Shadow Bug

Shadow Bug
Official render of Shadow Bugs.
Universe	Super Smash Bros.

Shadow Bugs are the snowflake-like particles of which the forces of the Subspace Army are created from in Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary. They are apparently embodiments of a mysterious primordial substance that is part of Mr. Game & Watch which can come into existence by extracting said substance from his body, leading to Tabuu exploiting it so he can can create his army's forces.

They first appeared in a Smash Bros. DOJO!! update called "This World", which introduced the mode's plot, shown being dropped down from the Halberd, as well as surrounding a single Primid.

Additionally, Shadow Bugs are mentioned in Palutena's Guidance for Mr. Game & Watch, in which Pit says, "Hey, it's a Shadow Bug!", referencing how the entities can be extracted from him.

Shadow Bug Clones

The false Bowser pictured on the right was a creation of the Shadow Bugs.

Shadow Bugs are capable of creating doppelgängers of fighters by swarming over their trophy forms. They can also alter certain qualities of them such as size, as seen with the false Diddy Kong. These things will have a purple tinge, be surrounded by a matching smoky aura and possess solid and glowing yellow eyes. Bowser himself has his own doppelgänger, which serves him as both a decoy and subordinate.

Trophy

Shadow Bugs's trophy in Brawl

Shadow Bugs

Embodiments of a primordial substance that can take the form of any number of lesser Subspace foes. They can also copy the forms of trophies to create evil doppelganger versions of them. The mysterious substance inside Mr. Game & Watch can be extracted endlessly. Once Tabuu discovered this, he used Mr. Game & Watch to create the Subspace Army.

: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Spirit

The Shadow Bug appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as an Advanced-class support spirit. It can be purchased at Beedle's Tent.

The Spirit Battle for Shadow Bug uses an army of Mr. Game & Watch puppet fighters and is fought on the Pokémon Stadium stage. During the battle, the stage will be covered in a poisonous cloud, referencing both the Shadow Bugs' signature violet coloration and their conversion of false characters.

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Cost	Ability	Series
1,112		Shadow Bug		★★	1	Trade-Off Attacks ↑	Super Smash Bros. Series

Names in other languages

Language	Name
Japanese	影虫
English	Shadow Bug
French	Matière d'ombre
German	Dämmer-Partikel
Spanish	Peste violeta
Italian	Cellule ombra
Chinese (Simplified)	影虫
Chinese (Traditional)	影蟲
Korean	영충
Dutch	Shadow Bug
Russian	Мракожук

Trivia

• Bowser is the only character not seen in his trophy form prior to the debut of his false character counterpart.