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Buzzy Beetles (メット Met?) are a recurring enemy in the Mario franchise. They first appear in Super Mario Bros..

Profile[]

Physical description[]

Buzzy Beetles are quadrupedal Koopas that wear smooth shells, known as Buzzy Shells, granting it invulnerability to fireball attacks. Despite their name, Buzzy Beetles are not a type of beetle, but their name rather refers them giving off the impression of one, mainly because of their shell. Since New Super Mario Bros., Buzzy Beetles have been depicted with glowing, red eyes.

In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, the Buzzy Beetles found underwater are colored black with gray outlines due to using the same palette as a Blooper.

Behavior[]

Like with Koopa Troopas, a Buzzy Beetle retreats into shell if jumped onto, and the shell can then be kicked or thrown to kill other enemies and swim faster.

Habitats[]

Buzzy Beetles generally inhabit underground locations, but can also be found in a wider variety of darker, interior locations such as tunnels, sewers, ruins.

In Super Mario series[]

Super Mario Bros.[]

Buzzy Beetle True Blue

Buzzy Beetles are somewhat uncommon enemies, and they first appear in World 4-2. Shortly beforehand, in World 3-4, there is a False Bowser that is actually a Buzzy Beetle disguised as Bowser. Aside from World 4-2, Buzzy Beetles also appear in World 5-2, World 6-2, World 7-1, World 8-1, World 8-2, and World 8-4, all of which are overworld levels except World 8-4.

Like Koopa Troopas, Buzzy Beetles retreat into their shell upon being jumped on, but re-emerge if left alone for a while. A Buzzy Beetle can only be defeated if Mario or Luigi touch it while under the effects of a Starman. Defeating a Buzzy Beetle earns the player 100 points.

In Hard Mode, unlocked after completing World 8-4, every Little Goomba is replaced with Buzzy Beetles.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels[]

Gray Buzzy Beetle

Buzzy Beetles return as enemies, acting the same as in Super Mario Bros., but are significantly more common due to the game's increased difficulty. Buzzy Beetles return and act just as they did in the previous game. A single Buzzy Beetle is first encountered in World 1-2. In World 9-1 and World 9-4, Buzzy Beetles appear underwater alongside the other enemies. Because Mario cannot jump onto enemies while underwater, Buzzy Beetles are invulnerable here.

In the Super Mario All-Stars version, Buzzy Beetles replace all Goombas in World A through World D, similarly to Hard Mode of the original Super Mario Bros..

Super Mario Bros. 3[]

Buzzy Beetle SMB3 sprite

Buzzy Beetles return, having the same behavior as before. However, a difference is that some Buzzy Beetles are first found walking on the ceiling. If Mario or Luigi approaches a Buzzy Beetle which is on a ceiling, it drops, retreating into its shell, and spins upside-down onto the ground in Mario or Luigi's direction. Buzzy Beetles are once again invulnerable to fireballs, but a tail swing from Raccoon Mario can flip a Buzzy Beetle upside-down onto its shell. Just as before, a Buzzy Beetle can be completely defeated from the effects of a Starman, but a hammer from Hammer Mario can fully defeat it as well.

Unlike before, Buzzy Beetles exclusively appear in underground areas. They are first seen in World 1-5, and can also be found in Desert Land. Their last appearance within a level is World 4-3.

Buzzy Beetles received two variations, Para-Beetles, which have the ability to fly and Buster Beetles, which attack by picking up Ice Blocks and throwing them at Mario or Luigi. Despite this apparent strength, Buster Beetles can be completely defeated from being stomped, unlike Buzzy Beetles.

In Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, if the e-Reader card Teki Power Up! Tokuten x2!! is scanned, all walking Koopa Troopas are replaced with Buzzy Beetles.

Super Mario World[]

Buzzy Beetles are somewhat commonly encountered as enemies in cave levels, but almost never appear outside of a cave. Buzzy Beetles are first encountered in Donut Plains 2. Defeating a Buzzy Beetle yields 200 points, slightly higher than in previous Super Mario installments.

A Buzzy Beetle remains invulnerable to Fire Mario's fireballs, meaning they are tougher than Chargin' Chuck armor/pads, which do succumb to fireballs. Aside from Starman, a Buzzy Beetle can also be defeated if Cape Mario spins his cape on one. Yoshi can also eat a Buzzy Beetle whole, unlike Koopa Troopas, as he cannot swallow a Koopa Shell.

Two more variants of Buzzy Beetle were introduced, Spike Tops, which have the characteristics of both a Buzzy Beetle and a Spiny, and Bony Beetles, a skeletal variant of Buzzy Beetles.

New Super Mario Bros.[]

Buzzy Beetle Painting

A Buzzy Beetle in New Super Mario Bros.

Buzzy Beetles are often are seen walking on the ceiling, like in Super Mario Bros. 3. If Mario or Luigi walks underneath one of these Buzzy Beetles, it drops and starts to roll like a Koopa Shell. Buzzy Beetles on the ground act like Red Koopa Troopas, as they are mindful of edges.

Just as before, Buzzy Beetles are unaffected by fireballs and retreats into its shell upon being stomped. If Mario or Luigi Ground Pound a Buzzy Beetle, it spins into its shell at a very fast speed. A Buzzy Beetle can be defeated from either the effects of a Blue Shell, Starman, or Mega Mushroom.

Buzzy Beetles only appear in two levels, World 5-C and World 6-Fortress 2.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii[]

Buzzy Beetles act similarly as before, and some can walk on ceilings and attack upon being approached. They once again are unaffected by fireballs but they can be frozen by an Ice Ball. The Starman can still be used to defeat a Buzzy Beetle and a Ground Pound can instantly defeat one too. Unlike in Super Mario World, a Yoshi cannot swallow a Buzzy Beetle whole, but he can spit out its shell in the same manner as with a Koopa Shell.

Buzzy Beetles are first seen in World 6-3, and their final level appearance is in World 8-Tower, where Magikoopa may also transform blocks into them during his boss fight.

Aside from Buzzy Beetles, Spike Tops and Para-Beetles also reappear, with the latter also receiving a variant named Heavy Para-Beetle.

A Big Buzzy Beetle also appears in the game's files, but was never used in any levels. The Big Buzzy Beetle would have acted similarly to the Mega Wiggler from New Super Mario Bros..

New Super Mario Bros. 2[]

Ice Cave Buzzy Beetle Iconic NSMB2 Level

A Buzzy Beetle's appearance in New Super Mario Bros. 2

Buzzy Beetles return as a common enemy, and some also walk on the ceiling as before. Buzzy Beetles can be flipped over with the use of the Super Leaf or destroyed with the use of the Gold Flower, Mega Mushroom, Invincibility Leaf, or a Starman, Ground Pounds also work. Buzzy Beetles are among one of the few enemies to not be affected by the Gold Rings.

Buzzy Beetles can be found in certain underground levels. They first appear in the level World 2-3.

New Super Mario Bros. U / New Super Luigi U / New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe[]

Big Buzzy Beatles Lava Cavern

Mario near three Big Buzzy Beetles in the lava-filled moat of Peach's Castle.

Buzzy Beetles return in all three games, acting the same as before. They can be defeated with the use of the Starman or Ice Flower. A Ground Pound can also be used to defeat a Buzzy Beetle. They can commonly be found in Layer-Cake Desert, Frosted Glacier, Rock-Candy Mines, and Peach's Castle. As in other New Super Mario Bros. installments, Buzzy Beetles can be found walking on both the ground and ceiling, and the latter type drops if approached by Mario or another playable character.

Big Buzzy Beetles, originally scheduled to appear in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, also make an appearance, they can walk in lava without an issue which can be useful for crossing those dangerous chasms. Bony Beetles also return.

Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS / Super Mario Maker 2[]

In all three games, Buzzy Beetles are placeable enemies which can be placed anywhere in a level. A Super Mushroom can be applied to a Buzzy Beetle to turn it into a Big Buzzy Beetle, and wings can be added to a Buzzy Beetle to turn it into a Parabuzzy.

Super Mario Run[]

Buzzy Beetles are encountered in two levels, Danger High and Low and Chase the Snaking Coins, acting the same as in the New Super Mario Bros. games.

In Hotel Mario[]

HM Buzzy Beetle

Buzzy Beetles are enemies first seen in Larry's Chillton Hotel, and they later also appear in Bowser's Seizures Palace Hotel. In the former location, Buzzy Beetle are shown with a clump of snow on their back to suit the cold environment. Buzzy Beetles act similarly to Goombas except they walk in Mario's direction when he arrives on their floor.

In Mario Golf series[]

Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)[]

"Buzzy" is one of the names sometimes mentioned on the scoreboard.

Mario Golf: Super Rush[]

Buzzy Beetles can be found in Ridgerock Lake, and this is also their physical debut in the series.

In Paper Mario series[]

Paper Mario[]

Buzzy Beetles are enemies encountered in Toad Town Tunnels and Dry Dry Ruins. In Dry Dry Ruins, several Buzzy Beetles climb on the ceiling, a trait originally from Super Mario Bros. 3, and they can drop on Mario to attack. However, Mario cannot jump onto a Buzzy Beetle while it hangs from the ceiling. Mario can use a badge to use a Quake Hammer attack, causing the Buzzy Beetle to fall to the ground. Buzzy Beetles have a high Defense rating, and Mario can flip one by either jumping onto it or by using Quake Hammer. A Buzzy Beetle has only 4 HP if its Defense is at zero.

Aside from Buzzy Beetles, Spike Tops and Bony Beetles also appear as enemies.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[]

Buzzy Beetles return as enemies, and they can be found in the cave under the well of the Creepy Steeple alongside Spike Tops. Another Buzzy Beetle variant was introduced, Parabuzzies, which in turn received a spiked variation named Spiky Parabuzzy.

In battle, Buzzy Beetles act similarly as in Paper Mario.

Super Paper Mario[]

Buzzy Beetles return as enemies once more. They are encountered in Yold Ruins, Floro Caverns, and the Flipside Pit of 100 Trials, more specifically rooms 18, 37 and 51. Like with the other enemies, there is a Catch Card of a Buzzy Beetle, which has a number of 17.

Buzzy Beetles received another variant of their own, Stone Buzzies, which wear a stone shell, and their own dark counterpart, Dark Stone Buzzies.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star[]

Buzzy Beetles mainly appear in the fourth level Hither Thither Hill, where there is also a Big Buzzy Beetle who acts as a mini-boss. It must be taken out with a perfect Battle Spinner or POW Blocks. Additionally, the use of some thing stickers can defeat it instantly. Buzzy Beetles are also encountered in Drybake Desert and Drybake Stadium, the latter having a group of five Buzzy Beetles to battle.

In the field, Buzzy Beetles are capable of traveling along the bottoms and sides of platforms in the manner of a Spike Top.

In battle, a Buzzy Beetle's only attack is going into its shell and ramming into Mario, sometimes causing him to become Dizzy. If Mario jumps on a Buzzy Beetle but does not defeat it, the Buzzy Beetle hides within its shell for a short time, during which it is safe from any type of attack. However, Mario can jump on the Buzzy Beetle again to kick it at enemies from behind, damaging them. A Buzzy Beetle may rarely drop a Flashy Shell sticker.

If a Buzzy Beetle is upside-down, it tries to get back up, but unlike Koopa Troopas, a Buzzy Beetle always gets back up as soon as it is flipped over, and rarely make the First Strike.

Aside from Buzzy Beetles, Spike Tops and Bony Beetles are also encountered as enemies. Buzzy Beetles were also given their own shiny variant, Shiny Buzzy Beetles.

Paper Mario: Color Splash[]

Buzzy Beetles once again appear as enemies, and retain their behavior from Paper Mario: Sticker Star. Buzzy Beetles are encountered in Indigo Underground and Redpepper Volcano, and a Buzzy Beetle is also the second opponent of Roshambo Temple 2.

Buzzy Beetles received several variants, including Buzzy Beetle Gangs and Small Buzzy Beetles, which in turn also have a gang counterpart named Small Buzzy Beetle Gang. There is a single Buzzy Beetle Tower fought in The Emerald Circus, and it consists of a regular Buzzy Beetle, a Small Buzzy Beetle, a Big Buzzy Beetle, and a green Spike Guy. Once the Spike Guy flees, the three Buzzy Beetles are fought individually.

Paper Mario: The Origami King[]

Buzzy Beetles have an origami counterpart, Origami Buzzy Beetle, which are among the origami enemies who serve King Olly. Like regular Buzzy Beetles, an Origami Buzzy Beetle attacks with its Shell Shot move, in which it flings its shell at Mario. There are also a certain type of Origami Buzzy Beetles, Paper Macho Buzzy Beetles.

Regular Buzzy Beetles do not appear as enemies. Some friendly Buzzy Beetles can be found in Shangri-Spa, and at one point, Buzzy Beetles also help battle the Folded Soldiers in Bowser's Castle.

In Mario Party series[]

Mario Party 6[]

Buzzy Beetles make a cameo in Slot Trot as one of the images on the slots. Here, they use a similar design as in the Paper Mario series, aside from their claws and paws, which are not white.

Mario Party 8[]

Buzzy Beetles are featured in the minigame Glacial Meltdown. Here, a Lakitu throws them onto the ice, despite Lakitus normally throwing Spiny Eggs. The Buzzy Beetles serve as both obstacles and weapons for the characters to knock their opponents off the ice.

Mario Party DS[]

Buzzy Beetles make a cameo in the Memory Mash minigame, in which they are possibly one of the card pairs that have to be matched.

Mario Party 9[]

Buzzy Beetles appear in the minigame Goomba Spotting to try and trick the player into miscounting, as only the Goombas must be counted. A Buzzy Beetle is also on one of the puzzles in Jigsaw Jumble.

Mario Party: Island Tour[]

Buzzy Beetles appear in Match Faker and Tap Dash, and one can be seen walking in the rocks of Bowser's Peculiar Peak board.

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Mario Party: The Top 100[]

Buzzy Beetles retain their cameo in two returning minigames, Mario Party 6's Slot Trot and Mario Party 9's Jigsaw Jumble.

Super Mario Party[]

A Buzzy Beetle sometimes makes a cameo in the minigame Absent Minded, in which an image of it can sometimes be chosen as a guess.

Mario Party Superstars[]

Buzzy Beetles reappear in Mario Party 9's Goomba Spotting, retaining the same role as before.

In Mario & Luigi series[]

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam[]

Buzzy Beetles are encountered in the lower half of Mount Brrr. Their paper counterparts do not make an appearance.

In battle, whenever a Buzzy Beetle takes damage, it hides in its shell, during which it takes 0 damage, similarly to its appearances in the Paper Mario series. While inside of its shell, a Buzzy Beetle has an attack in which it can spin so much that, if jumped on in this state, Mario and Luigi become dizzy, and Paper Mario loses most of his copies. A Buzzy Beetle can only come out of its shell by hammering it and then dodging the shell when it returns to whoever hit it. A Buzzy Beetle can also attack by walking toward one of the Mario Bros., occasionally getting into their shell in the process. The attack can be countered using a hammer, although attacking a Buzzy Beetle while it is in its shell knocks it away and into whoever hit it. If the Trio Hammer is used near a Buzzy Beetle, it flips over, and while the Buzzy Beetle is flipped, a Mario Bro can do a First Strike to it, which also prevents the Buzzy Beetle from hiding in its shell at least once.

Unlike other appearances, Buzzy Beetles are not fireproof, as they can take damage from the Fire Flower Bros. Attack. However, the attack can still only do half damage to a Buzzy Beetle.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions[]

MLSSBMBuzzyBeetle

Buzzy Beetles only appear in the side-story Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser, in which they are both enemies and recruitable allies. Buzzy Beetles are melee troopers, and they attack by ramming enemies with their shell. Buzzy Beetles have a high defense. Their Special Skill is Rock Solid, which can allow them to increase their defense. Buzzy Beetles are strong against Para-Beetles.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey[]

Buzzy Beetles exclusively appear in the Bowser Jr.'s Journey campaign, in which they retain their role from Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser.

Crossover appearances[]

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Super Smash Bros.[]

Buzzy Beetle SSB64 sprite

A Buzzy Beetle makes a cameo appearance in the Mushroom Kingdom stage, hopping on a Springboard. The Buzzy Beetle bounces progressively higher with each hop, up until the fourth, when it does a flip before repeating its behavior.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]

A Buzzy Beetle makes a cameo as a trophy, depicting its design from New Super Mario Bros.. The game's data suggests that they were either planned or considered to be among the Mario enemies in Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS[]

A Buzzy Beetle makes another cameo, this time in the form of a different trophy.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]

A Buzzy Beetle retains its cameo in the Mushroom Kingdom stage from Super Smash Bros., acting the same as before.

Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition[]

Buzzy Beetles appear usually in Cave-themed stages, though they do appear elsewhere, usually alongside multiple of themselves or sometimes other enemies. They should not be underestimated, however, as they normally attack every turn for a decent amount of damage, and in groups can really bring the pain onto an unsuspecting player. What makes them worse is that on their first turn, they have a 50% chance to use "Light Bind", which inflicts 2 turns of Bind to all Light attribute monsters on your team, and around a 25% chance to use "Beetle Guard", which grants the entire enemy team status immunity for 5 turns. Their attribute is Dark, and they can evolve into either a Bony Beetle or Para-Beetle using Boo Mushrooms or P-Wings respectively. After the 2.0 update, they gained the basic awakening of Dark Boost, increasing Dark attribute damage for the team when an entire line of Dark Orbs is cleared at once.

In other media[]

Aside from making a small appearance in the Japan-exclusive animated film Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!, Buzzy Beetles rarely appeared outside of the Mario games.

Attention MarioWiki users!: This section is short or lacks sufficient information. Whether you are commenting or editing, we would appreciate it if you help MarioWiki by expanding it.

Trivia[]

  • Buzzy Beetles made a cameo appearance in The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. There are two enemies resembling it, with one being a Hardhat Beetle, and the other being a Terrapin.
  • Buzzy Beetles are one of the only two enemies debuting in Super Mario Bros. that have not yet appeared in a 3D Super Mario game, the other one being Koopa Paratroopa.
  • Buzzy Beetles, Podoboos and Cheep Cheeps are the only three enemies from Super Mario Bros. to not appear in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!.

Gallery[]

Hat mario To view Buzzy Beetle's
image gallery, click here.


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