Is My Nametag on Upside-Down Again? Quiz

Answer: Mr. Molecule

Presumably, the Japanese name "All in a Lump" is this character's design is meant to look just like the "ball-and-stick" molecular models. This enemy has six connected pieces, or atoms, though it's up to your imagination what elements it might have been made from. Multiple Mr. Molecules may appear in a fight, and they're weak; but if joined by the Care Free Bomb enemy, watch out!

Answer: Criminal Caterpillar

A denizen of Dusty Dunes Desert, the Criminal Caterpillar won't try to pursue you when you draw near. If you engage it in battle, it will constantly try to burn you with fire, so you'd better have a good strategy. If you succeed, you'll get over 30,000 Experience Points -- more than ten times what other foes in the same area are worth.

Answer: New Age Retro Hippie

One of the game's more memorable enemies, the New Age Retro Hippie isn't very carefree at all. He's got a peace-sign necklace around his neck, yet he wanders around Twoson picking fights. Guess he didn't get the memo. Anyway, he's about as harmful as he looks -- one of his "attacks" is taking out a toothbrush and trying to stun you with his shiny teeth!

Answer: Uncontrollable Sphere

An improved version of the Smilin' Sphere enemy, the Uncontrollable Sphere is creepy indeed. This purple orb with a sinister grin is a force to be reckoned with -- and defeating it will result in a violent explosion that can severely wound your whole party. It's safer to try to run away from the encounter -- this is one fight you might not want to win.

Answer: Master Criminal Worm

Nearly identical to the Criminal Caterpillar but even more scarce, the Master Criminal Worm can be a nightmare to fight. But since the Worm will never give chase, it's a prime target for an "Instant Win" -- just corner it, approach it from behind, and you'll defeat it without having to enter the battle screen. Squashing this bug will yield an incredible 83,000 Experience Points -- more than most bosses are worth!

Answer: Worthless Protoplasm

The Worthless Protoplasm -- boy, talk about low self-esteem! Unfortunately for this gelatinous little blob, its existential crisis is justified -- whether you find it in Winters, Fourside or one of Brick Road's dungeons, this pitiable purple pile can only dream of being a threat.

A protoplasm is the living part of cells, and I don't think I want to imagine what sort of bizarre creature this thing might have been intended for.

Answer: Annoying Old Party Man

The Annoying Old Party Man, huh? Whatever party THIS guy came from, he must have had a little too much to drink. Thankfully, he's no match for *your* party -- and a good bash will get him back to normal. In the game, the aliens have influenced the minds of people (and animals) everywhere. But you can tell if a person has turned hostile -- on the field, his/her face is a pale-blue color.

Answer: Violent Roach

Cockroaches -- yuck! In fact, as one translator explains, that's why the Violent Roach is simply called "It" in the Japanese game -- "these bugs are so disgusting that nobody wants to specify what they are." The even-worse foe you encounter later, the Filthy Attack Roach, is called "That It." It recalls the 1954 movie "Them!," which features giant mutant ants -- actually, "EarthBound" has those too!

Source: Clyde Mandelin, "Legends of Localization" page 326, for the explanation of the Japanese name.

Answer: Starman Junior

It's Starman Junior! The Sharks, Onett's gang of local ruffians, would be no match for this guy. Time-traveling punks in outer space -- who'd have thought it, huh? Good thing you've got Buzz-Buzz with you -- he'll give you a special shield that will nullify the Starman's otherwise-deadly powers. Remember, Starman is good news only in Mario's universe.

In this case, actually, "Starman" is meant in the sense of "a man from the stars."

Answer: Annoying Reveler

The Annoying Reveler -- well, he's a pain, all right, although he doesn't look like he's in a partying sort of mood, and he's alone in his so-called revelry. The way he keeps babbling on and nearly falling over, you'd think the only "party" he's been to is over at the city's cafe -- "Grouch, party of one?" Maybe he should just switch to decaf. Whatever his deal is, you can't help but see red -- his tacky red suit, that is -- so take the fight to him.