Pestnuts attack by steamrolling into their target. The Pestnut may roll into one of the Mario Bros. from the front, which can only be countered with the use of a hammer. The Pestnut may also attack from behind, which can only be dodged by jumping. Unless Mario or Luigi are wearing one of the Shiny Killer Jump Badge the attacker will take damage upon jumping on them. In the original Superstar Saga, jumping on Pestnuts to counter-attack their backside roll will still damage the Bros. even if they are wearing one.
After you drop their stamina to 0, Pestnuts will break, releasing either a Beanie or Gold Beanie who will then continue to fight. However, due to how Elite Pestnuts make their home in the ocean, defeating an Elite Pestnut actually does kill the Beanie/Gold Beanie inside.
Upon their defeat, Pestnuts give differing Experience rewards and Loot depending on their location. In the Chucklehuck Woods area, they will give 15 experience and drop 2 coins per kill along with a Mushroom or Super Mushroom. In the Oho Ocean Seabed, they instead give 35 experience and drop 5 coins along with possibly a Refreshing Herb.
Pestnuts also appear in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions in the Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser. Pestnuts fall under the classification of melee troopers, and attack (like they do in the regular game) by rolling into their opponents. Because of their spikes, if a Pestnut gets attacked from the side or above, the attacker will receive damage. Their special skill is Spin to Win. When used, they will roll into a minion three times. Pestnuts areweak against ranged minions, and are especially weak against Spear Guys.
Go, Goomba, Go! • This Beans War • For the Love of Hammers • Winged Traitors • The Hoohoo Melee Brigade • The Great Hammer Barrage • Don't Fear Flying Foes • Goombas vs. Goombas • The Amnesiac Koopa King • Goombas Galore
Turnip Tantrum • Minions vs. Minions • Hunger Pains • A War of Shy Guys and Flybys • Battle Tail • Beanbean Crossfire • The Rival Trio • Larry's Fortress • Captain Shy Guy Trial • Professor E. Gadd's Research • Oh, Hi, Shy Guy! • Shell Brigade, Move Out!
The Sweet Smell of Soda • Deep Trouble • Forest Masquerade • Reclaim the Red Goblet! • Gold Beanie Appears • Invisible Leaderership • Ice Guys Finish Last • The Tough-As-Nails Squad • Forest Fight • Popple's Partner • Captain Goomba Trial (Gold) • Shy Guy Goes Overboard • King of the Boos
A Dry Bone to Pick • The Trouble with Toads • Flying Beans in the Desert • Find the Invincibility Mushroom! • Gold Beanie Spotted! • Silly Ol' Goomp • Ice Bros. Feel the Heat • The Lonely Koopa Troopa • Toad Rescue • Captain Koopa Troopa Trial • Popple's Partner, Part 2 • A Goomba Tail • A Muster of Masks
Goombas Unite • Gather the Cruiser Parts! • Power Play • Spear Party on Ice • Monochrome Explosion • Gold Beanie Fights Back! • Return of the Koopa Cruiser • The Trio's Last Stand • Captain Boo Trial (Gold) • Boo Party! • Shy Guy Barrage
Fireball and Boomerang Crossfire • Chain Chomp and Spike Stomp • A Tale of Tails • Double Trouble Koopaling Caper • Pokey Panic • Rumble in the Castle! • Gold Beanie's Final Stand • Goomba's Worth • Showdown Time!! • Believe in Bowser • Captain Boo Trial • The Mightiest Minions • The Beastly Bean Battalion
• ⋆-Enemy, boss, or stat exclusive to the main game. • ⋆⋆-Enemy, boss, or stat exclusive to Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser. • ⋆⋆⋆-Enemy variants differ in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions.