Cactus

From the Super Mario Wiki, the Mario encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
This article is about a recurring plant. For the type of item container found in Donkey Kong Country Returns, see Item container § Donkey Kong Country Returns / Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D.
Cactus
Artwork of a cactus from Super Mario Odyssey.
Artwork from Super Mario Odyssey
First appearance Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988)
Latest appearance Mario Golf: Super Rush (2021)
Comparable
“Cacti also have flowers, did you know that? I haven't seen any, though... Do people eat cacti?”
Goombario, Paper Mario

Cactuses (or "cacti") are spiny desert plants that commonly appear as background objects, though occasionally they can be interacted with. In the Mario franchise, cactuses are most often represented by the Pokey enemy and its relatives.

History

Super Mario series

Super Mario Bros. 2

In Super Mario Bros. 2, tall cacti appear as platforms in desert stages. Compared to most of the other platforms in the game, they often appear in large groups, with the player needing to go over each. Pokeys can travel through them, making them a slight obstacle.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

Sand Sailer.png

In Super Mario Galaxy 2, cactuses appear as obstacles in the Slipsand Galaxy, specifically in Sailing the Sandy Seas. They temporarily destroy pieces of the Sand Bird when it runs into them, creating gaps.

Super Mario Odyssey

Cactuses later appear in Super Mario Odyssey, where they are found throughout the Sand Kingdom. If Mario runs into one of them, he will lose a piece of his Health Meter and a few of the thorns from the cactus will get stuck on his body. Mario can also destroy cactuses by running through them while riding Jaxi. Some smaller, round cactuses appear in the Sand Kingdom as well, and they behave the same way. One cactus can be captured and moved in order to reveal a shining spot that Mario can ground-pound to reveal a Power Moon.

Mario Kart series

In Mario Kart 64, cacti appear in Kalimari Desert and and its second version as stationary obstacles that block the player, acting similar to trees. They return in the course's reappearances in Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart Tour. In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, cacti appear in the same capacity in Dry Dry Desert, returning in the course's reappearance in Mario Kart 8. In Mario Kart Wii, they appear with the same purpose in Dry Dry Ruins and Thwomp Desert. In Mario Kart 7, the Cact-X is designed after a cactus; it returns in Mario Kart Tour along with two variants called the Cact-Ice and Cact-R. In Mario Kart Tour, cacti also appear in GBA Sunset Wilds.

Paper Mario series

Paper Mario

In Paper Mario, cacti appear in Dry Dry Desert, with some resembling Pokeys in shape. A blue one and a stone one are used for navigation.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star

In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, cactuses appear as interactive objects in World 2. Attacking them with the hammer repeatedly causes their flowers to bloom and release coins.

Mario Pinball Land

In Mario Pinball Land, cactuses appear in the Shifting Sands Stage. Hitting a cactus awards 100 points and significantly knocks Mario back.

New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat

In New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, cacti appear as common obstacles, usually stacked on top of each other to act as barricades. They can be knocked away with the Sound Wave Attack and first appear in Dawn Savanna. All versions of the game feature a level inside a giant cactus, called Cactus Mine.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Pokey-shaped cactuses appear in Doop Doop Dunes. They block roads and must be knocked away with hammer whacks, with taller ones requiring the Trio Hammer to get rid of all the segments before they grow back.

Mario Golf: Super Rush

Cactuses reappear in Mario Golf: Super Rush in Balmy Dunes on holes 16–18. They act as trees and will hurt the ball's lie upon collision. Smaller variants also appear in Spiky Palms.

Gallery

It has been requested that more images be uploaded for this article. Remove this notice only after the additional image(s) have been added.