File:Lakitu_-_Mario_Kart_8.png|Lakitu as seen in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' with a camera
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Revision as of 15:21, 27 April 2014
Template:EnemyLakitu is a beakless Koopa Troopa with a green shell, orange or yellow body, glasses with thick black frames, and is usually seen flying in a cloud bearing a smiling face.
In its role as an enemy character, Lakitu typically flies about and throws Spiny Eggs at Mario, although variant types employ other attack patterns. The Spiny eggs hatch into Spiny, a small, red, spike-backed Koopa creature, that is thrown indefinitely until the Lakitu is defeated. Depending on the game, the Lakitu's Cloud can be ridden for a limited time after it is defeated. When asked what video game character would represent him the best, Shigeru Miyamoto responded that Lakitu would, as he "seems to be very free, floating in the air, going anywhere," a type of personality Miyamoto can apparently relate to. In New Super Mario Bros U, in Layer-Cake Desert, he threw eggs which turned into a Piranha Plant rooted on the ground.
Games
Lakitu first appears in Super Mario Bros., and goes on to be an enemy in various platformers and RPGs. Lakitu plays a neutral role in a number of Mario-series titles. This trend began with Super Mario Kart. Here Lakitu flies about the Mario Grand Prix racetrack and aids the go-kart drivers who race there. The Lakitu Brothers in Super Mario 64 are another example; they hold the camera that "films" Mario's exploits, thus personifying the player's point of view of the three-dimensional game stages. However, in later worlds, there are Lakitu that still attack you with Spiny Eggs. Additionally, in Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time for Nintendo DS, a Lakitu with a camera shows the player how to use the map on the upper screen (the game being played on the DS' lower screen). Later, another Lakitu transports Kylie Koopa and Toadbert to where Mario, Luigi. Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi. In Super Mario 64 and it's spin off game Super Mario 64 DS, The Lakitu appears holding a camera on the end of a stick, and give either Mario or Yoshi tips and tricks to use during game play.
In New Super Mario Bros., and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, sometimes when the player defeats a Lakitu using a Fireball, the player can ride on its cloud. In Super Mario Galaxy 2 they first appear in the galaxy Yoshi Star Galaxy. Only one Lakitu appears in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. It is only seen in the level Whammino Mountain where it stays up high tossing Spinies at Mario. Mario can knock away the Spinies with the nearby Starman, or by battling them. This Lakitu cannot be defeated or battled in any way. In Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Lakitus are only fought in the dream world and only in the areas Dreamy Driftwood Shore and Dreamy Neo Bowser Castle. In battle, they attack Mario and Dreamy Luigi mainly by hurling Spiny eggs low or high at them. Sometimes, they also throw Mushrooms. Once there are Spinies on the field, the Lakitus will head into the background until the Spinies are defeated.
Mario Kart series
Lakitu as seen in Mario Kart Wii as the referee.
Lakitu is the friendly referee that has appeared in every Mario Kart game since the series inception. He will perform various helpful duties throughout the race; most importantly, he will start the race or battle for you by using his Start Signal. If the player is driving in the wrong direction, he will appear holding a "Wrong Way" sign until you turn around. After crossing the finish line, he will appear to indicate the lap you're on or wave a checkered flag to indicate the race is over. And, of course, if you fall off the track or go out of bounds, he will use his fishing pole to get you back onto the track. In Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart: Super Circuit Lakitu charged the player two coins to drop them back onto the track.
In Mario Kart 7, Lakitu is an unlockable racer instead of a referee. He has his own cloud shaped kart to get him through courses. Lakitu will return as a racer in Mario Kart 8.
If the player taps the A button just as they hit the ground after Lakitu drops them onto the track, they can perform a recovery boost.
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