Second Chance: Antotto

ANTOTTO

So, I swear I didn't plan it this way, but it feels rather auspicious that an obscure single-game enemy like Pionpi, Beezo, and Flurry ended up being the April Fool's Day update, especially given what I think my final judgment is going to be.

Antottos were a breed of ant-type enemies that were among the most common to appear in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins. They came in four varieties, mainly their generic version, a version with a cannon on its head that shot projectiles, a version with defensive spikes growing on its body, and a version with a shovel that it used to dig up large boulders to roll at you. Right there, we have three easy moves, and because of that, they almost made it into the original roster. The only problem was the lack of an aerial move. The closest we came was the little weevil enemies that could fly and appeared in every location the Antottos appeared in. While that wasn't close enough at the time, in the years since, I have made multiple movesets with characters closely connected to the character acting as a part of the moveset, so I don't think I have that excuse anymore.

As small as they are, I think I ultimately have to say . . .

YES

Here is their moveset:

Standard B: Cannon

The Dokanto's cannon will appear on its head and fire a cannon shot as a projectile across the stage.

Side B: Boulder

It will pull out Goronto's shovel and dig, unearthing a large boulder that will roll forward, doling out heavy damage.

Up B: Battle Beetle

The Battle Beetle they are frequently seen with will grab onto them and fly upward, coming down in the same flight pattern from the game.

Down B: Spikes

It will stop in place for a second as Chikunto's spines jut out from its body and protect it from harm.

Final Smash: Sewer Rat

Based on the boss from the Macro Zone, where the Antottos are the most prominent, the wind-up Sewer Rat will appear with the boss theme playing, and then rush around and around the stage for a brief time, KOing anyone it collides with.

Entrance: It will emerge from a pipe set in the ground and walk forward.

Taunts: Up, a rising platform from its game will appear under it and lift it up for a second. Side, it will patrol back and forth. Down, it will dig in its shovel and get it stuck.

Kirby Hat: Dokanto's cannon hat

Kart: A kart based on an Ant Trooper enemy.

Special Move: It will unearth a boulder that will bounce forward across the track.

Spirit Battle: A horde battle on Mario's Castle

Victory Screen: An army of them will march across the screen, building their new hive.

Losing Screen: It will mimic its death animation from the original game.

Color Swaps: Black, the Gray shown in promotional materials, Red like a Fire Ant, Brown, Blue like an Ant-Trooper, Black with Dokanto's construction hat on, an Ant-Trooper, an Ant-Trooper with a spiky helmet.

Thanks for reading! Next up, another example of "Why wasn't that an echo?"