Cat-o-Luck
- “Oh, I get it! Cat-o-Luck's sent Mario to save Port Prisma!”
- —Toad, Paper Mario: Color Splash
Template:Item-infobox The Cat-o-Luck is a Thing in Paper Mario: Sticker Star and Paper Mario: Color Splash. It is based on the Maneki-neko.
History
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, the Cat-o-Luck can be found in the Bouquet Gardens on a raised section of ground near the beginning of the level. It remains in Mario's Album until it is turned into a sticker at a Sling-a-Thing station. Once it has been used as a sticker, it returns to its original position. It may also be purchased from the Shady Toad for 140 coins and sells for 20 coins.
As a sticker, it takes up four squares in Mario's Album. When it is used in a battle, the background gets replaced with orange paper lanterns and a table that the Cat-o-Luck is placed upon. The Cat-o-Luck proceeds to rocket over to the battle and crushes the enemies three times. After, it flies back to its original position and meows as the normal background returns. During this sequence, music played by Japanese instruments plays. The player may press 
as the Cat-o-Luck crushes the enemies to increase the damage dealt.
The Cat-o-Luck can be placed into the Sticker Museum as #59, alongside other crush-based Things. Its description describes the tendency of cats to offer high-fives.
Paper Mario: Color Splash
In Paper Mario: Color Splash, the Cat-o-Luck can be found on the top floor of The Crimson Tower. Once it has been picked up, it is wrung out, refills Mario's paint, and becomes a colorless card. After turning it into a card for the first time, a Toad is revealed to be under it. Repainting the Toad reveals that he wished on it so Mario could save Port Prisma. It is kept until it is used in battle, after which it returns to its original position. It may also be purchased from the Wringer for 300 coins and sold as an unpainted card for 1 coin. A replica version of the Cat-o-Luck can also be collected from the Battle Spin.
When used in battle, Shoji doors open to reveal a scene made of Japanese iconography including mochi and Awaodori robots. From the Great Waves, the Cat-o-Luck slowly rises as Mario runs off. It flies around before crushing the enemies several times with the last three crushes being timed with the music. The scene ends with the Shoji doors closing. The player may press 
repeatedly to increase the damage dealt.
In the Prisma Museum, it is on the first page of Thing Cards.
Profiles
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
- In-game description: "In Japan, these ceramic cats are said to bring good luck to their owners. Their cheerful wave welcomes customers into shops!"
- American English Sticker Museum plaque: "It's not uncommon to see a cat offering up a high-five--hence this sculpture. We believe the symbol may mean "Down low! You're too slow.""
- British English Sticker Museum plaque: "It's not uncommon to see a cat offering high-fives to passers-by - hence this sculpture. We believe the symbol may mean "Down low! You're too slow!""
Paper Mario: Color Splash
- Item description: "A feline statue that purrs with good-luck vibes. Enshrined at the top of a dark-red tower."
Gallery
The Cat-o-Luck from the website for Paper Mario: Sticker Star
The Cat-o-Luck from the Japanese site for Paper Mario: Color Splash
An unpainted Cat-o-Luck card
A painted replica Cat-o-Luck card
An unpainted replica Cat-o-Luck card
The Cat-o-Luck as a menu icon
Record
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | まねきねこ Maneki neko |
Beckoning cat |
| Chinese (simplified) | 招财猫 Zhāo cái māo |
Lucky cat |
| Chinese (traditional) | 招財貓 Zhāocái māo |
Lucky cat |
| French (NOA) | Chat chanceux |
Lucky cat |
| French (NOE) | Chat du bonheur |
Cat of happiness |
| German | Glückskatze |
Calico cat |
| Italian | Gatto portafortuna |
Lucky charm cat |
| Spanish | Gato de la suerte |
Cat of luck |
Trivia
- According to the developers' notes in the electronic manual for Paper Mario: Color Splash, the animation for the Cat-o-Luck was based on the idea of "Japan as viewed from abroad". The development team started with presumed Japanese stereotypes before going comically overboard.
