Second Chance: Virus

VIRUS

So, for the Dr. Mario viruses, I originally overlooked them because they were pretty basic overall. They were basically just the blocks for the game, just given faces to add a bit more flavor. And even in games like the Mario & Luigi games, they were basically just "bumping-type" enemies, with no more attack than just charging into their opponent. Plus, they worked really well as a Dr. Mario attack (which I guess they still can be, if I say yes, if Dr. Mario just throws the small block forms of them or something).

One thing I do notice though, is that one comic at least, did ascribe specific attributes to the three main colors: Fever could control heat, Chill could control cold, and Weird could morph their victims into new shapes. On their own, not quite enough still, but it does give us fair reason to assume we can extrapolate from the other viruses added in other games. For instance, Dr. Luigi added a Dizzy, Confused, and Drowsy, which can give us some things, while Dr. Mario World added in a floatie virus that could change locations on the game grid, and some were shown with spears in the Mario & Luigi games.

Overall, I think it's easy to see why I said no, at first. These are all very minimal, and somewhat extrapolate-y, especially spread out across a wide variety of sources, but I think I can ultimately say . . .

YES

Here is their moveset, as well as I remember it for Foreman Spike:

Standard B: Infection

The Virus will latch on and bite its target, inflicting a poison status if it holds on long enough.

Side B: Fever OR Chill

Either one of these two elemental attacks can be used here. I think I prefer fever best, but either way.

Up B: Floatie

The Virus will float up into the air for a second with a dazed look on its face before coming back down.

Down B: Weird OR Drowsy

Either could work here. Weird would basically cause the target to mutate and become slower as a result, or Drowsy would put the player to sleep.

Final Smash: Epidemic

Based on Dr. Mario 64's plot, hundreds of viruses will flood over the stage, leaving all players behind with various effects of being ill.

Entrance: A bottle will break open and they will come out.

Taunts: Up, a pill will fall from above, the Virus will catch it and then start shaking. Side, the Virus will look side to side all sneaky-like. Down, the Virus will sit down and cough as if sick.

Kirby Hat: He will turn the red color of the Fever Virus.

Kart: A giant pill bottle with them inside.

Special Move: They will cause an area of effect around themselves that will cause any racers that pass through it to become slow with sluggish controls.

Spirit Battle: A horde battle on Pill Bottle, with Dr. Mario as an ally.

Victory Screen: Their opponent will become pale and sickly as they hop around them.

Losing Screen: Pills will fall from above, striking them and causing them to disappear.

Color Swaps: Fever, Chill, Weird, Dizzy, Confused, Drowsy, the pink one from World, and the green one from World.

Thanks for reading! Next up, a long-forgotten enemy from Super Mario Land 2.