Muncher

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Munchers ("Black Pakkun" in Japan) are an indestructible species of Piranha Plants. Unlike their white cousins, Muncher Plants come in black, depending on the location, and are generally immobile.

History

Super Mario Bros. 3

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Munchers from the updated version of Super Mario Bros. 3 (top) and from Super Mario World (bottom).

Munchers first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3. They are first encountered in stage 6-9 of Iced Land where they appear in large numbers. Munchers can become frozen if hit with an Ice Block. Frozen Munchers can be identified by the black ice block in which they are encased (in contrast to yellow ice blocks, which hold coins). They are harmless when frozen and act like platforms, but if one thaws a Muncher out with a fireball, the Muncher will become active again. If Mario hits a P-Switch, then thaws a frozen Muncher in an ice block, the Muncher will turn into a coin, the only way to kill them. If Raccoon Mario or Tanooki Mario hits a Muncher with his tail, it will turn into an empty, used block. A way to avoid them is to obtain Kuribo's Shoe. The player can ride on Munchers if they have this item.

Super Mario World

They appear again in Super Mario World, where they behave the same as in the previous game. In this game they can be walked on with the aid of a Yoshi.

Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land

They also appear in Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land. They are once again black and indestructible.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

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Three Munchers alongside their frozen brethren in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Munchers appear in the level 9-7 where they are frozen in ice. They cover most of the floor and can be quite dangerous if the player(s) don't keep moving as there are several Venus Fire Traps in the level that can melt them. The player(s) can also melt them if they have a Fire Flower. Once they are unfrozen, they cannot be frozen again, even if they are hit with a iceball from a player.

Unlike in Super Mario World, Yoshi can't walk on Munchers in this game; attempting to do so would harm Yoshi.

Characteristics and Traits

Munchers act much like spikes would, as touching them would damage Mario and Luigi. However, both the Kuribo's Shoe or any Yoshi can walk on them without harm (Super Mario World only). In a few levels, they spring from thin pipes. The only way to cross a patch of Munchers is by acquiring a Starman or by carefully jumping to the gaps between Muncher patches.

There is often confusion on what a Muncher exactly is. They are about the size of a Nipper Plant, but are firmly planted in the ground like a Piranha Plant. They also have eyes (except in Super Mario World, where they have no eyes whatsoever), much like a Nipper Plant. They appear to be a sub-species and not part of the normal evolution chain of a Piranha Plant. In Super Mario All-Stars, these Super Mario Bros. 3 enemies were recolored, greatly resembling a Nipper Plant, and not black like the classic Muncher.
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