Spear Guy
- Not to be confused with Giant spear man.
| Spear Guy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Spear Guy artwork for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island | |||
| First appearance | The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989) | ||
| Latest appearance | Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) (2024) | ||
| Variant of | Shy Guy | ||
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Spear Guys[1] are tribal Shy Guys found in the jungles of various games. Spear Guys are identical to typical Shy Guys, though they wield a spear and shield, and usually wear grass skirts and have painted marks on their masks. Their designs take after stock depictions of sub-Saharan African warriors in Western media, particularly the Maasai people in eastern Africa and the Zulu people in southern Africa. Similar enemies include Chuck Guys and their Elite counterparts from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Hook Guys from Yoshi's Woolly World.
History
Yoshi's Island series
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island / Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Spear Guys make their debut in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and return in its Game Boy Advance version. as enemies of several levels, mainly jungle levels. They can only be defeated by being hit with an egg or eaten with Yoshi's tongue from behind because their shields will block attacks from the front. Spear Guys sometimes have long spears that can make an obstacle for Yoshi to jump over or avoid, as touching any part of the spear can cause Baby Mario to fall off of him and get kidnapped.
A variant called Dancing Spear Guy also appears alongside the regular Spear Guys, and are known for their dancing in a fixed place. They differ by their yellow robes, lack of feathers on their spear and lack of shield, though still hold onto their spear while dancing.
Yoshi's Island DS
Both Spear Guys and Dancing Spear Guys returned in the sequel, Yoshi's Island DS, though their appearance was subtly changed. A slight blue shade was added to Spear Guy masks, and a green shade to Dancing Spear Guy masks. An entire level of the fifth world, titled Spear Guys' Village Found!, features these enemies and their supposed village. A variant holding its spear horizontally as opposed to vertically is introduced, also known as Pike Guy,[2] which stands in one spot and jabs its spear forward.
Yoshi's New Island
Spear Guys reappear in Yoshi's New Island, mainly in the level Don't Fear the Spear.
Paper Mario series
Paper Mario
Spear Guys returned in Paper Mario as enemies on Lavalava Island. They can only be found in Jade Jungle, near Yoshi's Village. These Spear Guys lack feathers and shields, and have a different spear, but serve the same purpose as their predecessors and act in much the same way. Outside of battle, Spear Guys are seen dancing to the background music. Judging by their field behavior and unique Japanese name, these Spear Guys seem to be intended to combine traits of normal Spear Guys with the Dancing Spear Guy variant.
When Mario first enters the jungle, he comes upon several Spear Guys attacking Kolorado. Mario can either battle the Spear Guys or proceed without Kolorado, who will catch up and get upset with Mario.
Without Spike Shield, Mario cannot Jump on these Spear Guys when they hold their spear vertically, or use his Hammer while their spear faces him. They sometimes switch the position of their spear, indicating which attack they will do next and forcing Mario to change his battle strategy.
They may either poke Mario with their spears, or throw them at him. After throwing them, they become normal Shy Guys and continue the remainder of the battle as a Shy Guy would. Spear Guys may also dance to get another Spear Guy in the battle.
If a Spear Guy spots Mario outside battle, it will try to poke Mario with its Spear to make the First Strike.
Super Paper Mario
Spear Guys along with Shy Guys, Stilt Guys, and Fly Guys were originally going to appear in Super Paper Mario, but were taken out for unknown reasons.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Spear Guys make a major appearance in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, alongside Shy Guys, Clip Guys, Sombrero Guys, and Snifits. They look similar to their appearance from the original Paper Mario, but their shoes are seen a little more, while their spears are sleeker in design. Here, they show up in World 5, as common enemies. When the battle starts, a Spear Guy will flip his spear and either hold it vertically or horizontally. If held vertically, Mario cannot perform jumps on the Spear Guy, and if held horizontally, Mario cannot use his Hammer on the enemy. The attacks of Spear Guys are determined by the position in which they hold their spear. If held vertically, the Spear Guy will chuck their spear at Mario. If the spear is held horizontally, the Spear Guy will go in front of Mario and stab him with the weapon. The Spear Guys are still vulnerable to projectiles. Unlike in Paper Mario, if a Spear Guy throws his spear at Mario, it will not become a regular Shy Guy. Spear Guys can assist Piranha Plants, Hammer Bros., and Boomerang Bros.
During Shy Guy Jungle, three Spear Guys take a part of the bridge leading to the Comet Piece and run away. Mario must defeat these Spear Guys in order to progress. During Jungle Rapids, Spear Guys chuck spears at Mario while he rides the raft. They also swing on vines and throw barrels at Mario. At the end of the level, several Spear Guys are seen performing tribal dances around pieces of the Sticker Comet. Two Spear Guys are the final enemies seen harassing the Traveling Toad, with five being fought in the ensuing battle.
Mario Party series
Mario Party
Spear Guys make a short appearance in the mini-game Paddle Battle from the original Mario Party, which attack the characters with their spears if the character(s) on one side get too close to a Spear Guy. The Spear Guys make the single character lose three coins to the other team of three, and make the team lose one coin each to the single character.
Mario Party 2
In Mario Party 2, the mask of a Spear Guy appears near the start of Pirate Land.
Mario Party 3
A drumming Spear Guy appears leading a troupe of Dancing Spear Guys in the Mario Party 3 minigame The Beat Goes On. The players must follow the beat while adding their own continuation of it, or the Dancing Spear Guys will throw their torches at them. This minigame returns in Mario Party: The Top 100, along with the Spear Guy.
Mario Party Advance
- “Hoowa! I am having much of the happiness!”
- —Spear Guy, Mario Party Advance
In Mario Party Advance, the Spear Thicket contains a Spear Guy warrior that wants to challenge anyone with a mustache to a duel. When first approached, he comments on whether or not the current character has a mustache. If they do not (either Princess Peach or Yoshi), he says that he wants a fight, but that their lack of a mustache makes them an unworthy opponent. If they do (either Mario or Luigi), he challenges them to a duel, saying that if he wins, he will be just as brave. He also says that if they win the duel, they can keep the minigame (Tank-Down). After winning the duel, he is impressed by their skill and sticks to his promise, giving them the game. He then compliments them before asking them to come back for a rematch. The ending credits state that, to this day, Spear Guy lurks in the thicket, waiting for someone else with a mustache to pass by.
Several Spear Guys also dance alongside the four playable characters in the Credits.
Mario Party 7
The Spear Guy Orb is an item appearing in Mario Party 7 that makes a Spear Guy appear that forces anyone landing on a particular space to grant the item-user a certain amount of coins. Spear Guy does this by poking the player several times with his spear. In addition, several Spear Guys appear in the game King of the River.
Mario Party 8
A Spear Guy functions as the shop owner in DK's Treetop Temple from Mario Party 8. He sells the player Candy. A certain Green Space also causes a Spear Guy (also referred to as Pike Guy)[3] to appear and take away one of the player's Candies, but give them coins in return.
Mario Power Tennis / New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis
Spear Guy makes short appearances in Mario Power Tennis. Here, for his offensive and defensive power shots, Shy Guy will momentarily transform into Spear Guy and use his spear to hit the ball. This was similarly inspired for Fly Guy's Special Shot in Mario Hoops 3-on-3, Thunder Shot, but he merely wields a spear that turns the basketball yellow with electricity.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong series
Spear Guys[4] appear with a toylike design in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, looking more like the games' Shy Guys.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Spear Guys are pink and are usually sleeping on a platform. Whenever Mario jumps on the same platform, the Spear Guy awakens and quickly runs toward Mario. However, if a Mini-Mario jumps onto the platform, the Spear Guy will not be awoken. Whenever a Spear Guy reaches the end of the platform they are on, they will sit down and fall back asleep. Like most of their main appearances, Spear Guys constantly hold spears pointing upward whether they are asleep or awake; therefore, attempting to jump on top of the enemy will cause Mario to lose a life.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, Spear Guys, also dubbed Shy Guys,[5] are red and act more like the Shy Guys of the previous game. They patrol their area and hold their spears upright, extending their vertical reach slightly and allowing their range to pass through semisolid girder platforms. Upon activation of a red Color Switch, Spear Guys transform into stationary solid blocks. When in this state, Spear Guys can be used as a step or bridge to cross harmful areas. Spear Guys can be defeated with hammers. They first appear in Room 2-7 of Sandstone Stroll, but are more prevalent on the Jungle Rumble floor.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
Spear Guys do not reappear in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!; however, within the Shy Guy assets is a leftover sprite of the spear from Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!.
Mario & Luigi series
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Spear Guys, without the tribal theme, appear in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team in the Giant Bowser fight. They come out of a castle, either attacking Giant Luigi or handing out some meat for Giant Bowser.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
While regular Spear Guys do not appear in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Paper Spear Guys appear as enemies.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
Spear Guys appear in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions as Ranged troopers in Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser. They attack by throwing their spears at enemies. Spear Guys are strong against Pestnuts and Elite Pestnuts, though they are weak against red Koopa Paratroopas.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
Spear Guys reappear in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, as allies and enemies in the Bowser Jr.'s Journey mode. They are ranged troopers, and they are strong against Oho Jees. They are no longer weak against Koopa Paratroopas.
Super Mario Maker
Although Spear Guys themselves do not appear in Super Mario Maker, the Shy Guy costume holds up a spear similar to one in its pose when the player presses 
.
Yoshi's Crafted World
Spear Guys reappear in Yoshi's Crafted World, behaving the same way as in previous games, except that they hold their spears forwards similar to Hook Guys in Yoshi's Woolly World and Pike Guys in Yoshi's Island DS. They carry a wooden lid labeled "Orange Juice" as a shield, and first appear in the level Mousers and Magnets.
Profiles and statistics
Yoshi's Island series
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island / Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
- Shogakukan guide: 正面は盾、上はヤリで完全武装かと思いきや、背中はてんでスキだらけ。[6] (With a shield in front and a spear on top, it looks fully armed, but its back is completely vulnerable.)
- Player's Guide: These jungle sentries fend off all frontal attacks with their shields. Attack them from behind.[1]
- Shogakukan guide (Game Boy Advance version): 正面はたて、上はヤリで完全武装！でも、後ろに回りこめば、ペロリと食べられる。[7] (Fully armed with a shield in front and a spear on top! But if you get behind it, you can eat it with a lick.)
Yoshi's New Island
- Shogakukan guide: ヤリと盾を装備したヘイホー。ヤリのために上からは踏めず、正面からの攻擊は舌もタマゴも盾で防御される。敵の背後に回りこんでから攻擊しよう。[8](A Shy Guy equipped with both a spear and shield. Because of its spear, it cannot be stepped on from above. If you attack from the front, their shield will protect them from your tongue and eggs. Try to attack from behind the enemy's back.)
Paper Mario series
Paper Mario
| Paper Mario enemy | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spear Guy | |||||||||
 
|
Max HP | 7 | Attack | 3 | Defense | 0 | |||
| Role | Common | Type | Ground, sometimes Top-Spiky | Level | 16 | ||||
| Strong | None | Weak | None | Moves | Spear Stab (3), Spear Throw (3, turns into Shy Guy), Summon Friend (summons Spear Guy) | ||||
| Sleep? | 70%, 0 | Dizzy? | 90%, 0 | Shock? | 90%, 1 | ||||
| Shrink? | 75%, 0 | Stop? | 80%, 0 | Fright? | 70% | ||||
| Air Lift? | 85% | Hurricane? | 80% | Coins | 2 + 0-3 | ||||
| Items | Sleepy Sheep | Run | 32 | Location(s) | Jade Jungle | ||||
| Tattle | This is a Spear Guy. Spear Guys are relatives of Shy Guys. They live in the jungle. Max HP: 7, Attack Power: 3, Defense Power: 0 You'll get hurt if you attack with the Hammer while they're pointing the spear at you. You'll also get hurt if you try to jump on 'em when the spear's pointing upward. Pay attention to the position of their spears when we attack. Oh yeah, they also sometimes call in reinforcements. After they throw their spears, they become ordinary Shy Guys. | ||||||||
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
| Paper Mario: Sticker Star enemy | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spear Guy | ||||||
|
Max HP | 12 | Role | Common | Location(s) | Shy Guy Jungle, Jungle Rapids, Chomp Ruins, Rumble Volcano |
| Attack | 9 | Stickers | Jump | |||
| Defense | 0 | Moves | Stab (9), Spear Throw (6) | |||
Mario & Luigi series
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
- Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser profile: They like to throw their special spear and weave about. Especially strong against Pestnuts, but weak against red Koopa Paratroopas.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey
- Bowser Jr.'s Journey profile: Known for throwing their spears at foes. They seem to be invested in hunting for a mysterious red and blue creature.
Gallery
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Artwork used for a Christmas-themed puzzle based on Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Concept artwork for Super Mario RPG 2
Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Mario Party Advance
Mario Party Advance
Additional names
Internal names
| Game | File | Name | Meaning
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) | Model/ShyGuySpear.bfres.zs | ShyGuySpear | Spear Shy Guy |
Names in other languages
Spear Guy
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ヤリホー[6][7] Yarihō |
Portmanteau of「槍」(yari, "spear") and「ヘイホー」(Heihō, "Shy Guy") | |
| ヤリダンサー (Paper Mario)[?] Yari Dansā |
Spear Dancer | ||
| カタカタヤリホー[9] (Mario vs. Donkey Kong) Katakata Yarihō |
Mechanical Spear Guy | ||
| Chinese (simplified) | 长矛嘿虎[?] Chángmáo Hēihǔ |
Spear Shy Guy | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 長矛嘿呵[?] Chángmáo Hēihē |
Spear Shy Guy | |
| French | Mass'lanss[?] | From Maskass ("Shy Guy") and lance ("spear") | |
| German | Speer Guy[?] | Spear Guy | |
| Lanzen Guy (Yoshi's Island)[?] | Lanze ("spear") + "Shy Guy" | ||
| Savage Guy (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions)[?] | Savage Guy | ||
| Italian | Tipo Selva[?] | Thicket Guy | |
| Korean | 창창호[?] Changchangho |
Repetition of 창 (chang, "spear") + 헤이호 (Heiho, "Shy Guy") | |
| Russian | Копьеносец[?] Kop'enosets |
Spearman | |
| Spanish (NOA) | Guy guerrero[?] | Warrior Guy | |
| Spanish (NOE) | Lanzguy LanzGuy (Paper Mario: Sticker Star)[?] |
From lanza ("spear") |
Pike Guy
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ヨコヤリホー[10] Yoko Yarihō |
Side Spear Guy |
Trivia
- The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! episodes "Jungle Fever" and "Mario of the Apes" featured spear-carrying, grass-skirt-clad Shy Guys similar to Spear Guys. These unnamed Shy Guys, who took residence in the Amazon Jungle, predated actual Spear Guys by many years.
References
- ^ a b Miller, Kent, and Terry Munson. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island Player's Guide. Page 128.
- ^ Black, Fletcher. Yoshi's Island DS PRIMA Official Game Guide. Pages 127, 263, 264, 265, 268.
- ^ Black, Fletcher. Mario Party 8 PRIMA Official Game Guide. Page 22.
- ^ "Spear Guy – Spear Guys prevent Mini Marios from reaching certain areas by patrolling back and forth. Take them out with a hammer, or step on a red switch to turn them into blocks, allowing Mini Marios to step over them." - Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! help (British English version)
- ^ "Shy Guy – Shy Guys prevent Mini Mario from reaching certain areas by patrolling back and forth. Take them out with a hammer, or step on a red color switch to turn them into blocks, allowing Mini Mario to step over them." - Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! help (American English version)
- ^ a b 「スーパーマリオヨッシーアイランド任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (Super Mario: Yossy Island Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook). Page 5.
- ^ a b 「スーパーマリオアドバンス3任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (Super Mario Advance 3 Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook). Page 23.
- ^ 「ヨッシー New アイランド 任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (Yoshi's New Island Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook). Template:Media link.
- ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong Shogakukan book
- ^ 「ヨッシーアイランドDS任天堂公式ガイドブック」 (Yoshi's Island DS Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook). Page 209.
- Shy Guys
- Bowser Jr.'s Journey allies
- Mario Party characters
- Mario Party 7 characters
- Mario Party 8 characters
- Mario Party Advance characters
- Mario Party Advance species
- Mario Party: The Top 100 characters
- Mario Power Tennis
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong enemies
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! enemies
- Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser allies
- Paper Mario enemies
- Paper Mario: Sticker Star enemies
- Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island enemies
- Yoshi's Island DS enemies
- Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
- Yoshi's Crafted World enemies
- Yoshi's New Island enemies
