Skeeter

From the Super Mario Wiki, the Mario encyclopedia
(Redirected from Pondskater)
Jump to navigationJump to search
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.
This article is about the enemies first appearing in Super Mario 64. For the similar enemy of the same name from New Super Mario Bros., see Skeeter (New Super Mario Bros.).
Skeeter
Artwork of Skeeter from Super Mario Galaxy 2
Artwork of a Skeeter from Super Mario Galaxy 2
First appearance Super Mario 64 (1996)
Latest appearance Super Mario 3D All-Stars (2020)
Variants
Relatives
Comparable

Skeeters[1] are giant water strider enemies that are introduced in Super Mario 64. They appear in a few of the 3D Super Mario games. Like real water striders, they usually skim on the surface of water. Their name comes from "water skeeter," one of many alternate names for water striders.

Skeeters have had distinct designs throughout all four of their Super Mario series appearances, though their abilities have remained largely the same. In addition to skating on water, they can also walk on land, though they move a bit slower.

History

Super Mario series

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS

A Skeeter in Wet-Dry World in Super Mario 64
A Skeeter seen in Super Mario 64 DS

In Super Mario 64, Skeeters appear frequently in Wet-Dry World, where one is seen on the entrance painting. They are found floating aimlessly on the water, and they appear as big cyan-colored pond skaters with yellow suction cup-like webbed feet and vermillion-colored antennae on their backs, with bulgy eyes. They can be defeated by most methods of attack, and they release three coins upon defeat. They can be lowered onto platforms, where they will slowly skitter about and home in on Mario if they see him, acting just like a Scuttle Bug. If hit, Mario will lose two health wedges.

In Super Mario 64 DS, Skeeters are now blue, and their yellow webbed feet are slightly larger and also cover their ankles; the antennae on their heads are red instead of vermillion, and they have black eyes that are now positioned flat on their faces, instead of bulging out. Skeeters now also appear in Dire, Dire Docks, where five of them can be found. Their other attributes remain unchanged from the original.

Super Mario Sunshine

Pondskater
A Pondskater in Super Mario Sunshine

Skeeters reappear in Super Mario Sunshine, where they are referred to as Pondskaters[2] or Blue Spiders.[3][4] They are found exclusively in the lake of Bianco Hills. When they are jumped on, Mario propels upward to a height rivaling the Rocket Nozzle. They are also resistant to FLUDD, as spraying them simply makes them stop moving for a short while. The only way to defeat them is to bring a Yoshi onto a lilypad and eat them.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

A Skeeter in Super Mario Galaxy 2

Despite not appearing in the previous game in the series, Skeeters reappear in Super Mario Galaxy 2, with an overhauled appearance. They now have flat purple bodies without antennae, and they first appear in the Cosmic Cove Galaxy. They always home in on Mario or Luigi, and they can be stomped for a coin or hit with a spin to release three Star Bits. They also appear in Starshine Beach Galaxy and Throwback Galaxy.

Mario Party 3

In Mario Party 3, a completely static Skeeter can be seen in the background of Woody Woods. A large mechanical Skeeter is one of the vehicles in Ridiculous Relay.

Gallery

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning
Japanese メンボ[5]
Menbo

Clipping of「水黽アメンボ」(amenbo, pond skater)

French Aquaraignée
Combination of "aqua" (water) and "araignée" (spider)
German Wasserläufer
Redshank; lit. "water strider"
Italian Idroragno
I Pattinatori[6] (SMS)
Hydrospider
The Skaters, probably a translation mistake
Korean 소금쟁이
Sogeumjaeng'i
Water strider

Spanish (NOE) Acuaraña
Portmanteau of "acua" (aqua) and "araña" (spider)

References

  1. ^ M. Arakawa. Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Page 11.
  2. ^ Hodgson, David S J, Bryan Stratton, and Stephen Stratton. Super Mario Sunshine Prima Official Strategy Guide. Page 18.
  3. ^ Loe, Casey. Super Mario Sunshine Perfect Guide. Page 33.
  4. ^ Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh. Super Mario Sunshine BradyGames Official Strategy Guide. Page 5.
  5. ^ Scan of 「スーパーマリオ64完全クリアガイド」 (Super Mario 64 Kanzen Clear Guide)
  6. ^ Prima Guide; pag. 18