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The Shy Guys (ヘイホー Heihō?) (sometimes spelled Shy-Guys or Shyguys) are recurring and iconic enemies seen in many Mario games. They made their overall debut in Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, and were inducted into the Mario franchise with the release of Super Mario Bros. 2. Shy Guys went on to receive several variants, many of which debuted in the Yoshi franchise.

Profile[]

Physical description[]

A regular Shy Guy has a short, stocky build with stubby, fingerless arms. In some modern games, they have tiny black legs that can only be seen in certain perspectives. It usually wears a robe, red being its standard color, with a loose flap on the back of its head, a brown belt with a golden buckle, blue shoes with brown soles, and a white mask with 3 black oval-shaped holes, representing large eyes and a small mouth. The mask is secured over the never-seen face of the Shy Guy with a brown strap. In Mario Strikers Charged, the Shy Guy's mask holes move as if it is a real face. Shy Guys can wear different robes and shoes. In Shy Guys' various game appearances, the color of their robe can determine a difference in behavior.

Behavior[]

Their robe color indicates their behavior in video games. The colors are seen in Super Mario Advance, which red Shy Guys walk off the ledge but turn around when they touch an obstacle and blue Shy Guys turn around when they are close to the ledge or obstacle.

Portrayals[]

Shy Guy is voiced by Daisuke Namikawa in Japanese version and Nate Bihldorff in English version since 2004.

In Super Mario series[]

Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic / Super Mario Bros. 2[]

Shy Guy SMB2

Super Mario Bros. 2 artwork

This is the only appearance in which Shy Guys serve under Wart. They are the most basic enemies that can be easily defeated from even the simplest attacks, including throwing either a Vegetable, another enemy, or an object at one. Shy Guys have two variants that were introduced alongside them, Beezos and Snifits.

Shy Guys also have a pink color variation, and aside from color, the difference is that red Shy Guys walk off platforms but not pink ones; this is comparable to how in early Super Mario games, Koopa Troopas with a Green Shell walk off platforms while Red Koopa Troopas remain mindful of edges.

In remakes of Super Mario Bros. 2, pink Shy Guys were recolored to blue.

Super Mario Maker[]

Shy Guy costume SMM

A Shy Guy is featured as an unlockable Mystery Mushroom costume, depicting its Super Mario Bros. 2 appearance. It is unlocked at random by completing the 100 Mario Challenge on any difficulty. While the Shy Guy costume is in effect, some of the sound effects are used from Super Mario Bros. 2 and some spin-off games.

In Yoshi franchise[]

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island[]

Shy Guys are one of the most basic and common enemies, and are featured in red, yellow, light green, and purple colors. Like in Super Mario Bros. 2, Shy Guys are the most common enemy. Shy Guys jump out of certain pipes unless the Yoshi has a full set of six eggs. A Yoshi can quickly defeat a Shy Guy through any means, including by either jumping onto it, throwing an egg at it, or by swallowing it.

The game introduced numerous variants of Shy Guys, including Fly Guys, Spear Guys, Stilt Guys, Lantern Ghosts, and Boo Guys.

Tetris Attack[]

Shy Guys are shown to be partnered with Raphael the Raven during his stage.

Yoshi's Story[]

Shy Guys are common enemies, and retain their usual behavior of walking back and forth. Some Shy Guys carry fruit or hide in trees. It is possible for a Yoshi to defeat a Shy Guy in a tree by ground-pounding near the one it is hiding in, causing the Shy Guy to fall out. If a Yoshi ground-pounds near a Shy Guy itself, its color changes, but if a Yoshi ground-pounds near a Shy Guy while affected by a Heart Fruit, the Shy Guy becomes a Lucky Fruit.

If a Yoshi eats a Shy Guy matching his color, three petals on the Smile Meter are restored instead of one. Whenever a Yoshi swallows a Shy Guy in general, he produces a Yoshi Egg with spots matching the Shy Guy's color.

Not many Shy Guy variants appear in Yoshi's Story, although the game introduces a friendly variant named White Shy Guy, which sometimes appears at the end of a level to give a 1-Up to a Yoshi. There are also Black Shy Guys, a type of enemy.

Yoshi Topsy-Turvy[]

Red, yellow, and green Shy Guys appear as enemies.

Yoshi Touch & Go[]

Shy Guys YT&G

Shy Guys in Yoshi Touch & Go

Shy Guys return as enemies. They are vulnerable to all attacks, and are worth a Yellow Coin upon being defeated. A big difference from before is that, like the other enemies, bumping into a Shy Guy results in an instant Game Over.

Yoshi's Island DS[]

Shy Guys return as enemies, retaining their role from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. They retain the same red, yellow, and light green color varieties, plus an added blue one, but purple Shy Guys do not return. Shy Guys have their own dedicated section in the Island Museum that specifically exhibits Shy Guys and their variants.

In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[]

Shy Guys appear as enemies in Rose Way, and a few variants are also introduced, all of them being enemies.

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.

In Mario Party series[]

Shy Guy MP4

A Shy Guy's artwork from Mario Party 4

Shy Guys and their many subspecies have been appearing Mario Party games as early as the original Mario Party, mainly appearing in mini-games and on board maps. In Mario Party 4, however, Shy Guy was temporarily upgraded to host alongside Koopa, Boo, Toad, and Goomba and hosted his own board.

Boards[]

  • Shy Guy's Jungle Jam - Shy Guy hosted his first-ever board map in Mario Party 4. In this jungle-themed board map, various Shy Guys are scattered around the board and own the various shops and events. There are two different shrines on the board that contain stone statues of Shy Guys. If a player lands on the Happening Space in front of the shrine, they will be asked to offer a gift to it. At the top of the board, there is a giant rock engraved like a Shy Guy.
  • Shy Guy's Perplex Express - Shy Guy owns his own board map once again in Mario Party 8. On this board, Shy Guy owns a train that contains various different train cars. On this train, different Shy Guys can be seen working on conductors and chefs.
  • Shy Guy's Shuffle City - This a board map in Mario Party: Island Tour. Players need to move with their cards, but beware if the Bowser Card! Every 3 turns, Bowser will do bad things to the player with the Bowser Card. At the end, some Shy Guys will appear. Then the Shy Guy gives the player some cards and needs the player to pick a champion card.

Minigame appearances[]

  • Bumper Balls - A lone Shy Guy appears in the Mario Party 2 version of the game inside of a frozen volcano, but does not affect gameplay.
  • Shy Guy Says - Shy Guy appears as the host of this mini-game that acts similar to the childhood game "Simon Says". Shy Guy will hold up a different color flag that has either the letter "A" or "B" on it. The characters must press the corresponding buttons, or Shy Guy will eliminate them.
  • Bus Buffers - At the start of the mini-game, a Shy Guy knocks down the bucket of slime that makes the buses dirty. Also, various Shy Guys can be seen cleaning the buses during the mini-game.
  • Chomp Romp - A lone Shy Guy can be found swinging on a swing in the park. If the player's Chain Chomp crashes into the swing, Shy Guy will rotate faster for a brief moment.
  • Curvy Curbs - Various Shy Guys can be seen waving at the characters from the edge of the tracks.
  • Dinger Derby - Various Shy Guys can be seen in the crowd, along with Koopas and Goombas. A player can hit one of the Shy Guys with a ball.
  • Fish Upon A Star - A Shy Guy can be seen flying around in a blimp while the players are battling on the floating island. The logo on the blimp depicts the Shy Guy's face.
  • Moped Mayhem - A Shy Guy can be seen racing on a moped along with the other racers.
  • Shy Guy Showdown - Shy Guy becomes the host of this mini-game, where he is wearing an old western outfit. In this mini-game, two characters will face-off against each other and must pay attention to the sign that Shy Guy is holding. The sign that he holds up will contain a button that the player must press quickly in order to shoot ink at their opponent. However, Shy Guy will hold up a fake sign to deceive the players.
  • Flagging Rights - A Pirate Guy, accompanied by two other Shy Guys appear in this mini-game. The Pirate Guy has two flags. You have to follow which one he holds ups. If you fail to do this, by simply not doing it, or doing the wrong flag, a Shy Guy will untie your plank and you will fall. This mini-game is similar to Shy Guy Says.

Mario Party 9[]

This is one of Shy Guy's most significant roles due to the fact he has become a playable character after beating the story mode once. In story mode he plays for Bowser so if he wins he will return the mini stars collected to Bowser resulting in the player going through the party board again.

Super Mario Party[]

A Shy Guy reappears as a playable character. They also have their own Dice Block. The numbers on their Dice Block consists of five 4's and one 0.

In Mario Tennis series[]

Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)[]

Shy Guy is an unlockable playable character, and he can be unlocked by clearing the final cup, the Star Cup. The playable Shy Guy wears its usual red robes, and his tennis racket is red with a picture of a Shy Guy mask. Shy Guy's special ability is "Tricky."

Mario Power Tennis[]

Shy Guy no mask MPT

Luigi gets a glance of Shy Guy without his mask on in Mario Power Tennis

Shy Guy is a starter character with a relative of his, Fly Guy, taking the position of unlockable character instead. Both of Shy Guy's Power Shots involve him turning into a Spear Guy—for his Offensive Power Shot, Lightning Spear, Shy Guy electrifies a ball before sending it back to the opponent, and for its Defensive Power Shot, Spear Dance Return, Shy Guy extends its spear to hit the tennis ball.

Mario Power Tennis is one of the few times a Shy Guy's mask is removed, although the viewer does not see the Shy Guy's face for themselves. This occurs in a cutscene following after when Shy Guy wins the Singles Tournament. Here, as Shy Guy goes up a podium, where the trophy is located, Luigi applauds him. As the Shy Guy makes his way up the small staircase, he trips over a step, and his mask falls off. Luigi's mouth is wide open in shock as he sees Shy Guy's face, but Shy Guy quickly puts its mask back on, takes the trophy and leaves.

In Mario Golf series[]

Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)[]

Although Shy Guys do not appear within the game, they are shown in its associated artwork. In the game itself, Shy Guys are referenced a few times, with their name being used for the golf course Shy Guy Desert and their name sometimes being shown on the scorecard. A silhouette of a Shy Guy is also briefly shown whenever a hole is completed.

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour[]

Shy Guys make a cameo in the award ceremonies, where they can be seen cheering in the bleachers. Shy Guy's name is also a default high score on the leaderboards.

Mario Golf: World Tour[]

Shy Guys are non-playable characters in the Castle Club game mode. Their name is sometimes shown on the tournament scoreboard.

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.

Mario Golf: Super Rush[]

Shy Guy was added in as a new playable character in an update, along with Wiggler. They have average stats, and in Speed Golf, their Special Dash includes having a Fly Guy carry them. Unlike most character, Shy Guy can cancel his Special Dash whenever he wants to. His Special Shot has him use a spiked ball 'n chain to hit the ball. Blue, yellow and green Shy Guys can also be seen in the crowd.

In Paper Mario series[]

Paper Mario[]

Shy Guys appear in Paper Mario during Chapter 4: Trials in the Toy Box. They are seen causing a ruckus in Toad Town, stealing various townsfolk's items. After going to East Toad Town, Mario enters a house and must use Bow to hide himself to see Shy Guy jump through the wall. After the Shy Guy has gone, Mario must do the same by jumping through the wall.

After jumping through the wall, Mario comes in contact with a springboard and a Toy Box. Once Mario jumps on the springboard, he is transported into the Toy Box. This starts the fourth chapter in the game. Many variants of Shy Guys are encountered in the Toy Box, including Fly Guys, Pyro Guys, Spy Guys, Medi Guys, Gourmet Guys, and Anti Guys.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[]

Shy Guys would consistently appear in the audience watching Mario and co. fight enemies and cheer for them, giving them star power. At least one Shy Guy will usually leap up on the stage and run towards the right or left side of it to drop a bucket on either Mario or the enemies.

Super Paper Mario[]

Shy Guys reprise their role as audience members whenever Mario, Peach, Bowser or Luigi perform a Stylish Move after jumping on an enemy. Shy Guys were also planned to be enemies in the game but were scrapped for unknown reasons. Fly Guys and Stilt Guys were also planned but were scrapped.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star[]

Shy Guys return as common enemies. Regular Shy Guys are found in Bowser's Snow Fort where most can be fought and one is running the mine cart ride. Versions of Shy Guys known as Sombrero Guys also appear in levels of World 2. They have a habit of jumping into a fight alongside another enemy. Two other Shy Guys appear in World 3 are Clip Guys and Paint Guys only in battle with other enemies. After they are successful in their respective attacks, they throw away their items and become regular Shy Guys. Spear Guys appear in World 5 and throw or stab Mario with their spears.

Paper Mario: Color Splash[]

Shy Guys are common enemies. A subspecies called Slurp Guys also appear and attack Mario by sucking out his paint reserves; these ones sucked the color out of Prism Island as well. There is also a variation of Slurp Guys called a Shunned Guy, who can only be defeated with Fire.

Paper Mario: The Origami King[]

Shy Guys appear once again in Paper Mario: The Origami King. Regular Shy Guys and Snifits only appear as NPCs. They don't cause harm to Mario and often help him. However, the Folded Soldier versions of Shy Guys and Snifits are enemies and will attack Mario. Paper Machos based on Shy Guys also appear, and King Olly disguises himself as a yellow Shy Guy.

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong series[]

Mario vs. Donkey Kong[]

A Shy Guy made a cameo as a news reporter.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars[]

A Shy Guy made a cameo in Level B-21 as a painting.

In Mario Baseball series[]

Mario Superstar Baseball[]

Shy Guy is a playable character, and it has Balanced statistics. In Challenge Mode, a group of Shy Guys are associated with Yoshi's as his teammates, a contrast to them being the most basic enemies in the Yoshi platformers.

Mario Super Sluggers[]

Shy Guy is on Yoshi's team. Five colors (red, blue, yellow, green, and gray) are available.

In Mario Kart series[]

Mario Kart DS[]

Shy Guy Artwork - Mario Kart DS

A Shy Guy from Mario Kart DS

Shy Guys are a playable character, although they are exclusively available to players using the DS Download Play feature in multiplayer. Shy Guy is the only playable character to DS Download Play user, with even its color being chosen for them at random.

Mario Kart Wii[]

Shy Guys are seen in GBA Shy Guy Beach on pirate ships, which fire cannonballs that explode, often flipping a player's kart over. They also appear on the sides of various other tracks as well.

Mario Kart 7[]

Shy Guy in SGB MK7

Shy Guy racing in his personal course, Shy Guy Bazaar.

Shy Guy is a playable character in Mario Kart 7. This marks the first time that Shy Guy is playable without having to go into DS Download Play. He also has a course named after him, Shy Guy Bazaar.

Mario Kart 8[]

Shy Guys MK8

The different types of Shy Guys from Mario Kart 8

Shy Guy reappears as a unlockable character in Mario Kart 8. Shy Guys also make an appearance in the course, Shy Guy Falls. They later have their colors made available as DLC.

In Mario Strikers Charged[]

Shy Guy MSC

A Shy Guy in Mario Strikers Charged

Shy Guy is a playable sidekick. He brings a balanced approach to game, with average skills in all areas. A Shy Guy's skillshot is Bullet Bill Blast, in which it rides on a Bullet Bill aimed for the goalie, with a high chance of scoring a goal.

In Mario & Luigi series[]

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story[]

On the way to his castle, Bowser finds a group of Shy Guys trapped inside a cage and goes to rescue them. In doing so, the Shy Guys teach him the Shy Guy Squad attack, in which the Shy Guys pull Bowser back on a large elastic band and then launch him at his target.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team[]

Shy Guys appear as enemies where they are fought in Neo Bowser Castle.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam[]

Both Shy Guys and their paper counterparts appear as enemies. There is also some Shy Guys in New Bowser Castle holding Chain Chomps.

Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser[]

Shy Guys are obtainable troopers of the Ranged type. Their Special Skill is Throw the Fight, and they are strong against Lakitus and Lakipeas. Their in-game description is, "You can't beat that poker face. They excel at evasion and pummeling Lakitus and Lakipeas with turnips."

Bowser Jr.'s Journey[]

Shy Guys reappear as obtainable Ranged troopers. Their Special Skill remains the same. There are four differently colored Shy Guys: red (has more Power), blue (has better Speed), yellow (weak to Goombas), and pink (weak to Koopa Troopas).

In Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker[]

Shy Guy TT

Artwork of a Shy Guy from Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Shy Guys appear in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. If a Shy Guy spots Toad or Toadette, it chases after them. There is also the Light-Blue variant of Shy Guys that are in a few levels, but don't have any difference in their behaviors from their red counterparts. The only way for Captain Toad to defeat them is to throw Turnips at them, much like in Super Mario Bros. 2.

Crossover appearances[]

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening[]

Shy Guys appear as enemies in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening under the name of Mask-Mimic. In order to defeat them the player must attack them on the back.

Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle[]

Various Shy Guys make a cameo appearance as members within the audience.

Yakuman DS[]

A Shy Guy appears as one of the opponents.

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.

In other media[]

Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen![]

In the Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen! film, Shy Guys were described by Mario as shy and cute berries from a tree.

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show![]

Shy Guys in the cartoon. Shyguys appear in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!. Shy Guys work for King Koopa.

Unused appearances[]

New Super Mario Bros. Wii[]

Shy Guys were planned to appear as enemies, but they were left unused.

Gallery[]

Hat mario To view Shy Guy's
image gallery, click here.


Trivia[]

  • Shy Guys originally looked very different, considering they were slightly taller and had a strange logo on the side of them.
  • In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, there are Shy Guys that are called Fawful Guys. They wear Fawful-like masks, which means that they might have been brainwashed by Fawful.
  • It is currently unknown what a Shy Guy's face looks like under his mask, but Luigi is the only known character who has seen a Shy Guy's face (from Mario Power Tennis).
  • Shy Guys come in many colors similar to Yoshis, but their common coloration is red.
  • In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a Shy Guy takes his mask off, leaving the Koopas in shock.


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