Bill Blaster: Difference between revisions

|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)|Super Mario RPG]]'' ([[Nintendo Switch]]) ([[List of games by date#2023|2023]])

|variants=[[Air Cannon]]<br>[[B. Bill Blaster]]<br>[[Banzai Bill Cannon]]<br>[[Big Blaster]]<br>[[Bill Blaster Turret]]<br>[[Bull's-Eye Blaster]]<br>[[Chomp box]]<br>[[Gold Bill Blaster]]<br>[[Torpedo tube]]

|subject_origin=[[Cannon]]

|comparable=[[Burner]]

'''Bill Blasters''', originally known as a '''Turtle Cannons'''<ref>Hiroo Tochikubo, ''[[How to win at Super Mario Bros.]]'', Tokuma Shoten, 1987, ISBN 4-19-720003-XC. Page 14.</ref><ref>''Nintendo Power'' Volume 13, page 9. "''Turtle Cannons relentlessly fire this living, deadly projectile at Mario.''"</ref> and also referred to as '''Bullet Bill Cannons''',<ref>M. Arakawa. ''NES Game Atlas'' Page 35. "''If you stay close to pipes with Piranha Flowers inside, they won’t come out. Likewise, Bullet Bill Cannons won't fire if you’re near.''"</ref> simply '''Cannons''',<ref>Nintendo ''Mario Mania'' Player's Guide. Page 167.</ref> '''Blasters''', or '''Bullet Bill Launchers''',<ref>''[[Prima Games|Playing With Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics eGuide]]'', ''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island'' Confidential Information Tab.</ref> are black cannons that fire [[Bullet Bill]]s from either side. Bill Blasters are usually used as defense emplacements in [[fortress]]es and [[castle]]s. While some Bill Blasters are pure black, others have a design (usually a skull icon) emblazoned on their sides.

Bill Blasters are immobile and usually indestructible, as they are commonly part of the environment, although they are enemies that are capable of being defeated in some RPGs. Some of them briefly expand in size before shooting Bullet Bills, such as in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' and ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''. While they cannot move around, some Bill Blasters in more recent games have been shown to be able to rotate, like a turret. Due to their nature, they are usually paired with Bullet Bills as their main attack.

[[File:Bill Blaster Perfect.png|thumb|120px|''[[Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia]]'' artwork]]

In ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]'', Turtle Cannons return and this time are found in even more difficult places. They now are more common and act just the same as they did in ''Super Mario Bros.'' They sometimes appear in underwater levels, where in the original, their details are colored green due to having the same palette as the scenery; though they do not fire any Bullet Bills. They are colored normally in the ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'' version.

Turtle Cannons appear in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''. They first appear on {{world-link|1|airship3|World 1-Airship (Super Mario Bros. 3)}} along with [[cannon]]s. They are also invincible. They appear numerous times on all airships, tanks, and boats. Some fire [[Bull's-Eye Bill|Missile Bill]]s. Horizontal [[Burner|Rocket Engine]]s reuse the top part of a Turtle Cannon.

In ''[[Super Mario World]]'', Turtle Cannons can be found in the [[Sunken Ghost Ship]] and [[Outrageous]]. This game also introduces the [[torpedo tube]], which shoots [[Torpedo Ted]]s.

[[File:SML2BillBlaster.png|left|frame]]

In ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'', Turtle Cannons can be seen in some levels of [[Mario Zone]]. In this game, they appear more box-shaped, but still fire [[Bullet Bill]]s at a periodic rate.

[[File:Bullet Bill SM64.png|thumb|A Blaster as it appears in ''Super Mario 64'']]

A single Blaster appears in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. This Blaster is found on the top of the tower in [[Whomp's Fortress]] after the player defeats the [[Whomp King]]. It looks drastically different from its previous appearances, more resembling a simple gray box with a hole for launching Bullet Bills rather than an actual cannon. This is the only game in which Mario can force a Blaster to fire; it will do so if he performs a [[Ground Pound|Pound the Ground]] attack on top of it.

 

In ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'', another Blaster appears in Whomp's Fortress in the new area surrounding the fortress, after a large gap, and more can be found in [[Dire, Dire Docks]] before the player completes [[Bowser in the Fire Sea]]. The ability to force out a Bullet Bill via a Pound the Ground attack has been removed, and Blasters can now be destroyed using a [[Super Mushroom|mushroom]].

[[File:SMG Megaleg Head Bullet Bills.png|thumb|Several Bill Blasters in ''Super Mario Galaxy'']]

In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', Bill Blasters (referred to as '''Bullet Bill cannons''')<ref>Fletcher Black. ''Super Mario Galaxy: PRIMA Official Game Guide (Collector's Edition)''. Roseville: [[Prima Games]], 2007. Page 55. ISBN: 978-0-76155-713-5.</ref> appear in many of the game's levels. They are often found on planets or other areas where various items are trapped in cages, where [[Mario]] must lure a [[Bullet Bill]] from the Bill Blaster to the cage or cages in order to access what is inside. Their appearance here is more typical of a cannon and noticeably lacks the familiar skull icon. The Bullet Bills they shoot out will home in on Mario upon becoming aware of his presence. Some Bill Blasters can be destroyed by luring the Bullet Bill back. Others are too far into their base for one to reach.

Bill Blasters as well as [[Bill Blaster Turret]]s and [[Banzai Bill Cannon]]s reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' and act the same as in ''New Super Mario Bros.'' Unlike in ''New Super Mario Bros.'', they are again invincible, as the [[Mega Mushroom]] is absent from the game. Bill Blasters also briefly expand when shooting Bullet Bills.

[[File:SM3DL Bullet Bill.PNG|thumb|Bill Blasters firing Bullet Bills in World 2-5.]]

Bill Blasters reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', behaving identically as before. '''{{conjectural|Gold Bill Blasters}}''' are golden versions of a Bill Blaster that are created by a [[Gold Ring]], and fire [[Gold Bullet Bill]]s.

Bill Blasters and Bill Blaster Turrets reappear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'', behaving the same way it did in previous games. This time, [[Roy Koopa]] utilizes a cannon in his boss battle. In the game's code, a [[List_of_New_Super_Mario_Bros._U_pre-release_and_unused_content#Unused_data|variant]] of the blaster that can stretch up and down appears, similar to ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''.<ref> [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAr7S85SsqU Glitches, Skips, and Broken Stuff in New Super Mario Bros. U] </ref>

In ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' and its [[Nintendo Switch]] port ''[[Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury]]'', Bill Blasters appear in various levels, behaving the same as in ''Super Mario 3D Land''. In this game, they resemble their appearances in the first three ''Paper Mario'' games, and are also capable of firing [[Cat Bullet Bill]]s.

[[File:Img mashiko 02.gif|thumb|left|[[Mary O.]] hammering on a Bill Blaster]]

Although static objects, Bill Blasters are affected by gravity and will fall down if positioned in mid-air or bounce on [[Springboard]]s continuously if placed atop them. In addition, they will slowly sink into [[lava]] if they end up there. They can also be attached to [[track]]s and glide along them.

Bill Blasters can be destroyed by pounding them with a big [[Goomba's Shoe|Stiletto]] or the smoke clouds it releases.

 

===''Yoshi's Island'' series===

Bill Blasters return in ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]'', although this time, like the Bullet Bills themselves, they are colored black like in the ''Super Mario'' series. They appear in [[The Goonie Coast Isn't Clear!]], [[Welcome to Yoshi Tower!]], [[Bessie Bass's Battleship]], [[Return of the Moving Chomp Rock!]], [[Island of Peril]], [[Let There Be Light!]], and [[Superhard Acrobatics!]]

{{multiframe|[[File:YNI Bill Blaster 1.png]][[File:YNI Bill Blaster 2.png]]|''Yoshi's New Island''}}

In ''[[Yoshi's New Island]]'', Bill Blasters, as well as the Bullet Bills they shoot, return retaining their appearance from the main ''Super Mario'' games. There are also Bill Blasters that have a cannon in only one side.

 

 

Blasters are used by [[Booster]] as defense emplacements in [[Booster Tower]]. Occasionally, Blasters shoot a special golden Bullet Bill called a [[Blazer]], capable of instantly knocking out the target.

An upgraded version of the Blaster later appears in [[Bowser's Castle#Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars|Bowser's Keep]] under the name [[Big Blaster]].

Blasters make an appearance in ''[[Yoshi's Story]]'' where they look slightly different. Much like previous games, most shoot Bullet Bills forward, though some will shoot them upward.

In ''[[Paper Mario]]'', three Bill Blasters appear under their current name in [[Koopa Bros. Fortress]] right before facing the [[Koopa Bros.]] themselves. They are considered separate enemies from the Bullet Bills they launch. They must be destroyed before [[Mario]] and his allies can end the battle and progress through the level. In the field, the Bill Blasters fire Bullet Bills at Mario. If hit, Mario and his friends have to fight the Bullet Bills before continuing to the Bill Blasters.

In battle, Bill Blasters cannot directly attack Mario; instead, they fire Bullet Bills, which become independent enemies that attack Mario. A Bill Blaster has an unlimited supply of Bullet Bills; the cannons will continue firing Bullet Bills until defeated. However, they skip every other turn, limiting their rate of shooting Bullet Bills. Jumping attacks are generally ineffective against Bill Blasters, as their hard armor protects against such attacks.

Bill Blasters return in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' and are first encountered in the [[Pirate's Grotto]], and appear quite often there as well. They look exactly the same, though more refined with the improved graphics, and their battle strategy was largely unchanged. They still shoot out Bullet Bills to attack for them, but now have a new move, which allows them to shoot out two Bullet Bills instead of one, which they sometimes use if not accompanied by another Bill Blaster. They can also shoot Bullet Bills higher in the air, where they cannot be targeted by ground-based moves such as Mario's [[Hammer]]. Unlike in ''Paper Mario'', Bill Blasters shoot Bullet Bills every turn, instead of skipping every other turn.

===''Mario Kart DS''===

In ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', a single Bill Blaster appears in [[DS Airship Fortress|Airship Fortress]] firing Bullet Bills from the airship at racers, while other Bill Blasters can be seen on the airship section of the race course.

 

In ''[[Itadaki Street DS]]'', Bill Blasters are the cannons that appear from the cannon spaces on boards representing the ''Super Mario'' franchise.

Bill Blasters appear in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' as enemies in [[smashwiki:Smash Run|Smash Run]]. They sit in place, and do not move as they take damage. Unusually, in addition to firing Bullet Bills, they may also fire other enemies, such as [[Koopa Troopa]]s or [[Shy Guy]]s.

===''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS''===

{{SSB4 trophy

|name=Bill Blaster

|image=[[File:BillBlasterTrophy3DS.png|100px]]

|category=Enemy

|unlock=Random

|desc=Usually a big cannon with a skull on it is a clear sign that it's time to flee. Running away isn't an option in the Super Mario series, though. It may be known as the Bill Blaster, but it can occasionally fire Koopas or Shy Guys instead. Take it out before it's out of ammo for more goodies!

|desc2=Usually, seeing a cannon with a skull on it would be your sign to run, and that's true in the Mario series as well...but with Bullet Bills speeding towards you, it's harder than it looks! Despite the name, they'll sometimes fire Koopas or Shy Guys in this game, just for variety. Take it down before it's out of ammo to get more goodies!

}}

SMW2 Turtle Cannon green.png|''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''

SMW2 Turtle Cannon yellow.png|''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island''

BillBlasterYS.png|''[[Yoshi's Story]]''

Story Turtle Cannon follow.png|''Yoshi's Story''

|Jap=キラーたいほう <small>(''Paper Mario'' series)</small> / キラー大砲 <small>(''Mario Story'')</small>

|JapM=[[Bullet Bill#Names in other languages|Bullet Bill]] Cannon

|Jap2M=Bullet Bill Artillery

|Jap3=ほうだい <small>(''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga|Mario & Luigi RPG]]'')</small>

|Jap3R=Hōdai

|ChiS=大炮 <small>(''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'')</small>

|ChiSR=Dàpào

|ChiSM=Cannon

|ChiS2=弹头杀手炮台

|ChiS2R=Dàntóu Shāshǒu Pàotái

|ChiS2M=Bullet Bill Cannon

|ChiS3=炮弹刺客炮台 <small>(since ''Super Mario Maker 2'')</small>

|Ger=Willi-Blaster

|Ger2=Willi-Kanone

|Ger2M=Bill Cannon

|ItaM=Bill cannon

|KorM=Bullet Bill Cannon

|SpaA=Lanza Bill

|SpaAM=Bill Shoot

|SpaA2=Cañón Bill <small>(''Paper Mario: Sticker Star'' and ''Super Mario Maker 2'')</small>

|SpaA2M=Bill Cannon

|SpaEM=Bill Cannon

|SpaE2=Bill Blaster <small>(''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'')</small>

|Jap=ギラーの発射台<ref>{{cite|publisher=Shogakukan|date=2015|title=''[[Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia|Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook]]'', ''Super Mario Land'' section|page=48}}</ref>

{{SMM2}}

{{TSMBM}}}}

[[Category:Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!]]