Cukemen are recurring Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.[1][note 1] They are strange enemies that are the result when Link sprinkles Magic Powder or uses a Mystery Seed on a Buzz Blob, transforming it into this creature. Cukemen are notable as being able to converse with Link, and will usually give him confusing advice about the game and various things in it.
Since neither Four Swords Adventures, A Link Between Worlds, or Tri Force Heroes have Magic Powder or Mystery Seeds, Cukemen cannot be found anywhere in these games, despite the presence of Buzz Blobs.
Characteristics[]
A Link to the Past[]
In A Link to the Past, a Cukeman is the result when Link sprinkles Magic Powder on a Buzz Blob. Buzz Blobs appear close to the Witch's Hut, where Link exchanges the Magic Mushroom for the Magic Powder, making them good targets to practice using the Magic Powder on and thus discover their transformation. Link can speak with the Cukeman by carefully approaching it and pressing either the A or B-buttons. It will speak mostly about Sahasrahla and recommends that Link find him.[3][4] Cukemen, however, are still electrified and do not change their attack pattern, and will still shock Link if he strikes one with his Sword. Because of this, it is safer to approach and speak with a Cukeman by pressing the B-button, as Link will swing his Sword if he is not close enough.
Strangely, if a Cukeman is frozen with the Ice Rod or Ether Medallion, then smashed with the Magic Hammer, it will, instead of shattering, turn back into a Buzz Blob again.
In A Link to the Past & Four Swords, a Cukeman is the final answer in the Lumberjack's Riddles. It can be captured with the Bug Catching Net and stored in the Basket to bring back to Q. Bumpkin.
| Quotes |
|---|
| Tra la la, look for Sahasrahla. ... ... ... |
| Oh yah, you found Sahasrahla! ... ... ... Good job, la la! |
Link's Awakening[]
In Link's Awakening, Buzz Blobs are transformed into Cukemen after sprinkling them with Magic Powder. Their appearance is much different than the Cukemen in A Link to the Past, as they resemble Buzz Blobs with bulging eyes. One Buzz Blob also appears close to the Witch's Hut, which Link can practice using the Magic Powder on. The Cukemen in Link's Awakening talk about various things, usually nonsense.
| Quotes |
|---|
| Hey Mon! |
| You know me, I like short names the best... |
| It can display millions of polygons! |
| I definitely need it, as soon as possible! |
Oracle of Seasons[]
In Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Cukemen appear after using a Mystery Seed on a Buzz Blob. They appear identical to the Cukemen of Link's Awakening. They speak of various, nonsensical things, including wanting to go to a southern tropical island for a vacation.[5][6] Unlike the Cukemen of previous games, which speak phrases in a set order, the phrases that Cukemen in the Oracle games say are randomized.
| Quotes |
|---|
| Feel my cold, steely gaze!!! |
| 3 Large, 2 Regular. |
| Really? I mean, I knew that! |
| I'm so sleepy. |
| I want to ride a plane. Anywhere's fine. |
| I want a nice tropical vacation. |
| I wish I could go to a tropical southern island. |
| Huh? Did I say that? |
Trivia[]
- In Link's Awakening, one of the phases Cukeman says mentions an unnamed thing that can display "millions of polygons," and expresses needing it.[7][8] This might have been a reference to the Nintendo 64, which was in early development at the time of the game's release.
- The German translator of Link's Awakening, Claude M. Moyse, hid some controversial jokes in the Cukeman's phrases. These phrases were replaced by more neutral ones in Link's Awakening DX.[9] The phrases are:
- Never without a condom!
- Do you have any sorrows, hardships or problems?
- !STOP THE WAR! GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!!
- Give me your juice, I'll give you mine...
- In the Oracle Series, a phrase mentioning "A tropical Island" or a "Southern tropical Island" could be a reference to Super Mario Sunshine's Isle Delfino and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker's Outset Island respectively. This is mostly due to the fact that both games were in development around the time of the the releases of the Oracle games with both aforementioned games start each respective protagonist out on a "tropical island", and the fact that Outset Island is the southmost island on the sea chart.
- The "Plane" mentioned by the Cukeman could also be a reference to the plane, known as the "Toad Express" that Mario, Peach, Toadsworth and a few other toads ride to get to Isle Delfino.
Nomenclature[]
 Names in other regions  | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | ||
 | FrenchEU | Cukeman[10] | |
| This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. | |||
Notes
- ↑ This enemy was referred to as Potatohead in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past — Nintendo Player's Guide by Nintendo of America.[2] However, because the term "Cukeman" was officially stated in Art & Artifacts, the term "Potatohead" is not considered Canon.
References
- ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 172 (ALttP | LA | OoS | OoA)
- ↑ The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past — Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 110
- ↑ "Tra la la, look for Sahasrahla. ... ... ..." — Cukeman (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "Oh yah, you found Sahasrahla! ... ... ... Good job, la la!" — Cukeman (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "I wish I could go to a tropical southern island." — Cukeman (Oracle of Seasons)
- ↑ "I want a nice tropical vacation." — Cukeman (Oracle of Seasons)
- ↑ "It can display millions of polygons!" — Cukeman (Link's Awakening DX)
- ↑ "I definitely need it, as soon as possible!" — Cukeman (Link's Awakening DX)
- ↑ Legend of Zelda, The - Link's Awakening, Schnittberichte.com.
- ↑ Encyclopedia, Les Éditions Soleil, pg. 173
