Dino Rhino
| Dino Rhino | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Dinosaur Land |
| Type | Dinosaur |
| Debut | Super Mario World |
The Dino Rino (and its miniature version, the Dino-Torch) is a dinosaur-like enemy from the Super Mario series that originally appeared in Super Mario World.
Background
The Dino Rhino is a corpulent dinosaur with a beak-like snout. In its original appearance, it has no abilities in its normal form but is resilient to fire attacks and cannot be eaten by Yoshi. After being stomped on, it turns into a miniature version known as a Dino-Torch that can move around more quickly. The Dino-Torch exhibits the ability to breathe a stream of fire (either upwards or to the side) but is vulnerable to fire attacks and can be defeated in one hit. Dino-Torches were only present in Super Mario World, however; in later appearances, normal Dino Rhinos have exhibited the ability to breathe fire.
Appearances
The Dino Rhinos and Dino-Torches originally appeared in Super Mario World, where they were found at Chocolate Island. A variation called the Albino Dino later appeared in Paper Mario. Three Albino Dinos acted as guards of the Crystal Palace and were not enemies. Instead, Mario had to talk to them from different angles in order to move corresponding statues of them and solve a puzzle.
They returned as enemies in the Mossrock Theater and Emerald Circus areas of Paper Mario: Color Splash. In this appearance, they could breathe fire and were under the control of Shy Guys. Without an Animal Trainer Shy Guy, they would rampage and become stronger versions known as Wild Dino Rhinos. A single Dino Rhino later made a cameo appearance as an NPC in Paper Mario: The Origami King. It was found at the Shroom City cafe with a Ptooie and a Sombrero Shy Guy, where it breathed fire to contribute to an impromptu song with the other patrons.
Other Appearances
Other Media
- In the Super Mario World cartoon series, the Dino Rhino made one appearance while the Dino-Torches made multiple appearances. In the Dino Rhino's appearance, Mario was locked in a cage with one that attempted to eat him, but Mario defeated it by feeding it fireballs instead. As for the Dino-Torches, they were often used as living welding torches or flamethrowers by King Koopa and his followers.
Trivia
- Its Japanese name is "Raita", which is based on the word "Lighter". The Dino-Torch is simply known as a Chibi Raita.
- Dino-Torches are also referred to as Mini-Dinos and Mini-Rhinos by some sources.
- In the Super Mario All-Stars and Super Mario Advance remakes of Super Mario Bros. 3, the king of Sea Side was transformed into a purple Dino Rhino.
- Unused sprites from Super Mario World show that Dino Rhinos were intended to breathe fire at some point in development. Other unused data from other games indicates that Dino Rhinos were supposed to act as enemies in Paper Mario (specifically the Albino Dinos) and The Origami King.