For other uses, see Caterkiller (disambiguation). For the Badnik also known by the Japanese name "Nal", see Sandworm.

The Caterkiller^[1][2] (ナール^[3], Nāru^?, lit. "Nal") is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, caterpillar-based Badnik model created by Dr. Eggman that possesses a hard defense system and the ability to scatter its segments if destroyed incorrectly.

Appearance[]

Based on caterpillars, the Caterkillers' body consists of four spherical segments with curved yellow spikes on the sides. They also have two antennae located at the tip of their heads. They are mainly purple in color, with white fangs in their mouths, gray underbellies, and two antennae with yellow tops. They also have cartoonish, black eyes.

Other incarnations of the Caterkillers have been known to be pinkish in color instead of purple. The Badnik model from the Lost Hex incident has also been known to have cyan eyes.

Game appearances[]

Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)[]

In the 16-bit version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, the Caterkillers^[1] (ナール^[3], Nāru^?, lit. "Nal") appear in Marble Zone and Scrap Brain Zone.

In gameplay, Caterkillers crawl slowly along the ground. To defeat a Caterkiller, the player must Spin Jump onto its head or roll into it with the Spin Attack; otherwise, the player will take damage and scatter the Caterkiller's segments all over the place. If the player destroys a Caterkiller in this way, an Animal will not be freed unless the player manages to destroy the head before it bounces off the screen. Should the player manage to destroy a Caterkiller properly, they will be rewarded with 100 points.

In the 8-bit version, the Caterkillers only appear in Scrap Brain Zone as enemies. Caterkillers also have a movement pattern identical to their 16-bit counterparts. However, they do not have Animals. Destroying a Caterkiller rewards the player with 100 points.

Sonic Rivals[]

In Sonic Rivals, the Caterkiller makes an appearance as one of the collectible cards in the game.

Sonic Lost World[]

In the Wii U version, PC version and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World, more cartoonish-looking Caterkillers appear as enemies. Over the course of the game, Dr. Eggman's Badniks, including the Caterkillers, got hijacked by the Deadly Six. In gameplay, these Badniks move slowly around in certain pattern, like Snail Blasters, and due to having segments, the player has to hit their head sections with the Homing Attack, since hitting them on any other segment will result in the Caterkillers getting destroyed while the playable character takes damage. They appear in Windy Hill Zone 4 and Silent Forest Zone 3 in the Wii U/PC version of the game, and in Windy Will Tutorial and Windy Hill Zone 1 and 2 in the Nintendo 3DS version of the game.

Defeating a Caterkiller is slightly different in both versions. In the Wii U/PC version, they are large and the player has to hit them on their heads with the Homing Attack or the Bound Jump. In the Nintendo 3DS version, if the player uses a Somersault to stun this Badnik, it will be easier to destroy them without getting hit at the same time. Upon properly destroying a Caterkiller, it will release an Animal.

Sonic Dream Team[]

Other game appearances[]

Sonic Jump (2012)[]

In the 2012 version of Sonic Jump, the Caterkillers begin appearing in Mountain Zone. In this game, Caterkillers act like they did in their first appearance, although they like to fall down to the lower platforms (where they can usually be found).

Sonic Runners series[]

Sonic Runners[]

In Sonic Runners, the Caterkillers appear as enemies. In this game, they retained their design from Sonic Lost World. They are also some of the more common foes encountered in the speed type characters' stages. In gameplay, the Caterkiller's spike segments do not hurt the playable character or separate from the body when they are attacked. They also either move slowly forward or stand in one place and are either set separately or in groups.

The player can destroy the Caterkillers with any move or offensive power-up in the playable characters' arsenal. When destroyed, a Caterkiller will grant the player 100 points.

Caterkillers in Sonic Runners come in three types. Aside from the regular Caterkillers, there are golden ones which grant 300 points when defeated, and silver ones that grant 200 points when eliminated and which only Color Powers, Invincible and the power type characters' dash attack can defeat. All three variations also contain Animals that are released when they are destroyed. The Caterkillers also appear as part of several episodes' narrative, which features them being defeated time and time again by Team Sonic.

Sonic Runners Adventure[]

In Sonic Runners Adventure, the Caterkillers appear as enemies. In this game, they retain their design from Sonic Lost World. The player encounters them in every stage.

In gameplay, the Caterkillers stand in one place. Upon their destruction, they release an Animal.

Personality[]

While built to serve as work drones, Caterkillers possess a degree of sentience and personality traits. These traits include fawning over Dr. Eggman and celebrating his birthday on their own volition,^[4] as well as showing fear and stress moments before being destroyed.^[5]

Powers and abilities[]

Despite being far less advanced than other Badniks like those in the E-Series, the Caterkillers' design allows them to perform tasks flawlessly.^[6] This Badnik's main attack method lies in its ability to only have one segment that can be destroyed without any injury to the attacker, making it more of a defensive Badnik than an offensive one. Not only will the attacker be hurt if they try to hurt the last three segments, but the segments will detach and scurry around the area, causing even more potential damage.

Variants[]

Although Caterkiller has not made many in game appearances, there exist different variations of the Caterkiller that appeared over the years.

• Kemusi from Sonic the Hedgehog CD looks extremely similar to the Caterkiller but with a pink color scheme and a set of spikes that protrude from their back. Bad Future variants are completely vulnerable, though.
• The Bead Worm Boss of Gigalopolis Zone from Sonic Chaos is a Master Robot that seems to directly be a giant variant of the Caterkiller.
• Catakiller, Jr. (known as Meramora in Japan), from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a variant of Caterkiller that has the added ability to both hover and protect its body with an energy wave.
• Sandworm from Sonic & Knuckles greatly resembles the original Caterkiller, although it is blue instead of purple. It does not crawl, instead burrowing through quicksand, and can even leap out of the sand to attack the player. In later games, Sandworms often hide in holes in an attempt to ambush their foes by spitting projectiles at them when they come near. In Japan, both Caterkiller and Sandworm are known as Nal.
• Catalurcher from Knuckles' Chaotix is an inchworm-based variant of Caterkiller. Unlike most other variants of Caterkiller, it can be defeated by attacking any point of its body.
• Snake from Sonic 3D Blast looks almost identical to Caterkiller and acts similarly to Sandworm from Sonic & Knuckles, though it jumps in and out of solid ground rather than quicksand.
• Wamu from Sonic Advance may be based off a rotifer rather than an arthropod or worm, but it looks and behaves almost identically to Catakiller, Jr.
• Sandworm from Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II is a more monstrous variant of the Caterkiller based on a centipede rather than a caterpillar.^[7]
• Big Nal from Sonic Lost World is a larger pink colored variant of the Caterkiller that is far more dangerous compared to their regular counterparts.
• Rattlekiller from Sonic Mania is a green colored variant of the Caterkiller. It typically coils around totem poles to suddenly swoop at their foes if they get too close. The segments of the Rattlekiller are also seen being used by Zombie Orbinauts as well.
• The Uber Caterkiller of Mirage Saloon Zone, also from Sonic Mania, is a giant counterpart to the Rattlekiller, though its coloration makes it look closer to a Caterkiller. It also greatly resembles the Bead Worm Boss from Sonic Chaos.

Other comparable Badniks[]

While these Badniks have no direct confirmation on being variants of the Caterkiller, they do share many similar characteristics that make them comparable to the Caterkillers in some way, shape, or form.

• Crawlton from the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a sinister-looking, centipede-based Badnik that hides in the background before swooping at the player. While they are not confirmed to be a variant of Caterkiller, similarly to them, they are only vulnerable to attacks from their head, with the rest of their body being completely permeable. The Rattlekillers from Sonic Mania also share a similar attack pattern to the Crawltons.
• Dragonfly from Sonic & Knuckles flies up and down, dragging its long, spiky tail behind it. Because of its movement patterns, its overall length, and the fact only its head can be hit, it can be difficult to maneuver around.
• Fireworm from Sonic & Knuckles behaves almost identically to Catakiller Jr., though they pop out of holes and appear in groups more often. They protect themselves with fire and spikes.
• Eeliotte from Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble is unique, as despite it being based on a vertebrate, it still shares a similar segment-like design to the Caterkillers. They are found underwater, where they swim back and forth. Since their segments are electrified, they can only be hit on their heads, which is easier said than done.
• Geji-Geji from Sonic Advance 2 travels vertically between the ceiling and the floors, and can only be defeated by hitting its head. Despite this, they do not share much in common with the Caterkiller beyond being segmented Badniks (with them sharing more in-common to the Crawltons due to their centipede origins).
• Guruguru from Sonic Advance 3 looks similarly to Catakiller Jr. and Wamu and acts much the same way. Despite this, they are not confirmed to be related to either Badnik.
• Muukaden, also from Sonic Advance 3, flies about, retracting and protracting large spikes from its segments. Similarly to the Geji-Geji before them, they share more similarities with the Crawlton more so than the Caterkillers (despite not being confirmed to be related to either Badnik).
• Caterpillar Mecha from Sonic Superstars flies through the air, shooting projectiles from the barrels on its segments, making them analogous to both the Caterkiller and Catakiller, Jr.

In other media[]

Television[]

Sonic Prime[]

Caterkillers reappear in the Sonic Prime television series, sporting a design similar to their appearance in the games, though with more pinkish spots on their segments and cheeks, as well as being significantly larger than they are usually depicted.

The Caterkillers, alongside Buzz Bombers and Burrobots are among the many Badniks that attempted to defeat Sonic and his friends, but were ultimately destroyed in the process. Like the other Badniks, it is unknown what the fate of the Caterkillers were after Sonic accidentally broke the Paradox Prism.

Books and comics[]

Sonic the Hedgehog Story Comic[]

The Caterkiller appears in Sonic the Hedgehog Story Comic manga published by Shogakukan. At the beginning of the Sonic the Hedgehog Story Comic Volume 2 story Clash!! South Island, Caterkiller chases Pocky at Marble Zone until Sonic destroys it with his Spin Attack and saves Pocky. A little later Picky emerges from the wreckage of the Caterkiller, serving as an organic battery of the Badnik.

Archie Comics[]

Main articles: Caterkiller (Archie), Caterkiller (Pre-Super Genesis Wave), and Caterkiller (In Another Time, In Another Place)

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Caterkillers were among the first generation of Badniks produced by Dr. Robotnik. The Caterkiller was in fact the first Badnik Sonic the Hedgehog encountered. Over time though, the Caterkillers were rendered obsolete by more advanced robots. When Dr. Eggman took over, he would go on and produce a far larger and more powerful, but also less intelligent, Caterkiller.

After the Super Genesis Wave re-wrote history, the Caterkillers' history became nearly identical to that of their game counterparts.

Sonic the Comic[]

Main article: Caterkiller (Sonic the Comic)

In the Sonic the Comic series published by Fleetway Editions, the Caterkillers were a part of Dr. Robotnik's Badnik army. Because of the different artists, Caterkillers were often give a slightly different look in each of their appearance. Despite having a strong bite, Caterkillers were not smart in their early appearances, but over time, later models got faster and were able to burrow through the ground.

The Caterkillers were frequently called into battle against the Freedom Fighters and their allies. While he was stationed on Flickies' Island, Robotnik started building a more powerful and dread-looking model of Caterkillers.

Sonic X[]

Main article: Caterkiller (Sonic X)

In the Sonic X comic series published by Archie Comics, the Caterkillers appeared as digital enemies whom Sonic encountered in a virtual reality Dr. Eggman had trapped him in.

IDW Publishing[]

Dr. Eggman's Birthday[]

Some Caterkillers, along with many other Badniks worked together to give Dr. Eggman a nice birthday by trying to destroy Sonic for him. However, they were ordered to return to base by Eggman before they could commence their attack. Back at base, the Caterkillers and other Badniks were scolded by Eggman for their carelessness. Although they regretted their actions, the Caterkillers nevertheless joined in on Eggman's subsequent birthday celebration in spite of Eggman's reluctance.^[4]

Recent past[]

A Caterkiller was once used as a test subject for the Egg Noggin before the Doctor himself scrapped the program.^[8]

Tangle & Whisper[]

Caterkiller parts could once be found in an abandoned Eggman Empire warehouse, which was been occupied by Mimic.^[9]

Eggman's Day Off[]

The model of a Caterkiller was shown to Dr. Starline by Dr. Eggman when they latter showed the former the Badniks and models he had created over time.^[10]

Chao Races and Badnik Bases[]

Having obtained a used Caterkiller for his collection in his suite at the White Park Grand Chateau, Clutch would activate a Caterkiller alongside other used Badniks and have it attack Amy, Cream, Gemerl and Belle after they crossed him. Eventually though, the Caterkillers were destroyed by the heroes and Clutch's Chao.^[11][12]

Imposter Syndrome and Trial by Fire[]

During Dr. Starline's revisit to the Egg Cave, he would gaze upon Dr. Eggman's Caterkiller model while reminiscing.^[13] Not long after, a few Caterkillers stationed in Eggperial City attempted to stop Surge and Kit when they began wreaking havoc around the city, only to be destroyed by the duo. When Dr. Starline then took over the Eggman Empire, he sent out an override code that brought Badniks all over the world under his control, including the Caterkillers.^[14]

Following Starline's next command, the Caterkillers from around the world began traveling to Eggperial City.^[14][15] While the Caterkillers would ignore those along the way, they eventually began attacking Sonic, Tails, and Belle not too far from Eggperial City when they tried to stop Motobud. However, they abandoned their attack after Belle cut Motobud's power, and continued their march towards Eggperial City.^[15]

Battle for the Empire[]

When Dr. Eggman regained control over his Badniks after Dr. Starline had seized control of them, the doctor had the Caterkillers and other Badniks in Eggperial City surround Sonic, Tails, and Belle.^[16]

Urban Warfare[]

A group of Caterkillers and Batbrains attempted to attack Sonic while he was infuriating the Eggperial City. Unfortunately for the Caterkillers and Batbrains, they would quickly be embolized by Silver's Psychokinesis and burned to a crisp by Blaze when they came to rescue Sonic from the Badniks.^[5]

Miscellaneous[]

Come Join the Eggman Empire![]

In Come Join the Eggman Empire!, a Caterkiller makes a brief cameo via Eggman's demonstration of robotomy, where a normal caterpillar is transformed into a Caterkiller.^[17]

Merchandise[]

The toy company Tomy released a Caterkiller figurine during the release of Sonic & Knuckles in a pack with three other figurines.

Trivia[]

• The Caterkiller was originally intended to appear in Spring Yard Zone instead of Marble Zone, but was switched with Spikes late in development. This change can be seen as one of Roller's sprites is corrupted in the original game due to overlapping with its data. Caterkiller appears as a default Badnik of Spring Yard Zone in the original Sonic the Hedgehog's Debug Mode.^[18]
• The standard Caterkiller models were intended to appear in Sonic Mania as enemies in Metallic Madness Zone. However, they were scrapped.^[19]
• The Caterkiller's Japanese name, "Nal," is derived from naru, meaning "to reach."
  • This is also shared with Sandworm, a Caterkiller variant.

References[]