Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Slime

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This article is for the Slime from Dragon Quest. For the Slime from Minecraft, see List of spirits (Minecraft series). For the American Smasher, see Smasher:Slime.
For the Canadian Smasher, see Slime
Slime
Slime.png
SSBU spirit Liquid Metal Slime.png

Symbol of the Dragon Quest series.
Official artworks of Slime and Liquid Metal Slime.
Universe Dragon Quest
Debut Dragon Quest (1986, Slime)
Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line (1987, Liquid Metal Slime)
Smash Bros. appearances Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (2024)
Console/platform of origin Nintendo Entertainment System
Species Slime
Created by Yuji Horii
Designed by Akira Toriyama
Article on Wikipedia Slime (Dragon Quest)

Slimes (スライム, Slime) are a common type of enemy in the Dragon Quest series, also serving as the series' mascot.

OriginEdit

 
The player encounters a Slime in the original Dragon Quest.

In the Dragon Quest games, Slimes are often the first monster that players come across. They are typically the weakest monster, and can be taken down with ease, as they lack any real offensive abilities. Owing to their simplistic nature, there are many variants of Slime, to the point that they even have their own monster family. Other variations include the She-Slime (which, despite its name, is not necessarily female), the enormous King Slime, and the elusive Metal Slime (which, along with its relatives, is famous for the amount of experience points it gives if one is able to defeat it). In later games, such as Dragon Quest IX, there are special Slimes that—though often unassuming—can merge with or stack onto other Slimes, creating a new type of Slime, such as a King Slime or a Slime Stack. Friendly Slimes also sometimes appear in the series, and often greet the Hero with the phrase "I'm not a bad Slime".

As the series progressed, Slimes grew popular among fans, becoming an icon of the franchise and starring in spin-off titles such as Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime. They are also often used as the emblem to represent the series as a whole, such as in the Itadaki Street series. They even sometimes make playable appearances, including in the aforementioned Fortune Street series as well as in crossover games like Mario Sports Mix. Certain games include Slimes as companions with their own personality and dialogue. In localized titles, they often use slime-related puns or phrases: for example, "gooman" instead of "human", "slime" instead of "time", "accrooze" instead of "accrue", and saying "slurp" or "goo" as a verbal tic.

In Super Smash Bros. UltimateEdit

According to Masahiro Sakurai, while his first choice for a Dragon Quest fighter was the Hero, he would not have opposed a Slime being playable on Square Enix's request. Ultimately, the two parties agreed on the Hero, but Slimes still feature prominently in the series' representation.[1]

As a background characterEdit

Multiple Slimes appear on the Dragon Quest stage, Yggdrasil's Altar. This also includes a Liquid Metal Slime, which are rare like in their respective games.

As a moveset elementEdit

Slime appears in one of Hero's taunts, and three Slimes also appear in one of the Hero's victory poses. Solo, the Hero from Dragon Quest IV, has a Slime-themed earring on his left ear, which turns into a Metal Slime in his orange alternate costume.

As a costumeEdit

 
A Mii Gunner wearing the Slime hat.

Slime appears as a paid DLC Mii Costume in the form of a hat. Uniquely, it wobbles and jiggles when in motion. The headgear was revealed during the Mr. Sakurai Presents "Hero" presentation on July 30, 2019. It was released alongside the other Round 2 Mii Fighter costumes and Challenger Pack 2, Hero, on the same day.

In the trailer for the Dragon Quest Mii Fighter costumes, a metal Mii Fighter wearing a Slime hat can be seen running away from Luminary, referencing the Metal Slime enemy and its tendency to run away. Additionally, the Luminary is seen trying to use Hatchet Man on the Mii Fighter; this references a common strategy for hunting Metal Slimes and their relatives in the Dragon Quest games, as Hatchet Man has a chance to deal a critical hit, which will always kill Metal Slimes instantly. Later to the same trailer, Captain Falcon thrusts his arm out and gestures for Slime to follow him; this is a reference to Dragon Quest V, where monsters may join the Hero's party after defeating them. The Mii Gunner wearing the Slime hat may reference the spin-off series Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime, known as Slime MoriMori Dragon Quest in Japan, where guns are a common feature for tanks.

SpiritsEdit

Various Slimes also appear as spirits.

The Slime uses an army of Kirby puppet fighters and is fought on the Gaur Plain stage's Battlefield form. During the battle, the Kirby puppet fighters use neutral aerial attacks, referencing the Slime's ability to attack while jumping. Also, the Giant Kirby puppet fighter appears after the Kirby Team is KO'd, referencing how the Slimes combine into King Slime, this spirit's enhanced form.

The Liquid Metal Slime uses a Metal Kirby puppet fighter and is fought on The Great Cave Offensive stage's Battlefield form. During the battle, the player's fighter must defeat the Metal Kirby puppet fighter in thirty seconds, referencing how a Liquid Metal Slime often flees after one turn in the Dragon Quest series. Also, the Metal Kirby puppet fighter has decreased attack power and increased move speed and defense, referencing the Liquid Metal Slime's low attack power and high defense stats, while it starts off with a Franklin Badge, referencing the Liquid Metal Slime's immunity to magic spells.

Primary spiritEdit

No. Image Name Type Class Slots Base   Max   Base   Max   Base   Max   Ability Series
1,330 Slime (Dragon Quest)
 
2 899 4499 454 2272 445 2227 Can Be Enhanced at Lv. 99 DRAGON QUEST Series
1,331 King Slime
 
★★★ 2 3225 9701 1659 4989 1413 4250 Weight ↑ ↑ DRAGON QUEST Series

Support spiritEdit

No. Image Name Class Cost Ability Series
1,336 Liquid Metal Slime ★★ 1 Move Speed ↑ DRAGON QUEST Series

OtherEdit

The Hero's reveal trailer features Slime all throughout.

GalleryEdit

Names in other languagesEdit

Language Name
  Japanese スライム, Slime
  English Slime
  French Gluant
  German Schleim
  Spanish Limo
  Italian Slime
  Chinese (Simplified) 史莱姆, Slime
  Chinese (Traditional) 史萊姆, Slime
  Korean 슬라임, Slime
  Dutch Slime
  Russian Слайм

TriviaEdit

  • Slime is the third non-playable character to appear in the panoramic banner, following Mr. Saturn and Morgana.
  • Due to the Slime being designed by Akira Toriyama, his production company Bird Studio is credited for designing the Mii costume. Toriyama is also credited by name in the credits.
    • Production company Armor Project is also credited for the Mii costume. Founder Yuji Horii is also credited by name.

ReferencesEdit

External linksEdit