Joystiq [Nintendo]

Wiggler

First appearance: Super Mario World

Relatives and variants: Squiggler, Fuzzy Wiggler, Flutter

Special characteristics: many feet, tough temper, potential growth spurt of gargantuan lengths and sizes

Upon first glance Wiggler appears to be a harmless caterpillar, but mess around with him and feel the wrath of his raging temper as he grimaces and undergoes a grotesque discoloration, a la The Hulk. Only Wiggler turns red. Blood red. The color of your face if you don't make like a raccoon and fly.

Not intimidated? Try facing up to a giant Wiggler, which has appeared in recent games. Level 7-3 of New Super Mario Bros., for instance, is played on the back of a monstrous, 29-segment Wiggler. A giant Wiggler appeared as an unlockable mission boss in Mario Kart DS, and part of the Maple Treeway track in Mario Kart Wii is blocked by two giant Wigglers. Looked at in the moonlight, the angry Wiggler sort of resembles Sesame Street's Ernie, which frightens us a little. What are we trying to tell our children?

23/07/08