Gnat Attack
Gnat Attack[1] is a minigame originating in Mario Paint, in which the player must swat different fly-like enemies using a flyswatter.
History
Mario Paint
In Mario Paint, the player controls a gloved hand (similar to the one seen on the title screen) holding a flyswatter using the Super NES Mouse, which must swat flying insects on the screen, before the insect stings the player's hand in one way or another. There are three levels, each with 100 insects; after defeating them, the boss, King Watinga, appears. Completing stages causes characters to walk across the screen. At first, only Mario is seen, then a Koopa Troopa walks next to him, and finally a Goomba, a Spiny, and a Bob-omb. When the player defeats the last boss, it takes them back to level one and adds a small icon in the top left corner of the screen; there is no final level or reward, as the game will loop endlessly, getting slightly harder each time.
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
Gnat Attack was modified into both a microgame and a bonus minigame in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, under the names Mario Paint: Fly Swatter and plain Fly Swatter, respectively. The microgame involved shooting the flies as they flew past a fixed target, while the minigame was more faithful to Gnat Attack's gameplay.
WarioWare: D.I.Y.
In WarioWare: D.I.Y., Gnat Attack was modified into a microgame, under the name Fly Swatter.
Super Mario Maker
Gnat Attack makes a return in Super Mario Maker. The minigame is triggered when the player taps and kills all three flies that appear during the editing mode at one particular time. The flies appear either after waiting 15 minutes while leaving the game idle, moving a block, or shaking a Muncher several times; the second method only works at random, and the third is the fastest in terms of effectiveness. Swatting all three flies using the 
touchscreen will trigger the minigame. It is split into three stages, with King Watinga appearing in the third stage, like in Mario Paint; each stage is completed once all of the flies in it are swatted, like in the SNES version. Since the game now uses the stylus in place of a mouse, there is no mouse cursor and therefore no need for health; instead, each stage is given a 30-second time limit. The Builder Mario costume for Costume Mario is unlocked upon beating the third stage of this game for the first time. Upon losing any stage or winning the third, the player is given an option to restart at Level 1 or quit to the editor; the game can also be exited early by pausing and touching the can of insect repellent.
The 1.20 update for Super Mario Maker released on November 4, 2015 adds a more challenging version of Gnat Attack with a pink background. It is accessible by shaking a Muncher until King Watinga spawns, then swatting him several times. Completing this mode will unlock the Fighter Fly costume for Costume Mario.
Gnat Attack does not appear in the Nintendo 3DS version, Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, or the sequel, Super Mario Maker 2.
WarioWare Gold
In WarioWare Gold, Gnat Attack was modified into a microgame, under the name Mario Paint - Flyswatter.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Elements of the minigame appear as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, under the name Flies & Hand. The flyswatter will hurt any enemies that make contact with it trying to hit the flies.
Enemies
| Enemy | Image | Battle style |
|---|---|---|
| Fly | 
|
Flies across screen; cannot harm Mario. |
| Big Fly | 
|
Can fire projectiles. First enemy that can harm Mario. |
| Fly Parent | 
|
Births Fly Children if not swatted quickly. Very aggressive; goes after Mario. In Super Mario Maker, they appear in the second stage. |
| Fly Bomb | 
|
Explodes when hit or when left alone. Explosion can harm Mario. In Super Mario Maker, they appear during the third stage (and every stage in hard mode, and in horde) and one second is lost if they explode. |
| King Watinga | 
|
The minigame's boss. Fires projectiles at Mario. Takes 20 hits to kill. In Super Mario Maker, he only spawns Fly Children and vanishes until all the children are swatted. |
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirit
| Name | Image | Game | Type | Class | Effect | How to obtain | Spirit battle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponents | Battle conditions | Stage | Song | |||||||
| Flies & Hand | 
|
Mario Paint Series | Support (1) | Advanced | Battering Items ↑ | Beedle's Tent; Spirit Board | Giant Donkey Kong, Dark Pit ×4 | Rule: Assist Trophy Enemies (Flies & Hand); Item: Food
|
Living Room | Mario Paint Medley |
See also
- Big Bug Bash: A bonus game in Donkey Kong 64 that plays similarly.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ゲーム[2] Gēmu |
Game |
| Italian | Splattamosca |
Splat-fly |
| Portuguese (NOE) | Ataque aos Insetos[3] |
Attack against Insects |
References
- ^ Mario Paint English instruction booklet, pages 2 and 29.
- ^ Mario Paint Japanese instruction booklet, page 38.
- ^ Nintendo Portugal. (October 29, 2015). Super Mario Maker - Atualização de novembro (Wii U). YouTube. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
