Gnat Attack gameplay inMario Paint

Gnat Attack^[1] is aminigame originating inMario Paint, in which the player must swat different fly-like enemies using a flyswatter.

History[edit]

Mario Paint[edit]

All 15 icons

InMario Paint, the player controls a gloved hand (similar to the one seen on the title screen) holding a flyswatter using theSuper NES Mouse, which must swat flying insects on the screen, before the insect stings the player's hand in one way or another. There are three levels, each with 100 insects; after defeating them, the boss,King Watinga, appears. Completing stages causes characters to walk across the screen. At first, onlyMario is seen, then aKoopa Troopa walks next to him, and finally aGoomba, aSpiny, and aBob-omb. When the player defeats the last boss, it takes them back to level one and adds a small icon in the top left corner of the screen; there is no final level or reward, as the game will loop endlessly, getting slightly harder each time.

In the trailer for the game'sSuper Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics re-release, Gnat Attack is portrayed as a result ofNintendo staff members neglecting to clear up the garbage can in the breakroom, which attracted flies.^[2]

WarioWare series[edit]

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$![edit]

Gnat Attack was modified into both amicrogame and a bonus minigame inWarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, under the namesMario Paint: Fly Swatter and plainFly Swatter, respectively. The microgame involved shooting the flies as they flew past a fixed target, while the minigame was more faithful to Gnat Attack's gameplay.

WarioWare: D.I.Y.[edit]

InWarioWare: D.I.Y., Gnat Attack was modified into a microgame, under the nameFly Swatter.

WarioWare Gold[edit]

InWarioWare Gold, Gnat Attack was modified into a microgame, under the nameMario Paint - Flyswatter.

Super Mario Maker[edit]

Gnat Attack inSuper Mario Maker

Gnat Attack makes a return inSuper Mario Maker. The minigame is triggered when the player taps and kills all three flies that appear during the editing mode at one particular time. The flies appear either after waiting 15 minutes while leaving the game idle, moving a block, or shaking aMuncher several times; the second method only works at random, and the third is the fastest in terms of effectiveness. Swatting all three flies using the touchscreen will trigger the minigame. It is split into three stages, with King Watinga appearing in the third stage, like inMario Paint; each stage is completed once all of the flies in it are swatted, like in the SNES version. Since the game now uses the stylus in place of a mouse, there is no mouse cursor and therefore no need for health; instead, each stage is given a 30-second time limit. The Builder Mario costume forCostume Mario is unlocked upon beating the third stage of this game for the first time. Upon losing any stage or winning the third, the player is given an option to restart at Level 1 or quit to the editor; the game can also be exited early by pausing and touching the can of insect repellent.

The1.20 update forSuper Mario Maker released on November 4, 2015 adds a more challenging version of Gnat Attack with a pink background. It is accessible by shaking a Muncher until King Watinga spawns, then swatting him several times. Completing this mode will unlock theFighter Fly costume for Costume Mario.

Gnat Attack does not reappear in theNintendo 3DS version orSuper Mario Maker 2.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Artwork of the Flies & Hand Assist Trophy

Elements of the minigame appear as anAssist Trophy inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, under the nameFlies & Hand. The flyswatter will hurt any enemies that make contact with it trying to hit the flies.

Unused appearances[edit]

Gnat Attack in theMario Artist: Paint Studio prototype

Gnat Attack appears in an early prototype build ofMario Artist: Paint Studio found and preserved in June 2020. It was completely removed in the final product. Like inMario Paint, the minigame has three levels, though it also has a dedicated boss level at the end before looping endlessly. In addition, the different levels take place throughout the different rooms of a house. The levels start in a bathroom, before progressing to a bedroom, a kitchen, and ending in a living room. Additionally, the flies have a different appearance.^[3][4]

Enemies[edit]

Image	Name	Description
	Fly	Flies across screen; cannot harm the hand.
	Fly (big)	Can fire projectiles. First enemy that can harm the hand.
	Fly Parent	BirthsFly Children if not swatted quickly. Very aggressive; goes after the hand. InSuper Mario Maker, they appear in the second stage.
	Fly Bomb	Homes in and explodes when they get too close to the hand. Explosions can harm the hand. InSuper Mario Maker, they appear during the third stage (and every stage in hard mode, and in horde) and one second is lost if they explode.
	King Watinga	The minigame's boss. Fires projectiles at the hand. Takes 20 hits to kill. InSuper Mario Maker, he only spawns Fly Children and vanishes until all the children are swatted.

Statistics[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Spirit #117 Flies & Hand
	Series/game	Mario Paint Series
	Type	Support
	Slots	1
	Class	Advanced
	Strength / effect(s)	Battering Items ↑
	How to obtain	Beedle's Tent;Spirit Board
Spirit battle	Opponent(s)	GiantDonkey Kong,Dark Pit ×4
	Conditions	Rule:Assist Trophy Enemies(Flies & Hand); Item:Food Survive until the timer runs out Hostile assist trophies will appear
	Stage	Living Room
	Song	Mario Paint Medley

Names in other languages[edit]

See also[edit]

• Big Bug Bash!: A bonus game inDonkey Kong 64 that plays similarly.

References[edit]

• Super Mario minigames
• Mario Paint
• Super Mario Maker

• Articles with unsourced foreign names