Peanut Popgun
Peanut Popgun.jpg
Peanut Popgun in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
User Diddy Kong
Universe Donkey Kong
Article on DK Wiki Peanut Popgun

The Peanut Popgun (ピーナッツ・ポップガン, Peanuts Popgun) is Diddy Kong's neutral special attack.

Overview

The Peanut Popgun fires out peanuts that hit the opponent. The player can boost the speed and lower the angle of the shot by holding down the button. If the player holds the button down too long, the Peanut Popgun will explode, briefly stunning Diddy Kong. In Brawl, this has no other effect, but in SSB4, the explosion becomes a powerful attack. The shelled peanuts shot out may break, dropping a small edible peanut, which will recover a small amount of damage when eaten.

Interestingly, the Peanut shells fired from the popgun count as items and thus can be caught and thrown back. Also, since it is an item, the peanuts will take damage instead of following the laws of priority. If a peanut from the popgun takes 1% of damage, it will be destroyed, which makes it not as useful as other projectile attacks.

The Popgun is fully charged when Diddy reaches up and grabs his hat. In order to fire a fully charged peanut without stunning the player, release the special button as soon as Diddy grabs his hat. A fully charged shot from the Peanut Popgun does considerable damage (17% worth damage), which can be useful for putting pressure on the opponent. The overcharged explosion does 23% damage and can KO at around 75% damage. A reflected peanut will be redirected downward based on how long the shot was charged. Diddy can cancel the move by shielding and thus, roll, spot dodge or glide toss out of this move.

Origin

Peanut Popguns were Diddy's weapons of choice in Donkey Kong 64. He would wield two at once, although his shells didn't become peanuts once he hit his opponent. The weapon returns in Donkey Kong Country Returns and the subsequent Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, where Diddy can shoot peanuts that bounce along the ground and disrupt weak enemies. No charging mechanic exists in any such game.

According to the DK Rap from Donkey Kong 64, the game which the Peanut Popgun originated from, the weapons themselves were originally referred to as pistols; in the Beta version of that game, his Peanut Popguns appeared as metallic pistols.

Description from the Brawl Instruction Booklet

Press and hold the B Button to charge up for a stronger, longer shot. Don't charge it too long, or - BOOM!

Description from the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Foldout

Shoot peanuts. Can be charged and overcharged.

Customization

Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the known variations:

1. Peanut Popgun 2. Exploding Popgun 3. Jumbo Peanuts
"Diddy's trusty peanut shooter. Don't charge it for too long, or it'll blow up in your face!" "Charges quickly and explodes, damaging nearby enemies. Doesn't actually fire any peanuts." "Shoot giant peanuts that don't travel as far but pack a real punch."
  1. Peanut Popgun: Default.
  2. Exploding Popgun: Charges quickly and explodes at point-blank range. Does not actually fire peanuts, instead doing minor damage at close range when successfully fired.
    In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, this variation is a Challenge unlock, only obtainable after destroying a total of 3000 blocks in Trophy Rush.
    In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, this variation is a Challenge unlock, only obtainable by score at least 150000 points in a single game of Target Blast, Stage 1.
  3. Jumbo Peanuts: Fires slow-moving but powerful and large peanuts that have less range. The explosion is slightly weaker.

Trophy Description

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

A unique firearm that only Diddy Kong can use. It's made of a chunk of wood and shoots peanuts. In Donkey Kong 64, he carried two pistols and could fire two shots at a time. In Smash Bros., the peanut ammo bursts out of its shells when fired. The peanuts can be grabbed and eaten to reduce damage. The longer the gun is charged before firing, the faster the peanuts fly.

 : Donkey Kong 64

Super Smash Bros. 4

  Diddy Kong's special wooden gun, locked and loaded with peanut shots. Power up the peanuts by holding the button, but don't get carried away—an overcharged peanut can explode in the barrel! Charging will improve the range of your shot, so keep an eye on your target as you prepare to fire!

  Diddy Kong's special wooden gun. Keep the trigger held to charge up the speed and power of the peanut ammo. Just don't get carried away or the gun might explode! How long you charge it for also affects the range of your projectile, so pay close attention to your intended target and make sure you time it just right!

 : Donkey Kong 64 (11/1999)
 : Donkey Kong Country Returns (11/2010)

Gallery