Lakitu

is a recurring fictional enemy species from the _Mario_ franchise. They first appear in the Nintendo Entertainment System best-seller _Super Mario Bros._ (1985). They are always accompanied by their cloud, in which they ride and throw Spiny Eggs that hatch upon landing. Without their cloud, Lakitus are defenseless, and no Lakitu has ever been seen walking without their cloud.

Although they were originally designed as enemies, Lakitus often play a friendly role in some games, such as the friendly Lakitu Bros. in _Super Mario 64_. They also often serve as referees or cameramen in many of the spin-offs where they appear, such as the _Mario Kart_ series, _Mario Tennis_, and _Mario Sports Mix_.

## Characteristics

Lakitus are short Koopas. They have shells with light green and dark green stripes. Their skin is yellow, just like regular Koopas. They only have three black hairs on their heads, round noses, and glasses. Lakitus have two hands and two legs, although the latter are not usually visible as they are tucked inside the cloud.

The cloud they ride is also small. It is white and nearly always displays a happy expression. At times, the cloud has been shown with an angry expression. This expression can be stolen in games like _Super Mario World_, allowing it to fly for a period of time.

### _Super Mario_ series

Lakitus have appeared in a majority of the mainline platforming games of the _Super Mario_ series.

#### _Super Mario Bros._

In _Super Mario Bros._, Lakitus are first encountered about midway through the game, in World 4-1. They move back and forth horizontally, throwing Spiny Eggs below.

#### _Super Mario Bros. 3_

In _Super Mario Bros. 3_, Lakitu returns as an enemy, having the same role as in _Super Mario Bros._ However, Lakitu's Cloud now appears as a rare item that either of the player characters, Mario or Luigi, can use on the world map to skip levels.

#### _Super Mario World_

In _Super Mario World_, regular Lakitus return as enemies, throwing Spiny Eggs as usual. They were given a variety named Fishin' Lakitus, which have a fishing rod on which they bait Mario with a 1-Up Mushroom, but once he collects it, they start throwing Spinies at him. _Super Mario World_ is the first game where if Mario or Luigi defeats Lakitu, they can use its cloud to fly around for a certain period of time.

#### _Super Mario 64_

In _Super Mario 64_, besides the friendly Lakitu Bros. that take on the friendly role of controlling the game camera, regular Lakitus appear as regular enemies in the giant part of Tiny-Huge Island.

#### _New Super Mario Bros._

In _New Super Mario Bros._, Lakitus return as enemies. Like in _Super Mario World_, Mario can ride their cloud temporarily. There is also a boss named Lakithunder, who shoots strikes of lightning to attack.

#### _New Super Mario Bros. Wii_

In _New Super Mario Bros. Wii_: They return only as enemies and have similar characteristics to its previous appearance.

#### _Super Mario Galaxy 2_

In _Super Mario Galaxy 2_, aside from Lakitus returning as regular enemies, there now another Lakitu boss named King Lakitu. Similar to Lakithunder, it attacks by shooting lightning from its cloud.

#### _New Super Mario Bros. U_

In _New Super Mario Bros. U_, Lakitus retain the same role as enemies as in earlier games of the _New Super Mario Bros._ sub-series.

#### _Super Mario Odyssey_

In _Super Mario Odyssey_, Lakitu is among the living beings whom Mario can "capture" with his new sentient cap, Cappy, and take temporary control of. As Lakitu, Mario can go fishing, allowing him to obtain a common collectible item, coins or in some cases a Power Moon, the main collectible item.

#### _Super Mario Maker 2_

In _Super Mario Maker 2_, Lakitu is among the many enemies that the player can place in their custom-created courses.

### Other appearances

Lakitus have also appeared in spin-off _Mario_ games and even some other Nintendo series.

#### _Mario Kart_ series

Since the first game of the series, _Super Mario Kart_, Lakitu is a character who is in charge of giving the starting signal, indicating the lap number, or picking up the player if they fall off the track. In _Mario Kart 7_, _Mario Kart 8_, and _Mario Kart Tour_, Lakitu takes a prominent role of being one of the playable racers.

#### _Yoshi's Island_ series

In _Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island_, there are a variety of Lakitus. They are not seen riding their clouds as usual, and also hide behind walls to throw Spiny Eggs at Yoshi.

#### _Super Smash Bros._ series

In _Super Smash Bros. Melee_, he can be obtained as a trophy, as well as in _Super Smash Bros. Brawl_ and _Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U_. In the Nintendo 3DS version only, Lakitu is a common enemy in the game's exclusive Smash Run mode. In _Super Smash Bros. Ultimate_, Lakitu is a spirit that can be defeated along with his Spikes.

#### _The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap_

_The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap_ is the only appearance of Lakitus in a _The Legend of Zelda_ game. They are encountered in one of the game's dungeons, the Palace of Winds.

#### _Mario Baseball_ series

Lakitu is a referee in _Mario Superstar Baseball_ and _Mario Super Sluggers_.

#### _Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games_

In the Nintendo DS version of _Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games_, Lakitu appears in the main adventure story, Adventure Tours. He is not an enemy and hosts two of the missions for Princess Daisy in two of the game's worlds, Icepeak and Blizland.

## Infobox (character)

- **noinfo**: 1
- **firstgame**: _Super Mario Bros._ (1985)
- **image**:
- **series**: Mario
- **species**: Koopa