Amps are enemies in the Mario franchise, appearing in Super Mario 64. They are present in Bowser in the Dark World, Shifting Sand Land, Vanish Cap under the Moat, Wet-Dry World, Snowman's Land, Bowser in the Fire Sea, Tick Tock Clock, Rainbow Ride and Bowser in the Sky.
Behavior[]
Amps are black circles with faces covered in electricity, usually circling an object. Mario will be shocked on contact, losing one wedge of life and being stopped in his tracks, losing all momentum. Mario cannot defeat them. In the Nintendo 64 version of Shifting Sand Land's pyramid, there are Amps that, instead of circling an object, come out of a wall and fly directly at Mario. In the DS version, these are replaced by regular circling Amps instead.
Phenomena[]
Enemy Discoloring[]
Main Article: Enemy Discoloring
Enemy Discoloring can create a blue-lipped Amp. This Amp moves faster, and also does more damage.
Laughter[]
Some reports claim that upon making contact with the player, Amps will move their mouths and laugh before resuming movement. The sound clip is the same laugh used by the Boos, but with an electronic filter making it sound mechanical. The sound effect is modified as the game runs, meaning the altered version can't be found within the files.
Sad Amp[]
Some reports mention Amps with upside-down smiles, resembling frowning faces appearing in place of regular Amps or alongside them. They move at a slower speed to their smiling counterparts, making them easier to avoid. In the case that both types of Amps appear, the timing can become challenging as they revolve around the same axis in opposite directions.