 7, their appearance has been changed a bit. They now have more jagged yellow eyes and a larger, jagged mouth. Their lips are now white, with a pink tongue and black interior being visible inside the mouth. They are also now black rather than grayish and sport no angry veins.

Trivia

 * Their name stems from "ampere" (often shortened to "amp"), the standard unit of measurement for the speed of electrical currents.


 * There are only two Amps that chase Mario in Super Mario 64, both found inside the pyramid of Shifting Sand Land. However, these Amps do not reappear in the DS remake.