Pooka
| Pooka | |
|---|---|
 A Pooka inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | |
| First appearance | Dig Dug (1982) Mario Kart Arcade GP (2005,Super Mario franchise) |
| Latest appearance | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018,Super Mario-related media; cameo) |
Pookas are common enemies from theDig Dug series. They are balloon-like enemies with goggles and wind-up feet. In the originalDig Dug, they can easily be defeated with a few pumps of Dig Dug's air hose. Pookas make frequent appearances inPAC-MAN games as part of the many references toBandai Namco's arcade history.
Pookas appear as a special item inMario Kart Arcade GP andMario Kart Arcade GP 2. The Pooka item is exclusive to, and can only be used byPAC-MAN orMs. PAC-MAN. It can be shot forwards or backwards, and damage other players. Large neon signs based off of the Pooka sprite from the originalDig Dug can be seen inMario Kart Arcade GP DX in theNAMCO Circuit course.
Additionally, Pookas appear as enemies in theSmash Run mode inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. They hop around aimlessly, only pushing the player back if they connect. They swell up when attacked, and take a few hits to fully defeat. They then leave a popping effect that does slight damage to other Smash Run enemies and causes an exploding chain reaction when near other Pookas. Hoards of them spawn as one of the events in Smash Run. PAC-MAN also has the chance of a Pooka appearing in his Namco Roulette Taunt.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS trophy information[edit]
| Name | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pooka |  | American English:These little monsters from the Dig Dug series like to jump around and throw themselves into people. They'll burrow through the ground to protect themselves from attacks as they approach. If you do manage to hit one, it'll puff up, growing with each attack until it explodes. Try hitting enemies with its explosion! British English:These little monsters from the Dig Dug series like to jump around and throw themselves into people. They'll burrow through the ground to protect themselves from attacks while they approach you. If you do manage to hit one, it'll puff up, then eventually explode! Try using the blast to damage other enemies. |
Gallery[edit]
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | プーカ[?] Pūka | Possibly from「プー」(pū, onomatopoeia for puffing) and「プカプカ」(pukapuka, a term for "floating lightly") |
