Joystiq [Nintendo]

Unagi Eel

We're pretty sure that if the entirety of the Mushroom Kingdom flooded and found itself completely underwater the Unagi eels would usurp Bowser's throne to become the ultimate force on the list of Mario's antagonists. There is nothing cute or forgiving about their appearance, and make no mistake: They will chomp the plumber pants clean off of you. And then what? You think you can just pick up another pair of those sexy blue overalls from Osh Kosh B'gosh? Actually, you probably could, but Mario's are probably, like, hand-stitched by Toadstool tailors.

This type of deep water enemy first appeared in Super Mario 64 in the Dire, Dire Docks stage. Despite the misleading title of the mission, "Can the Eel Come out to Play?", this horrendous cave-dweller does not likely want to be your friend or engage in any type of play. In fact, if it weren't for the power star stuck to the eel's sphincter, it would behoove you to avoid disrupting its state of dormancy to begin with.

04/08/08