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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Shadow Bug

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Shadow Bug
SSBU spirit Shadow Bug.png

Official Render of Shadow Bugs.
Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary

Universe Super Smash Bros.

Shadow Bugs are small and fuzzy violet spheres of which the forces of the Subspace Army are made from in The Subspace Emissary. They are apparently embodiments of a primordial substance and can come into existence by extracting a mysterious substance that Mr. Game & Watch embodies, leading Tabuu to have him captured to become the source of the Subspace Army's forces.

They first appeared in a Smash Bros. DOJO!! update called "This World", which introduced the main plot of The Subspace Emissary, 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!". This is a reference to how Shadow Bugs were extracted from Mr. Game & Watch.

Shadow Bug Clones

Main article: False character
The false Bowser pictured on the right was created from the Shadow Bugs.

Shadow Bugs are capable of copying a fighter's trophy and assuming their appearance, but are also capable of altering certain qualities such as size, as seen in the fight with the false Diddy Kong. A clone of a fighter created by the Shadow Bugs will have a purple tinge, be surrounded by a matching smoky aura and possess solid and glowing yellow irises. Bowser himself has his own clone, 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.
Wii: 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 the Shadow Bugs' signature purple coloration and their ability to swarm.

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

Names in other languages

Language Name
Japan Japanese 影虫
UK English Shadow Bug
France French Matière d'ombre
Germany German Dämmer-Partikel
Spain Spanish Peste violeta
Italy Italian Cellule ombra
China Chinese (Simplified) 影虫
Taiwan Chinese (Traditional) 影蟲
South Korea Korean 영충
Netherlands Dutch Shadow Bug
Russia Russian Мракожук

Trivia

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